Chevalier Cup test for Beautyverse at Sha Tin

Upbeat after setting a new Hong Kong record for the most wins by a jockey at Happy Valley, Zac Purton turns his attention to next year’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series when Beautyverse tackles the Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

An impressive first-up winner from barrier No 14 over 1600m on 6 November, 2022 G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) winner Beautyverse will tackle Longines Hong Kong International Races selected runners Excellent Proposal and Butterfield in his most serious challenge so far.

“It’s a good test for Beautyverse. Of course, he won really nicely first-up and he did it the tough way from a wide gate, having to make all which may not end up being his racing style. We’ll find out more about that as we go on,” said Purton, who has posted 46 wins in 20 meetings this season to hold a 25-win lead in the jockeys’ championship.

“He’s trained on well from what I understand, all his better form overseas was at 2000m and beyond and he’s a real galloper which is why he was able to sustain the tough run and continue on with his brave effort first-up.

“I’ve seen a lot of PP horses (Privately Purchased Horses) come to Hong Kong and run really well first time and then they haven’t been able to back it up, so he needs to back it up and if he can, we might have a nice one.”

Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) in Australia when he raced as Jungle Magnate, Beautyverse is among Purton’s provisional choices for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which features the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 29 January, the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 26 February and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 19 March.

“It’ll be nice to see where we’re at because he’s only eight weeks away from the Four-Year-Old Classic Series so he probably only has the chance to maybe have one or if he’s lucky two more runs before then, so it’s just a matter of getting the competition into him and keeping his fitness up and seeing what we’ve got,” Purton said of Beautyverse.

“That’s where he’s heading and there are some other nice horses floating around as well so I think this season’s series should be quite competitive and hopefully I can end up on the right one.”

Chasing a sixth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Purton takes a full book of rides into Sunday’s 10-race meeting and the Australian is also positive about Beauty Eternal’s prospects in the Class 3 Chevalier Environmental Engineering Handicap (1200m) for John Size.

A luckless third behind Science Patch at Sha Tin over 1200m on 6 November, when he was severely checked and stumbled in the straight, Beauty Eternal faces Cruz’s talented young sprinter Superb Capitalist in an intriguing clash.

“Beauty Eternal was obviously very impressive first-up and really stiff last start but I think he showed us two things last start – one, he’s a talented horse and, two, he’s very brave as well,” Purton said.

“He didn’t shirk his task at all and I think that’s going to hold him in good stead going forward. Against that, he just hasn’t been able to get himself out of the gates with a lot of speed so far and he does give the impression that he already wants further than what he’s racing at.

“We’re on the C course and we’re up against Superb Capitalist, who was extremely impressive first-up and, at this distance, he does everything right – he’s got great gate speed, he’s going to put himself in front out of a trouble on a rail position that’s going to favour him and be hard to catch but it might open the race up a bit.”

Vincent Ho will bid to extend an excellent season aboard Frankie Lor’s One Voice in the Class 4 Chevalier E & M Engineering Handicap (1400m), while Luke Currie will look to return to the winners’ stall in the same race on Michael Chang-trained Ching.

“He’s a big horse, a strong horse – I think he can cope with the weight,” Ho said of One Voice, while Currie is similarly optimistic about Ching, who finished powerfully last start when second to Young Victory.

“I wouldn’t say a little bit unlucky last start – he was very unlucky. I don’t think gate one is an advantage or a disadvantage but he should run well,” the Australian said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Ka Ying Warrior has trialled well for debut on multiple occasions and should be rated a winning chance first-up for Purton and Yip. He’ll be favoured to win on debut. Baby Crystal narrowly beaten last start on debut, nice run and can go on with it. Always Beautiful well prepared for debut and is worth considering after showing potential. Super Eagle down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. See U Again looks a place chance if holding form.

Race 2: Winwin Thirtythree racing consistently of late and expect another big run under an in-form Bowman. Chiu Chow Brother form is good and must be rated a solid chance, he can map well on-pace from his draw and give a sight. Sunny Baby good performance when storming home for third place last start but he may be dictated to by a wide alley here. M M Johnny caught the eye flashing home late, nice effort and remains a chance. Handsome Guys caught wide last start and still ran well, he comes into a lower draw here.

Race 3: Youthful Deal looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form off the back of a nice trial in between runs, ready to win. Magic Supreme will be suited by the drop back in distance and expect big improvement. Har Har At Heart recent barrier trial was good, suggesting an improved run can be expected. Thunderstrike has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Solar Partner fresh up from a break and should run well.

Race 4: Accelerando last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he can bounce back for the win. Oscar Glory can lead in this race and be hard to run down under the apprentice claim. Cheery has shown ability and gets his chance to win from the low draw. Star Contact was a winner three starts ago and appears well placed here at best. Turquoise Alpha last start winner who remains in the same grade, can run well again.

Race 5: Winning Icey nice 4yo with a good chance from barrier 3, he should get all the favours to atone. Midori Beauty looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, another serious winning chance. Man Star well supported last start and won accordingly, he can run well again if to hold form. Red Desert last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and can be followed again. Fiery Diamond last start winner who rises in class, can measure up from barrier 1.

Race 6: Ching simply had no luck last start and consider again. Hopefully, they can make full use of the low draw. One Voice more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking his duck stylishly last start, he should be Class 3 material. Super Red Dragon had genuine excuses last start when caught wide but will needs luck from the widest of stalls again. Millennium Falcon finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Red Titan dropping in class and will find this much easier than last start.

Race 7: Beautyverse impressive debut winner who is a big winning chance second-up. From barrier 2, Purton will have options in the run, and this is another winnable contest. Keefy looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after narrowly missing to Beautyverse last start, he’s the testing material. Running Glory was an easy last start winner and must be respected if he can handle the drop back in trip. Beluga last start winner who remains in the same grade. Fantastic Treasure goes well fourth-up from a break and should be respected.

Race 8: Sweet Encounter simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. Powerful Wings remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after turning in many good recent runs. Prince Alex can improve second-up from a break after a fair first-up fifth. Captain Win looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start but needs luck from a wide gate. Round The Earth had genuine excuses last start, when not beaten far into fourth, and can improve in this race.

Race 9: Superb Capitalist very impressive debut performance and looks to have plenty of talent. He has to defy a 14-point in the handicap, but this is a lacklustre Class 3 and he’ll be hard to run past as he appears the only leader on paper. Beauty Eternal simply had no luck last start, when beaten as the $1.5 favourite, and overlook the run. He has a slightly worse barrier and gets back in the run, so will be doing the chasing. Speedy Mouse last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Solar Winds video replay showed last run was very good. Pulsar Strider ran the second fastest sectional time last start.

Race 10: Packing Treadmill rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up after holding form with an impressive trial win. He’s on the rise. Beauty Live talented galloper who is resuming from a break, has a good barrier and will map a chance if fit enough. Sight Spirit simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. Jumbo Fortune blinkers have been added and must be a big chance off his recent trials. King Land caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds but can prove it no fluke here.