Hong Kong Jockey Club
Jockey Derek Leung believes shock first-up winner Beauty Generation is capable of adding the Gr.2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) to his record on Sunday as the galloper continues his march towards December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
Leung is aiming to score his first Group Two success aboard the John Moore-trained Beauty Generation, who formerly raced as Montaigne, after producing a well-judged front-running ride to take the Gr.3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) aboard the five-year-old on October 1. It was the first time that Beauty Generation had led, a plan that Leung said was devised by his handler on race day.
“I think he should still have more improvement from that race,” Leung said. “That’s the only time I’ve sat on him, so I haven’t ridden him in track work, but being from the John Moore stable you’d expect him to come on for that first run.
“It’s only his second season in Hong Kong so he will still be improving. He’s a nice horse, he’s well-balanced and there’s a lot to like about him. He’s won over a lot farther, so we know the mile will be no problem for him.”
Beauty Generation will jump from gate three.