Aussie Bred Superstar Golden Sixty Wins G1 Stewards Cup

Tara Madgwick - Sunday January 24

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.

Golden Sixty wins the G1 Stewards Cup - image HKJC

“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.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Stewards' Cup Gr1 1600m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:33.35
1
Golden Sixty
- 5g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: C Y Ho 57
2
0.2
Southern Legend
- 8g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Donna's Appeal (AUS) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: K Teetan 57
3
1.0
Ka Ying Star
- 6g Cityscape (GB) x Casual Glance (GB) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 57
Inglis April (Late) Online Sale $7,000
Seller: Domeland
Buyer: N Smyth
4
1.5
Waikuku
- 6g Harbour Watch (IRE) x London Plane (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 57
5
2.5
Rise High
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Lana Girl (USA) (Arch (USA))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Soumillon 57
6
2.8
More Than This
- 5g Dutch Art (GB) x Striving (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: K C Leung 57
7
4.8
Champion's Way
- 5g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Greta's Yarn (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: A Badel 57
8
6.0
Mighty Giant
- 5g Power (GB) x Wanderov (NZ) (Ustinov (AUS))
Tnr: P Yiu Rdr: N Callan 57
More Reading...
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.