Money Catcher Picks Up Elusive First Win in Hong Kong

Frankie Lor will consider aiming Money Catcher at the HK$34 million Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin next month after the import ended a frustrating string of near-misses with the Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Handicap (G3) victory at Sha Tin Nov. 6.

Prevailing for the first time in his 13th Hong Kong start under a masterful Silvestre de Sousa ride, Money Catcher belied his reputation as a perennial bridesmaid—he had accumulated four seconds, four thirds and a fourth before Sunday's triumph—by tenaciously fending off favorite Beauty Joy.

Pointing to the 20-pound weight differential, De Sousa crowned a monumental day with a four-timer, which also enabled the Brazilian to annex the 100-win milestone in Hong Kong.

"Money Catcher was obviously the best handicapped on the day, and I was very lucky to pick up that ride with that weight. I thought Ka Ying Star would go on, but he didn't want to do it, so I just went along in front," De Sousa said, after idling through the first 1,000 meters in :59.98 before gradually increasing the tempo over the last 800 meters in :46.36.

"The horse likes to be there (leading) and I knew with the weight he was carrying at the 800 meters, that something (good) would happen. I hope this win can build his confidence for next time. He's had plenty of chances and hasn't delivered, but today he had a good handicap."

Lor will decide over the next week which path to take with Money Catcher, who finished third in last season's Hong Kong Derby (Listed) behind Romantic Warrior (Acclamation).

"Maybe, maybe, but I'll still have a look over the next few days," Lor said when asked if the Ferlax gelding would be set for group 1 duty next month.

"This horse (is) very unlucky always. Second, third, fourth. This time, I win the race for the owners. Really happy. We wait for the win for a long time. We planned, if no one wanted to lead, we could lead by ourselves. I don't know, maybe (Ka Ying Star) jumped a bit slow, that's why we could lead by ourselves. It was really good for him."

Beautyverse Connections Eye Hong Kong Cup

Beautyverse emerged as a potential Hong Kong Cup contender, after Tony Cruz's newcomer produced a stunning debut victory in the Neogence Handicap (Class 2) under Zac Purton to deliver a HK$2 million PP Bonus, plus prize money of HK$1.653 million for an overall windfall HK$3.653 million.

Beautyverse, who was rated 82 pre-race, earned the HK$2 million bonus for winning his first Hong Kong race at Class 2 or above before reaching 5 years of age while rated 80 or higher.

Bought after his South Australian Derby (G1) win at Morphettville in May, when he raced as Jungle Magnate, Beautyverse rolled forward from barrier 14 to lead—against his typical Australian racing pattern—to defy the opposition.

Cruz indicated the 2023 Hong Kong Derby was Beautyverse's more likely feature target at this stage. "It was very impressive. He's got class and I was expecting to win this race. We still ran him a bit short of his best distance, next time we're going to run him at 1,800 meters or 2,000 meters.

"This horse has a bright future—he's got a lot of ability and quality. The Derby is the main goal, he is a Derby contender, but I haven't planned how he will get there yet," Cruz said.

Frankie Lor will attempt to build the rating of A Pal in a bid to contest the HK$48 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series after the gelding's striking victory under Derek Leung in the Eleanor Handicap (Class 3).

"His rating today was 66, so maybe he might get 10 points, but he would still need to win again to get into the Four-Year-Old Classic Series," Lor said after the More Than Ready chestnut earned a HK$1 million PP bonus for Lee Sheung Chau, who raced Hong Kong Derby winner Furore in the same colors.

"He's a nice horse but he still needs to relax more."

Purton has 35 wins for the season—20 more than closest pursuer Vincent Ho (15)—and was equally taken with Beautyverse.