Beauty Only has the G1 Champions Mile in his sights after a commanding victory in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin Racecourse this afternoon, Sunday, 3 April.
Trainer Tony Cruz was exuding confidence in the five-year-old’s chances for that international showcase on 1 May after watching his charge draw a length and a quarter clear of runner-up Rewarding Hero, clocking a time of 1m 33.22s.
“He’s a genuine Group 1 horse, I’ve believed that from day one, and this win gives me confidence for the Champions Mile,” said Cruz.
Today’s triumph was Beauty Only’s first since a 1400m Class 1 handicap score back in September. Last season’s HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile victor had posted some smart efforts in defeat since, including fourth in January’s G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and third to Contentment in the following month’s G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), but the Holy Roman Emperor gelding headed into today’s feature off a lacklustre fifth to Rewarding Hero in a mile Class 1.
“He needs top of the ground,” said Cruz. “He didn’t get that last time but today he was the best horse in the field at this distance and on this surface. The faster the ground the better: Champions Mile next!”
Neil Callan settled the ex-Italian galloper sixth in the eight-runner field as stablemate Multivictory led them along, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Turning for home, with Designs On Rome making a grinding move to his outer, Callan edged Beauty Only into clear running and popped the question. The answer he received was a burst of speed that stole the lead at the 300m mark. The bay powered to the line in a final 400m split of 22.55s.
“I knew coming in that the quicker ground today was right up his street – the soft ground last time just went completely against him,” said Callan. “With the weight difference and that faster ground I knew he had a chance to produce his best and he did, so I’m very happy.”
Beauty Only carried 123lb, five pounds less than the G1-penalised Designs On Rome who ran a smart prep for the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (24 April) in finishing two lengths third. Secret Weapon took fourth as race favourite Contentment (128lb) failed to fire in fifth.
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Photo 1:
Photo 1, 2: Beauty Only (No 4), trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Neil Callan, wins the HKG2 Chairman��s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin racecourse today.
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Photo 2
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Photo 3:
The winning connections celebrate their success after the race.
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Photo 4:
Photo 4, 5, 6, 7: Dr Simon Ip, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents the Chairman��s Trophy and silver dish to Beauty Only��s owners, Eleanor Kwok Law Kwai Chun & Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Neil Callan at the presentation ceremony.
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Photo 5
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Photo 6
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Photo 7
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Photo 8:
Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip, Club Stewards, CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, and the connections of Chairman��s Trophy winner Beauty Only, pose for a photo at the presentation ceremony.
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