Beauty Generation, Waikuku Duel Again in Hong Kong

The generational battle between two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation and younger rival Waikuku renews April 5 at Sha Tin Racecourse in one of two group 2 events with top-level quality.

The day's races, which will be run without spectators in accordance with COVID-19 protocols, also have implications for what's working out to be a dramatic race for the jockey premiership between Australian Zac Purton and Brazilian Joao Moreira.

Beauty Generation, an 8-year-old Road to Rock gelding, rattled off 10 consecutive wins from 2018-19 to land his back-to-back titles. The 2019-20 season has taken him down a peg as he has managed just two wins from six starts while frequently lacking the late punch that made him so dangerous.

Things have looked up a bit of late, though, as the old warrior finished second—albeit to 5-year-old Waikuku—by just a neck in the Stewards' Cup (G1) in January. He then returned to the win column in the Feb. 16 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) as Waikuku sat that one out.

The two are at the top of the stack among Hong Kong milers. The Chairman's Trophy (G2) on Sunday and the April 26 Champions Mile (G1) should decide which of them takes seasonal honors in that category and, possibly, whether Beauty Generation can retain the Horse of the Year title.

"It was nice to see him bounce back and win that race last time," said Purton, who rides Beauty Generation. "I think he deserved that. He's been racing well throughout the season."

Trainer John Moore gave Beauty Generation a gallop April 2 and said work rider Romain Clavreul was impressed—and then some.

"Romain said he's jumping out of his skin and he even tried to dump him," Moore said. "He's bucking and squealing, so that's always a good sign.

"In his heyday, Beauty Generation would have beaten Waikuku. But we're another year on. He's not old, but he's getting on in age, and he's not the force he was that could just go those dominating sectionals. Now they're starting to get closer. But he's in good order, and he's there to win."

Waikuku's trainer, John Size, said his charge also is in good order after the short break and is ready for action with Moreira booked to ride.

"I think he's fit enough to run well," Size said of Waikuku. "He can win the race. He's fit enough for that. But hopefully he runs a nice race and he can improve for the group 1 race later."

The field also includes Furore, the winner of last year's BMW Hong Kong Derby, and Southern Legend. The latter was redirected to this race rather than seeking a three-peat in the Kranji Mile (G1) in Singapore next month because of uncertainty about travel and scheduling.

The second feature on the card, the Sprint Cup (G2) at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs), promises to be a tussle between established top-shelf 5-year-old Hot King Prawn and precocious 3-year-old Aethero.

Aethero won the Jockey Club Sprint (G2) in November by two lengths, with Hot King Prawn second. In the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1), Hot King Prawn was second to Beat the Clock, with Aethero third.

Since then, Hot King Prawn has finished third in a pair of group 1 events, and Aethero has rested on the laurels of a record showing five wins from seven starts at Sha Tin.

Purton rides Aethero, and Moreira takes the call on Hot King Prawn. With the runaway jockey leaders—both former champions—riding the likely favorites in the features, the day has meaning for their rivalry.

Moreira enters the day with a 95-92 lead over Purton in winners. After those two, it's a chasm to Karris Teetan in third place with 53 victories.