Not even a slipped saddle and muddling tempo were enough to end the winning streak of Golden Sixty as he posted a dramatic 12th successive victory after scrambling home to win the Group I Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha tin on Sunday.
Undefeated since 7 July 2019, Golden Sixty responded doggedly to Vincent Ho’s desperate urgings to deny veteran Southern Legend by a mere head.
“They went pretty slow all the way, actually, so he was a little keen and he was pulling a little bit and then everyone sprint home,” Ho said.
“I knew I would still get there, but it was quite close.”
Ho said he was inconvenienced in the straight after his saddle shifted.
“The saddle slipped back a little bit at the 300m but it was still OK but it was not as comfortable for me and Golden Sixty, of course,” Ho said.
“But top athletes, top horses need to overcome all kind of different circumstances. Something you can’t predict but you have to ready for that.”
Edging closer to Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive wins, Golden Sixty never caused any doubts in Ho’s mind despite the slender margin over the admirable Southern Legend.
“Happy with this performance, of course,” Ho said. “Thank you to Francis (Lui) and all his team for all the hard work.
“Without them, this does not happen.”
Francis Lui admitted he was concerned as Golden Sixty worked through his gears, clocking 21.80s for the final 400m as Southern Legend shaped to post a huge upset.
“I was a bit worried,” he said. “The pace was a bit slow.
“I feel OK now after the race.”
Lui indicated the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) – the second leg of the Triple Crown – was likely to be Golden Sixty’s next competitive outing.
Golden Sixty was a $300,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale purchase for his trainer from the Riversley Park draft and was a super successful pinhook having been sourced from the Element Hill draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $120,000.
Golden Sixty is the best of four winners from US bred Irish Group III winner Gaudeamus (USA), a Distorted Humor mare from the family of Group I stars Bosra Sham and Hector Protector.
Gaudeamus has a yearling filly by Capitalist that was sold by Element Hill at Magic Millions for $425,000 to the bid of All Winners Thoroughbreds..
She was covered las spring by Medaglia D’Oro’s Golden Slipper winning son Vancouver so will produce a three-quarter sibling to Golden Sixty this year.
