The staging of the first Group race of the season is always an important occasion and the running of the G3 Celebration Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin tomorrow (Sunday, 22 September) is especially significant as we gather to celebrate GOLDEN SIXTY’s stunning career.
GOLDEN SIXTY’s colossal feats are indelibly printed across international racing’s landscape with 10 Group 1 victories among 26 race wins and unmatched prizemoney of HK$167 million – all Hong Kong records – and we are privileged to be able to pay homage to him tomorrow.
GOLDEN SIXTY was not only a champion racehorse but he also embodied Hong Kong’s finest qualities with his determination to win, resilience and world-class attributes, winning races across six individual seasons from a three-year-old to an eight-year-old when he obliterated his opposition in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December.
The sheer volume of GOLDEN SIXTY’s elite achievements – and his longevity – readily lends itself to a focus on his stunning G1 accomplishments, but no less striking is the fact that he was never beaten in five Group 2 races and two Group 3 contests.
In fact, when reflecting on GOLDEN SIXTY’s career, the 2020 G3 Celebration Cup provides a strong hint of incipient greatness. Resuming after becoming only the second horse after RAPPER DRAGON to sweep the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with victories in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), GOLDEN SIXTY downed BEAUTY GENERATION in the G3 Celebration Cup.
That race marked a generational change from one great champion to another and tomorrow we formally say thank you and goodbye to arguably the greatest horse this city has seen and it is fitting that the 2024 Celebration Cup Day meeting doubles as GOLDEN SIXTY’s farewell.
Expertly managed by trainer Francis Lui and his staff for owner Stanley Chan, GOLDEN SIXTY was ridden in all 31 starts by Vincent Ho and, although bred in Australia, secured out of New Zealand and the son of an American sire, GOLDEN SIXTY is very much Hong Kong’s hero.
His herculean feats brought great credit on Hong Kong and our world-class racing and it is a gross understatement to say he will be sorely missed, especially at our flagship meetings where his sheer superiority became a staple ingredient, especially during the bleakness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is great that we have the opportunity tomorrow to express our gratitude to GOLDEN SIXTY, Francis, Stanley and Vincent and I look forward to the farewell ceremony in the Parade Ring from 3.10pm. I would urge Hong Kong’s racing enthusiasts to join us for what promises to be a memorable occasion.
The 2024 G3 Celebration Cup (1400m) is carded as Race 7 at 4.20pm with prizemoney of HK$4.2 million.
The pace should be good to slow with the likely leader HEALTHY HAPPY. PACKING TREADMILL will take up a forward position from his middle draw, with WONDER KIT to settle on the leader’s back for Andrea Atzeni.
CHIU CHOW SPIRIT was a Group winner in Australia over this distance and made a winning start to the new season when he sprinted quickly in the straight to easily beat SUPERB BOY and KARMA over this trip. Alexis Badel should have CHIU CHOW SPIRIT behind the pace, one off the fence in running from his outside draw and he is a win and place chance with his light weight.
HEALTHY HAPPY was runner-up in this race in 2022 to CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and then led throughout to win the race last year, beating CIRCUIT STELLAR and THE GOLDEN SCENERY. HEALTHY HAPPY has been in Conghua since his last race in June and has had two trials there in preparation for his return to racing today. If Matthew Chadwick can dictate the race from the front HEALTHY HAPPY is a place chance.
THE GOLDEN SCENERY raced consistently throughout last season and was third to CHANCHENG GLORY over 1600m at the final meeting on 14 July. THE GOLDEN SCENERY has been in Conghua since, and was given an easy trial under Brenton Avdulla nine days ago leading into this race. THE GOLDEN SCENERY should get a lovely run from gate two and is a place chance.
TAJ DRAGON won four times over this course and distance last season including a breakthrough Group victory in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup in January beating HEALTHY HAPPY and BEAUTY JOY. TAJ DRAGON jumped quickly in the ratings for that win but was good enough to win again in May and at his last run for the season was fifth to MUGEN and CALIFORNIA SPANGLE in the Premier Cup on 23 June. TAJ DRAGON has to give weight to all his rivals but is a course and distance specialist and has place claims for Vincent Ho if he gets clear room early enough in the straight.
FLYING ACE (Matthew Poon) and PACKING TREADMILL (Lyle Hewitson) both resumed in the race won by KA YING RISING on the opening day. FLYING ACE was consistent at the highest level last year and will improve on his first-up fifth and PACKING TREADMILL was taken back from a wide draw and should settle much closer to the lead here and is also capable of significant improvement.
Several upcoming young horses feature on the undercard and I look forward to watching the seasonal debuts of the promising four-year-olds in WUNDERBAR in Race 9 as well as The Racing Club’s YOUNG CHAMPION in Race 10.
Comment
