Hong Kong Mile (Group 1)

ADMIRE Mars and an inspired Christophe Soumillon came to the fore in what was an emotional occasion for the Japanese racing industry in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.

It was not the result that the home town audience yearned for, with the hat-trick seeking Beauty Generation looking as if he would defy his advancing years when cruising into the lead at the 400-metre mark. Unfortunately for the massed supporters of John Moore’s hugely popular performer, the tank began to empty almost as soon as Zac Purton asked Beauty Generation for one final ounce of effort.

Admire Mars, under pressure from his Belgian-born pilot down the home straight, poked his head in front and passed the line half-a-length clear of the advancing Waikuku and Joao Moreira.

The winner carries the blue and white silks of Riichi Kondo, one of Japan’s most significant owners, who died only a few weeks ago. His widow attended the presentation ceremony and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, wearing the livery of the owner in his suit and tie, was holding back tears.

Soumillon said: “He was probably one of the biggest private owners in the Japanese racing industry, he was somebody very famous who loved horses. I’m really proud and happy to take these colours so high today.”

Trainer John Moore had maintained that Beauty Generation, the two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year, was starting to show a little more sparkle in exercise despite defeats when conceding weight in lead-up races in the Sha Tin Trophy and Jockey Club Mile.

“He was gallant in defeat,” said Moore. “In his last two runs he hasn’t been hitting the line as we’d expect. He’s just not going through the gears when he gets into the straight and he did it again today. The Stewards’ Cup will be his next Group 1 race and we’ll take it race by race from there.”

There were no hard feelings from Moreira, who had another afternoon to cherish at the circuit. Having beaten Beauty Generation in the Jockey Club Mile, Waikuku confirmed places here from the widest gate 10.

At a ‘Turf World Championships’ that belonged to Japan, the last word should go to Soumillon.

“You can see that wherever the Japanese go, they buy the best mares, and when they bring stallions over, they bring the best ones,” he explained.

“They are training horses on tough tracks, they are feeding them really well, trying many kinds of things and it pays off. They won the Melbourne Cup, Hong Kong, Dubai, nearly everywhere. It’s a great achievement and I’m proud to be part of it.”