Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
LONGINES HONG KONG MILE-G1, HK$36,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-10, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.10, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 8, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,486), 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; T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$17,920,000. Lifetime Record: 3x Horse of the Year, 2x Ch. Miler, Ch. Middle Distance Horse & Ch. 4yo-HK, 2 30-26-2-1, HK$165,840,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus $139,595. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Voyage Bubble (Aus), 126, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–Raheights (Aus), by Rahy. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald; HK$6,720,000.
3–Namur (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Harbinger (GB)–Sambre et Meuse (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). O-Carrot Farm Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Tomokazo Takano; J-William Buick; HK$3,680,000.
Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 13-10, 30-1, 12-1.
Also Ran: Soul Rush (Jpn), Beauty Joy (Aus), Beauty Etenal (Aus), Serifos (Jpn), Encountered (Ire), Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus), Cairo (Ire), Divina (Jpn), Danon the Kid (Jpn), California Spangle (Ire), Tribalist (GB). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.

SIMPLY. THE. BEST.

Golden Sixty wins a third Hong Kong Mile, overcoming gate 14 to triumph for @Vincenthocy and Francis Lui… @LONGINES | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/eYx8M1e4aN

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 10, 2023

The post Golden Sixty Defies All Odds To Win Third Hong Kong Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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There figure to be clear favourites in each of the four races, but each come with his own set of question marks.

• Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) loves the Sha Tin 2000 metres–his local C & D record is nearly unassailable–but having endured a tough race when just winning the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley six weeks ago, how short a price is one willing to accept? He looks to become the first repeat winner of the Cup since California Memory in 2011/2012.

• Three-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) goes for a third Mile in four years, but takes on a serious group of Japanese milers while returning from a 224-day absence.

• Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) is the best of the local sprinters and had no luck in running last year, but he's been curiously managed this term and has been lacking a killer instinct, albeit with some excuses.

• Four of the last seven runnings of the Vase have gone to Japan, and Carrot Racing's Lebensstil (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) has been the talking horse this week, but he's never faced a test as strong as this, even on the back of a victory over a ring-rusty G1 Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) winner Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G2 St Lite Kinen last time.

So, let's take a contrarian approach to Sunday's meeting and build arguments for others, some well-backed in the markets and others with rougher chances:

Longines Hong Kong Cup

The progressive Japanese duo of Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–a pace-disadvantaged runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QE II Cup in April and a latest third to horse of the world Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)–and Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) will have their supporters, as will G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), awkward draw and all.

Gousserie Racing's Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) may be the one they're trying to beat in next year's Cup, but the G2 Prix Dollar Sept. 30 capped a four-race winning streak at home and he was scarcely disgraced when beaten under two lengths by King of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. Oct. 21, where the ground was unsuitably easy and he was perhaps asked for his effort sooner than optimal by Mickael Barzalona. It'll be quicker underfoot Sunday and, while not necessarily tipping him to win, he's an each-way chance.

Horizon Dore has a puncher's chance in the Cup | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Mile

Golden Sixty won this race in 2020 and defended his title 12 months later, but couldn't reel in loose leader California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) last December. The latter figures to take some pressure up front from Godolphin's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who must go forward from gate 13. A quicker-than-standard pace would certainly suit Golden Sixty, but the riverside draw in 14 is a serious concern. Double-digit barriers have been overcome before by the likes of Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and Maurice (Jpn) and less-accomplished horses like Beauty Only (Ire), so it's obviously not out of the question, and while few would be shocked if he pulled it off, we're inclined to look elsewhere.

The G1 Mile Championship has been used as a Hong Kong Mile lead-up for Hat Trick (Jpn) (2005) and Maurice (Jpn) (2015)–each of whom won the Kyoto feature before doubling up in Hong Kong. Four of the five Japanese raiders for this year's Mile prepped there–including the victorious Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and narrowly beaten Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn})–but we are opting for Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}).

Spelled following his runner-up effort to Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in June's G1 Yasuda Kinen, he was first-up in the Mile Championship, sat a three- or four-wide trip ahead of midfield without the benefit of cover, came to win the race 200 metres out and ran out of fitness in eighth. He has an inside draw and could settle further back, then make one late dash for glory as he did when winning the Mile Championship in 2022. Here's hoping the speed is on.

Japan's Serifos races second-up in the Mile | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Sprint

The presence of Japanese speedball Jasper Krone (Frosted), the locally based Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) should insure that the Sprint is run at a sound tempo. Now, that fact is as likely to benefit a horse like Lucky Sweynesse as anyone else, but evens seems difficult to take on a horse that–at least to now–hasn't shown that he is materially better than last year. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was the chief beneficiary last year and is likely to improve in his second run of the season and second start for trainer Jamie Richards and is not without a shot at a more attractive quote.

Cristian Demuro takes the ride on Japan's Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who exits a runner-up effort–beaten a nose–in the G1 Sprinters S. at Nakayama, the same placing earned by Danon Smash (Jpn) before causing a 21-1 boilover in the 2020 Sprint. If that effort is not an aberration, the Sunday Racing runner has an upset chance of his own in a race lacking a true standout.

Longines Hong Kong Vase

It may well eventuate that Lebensstil backs up the hype and should he do so, I'll tip my cap to him and move along. The Vase lost a bit of its lustre when Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was not declared Thursday, but Sunday Racing will also have the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), who would be a threat on her very best. With the early scratching of Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a victory from any of the remaining locals is highly unlikely.

Three-year-old fillies have performed well when tried in the Vase, as the pint-sized Vallee Enchantee (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) (815 pounds) beat the boys in 2003, while Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk)–all 941 pounds of her–followed suit in 2009. Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) weighed in at 978 at the time declarations were made Thursday and she will try to give both Aidan O'Brien and her majestic late sire a fourth win in the race. Impressive in winning the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot June 22, she was disappointing in the soft when fifth in the G1 Irish Oaks the following month.

She bounced back with determined victories in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix Vermeille and she might have added the 10-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last time but for an other-worldly finish from Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She can sit handy to what figures a modest pace and get first run on those that choose to race farther back. She'll get a nine-pound pull in the weights from the older stayers and Ryan Moore rides at 117 for the first time in quite a while.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club proudly calls the HKIR the 'Turf World Championships' and with the quantity of quality on display Sunday, who's to argue, really?

HK$118 million up for grabs…

Hong Kong Sprint
Hong Kong Mile
Hong Kong Cup
Hong Kong Vase @LONGINES | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/omaN3F8sDh

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2023

The post Longines HKIR 2023: All Four Favourites Can Be Taken On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Already a nine-time Group 1 winner and victorious in 25 of his 29 career starts, the 8-year-old has not started since defeating Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in the G1 Champions Mile in late April, a 224-day hiatus. Only twice in his career has he been dealt a double-digit gate, and his chances to register a third victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile took a serious blow when owner Stanley Chan selected gate 14 in a field of 14.

“Of course, it's not an ideal draw and it makes things difficult for Vincent,” said trainer Frances Lui. “Midfield with cover, of course (would be best). If you look at the field, I think California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) will lead and he will slow down the pace. Probably this race will be run at a slow pace. It's going to be difficult.”

California Spangle, who prevented a Golden Sixty three-peat 12 months ago, fared far better, as he will break from stall three with Christophe Soumillon taking the ride. Whether he is loose up front is another question, as the Andre Fabre-trained Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) will have to roll forward from the 13.

No horse as old as eight has won the mile, though Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan), whose record Golden Sixty is trying to equal, won the last of his three Miles aged seven. Beauty Flash (GB) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) won the 2010 Mile from the 14, though he was an on-pace runner, while standout milers like Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) and Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) won from double-digit draws.

Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) will be favoured to successfully defend his title in the richest of the afternoon's four events, the HK$36-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup over his pet distance of 2000 metres, and while he drew a decent middle gate in seven, he, too, has a few questions to answer. The 5-year-old makes his first local appearance this season, having finished fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington Oct. 7 ahead of a hard-fought success in the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley three weeks later. Since clearing quarantine, he's had a winning barrier trial, and connections remain bullish on his chances.

“He's been good. In the morning, that kind of horse is always good,” trainer Danny Shum said of Romantic Warrior, who cost Mick Kinane and the Hong Kong Jockey Club team 300,000gns at Tattersalls October in 2019 before selling to owner Peter Lau for HK$4,800,000 (€517,894) at the Hong Kong International Sale in 2021. “But I think he's still improving. He's been great since Australia, no problem at all.”

Aidan O'Brien is the only trainer with runners in each of Sunday's four races, selecting gate one for G1 Yorkshire Oaks and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf runner-up Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) for the Vase and Sprint, respectively. Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), who will be a longshot in the Mile, drew barrier nine, while Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) has a potentially tricky alley in 10 with a short run to the first corner in the Cup.

The Ballydoyle maestro has started 29 horses at the HKIR for a record of 3-2-1, each of the victories coming in the Vase (Highland Reel, 2015 & 2016, Mogul, 2020). But he feels he's got the right horses to make an impact this year.

“I think there is no doubt that it is,” O'Brien replied when asked if this was the best team he'd brought to Hong Kong. “It's very difficult to win races here and you don't come with second-raters.”

Champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) will jump favoured in the Sprint from gate five, while G1 Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) will try to become the first European-based winner of the race from gate nine, with Japanese multiple group-winning speedball Jasper Krone (Frosted) leaving just to her inside.

Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a latest third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, was not among the declared runners for the Vase. According to a HKJC release, he has been identified to have 'a potential health issue' and will return to Japan for further assessment.

“It's very difficult to win races here and you don't come with second-raters.”

AOB fields 4⃣ this year: Warm Heart (Vase), Aesop's Fables (Sprint), Cairo (Mile) and Luxembourg (Cup)… @LONGINES | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/5U50Qzhms2

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 7, 2023

The post ‘It’s Going To Be Difficult’: Golden Sixty Draws Widest For Hong Kong Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The entries include no fewer than 55 Group 1 winners from around the globe, including Sunday Racing's exciting Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who was given the option of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase over the 2400 metres or the 2000 metres of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the world's richest turf race at the distance at HK$36 million. Though her participation in Hong Kong hinges on her performance in the G1 Japan Cup just two weekends prior, she would in all likelihood face defending champion Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), fourth in the Oct. 7 G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington and current ante-post favourite for Saturday's G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Sunday's high-quality renewal of the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) could also produce a runner or two for the Cup in the form of Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and/or Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}).

Aidan O'Brien has 13 horses under his care that are among the HKIR entries, including G1 St Leger hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who is also penciled in for a start in the Japan Cup and has entries for both the Cup and the Vase. Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Cox Plate entrant Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) are also possible for the Cup, while Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) may try to regroup in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile after struggling in the bottomless ground on Champion Day at Ascot Oct. 21. The Hong Kong-owned and Ralph Beckett-trained Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a likely marquee ride at the meeting for Frankie Dettori, is entered for the Mile, where he could clash with two-time winner and multiple Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), as well as the talented California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who served notice with a weight-carrying victory in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. when first-up for nearly six months on Oct. 15.

Exciting group of entries for #HKIR 2023!

PADDINGTON
CONTINUOUS
LUXEMBOURG
VICTORIA ROAD
BOLSHOI BALLET
POINT LONSDALE
AESOP'S FABLES
MOSS TUCKER
WARM HEART
ABOVE THE CURVE
ABSURDE
BROOME
KYPRIOS
PIZ BADILE
RED RIDING HOOD
VAUBAN
CAIRO#HKRacing | @HRIRacing pic.twitter.com/8QoPKJw43U

— Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) October 25, 2023

Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) has eschewed a return trip to America for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in favour of an appearance in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. The 6-year-old mare could square off there with champion local sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), who endured a luckless passage in last year's renewal in finishing sixth to Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}). The latter is now conditioned by Jamie Richards, in his second season in Hong Kong, and who has assumed training duties with the retirement of Richard Gibson. Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) is a potential HKIR raider from France, having defeated fellow Vase entry Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}) in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in August.

Since the easing of COVID-related travel restrictions, the connections of Australian-based horses have been more willing to consider HKIR as a post-Melbourne Cup Carnival option, and such is the case this year, as 23 horses have been entered across the four races. The lot is headed up by last year's Melbourne Cup upsetter Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), four-times Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars {Aus}) and the ultra-consistent Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), each of whom are among the 12-strong Cox Plate field on Saturday.

A relatively bulky 10-horse entry from North America includes the Bill Mott-trained multiple Grade I winners War Like Goddess (English Channel) and Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), while trainer Mark Casse is also represented by a pair in Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and Get Smokin (Get Stormy).

Three-time Group 1 winner Sharp 'n' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is the lone entrant from New Zealand, while Singapore's best Lim's Kosciuzsko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}) and Famous Jonathon (NZ) (Deep Field {Aus}) from Macau have also been entered.

North American 2023 #HKIR entries!

CASA CREED
BIG INVASION
BRAN
GEAR JOCKEY
SOLDIER RISING
ANISETTE
TWIST
WAR LIKE GODDESS
GET SMOKIN
FEV ROVER#HKRacing | @HKRacingUS pic.twitter.com/HljN3Ie5Fk

— Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) October 25, 2023

The post Longines HKIR Draw Entries From a Dozen Countries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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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.

You know the hat… it's Yoshito Yahagi! @netkeiba | #競馬 | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/F5SYwyiUwN

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2022

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.

Great photo of Coolmore's “Broome”in Hong Kong ahead of the 2022 Hong Kong Vase @HKJC_Racing photo by @ashbrennanphoto pic.twitter.com/NDTMVx8uGj

— Tom Magnier (@TomMagnier) December 8, 2022

The post G60 Scores Four at Longines HKIR Barrier Draw appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Hong Kong Mile was win number 19 from 20 starts and not only took him to within a couple of Group 1 wins of shattering the all-time earnings mark of Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus})–who retired with HK$106 million in the bank–but also marked his 16th consecutive trip to the winner's circle dating back some 930 days to July 2019. Should he salute on Sunday, he will equal the winning streak set by the legendary Silent Witness (Aus) (El Moxie) as his own legend continues to grow.

Golden Sixty will race third-up in the Stewards' Cup and has been given a reasonably quiet time since the international Mile, finishing third to Group 1-winning sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in a 1000-metre trial Jan. 4 before being topped off with some easy hit-outs on the grass.

If connections are feeling any pressure, it isn't showing.

“There's no record in my mind at the moment, just focusing on the race,” jockey Vincent Ho told the HKJC notes team. “He's been working well. I'm looking forward to it. It's another small field. At the age of six, I think he's better than even before– mentally and physically.”

Golden Sixty's challengers include last-out Group 3 winner Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Mile runner-up More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), while G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup third Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will be using this as a prep for next month's G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000mT).

In the afternoon's co-featured event, Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), who took the tragedy-filled G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint last month, goes for a Group 1 double in the Centenary Sprint Cup, where he will face Wellington, who lost all chance when miraculously avoiding the spill in the Sprint; defending champion Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}); undefeated Master Eight (Aus) (Oamaru Force {Aus}); and the flighty Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).

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Winner of seven straight during the 2019/2020 season, including a sweep of the 4-year-old Classics, the Queensland-bred gelding has yet to be tested in four runs this term and his Hong Kong Mile success came at the expense of the re-opposing Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) and the race's defending champion Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). It's all systems go for Golden Sixty, who figures to jump as a money-back proposition.

“He was a bit keen when he started back (after being freshened up), but after that he had a grass gallop (Jan. 19)–he was fine and [Friday morning] he was good again,” trainer Francis Lui, who celebrated his 62nd birthday earlier in the week, told the HKJC notes team. “I asked [jockey] Vincent [Ho] to give him an easy gallop and he just wanted to go.”

On the comeback trail is Rise High (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), a close third to Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the 2019 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m), but unraced since. Sunday's trip is well short of his best, but Caspar Fownes, who will also saddle Southern Legend, is looking for a tightener into the Feb. 21 G1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup, where he is likely to see Golden Sixty again, only on a more level playing field.

“Obviously, you're up against a champion, a superstar in Golden Sixty, but as long as we can just run a nice race first-up, then we'll head to the Hong Kong Gold Cup with him,” Fownes said.

Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) is likely to go favoured in Sunday's other top-level event, the Centenary Sprint Cup over 1200 metres. The likeable gray won the G2 Jockey Club Sprint in November and was the $21 (11-10) chalk on international day, but could do no better than seventh behind Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), as the ageless Jolly Banner (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) charged home for second at better than 80-1. Wishful Thinker (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) also ran with credit in the Sprint, rallying from last to finish fourth, beaten 0.75l at boxcar odds.

WATCH: Golden Sixty wins his 11th straight race in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile

The post Golden Sixty Back To Work at Sha Tin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“He's amazing, isn't he?” jockey Vincent Ho said, moments after the brilliant 5-year-old unleashed an unanswerable burst of speed that carried him to a dazzling two-length victory.

For Ho and trainer Francis Lui, Golden Sixty's success is a first at the Hong Kong International Races.

Lui was delighted and relieved to see his standout galloper seal a 14th win from 15 starts, and surpass the great Beauty Generation's 10 wins in a row with his 11th-straight triumph – in Hong Kong, only the near-immortal Silent Witness has won more races on the bounce.

“I can have a good sleep tonight!” Lui declared. “I'm very happy – at the moment, I don't know what to say, (my heart) is still pumping. As a jockey, as a trainer, as an owner, you're dreaming of this.

“I was worried about the horses from Japan and Ireland but now, after this race, he has shown me that he's a champion.”

Lui's pre-race concerns were natural with Japan's 2019 victor Admire Mars in the line-up along with last-start G1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia, from Ireland's powerful Aidan O'Brien stable. But his anxiety proved needless, the invaders were no match for last season's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner, who races in the silks of Stanley Chan Ka-leung.

With speed enough to have posted nine wins at 1200m and 1400m, and the fortitude to last the local Derby's 10 furlongs, the Medaglia d'Oro gelding seems to have it all.

When the gates crashed back, Ho exhibited apposite confidence on the 1.3 favorite, allowing his mount to settle third-last – seven lengths off the lead – while Ryan Moore pressed Admire Mars forward to stalk outside the front-running Ka Ying Star.

“They went a little bit hard early and I was quite far back, so I just let him slide through from the 600 (meters) and it only took him a few strides to almost get to them. I tried to save him until I let him down and when I asked for him, he did it really well, he gave me a really big effort,” Ho said with typically deadpan understatement.

Golden Sixty cruised around the field turning for home; the Australian-bred bounded rapidly through his gears and when he hit top speed, his stride was a blur of quickening power.

“When I hit the top of the straight, I knew,” Ho said. “I was just cruising and I didn't think anyone could beat him in that sort of sprint.

“He's a horse that really wants to compete, he's the best horse in Hong Kong at the moment. Today is all about him.”

Golden Sixty's winning time was 1:33.45; his closing 400m spilt, a strong 22.05.

Such a performance, with the admirable G1 FWD Champions Mile winner Southern Legend second and Admire Mars a battling third, sees Golden Sixty take up the baton as Hong Kong's latest star from the once imperious Beauty Generation.

Connections announced shortly after the race that 8-year-old Beauty Generation will race no more. Hong Kong's highest-rated galloper of all time – rated the equal of another great miler, Able Friend – bowed out with a meritorious fifth place and a Hong Kong career tally of 18 wins from 34 starts, as well as the local all-time record prize money haul of HK$106,233,750.

At his peak, Beauty Generation was an incredible force around Sha Tin, claiming two editions of the Hong Kong Mile among his eight G1 wins for trainer John Moore – his last three races came under the care of trainer David Hayes.

“I knew it may be on the table,” said Zac Purton, who rode the Kwok family's champion 28 times.

Beauty Generation

“It's a bitter-sweet day. It's a sad end. He's been the best horse for me in my career. I'm certainly going to miss him. He was brave again today and wherever he may go in the world, I'm sure I'll go and visit him in his paddock one day.”

Beauty Generation was high-class in Australia before scaling Hong Kong's heights but never ventured away from Sha Tin to test his mettle as a champion overseas. Lui said when pressed that the Golden Sixty team will consider off-shore options in the future but not while the world remains in its pandemic-induced turmoil.

“Not this season,” he said. “Because of the virus, we'll keep him in Hong Kong this season.”

With Ireland's Mogul carrying off the Hong Kong Vase and Japanese raiders Danon Smash and Normcore capturing the Hong Kong Sprint and Hong Kong Cup respectively, Hong Kong needed a big performance from its latest home town hero.

Golden Sixty delivered just that, and with it, the promise that Hong Kong has unearthed yet another athlete to rank among the world's best.

The post Hometown Hero Golden Sixty Runs Win Streak To 11 With Hong Kong Mile Triumph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fairy King Prawn (Aus) was the marquee Hong Kong galloper at the turn of the century and it wasn’t long after that Silent Witness (Aus) took the jurisdiction by storm, embarking on a 17-race winning streak that included back-to-back runnings of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in 2003-2004.

A Derby win often paves the path to Hong Kong super-stardom, and such was the case with the likes of Vengeance of Rain (NZ), Viva Pataca (GB) and Ambitious Dragon (NZ), while Hong Kong International Sale grad Good Ba Ba cemented his status as one of the greats with three consecutive victories in the G1 Hong Kong Mile.

Able Friend (Aus) became a fan favorite with his thrilling and irresistible late bursts, Rapper Dragon (Aus) was sadly lost before fully realizing his true greatness and Beauty Generation (NZ) was the undisputed king of the hill through the 2019 season, while Exultant (Ire) has proved an able understudy.

The proverbial baton is set to be passed on again this weekend, as Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) looks to stretch his current winning streak to 11 and his lifetime mark to 14 from 15 as the banker of the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting at Sha Tin Racecourse.

A ‘Gaud’-y Purchase…

A $60,000 Keeneland September acquisition, Gaudeamus won the 2006 G2 Debutante S. for trainer Jim Bolger, but was winless in four starts as a 3-year-old, including the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish Oaks and was the first horse ever acquired by Sheamus Mills. He bought the filly on behalf of former Moonee Valley chairman Bob Scarborough and his wife Rosemary’s Victoria-based Wood Nook Farm. Gaudeamus arrived in Australia in foal to Pivotal (GB) to Southern Hemisphere time and went on to produce five foals to race for Wood Nook, including Listed Tasmanian Derby third Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}).

The Scarboroughs offered Gaudeamus in foal to Medaglia d’Oro on a Nov. 4 cover date at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Then 11 years of age, Gaudeamus, whose second dam includes European champions Bosra Sham (Woodman) and her full-brother Hector Protector as well as G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains hero Shanghai (Procida), was hammered down to Josh Hutchins Bloodstock for A$160,000. The mare produced a Queensland-bred bay colt Oct. 14, 2015, and a year and three months later when offered by the Hutchins family’s Element Park agency at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, he fetched A$120,000 from Sam Beatson’s Riversley Park and Ben Foote’s Enigma Farm, both New Zealand-based operations.

“He was a good-moving, athletic yearling with a great head and eye on him and looked like he would grow into a lovely 3-year-old and oozed class,” Beatson recollected.

The colt was sent across the Tasman for the next part of his preparation.

A Fast Start For Riversley Park…

Sam Beatson was always destined for a career that included horses. A descendant of John Beatson, a successful amateur jockey and one of the founding members of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, his grandfather was George Beatson, a similarly successful amateur rider, owner/breeder and racing administrator. Sam Beatson got started in show jumping from an early age, representing his native country in India and Australia, before relocating to Cambridge, where he started a breaking-in and pre-training business. He initially operated as Beatson Stables before going out on his own at Riversley Park in 2015.

The Medaglia d’Oro colt was the second most-expensive of five purchases made by Beatson and Foote at the Gold Coast sale nearly four years ago, and Beatson said the colt, who would ultimately be targeted at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in the springtime, grew up the right way over the ensuing 10 months.

“He developed along the path that I hoped he would,” said Beatson. “He grew and strengthened and matured into the potential I saw in him early on.”

The Gaudeamus colt made an exceptionally racy impression during his under-tack preview, clocking :10.48 (see below) for 200 metres, a time well above average for the sale.

“He moved across the ground well with a great galloping action, doing it all in a nice time,” Beatson commented.

Consigned by Riversley Park to the RTR sale–also responsible for 2019 G1 Hong Kong Sprint hero Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus})–as lot 136 and by the sire of that year’s G1 Golden Slipper hero Vancouver (Aus), the colt was ticketed for Hong Kong after trainer Francis Lui signed the winning ticket at NZ$300,000.

“When I buy horses I try to identify horses that would be suited for Hong Kong, so I was confident that he would perform up there,” Beatson said.

And perform he has.

The Meteoric Rise of Golden Sixty…

Golden Sixty arrived in Hong Kong in October 2018 and his trackwork and trials were such that the betting public sent him away as the $27 (17-10) favorite for a Class 4 over 1200 meters and he obliged with a decisive turn of foot that has since become his trademark (video) en route to a cheeky score Mar. 31, 2019. He would go on to add a pair of wins in Class 3 before a below-par 10th to close the season in July.

He hasn’t lost since. Golden Sixty made the G3 Chinese Club Challenge H. his first success at Pattern level last Jan. 1, then joined the star-crossed Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) as the only horses to sweep the 4-Year-Old Classics with a thrilling victory in the BMW Hong Kong Derby over the 2000 meters (video). Put away for the year instead of pressing on to either the G1 QE II Cup or the G1 Champions Mile, he has rattled off three straight this term, all at odds-on, including a facile defeat of Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile. Vincent Ho has been in the boot for each of his 14 starts.

WATCH: Golden Sixty reigns supreme in the Derby

Beatson believed from his sales prep that he had a quick horse on his hands. But was he one that could see out a classic trip?

“I knew he had a lot of speed so he would suit running a mile, but I was confident he would make the Derby distance in Hong Kong,” he opined.

Beatson has been around a good horse or two in his career, having had a hand in the careers of horses like G1 Melbourne Cup hero Prince of Penzance (NZ), New Zealand Horse of the Year and six-time Australian Group 1 winner Dundeel (NZ) and Lucia Valentina (NZ), a treble top-level winner. He reckons that Golden Sixty can become the best of that bunch at the weekend.

“It’s fantastic to be associated with Golden Sixty, we always thought he was special and for him to be doing what he is doing on the track just reiterates my thoughts of what a special horse he is,” Beatson said. “I had very high expectations of him, you always dream of selling a horse of his caliber, so I hope he can carry on his great performances. To have bought, prepared and sold a horse that is competing in the Hong Kong international Mile is fantastic. But if he wins, it would be a huge result for Riversley Park.”

The post ‘Sixty’ Set to Confirm Status As Hong Kong’s ‘Golden’ Child appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“We are delighted to have such strong nominations for our four Group 1 races in December,” said Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing for the HKJC. “Considering the current climate in regard to the COVID-19 situation, it just reiterates that the Longines Hong Kong International Races are recognised the world over as one of the global sport’s truly great events. This is something that we are extremely proud of and this year we anticipate another phenomenal day of elite sport.”

Japan fields a top-class team year in and year out and the 23-strong challenge could be headed by former Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Withdrawn on the eve of last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the 5-year-old resumes in defence of her crown in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) this weekend, having defeated the Cup-nominated Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) at Tokyo 12 months ago. The globetrotting Addeybb (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) holds an entry for the day’s richest race and has three Group 1s to his name this season, the Ranvet S. and Longines Queen Elizabeth S. on a very successful Australian raid and a latest tally in the G1 QIPCO British Champions S. at Ascot. Aidan O’Brien has entered five for the Cup, including last year’s runner-up Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}); third to Addeybb last time and headed to the Breeders’ Cup meeting; G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}); and MGSW Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who exits a second in the G1 W S Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who beat Addeybb in the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot, is also engaged.

Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) has yet to strike at the top level, but nevertheless looms the favourite for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile. Winner of nine straight and 12 of 13 overall, he could square off against defending champion Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), the O’Brien-conditioned G1 Queen Anne S. winner Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Australia’s Alligator Blood (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), whose top-level success came in the Australian Guineas the the 1600-metre distance. Two-time Mile winner Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock {Aus}) also represents the home team.

The locals struck their lone blow in last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, a race they have dominated down the years, and Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) and Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) could square off again. That duo could be threatened by the very talented Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), exiting a towering victory in The Everest, while four-time G1SW Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) is the lone Australian speedster entered. Olekasandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom), who carried the Team Valor silks to a defeat of the boys in the GI Jaipur Invitational S. in June, and 2019 GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Four Wheel Drive (American Pharoah) are the two HKIR entrants from America. Inferno (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Aus}) who cemented his status as the top horse in Singapore in last weekend’s Lion City Cup, has also been entered, as has Glen Shiel (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who carried Hollie Doyle to a 16-1 upset of the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Oct. 17.

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) kicks off a Longines Hong Kong Vase preparation in Sunday’s G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. as he looks to add to his victory on HKIR day in 2018. The form of the Oct. 17 G1 Caulfield Cup could be on display in the Vase, as that event’s top two placegetters–Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})–could each press on to Sha Tin. In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}), winner earlier this season of the G1 Deutsches Derby, is a potentially very interesting raider for Francis-Henri Graffard, having run Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) to a neck in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Oct. 4, while G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Prix de l’Opera victress Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) could represent the Dermot Weld yard.

Added Harding: “To attract global stars like Almond Eye and Magical, is testament to how appealing Hong Kong racing is in the eyes of the world’s leading horsemen. Hong Kong stages superb sport with excellent prize money and on 13 Dec., Sha Tin will take centre stage with the excitement of four world class championship races.”

The post Despite Ongoing Pandemic, HKIR Retains Mass Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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