Beauty Generation needs to remove blinkers, says jockey Purton
Trainer John Moore has revealed a gear change could be the catalyst for Beauty Generation to turn the tables on Rapper Dragon after it was overrun in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Sunday.
Moore said jockey Zac Purton suggested they remove the blinkers for the next start after the horse produced a fidgety run, but still managed to run on nicely to finish behind Rapper Dragon and Seasons Bloom.
Purton was forced to hold Beauty Generation back with the horse desperate for more rein as they approached the bend. In contrast Rapper Dragon received a dream run and finished the race with a three-length margin.
“He was fractionally disappointing,” Moore said.
“He came out to do it and Zac was of the opinion that maybe taking the blinkers off might be a possibility, simply because through the race he gets on the chewy-chewy a little bit – maybe taking the blinkers off, he’ll settle a little bit more and have the kick at the end.
“That was the opinion of Zac. We’ll look at it closely and then decide whether to take the blinkers off for the Classic Cup.”
Rawiller was delighted with the run of Seasons Bloom after nicking second by a head. Danny Shum’s lightly-raced charge stormed home in 22.05s.
“He’s a lovely horse, it was a great run,”Rawiller said.
“The way he’s finished there, it was a great Derby trial, that’s what it was.”
The Tony Cruz-trained Winner’s Way used plenty of energy in racing a close second but still boxed on for fourth, three and a half lengths behind the winner.
“He ran a good race,” jockey Matthew Chadwick said.
“He got there easily, he settled nicely but then he disappointed and maybe wants slightly further now.”
Cruz’s spotlight horse, Pakistan Star, was bustled forward at the gate to take a handier position than had been the case in the past but was trapped three wide without cover. The Shamardal gelding kept on to finish a solid fifth.
“He’s still not doing everything right but he’s not up to them at this stage,” jockey Silvestre de Sousa said.
Meanwhile, Tommy Berry was delighted with Eagle Way, another of Moore’s seven contenders in today’s field. The G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner ran a fine race with the Hong Kong Derby in mind, closing off through the final 400m in 22.28s to finish three and three quarter lengths sixth.
“Enormous run today,” Berry said.
“They walked in the race, I had to check a few times when Beauty Generation came back in my face but I loved the way he hit the line.”
And Alexis Badel, who rode a double on the day to take his Hong Kong tally to four, had a positive report for another of Moore’s Hong Kong Derby hopefuls, the French G1 winner Helene Charisma. The Hong Kong debutant clocked the race’s third fastest closing split (22.11s) in finishing ninth of 14.
“I think the horse will improve a lot after this race,” the Frenchman said.
“He gave me a good feeling, I think he understands (it all) very quickly. This is a very good horse, he gave me a good feeling. I rode a comfortable race to finish very strongly but the pace wasn’t fast enough for him and he finished very well.”