Overshadowed for much of a decorated career by Golden Sixty (金鎗六十) and Beauty Generation’s (美麗傳承) towering feats, Waikuku (夏威夷) bids for a second HK$12 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (20 February) with little to prove, according to Zac Purton.

Already armed with the rare distinction of defeating Golden Sixty (金鎗六十) and Beauty Generation (美麗傳承) at G1 level, John Size’s evergreen galloper will attempt to post a fourth victory at the highest level as he strives to justify Purton’s confidence.

“He’s always been right there. Unfortunately, he’s run into two champions here in Hong Kong in Beauty Generation (美麗傳承) and Golden Sixty (金鎗六十) and sometimes he’s had to play second fiddle – but he’s also been able to topple the champs at the same time.

“So, he’s a quality galloper – we’ve seen that – and hopefully we can get another one on the board.” said Purton, who is chasing a fifth Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup triumph.

Triumphant previously on Ambitious Dragon (雄心威龍) for Tony Millard in 2013, Purton combined with Beauty Generation (美麗傳承) for three consecutive editions of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup from 2018-2020 – before Waikuku (夏威夷) inherited his former rival’s crown last season.

Purton believes the seven-year-old has maintained form since ending Golden Sixty’s (金鎗六十) winning streak last month in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

“He’s held his form, he’s obviously not going to improve off that effort – that’s as good as he can go – and John’s job is just to tick him over and keep him in that form,” the Australian said, adding the veteran’s listless Sha Tin trial on 11 February should be taken in context of the notoriously laid-back galloper’s trackwork efforts.

“It’s hard to get a guide off his trials sometimes, but he’s pulled up good and we’re happy. He’s a quirky horse. Sometimes he turns up and trials okay. He never a horse that trials great on the dirt, sometimes he’ll turn up and trial okay. Other days, he doesn’t seem that interested and that was one of those days.

“But his action felt good and he pulled up okay. He’s always turned up on race day and that’s all that matters.”

Drawn in barrier three against fellow G1 winners Wellington (福逸) (one) and Sky Field (顯心星) (seven), Waikuku (夏威夷) will chase his fifth win over Sha Tin’s 1400m course from six attempts.