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The milers get their chance to shine in the Stewards’ Cup which is run at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Beauty Generation won it once through his long run of excellence so who stands up in the 2021 Stewards' Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
2021 STEWARDS' CUP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Stewards' Cup is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for the milers at Sha Tin conducted by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Stewards' Cup is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1954 over 1200m at Happy Valley.
It is the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown leading into the Gold Cup and then the Champions & Chater Cup.
It became a mile race in 1991 and was granted HKG1 status. In 2015 it became an international G1.
In the last 18 years, John Size has six wins in the race as a trainer while Tony Cruz has four victories.
Over the same time frame, leading jockeys are Douglas Whyte, Robbie Fradd, Basil Marcus and Joao Moreira with three apiece.
The Stewards' Cup was worth HK$12m in 2021.
Notable winners of the Stewards' Cup include Beauty Generation (2019), Helene Paragon (2017), Able Friend (2015), Blazing Speed (2014), Glorious Days (2013), Ambitious Dragon (2012), Good Ba Ba (2008/2009), Bullish Luck (2005), Super Kid (2004), Electronic Unicorn (2002/2003), Fairy King Prawn (2001) and Mr Vitality (1995).
The 2020 Stewards' Cup was won by Waikuku from Beauty Generation and Ka Ying Star.