Australian Guineas runner-up wins in HK

Beauty Legacy, who raced in Australia as Hawkshot, has won his Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin.

Last year’s Australian Guineas runner-up, Hawkshot, has made a winning start to his career in Hong Kong under a new name.

Now known as Beauty Legacy, the gelding made an impressive introduction to Hong Kong racing on Sunday at Sha Tin when he finished strongly under Joao Moreira to win the Class Two Broadwood Handicap (1400m).

The win means he is now a leading contender for the four-year-old series in Hong Kong, including the Derby.

Beauty Legacy won three of his 10 starts in Australia including the Group Two Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February last year.

He finished second to Mystic Journey in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in March before being unplaced in the inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington.

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The gelding was sold to Hong Kong interests and is now trained by ex-pat Australian John Size who said his next assignment would be the Classic Mile (1600m) later this month.

Size said the horse still had a bit to learn regarding his racing manners and temperament

“He was actually able to come through that first test quite well,” Size told the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“The horses that start in Hong Kong rated above 90, very few of them win their first start, so you can’t be anything but complimentary towards the performance of the horse.

“Everything went perfectly.

“He was a little bit anxious, first start at Sha Tin, so when he comes back next start for his second run, you’ll know then whether he’s going to be manageable or not – he’s going to be worse or better.”