Purton and Morris are looking to shake things up

Beauty Eternal and Brave Emperor primed to spring a surprise in FWD Champions Mile

Zac Purton reunites with Beauty Eternal in the HK$22 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) for John Size, seeking a third win in the race after a pair of victories with Beauty Generation in 2018 and 2019.

Beauty Eternal has won eight times from 16 starts, including the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) earlier this season before finishing second in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

“He’s sort of got to a mark in these Group 1 races against the best horses we have and he just hasn’t been able to find that extra length and a half or so. He just keeps coming up a little bit short,” Purton said.

“John keeps turning him out in good order and he keeps trying his hardest and gives us everything he has got.”

Golden Sixty, Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch, Taj Dragon, Red Lion, Beauty Joy, Elton Barows, Brave Emperor, Obamburumai and Champagne Color are also in the line-up.

Brave Emperor’s jockey, Luke Morris, is hoping to strike gold on his first big ride in Hong Kong.

The British jockey enjoyed his finest moment in the saddle when Alpinista landed the 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and has a wealth of international experience, while he can also leverage plenty of local insight from his fellow riders.

“I’ve ridden in Japan and Singapore but never in Hong Kong so it’s exciting,” Morris said. “It’s one of the premier jurisdictions and to be riding at the top level there is where you want to be.

“I’m very good friends with Harry Bentley, he’s godfather to my son, and Andrea Atzeni too, so I’ve had a good chat with them and Ryan Moore to get a few tips.

“The racing is very different from European racing. You go very quickly from the gate and tactically you’ve got to be on the ball. It’s something that I’ll have to be aware of. I’ve got a ride before the Champions Mile so I can get my eye in.”

Brave Emperor boasts a unique record, having raced in France, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Qatar within the last year. His wins include the G3 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf, the G2 Premio Vittorio Di Capua and the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup.

Morris said: “He’s acquitted himself extremely well wherever he’s been. He’s gone from strength to strength.

“Every time we give him a test he steps up to the mark so he’s very much deserving of his shot at the top level.

“He’s had a nice break since Qatar and once we knew he could perform on a fast surface, the Champions Mile was always on the radar.”

Persistent thunderstorms throughout the week have been music to the ears of Morris. After all Brave Emperor is proven in a variety of conditions.

Morris said: “I was hoping the ground will be as soft as it could possibly be as it would help draw the sting out of Golden Sixty and some of the other runners. It would give us a slight edge. Realistically, we need to pray for rain on the day to enhance his chances.

“Tactically he’s extremely versatile. There doesn’t look to be a huge amount of pace in the race.

“Voyage Bubble has form over 2000m so he’ll probably roll forward. Beauty Eternal and Red Lion will probably be trying to ride a similar race to me. We’ll try and keep it simple, he’s very tough and honest in the end. He probably doesn’t do a lot in front so I’ll try to time my challenge.

“Sunday’s race will be right up there alongside the best races in the world and if he were to go and win, and knock Golden Sixty off his perch, it would be a remarkable feat.”