Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) shrugged off a burden of worry following a health setback to win the HK$10 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin.
And he did it despite his rider Vincent Ho’s view that he was not at his peak for this second of three legs in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, having suffered a fever two weeks ago.
“He’s not 100 percent, that’s for sure – he’s about 75 or 80 percent – he won this race because he has a really good fighting heart,” Ho said of Hong Kong’s great new hope.
Ho enjoyed a rocket ride to victory on Golden Sixty in last month’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) but this time had to rely on his mount’s admirable guts and innate talent to keep alive the dream of a ‘Golden’ clean-sweep in this season’s Classic Series.
The Medaglia D’Oro gelding eased back and settled eighth in the 10-runner field as World Famous (Reliable Man) set the tempo up front. Stablemate More Than This, (Dutch Art) a late-closing second in the Classic Mile, rowed past Golden Sixty’s outside flank with around 500m to race but the real danger was ahead.
“Zac (Purton) took off quite early at the 500 (metres) on More Than This and came up outside me; but Ryan Moore’s horse had plenty more in the tank so I just tracked him through the race,” Ho said.
Moore, aware of the opportunity to steal a march, had fired Champion’s Way (Hinchinbrook) to the lead before Ho could angle out and point Golden Sixty into clear running. When Ho found the gap, his mount’s acceleration was less emphatic than the brilliant dash displayed in the Classic Mile but it proved decisive enough as he battled past his rival for a half-length score in 1m 45.88s. His closing 400m split was clocked at 22.38s.
“It didn’t feel like a true run race but he’s really tough and he wants to fight – when horses come close to him, he wants to win,” Ho said.
“He’s a tough and talented horse. He had his issue two weeks ago and I just wanted to get him as relaxed as possible. It was his first time at 1800 metres and I followed the right horse, I didn’t want to push the button too early because I might use him too much, so I’ve waited a little bit, found the gap and he’s sprinted home.”
Trainer Francis Lui was as relieved as he was delighted as he stood by the sun-drenched winner’s arch awaiting Golden Sixty’s return.
“Everybody knew he had a temperature two weeks ago. I was very worried he would miss this race, I tried everything to work it out and finally we got it and he still performed today; he was a bit keen before the race so I was worried but he relaxed for Vincent and he is very tough,” Lui said.
“I still wasn’t sure on Thursday if he’d run and after Friday’s gallop we still talked about it – if I wasn’t happy with the gallop we would have pulled him out,” Ho said
“He was really fresh – the last gallop I couldn’t really hold him – so I was concerned he’d be too keen today but once I got him behind the gate he was more relaxed than last time. He didn’t pull, so I just had to get the right run – it was hard for him so I just hope he pulls up well.”
Golden Sixty now has the chance to emulate Rapper Dragon, the only horse to have won all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. To do that, the Australian-bred must win the BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000m at Sha Tin on 22 March.
“There’s still a month to the Derby so let’s hope he’s healthy – that’s all I’m concerned about,” Ho said. “We won’t push him too hard for the Derby because our main priority is his health. He’s only four and he’s got a great future, even in Group 1 at a mile – that suits him well.”
A 2017 Ready To Run Sale graduate, Golden Sixty was purchased by Lui for $300,000 from the Riversley Park draft.
