New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) kicked off his five-year-old campaign where he left off last season with an effortless victory in the Gr.3 Celebration Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Golden Sixty took the first step on his path toward the 2020 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at the same time thwarting Beauty Generation’s(NZ) (Road To Rock) tilt at a fourth straight triumph in the race.
With his devastating turn-of-foot on display once again, the newly turned five-year-old made it eight wins in a row, following on from his Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean sweep which culminated with Derby glory.
Hong Kong’s first Pattern race this season was billed as the clash between Beauty Generation and Golden Sixty and it did not disappoint, with the latter reigning supreme for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho.
“I think at the moment he is the best horse that I have trained – he’ll step up in distance to 1600m now and then of course the target is the Hong Kong International Races,” Lui said.
Lui purchased Golden Sixty out of Riversley Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft for $300,000 after Riversley Park principal Sam Beatson and friend Ben Foote had pinhooked the son of Medaglia d’Oro as a yearling for A$120,000.
The Medaglia d’Oro gelding made the most of the 17 pounds he received off the two-time Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation (133lb), who finished a dead-heat second alongside Champion’s Way (Hinchinbrook) by one and three quarter lengths.
“It’s very exciting to be back on him (Golden Sixty), he felt great and fresh today – once I got a clear run I knew he’d run them down,” Ho said.
“I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”
After breaking cleanly Golden Sixty was snagged back to settle worse than midfield while Beauty Generation, under the guidance of Zac Purton, would stalk the leading duo on the rail.
As the field turned for home; Golden Sixty quickened when asked, while Beauty Generation hit traffic and had to bullock his way clear to share second prize.
“He pulled up well, it was a good blow for him – he needed that, I think he was around 70 to 75 percent fit before this run and after this he should go up even more, of course with the aim of December,” Ho said.
But it wasn’t altogether smooth sailing for the winning camp, as Lui spoke of his concerns pre-race as his stable star danced and buzzed around the parade ring before the race.
“I was worried about him before the race in the parade ring because he was so excited but in the race he was under control,” Lui said.
The December riches on offer for Golden Sixty are the $25 million Hong Kong Mile or the HK$28 million Hong Kong Cup, should Lui opt to step up to the Derby distance of 2000m again.
