A ‘Beauty’ of a Win in the Classic Mile

The 2014 Hong Kong Derby was won by Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), and in Beauty Only (Ire), that Coolmore sire looks well positioned for a second consecutive winner of that domestic centerpiece.

The blaze-faced bay made four starts in Italy under the care of trainer Stefano Botti, dropping his career debut before winning his final three appearances in the country, including the G3 Premio Guido Berardelli at Rome. He began his local career at the top of Class 3 on a rating of 80 and belied odds of 6-1 to win over course and distance Oct. 5 and made it two straight in his first try against Class 2 competition Nov. 9. Sent off the 9-5 chalk in a similar event on the International Races undercard Dec. 14, he was ridden too close to the pace and weakened to be 11th, but was an improved fourth, beaten three lengths and a neck behind the third-placed Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) Jan. 4.

With Giant Treasure and the big reputation of Divine Calling (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}) battling it out in the market, Beauty Only was sent off the joint-third favorite and landed just worse than midfield as Gun Pit (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}) set the pace away from the rail, allowing Flying Moochi (Henrythenavigator) to pressure from the fence. Giant Treasure tracked from centerfield with cover and just ahead of Divine Calling, who raced in traffic to the turn. The pacesetters still had it between them rounding the bend, but Giant Treasure was the first to pull out with a run, with Beauty Only drafting behind into the final 400 meters. Steered off that gray gelding’s heels in upper stretch, Beauty Only let down beautifully to lead into the final eighth of a mile and came away to score with authority. Joao Moreira went for an inside run with favored Divine Calling and was just up to take the photo for second from Giant Treasure.

“It was pretty instant,” said jockey Neil Callan, in reference his mount’s burst of speed. “I’ve always felt that he was the type of horse that when he goes further he’s going to keep improving, but I think the more racing he’s getting here, the more speed he’s getting. The last day I was doing the donkey work for Giant Treasure and today I knew there was only one horse I wanted to follow. I went past him very easily and then he just idled in the straight.”

The winner is campaigned in part by Eleanor Kwok, the co-founder and vice-chairman of Sa Sa, a top cosmetic retailing group. The Kwok colors were also carried to victory by Beauty Flash (NZ) (Golan {Ire}) in the 2010 Classic Mile and in the G1 Hong Kong Mile later that season.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE, HK$8,000,000 (US$1,031,691), NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:33.95, gd/fm. 
1–BEAUTY ONLY (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) 
     1st Dam: Goldendale (Ire), by Ali-Royal (Ire) 
     2nd Dam: Skisette (Ire), by Miswaki 
     3rd Dam: Salette (Ire), by Sallust (GB) 
O-Eleanor & Patrick Kwok; B-Massimo Parri; T-Tony Cruz; J-Neil Callan; HK$4,560,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ity, 9-6-0-0, HK$7,395,620. 
2–Divine Calling (Aus), 126, g, 4, Stratum (Aus)–Rubicall (Aus), by Rubiton (Aus). (A$210,000 yrl ‘12 MMGCYS). O-Wei Yu & Liu He. HK$1,760,000. 
3–Giant Treasure, 126, g, 4, Mizzen Mast–Palisade, by Gone West. O-Pan Sutong. HK$920,000. 
Margins: 2 1/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 9.80, 0.70, 2.30. 
Also Ran: Arpinati (GB), Thunder Fantasy (Aus), Helene Happy Star, Gonna Run (Fr), Savvy Nature (NZ), Anticipation (Ire), Flying Moochi, Gun Pit (Aus). 
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