Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty was a hot favourite to extend his winning run to a record equalling 17 wins in succession, but came up short in the Group I Stewards Cup when going down to Waikuku (IRE).
The champion’s winning streak ended with a three-quarter length second-place finish– his first defeat in nearly 900 days, leaving Silent Witness alone as the sole record-holder for consecutive wins in Hong Kong.
Given a supreme ride by Zac Purton, Waikuku lifted for his second Stewards’ Cup success after prevailing in 2020, giving trainer John Size a seventh win in the race.
“I was really happy with the way the race was run, I was in a lovely rhythm and I knew he was going to give me a kick but with Golden Sixty in the race, you’re never home until you pass the post.
“He’s run many horses down the last few years, he’s a champion and obviously the race wasn’t run to suit him today,” Purton said of Golden Sixty.
A seven year-old gelding by Harbour Watch, Waikuku skipped clear and couldn’t be run down, but Golden Sixty was brave in defeat.
Golden Sixty was nothing short of courageous– clocking a slick 21.95s for his final 400m of the race – a herculean performance, especially from the tail of the field.
Boasting a 16-win streak – as part of his glittering career – Golden Sixty lost no admirers today in defeat – his first since July, 2019 as he scrambled to catch Waikuku.
But now, it’s onwards and upwards for the brilliant son of Medaglia d’Oro who will next be tasked with either the Group I Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) or defending his crown in the Group I Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on Sunday, 20 February at Sha Tin.
“The horse is ok – he appears to have pulled up well,” trainer Francis Lui said. “It was just the draw. The way the race was run, he needed to be closer but, from the inside, it wasn’t possible today.”
Earning HK$2.64 million for second, Golden Sixty edges ever closer to the HK$100 million mark and Beauty Generation’s all-time record of HK$106.23 million.
