Beauty Waves all-conquering in National Day Cup

HONG KONG - Beauty Waves continued an impressive rise through Hong Kong's sprint ranks with victory in the HK$4.2 million (S$696,000) Group 3 National Day Cup Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin on Oct 1 as trainer Pierre Ng and jockey Alexis Badel combined successfully with the former Irish speedster.

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Beaten last start by the highly rated Ka Ying Rising, Beauty Waves took his record since joining Ng's stable to four wins, two seconds and a third from seven starts, while Badel posted his second victory in the National Day Cup after previously winning it on Super Wealthy.

Settling fifth behind pace-setter Nervous Witness, Beauty Waves forged stylishly into contention as Badel allowed the Starspangled-banner gelding to build momentum before striking the lead 150m from the line to down Magic Control by half-a-length.

Last year's winner Stoltz was scratched on veterinary grounds before the race, while Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) winner Invincible Sage finished sixth, four lengths behind Beauty Waves.

Ng will take a conservative approach with Beauty Waves. He indicated his planning with the four-year-old gelding would be dictated by how high the 93-point rater rises in the handicap following the triumph on Oct 1.

"He improves every race for me.

Last time, we were running against a very good horse (Ka Ying Rising) and he still ran second. He did everything well today," Ng said. "We'll see how many points he's going to De put up." Badel said: "I was confident. He's a good horse, he only got beaten ast time by a very special horse.