Hong Kong Jockey Club
Beauty Generation prepared for his next Group 1 assignment with a routine barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday morning.
Hong Kong’s standout champion pleased connections with a two-length third to Pakistan Star in the 1000m turf track hit-out, nine days ahead of an attempt at a repeat win in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
“He’s going well,” jockey Zac Purton said. “He gave me a good feel. He’s at that stage where every time you get on him, he feels good - he doesn’t feel any different to how he’s felt so far this season.”
Given that Beauty Generation is five from five this term and now ranks as Hong Kong’s joint all-time highest rated horse, those are ominous words for the opposition.
The bay travelled strongly though the trial, galloping close to the inner cones without pressure to clock 57.94s.
“He’s doing everything right,” trainer John Moore said. “He did what we wanted him to do, he showed good, early gate speed which is what you need at the 1400 (metres) and Zac was happy. I asked Zac to keep him down that side, there was no hanging or anything and his feet are in great order.”
Purton, too, stated that the hanging that caused concern earlier this term was not in evidence.
“He seems to be much better at the moment in that regard,” the champion jockey said. “Last time he railed really well and today I brought him over towards the witches’ hats to start with and he came over really nicely, so hopefully all that stuff’s behind him.”
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 17 February is one of two G1 contests on a feature race triple-header. Pakistan Star is headed towards that afternoon’s G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and trainer Tony Cruz was delighted to see the Shamardal gelding lead the batch home handsomely in 57.64s.
“That was impressive considering it was just 1000m,” he said. “He came good at this time last year and I think 2000m is perfect for him now. Tommy Berry has been confirmed for the ride.” -HKJC