New Zealand Bloodstock graduates went close to taking out the two feature races in Hong Kong on Sunday night.
Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock), a graduate of Highden Park’s 2014 yearling draft, went close to winning the Gr.1 Steward’s Cup (1600m) and proved he is still a force to be reckoned with at the highest level.
He put in a brave front running performance before being run down on the line by Waikuku (Harbour Watch).
“I think he’s the right horse to take to Dubai – that will be the main target now if we can convince the Kwok family to take him,” Beauty Generation’s trainer John Moore said.
“He was gallant in defeat. Our boy is on the slow fade but is capable of running a big one in Dubai if we get the go-ahead.
“The 1800 metres there (Gr.1 Dubai Turf), putting him on the other leg, I think it would really rejuvenate him and he won’t meet Waikuku in Dubai so the trip would be the best way forward.”
Later in the card Prima Park’s Ready To Run Sale graduate Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) completed back-to-back wins in the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m).
“Good horses always know where the finish line is and they know what they’re being asked for, which is to cross that finish line first,” jockey Joao Moreira said of Hong Kong’s champion sprinter.
Beat The Clock is likely to target the Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) next.
“It’s the next race on the programme that’s suitable for him,” trainer John Size said. “He’s raced in the last two editions of it so we’ll see how he is at home; he’s getting older and whether he can tolerate another race that quickly I’m not sure but he’ll let us know.”
