Reigning Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Beauty Generation took up where he left off last season, making it ten wins in succession in Tuesday's Group III The Celebration Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Given a positive ride by Zac Purton in an on-pace dominated race, the top-ranked miler in the world set a new 1400m record of 1:20.05 in defeating Ka Ying Star by one and a quarter lengths with Waikuku a half-length back in third. (image Grant Courtney )
Carrying at least 6.5 kgs more than the rest of the field, the 7yo son of Road To Rock won the race for the third time and now holds track records at 1400 metres, 1600 metres and 2200 metres.
"That's the first part of the mission accomplished," trainer John Moore said.
"With the tail-wind in the straight today I thought he'd have to break a track record to give so much weight away to the others and he did.
"Zac said he felt it in the last 50 metres but that's to be expected when you're carrying 133 pounds and giving away so much weight."
Moore's plan now is to follow the usual route to what he hopes will be
"We're right on target now to go and do what we did last season. Let's move on to the next one, the Group 2 mile on 20 October, and then the Mile trial (G2 Jockey Club Mile) in November," Moore said.
Beauty Generation is the highest stakes earner in the history of the former colony and it will take a good one to lower his colours in the near future.
"He's just an amazing horse. To do what he does defies logic to a certain degree," Zac Purton said.
"We only just started to see the best of him at the end of last season so I believe he's still got plenty ahead of him now.
"He's gone into this the heaviest he's ever weighed in in his life,
Bred by Nearco Stud, Beauty Generation was a $60,000 purchase by Hermes Syndications from the Highden Park draft at the 2014 NZB Select Yearling Sale.
The 5yo gelding commenced his career with Anthony Cummings in Australia under the name Montaigne where he had seven starts that produced two wins and was runner-up in the 2016 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas behind Tarzino (Tavistock) before finishing fourth to Preferment (Zabeel) in the Group 1 The BMW.
He is the third foal of the unraced Bel Esprit mare Stylish Bell who is a half-sister to stakes winners Victory Trump (Euclase) and Savage Attack (Made Of Gold).
Stylish Bel has a 2yo filly by Tavistock and a yearling colt by Tavistock's ATC Derby winner Tarzino.
She was covered by I Am Invincible last spring but missed.
Beauty Generation is the lone Group 1 winner for the Group 1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Group 1 AJC George Main Stakes winner Road To Rock (Encosta de Lago) who stands at Wellfield Stud where his 2109 Service Fee $5000.00 + GST ( Free Return).
