If the hopes of trainer Tony Cruz come to fruition, the Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1400m) will have a bearing on more than one major prize this season. Sunday’s (21 September) Class 1 feature at Sha Tin has attracted a field of 11 talented runners and among them is the Cruz stable’s Beauty Flame (120lbs).
The four-year-old arrived in Hong Kong from Ireland ahead of last season and expectations were high that the winner of Royal Ascot’s Britannia Handicap could be a viable BMW Hong Kong Derby contender. Beauty Flame finished eighth in that 2000m test in March but showed enough in his seven starts last term, including a win and three places, to suggest that he may yet make a mark at Pattern level.
Beauty Flame heads into his first-up run off a smart barrier trial on 10 September. The Footstepsinthesand gelding led the 1200m all-weather heat under regular pilot Matthew Chadwick and was rolling home when headed on the line, clocking a time of 1m 10.63s.
“I’m very happy with the barrier trial; he might not be right on top of his game but he’s almost there,” said Cruz of his charge, last seen in action when running a close third to Secret Sham in a Class 1 1650m contest at Happy Valley in April.
“His last three runs, I think he had a bit of a sore joint but he still ran well, and I think he could be a better horse this season,” he continued. “If he runs well on Sunday we’ll be looking at good mile races; the target at this stage is the Hong Kong Mile and he could go to the trial race over a mile in November.”
The classy field also features the David Hall-trained Bubble Chic, a dual HKG3 scorer last term, who will carry top-weight of 133lbs, while last year’s winner, fellow HKG3 winner, the John Moore-trained Same World, shoulders 131lbs.
Pleasure Gains (124lbs) enjoyed a fantastic 2013/14 season, winning four for trainer Manfred Man and placing third in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) behind Able Friend. Meanwhile, Dundonnell (121lbs) failed to fulfill expectations last term after arriving from England but showed smart form and caught the eye in a 1000m turf barrier trial on 6 September. The four-year-old makes his first start for trainer Richard Gibson.
Mizani (121lbs) was a classy performer for Gibson but the tall grey, not seen in race action since November last year, makes his first start for Michael Chang on Sunday. The trainer is hoping to prime the fragile five-year-old for a tilt at December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
Tony Millard has engaged Super Lifeline (121lbs), winner of the HKG3 Hong Kong Macau Trophy over the course and distance last term. The Dennis Yip-trained Winning Leader (124lbs), Hong Kong Derby fourth Mr Gnocchi (118lbs), from the Danny Shum stable, and the Moore-trained Destined For Glory (117lbs) and Kabayan (114lbs) complete the line-up.
Sunday’s 10-race card commences at 1pm with the 1400m Chaozhou Handicap. The Kwangtung Handicap Cup (4.35pm) is race eight.
