After his devastating win in last month's Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, hometown hero Golden Sixty pleased his connections at Sha Tin this morning with a trial in typical fashion ahead of the G1 Stewards' Cup (1,600 meters) on Jan. 24.
“I'm happy with his trial, in the trial you can relax him – he doesn't show much, he never does,” trainer Francis Lui said.
The son of Medaglia d'Oro went through his first barrier trial of the new year under his own steam, traveling wide throughout before crossing the line fourth, while the Caspar Fownes-trained Southern Legend went home best in a time of 1:11.73 with stablemate Rise High just behind him.
Lui outlined the brilliant 5-year-old's program for the near future, including a potential step back up to 2,000 meters for the first time since his thrilling BMW Hong Kong Derby success last year in next month's G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, where he may square off with reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Exultant.
“Stewards' Cup first and then maybe next month's Gold Cup,” Lui said, all but ruling out an overseas tilt this year: “Not this season (to going overseas) but that's another plan.”
The bay will seek back-to-back G1 victories in Sunday week's HK$12 million feature in what will be his fifth run this term as he shoots for his 12th consecutive win after surpassing the great Beauty Generation's 10 Hong Kong wins in a row last month.
“Sometimes you have to worry that he doesn't race too much, there aren't many races for him so he's fresh – Vincent (Ho) said he was a bit fresh this morning.” Lui said.
Lui was pleased with the Australian-bred's wellbeing and he remains buoyant of a positive result in 12 days' time.
“The way he has won his last few races – he can win,” Lui said.
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