Zac Purton is optimistic a drop in distance can prove decisive in Beauty Eternal’s quest to topple Lucky Sweynesse in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (10 March).
Acutely aware of Lucky Sweynesse’s imposing attributes – Purton has been more successful on the world’s highest-rated sprinter than any other jockey, having partnered the gelding in 11 of 15 wins – the Australian is hopeful Beauty Eternal can produce a career-best performance.
“If you look at figures and ratings, Lucky Sweynesse has got him covered, so Beauty Eternal is going to have to find something but he gets to his best distance and he gets his chance,” Purton said.
“He (Beauty Eternal) has drawn a reasonable gate (six), so hopefully he just gets the right run – it’s not going to be easy going up against Lucky Sweynesse. He’s going at his very best to be competitive.”
Rated 125 internationally, Lucky Sweynesse will meet his nine rivals at level weights under 126lb as Manfred Man’s charge bids for a fifth Group 1 and a second Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup victory under James McDonald.
McDonald, who has snared three of the seven Hong Kong Group 1s to be decided this season, replaced Purton on Lucky Sweynesse after his luckless sixth behind Victor The Winner in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 28 January.