Beauty Joy added another remarkable chapter to his long career on Sunday at Sha Tin, becoming one of the oldest horses ever to win a Group race in Hong Kong with a determined victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m).
Premier Plate Handicap Result
The nine-year-old chestnut, trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Joao Moreira, produced a powerful late run to defeat Light Years Charm and Romantic Thor, stopping the clock at 1m 47.96s. The result also marked Beauty Joy’s second consecutive success in the Premier Plate.
Beauty Joy Premier Plate Handicap victory was the standout moment of the Sha Tin meeting as the veteran performer continued to defy expectations.
Beauty Joy became the first nine-year-old in Hong Kong to win a Group race since Able One claimed the 2011 G1 Hong Kong Mile. Formerly known as Talladega during his unbeaten spell in Australia, the gelding increased his Hong Kong earnings to HK$40.36 million after recording his eighth victory from 56 starts in the region.
The latest success was his fifth Group race win in Hong Kong, adding to a record that includes one Group 2 victory, four Group 3 wins and three top-level placings. His biggest achievement came when he finished runner-up to Golden Sixty in the 2023 G1 FWD Champions Mile.
Moreira kept Beauty Joy relaxed early before allowing him to move into contention. The horse found clear running in the closing stages and produced a strong burst from the 300m mark to settle the contest.
“He was very good for me today. He wanted to play around a little during the race, but he stayed calm and showed his ability,” Moreira said after the race.
“He had the race under control a long way from home. At nine years old, he still has a huge heart.”
Cruz revealed that Beauty Joy’s future was reconsidered after his previous Premier Plate win, but another victory has opened the door for one more campaign.
“Last year we said if he won again we would continue, and he has done it. We will see how he comes through before making the final decision,” Cruz said.
The day also belonged to Little Paradise, who secured his first Group 3 success in the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m). The four-year-old showed strong finishing speed to earn a major victory for trainer Jimmy Ting.
Settled in sixth early, Little Paradise followed the pace before moving forward in the straight. He took control inside the final 100m and held off Galaxy Patch by a neck, with Lucky With You finishing third in a quick time of 1m 20.38s.
The victory gave Ting his first Group 3 win and continued Little Paradise’s rise after his Hong Kong Classic Mile success earlier in the year.
Rider Zac Purton praised the colt’s improvement and believes he could progress further next season.
“He was probably not at his absolute best after a break, but he still ran a very good race. With more time, he can take another step forward,” Purton said.
Ting indicated that higher-level targets could now be considered, with the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile among possible future goals.
Elsewhere on the card, Caspar Fownes strengthened his position in the trainers’ championship after Winning Machine secured victory in the Class 5 Spessartine Garnet Handicap (1400m). Ricky Yiu and Nichola Yuen combined for a double, while Cody Mo also recorded two wins.
Jerry Chau continued his strong season with Call Me Magnifique taking the Class 3 Lapiz Lazuli Handicap (2000m), while Purton completed a treble after Chicken Dinner won the Class 3 Sapphire Handicap (1200m). Almighty Lightning also produced a late surge to land the Class 3 Amethyst Handicap (1400m).
Hong Kong racing returns at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with attention now turning toward the next stage of the season.
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