John Size will aim to continue his dominance of the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on Sunday (21 January) at Sha Tin.
The most successful trainer in the race’s history with seven victories, Size is represented by mercurial chestnut Beauty Eternal in the first leg of the Triple Crown, who teams up with familiar ally six-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton.
“Beauty Eternal’s trials have looked good. He seems to have come through his run in December in good shape and it’ll be good to be back on him – hopefully he can produce his best,” Purton said.
Purton has three wins in the Stewards’ Cup, while he and Size have significant history together. The pair combined in 2022 to win with Waikuku, who downed Hong Kong’s current champion Golden Sixty in spectacular fashion.
“We know what it takes to win it. We have a good chance, it’ll just come down to barriers, race speed, track bias – there’s not a lot between them,” Purton said.
Sired by Starspangledbanner, Beauty Eternal has earnt HK$18.79 million across 13 starts. His most recent victory came in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) last November.
“I’m not sure – I think what we see might be what we’re going to get. He could have reached his peak and, on his day, that’s good enough. We just need the right circumstances,” Purton said.