Tag: Racing

Ahead of what shapes as his fourth and final appearance at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, Golden Sixty was as enthusiastic as ever at Sha Tin this morning (Monday, 4 December) under former jockey Alex Yu – his regular work rider – while trainer Francis Lui watched on from his traditional vantage point in the trainers' stand.

Aiming to join Good Ba Ba as the only three-time winners of the HK$32 million (US$4 million) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on Sunday (Dec. 10) after his wins in 2020 and 2021, the 8-year-old Golden Sixty warmed up in the sand ring, then on the inner dirt course before eagerly bouncing onto the main dirt course to work through a key gallop under Yu, clocking a time of 25.7s over 400m.

“He's good. Everything is fine, it's smooth and he's improved with each barrier trial he's had. His condition is very good now,” Lui said. “They're all very happy – Vincent (Ho) and the whole team.”

A 25-time winner from 29 starts, Golden Sixty will commence his sixth season of racing in Sunday's LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. It will be 224 days between runs when he reappears under race conditions with jockey Vincent Ho in front of an adoring home crowd against opposition from Japan, Ireland, France and Singapore.

“He likes to run fresh. His form and even this morning, he'll have a turf gallop on Thursday (7 December). It's been a long time, it's a tough field, especially the Japanese horses. Hopefully he stays away from trouble and gets a clean run,” Lui said.

Golden Sixty has won all of his five seasonal reappearances, however, he's yet to resume at Group 1 level against overseas raiders. The Medaglia d'Oro gelding's last return run saw him defeat California Spangle at Group 2 level, before that horse sensationally reversed the result one start later in the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Slated for probable retirement in Japan after only a handful of runs this season, Golden Sixty has banked HK$147.93 million (US$18.93 million) in prize money and boasts nine Group 1 wins.

“We're just focused on the big race. We don't know though – let the horse tell me (when it's time to retire). I think so (last Hong Kong International Races) – he's done his job,” Lui said.

Golden Sixty will face 13 rivals this weekend. California Spangle, Beauty Eternal, Serifos, Soul Rush, Tribalist, Voyage Bubble, Cairo, Encountered and Namur are among his opponents.

The post ‘He’s Done His Job’: Hong Kong Superstar Golden Sixty, Now An 8-Year-Old, Readies For International Swansong appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Oaklawn is scheduled to run 10 races Friday, which would equal an opening-day record for a track that conducted its first meeting in 1905.

Oaklawn has opened with nine-race cards every year since 1956, with the exception of 2003 when 10 races were run for the first time. That 10-race card attracted 114 entrants and 109 starters after scratches.

Friday's card drew 109 entrants (including also eligibles) in an era when foal crops are declining and much lower than 20 years ago. Entries were taken and post positions drawn last Friday.

“Yesterday, you saw entries went very well,” Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said Saturday morning. “Look at the type of races we're making. I mean, three special weights and you're splitting allowance races.”

At least 10 horses were entered in eight races, including a full field of 12 in the featured $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds. Oaklawn raised the purse of maiden special weight races to $115,000 and allowance events to at least $140,000 – both record levels to open a season – in 2023-2024.

The post Oaklawn Opener: 10 Races With 109 Entrants Carded For Friday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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