Golden Sixty confirmed himself as Hong Kong’s best racehorse and the world’s most exciting miler with a win in today’s HK$12 million Gr1 The Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin.
Despite being well back in the field in a moderately run feature, Golden Sixty was able to reel in a gallant Southern Legend late in the race and win by a widening head margin.
The performance from Golden Sixty was incredible when you consider he ran his final 1200 metres of the mile race in a sizzling 1 minute 7.19 seconds.
And post-race it was revealed the saddle on Golden Sixty slipped a little when he was asked to quicken shortly after straightening for home.
The win was the 12th in succession for Golden Sixty and his 15th from just 16 career runs.
“They went pretty slow all the way,” regular rider Vincent Ho said after the race. “He was pretty keen, but was able to settle ok before pulling a little.”
“His sprint home, I knew he would get there but yes it was quite close.”
“The saddle slipped back a little bit at about the 300 (metre mark) so it wasn’t as comfortable for me and Golden Sixty of course.”
“Top athletes and top horses have to overcome all sorts of circumstances – even something you can’t predict,” Ho added.
Trainer Francis Lui said the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) would most likely be the next run as his star chased 13 straight wins.
“I was a bit worried,” he said. “The pace was a bit slow. I feel OK now after the race.”
With the latest success, Golden Sixty sent his earnings soaring to almost HK$60 million – the equivalent of about A$10 million. All that from 15 wins from just 16 starts.
Golden Sixty was bred in Queensland and sold through the Element Hill draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$120,000 to Riversley Park and Enigma Farm.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro is from the stakes winning mare Gaudeamus. Josh Hutchins purchased her carrying the Hong Kong champion at the National Broodmare Sale.
Last week the latest yearling from Gaudeamus, a Capitalist half sister to Golden Sixty, sold to Hong Kong’s All Winners Thoroughbreds for $425,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Meanwhile, later in the evening Excellent Proposal scored a brilliant win in the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – the first leg of the 4YO series.
With Blake Shinn in the saddle, Excellent Proposal steamed home in the centre of the track to score impressively. Former Aussie galloper Eric the Eel (now Tourbillon Diamond) was an eye catching third.
Excellent Proposal was an A$200,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Bill Mitchell on behalf of his owners in 2018. He was offered by Fernrigg Farm on behalf of breeder Holloway Equine.
A son of Exceed and Excel, Excellent Proposal started his career in Sydney with Michael and Richard Freedman and was a Sydney winner before being exported.
The exciting galloper will now head to the remaining legs of the 4YO Series culminating in the Hong Kong Derby on March 21.
- Winner: Golden Sixty
Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro -Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor)
Race: HKJC Gr1 The Stewards’ Cup
Sold for: A$120,000
Sale: 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Element Hill
Buyer: Riversley Park/Enigma Farm
Earnings: HK$59,685,000 (approx A$10 million)
Owner: Stanley Chan Ka Leung
Trainer: Francis Lu
