Horse racing history and Golden Sixty have been seemingly inseparable over the past two years as Hong Kong’s equine hero has captured the imagination of the city with his relentless and all-conquering deeds.
This Sunday, at Sha Tin, Francis Lui’s champion chases Hong Kong’s most elusive racing milestone when he bids to emulate the immortal Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive victories when he contests the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).
Unbeaten since July 2019, and with HK$95.45 million in earnings, a 20th career victory at his 21st start would push Golden Sixty ever closer to Beauty Generation’s all-time Hong Kong prizemoney record of $106.23 million.
The Stewards’ Cup shares the G1 spotlight at Sha Tin with the Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – a contest featuring the established and emerging stars of Hong Kong’s sprinting ranks – but the presence of Golden Sixty, the horse who has given Hong Kong so much positivity during the pandemic, is a clear highlight.
His imminent appointment with history comes as we reflect on a number of outstanding performances last Sunday at Sha Tin, where Romantic Warrior, Sight Spirit and California Spangle laid down significant markers ahead of the HK$48 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
The trio excelled across the last three races on the programme and it was impossible not to be impressed by the performance of Romantic Warrior, a Hong Kong International Sale graduate who was selected out of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales by former champion jockey Michael Kinane.
Unbeaten in four starts, Romantic Warrior’s final 400m sectional of 22.32s was quicker than California Spangle (22.57s) and Sight Spirit (22.70s), but the authority of his win was unmistakable over 1400m, giving the impression he would be even better suited in the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile on 30 January.
Justifying Michael’s keen eye for talent, Romantic Warrior has risen from a rating of 52 at the start of the season to his current mark of 85, collecting an ISG (International Sale Graduate) Bonus of HK$600,000 along the way by winning at Class 3 level. Golden Empire, who won from the outside barrier of gate 12 at only his second start on Sunday, is another ISG graduate who is showing tremendous early ability.
Having ridden some of the world’s greatest gallopers with incredible success in the sport’s biggest races, and as a 13-time Irish champion jockey, Michael’s credentials are impeccable and his selection of Romantic Warrior underlines the Club’s faith in his ability to identify high quality youngsters who are suitable for Hong Kong.
Both Romantic Warrior and Golden Empire were pre-trained in England by Group 1-winning handler Brian Meehan before arriving in Hong Kong. Brian has worked on preparing the ISGs specifically for the physical and mental demands of Hong Kong racing at his world-class Manton Estate in Wiltshire to ensure the Northern Hemisphere horses are well conditioned to cope with their new environment.
Similarly, Tim Boland is responsible for the pre-training of horses sourced for the Hong Kong International Sale from Australia and New Zealand.
With Romantic Warrior, Sight Spirit and California Spangle all heading to the Hong Classic Mile along with Packing Award, Fantastic Treasure, Master Delight and Ima Single Man, among others, an intriguing Four-Year-Old Classic Series is shaping strongly.
Regarding recent media coverage relating to the potential transmission of COVID-19 from animals to humans, according to the expert opinion of the Club’s Veterinary professionals, there is no evidence the COVID-19 virus could infect or spread via horses. There is also no evidence the virus could be spread from horses to human beings.
Before we get to Golden Sixty’s date with destiny, we return to Happy Valley on Wednesday night, where the Class 2 Lantau Island Handicap will be run over 1650 metres as the sixth of nine races at a good to slow pace. Bear Again will use his genuine speed for Harry Bentley to make the running along with Telecom Fighters with Matthew Poon. Beauty Joy with Zac Purton and Solar Wai Wai under Blake Shinn will also use their speed from good gates to help ensure an honest pace.
Sunny Star has the inside draw and comes off a good effort when he closed strongly to be second in the Group 3 January Cup over 1800m two weeks ago to go up five points in the handicap ratings. He has an excellent record over the course and distance but rises from 113lb to 127lb and is a place chance under regular rider Alexis Badel.
C P Brave will go back from his wide draw under Vincent Ho, dropping back in trip whilst making only his second appearance at Happy Valley. He is a consistent type and has the versatility to run well from on or off the pace. He is a place chance.
Beauty Joy has gone well since returning from a long layoff and won over 1800 metres in Australia before coming to Hong Kong. His tactical speed will give him every opportunity and I make him my first choice for a win and a place. Savaquin is also a place chance with Joao Moreira after spending some time at Conghua.
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