Golden Sixty Resumes Stunning Streak

Returning from a seven-month break, champion Karaka graduate Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) picked up right where he left off and cruised to a 15th consecutive win at Sha Tin on Sunday. 

Sunday’s HK$4.75m Group Two BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) was the 18th victory in an incredible 19-start career for Golden Sixty, who was a $300,000 purchase by trainer Francis Lui from Riversley Park’s draft at the 2017 Ready to Run Sale. The spectacular six-year-old has now earned over HK$80 million in stakes, which is almost 50 times his purchase price.

The reigning Horse of the Year is closing in on Hong Kong’s all-time record of 17 wins in a row, set by superstar sprinter Silent Witness (El Moxie) between 2002 and 2005.

Sunday’s Jockey Club Mile was another powerhouse performance in the hands of regular rider Vincent Ho.

Despite being disadvantaged by a slow pace up front, Golden Sixty came from last and blasted past his overmatched opponents in the straight. His rivals never had a hope of matching Golden Sixty’s sizzling turn of foot as the hot favourite clocked 21.51 seconds for his last 400 metres.

Golden Sixty pricked his ears and coasted to victory by a length, prompting race-caller Mark McNamara to describe him as “a Ferrari racing against six Hong Kong taxi cabs”. The runner-up was dual Group One winner Waikuku (Harbour Watch), while Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma) finished third.

“He definitely wasn’t at his best today and we’re still building him up,” Ho said. “After this race he should be pretty close to his top form.

“He relaxed very well behind and just trucked through, saved some ground until the straight and he was able to cruise up easily. As usual, he did his job. He saw the winning post and he was sort of already ‘job done’ and he tried to slow down. But I said, ‘Just give me two extra strides, please.’”

Lui is building Golden Sixty towards a defence of his crown in the Group One Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on December 12.

“I must say we were confident in this race, but I’m happy to see him win again,” he said. “This horse has got a very good fighting heart, and once he relaxes, he has a very good turn of foot.

“Golden Sixty’s morning trackwork has been quite impressive, he’s more mature than last season. I discussed it with Vincent, and he seemed happy with the training and how he was behaving at trackwork.”

Golden Sixty has now won 12 black-type races, including four at the elite level – the Hong Kong Mile, Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Champions Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).

As well as being Horse of the Year, he was also Hong Kong’s Champion Miler and Champion Middle-Distance Horse last season. He was previously Champion Four-Year-Old, having completed a rare clean sweep of the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Vendor	Riversley Park
Purchaser	Mr F Lui (Hong Kong)
Breeding	Medaglia d’Oro – Gaudeamus
Sale	Lot 136, 2017 Ready to Run Sale, $300,000
Bred by	Asco International