Tarzino four-year-old Jungle Magnate made an instant impact when winning on debut from his new quarters in Hong Kong.
Purchased privately after winning the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the gelding has been re-named Beautyverse and emerged as a contender for next year’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
Now in the care of Tony Cruz, Beautyverse produced a stunning debut victory in the Class 2 Neogence Handicap (1600m) under Zac Purton to deliver a HK$2 million PP Bonus, plus prize money of HK$1.653 million for an overall windfall HK$3.653 million.
Rated 82 pre-race, Beautyverse earned the HK$2 million bonus for winning his first Hong Kong race at Class 2 or above before reaching five years of age while rated 80 or higher.
Beautyverse rolled forward from barrier 14 to lead – against his typical Australian racing pattern – to defy the opposition.
“It was very impressive. He’s got class and I was expecting to win this race. We still ran him a bit short of his best distance, next time we’re going to run him at 1800m or 2000m,” Cruz said.
“This horse has a bright future – he’s got a lot of ability and quality. The Derby is the main goal, he is a Derby contender but I haven’t planned how he will get there yet.”
The son of Tarzino was originally purchased by Mick Price out of Westbury Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $75,000.
