Beauty Only and Giant Treasure emerged as two of the leading protagonists in last season’s Four-Year-Old series and on Sunday (13 September) at Sha Tin Racecourse the closely-matched pair will clash for the sixth time when they contest the afternoon’s feature race, the Class 1 Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1400m).
Giant Treasure has the overall edge as he finished ahead of his rival four times. But with each horse having nailed one win apiece from those clashes, Beauty Only might be said to have the real upper hand. Tony Cruz’s charge captured the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile in impressive style back in January, with the Richard Gibson-trained Giant Treasure two and a half lengths third.
In their most recent head-to-head, a course and distance Class 2 back in April, Giant Treasure held his rival by a short-head as the talented four-year-olds took first and second. Gibson’s charge was in receipt of 3lb that day and on Sunday that will have been cut to 2lb with Beauty Only weighted to shoulder 129lb and Giant Treasure allotted 127lb.
Both have pleased connections in recent barrier trials but Giant Treasure’s effort in a 1000m trial on 29 August is the one with the brighter sheen. The eye-catching grey strode out well in fourth, within striking range of subsequent winner Packing Pins and the top-class sprinters Amber Sky and Rich Tapestry.
“The trial went well,” said Gibson. “Giant Treasure trains well fresh so we’ll expect to see a good performance on Sunday.”
Giant Treasure’s profile has shades of another Gibson-trained/Pan Sutong-owned galloper, the top-class Gold-Fun, who attempted to stretch out to 2000m in the Hong Kong Derby but who has since found his niche as a sprinter/miler.
“The 1400m looks his best trip,” said Gibson of the Mizzen Mast gelding. “It’ll be interesting to see which way he goes, if we’re going to go sprinting or if we take him to the mile. Certainly the Derby trip (2000m) was too long for him. If you see the replay of that race he was going better than anything turning into the straight and just didn't see it out. We gave him a good freshener up after that. I thought he won brilliantly last start and he’s an exciting prospect this season.”
Douglas Whyte has been ever-present on Giant Treasure, notching two wins from six starts in Hong Kong. The 13-time past champion is satisfied with the big grey’s progress into his first start of the campaign.
“He trials well, he puts everything in, so he’s come back this season in good shape,” he said. “He’s been a bit toey and Richard has taken a bit of time in training him, mentally, to shut down. We know he’s got the quality and physically he’s got it there so it's just a matter of getting him to really take a chill pill and start enjoying the environment.”
Among the 11 runners in Sunday’s contest, it is little surprise that Whyte is most conscious of the threat Beauty Only poses.
“Beauty Only is also one of the up and coming horses,” he said. “They’ve gone head to head in the past and I don't see any difference in this particular race. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Giant Treasure is in good form so let’s hope he can do it again.”
Neil Callan is the only man to have sat on Beauty Only in competitive action in Hong Kong and the Irishman has every faith in the Holy Roman Emperor gelding, who has notched three wins from 10 Hong Kong starts.
“For a young horse he’s had quite a few runs and everything that Tony has thrown at him the horse has stood up to and ran a solid race, whether in defeat or winning,” he said.
“He’s a Group 1 winner and we know he’s up to the class. He’s not a very big type but he’s strong and he’s tough so I wouldn’t be worried about him carrying a bit of weight. He has a good draw (3), which is important. The 1400m would be a little on the short side for him but the last time he tried the trip he was only beaten a short-head and it was a good run after a long season.
“He was lazy in the trial first up but it was his first trial of the season and I’d be very happy with him. The weather’s good, the track should be perfect so I’m looking forward to getting back on him. I think he’ll improve and I think he’ll hold his form because he’s very tough-minded, and, as we know, he’s got class.”
Callan has plenty of respect for Giant Treasure but he has every faith in Beauty Only.
“He’s meeting Giant Treasure again but I wouldn’t be afraid of him,” he said. “We’ve beaten him before and he’s beaten us. When you look at Giant Treasure last year he was a very tall, lanky horse. He trialed well a couple for weeks ago and looks in good condition. I always thought as the horse gets older and progresses he’ll improve, physically as well, but my horse is a good horse and I won’t be afraid of anything.”
The exciting race also features the five-year-old, Divine Calling (125lb), an impressive course and distance winner first up last term and second to Beauty Only in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. The grey will have his first outing for the Caspar Fownes stable and will carry 123lb thanks to Vincent Ho’s 2lb claim. Another Fownes contender, Rainbow Chic (133lb), tops the weights.
The classy field also includes Flame Hero (129lb), All You Wish (125lb), Super Lifeline (125lb), Gurus Dream (124lb), Kabayan (124lb), Wonderful Moments (120lb) and Multivictory (117lb).
