Mr. Arculli -
We don't expect there will be any changes in the administration of the club Only the name will be change but that was the decision of the majority of their members. Other club members including the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has also gone through a name-change.

G&W -
Do you think there will be any changes to other ambling business or horse racing?

Mr. Arculli -
Apart from the mahjong parlors, horse racing is the only other gambling business in Hong Kong. I think that horse racing is good for the normal running of our society. Not only does it provide a lot of fun and excitement for the general public, it also contributes significantly, I think about 7% of the total tax collected by the Hong Kong Government. The RHKJC is a non-profit making organsiation and all the surplus is used for the benefit of our society to fund the much-needed projects like building schools or old people's home etc.

G&W -
Do you think horse racing will become even more popular after 1997 or will people change their habit in gambling?

Mr. Arculli -
I don't think 1997 will have a great impact on the people's interest and hobby. Of course I hope people will continue to gamble on horse racing because as I said before, it brings great revenue to the government's tax coffers. It is actually a form of voluntary taxation.

G&W -
Why are you so fond of horses?

Mr. Arculli -
When I was a teenager, I was influenced by my grandfather who also liked horse racing. We were living in Happy Valley then so that we could be a contributory factor as well. My interest in horses probably blossomed when was in England.

G&W -
You do own some famous champion horses. How do you choose these horses or is it just pure luck?

Mr. Arculli -
I only own one champion horse River Verdon. People say that I have an eye for choosing good horses but I think a lot to it is luck. Of course a lot of help has to come from the trainers and jockeys. River Verdon came to Hong Kong when it was 2 years old and it never raced until it was 3. The trainer and jockey decided to give it more time to mature and it has proven to be the correct decision.

G&W -
After River Verdon returned from international races, its results in local races has not been satisfying. Do you think you have made a wrong decision in sending it to these competitions?

Mr. Arculli -
Maybe it was a wrong decision in respect to the horse. But to the development of Hong Kong racing, I think otherwise. By sending River Verdon to international races, we have set up a precedent for other horses in Hong Kong to have a chance to race abroad. Australia has a reputation for strict quarantine requirements which makes it nearly impossible for overseas horses, especially those from Hong Kong, to participate in international races held there. Now that we have succeeded with River Verdon, another horse Makarpura Star will be going to Australia later this week to compete in an international race. I would like to think that we have broken the barrier and helped bring Hong Kong racing to the international arena.

G&W -
Would you like to tell us about your daily work routine?