Tag: Francis Lui

Overseas Options For G60 Following Thrilling Stewards’ Cup

It was billed as a clash of the titans, with Hong Kong's three highest-rated gallopers squaring off for the first time in the G1 Stewards' Cup Sunday at Sha Tin. It certainly did not disappoint.

Those who may have thought Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro)'s defeat at the hooves of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in last month's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile signaled the beginning of the end or a changing of the guard were reminded in no uncertain terms that the 7-year-old retains all of his zest for racing when he ran out a one-length winner. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), whose rise to the top of the local rankings has been nothing short of meteoric and included a barnstorming win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on HKIR day, couldn't quite sprint with Golden Sixty, but did manage to stay on for second over an alibi-free California Spangle.

As opposed to last year's race, when Vincent Ho–by his own admission–settled Golden Sixty too far off the pace and watched a 16-race winning skein come to an inglorious halt when second to Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), the bay was asked to sit handier this time around, as California Spangle lobbed them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.12, well over a second outside standard time. Romantic Warrior and Karis Teetan were content to monitor proceedings from second and the three market leaders began to get away from their four rivals nearing the straight. Though Purton noticeably upped the tempo, Golden Sixty had him covered, and when daylight appeared one off the fence a furlong out, he made use of his quick turn of foot and went on to a victory that was fairly soft in the finish. Romantic Warrior hit a bit of a flat spot inside the final 200 metres, but managed to pick himself up late.

While COVID-19 was primarily responsible for dashing any plans to travel Golden Sixty the last couple of seasons, connections reported that they had paid up for the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 25 with the G1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in early June also a possibility. The Feb. 26 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and a rematch with Romantic Warrior over the latter's best trip of 2000 metres is also under consideration.

“We have to see how he pulls up and we'll discuss with the team,” Ho said. “We have entered the Dubai 1800 on turf as well, so that's another thought. I think it's a good race for him and it can be a 'prep' race for him if we go to Japan because it's left-handed and he can get used to the heat and all that.”

Ho suggested that the sometimes-feisty Golden Sixty has learned to harness his energy.

“He was very comfortable [in the run] and this year he has not pulled, so when he jumped very well, he still dropped the bit and made it even easier for me to handle him and decide what position I wanted to get,” he said. “If I wanted him to be faster, he will be and if I drop my reins, he will relax. So, when Zac picked the pace up at the half mile, [Golden Sixty] still followed through very nicely without any effort.

Gaudeamus is also the dam of the unraced 3-year-old filly Golden Sister (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), an A$425,000 graduate of the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale who has since been exported to America, and a yearling filly by Medaglia d'Oro's G1 Golden Slipper-winning son Vancouver (Aus). She was most recently covered by So You Think (NZ).

 

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.99, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 7, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Vincent Ho Chak-yiu; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse & Ch. 4yo-HK, 27-23-2-1, HK$129,960,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Romantic Warrior (Ire), 126, g, 5, Acclamation (GB)–Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum Chap-shing; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,640,000.
3–California Spangle (Ire), 126, g, 5, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yu Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony Cruz; Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1, NK, 3HF. Odds: 3-2, 1-1, 29-10.
Also Ran: Waikuku (Ire), Beauty Joy (Aus), Russian Emperor (Ire), Panfield (Chi). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.

Voyage Bubble Specta-'Kah'-lar in Classic Mile…

When jockey Derek Leung opted for Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in Sunday's Hong Kong Classic Mile, trainer Ricky Yiu reached out to Mickael Barzalona to partner with Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), only to lose his services when the Frenchman was handed a suspension in Dubai. The conditioner then rang up Australia's Jamie Kah, whose first rides in Hong Kong came during last month's Longines International Jockeys' Championship, and who jetted in after five mounts Saturday at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Let go at odds of 11-1, Voyage Bubble was given a perfectly rated ride from the front by the 26-year-old to score the upset.

Favored Packing Treadmill (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) and Keefy (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) were the two quickest away, but Kah took advantage of her low draw and, after a bit of a tardy dispatch, sent Voyage Bubble through to lead linking up with the course proper and slowed the pace right down. Passing the half-way point in a modest :48.51, Voyage Bubble was allowed an especially easy time of things from the 800m to the 400m–covering that section in :23.29–and the duo therefore had something left for the finish, sprinting the final two furlongs in :22.78 for a straight-forward success. Tuchel (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) came on for second having sat a perfect inside trip, while Packing Treadmill kept on for third.

“I'm pretty speechless, it's been a very special day,” said Kah, riding her second winner of the day and third overall in Hong Kong after posting a victory on IJC night. “I've had such a great experience here with some beautiful horses I have ridden. I was speechless after and I got goosebumps–it's hard to make me speechless, it was a very exciting day.”

She added, “He was mapped to get a really nice, sweet run in the race and I was confident. I was just worried about him late as he has the tendency to lay in and I just thought something's going to swoop him late but he just built and built, he got stronger and stronger and probably at the 200 [-metre mark] I thought we were never in doubt–it was a really impressive win going forward.”

With the victory, Voyage Bubble becomes the 24th black-type winner for Deep Field and his second in Hong Kong, joining 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus). Overall, Deep Field is the sire of 28 winners from 48 starters in Hong Kong. Voyage Bubble is out of a half-sister to Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini), winner of the Listed Rockingham S. and placed in the G2 Richmond S. and G2 July S. for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum and Mark Johnston as well as Australian listed winner Moulin Lady (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). This is also the extended female family of Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (Smart Strike) and Sweetest Chant.

 

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:34.58, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Deep Field (Aus)
1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy
2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu Poon-fai; J-Jamie Kah; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-3-1, HK$10,617,725. *1/2 to Brettan (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688.
2–Tuchel (NZ), 126, g, 4, Redwood (GB)–Trista Rossa (Aus), by Testa Rossa (Aus). (NZ$130,000 Ylg '20 NZBJAN). O-Philip Chan Kwok Chung; B-G Harvey; T-John Size; J-Luke Currie; HK$2,640,000.
3–Packing Treadmill (Aus), 126, g, 4, Manhattan Rain (Aus)–I'm An Outoftowner (Aus), by Dane Shadow (Aus). (A$30,000 Wlg '19 IGLJUN). O-Exciting Racing Syndicate; B-A Beard (Vic); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, 1. Odds: 10-1, 21-1, 3-1.
Also Ran: Cordyceps Six (Aus), Galaxy Witness (Aus), Sword Point (Aus), Keefy (Aus), (DH) Beautyverse (NZ), (DH) Sweet Encounter (NZ), La City Blanche (Arg), Bon's A Pearla (Aus), Viva Chaleur (Fr), Flagship Warrior (Aus), Ivy League (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.

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Hong Kong’s ‘Golden’ Boy On the Verge of More History

His 22 career victories is an all-time record in Hong Kong racing history. His HK$116 million (£12.2 million/US$14.7 million) in career earnings makes him not only the richest racehorse to look through a bridle in the Special Administrative Region, but also one of the richest Thoroughbreds, ever. Stanley Chan's Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) can make even more history this Sunday when he starts a long odds-on proposition in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, a victory in which will tie Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan) with three straight wins at the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting.

While he may have fallen just short of equaling the great Silent Witness (Aus)'s mark of 17 wins in a row when defeated in the G1 Stewards' Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup last winter, he has since roared back and enters the three-peat attempt off a fast-finishing score over the pace-advantaged California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 20. The latter, a €150,000 Goffs Orby acquisition for the connections of two-time Hong Kong Cup hero California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}), was 3-5 to Golden Sixty's even-money in the Jockey Club Mile, and was given every conceivable chance by Zac Purton, only to be run down late. He faces the champ at level weights this time, but is the lone speed and must be caught.

A Japanese contingent headed by Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and Danon Scorpion (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), winners of the last two runnings of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup, stand in his way, but the connections of Golden Sixty have every reason to approach the three-peat attempt with supreme confidence.

“He's okay after the last run and, at the moment, I just try to keep him happy,” said trainer Francis Lui. “He's healthy, happy and is character is just the same. To me, I think he is a special horse. You can see every time, he just wants to pass a horse in front of him.”

 

 

 

Japan Can Cap Magical Season at Sha Tin

Even by its lofty standards, the 2022 racing season has been a landmark one for Japanese gallopers that have been sent overseas.

It all got started at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on the last Saturday of February, when Team Japan posted four victories on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard. Four weeks later at sprawling Meydan Racecourse, they somehow managed to top that incredible feat when no fewer than five horses got their pictures taken. It may not have gone swimmingly at places like Royal Ascot and Goodwood over the late spring and summer, and the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remains the impossible dream–for now, at least–but Japan has realistic chances in three of the four races Sunday afternoon, none more so than the day's most valuable prize, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

Panthalassa (Jpn), whose sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) was a breathtaking two-time winner of the Sprint, was one of the aforementioned scorers in Dubai, dead-heating with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf and he figures no worse than the second betting favourite Sunday.

The 5-year-old may have found the 11 furlongs of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen a task too tall in June, but he was exceptionally game in second in his two most recent efforts–both from the front–first behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) after a fight in the G2 Sapporo Kinen and when given a bold ride in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), opening up by as many as 15 lengths before just failing to hold off the talented Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Panthlassa will look to channel his inner A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}, all-the-way winner of the 2015 Cup, but Jack d'Or could be the fly in the ointment if he, too, is asked to roll forward for Yutaka Take. Japan has won the last three Cups and five of the last seven.

 

 

Should a contested pace materialize, Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) looks the most likely beneficiary. Purchased for 300,000gns out of the 2019 Tattersalls October Sale by the Hong Kong Jockey Club team led by Mick Kinane and the current pin-up horse for the Hong Kong International Sale, last year's BMW Hong Derby and G1 FWD QE II Cup winner overcame an interrupted preparation with a victory over Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup Nov. 20.

“He's definitely going to be there when whips are cracking,” said jockey James McDonald, who was honored as the Longines World's Best Jockey Friday evening. “It's a very competitive Hong Kong Cup and he has to come up to another level taking on the Japanese but I'm sure he can.”

Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who took the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Mile at cricket-score odds, won this year's G3 Minstrel S. (1400m) and was placed in the G1 Queen Anne S., G1 Prix du Moulin and GI Coolmore Turf Mile. Connections nevertheless opt for the Cup over a trip he has not tackled in over two years.

“He's been running all the time over a mile but we always thought stepping up over a mile and a quarter would improve him more,” trainer Aidan O'Brien said. “He's obviously by Australia and we're very happy with him, we'll see what happens on Sunday.

“He has won over seven furlongs twice as well, so we kept him at a mile after the Breeders' Cup win, but we'd think there's a pretty good chance that [2000m] will be fine.”

Hong Kong Hard To Go Past in Sprint

If the Japanese have been a problem too tough to solve in the Cup, the home team has nearly totally dominated the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. In the 23 renewals of the race dating back to 1999, on just six occasions have foreign horses launched a successful raid and only once in the last 11 years with Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in 2020.

Last year's Hong Kong champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was badly hampered by the spill in last year's Sprint won by Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), but recovered to close the season with a successful defence of his crown in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize. The 6-year-old returned as the 135-pound topweight in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 23 and gave the progressive Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) 11 pounds and a one-length beating. The latter turned the tables last time in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint, but Wellington was found to be lame thereafter and has since been passed fit to run. Ryan Moore subs in on Wellington for the injured Alexis Badel.

“I have strong feelings for Alexis Badel,” Gibson said. “It's a very big day for him to miss. He's got a very good relationship with Wellington. He understands the horse very well, so my thoughts are with him but obviously delighted to call on Ryan's expertise and experience for the big one.”

Moore was aboard Danon Smash from the 14 hole two years ago.

The 2022 Japanese challenge is spearheaded by the winners of the nation's two Group 1 sprints. Naran Huleg (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) rallied furiously to just take out the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in the spring, while Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) belied odds of nearly 20-1 from close range in the G1 Sprinters' S. Oct. 2.

Singapore adds a bit more international flavour to the meeting and is represented by Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}), winner of 11 from 14 at home, including the country's signature sprint test, the Lion City Cup in August, and he was versatile enough to win a Singapore Derby (1800m) prior to that effort.

 

 

 

Vase Sets The Table

The G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase for the middle-distance set has attracted a two-time champion and an interesting collection of European shippers to face a somewhat suspect group of locals.

Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) doesn't make too many trips to the races and seems to save his best for Sha Tin. The 4-5 favourite when accounting for Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) last December, having won the Vase for the first time two years prior, the 7-year-old was eighth to Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March and was a fair sixth to Jack d'Or in the Sapporo Kinen. He will benefit from the extra 400 metres and has the services of Joao Moreira, who also rides Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Cup and Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in the Sprint in what is expected to be his final day in the saddle in Hong Kong.

Of the Euros, Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) owns the single most important piece of recent form, having run second to Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 5. A likely pacesetter from the inside gate, the 3-year-old is one of two for Aidan O'Brien, who also saddles the well-traveled Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}).

“We were delighted with him in the Breeders' Cup, he ran a very good race and had progressed from his previous run at Ascot,” O'Brien said of Stone Age. “We've been happy with everything we've seen from him since then. It had been on my mind to go to Hong Kong since after the Breeders' Cup, we thought the track, trip and ground should all suit him fine, we're all looking forward to it.”

Making his first visit to Hong Kong, Broome was an impressive winner of the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot, and has since made fruitless appearances back at Ascot, Saratoga, Leopardstown, ParisLongchamp and Keeneland, where he was five lengths' sixth in the Breeders' Cup.

“We had it in our heads that we might go to the [G1 Longines] Japan Cup, it just came maybe a week or two too early and that's why we waited. We were delighted to have the opportunity to come to Hong Kong with him. He's in good form and is a very good natured, very sound horse,” explained O'Brien, who has won the Vase twice with Highland Reel (Ire) and most recently with Mogul (GB) two years ago.

Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) upset last year's Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September, but did not get through the deep ground in Paris when 12th in the Arc. The chestnut can go better on a sounder surface this weekend, provided he is on his best behaviour.

Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is winless from five this season, but has run with credit, including a close third to future Arc heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Trainer Mikel Delzangles won the 2011 Vase with Dunaden (Fr). Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) represents Godolphin France and Andre Fabre and owns a victory over Saudi and Dubai winner Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville this past August.

THE PICKS:

Cup—Panthalassa will be winging it, but I expect Jack d'Or to keep him honest enough. That should give Romantic Warrior a fair shot at them late.

Mile–Not trying to beat Golden Sixty, especially from a favourable draw. Schnell Meister for second?

Sprint—Naran Huleg will be completely under the radar and probably shouldn't be. Rattled home in both of Japan's Group 1 sprints, good for a smashing win and a third.

Vase–Trying Mendocino, who was all heart to beat the Arc winner at Iffezheim and even has a close second to Alpinista going back. Must handle the quicker ground, but rates a chance. Glory Vase clearly the one to beat at his favourite track.

 

 

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G60 Scores Four at Longines HKIR Barrier Draw

Two-time reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) was allotted barrier four in a field of 10 mile specialists from Japan and Australia in addition to the locals as he shoots to equal the record of Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan) with a third consecutive victory in Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Winner under a five-pound penalty of the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Mile when making his seasonal debut three weeks ago, the 7-year-old has won 22 of his 25 starts to date for record Hong Kong earnings of over HK$116 million. With his chief rival California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) expected to make the running from gate two and with a pair of get-back runners in Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and 2021 runner-up More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) drawn one and three, respectively, Vincent Ho should be able to pick his spot and let Golden Sixty do the talking late.

“I got what I wanted,” trainer Francis Lui told South China Morning Post. “He can sit midfield and stay out of trouble. [Golden Sixty] is ready.”

On an afternoon where some HK$110 million is on offer, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup over the metric mile and a quarter is the day's richest at HK$34 million, not to mention the most interesting from a tactical standpoint. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is one of four in the race for Japan and landed the eight hole, with trainer Yoshito Yahagi assuring that the dead-heat winner of this year's G1 Dubai Turf will not be difficult to find.

“I don't care about the barrier draw because I know one thing–he will go to the front,” the colourful Yahagi, conditioner of last year's Cup heroine Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), told the Post.

 

 

 

His compatriot Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose sire won both a Hong Kong Mile (2015) and Hong Kong Cup (2016), could make things at least a bit tricky, as he may be ridden for speed by Yutaka Take from his low draw in two. The once-beaten Hong Kong rising star Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and James McDonald leave from barrier seven in what is clearly his toughest task to date.

For obvious reasons, double-digit alleys are not preferred in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and gate 10 is not ideal for reigning champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), though trainer Richard Gibson was taking it in his stride.

“Wellington, I'm pretty relaxed. He'll be finishing off from that draw, and that's maybe his forte. We're short of options. I haven't even spoken to Ryan [Moore], but at first glance, that's what we'll be doing,” he told SCMP.

Ryan Moore, who subs for the injured Alexis Badel, won the 2020 Sprint from the riverside draw aboard Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Conversely, the up-and-coming Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) saw his already-strong hand fortified when landing a cosy slot in three.

Half of the field of 10 signed on for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase has shipped in from Europe, led by recent GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Half of an Aidan O'Brien-trained duo, the 3-year-old breaks from the inside stall and he should find himself in a race that is often times run at a crawl. Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) carries Yutaka Take from gate six, while Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}, gate 7) and Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}, gate 6) and Godolphin's Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}, gate 5) have earned their right to tackle the race. Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) tries to make some history of his own as he goes for a third Vase in four years and second in a row and carries Joao Moreira from the four.

 

 

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Golden Sixty Becomes Hong Kong’s Winningest Horse With HK Mile Victory

Golden Sixty stands alone as Hong Kong's most prolific winner in history after he successfully defended his Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) crown at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong Dec. 12.

Nailing yet another heart-stopping win under jockey Vincent Ho, Hong Kong's champion savored the 19th win of his career to set a new record in town, surpassing the previous mantle of 18 he shared with Silent Witness and Beauty Generation, dating back to when the professional era of Hong Kong racing commenced in 1971.

Smashing a fine field of 10 others from Japan, Ireland, and Hong Kong including this year's G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) winner Danon Kingly, Golden Sixty enhanced his earnings to a mouth-watering HK$95.453 million with victory, just HK$10.78 million shy of the record mark in Hong Kong set by Beauty Generation (HK$106.233 million).

Racing in the silks of Stanley Chan Ka-Leung and trained by Francis Lui, Golden Sixty – 'The Pride of Hong Kong' – delivered a performance worthy of status as the world's best miler.

“I feel very happy, he's my champion, and I have to say thank you to my team and Vincent (Ho) and the owner – they support me,” Lui said.

Extending his winning sequence to 16, Ho dropped the Medaglia d'Oro gelding back to the second half of the field on the fence; in the straight, Ho weaved for an out, eventually taking a split at the 300m mark before his sparkling dash carried him to a one and three-quarter length victory in a time of 1:33.86.

“I knew he was at his best, gate two was a little bit tricky, I didn't want to be stuck on the inside but eventually the race panned out well and the pace was genuine,” Ho said.

More Than This filled the second spot while Salios and Mother Earth grabbed third and fourth, respectively.

“It was much better today because the pace was on, he actually relaxed very well, and as a 6-year-old, he's more mature, so it's even better,” Ho said.

The success is the second at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races for both Francis Lui and Vincent Ho, while today's performance sees Golden Sixty remain unbeaten since September 2019.

“It's all about teamwork as well, without anyone from the stable we couldn't do this,” Ho said.

A six-year-old – Golden Sixty – boasts eight wins over 1200m and 1400m, while twice he has stepped up to 2000m successfully, claiming the 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby and 2021 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup.

“He's such an aggressive horse so he doesn't mind going through horses,” Ho said of the gelding's tenacity.

Sunday, Ho savored the win in front of an adoring crowd, which throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been absent at times or in a smaller capacity.

“Last year, it wasn't like this, I got to enjoy it with the crowd and it's such a great atmosphere, I just hope the other guys are ok, it's hard to enjoy it completely,” Ho said, also reflecting on the mishap that occurred earlier in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Hong Kong racing continues this Wednesday, December 15, at Happy Valley.

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