Golden Sixty Shoots for 13th Straight Win in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has turned the calendar to the Year of the Ox and hit the midway point in its racing season, but there's no change at the top of its hit parade as Golden Sixty readies for a shot at his 13th straight win.

The ongoing pandemic precautions mandate there won't be fans in the stands at Sha Tin Racecourse Feb. 21 as Golden Sixty faces the starter in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1)—the marquee event as the Hong Kong Jockey Club yokes together three important races on the Sha Tin Racecourse program. But the Hong Kong faithful will be paying close attention remotely on one of the biggest racing days of the year.

The Gold Cup is partnered with the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) and the Hong Kong Classic Cup. The latter is the middle leg of the 4-year-old Classic Series that finishes with the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

If there's any reason to doubt Golden Sixty, a 5-year-old Medaglia d'Oro  gelding, will run his win streak to 13 in the Gold Cup, it would be the distance. He has tackled this 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) trip only once before, in the 2020 Derby. In that, he faced only fellow 4-year-olds and came from last, circling the field, winning narrowly but with authority.

Since, it's been a steady diet of shorter races, a season-opener at 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs), then four at 1,600 meters (about one mile).

Five rivals in the Gold Cup come out of the Centenary Vase (G3) at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) Jan. 31.

Glorious Dragon outfinished former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant, the premier local stayer, to upset that race. Furore, winner of the 2019 Derby, was third, perennial pacesetter Time Warp was fourth, and Columbus County was sixth.

The 2020 Derby runner-up, Playa Del Puente, is the newcomer in the Gold Cup.

Golden Sixty's rider, Vincent Ho, who also has ridden Exultant, said he's not concerned about the bump up in distance.

"He's feeling well and we're confident. A mile and 2,000 meters—I don't think there's a problem," Ho said. "He can still sprint home over the last 400 meters in the same time."

Ho acknowledged Exultant is "one of the best stayers in Hong Kong so, for sure, this race is a good challenge. But I'm still pretty confident with Golden Sixty. It's going to be fun."

Exultant's pilot, Zac Purton, said the 7-year-old is a bit past his peak and hinted strategy might have to play more of a role in his run.

"You also have to be mindful," the four-time Hong Kong champion rider added, "that if you go out there just to beat one other runner, it can quite often bring both of them undone and another horse will end up winning the race."

While the two former Derby winners fight it out in the Gold Cup, there's still a lot of sorting to be done among this year's Derby contenders in the Classic Cup. The Derby series requires the 4-year-olds to advance from the Hong Kong Classic Mile through the 1,800 meters of the Classic Cup and on to the 2,000 meters of the Derby.

Excellent Proposal rallied from next-last of 11 to win the Classic Mile at odds of 23-1, scrambling the picture significantly. Lucky Express and Tourbillon Diamond were second and third with the lukewarm favorite, Sky Darci, checking in fifth. All of those return, as does Tsar, a gate scratch in the Classic Mile.

The historic Hong Kong Derby is a highlight of the season for fans and a primary target for local owners, notwithstanding Hong Kong's emergence into the international group 1 limelight over the past few decades.

Still, the group 1 events are a big deal and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at 1,400 meters has an impressive lot—including many of those who have been chasing Golden Sixty through the first half of the season.

Southern Legend, Ka Ying Star, Waikuku, Rise High, More Than This, Champions Way, and Mighty Giant completed the order of finish behind Golden Sixty in the Stewards' Cup Jan. 24 at 1,600 meters. All save Rise High are set to contest the Silver Jubilee Cup.