Horse Racing
Season
Golden Sixty primed for triumphant return

By Leo Schlink
15/11/2021 15:15

Hong Kong’s champion galloper resumes on Sunday.
Hong Kong’s champion galloper resumes on Sunday.

Francis Lui will unveil a healthy, strong and more mature Golden Sixty when the Hong Kong superstar resumes in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 November).

Unbeaten in three Sha Tin trials since spelling, Golden Sixty returns to competition for the first time since landing the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 25 April, extending his winning streak to 14 races over the past two seasons.

Now a six-year-old, Golden Sixty continues to develop, according to Lui.

“He’s good, he’s healthy. He’s more relaxed as you can see even in his gallops,” Lui said.

“I think he’s getting more mature all the time. He’s very well. He’s good.”

Typically understated, Lui is looking no further than the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 12 December with the son of Medaglia d’Oro.

“We have this Sunday’s race and then the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and then we’ll see after that what we do,” he said.

Francis Lui is happy with Golden Sixty’s seamless preparation.
Francis Lui is happy with Golden Sixty’s seamless preparation.

Noticeably more laid-back in his demeanour this preparation, Golden Sixty will face a small, select band of rivals on Sunday as history beckons.

The bay needs three more victories to match the 17-win Hong Kong record streak of Silent Witness.

Already a winner of four G1 contests, Golden Sixty impressed when winning a 1200m Sha Tin trial on 2 November, steaming from last early to sweep past the talented Packing Victory while clocking 1m 11.37s with a closing 400m sectional of 22.8s.

Golden Sixty was third-up when he won the Jockey Club Mile last season by a length and a half over Ka Ying Star, with Southern Legend – who is entered again this season – in third place.

Champion’s Way, fifth last year, is also slated to contest Sunday’s edition.

With both Golden Sixty and Sky Darci entered, a clash of the past two BMW Hong Kong Derby victors adds a further dimension to a contest which also includes Waikuku, More Than This and Preciousship.

The BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile is one of three HK$4.75 million features on Sunday.

Wellington, Hot King Prawn and Courier Wonder head the entry for the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), while Panfield, Columbus County, Glorious Dragon, Ka Ying Star, Reliable Team, Russian Emperor and Savvy Nine are entered for the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).