| Champion miler Golden Sixty has made it 14 straight wins with a thrilling victory in today’s HK$20 million Group One Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. |
The outstanding son of Medaglia d’Oro had to pull out all stops to hold out his stablemate More Than This who was charging late under Joao Moreira. Golden Sixty had raced to the lead shortly after straightening coming up quickly to the leaders who were setting a leisurely speed. Regular rider Vincent Ho said the lack of speed in the race didn’t suit his champion but in the end his class shone through and the winning streak was extended. “They really went too slow for us,” Ho said post race. “It usually takes him a while to pick up but today they went too slow.” “When I bought him out at the 600 (metres) he was almost alongside them so I went for him in the straight. He’d never been chased before so we learned he was still able to fight when something chases him.” “It’s been a great season for Golden Sixty with seven races (won) and now to win this. He will head for a break now and come back next season.” “He’s had a couple of tough runs, his past two, and I’m happy that he can have a break now,” Ho added. With the latest success, the Francis Lui trained Golden Sixty sent his earnings soaring to almost HK$77.9 million – the equivalent of about A$12.97 million. Golden Sixty was bred in Queensland and sold through the Element Hill draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $120,000 to Riversley Park and Enigma Farm. The son of Medaglia d’Oro is from the stakes winning mare Gaudeamus. Josh Hutchins purchased her carrying the Hong Kong champion at the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. In January the latest yearling from Gaudeamus, a Capitalist half sister to Golden Sixty, sold to Hong Kong’s All Winners Thoroughbreds for $425,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Gaudeamus was served last spring by Golden Slipper winner Vancouver with the resultant foal to be a three quarter relation to Golden Sixty. The win of Golden Sixty was the second leg of a Group One double for Australian bred gallopers sold at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Around an hour earlier, outstanding sprint prospect Wellington stormed away for a brilliant win in the HK$18 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) for trainer Richard Gibson. Wellington was a $70,000 purchase in 2018 for Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm from the draft of Kia Ora Stud. Winner: Golden Sixty Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro-Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) Breeder: Asco International Pty Ltd Race: HKJC Champions Mile G1 (1600m) Sold for: $120,000 Sale: 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Element Hill Buyer: Riversley Park/Enigma Farm Earnings: HK$77,925,600 (approx A$12.97 million) Owner: Stanley Chan Ka Leung Trainer: Francis Lui |
