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.
Further easing in the local COVID restrictions meant that the biggest crowd since January–better than 13,000 racegoers–took in Sunday's BOCHK Jockey Club meeting at Sha Tin in person and were they ever rewarded. Making their seasonal debuts and having a single prep towards next month's Longines Hong Kong International Races, both two-time defending Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and last year's champion 4-year-old Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) were outstanding in taking out the G2 Jockey Club Mile and G2 Jockey Club Cup, respectively, while Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) confirmed the high regard in which he is held with a first victory at group level in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.
G60 Overcomes Slow Tempo and Chief Rival in Mile
The last time Golden Sixty was as long as even-money was when winning the Hong Kong Classic Cup in February 2020 and you have to go back to September 2019 for the last time he was not favoured in a race. But given the recency and pace advantage possessed by the upstart California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the tote read Golden Sixty 2.0 (evens) and 1.6 (3-5) on his younger rival. It would prove value in the end.
Allowed to find his footing at the tail of the pack, Golden Sixty was given a typically patient ride by Vincent Ho as California Spangle ambled them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.23. Ho went for Golden Sixty perhaps a few strides earlier than normal and the 7-year-old had the front-runner in his sights at the top of the straight. California Spangle loves a fight as evidenced by his battles with Romantic Warrior in last year's Classic series and, having spent little in transit, had something left when confronted at the 200m. But Golden Sixty, who routinely does things horses just don't do, finished off his race in a wicked :21.32 and clawed back California Spangle–who ran home in :21.60–for the victory while carrying a five-pound penalty.
“It was crawling at first and the turn I knew, around the 600 [metre mark], that Zac [Purton] will pick up the pace for sure, so I was just keeping an eye on what he was doing and I had to come out and make my move earlier,” Ho said. “I knew Golden Sixty would have the heart to run him down but he's only 80 percent fit, so the last bit is his mental toughness. Definitely all credit to him and the team–we're looking forward to December now,” and a chance to match the Hong Kong Mile three-peat of Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.02, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 128, 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 K W Lui; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse, Ch. 4yo & MG1SW-HK, 25-22-1-1, HK$116, 250,600. *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–California Spangle (Ire), 123, g, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yum Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony A S Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,100,000.
3–Waikuku (Ire), 128, g, 7, Harbour Watch (Ire)–London Plane (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€33,000 Ylg '16 TATSEP). O-Jocelyn Siu Yang Hin Ting; B-Shane Molan; T-John Size; J-Silvestre de Sousa; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 2H, 2 1/4. Odds: 1-1, 3-5, 31-1.
Also Ran: More Than This (GB), Excellent Proposal (Aus), Turin Redsun (GB), Kings Shield. Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Romantic Warrior Picks Up Where He Left Off
Last seen completing the rare BMW Hong Kong Derby/G1 FWD QE II Cup double, Romantic Warrior saw his return to the races delayed by a wrenched ankle in August, but a pair of stiff 1600-metre trials had him on go and he returned victoriously Sunday.
Ridden positively from the widest barrier by James McDonald–subbing for the recovering Karis Teetan–Romantic Warrior landed in the one-out and one-back spot as recent G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. winner Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) set reasonable fractions. Felt for with about three furlongs to race, Romantic Warrior was finding his best stride approaching the final 400 metres and kicked home strongly to score cosily from perfect-trip Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) for a Danny Shum-trained quinella. Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) stayed on well for third at a trip short of his best.
“First of all, I would just like to send my well wishes to Karis,” said McDonald, winner of this year's G1 W.S. Cox Plate and completing a double on the program. “Obviously, he would [normally] be on this horse and it's a pleasure to be warming the seat for him for when he gets back–and I'm sure he'll be back very shortly. [Romantic Warrior] can only improve off that. I thought he did enough in the end–and probably had enough in the end–but he's a great horse and he knows where that winning post is.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.23, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(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 C S Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo & G1SW-HK, 9-8-0-0, HK$42,815,400. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), 123, g, 6, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Modave (NZ), by Montjeu (Ire). (A$7,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Shum Mak Ling, Jimmy Tang, Bennie Lau Yuk Lung & William Shum Wai Lam; B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Danny C S Shum; J-Alexis Badel; HK$1,100,000.
3–Senor Toba (Aus), 123, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Bahamas (Aus), by Teofilo (Ire). (A$180,000 Ylg '19 INGMAR). O-Willie May Syndicate; B-D Peacock (SA); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$5750,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 6-5, 77-10, 8-1.
Also Ran: Ka Ying Star (GB), Money Catcher (NZ), Panfield (Chi), Beauty Joy (Aus), Savvy Nine (Fr), Russian Emperor (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Redemption For Lucky Sweynesse
While the progressive Lucky Sweynesse may have been somewhat disappointing when failing to take advantage of an 11-pound weight concession from champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. four weeks ago, the 4-year-old turned the tables Sunday with a determined victory in the Jockey Club Sprint.
Asked for some early speed by Zac Purton, Lucky Sweynesse secured a good spot in centerfield as triple-digit longshots Kurpany (Fr) (Mayson {GB}) and Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) ensured a good gallop. In the slipstream of the odds-on Wellington as they raced into the final three furlongs, Lucky Sweynesse was pulled out about seven wide off the home corner and rolled up outside of Wellington at the 200-metre mark. But Wellington could find no more soon after and Lucky Sweynesse went on with it to score narrowly. Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint favourite who went down in that nasty fall, finished gamely for second, while Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto) came from well back to complete a New Zealand-bred 1-2-3. The winner covered his final half-mile in :43.62.
“I thought it was a soft win. He's done a good job, he's a horse on the way up,” said Purton. “He didn't begin that great. I didn't have any option but to take the spot I got, which worked out well with the way the race was run.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.55, gd.
1–LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ), 123, g, 4, by Sweynesse (Aus) 1st Dam: Madonna Mia (NZ) (SW-NZ, $134,764), by Red Clubs (Ire) 2nd Dam: Hill of Hope (Aus), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Macozie (Aus), by Marscay (Aus) 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST STAKES WIN. (NZ$90,000 2yo '20 NZBRTR). O-Cheng Ming Leung; B-P L Dombroski, Explosive Breeding Ltd & S A Sharrock; T-Manfred K L Man; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-2-1, HK$12,752,200. *Full to Signora Nera (Aus), G1SP-Aus, GSP-NZ, $145,027. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Lucky Patch (NZ), 123, g, 6, El Roca (Aus)–Gould (Aus), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (A$40,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Patch Syndicate; B-G Harvey; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Jerry C L Chau; HK$1,100,000.
3–Duke Wai (NZ), 123, g, 7, Per Incanto–Swan Lake (NZ), by Green Perfume. (NZ$40,000 Wlg '16 NZBMAY; NZ$45,000 Ylg '17 NZBFEB; NZ$70,000 RNA 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Herman Wai Ho Man; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Harry Bentley; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 7-2, 30-1, 68-1.
Also Ran: Sight Success (Aus), Cordyceps Six (Aus), Wellington (Aus), Stronger (Aus), Sky Field (Aus), Super Wealthy (Aus), Courier Wonder (NZ), Computer Patch (Aus), Winning Dreamer (NZ), Kurpany (Fr), Master Eight (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) joined the likes of Hong Kong legends Fairy King Prawn (Aus), Silent Witness (Aus), Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and Beauty Generation (NZ) in being named Horse of the Year in Hong Kong for the second consecutive season during ceremonies held Friday evening at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Happy Valley Clubhouse.
The 6-year-old won his first two starts of the year, including a facile defence of his title in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, but suffered just the second loss of his career in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January when attempting to equal Silent Witness's record of 17 consecutive victories in Hong Kong. Only third when tried over the 10 furlongs of the G1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup, he was back to winning ways over his best trip in the G2 Chairman's Trophy in April and a second straight success in the G1 Champions Mile in May.
Trained by Francis Lui and the mount of Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty, who was also named champion miler and most popular horse, has amassed record Hong Kong earnings of better than HK$113 million (US$14.4 million), with 21 wins from 24 trips to the post.
WATCH: Golden Sixty repeats in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile
In a world without Golden Sixty, 4-year-old Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) would be a slam-dunk for Horse of the Year, but nonetheless was named champion of this year's Classic crop on the strength of victories in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and BMW Hong Kong Derby before stamping his authority on the G1 FWD QE II Cup in April. The Hong Kong International Sale graduate was also the most improved horse in the jurisdiction, having risen from the standard debut mark of 52 to a season-ending 122, and also took down honours as top middle-distance galloper as well.
Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and in the Stewards' Cup, ran out an easy 4 1/4-length winner of the Gold Cup and added the final Group 1 of the season–the Champions and Chater Cup over 2400 metres–to be named champion stayer. The former G3 Hampton Court S. hero is the 17th worldwide champion for the legendary Galileo.
By virtue of tallies in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m), Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) earned champion sprinter honours, while the progressive Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) was named champion griffin for a season that has thus far yielded four wins from six runs. The 3-year-old is declared for the Class 3 Joy and Fun H. (1200m) on Saturday's final program of the year at Sha Tin.
Zac Purton, who enters Saturday's finale in a tie with Joao Moreira on 132 riding victories, was named most popular jockey by public vote.
@netkeiba | #競馬 | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/F5SYwyiUwN
pic.twitter.com/NDTMVx8uGj
