By Alan Carasso
It has been six weeks since reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) and Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) successfully defended their respective titles in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and those two gallopers rate the marquee in Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup (PPs) (1600m) and G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (PPs) at Sha Tin.
On an international rating of 127, Beauty Generation is the joint highest-rated horse in Hong Kong history alongside former John Moore trainee Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), and has developed a true sense of invincibility this season. He shouldered top weight of 133 pounds in winning a pair of pattern handicaps to begin the year, was given a sensational Zac Purton ride to win the G2 Jockey Club Mile two back and pummeled a high-class field to win his second HK Mile Dec. 9.
Beauty Generation bounced off the track following his pre-race blowout Thursday to the delight of Moore.
“That's how we want him going into another Group 1 race,” the trainer told the HKJC's David Morgan. “He's going into the race in perfect shape, if not better than he's ever been. He's relaxed in his work, he's a happy horse and we couldn't be happier.”
Just five horses will oppose the champ Sunday, including Mile third placegetter Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), 'TDN Rising Star' Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal) and the race's X-factor Conte (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), who weighs in at an Able Friend-like 1308 pounds and makes his Group 1 debut with Joao Moreira off a smooth score in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. (1400m).
Mr Stunning faces a slightly stiffer challenge as the three horses that finished in his wake in the Sprint re-oppose here, with some things in their favour. D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) nearly beat Mr Stunning in the 2017 Sprint, then turned the tables in this event before missing an intended start in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen via injury. The 6-year-old goes third-up Sunday, having run Mr Stunning to three-parts of a length on International day.
Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) gets the services of the 'Magic Man', who feels that his ride is as good as he's ever been. Moreira rode D B Pin and Beat the Clock in barrier trials over the Sha Tin all-weather Jan. 11 and opted for the latter, who 'won' his heat by 7 1/2 lengths.
“Based on that trial I don't think anyone else would choose the other one,” Moreira told the Club's Graham Cunningham. “Beat The Clock's trial was very impressive and I don't remember him trialling any better. I think he's a little bit more mature now and that's a big plus.”
The progressive Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace {Aus}), a very good fourth in the Sprint, and 3-year-old Styling City (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus})–who gets a seven-pound age allowance–have puncher's chances in a high-class test.
Click for a TDNAus/NZ story on Mr Stunning and his breeder.
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