Looking to enhance an already staggering record, Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro), will make his highly anticipated return to racing in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private WealthJockey Club Mile (1600m) on Sunday, as he prepares to defend his crown in December’s Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
Pleasing trainer Francis Lui as his preparation was ramped up Tuesday morning, the gelding crossed the line first by three lengths in a barrier trial on the turf at Sha Tin, clocking 57.51s for the gallop over 1000m.
“It was a good trial, after the trial I asked Vincent (Ho) and he was happy with him,” Lui said. “Everything was fine, it was all good.”
“I am excited – he’ll start off in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile in November, he might also need one or two more barrier trials before the race.”
An earner of HK$77,925,600, the gelding is closing in on Beauty Generation’s (NZ) (Road To Rock) record haul of HK$106,233,750 – should he follow a similar path to last term – a campaign which could also see him challenge Silent Witness’ winning streak of 17.
Jockey Vincent Ho, who has been in the plate for each of the 131-rater’s starts, was equally pleased with his mount.
“I was happy with him, he had a nice warm-up and a quiet trot down, he jumped well as per usual and there wasn’t much speed in the trial.
“So, with gate one I just let him stretch out nicely and do everything by himself, he was nice and relaxed enough to have a good workout,” Ho said.
Defeated only once in 18 starts, the brilliant son of Medaglia d’Oro who was purchased out of Riversley Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run draft, is looking to extend his unbeaten run to 15 when he returns next month.
“I’m looking forward to his return, he’s one of the best horses in Hong Kong and I’m just grateful to be on an animal like this, there’s no doubts in him at all – he’s a six-year-old now which is perfect, he will be strong and he’s still getting more mature mentally which is good for him,” Ho said.
“He was normal – he didn’t fire up, he felt relaxed and the other horses weren’t too quick, so that makes him look fresh and a bit better than he was – it’s just his natural speed and in a race there will be much more speed,” the rider added.
