There was no John Size ’s hot-pot Luger, but trainer Tony Cruz made sure he had the right cards when Beauty Flame led all the way to claim the Class One Panasonic Cup (1400m, Handicap) under the guidance of Matthew Chadwick today at Sha Tin.
Cruz knows what it takes to get a horse ready for the big occasion and it was no different with the Irish-bred four-year-old Beauty Flame (128lbs). A delighted Cruz said the horse has got tougher with each start and got rewards for his long-supporting owner Kwok Siu Ming.
Cruz has made the HK$23 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 14 December as the target. “It ’s doubtful that he will run in the International Trial (BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile) race next weekend, ” Cruz said. “We hope he can run in the International Mile. That ’s our target. ”
Chadwick gave a gem of a ride, going straight to the front and holding the rails, with stablemates, Penglai Xianzi and Bullish Boy sitting wide across until the home turn. The gelding kept up a strong gallop to hold off the late surge of Dundonnell (125lbs) and Lucky Double Eight (114lbs) in a thrilling finish. The winning time was 1m 21.1s.
Beauty Flame has been tough in defeats in his first three starts this season, finishing seconds to Kabayan, Diving Calling and Packing Llaregyb respectively. Beauty Flame ’s owner also collected a High Achievement Bonus of HK$1 million.
The John Size-trained exciting Luger was the top favourite but didn ’t turn up as expected and was later reported by the vets to have had a heart irregularity.
It was a welcome winning return for Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli and Thor The Greatest, who led throughout in the Class 4 Panasonic Viera iDTV Handicap (1200m), holding off the late surge of Ah Bo and Lucky Day.
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Photo 1:
Photo 1, Photo 2
Matthew Chadwick-ridden Beauty Flame (No. 4) prevails to win this year��s Panasonic Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse today.
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Photo 2
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Photo 3:
Connections of Beauty Flame pose for a winning photo in the winner��s circle.
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Photo 4:
Mr Keiji Fujimoto, Executive Director of Panasonic Corporation, presents the Panasonic Cup trophy to Mr Kwok Siu Ming, the owner of winning horse Beauty Flame.
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Photo 5:
Mr David Mong, Vice Chairman of the Shun Hing Group, presents the trophy to winning trainer Tony Cruz.
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Photo 6:
Ms Cynthia Mong, Director of Shun Hing Electronic Trading Co Ltd, presents the trophy to winning jockey Matthew Chadwick.
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Photo 7:
All smiles for the cameras at the Panasonic Cup presentation ceremony.
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Photo 8:
Top executives of the Shun Hing Group and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as the winning connections of Beauty Flame, join together in celebrating the success of Panasonic Cup today.
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Photo 9:
The owner of Panasonic Cup winner Beauty Flame receives a Panasonic coffee maker at the toasting ceremony.
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Photo 10:
Mr Terrence Chan, Vice Chairman of Shun Hing Group, presents a prize of HK$1,500 and a Panasonic coffee maker to the Stables Assistant responsible for Rewarding Hero, the best turned out horse in the Panasonic Cup.
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