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Golden Sixty makes it nine in a row with Sha Tin Trophy victory

New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate Golden Sixty  took another important step toward December's LONGINES Hong Kong International Races riches with victory in the Gr.2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin, a result that all but confirmed a changing of the guard at the very top of Hong Kong's pecking order.  

The Francis Lui-trained gelding scored his ninth straight win and his 12th from 13 starts as he comfortably dispatched several of Hong Kong's best performers of recent seasons including dual Horse of the Year Beauty Generation.

Ridden by Vincent Ho, last season's Four-Year-Old Classic Series champion quickened from the middle of the pack with a closing 400m clocked at 21.81s despite the Medaglia d'Oro gelding seemingly switching off once he hit the front as if the job was done.  A few reminders from Vincent Ho and he kicked on for a soft half-length win.

"He does switch off, two maybe three strides after he hits the front, he always does - that's why he never wins by huge margins," Ho said.  

"He's come on really well and today he settled a lot more, really well behind the gate and inside the gate, he was so relaxed and with each run his fitness is coming on."

With December's Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on the radar, Golden Sixty has firmly set himself as Hong Kong's leading contender en route to December glory in the division which local horses have generally dominated.

"Before the race I was a bit nervous, but now I'm happy - the horse, his mind and fitness is improving, we'll keep him at the same distance," trainer Francis Lui said.

"At the moment, I don't think there's a horse in Hong Kong to threaten him."

Lui purchased Golden Sixty out of Riversley Park's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $300,000 after Riversley Park principal Sam Beatson and friend Ben Foote had pinhooked him as a yearling for $120,000.

The 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale kicks off at Karaka on Wednesday November 18.