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Magic Millions Race Day 2020

This is not a meeting I’ve attended before, let alone shot as a photographer. I’d heard plenty about how crowded and tough the conditions were on the small track, so I was prepared for the worst. While it’s not the ideal place, things were better than I’d mentally prepared for. A temporary cabin was set up for media overflow, it wasn’t spectacular, but workable. The main bugbear was the complete lack of functioning Wifi, but eventually the pictures got filed, although others were not so lucky.

The Two Year Old Classic and the Guineas were the standout races on the card, but another really interesting one was the Fillies and Mares race, which Invincibella (I am Invincable-Abscond) was seeking to win for the third time (something that hadn’t been done before).

Magic Millions Guineas

Alligator Blood was star of the show and the horse I was most looking forward to seeing. He was just nosed out in the Caulfield Guineas during the spring, by the fast and wide finishing Super Seth. There is a school of thought that he may have held on if he’d seen the swooper coming, which would mean he would now have an unbeaten record.

Caulfield Races – Caulfield Guineas Day 12/10/19 R8: Super Seth Jockey: Mark Zahra Trainer: Anthony Freedman Caulfield Guineas

After a short break Alligator Blood had two very easy wins in his prep races for this, and was a dominant short priced favourite all week. A horse with ample gate speed, a widish draw (11) did not diminish the enthusiasm of punters who were willing to take the odds on prices on offer.

Plenty of planning goes into winning a $2M race, right down to the trip and arrival to the course on a busy day. However not even the most diligent planner, which trainer David Vandyke is, could have accounted for the bedlam that preceded Alligator Blood’s arrival on track. A major accident on a freeway involving a petrol tanker made it look unlikely that horse and trainer would make it trackside. Stewards made the bold and unusual call to put all races back one, to allow all horses caught up in the traffic jam to arrive. They eventually did and the show went on.

Magic Millions Race Day – Gold Coast – 11/1/20 Alligator Blood, trained by David Vandyke, ridden by Ryan Moloney Magic Millions Guineas

Once the gates opened there was little to worry about for Alligator Blood and jockey Ryan Moloney. He jumped well, took a handy position and when they turned he kicked clear and the result was never in doubt. Trainer Vandyke spoke after the win “He wanted to run today but I wasn’t happy with him (given the delay on the float) – but I wanted to give him an opportunity to do what he does and that is to get out there and compete,” Vandyke said.

“Ryan rode him a treat and gave him plenty of room in the straight and the horse did the rest.

“We got beaten narrowly in the Caulfield Guineas but to see him race away and win $2million race, it’s a big relief.

“Considering everything it would have to be the highlight of my career.”

Jockey Ryan Moloney said: “Nothing went right before the race but once we jumped it was a dream we had a beautiful spot three back one off and he just eased up three wide and went bang.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mus1QEvwmhI

Magic Millions 2yo Classic

This was a wide open affair with no obvious favourite, whereas the last couple of years we’ve seen at least one horse strongly favoured. The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Aim (Star Witness x Vintage Strike) started favourite @ $4.6 with the bookies. Starting price mattered little here as the first two home were pretty much friendless in the betting ring.

Magic Millions Race Day – Gold Coast – 11/1/20 Away Game,trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, ridden by Luke Currie

Away Game (Snitzel x Elusive Wonder) was not well fancied, despite a last start win in the Calaway Girl Stakes at Doomben. Jockey Luke Currie had her in a three wide trail, but she put the field away quickly at the top of the straight and never looked in doubt of losing in the run home.

  • Magic Millions Race Day – Gold Coast – 11/1/20 Away Game, trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, ridden by Luke Currie Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Currie, who won his second 2YO Classic here said “I was a bit worried where we would get to on the turn but ended up in the three wide line with cover with cover lane and she hasn’t had that in her first two starts and it has worked a treat.

“She was breathing beautifully through the run and that turn of foot was electric.

“I thought she should have been less than $10-1 to win this race but the bookies didn’t see it that way and Ciaron and Dave have done a fantastic job in getting her to come on from that run.”

It was a big win for the training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. “I don’t know what it is I’ve had some big wins in this career, but I’ve never been quite this emotional,” Maher said.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into our two-year-olds this year and to culminate with a Magic Millions win is unbelievable.”

“The filly is already a Stakes winner and now to win the Magic Millions, it’s fantastic.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AM1kIsPL2A

 

Magic Millions Fillies and Mares

Invincibella (I Am Invincible-Abscond) has been a great advertisement for the Star Thoroughbred syndication team. Prior to Saturday, she’d won 11 from 42 starts and banked over $2M, showing great durability as a now six year old mare, and was looking to make it three wins here and tick over the $3M mark.

Magic Millions Race Day – Gold Coast – 11/1/20 Invincibella, trained by Chris Waller, ridden by Hugh Bowman

Her previous wins here were by narrow margins, but this one was quite comfortable, at just shy of a length. Trainer Chris Waller said “After a few years, and we’ve seen it with a few other good horses in our stable, you keep things simple and they keep turning up and performing their best and it’s very special to be a part of horses like that,”

“We like our young horses, the two-year-olds, but the four, five and six-year-olds are still very much a part of our team and if you look after them, they look after you.”

“She has these three wins but more importantly she has a Group One beside her name.

“Invincibella really has been great for our stable.”

  • Magic Millions Race Day – Gold Coast – 11/1/20 Invincibella, trained by Chris Waller, ridden by Hugh Bowman

Jockey Hugh Bowman commented “She’s been really lucky with this race, it’s just the perfect distance for her,” Bowman said.

“The management of her, to keep her coming back year after year and to race at the top level throughout the year at the other carnivals is just extraordinary.

“I’ve had a great association with her, she’s got a real soft spot in my heart and I’m just so proud she could come here and do it again.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYQ3Cvocljo

Hong Kong Cup 2019

This did not appear to be the strongest edition of the Cup, however it was an even race with no clear standout. Japan’s Win Bright was back to try and repeat his FWD QEII Cup success, Magic Wand was representing the Ballydoyle operation after securing her first G1 success in the Mackinnon Stakes in Melbourne last month. The home team were hoping for Derby winner Furore and the up and coming Rise High, ridden by Vincent Ho to fly the Hong Kong flag.

As expected the brothers Time Warp and Glorious Forever set the pace, with Magic Wand settling in behind, with Win Bright on her outer. Furore was further back, with Rise High in front of him. As they turned for home Time Warp and Glorious Forever were challenged and soon folded. Rise High momentarily hit the front, but Win Bright kept coming and took the lead. Neither Ryan Moore on Magic Wand or Hugh Bowman on Furore will remember the run home fondly, both finding trouble impeding their progress. Magic Wand switched inside, but it was too late, Win Bright held her out to take a great Sha Tin double for 2019.

  • HKIR Race Day 2019 – 8/12/19 Hong Kong Cup winner Win Bright, ridden by Masami Matsuoka, trained by Yoshihiro Hatekeyama

“It went the way we were expecting,” jockey Masami Matsuoka said. “I thought the pace would be slow so I wanted to sit third or fourth. I was very happy it all went to plan. We perhaps made our move maybe a bit early as we were carrying plenty of speed into the straight. This is great because his last two starts have not been satisfactory. The horse has been improving all week since he got here. We had a memorable day in April and it is special to come back.”

Trainer Yoshihiro Hatekeyama said “After his summer break he couldn’t get into top condition. His last two runs were below what I expected but he began to improve straight after the Tenno Sho Autumn and we always wanted to come here if we got the invite. 

“He was in really good shape by the time he left Japan and that is why we were able to follow the same routine here as when we came in April.

“Tactically the race went exactly to plan. We wanted to sit handy. At the first bend he tried to tuck in and perhaps put a little pressure to the others. He came home really well in the straight.”

Thanks to the HKJC team for all the quotes!

Hong Kong Mile 2019

Home town hero Beauty Generation was looking for his third straight win in the Hong Kong Mile, a feat only ever achieved before by Good Ba Ba. However there appeared to be chinks in what previously appeared to be impenetrable armour, with him going down in his last two starts. Waikuku who beat him last start, appeared to be the next best of the locals.

The Japanese had bought a strong contingent, current champion Miler Indy Champ and three year old Admire Mars, who was the dominant two year old of his crop. At the jump Beauty Generation and Indy Champ were equal favourites.

As expected both Ka Ying Star and Beauty Generation jumped well, with the Purton settling on the outer of Ka Ying Star and Karis Teetan. Admire Mars took a spot mid-field and Indy Champ behind him, with Waikuku in the final pair.

Beauty Generation kicked at the top of the straight, but that dominating sprint of days gone by was not apparent. The challengers came quickly – Admire Mars, Waikuku and Normcore all pressed claims. However it was Christophe Soumillion and and Admire Mars who hit the frame from Waikuku and Joao Moreira, with Beauty Generation holding on for third.

“I knew my horse was very strong, although his last run wasn’t that good,” Soumillon said. “He was the best two-year-old last year in Japan, probably the best three-year-old in Japan too. “I knew he could stay that distance quite well, he has good gate speed, he liked the ground, so I was quite happy. I told the lad before the race when I saw the odds on the screen ‘there’s something wrong there because for me he should be in the first four favourites’. I rode my race as if he was the favourite and it paid off.”

Trainer Yusuo Tomomichi – “I did think this was going to be a difficult race for a three-year-old to win, but when I saw how he had settled here earlier this week, I thought that he looked really well,” he said.

“Christophe Soumillon had asked to ride the horse, and he gave him a very good ride.”

He continued: “We were all going to wear the same suit and tie together, so it still feels as if Mr Kondo is with us watching the race. He was a big supporter for me for a long time, he had many good horses, and he was a very good person.”

Of Beauty generation, John Moore commented “He was gallant in defeat,” said Moore. “In his last two runs he hasn’t been hitting the line as we’d expect. That’s what Zac said and he confirmed that.

“He’s just not going through the gears when he gets into the straight and he did it again today. The Stewards’ Cup will be his next Group 1 race and we’ll take it race by race from there.”

Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.

Hong Kong Sprint 2019

The local brigade looked set to dominate this race, especially after one of the two overseas visitors (In Her Time) was withdrawn on race morning under vets instructions. However the question was whether emerging star Aethero trained by John Moore could hold out the established brigade, particularly the John Size duo of Hot King Prawn and Beat The Clock and Frankie Lor’s two time winner Mr Stunning.

As expected Aethero pinged the gates and crossed the field from his wide gate (10), enabling jockey Zac Purton to lead the field up. Mr Stunning and Hot King Prawn settled in behind and Beat The Clock was three back on the rail. Aethero kicked upon straightening, and was able to put a small gap on them. However the established stars kept coming and it was Joao Moreira and Beat The Clock who hit the frame late from Hot King Prawn, with Aethero holding out for third.

  • HKIR Race Day 2019 – 8/12/19 Hong Kong Sprint winner Beat The Clock, ridden by Joao Moreira, trained by John Size

“There’s no way I could be any happier. What a pleasure to be on top of two very nice horses, particularly this guy. He is such a good horse, so consistent, he tries his best always and being his rider is just unforgettable,” said Moreira.

 “When the gates opened he wasn’t fast enough. He didn’t settle where we wanted him to be which was a pair closer but once we were turning for home I could feel I had plenty in my hands and I realised he was coming to win the race with one furlong (200m) to go. This will be in the back of my mind all my life. I’ve been associated with this horse for quite some time. Some people were doubting how good he was and rating him second to other horses in the race. He went there to prove today he’s the best sprinter in Hong Kong. And the best part of it is I don’t think that’s it, I think there’s more to come from him,” Moreira added.

Trainer John Size said: “It’s just his character I guess, his will to win and fighting spirit; all the good things that good horses have, he has all those attributes. He helps himself a lot with his training. He saves his energy for race day. I think he’ll sleep for a week now. He used every ounce of energy in his body in today’s effort and it’s humbling to see a horse do that actually.

“He’s a joy when he comes to the races, I can assure you of that. You’re going to come home with a cheque no matter what; he’s been been an absolute pleasure. He was extremely brave in the run today. He didn’t look like he was going to win but we know with him he’s just not done until the finishing line comes up,” he said.

“This was one of his best performances today, if not his best,” Size said, “and he will feel it. They’re only flesh and blood no matter how good their character.

“It’s very humbling to watch a horse like that. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s actually not much to do with me in the last 50 or 100 yards. We just keep them out of harm’s way and get them to the races to do their best so it’s an unusual feeling and hard to describe; someone who’s more of an orator than me might be able to tell you.

“It’s just natural to be emotional when a horse does something like this space.  It humbles you, that is the best word I can think of. It means plenty to win here. It’s always meaningful to perform well at international level in front of your home crowd.

“From the first day he trialled, he showed us he was a bit different and when he hit the track the sectional times he reeled off at the end of a sprint race showed his Group 1 potential and he’s delivered, he’s got the character and the mindset for it,” he said.

Trainer John Moore was not disappointed with the effort of Aethero. “He’s a three-year-old, only got beaten a neck, so I’m very pleased with the run. He didn’t win but was gallant in defeat. Zac (Purton) said that when he went for him at the 200 (metres), he was expecting something there – that they could kick away a bit but it wasn’t there. He changed legs and that was the difference. He’s definitely still an exciting horse.”

Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.

Hong Kong Vase 2019

In what was a prelude of things to come, Japanese visitor Glory Vase romped away with the 2019 Hong Kong Vase, after looking to be in a precarious position as the field straightened for home. With horses in front of him failing Joao Moreira switched from a three wide lane back towards the rail to find the right gaps and streak away to secure a first G1 win for the son of Deep Impact (ex Mejiro Tsubone)

  • HKIR Race Day 2019 – 8/12/19 Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase, ridden by Joao Moreira, trained by Tomohito Ozeki

From a wide gate Zac Purton pushed favourite Exultant forward and set a reasonable pace, with Anthony Van Dyck and Southern Legend also pushing forward. As the latter two began to tire, Moreira was forced to make a decision about the path he would take, he chose correctly and Gory Vase went on to claim victory by 3.5 lengths from compatriot Lucky Lilac, with Exultant hanging on for third

“I was quite blessed to get in two off the fence, get cover and get him to relax,” Moreira said. “I had horses on top of me at the 800 metres but good horses, if they face a tough situation, they just go through with it and he wasn’t any different.

“He just kept himself in the gap and just before we turned for home I was kind of trapped and had to ride for luck. I sneaked on the inside and hoped the gap would come. Fortunately it did.

“When I got the gap he just dashed from the 350 (metres) and I knew I was the winner because I had plenty of horse underneath me and he was just attacking the line as a really good horse would.”

  • HKIR Race Day 2019 – 8/12/19 Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase, ridden by Joao Moreira, trained by Tomohito Ozeki

Meanwhile, Glory Vase’s trainer Tomohito Ozeki was delighted with his first Hong Kong win.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said as his Deep Impact four-year-old walked back to unsaddle and have the winner’s sash clipped around his neck.

“Moreira did an amazing job riding the horse. We had a meeting together yesterday and felt good about our chances.

“The plan was to come here, we’ve been targeting this race because we felt the track would suit him and the owner was happy to come. Winning international races like this, this is my job as a trainer, this is the best.”

Purton felt the wide draw was too much for Exultant. “The barrier (14) was always going to make it difficult, so it was what it was. He tried his best and ran well,” he said.

Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes.

Hong Kong Cup Stabs 2019

This is a tough race for mine, it’s appears very even after the withdrawal of standout runner Almond Eye, there are no champions here now.

From a pace perspective, expect it to be a good gallop. The last two winners have led throughout, the brothers Time Warp and Glorious Forever. Both are one dimensional in that they need to be at the front and expect them to cart the field along as they duel for the lead. Magic Wand should be able to drop in behind with Furore and FWD QE II winner Win Bright settle behind those. Rise High will get back.

The local hopes revolve around Furore and Rise High. Furore returned to something like his best in the Jockey Club Cup after failing to flatter in his two runs after his Derby success. Rise High was successful over Beauty Generation two starts ago, but was only fair in the Jockey Club Cup.

Unlike Waikuku, Furore got a gun ride in the Derby. Bowman should be able to pick a nice spot to settle here.

Mackinnon Stakes winner Magic Wand has doen plenty of racing and travelling of late, but get her chance to land another G1 here.

She should settle in a nice spot behind the pace and get every chance to finish her race off. She is a typical tough Galileo and the racing and travel appear to have taken no toll on her.

Win Bright returns to the scene of his greatest triumph in the FWD QEII Cup. He’s not returned to the same form as earlier this year, so he is hard to have here, but after witnessing his run in April, I can’t entirely discard him.


The Alain de Royer Dupre trained Edisa is a progressive 3yo filly who followed a win in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational at Belmont USA, with a second in G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Her dam Ebiyza ran in the Vase in 2013, finishing sixth to the John Moore trained Dominant. Her form has been good all season with three wins and three seconds from seven starts.

This is a tough race, no standouts at all.

Stabs: Furore, Magic Wand, Rise High, Win Bright

Hong Kong Mile 2019 Stabs

Beauty Generation looked nigh on invincible, until beaten second up this preparation by Rise High. That came off a gut busting first up effort where he broke the Sha Tin track record for 1400m, lugging a big weight and conceding many pounds to his competitors. He was expected to bounce back in the Jockey Club Mile, but was again beaten, this time by Waikuku, who showed a return on his promise from his four year old season.

Beauty Generation has led from go to whoa in his two Hong kong Mile victories, but he will face a contest fro the lead here, from Ka Ying Star. Waikuku is likely to roll forward from ten and find a position. Japanese star Indy Champ will likely settle mid pack.

Indy Champ is Japan’s standout miler this year. He developed from below the top level with three wins from six starts as a 3yo and tarted this year with G3 1600m win. The mighty Almond Eye was third when he won the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in June. Indy Champ then returned with a warm-up G2 3rd in October and then took Japan’s second 1600m major the G1 Mile Championship in November. Maurice in 2015 completed the same G1 double before winning this race.

  • Sha Tin Track Work – 4/12/19 Indy Champ (冠軍車手), representing Japan, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Mile during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Admire Mars is a winner of five from eight races, and went undefeated in four starts as 2yo last year including the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m). Forth to Saturnalia in G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) earlier in the year, but he bounced back against his 3yo peers to win G1 NHK Mile Cup in May. He then returned from a summer break with a sub-par 9th to Normcore in the G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m) in October.

There will not be any better looking horses stabled at Sha Tin than Persian Knight. Earlier this week he looked very keen when he was out on the dirt track, but appeared far more settled as the week wore on. He was out of form in first half of 2019 but better in three starts since August; and back to something like his best in his latest run, when delivering a late rattle for 3rd to Indy Champ in G1 Mile Championship.

Normcore comes to Hong Kong off a win in the G1 in the Victoria Mile, and in 2018 enjoyed success at G2 and G3 level. On bare form she may struggle to be up to the level of some of the others here, but is clearly in the best form of her career.

This is clearly dependant on which Beauty Generation shows up, he’ll clearly need to be at his absolute best to win.

My stabs: Indy Champ, Beauty Generation, Waikuku, Ka Ying Star

Sha Tin Track Work 6.12.2019

Not a busy day at all at the track, with a couple of horses having a turf gallop, but most either confined to their stable after Thursday gallops or cantering on the dirt. I’ll cover a couple from Thursday morning here as well.

Exultant

HKIR Track Work at Sha Tin – 5/12/19 Exultant (時時精綵), representing Hong Kong, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Vase during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Tony Cruz’s 2018 Vase winner worked Thursday morning on the dirt track. Initially I underrated his win last year, but the race has since produced an Arc winner (Waldgeist) and Lys Gracieux also won the Cox Plate. Exultant himself has also been very consistent, winning four of six since last December, including a last start win in the Jockey Club Cup.

On Thursday he galloped over 800m on the larger all-weather track, clocking 56.3s (30.0, 26.3). Trainer Tony Cruz said: “I was happy with that work. All he needed was a regular, routine gallop.”

Ka Ying Star

HKIR Track Work at Sha Tin – 5/12/19 Ka Ying Star 嘉應之星), representing Hong Kong, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Mile during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

A winner of only two from eleven, Ka Ying Star has however been very consistent, placing in the top three on six other occasions. He’s been Beauty Generation’s nemesis in the last two occasions, contesting for the lead and giving the champion miler no respite. He has drawn low, so should be able to get forward easily enough, with Beauty Generation on his outside. Last start he was second to Waikuku in the Jockey Club Mile, sticking on very well.

On Thursday he was ridden by trainer Tony Cruz’s assistant Cody Mo, he stepped out over 1200m on the main all-weather track in a time of 1m 28.7s (33.4, 29.0, 26.3). Trainer Tony Cruz said: “He did a nice gallop and I’m happy with that. He’s fit and he’s in good form.”

Admire Mars

HKIR Sha Tin Track Work – 6/12/19 Admire Mars (頌讚火星), representing Japan, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Mile during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

He is a winner of five from eight races, Admire Mars went undefeated in four starts as 2yo last year including the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m). Forth to Saturnalia in G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) earlier in the year, but bounced back against his 3yo peers to win G1 NHK Mile Cup in May. He then returned from a summer break with a sub-par 9th to Normcore in the G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m) in October.

Yesterday he worked three quarters of a lap around the all-weather course over 1200m in 1m30.9s (31.7, 30.7, 28.5) and finished the morning with a bit of paddock and gate schooling. Assistant trainer Yusuke Oe said: “He is relaxing nicely and when we neared the track, he took hold of the bit, so he is ready to run. His schooling went very well.”

Zaaki

HKIR Sha Tin Track Work – 6/12/19 Zaaki (品德高尚), representing Great Britain, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Mile during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

He was a little reluctant to go for his turf gallop initially, but was fine after In Her Time galloped by. He had an easy breeze on the turf covering 1200m in 1m 27.5s (29.3, 32.5, 25.7), followed by a visit to the parade ring. Work rider Fabien Guilois said of the four-year-old gelding, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore on Sunday: “He did a normal canter on turf today, just like yesterday. He has done nothing but improve all through the year and comes here at the top of his game.”

In Her Time

HKIR Sha Tin Track Work – 6/12/19 In Her Time (芳華正茂), representing Australia, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Sprint during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Australian mare has had an easy time of it this week, having done her preparation at home. Yesterday was her only visit to the turf course, covering the final 800m in 59.7s (34.0, 25.7). Trainer Kris Lees said: “She looks good, I’m happy with her. She’s pretty relaxed and settled in well. Obviously air travel is a little different but she’s coped. She’s been to Melbourne four times and box to box Newcastle to Caulfield by road is not dissimilar time-wise. She’s stabled alone here but that hasn’t bothered her. The old trick of the mirror in the box and I had her stabled on her own for 10 days at home, before she left, just get to used to it. She’s fine.”

FWD QEII Cup

Time Warp and his brother Glorious Forever have some sort of sibling rivalry going on. They are both Hong Kong Cup winners, both achieving it with an all the way win. However when racing together the rivalry can be to their own detriment as they fight for the lead. On this occasion it lead to the QEII being run at a frantic pace throughout. They set up a course record time, with the 1.59.00 mark being broken for the first time at Sha Tin, the winning time being 1.58.81.

Win Bright and Masami Matsuoka near the tail of the field first time past the post.

Of the three Japanese runners in the race, Win Bright was by far the least fancied, going about at 47/1. However no one told jockey Masami Matsuoka that, he weaved his way through the pack from the rear of the field in the straight to cross the line a clear winner, giving the crowd one of the best salutes Sha Tin has seen.

Matsuoka who had not had a G1 winner in 10 years was overjoyed. “This is the very best day!” he said. “He didn’t have good gate speed this time but we found a good spot and the horse travelled nicely and that helped him run very well to the finish.”

Win Bright had come into the race on the back of successive wins at G2 and G3 level, defeating a number of G1 winners in the Nakayama Kinen in February.

Trainer Yoshihiro Hatakeyama “He had won at Group 2 and Group 3 level but had always been beaten in Group 1 races, but his winning form from his two starts this season made me think that he was developing and improving,” he said.“I was quite sure that he would be competitive at the top level. I couldn’t be confident that he would win, of course, but I did think he would be very competitive.”

His form dipped last season and a planned trip to HKIR was abandoned for last December. The break has done wonders for Win Bright, who is now unbeaten in 2019. It’s great to see connections rewarded for patience and putting the interests of the horse foremost. Plans are afoot for him to return for HKIR 2019 “I hope he will gain more power and develop and we would love to come back in December for the Hong Kong Cup.” said Hatakeyama.

  • 28/4/19 Hong Kong Champions Day Sha Tin FWD QEII Cup winner Win Bright trained by Yoshihiro Hatakeyama, jockey Masami Matsuoka

Hong Kong Vase winner Exultant ran on from back in the field for second. “It wasn’t a perfect race and Zac (Purton) said if he’d had an inside draw it might have been a different story, but he’s run a very good race. I knew the Japanese were the ones to beat, they love coming here,” trainer Tony Cruz said.

Lys Gracieux finished alongside Exultant in the Vase and did the same here, with Oisin Murphy aboard this time. “I’m thrilled with her, I was very happy during the race and I thought I had a good run off the back of Dark Dream, when I switched out in the straight I thought she might be good enough to win,” he said. “Fair play to the other Japanese horse, Matsuoka saved ground the whole way and the horse was too good on the day. Hopefully one day she’ll get an elusive win here, but what a tough and consistent mare!”

Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.

Champions Mile 28.04.2019

This race was set as a celebration of a magnificent season by Beauty Generation, the highest rated horse in the world currently active in training. It panned out exactly as planned as Beauty Generation sauntered to what was the easiest of wins. Zac Purton had time to check out the action on the big screen 200m from home.

28/4/19 Hong Kong Champions Day Sha Tin FWD Champions Mile winner Beauty Generation trained by John Moore, jockey Zac Purton

The pursuing pack were never a threat, with Singapore Sling second and Simply Brilliant running third.

That was the ninth win in succession for Beauty Generation and his eighth this season, exceeding the record of seven shared by Entrapment and Ambitious Dragon. He eclipsed Viva Pataca’s Hong Kong prize money earnings record, with today’s cheque taking his tally to HK$84,770,000 – about HK$1.5 million above the tally garnered by Viva Pataca. Beauty Generation last year became just the fourth horse to complete the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile and Champions Mile double in the same season – and those to precede him were widely acclaimed as champion performers of their time – Maurice (2015/16), Able Friend (2014/15) and Good Ba Ba (2007/08). He is now the only horse to achieve that twice.

“It’s what we expected him to do today,” said Purton, “he was a little bit fitter. When he’s out in front like that mid race and there’s nothing around pushing him, he just floats a little bit so my job was to try to keep him rolling and let him do the rest.

“I’d like to think so,” Purton said when asked whether the horse would have more in reserve for a next run, “John wanted me to give him a bit of a push today but….”

Trainer John Moore on his star “Definitely, it’s an amazing achievement,” he said of today’s win, “for the stable and all the staff to be able to keep him up and sustain his fitness level to be able to win these races in such a facile fashion. And thanks to Hong Kong that we’ve had a champion in our midst and we’ve still got a champion miler and the whole world knows we’ve got one hell of a miler over here.

The racing world is abuzz with the possibility of Beauty Generation going to Japan to take on Danon Premium and Almond Eye in the Yasuda Kinen, something that Moore would not shy away from

“I’d like to go to Japan but of course it is the owner’s call. Patrick (Kwok) and his father (Simon) will make the decision in time.  As I said it was a facile win today and I don’t think it took much out of him in the sense of it being such a long season and I still think there’s a lot left in the tank. Let’s go back to the drawing board and have a talk over dinner.”

“The owners would like to see him break Silent Witness’ record of 17 straights win. More pressure on me. I take two heart tablets a day. To have him in the yard is any trainer’s dream but if we go to Japan to take on the Japanese armada that will be the real telling factor in his career,” he added.

I’m a fan of good racing and the best racing against the best. To see him go to Japan would be the ultimate. While I understand to a point why you wouldn’t go, if he were mine he’d be there in a heartbeat. to see him seal greatness away from Shat Tin would be truly something.

You can see Beauty Generation here.

Thanks to the HKJC for quotes from connections