Golden Sixty will attempt to land a record-extending fourth consecutive win in the HK$22 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (April 28) after receiving gate seven at Thursday morning's barrier draw.
Hong Kong's champion horse became the first to complete an FWD Champions Mile hat-trick in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He returns for the first time in 2024, which will be his second run this season after claiming the HK$32 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December following a 224-day break (a record for the race).
The earner of an unmatched HK$165.85 million globally, Golden Sixty – the Pride of Hong Kong – pairs with trusted companion Vincent Ho for trainer Francis Lui as he makes his first start for 140 days.
“The barrier draw isn't a worry, only the weather will be. Now, he's very professional and he looks after himself. I think his condition has come up just in time,” Lui said.
The 133-rating Golden Sixty is Hong Kong's most prolific winner in history, prevailing in 26 out of 30 starts. He is the only horse to win 10 Group 1 races in the city and only three-time consecutive Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23).
The eight-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro became the second horse to sweep the Four-Year-Old Classic Series in 2020 after Rapper Dragon (2017). He galloped on the turf at Sha Tin on Thursday morning alongside stablemate Yellowfin under Ho, clocking 1:20.00 (29.7, 28.6, 21.7).
“He's shown us already what he can do. I'm happy and Vincent is happy. He's brought a lot of fun for us, the whole team. There won't be another one like him,” Lui said.
Golden Sixty is two-for-two across his career when jumping from gate seven over Sha Tin's mile course. Persistent rain has lashed Hong Kong across this week, while further showers are forecast through Sunday.
The Australian-bred Golden Sixty has raced once on yielding ground at Sha Tin, finishing third to Russian Emperor in the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).
Golden Sixty will stretch his legs at Sha Tin on Friday ahead of Sunday.
“He'll have light work tomorrow (Friday, April 26), a light canter on the little track. Galaxy Patch (as a main rival), they said Beauty Joy likes the soft ground and I think Brave Emperor also likes soft ground,” Lui said.