Son Of Starspangledbanner Leads Them Home In Sha Tin Group 1

Beauty Eternal (5g Starspangledbanner – Ithacan Queen, by Savabeel) overcame a wide draw to record his first Group 1 success in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

A dual Group winner over course and distance, the John Size-trained chesnut led from the early stages under Zac Purton and was ridden clear from two furlongs out. He kept on strongly to beat stablemate Red Lion by a length and a half, while the favourite Golden Sixty finished fourth.

Speaking after the race, Zac Purton said, “It was the only hope we had to go forward from his draw as there was no speed in the race. They gave us the opportunity to lead and he got into a lovely rhythm and controlled the race. I’ve always felt there was a bit more there, and we saw his full potential.”

Owned by Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen, Beauty Eternal is now a nine-time winner, with four of those at Group level, and previously placed second in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup. The son of Starspangledbanner was bred by Peter Raftopolous.