Jockey Joao Moreira declared that Beat The Clock was potentially “the best sprinter” in Hong Kong after the galloper scored his first Group victory with a strong last-to-first win in the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin this afternoon (Sunday, 8 April).

The John Size-trained Beat The Clock had proven his mettle with three runner-up finishes in his last three starts: in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) to Fifty Fifty, the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) to D B Pin and the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) to Beauty Generation.

However, it looked like it might be an uphill task for Beat The Clock to gain his breakthrough in today’s HK$4 million feature when he found himself at the rear of the eight-runner field, six lengths off a sedate pace set by Peniaphobia.

The first to race up to challenge Peniaphobia upon straightening was December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) hero Mr Stunning, who had sat just off the leader in second throughout. As Mr Stunning strode up to the lead at the 250m, though, his stablemate was unleashing a powerful run out wide.

The two Size gallopers came away to fight out the finish, with Beat The Clock prevailing by a neck at the wire. His final 400m split of 21.03s was the fastest sectional recorded in any Sha Tin 1200m race in the last decade.

“He showed to me today that he is one of the best sprinters in town,” Moreira said of the 2.3 second favourite. “It wasn’t really a fast-run race, for me in the back that made it a bit harder to catch those up front. But even after I went early on him and made a long run, he still attacked the line all the way to the end. That’s the mark of a very good horse. He’s very classy.”

Size concurred: “He did a very good job. He’s back last in the race, and he sprinted quickly and sustained the sprint to secure the prize. He’s done well, he’s always promised to do that and today he’s delivered.”

Moreira said that he had been mindful to avoid any traffic issues, as he believed they had brought about his downfall in recent races.

“He’s been a little bit unlucky,” said the Brazilian rider. “He’s been bumped in his races and ended up a little farther back, or he’s got a little bit lost at the end of those runs. Today, he’s made it count.

“It was on my mind, though, no doubt. Last time, he was crowded on the inside – obviously, I still had a nice run through but not having that much space cost me, I think. But today, he had plenty of room to do what he wanted, I just had to keep his mind on the job, which he did.”

Size says that he thinks Beat The Clock has promise looking ahead to next season: “He’s only four years old, he’s younger than the other ones, so he’s done a good job. Next season, he’s probably got a little bit of improvement in him, just like Mr Stunning did at this time last year.”

As a Group 1 winner, Mr Stunning carried an extra five pounds more than his rivals with Nash Rawiller in the plate. For Size, the five-year-old – who was sent off favourite – put in a decent effort at his first run in almost three months.

“Mr Stunning ran very well as usual. He always puts down a good effort,” the trainer said. “He probably had to make the race himself up there, he just had one horse to follow. Nash has cuddled him and nursed him up to the line as much as he could and he saved his energy for the last little bit but the horse coming from back in the field was just too strong for him.”

The Sprint Cup served as the primary lead-up to the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at the course and distance on 29 April, and Size said that he may have as many as five runners in the HK$16 million feature.

“Today’s runners should pull up well and be back on the 29th,” Size said of the quinella, as well as last-placed Amazing Kids. “Maybe we’ll have Thewizardofoz and Ivictory on that day, too.”

Trainer Tony Cruz prepared third and fourth, Winner’s Way and Peniaphobia, with their respective jockeys pleased with their efforts ahead of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

“He ran an excellent race, a personal best for him,” rider Zac Purton said of Winner’s Way. “He didn’t have the speed today like he did the other day, but he tracked up nicely and they’ve run home in quick time so he ran with credit.”

Neil Callan, who partnered Peniaphobia, said: “He ran well, he’s run up to his form. He just doesn’t muster his speed as quickly nowadays but once I had him up on the bridle I let him roll to the front. He grinds more than he quickens – he just doesn't have that turn-of-foot now but he kept running on.”

Racing returns at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 11 April.