By Alan Carasso
The top three finishers from last month's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and the last three horses of the year in the region converge Monday at Sha Tin for an intriguing renewal of the G1 Stewards' Cup, the first leg of the older horse Triple Crown.
After nibbling on the fringes over the past two seasons, Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) has assumed the mantle of Hong Kong's top horse at the 1600 metres. The former Italian galloper was a first-up third in October and was up by a short head in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 20 ahead of his half-length success in the International Mile Dec. 11. Trainer Tony Cruz believes there is even better to come.
“The track on International day was a little bit softer and it cut up on the inside–he didn't like that,” the conditioner told HKJC's David Morgan. “It wasn't until he got out into firmer ground in the straight that he really appreciated it. The track recently has been quite firm so I think it should suit him better. In that regard, he could improve a bit on his Hong Kong Mile run.”
While it can be argued that Beauty Only was at his peak when it mattered, former Horse of the Year Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) had just one prep heading into the Mile and, though he was punted all the way into 11-5 favoritism, he could do no better than two lengths' sixth after settling at the tail of the field from gate 14. Often unlucky at the draw, he pulled the widest barrier in 12 this time around and it will be up to Joao Moreira to work out a trip.
Stablemate Helene Paragon (Fr) (Polan {Fr}) will be having his fifth run of the season on the Chinese New Year program, having been hampered when seventh to Beauty Only in the Jockey Club Mile and when missing by a half-length in the Mile. The 5-year-old entire is in search of better racing luck in the Stewards' Cup beneath Tommy Berry.
“I thought he was unlucky that he didn't make his run at the same time as Beauty Only in the Hong Kong Mile,” trainer John Moore commented. “If he'd made the run at the same time, and not got interrupted and lost a length or so by having to divert inside Romantic Touch (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), he might have won,” Moore said.
With a solid effort, Helene Paragon can book his ticket to the G1 Dubai Turf, with Moreira already committed to ride.
The Stewards' Cup also marks the return to action for the Moore-trained Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), the reigning Horse of the Year. Last year's Hong Kong Derby and G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup hero was injured early in the season and was forced to miss the International races and could be in need of the run Monday. Sam Clipperton takes over at the controls for the first time.
Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) have winning form over a mile, but will be using this, like Werther, as a springboard to the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) Feb. 26.
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