Golden Sixty Goes for More Gold in Hong Kong Feature

In normal times, all eyes would be on Golden Sixty in the Stewards' Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse Jan. 23 as the Medaglia d'Oro   gelding shoots for his 17th straight victory.

Sadly, there will be no eyes—well, no fans' eyes—at the track to witness the race. The Hong Kong government has tightened the screws on its pandemic restrictions and only key racing personnel will be allowed on the premises. Even video simulcast to off-track wagering sites is cut off to prevent crowding at those facilities.

"Our customers are among the most passionate in the world," said Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. "But these are challenging times."

Despite the challenges, those watching and wagering at home will see one of the best horses in Hong Kong's history try to extend his legend in the second of two group 1 events on the program.

Golden Sixty has been beaten only once in 20 previous local starts. Another win would tie the consecutive victories mark held by the revered Silent Witness. And the Hong Kong earnings record held by recently retired superstar Beauty Generation is in jeopardy at some point this season.

Regular rider Vincent Ho said Golden Sixty is shining brighter than ever at age 6.

"He's been working well. I'm looking forward to it," Ho said of the Stewards' Cup. "At the age of 6, I think he's better than even before, mentally and physically. He's more mature. I wouldn't say he's changed a lot but after the summer he's got a bit bigger. Mentally, he's more mature. He knows what to do in the mornings and in the races."

Golden Sixty faces six rivals in the Stewards' Cup. Most are familiar but only one, More Than This, appears to have the current form to mount a threat. More Than This managed a second behind the champ in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) in December—encouraging, but still 1 3/4 lengths short of getting the job done.

His rider, Derek Leung, sounded only faint hope in the week before the Stewards' Cup, telling the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Declan Schuster, "I'm sure with a smooth run he will get some prize money. We have the Horse of the Year (Golden Sixty) in the race but my horse is fitter now. He's only had two runs this season so his fitness is getting better and in the mornings he's slightly improved."

The co-featured Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) has some of Hong Kong's top sprinters, including Wellington, Sky Field, and Hot King Prawn.

The pandemic restrictions extend at least through the first week in February, meaning the wildly popular Chinese New Year racing festival also will be run in front of empty stands Feb. 3. Still, Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out horse racing has been one of the few activities that has carried on in Hong Kong throughout the two years of the pandemic.

"Hong Kong horse racing is the source of tremendous entertainment—and an engaging distraction in testing circumstances—as well as providing employment for thousands of people in our city," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "We will take all appropriate steps to ensure the continuation of racing under approved government protocols."