Beauty Joy further strengthened his standing as one of Hong Kong racing’s most durable performers when the nine-year-old became the joint-oldest horse to win a Group race in the jurisdiction, capturing the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Earlier on the card, emerging talent Little Paradise secured his first black-type success in the Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m), providing a fitting conclusion to Hong Kong’s Group race season.

Already one of the most accomplished older horses in training, Beauty Joy became the first nine-year-old Group winner in Hong Kong since Able One landed the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in 2011. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding, who raced as Talladega during an unbeaten four-start career in Australia, now boasts eight wins from 56 Hong Kong starts and has pushed his career earnings to HK$40.36 million.

His latest success also marked a second consecutive victory in the Premier Plate and added to a record that includes five Hong Kong Group wins and three placings at Group 1 level, notably his runner-up finish behind Golden Sixty in the 2023 Champions Mile.

Given a patient ride by Joao Moreira, Beauty Joy settled before being angled into clear running and producing a decisive burst from the 300m mark. He defeated Light Years Charm and Romantic Thor in 1:47.96.

Moreira acknowledged the gelding’s reputation but revealed the veteran had been cooperative throughout the race.

“I was told he was going to be a difficult horse to ride, however he gave me a beautiful ride. At the 800m, he kind of wanted to play around with me with his head, but I managed to keep him very nicely calm,” Moreira said.

The Brazilian rider believed the race was effectively over some distance from home, highlighting the ability that Beauty Joy still possesses despite his advancing years.

“He had the race won at the last 300m – a long way from home – showing that he’s got so much ability and it’s a shame that he’s already nine-years-old. He’s got heart and I gotta say I’m just so thankful for Tony and his team for giving me another Group race in Hong Kong.

“It’s always a pleasure to be winning Group races anywhere, but Hong Kong is a special place.”

Cruz indicated retirement is not yet guaranteed, although the trainer acknowledged age remains the key consideration.

“Last year when he ran this race when he was eight-year-old, I said if he wins, we'll keep going for another season, if we lose we'll retire him,” Cruz said.

“Well, he has won again, and he just said to me it looks like we'll keep going. We'll run one more race (this season) and then make the final decision. At the age of 10, it could be a bit too old for him. He's been a very genuine horse - a very difficult horse to race, but he's got a fighting heart.”

Little Paradise Stakes His Claim

If Beauty Joy represented longevity, Little Paradise showcased the promise of what could lie ahead. The four-year-old continued his progression with victory in the Group 3 Premier Cup, adding a first Group success to the Hong Kong Classic Mile triumph he recorded in February.

Settled in sixth by Zac Purton, the Jimmy Ting-trained gelding tracked the leaders before launching his challenge in the straight. He hit the front inside the final 100m and held off the fast-finishing Galaxy Patch by a neck, with Lucky With You third. The winning time was a sharp 1:20.38.

The result delivered Ting his first Group 3 victory and his biggest Hong Kong success since Amazing Star captured the Group 2 Sprint Cup in 2021.

Purton felt the performance suggested there is more improvement to come.

“It’s obviously a lucky week for myself and the connections, so it’s good,” Purton said, referencing owner Ko Kam Piu’s association with Royal Ascot winner Little Bridge.

Purton credited Ting for having the horse ready and noted that the gelding may not yet have reached peak fitness.

“He’s been turning the horse out as well as he can. I’m just happy for him today that the horse got a nice clean run and was able to show what he can do.

“He probably wasn’t at his best today after having that break and just the one trial coming into and he ran good time. So, I think next season, with a break, there’s every chance he could take another step.”

Significantly, Ting confirmed that Group 1 targets are under consideration, with the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile emerging as a potential objective.

“I hope that after the break he gets a little bit of improvement, and hopefully the target will be to run in the (G1 LONGINES Hong Kong) Mile (1600m). I still think that 1400m or 1600m is the best distance for this horse, and I hope that he will improve,” he said.

Championship Picture Tightens

Elsewhere on the program, Caspar Fownes strengthened his position in the trainers’ championship when Winning Machine narrowly landed the Class 5 Spessartine Garnet Handicap (1400m) under Moreira. Fownes now sits on 63 wins, ahead of Danny Shum (59), Mark Newnham (58), Francis Lui (54) and David Hayes (52).

Ricky Yiu and apprentice Nichola Yuen combined for a double through Rapid Phantom in the Class 4 Ruby Handicap (1000m) and Packing Glory in the second division of the Class 4 Diamond Handicap (1200m).

Yiu praised Yuen’s understanding of Rapid Phantom.

“A great ride by the jockey - Nichola rode him before, she knows the horse and the horse has improved a lot since the last run. Hopefully, I can find another 1000m for him for the rest of the season,” Yiu said.

Yuen revealed she followed clear instructions before steering Packing Glory to victory.

“Before the race, Ricky told me to just aim for Zac - that's the only thing we knew. After the jump, straight away I was just aiming and focusing on where Zac was. He gave me a really good kick and he really hit the line very strong. He's very honest.

“I'm so glad to have ridden a double; riding one for the boss makes it especially meaningful.”

Cody Mo also saddled a double through Absolute Heart and Flying Knight, while Jerry Chau boosted his chances in the Tony Cruz Award for leading homegrown jockey with Call Me Magnifique’s victory in the Class 3 Lapiz Lazuli Handicap (2000m).

Chicken Dinner completed a treble for Purton in the Class 3 Sapphire Handicap (1200m), while Almighty Lightning overcame gate 14 to score in the Class 3 Amethyst Handicap (1400m).

As the Group season comes to a close, Hong Kong racing now turns its attention to the final weeks of the campaign. For Beauty Joy, the immediate question is whether another season awaits. For Little Paradise, attention is already shifting toward the possibility of competing at the highest level next term.