Technical issues with commingling pools wreaked havoc with Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting, forcing lengthy delays to the final two races and playing a big role in an estimated HK$350 million hit to turnover.

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said intermittent problems with a database used to take overseas bets was the cause of the delays, prompting all commingling bets to be refunded and odds for race nine to be recalculated.

The issue arose five minutes before the start of race nine and multiple delays to the following race, which was eventually run 37 minutes late, left punters frustrated.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said “probably around two-thirds of our commingling partners were effected”, with correct weight for race nine not declared until over an hour after the race.

“When we looked at the issue, we decided we will not approve any commingling bets in the pool of race nine because we were not 100 per cent sure if all the bets were in the system or not,” he said.

“It’s very clear there was a connectivity issue and it was intermittent and then we cannot take the risk. So that’s when we decided to zero-out – pay all the overseas bets refunded and keep only the local bets and calculate the local odds, to make sure there is no issue.

“Turnover’s down a little bit – probably around HK$350 million loss of overseas turnover. This was race nine, 10 and 11, so that had a significant impact on the turnover.

“The issue is you not only pay back the turnover, it has an impact on the local turnover, too, because the pool size isn’t there and people don’t bet as much.

“Our team have great confidence this will be resolved for Wednesday.”

Hermod continues to pack heat

Packing Hermod will hit the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) in top form after charging to a second consecutive victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Sent off the $1.55 favourite for the Class Two River Verdon Handicap (1,400m), Packing Hermod sat outside leader Dancing Code in the run and proved far too strong in the home straight, prevailing over that galloper by three-quarters of a length.

It was Packing Hermod’s sixth win at start 10 and it formed the first leg of a double for both trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai and jockey Zac Purton.

Lui struck again in the very next race, snaring the Class Four Russian Emperor Handicap (1,400m) with Do Your Part.

Voyage bosses it like his brother

Voyage Boss completed a rare family double when he took the brave route to win the Class Four Makarpura Star Handicap (1,200m) on debut at Sha Tin on Sunday.

To Infinity flashed home to win a 1,650m Class Four at Happy Valley on Wednesday for Jamie Richards and just three days later, his full brother Voyage Boss lived up to his name at Sha Tin.

Trained by Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, the galloper – by Darci Brahma out of Italic – travelled well in the box seat after jumping smartly from the inside stall.

And when Copartner Fleet left the rail open just after the turn, Derek Leung Ka-chun needed no second invitation and slid through, with Voyage Boss claiming the lead and winning comfortably despite running around late.

It was a smart performance and a change of surface by his trainer seemed to worked the oracle.

“I trialled him five times already, but four times were on the dirt and he hated the kickback. That’s why I went to Happy Valley last time and he trialled well, so we took him to Sha Tin,” said Lor.

“He’s very straightforward, later on I think he can go a bit further. The jockey said he’s still very green and was really looking around. When you get a good draw, it’s usually much easier for a young horse.

“We’ll stay at Sha Tin for now – if he goes up about six or seven [points] in the ratings he can still race in Class Four.”

Things got even better for connections later on Sunday, with Voyage Bubble carrying the same colours to victory in the Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m).

Rank outsider lights up Sha Tin

Cody Mo Wai-kit was delivered a welcome surprise when Light Years Glory defied his $45.25 quote to score a thrilling victory on debut in the Pakistan Star Plate (1,200m) for Griffins.

Sent out at big odds after showing indifferent form at the trials, the Advertise three-year-old rattled home from back in the field under Matthew Chadwick to make a perfect start to his career.

Chadwick saved ground along the inside rail early in the straight before spearing Light Years Glory through a tight gap inside the final 100m, with the newcomer gunning down $1.9 favourite Quick Money by a neck.

“He drew [barrier] one and there was a slow pace. The horse is still green, so it was a surprise,” Mo said.

“In his second last trial in Conghua, we put the cheek pieces on and he had a strong finish. He has shown a good kick and he has ability, but I was surprised he could win at his first start.”