Golden Sixty primed for return

[Wandering Eyes]

Francis Lui will unveil a healthy, strong and more mature Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) when the Hong Kong superstar resumes in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Unbeaten in three Sha Tin trials since spelling, Golden Sixty returns to competition for the first time since landing the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 25 April, extending his winning streak to 14 races over the past two seasons.

Now a six-year-old, Golden Sixty continues to develop, according to Lui.

“He’s good, he’s healthy. He’s more relaxed as you can see even in his gallops,” Lui said.

“I think he’s getting more mature all the time. He’s very well. He’s good.”

Lui is looking towards the Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 12 December with the son of Medaglia d’Oro.

“We have this Sunday’s race and then the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and then we’ll see after that what we do,” he said.

The bay needs three more victories to match the 17-win Hong Kong record streak of Silent Witness.

Already a winner of four Group One contests, Golden Sixty impressed when winning a 1200m Sha Tin trial on 2 November, steaming from last early to sweep past the talented Packing Victory while clocking 1m 11.37s with a closing 400m sectional of 22.8s.

Golden Sixty was third-up when he won the Jockey Club Mile last season by a length and a half over Ka Ying Star, with Southern Legend – who is entered again this season – in third place. 

Champion’s Way, fifth last year, is also slated to contest Sunday’s edition.

With both Golden Sixty and Sky Darci entered, a clash of the past two Hong Kong Derby (2000m) victors adds a further dimension to a contest which also includes Waikuku, More Than This and Preciousship.

Golden Sixty was purchased out of Riversley Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft by his trainer for $300,000.

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