Moore eyes record-breaking Champions Mile hat-trick with Beauty Generation

Legendary Hong Kong trainer John Moore is hoping his horse of a lifetime Beauty Generation can claim a historic hat-trick in the FWD Champions Mile (9.00) at Sha Tin.

The seven-year-old is regarded as one of the world's best horses, having won eight times at the top level and, on Sunday, is out to become the first in history to claim this race for a third time.

The Group 1 contest could be the last time Beauty Generation runs for Moore, with the 70-year-old trainer to relocate to Australia at the end of the season. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will not allow his licence to be extended due to his age.

Moore paid tribute to the two-time Horse of the Year in Hong Kong, and one of the greatest he has worked with in his glittering training career.

He said: "He's now getting close to being my favourite – you just look at that record he's put together.

"He keeps doing it. Look at what he can do, racing time and time again on firm tracks, the wins he's had, the records he's broken – and they're all gunning for him. He gets out in front and he gets shot at from every angle, but at his best he was so impressive that they were scared to take him on – he's capable of running sectionals that other horses can't live with at a mile."

Of his chances in Sunday's race, Moore added: “He was very enthusiastic about his work this [Thursday] morning, the reports back were positive that he did everything right. I saw him coming back and I’m thrilled, everything has gone to plan and it’s all systems go.”

Beauty Generation's biggest rival is Waikuku who runs for John Size and Joao Moreira. The five-year-old has finished ahead of Beauty Generation four times this season, including when winning the Group 1 Stewards' Cup in January. But he has a point to prove having finished sixth of seven earlier this month.

Waikuku: winner of six races in Hong KongCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Moreira said: "My conversation with John Size lately has been that usually when good horses do what he has done they eventually come to a flat spot and it could be the reason for his poor run last start.

“He’s a very good horse and he has done well already this season so there’s no doubt he’s a winning chance."

Elsewhere, Size is hoping his consistent stable star Hot King Prawn can finally claim a first Group 1 prize in the Chairman's Sprint Prize (7.50), having gone agonisingly close in the Hong Kong Sprint.

The five-year-old was beaten a neck by stablemate Beat The Clock in December and has continued to run well in Hong Kong's big races, placing in three starts and winning once. Sunday's contest looks an ideal opportunity for the son of Denman.

"At the moment this is an opportunity for him to win a big one – he's done everything right going into the race so hopefully he gives it a good shake," Size said.

"He just goes out there and does his job, you always know what you're going to get and his consistency hopefully pays off one day and he can win a Group 1."

His chief threat is Moore's talented sprinter Aethero. The three-year-old looked destined for the top when winning his first five starts, but has been beaten at odds-on in his two starts since.

Exultant (left): 'should win' on Sunday according to Tony CruzCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

There is huge confidence behind Exultant as he looks to justify odds-on favouritism in the FWD QEII Cup (9.40). The six-year-old was second to Time Warp last time but trainer Tony Cruz believes those placings can be reversed in Sunday's race.

"I'm very pleased with him, I think he should win this race," Cruz said. "It's a smaller field this time so Exultant will be closer in the run. He was too far back last time and got into trouble, that cost him and he just couldn't catch Time Warp. I'm still disappointed with how that worked out for Exultant, I think he should have won that race."

Read more

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Beauty Generation and Aethero handed good draws for Group 1 Sha Tin missions

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