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| Staff Writer |
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Vincent Ho Chak-yiu is hopeful that Golden Sixty can continue his winning momentum from April. The superstar showed impressive form during his tune-up session on Tuesday morning, where he was accompanied by Romantic Warrior in the Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile.
Golden Sixty's long-awaited return on December 10th is generating a lot of excitement. Prior to this, trainer Ho was glad to see the 8YO horse making good progress. During a recent 1,600m turf trial at Sha Tin, Golden Sixty impressively trailed behind Romantic Warrior and Helene Feeling.
“He felt good. They went a bit slow and someone jumped the corner, which was a bit awkward, but apart from that I was happy,” Ho said. “In the straight, I just let him cruise along then asked for a little bit of effort in the last 200m, and he responded well.”
Golden Sixty, who has won 25 of his 29 races – including nine at the Group One level – will attempt to claim his third Hong Kong Mile title when he returns to Sha Tin's premier racing event next month. Despite a 224-day break, the undefeated champ in his first five races will strive to become the third-ever 8YO to win at the Hong Kong International Races.
“I’m looking forward to bringing Golden Sixty out in December,” Ho said. “He enjoys racing and loves the crowds. Even though he is eight, we don’t race him much in the season. He is nice and fresh and everyone should still believe in him.”
During Tuesday's heat, Golden Sixty maintained a prominent position and finished third with conviction, only half a length behind the Cox Plate champion Romantic Warrior.
“To have something to chase in a trial is good for him. If he was alone in front, he would just relax,” Ho said. “He’s come on a bit and he should come on more after this. I’m happy with his progress and he responded very well.”
The 5YO Romantic Warrior, who came in second to Golden Sixty in the previous season's Gr.1 Stewards' Cup and Gr.1 Gold Cup, recently made his first trial appearance since returning from Melbourne. Under James McDonald's guidance, he warmed up for their Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup defense by showcasing his usual quick acceleration and extending his lead in the final stages.
“He’s come back from Australia and quarantined, so this was his first trial after that,” trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing said. “It was fast work and James was happy with him.”
One of Shum's entries for the HKIR is the 6YO Courier Wonder, who underwent his first trial of the season on the Sha Tin dirt over a 1,200m distance. He finished fourth in last year's Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint and is set to return for this year's event after being acquired from John Size.
“He’s been off for a while and, unfortunately, last time I entered him he got a fever,” Shum said. “He will go to the Hong Kong Sprint, but he’s still not 100 per cent yet. Hopefully, after this trial he’ll improve a little bit.”
Next month, Hong Kong International Races will receive a total of 14 Japanese horses, while Shahryar, the 2020 Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner, arrived in Hong Kong on November 22 to prepare for the Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase.
On Tuesday, Shahryar stretched his legs at Sha Tin, becoming the first of the international contenders to arrive. Unfortunately, Running Glory, who had a disappointing run in Sunday's Class One Chevalier Cup, will not be participating in the Hong Kong Cup after being withdrawn on Tuesday afternoon.