Beauty Generation notches seventh consecutive victory

Beauty Generation’s dominance in Hong Kong continued Sunday with a seventh consecutive win on the circuit in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The victory put Beauty Generation on course for a defense of his win in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin on April 28, trainer John Moore told Hong Kong publicity. The 2018 Champions Mile was the first win of Beauty Generation’s current winning streak.

In the $1.25 million Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at seven furlongs, Beauty Generation (1-4) stalked Beat the Clock for the opening quarter-mile before taking the lead. Beauty Generation, who was ridden by leading rider Zac Purton, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of 4-1 Beat the Clock, who was a neck in front of 9-1 Conte.

“He’s just too good, and Zac’s the composite horseman,” Moore said. “He knows exactly what’s going on.”

Beauty Generation is unbeaten in six starts in the current Hong Kong season, which began in September. Moore suggested that Beauty Generation may not start again until the $2.29 million Champions Mile. There is a possibility Beauty Generation could start in the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen in Japan in June.

There were three $1.25 million races at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Purton rode Exultant to a win in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Mission Tycoon, the 92-1 second-longest shot in a field of 14, won the Hong Kong Classic Cup for 4-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf, a key prep for the Hong Kong Derby on March 17.

Exultant (11-10) won the Hong Kong Gold Cup by 1 1/2 lengths over 56-1 Southern Legend. Exultant, trained by Tony Cruz, closed from the back of the field of 11 to take the lead with three furlongs remaining.

“They were just going too slow,” Purton said. “But I knew my horse was the best stayer in the race and I knew he’d keep going. He just doesn’t seem to get tired.”

Cruz said Exultant will be pointed to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf on April 28. The $3.05 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup is the third-richest race of the Hong Kong season.

Exultant won the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at 1 1/2 miles against an international field in December and followed with a win in the Group 3 Centenary Vase at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin last month in his first start of 2019.

Southern Legend will be pointed to the Group 1 Dubai Turf, a $6 million race at 1 1/8 miles at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 30, trainer Caspar Fownes said.

Mission Tycoon ended a six-race losing streak in the Hong Kong Classic Cup. Ridden by Derek Leung for trainer Frankie Lor, Mission Tycoon led throughout to win by a length over Dark Dream, the 9-10 favorite.

“I was able to go forward without any pressure,” Leung said. “Mission Tycoon switched off and that’s why he was able to finish at the end.”

Lor trains Dark Dream and fourth-place finisher Furore. Ka Ying Star (12-1) finished third.

Mission Tycoon was second at 204-1 in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Jan. 27, and got no respect in the Classic Cup despite that respectable finish. Lor switched equipment for Sunday’s race, replacing blinkers with a visor.

“He got to the front, went his own pace and won the race,” Lor said.

Earlier on the program, Waikuku won a minor handicap at seven furlongs in a prep for the Hong Kong Derby at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Waikuku has won three consecutive starts for trainer John Size and is considered a leading contender for the Hong Kong Derby.