Many have been quick to label Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) a has-been after his disappointing finish to 2019 but Zac Purton is confident the reigning Horse of the Year can still have a big say at the top level after a promising trial at Sha Tin on Friday morning.
John Moore’s seven-year-old moved well ahead of next weekend’s Group One Stewards’ Cup (1600m), where he will tackle just six rivals.
“I actually thought he was pretty good, he’s nice and fresh, bouncing around and he showed a little bit more enthusiasm,” Purton said.
“In the straight his problem has been that he’s just been putting the flag up, saying he’s had enough and just dwindling out of it a little bit.
“But after they went past him he wanted to grab the bit and work to the line, which was nice to feel and good to see. Hopefully he can take that to the races.”
After his winning streak was ended at 10 in October, Beauty Generation could only manage third in December’s Hong Kong Mile but Purton knows the champion doesn’t have to improve much to return to the winner’s circle.
“He’s been getting beaten a length and a half or two lengths and he hasn’t been having a crack so he’s just got to want to hit the line, that’s all it’s going to take,” he said.
“I’m not going into the race expecting anything, I’m just going to give him his chance to show us he’s still got that will to win. We’ll see what we get on the day.”
