Waikuku bests Beauty Generation in Stewards' Cup
The change in leadership in Hong Kong’s turf mile division is official.
Waikuku won Sunday’s Group 1 Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse, the third consecutive race in which the 5-year-old gelding has finished in front of Beauty Generation, the Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
In the $1.28 million Stewards’ Cup around a one-turn course, Waikuku closed from last in a field of seven to catch pacesetter, and 9-5 second choice, Beauty Generation. Waikuku won by a neck under jockey Joao Moreira as the 1-2 favorite.
“We had enough time to catch him,” Moreira told Hong Kong publicity in reference to Beauty Generation.
“He wasn’t giving up. He wasn’t surrendering, but Waikuku is such as a nice horse. He gives his best and this is the kind of result he can produce.”
Waikuku will be considered for the Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin on April 26, trainer John Size said.
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Waikuku won his second stakes of the current Hong Kong season, which began in September. In November, Waikuku beat Beauty Generation in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin. In December, Waikuku and Beauty Generation were second and third in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile against an international field.
The loss left trainer John Moore content with Beauty Generation, who will be pointed for the $6 million Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 28.
Moreira and Size swept the two Group 1 races on Sunday when Beat the Clock won the $1.28 million Centenary Sprint Cup at six furlongs on turf for the second consecutive year.
The 3-2 favorite, Beat the Clock closed from the back of the field to catch pacesetter Thanks Forever, a 15-1 shot trained by Moore. Beat the Clock won by a head for his 10th victory in 24 starts.
Moreira did not expect Beat the Clock to be at the back of the field in the opening furlong.
“Just a fraction before the gates opened, he wanted to luge into the front gates and when he was coming back that was when the gate opened,” Moreira said.
“He quickly got back into the race. Once again, he proved that he’s probably the best sprinter in Hong Kong.”
Hot King Prawn, trained by Size, finished third in the field of seven.
Beat the Clock won the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint against an international field. Beat the Clock and Thanks Forever are candidates for the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at seven furlongs at Sha Tin on Feb. 16.