It hasn’t been as spectacular as his start to racing in Australia but Beauty Fit has been solid as a rock since arriving in Hong Kong and the John Size-trained four-year-old is starting to look right at home in his new surroundings.
A winner of two from two when racing as Barocha in Victoria pre-import – including a five-length debut victory after being backed from $6 into odds-on on the back of a viral text message – Beauty Fit took five runs to ring up his first Hong Kong success.
After a close third on debut in Class Three on a rating of 72, Beauty Fit produced a fifth, a sixth and a fourth – all within two and a quarter lengths – from his next three runs before breaking through on a mark of 70 at Sha Tin on May 16.
He took some encouraging but Beauty Fit (ex Barocha ) gets his first Hong Kong win as champion jockey @zpurton seals a treble! @Beautystablehk #HKracing pic.twitter.com/FkC6fgCTMU
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 16, 2021
Size now takes the gelding to Happy Valley for Wednesday night’s Class Three Hillier Handicap (1,650m), where he will carry the equal top weight of 133 pounds off a rating of 76.
“He’s racing well so we’ll give him a run at Happy Valley and see if he likes that. The 1,650m is about his go and I’m hoping that it’s run to suit him,” Size said of Beauty Fit, who motored home from midfield off the back of a moderate early tempo to run over the top of his rivals last time out.
Zac Purton retains the ride aboard Beauty Fit after orchestrating his last-start victory and the star Australian will be tasked with overcoming barrier 11.
Statistics suggest the gate is not as bad as it sounds, however, with only barriers one, two, five and 10 throwing up a higher percentage of winners on the Happy Valley A course over the past three seasons.
Beauty Fit’s main opposition looks set to come from Farshad – who has mastered the extended Valley mile twice already this season – the in-form Hall Of Champ and Helene Wisdom Star.
Size also saddles up two other last-start winners at the city circuit, with Ping Hai Galaxy and Rhapsody looking to go back to the well after recent victories.
Rhapsody steps up in grade for the first section of the Class Three Cleverly Handicap (1,200m) after his second victory of the season and will carry just 115 pounds under Joao Moreira.
Barocha doesn't let anyone down!
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 13, 2020
Congratulations @Dougie_5 on your winning debut as a trainer, with none other than @jamieleekah07 in the saddle! pic.twitter.com/3csqImtUem
“I think he’s got a chance. He’s been a little bit stronger this preparation and his two runs at Sha Tin were good and then I took him to Happy Valley and he won. He’s done everything well so hopefully he can win another race,” Size said.
Ping Hai Galaxy stunned punters for the second time in his career a fortnight ago, following up his win at $160 last season with a front-running victory after being sent out a $42 chance.
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“He runs good races and sometimes he’s big prices, I’m not sure why, but he seems healthy and well,” Size said ahead of the five-year-old’s run in the second section of the Cleverly Handicap.
“Obviously he won his last start so there can’t be too much wrong with him and I’m hoping he’ll win another race before the end of the season.”
Size also saddles up debutant Colossale and Beauty Cheers on Wednesday night.