Hot Spot 2; December 25, 2018
The number of birds basketed for this race was 1269 which was just 40 less than the number released from 330 km in Hot Spot 1 two weeks earlier when the winning speed was higher than 1,727 mpm. The number of day-bird in that race was at a record of 1,223 birds or 93.43%. This time, the athletes started their journey from 430 km at 6.50 am in ideal weather condition, 19 Celsius, clear sky with slight tail wind of about 9 km/hour. However, they might have met the harder condition with rising temperature from about half way to destination. The first flock of about 12 pigeons hit the landing board starting from 12.03.52.43 pm at a speed of 1,309.9772 mpm. Some of this fast group landed on their bellies first and showed sign of fatigue and dehydration. The second flock of a few dozen birds arrived just one minute later and followed by continuing stream of arrivals. At day end, 697 birds or 54.93% of the field came home. In final analysis, it is the weather condition that dictates the destiny and performance of the birds regardless of how well one have prepared them.
Comparing the performance of local and international teams, local entries of 657 birds or 51.70 % of the filed had 507 day-birds (51.90%) while international teams of 612 birds (48.3 % of the field) had 470 day-birds (48.1%). Statistic thus showed that they are equally good taking into consideration also the race results listing.
First among the equal first group and the Princess Cup winner was R18-50033 of Boonchuay Sant-Vichai. The bird stepped on the antenna nine seconds ahead of its counterpart. As predicted in my review on Hot Spot 1, Mr. Boonchuay was the man to be reckoned in this year race. His team won the third prize in Hot Spot 1, and 3 prizes in the first 50 money prizes of this race. He still has 22 pigeons going forward in different combination names. Equally good as performer but not in luck was R18-56403 of Anek-Som-Than which won the second prize as well as BE-18-6065921 of Dream Team USA which won the 3rd prize by a Belgian bred bird. The first three pigeons’ past performance were just regular fliers while many past outstanding birds were also not to be seen in this race. Distance and weather condition often separated boys from men but not the 4th prize winner of Suksanti Loft which won the 16th prize in Hot Spot 1. This pigeon presently stands 1st in ACE Pigeon ranking. Competing for the prestigious ACE Pigeon title is R18-51185 of Sadawut Taechaubol and R18-63581 of Pichai Akrapreeda,. These two gentlemen are known for their expensive collections of imported quality birds while Khun Sadawut was the winner of the King Cup at Pattaya International final race in 2016
For the Team Championship competition, the ‘A Suporn-Blue Blood’ team advanced further with six points in total or two points ahead of eight competing teams that had total 4 points each. That did not stop the Blue Blood camp. Their other team of five remaining birds by the name of ‘’Blue Blood & Spagy Syndicate’ all scored together 5 positions within the first 15%. Combined with one point earned from Hot Spot 1, this team also had 6 points making it in the same standing as the first team. For the Grand Average Ace title, there are now only ten pigeons that have a chance to win the fifth and last prize in the final.
As requested by our supporters, we broadcasted live the arrivals of birds in this Hot Spot 2. Another good news is that the Royal Palace has approved a new Queen Cup for the first bird of either the international teams or the local teams that does not win the King Cup in the final race. In other words, if a Thai bird won the first prize and the King Cup in final race, the Queen Cup goes to the first foreign bird and vice-versa.
The birds will be trained for at least two more times before the final race while basketing at the racing loft is scheduled on January 7, 2019, the same day we ‘ll have the welcome party at Montien Riverside Hotel in the evening. The first race date is on December 8th and Thank Party on the evening of January 9th at the same hotel where auction of the 20+ top performing birds will be auctioned in that event. The first auction of pigeons within the first 150 positions will be held earlier starting 1.00 pm. Shuttle bus will be available to take the guests to and from the racing loft for basketing and final race watching. Please contact the hotel information desk for the bus schedule.
Due to the expected high numbers of cars and visitors going to the final race, we humbly ask for your cooperation to follow the directive of our staff for parking. Some cars must go to the underground garage. The top deck of the building where the loft is situated may not be large enough to accommodate all people wanting to see the arriving birds at close range. Therefore, life broadcast will be displayed on 50” screen on the 8th floor. Our building hosts many respectable clients & companies. Kindly dress in respectable casual but not in shorts, sleeveless t-shirt and slippers.
Sornthep Gomutputra
