David Hayes | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fownes Sends Out ‘Delight’-ful Duo In Classic Mile

Ten years on from his lone success in the Hong Kong Classic Mile with Lucky Nine (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), trainer Caspar Fownes starts two of the three top-rated gallopers in the first of the three legs of the 4YO Classic Series at Sha Tin Sunday afternoon.

Enrich Delight (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) will try to give his sire back-to-back winners of the Classic Mile, following on the success of Golden Sixty (Aus) last year, and has done little wrong in two Class 2 appearances over 1400 metres. A maiden winner and Group 3-placed for Anthony Freedman in Australia while racing as Chenier (Aus), the bay overcame a troubled trip to score on debut Nov. 29 and, after missing an intended start Dec. 13, finished a close, but luckless third, Jan. 10. Enrich Delight has the services of two-time Classic Mile-winning jockey Christophe Soumillon.

Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is the selection of Joao Moreira and won his first three starts of this term, including a defeat of Lucky Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) in a Class 1 over course and distance Nov. 29 and was a latest second to the reliable Champion's Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) in open Group 3 company Jan. 1 after sitting a far inferior trip.

David Hayes sent out two Classic Mile winners during his previous stint in Hong Kong and tightens the girth around three runners Sunday. Shadow Hero (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}), whose sire accounted for 2019 winner Furore (NZ), was trained by Hayes to victories in the 2019 G1 Spring Champion S. and 2020 G1 Randwick Guineas, and hasn't been a true factor in two local runs after slow starts. To that end, Hayes is removing the blinkers and adding cheek pieces to the gelding, who ran on strongly to be third behind Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) Dec. 13. Zac Purton retains the ride.

The latter was well-tried in Australia for trainer Stuart Kendrick and closed out the 'Eric the Eel' portion of his career with a third in the G1 Australian Derby last April. His two local appearances for Danny Shum have been very promising, first storming home to be third behind Enrich Delight at 70-1 Nov. 29 before weaving through heavy traffic to be late on the scene last time.

Lucky Express has been in the top three in six of his eight Hong Kong starts and was a last-out third off a three-wide, no-cover trip over track and distance Jan. 1. He has place claims at rough odds.

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‘Resurrect An Old Champion’: Beauty Generation Chasing Third Hong Kong Mile Victory

David Hayes will attempt to emulate the career-ending Cox Plate glories of retired Australian warhorse Fields Of Omagh on Sunday, when he sends out Beauty Generation in an attempt to annex a third HK$25 million (US$3.23 million) Grade 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.

Hayes famously sent Fields Of Omagh into retirement after the 9-year-old snared Australia's premier G1 weight-for-age contest – the Cox Plate – at Moonee Valley in 2006 to cap his career in a blaze of glory.

The comparisons to Beauty Generation, twice Hong Kong Horse of the Year, are not lost on Hayes, who inherited the decorated 8-year-old after John Moore's retirement last year.

In two runs for Hayes, the 2017 and 2018 Hong Kong Mile winner has had his colors lowered by Hong Kong's boom galloper Golden Sixty, dead-heated for second in the G3 Celebration Cup (1400m, seven furlongs) before running sixth in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m, one mile).

Fields Of Omagh had won just one of 12 starts before tackling – and conquering – the Cox Plate for a second victory. Hayes took over the gelding from Tony McEvoy after returning to Australia from Hong Kong in 2005.

Hayes retains faith Beauty Generation can revive the uplifting memories of Fields Of Omagh's farewell performance.

“It would be wonderful to win with him, especially if you could resurrect an old champion like Beauty Generation,” Hayes said after the gelding cantered on the inner track at Sha Tin on Thursday.

“He reminds me – and he's more high-profile – of an old Fields Of Omagh going into his last Cox Plate, doing everything right but overlooked and under-rated by the market.

“This horse is going to start well overs which is quite ironic because up until the last 12 months, he's been favorite in everything he's raced in.

“The guy who rides him, Romain (Clavreul), who has ridden him all his life, says he feels as good as ever, which is really encouraging.

“We've taken a fresh approach. We elected not to give him a lead-up race or a trial. He's just had three nice gallops on the course proper over the last month and I'm really happy with his level of fitness and he looks fantastic.”

Beauty Generation finished third in last year's Hong Kong Mile behind Japan's Admire Mars, who returns to defend his crown.

Hayes said a decision on Beauty Generation's future would not necessarily hinge on Sunday's performance.

“If he runs competitive, he'll certainly keep racing on,” he said.

“If he disappointed, it (retirement) would be considered, but I would think they would love to run him in the 1400m G1 (the Queens Silver Jubilee Cup) that he won last year – his last win.

“But if he's racing well, I can't see any reason why he wouldn't keep going.”

Beauty Generation will start from barrier three under Zac Purton as he attempts to match Good Ba Ba's feat (2007-09) of winning the Mile three times.

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Zac Purton Claims International Jockeys’ Championship; Hollie Doyle First Woman To Win IJC Race

Zac Purton has claimed ultimate honors in the HK$800,000 (US$103,200) LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship on Wednesday at Happy Valley after clinching a tense contest from Joao Moreira in a dramatic finale to the four-race series.

Tied with Moreira on 18 points heading into the deciding race of the contest, Purton collected an invaluable two after dead-heating for third aboard Flying Bonus with Wind N Grass (Tom Marquand).

Moreira, who needed to finish ahead of Purton in the championship-deciding contest to add another accolade to his bulging collection, crossed the line in sixth place on Cue The Music, failing to improve his score.

On a landmark evening when Hollie Doyle became the first woman in history to win a leg of the of International Jockeys' Championship on David Hayes' Harmony N Blessed, Purton totaled 20 points under the 12-6-4 point format to deny Moreira (18).

Doyle and Alexis Badel were tied for third with 12 points each after Badel's victory on Gallant Crown.

Hong Kong's reigning champion jockey, Purton posted a treble at the meeting while also earning HK$500,000 (about US$65,000) – the richest prize in racing for competition of this type – as LONGINES IJC champion.

Tony Millard pocketed the HK$200,000 (US$25,800) bonus as the most successful trainer of the series after notching a double with Gallant Crown and Gift Of Lifeline in the third leg, who was ridden by Purton in the pair's first successful collaboration since 2015.

Now a two-time champion after success in 2017, Purton was elated with the timely success ahead of the prestige LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, Dec. 13.

“In a competition like this when there's so much on the line, it certainly feels nice to have won it again, it's another moment that I'll cherish,” he said.

“I didn't start off too well but we built into it after that. Like I've been saying for quite some time now, barriers win races and unfortunately for me it seems have been going on for months.

“I've been drawing such bad barriers, every meeting, it's making so difficult to be competitive.

“Then I come here tonight and, as I said, they weren't the best rides in the race but the barriers gave them the chance to be competitive. I just needed a bit of luck and things went my way.”

Moreira set the early tone with a measured ride on Gouten Of Garo in the opening race of the contest, logging maximum points in the Class 4 contest for trainer David Ferraris.

“This horse actually surprised all of us,” Moreira said. “On paper, he didn't look like he was much of a chance.

“But David has done his job very well and he sent his horse out in great shape and he just delivered what he has got best.

“Up in class, we were not that confident. But I am pleased to be wrong.”

Badel was chuffed to land the second leg for Millard with Gallant Crown, who staved off Fearless Fire (Purton) and Maldives (Pierre-Charles Boudot).

“I'm glad to win for him (Millard), he's been a great supporter so far all this season and I'm glad he had such an important win tonight,” said the Frenchman, who is relishing his third stint based in Hong Kong.

“He (Gallant Crown) is a very good horse to pick up, he showed 1650 (meters) was perfect for him.”

Purton thrust his way into contention with a clinical display on Gift Of Lifeline in the third leg, prevailing in his first ride for Millard since June of 2017.

Moreira claimed a vital six points by finishing second on Smiling City for a share of the lead ahead of the finale as defending champion Karis Teetan earned four points with third placing on Helene Wisdom Star.

Hollie Doyle drives Harmony N Blessed to victory in the final leg of the IJC.

Doyle, only the third woman to contest the International Jockeys' Championship after Emma-Jayne Wilson (2007) and Chantal Sutherland (2009), delivered strongly supported Harmony N Blessed – but much of the focus was on the action behind her as Purton and Moreira dueled to the line.

“It's amazing,” Doyle said. “It's just great to be here and it's the icing on the cake.

“He's a very, big strong horse. I think he's got a good future ahead of him.”

The 12 jockeys involved in the contest – six from Hong Kong and six from Great Britain and Europe – all praised the Hong Kong Jockey Club's balanced ride allocation.

The system was devised by Australian expert form analyst Dominic Beirne.

“There have been a lot of good story lines out of tonight and I think the new system gave a lot of jockeys in the room a bit of confidence,” Purton said. “I could feel the enthusiasm in the room and everyone was keen to go out there and give themselves a chance.

“Hollie winning a race was another highlight and Tony winning the trainers' bonus and me being able to seal it for him. Hopefully we broke ice there and we can put our long run of outs behind us and just get on with business.”

On a glorious evening for Purton, he posted his 1200th win in Hong Kong after saluting on Run The Table in the Class 5 Australia Handicap and Speedy Optimist in the Class 5 Brazil Handicap, although he had to share honors in the latter after a dead-heat with Frenchman Alexis Badel aboard Great Harvest.

Purton is only the second jockey to reach the 1200-win milestone in Hong Kong. Record-holder Douglas Whyte (1813) is the other.

A four-time winner of the Hong Kong jockeys' championship, Purton rode his first winner in the jurisdiction in 2007.

Racing continues on Sunday with the glittering LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

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Golden Sixty Dominates Celebration Cup

Sunday’s G3 Celebration Cup H. was billed as something of a David versus Goliath matchup between Classic series sweeper Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) and multiple Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}). But, in receipt of a whopping 17 pounds from the 8-year-old, Golden Sixty–having his first start since winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in March–kicked in with what has become his trademark finishing speed to post a facile success, as Beauty Generation and Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) hit the line in unison to share second.

Settled worse than midfield behind a moderate tempo, Golden Sixty was patiently handled on the turn, but was eased out into the clear with a bit more than 400 metres to race. Champion’s Way, who sat a nice inside trip for Joao Moreira, was sent into the lead in upper stretch, but Golden Sixty’s turn of foot proved decisive, as he rolled past an on to a convincing victory. Beauty Generation also traveled inside and was short of room at the furlong marker, but boxed on gamely to earn the dead-heat for second.

“It’s very exciting to be back on him [Golden Sixty], he felt great and fresh today–once I got a clear run I knew he’d run them down,” winning jockey Vincent Ho said. “I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”

Winning conditioner Francis Lui is considering Golden Sixty for either the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile or G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) come December.

David Hayes, who has taken over the training of Beauty Generation with the departure of John Moore, was pleased enough with what he saw on the track.

“We knew it was always going to be a big ask to give a young champion like Golden Sixty so much weight, but I thought Beauty Generation would have finished a clear second with a better run and I’m very happy with the way he went,” Hayes said.

Pedigree Notes:

Golden Sixty is bred on the cross of Medaglia d’Oro over sire sons of Forty Niner which has yielded the likes of US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (out of a daughter of Roar), champion Songbird and other 10-furlong Grade I winners Elate and New Money Honey (each o/o a Distorted Humor dam). His deeper female family includes the likes of champions Bosra Sham and Hector Protector and MG1/GISW Ciro.

Gaudeamus is the dam of a 3-year-old colt by Choisir (Aus), and a yearling filly by G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}). She was most recently bred to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) on a Nov. 18 cover date.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CELEBRATION CUP H.-G3, HK$3,500,000 (A$642,413/£354,438/
€388,175/US$451,616), Sha Tin, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.54, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 116, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$1,995,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
4yo-HK, 12-11-0-0, HK$33,465,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-2–Beauty Generation (NZ), 133, g, 8, Road to Rock (Aus)–
Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus). (NZ$60,000 Ylg ’14
NZBJAN). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd;
T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$586,250.
(DH)-2–Champion’s Way (Aus), 115, g, 5, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–
Greta’s Yarn (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice (Aus). (A$150,000 Ylg
’17 INGFEB). O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung, Elaine Leung & Angela
Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$586,250.
Margins: 1 3/4, (DH), 3/4. Odds: 0.80, (3.90, 7.80).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

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