Graham Cunningham: Beauty Generation and Waikuku ready for another battle

Two potential outcomes dominate as Hong Kong’s best milers square off for the sixth time in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (6.45) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The first has Beauty Generation rolling back the years to reclaim his status as Hong Kong’s equine hero under Zac Purton, while the second involves Waikuku pouncing late under Joao Moreira to go 5-1 up in a series that has played out in familiar style of late.

Romantics will be rooting for scenario one and Beauty Generation proved that he remains a force at Group 1 level with a gritty success over 1400m (7f) in February.

But put down the rose tinted binoculars and look back at the last three meetings between the big two.

Waikuku ran past Beauty Generation sweetly when the pair finished first and third in the Jockey Club Mile and did so again when the pair filled the placings behind Japanese raider Admire Mars in the Hong Kong Mile.

The margin was not quite so clear in the Stewards’ Cup, but Moreira always looked confident aboard Waikuku and the ex-Irish gelding’s turn of foot increasingly looks the deciding factor in this ongoing saga.

What they say

John Moore, trainer of Beauty Generation
He’s bucking and squealing, so that’s always a good sign. Waikuku is the big danger but he hasn’t raced in a little while so maybe he’ll just need the run with the Champions Mile in mind. In his heyday, Beauty Generation would have beaten Waikuku but we’re another year on. He’s not old but he’s getting on and he’s not the force he was that could just go those dominating sectionals. Now they’re starting to get closer but he’s in good order and he’s there to win.”

Joao Moreira jockey for Waikuku
I think he could be the champion here. All he’s done so far has me extremely happy with him. I often go to the yard and look at him and he’s looking fantastic so I don’t see why he wouldn’t perform at his best this start.”

John Moore: trains the exciting Hot King PrawnCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Prawn’s proven fitness a plus in round three with exciting Aethero

Hong Kong betting markets tend to pinpoint the right favourite with a high degree of efficiency and it will be fascinating to see which way the scales tip when Aethero returns in Sunday’s Sprint Cup at 9.10.

John Moore’s powerful chestnut has long been regarded as a potential champion. His runaway Jockey Club Sprint defeat of a high-class field headed by Hot King Prawn in November was perhaps the most visually striking success recorded in Hong Kong all season, but subsequent events have put a slightly different complexion on things.

Aethero gave his all until worn down late by Beat The Clock and Hot King Prawn in the Hong Kong Sprint in December but returned with an infection which took enough out of him for connections to abandon an intended trip to Dubai.

Meanwhile, Hot King Prawn has been busy showing up boldly against the best around, turning out once a month and showing class and courage aplenty to get the better of Aethero’s stablemate Thanks Forever and former sprint champion Mr Stunning in a red-hot handicap four weeks ago.

Aethero’s current condition can only be assessed from a couple of successful morning trials - the second more convincing than the first - but this represents a far more demanding test.

He looks bound to roll along in front under Purton but Moreira will have him in his sights from the inside gate on Hot King Prawn. And, with form and fitness in no doubt and a 5lb pull compared to his last scrap with Aethero, Hot King Prawn looks the value option.

What they say

John Moore, trainer of Aethero
The Hong Kong Sprint came earlier in his career than would normally have been ideal. He’s still only a three-year-old but he has so much ability and he showed it in running a close third. Now he’s showing us that he’s in good health and his trial the other day was much better, right up to expectations. This is preliminary bout to get him tuned up and in the zone for the big one [Chairman’s Sprint Prize] at the end of the month.

John Size, trainer of Hot King Prawn
He’s in good shape and he’s finally showing his maturity and development. He’s at the right age for these good sprint races and he’s had no interruptions since the beginning of the season – he’s been strong all the way through.

Joao Moreira: leads the way in title raceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Powerful Ping aiming to pounce again

Joao Moreira leads Zac Purton by 95-92 at the top of the jockeys’ table and the Brazilian has plenty of backup to Waikuku and Hot King Prawn among a full book of ten rides on Sunday, culminating with Ping Hai Bravo in the Homestead Handicap at 10.15 and Farhh Above in the Lugard Handicap at 10.50.

Ping Hai Bravo is one of the biggest beasts in training at Sha Tin and John Size’s gelding looks nailed on to go very close having been raised 7lb for an emphatic course and distance success two weeks ago.

The only downside is the likely short price – shorter still if Moreira is on a roll – in which case Star Luck suggests himself as the obvious value alternative. Frankie Lor’s gelding has caught the eye on both his last two starts, showing up boldly on the sharp end of in well-run races, and he looks another very strong contender in a race where plenty are tough to fancy.

Whyte hoping Farhh can go Above and beyond

Moreira climbs aboard Farrh Above for the first time in the finale and does so with trainer Douglas Whyte hoping his lightly raced gelding can bounce back from a couple of odds-on reverses.

The first of those defeats was entirely excusable – as Vincent Ho found all the trouble going – but the second under Alexis Badel was harder to forgive.

Farhh Above’s reappearance win, hallmarked by impressive closing splits, marked him out as a young handicapper with a very rosy future and Whyte is in no mood to change his high opinion. “He feels fantastic in the mornings,” he said. “I wish I could put my finger on what happened. Every horse is allowed a bad run and that was probably his so hopefully he will bounce out of it.”

It’s unlikely punters will desert Farhh Above in a race featuring several British imports. Glorious Lover (Ed Walker) and Hall Of Champ (Munhamek for Ivan Furtado) have both shown promise but Craig’s Star, with the aid of Victor Wong’s 5lb claim for the first time, looks a likely lad if the favourite fails to deliver again.

Sha Tin Card

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