Hugh Bowman believes tactics will play a decisive role in Beauty Joy’s Grade 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) fate at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tony Cruz’s mercurial galloper bids to return to the winner’s list.
Twice a winner over the course and distance, Beauty Joy finished fourth behind California Spangle, Golden Sixty and Laws Of Indices in the Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 11 December but, off-setting a drop in grade, Bowman is concerned by the small field in the HK$3.9 million feature.
“If I had to be brutally honest, I think he would be more suited to a bigger field. But the fact that he’s back to 1400m might ensure that there’s a pace that’s suitable to him,” Bowman said.
“Barrier one, I don’t quite know what to think of that but if there’s an even pace, I think the race will really suit him – but that’s going to be the key to him, just a consistent gallop.
“No doubt, his talent is there for everyone to see. I thought he was very courageous when I rode him the other day (11 December). When the pace slackened and I sort of made that mid-race move, he was still in the hunt until the 200m mark and then he’d had enough.
“It’s a totally different arrangement this weekend and I think he’s got a good grounding for it.”
Beauty Joy crowned last season with an astonishing victory in the Grade 3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton, who teams with Lucky Sweynesse as one of Beauty Joy’s main rivals in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup this weekend.
Leading the 2022/23 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship by 40 wins with 70 victories already logged, Purton rides newcomer Straight Arron for David Hayes in the Class 3 Flame Tree Handicap (1400m).
Hayes is hopeful the import, who won the G3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) for Chris Waller at Randwick Racecourse in April, 2022, can display as much quality as last Saturday’s debut winner Flagship Warrior and another Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender Bon’s A Pearla.
“I think this horse is in their mould and should run well,” Hayes. “Zac has probably got 20 horses to choose from towards the Hong Kong Classic Mile and hopefully this horse can put his hand up.
“It’s one thing being a good horse overseas and it’s another thing being a good horse here – and they have to show it. He had a hairline fracture of his cannon bone after he arrived – he never went sore, but because he’s such a promising horse, we backed off for six weeks.
“We’ve given him easy trials, we haven’t put him under pressure, but I like the way he moves and the professional way about him and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won at the weekend but, clearly, he’s got a lot bigger fish to fry later in the season.”
Purton also partners John Size-trained Beauty Eternal in the Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (1200m), confident the talented Starspangledbanner gelding is ready to rebound after his luckless last-start third after a solid recent trial.
“It was a good trial and, with his class, he was travelling to the line nicely and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and I’m looking forward to riding him again,” Purton said. “He’s still learning his trade, so we’ll just see how he begins.
“Hopefully we can navigate his way to give him his chance to show his best.”
Jerry Chau teams with Pierre Ng’s Mark The Moment in the Class 3 Chinese Banyan Handicap (1000m) and is optimistic the gelding can build on his debut runner-up performance over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt on 18 December.
“His start, he got a good barrier and he performed well,” Chau said. “He’s a very honest horse, he’s got early speed and he’s got a good gate again this weekend and I think he’s got his chance.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Embarked turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. He comes into barrier 1 and appears in for a big run. Dazzling Fellow drops down in grade and start following. Diamond Soars had excuses last start and forget the run. He can improve sharply. Jiangxi Stamina every chance last start but still ran a good race and he will run well again. U W Brother well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. He can give a big sight on the lead.
Race 2: Divine Era had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Le Plus Vite change of trainer recently and can improve off the back a nice trial. Team Goodluck has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, have to keep safe. Apex Top faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape.
Race 3: Star Ascension down in class in this race and should perform better. This is a weak Class 4 where he looks too good for this lot. Brave Dreams good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and expect another good run. Brilliant Life ran the third fastest sectional time last start and also barrier trialled well recently. Blinkers are back on. Ever Force change of trainer recently and can improve, each-way claims. Snowalot finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and has shown ability in the past.
Race 4: Supreme Lucky recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a nice run can be expected. Give him another chance after a disappointing run last start as favourite. Baby Crystal has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Have to respect given Size’s stable’s form. Victory Scholars had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, he can improve from the low draw. Starry Night ran the third fastest sectional time last start, each-way claims. Thunderboltaurus well prepared for debut and watch the betting.
Race 5: Chilli Baba newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance to score first-up for the Ricky Yiu yard. Drawn well for the straight and can win. Precision Goal has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance as Purton takes the ride. Oriental Spirit placed last start and looks a chance to run well again second-up. Soaring Pengshan video replay showed last run was very good and he can improve even more here. Beat Hollow looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, he could run a cheeky race.
Race 6: Red Titan last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Turquoise Alpha had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, but that shouldn’t happen from the low draw here. Oscar Glory last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can begin fast and give a sight. Dragon Pride had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race, consider again. Flying Mojito last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he is on the improve.
Race 7: Open race. Trillion Win will be suited by the rise in distance after needing the run first-up over 1000m and can run well and be fitter second-up. Ping Hai Galaxy last start winner who remains in the same grade and Purton sticks with him. Oriental Smoke nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Winning Dreamer has a chance based on past form in this class of race and he trialled well recently, good chance if he shows up in form. Ka Ying Master had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, he might run a cheeky race from the low draw.
Race 8: Lucky Sweynesse simply had no luck last start in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint and overlook the run. He’ll find this much easier and is the one they all have to beat. Beauty Joy a bit erratic and hard to follow but has ability and can surprise on best form and with the right run. Fantastic Treasure backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again if he’s held form. Healthy Happy showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, expect the same and the small field suits. The Golden Scenery generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 9: Beauty Eternal talented four-year-old who had genuine excuses last start when he looked like the best thing beat all season and he should be bouncing back in a big way here. Reve Parisien showed improvement at a recent trial and can run well. Global Harmony had genuine excuses last start and consider again, he’s better than recent form suggests. Super Vince had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. En Pointe faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape and he’ll be showing good early speed.
Race 10: Superb Boy simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. He has drawn well for the straight and can get back to his winning ways. We Are Hero well supported last start and won accordingly. He has trialled well since and can measure up taking the rise in grade. Mark The Moment turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. Special M every chance last start but still ran a good race and can run well again. Pleasant Endeavor caught wide last start and still ran well but is suited back in trip here.
Race 11: Straight Arron newcomer from Australia who showed a ton of talent there and who looks well prepared for his local debut. Rates a good chance to score on debut and he should be asserting himself well in Hong Kong. A Pal a very solid effort last start in a fast run race and must be rated a chance with some luck from his wide gate. Red Lion had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. Good Buddy should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and consider again. Super Sunny Sing last start winner who retains good form and can run well again.