Beauty Generation Flies the New Zealand Flag in Hong Kong Mile

Karaka graduates had already been to the fore with a quinella in the Hong Kong Sprint, but an all-the-way win by Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) in Sunday’s HK$23 million Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) ensured that the 2017 Hong Kong International Races were an unforgettable day for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.

Bred by Nearco Stud and offered by Highden Park at the 2014 Select Sale, Beauty Generation was bought for $60,000 by Hermes Syndications.

That purchase price is now dwarfed by the more than HK$20 million (NZ$3.75 million) he has earned from just 11 Hong Kong starts, five of which have been victories.

The five-year-old had won twice at black-type level in the countdown to Sunday’s feature, taking out the HK$3 million Celebration Cup (1400m) and the HK$4 million Sha Tin Trophy (1600m). But in the race that mattered most, he stepped up and delivered a supreme performance.

With Derek Leung in the saddle for trainer John Moore and owner Patrick Kwok, Beauty Generation went straight to the lead from his wide gate and never surrendered that advantage. He ran his rivals off their feet, crossing the line one length clear and stopping the clock at 1:33.56.

“He’s done everything right from day one, this horse,” Moore said. “He had the gun run and was able to dictate the terms of the race.

“We tried him over more ground last season and he ran well, but he has a turn of foot at the mile (1600 metres). He’s run so well today.”

Under his previous name Montaigne, Beauty Generation started seven times in Australia for A$322,000 in prize-money including placings in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and Group 2 Hobartville Stakes.

The 2013 Hong Kong Mile had been won by Glorious Days (Hussonet), who went through the 2009 Premier and Ready to Run Sales at Karaka and was passed in on both occasions. The 2012 winner Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins) was passed in at the 2008 Select Sale.