The Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin proved a fascinating tactical race. Still, there was ever only going to be one winner, which was the hometown hero Golden Sixty who sent the packed crowd into raptures with a third consecutive win in the race.
It was also a fourth consecutive win for Vincent Ho kept close tabs on California Spangle and Voyage Bubble in the early stages.
When asked for an effort, Frances Lui's champion 7yo son of Medaglia d'Oro (USA) cleared away to defeat Beauty Joy (Sebring) by one and a half lengths with California Spangle (Starspangledbanner) a half-length back in third.
"I said before the race to enjoy every moment with Golden Sixty because he is seven now, and you never know when he will retire. We will enjoy every single step with him," Vincent Ho said.
"I am nothing without him, so all credit to Golden Sixty."
Golden Sixty advanced his record to an incredible 25 wins, two seconds, and a third from 29 starts with earnings of HK$147,930,600.
Golden Sixty was bred and sold by the Hutchins family's Element Hill in Queensland and was a $120,000 purchase for Riversley Park and Enigma Farm at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Riversley Park sold him at the 2017 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs, with Lui having the final say at $300,000.
Golden Sixty is a son of El Prado's Group One-winning son Medaglia d'Oro (USA), who shuttled to Darley for eight seasons.
Dam Gaudeamus (USA), a daughter of Distorted Humor (USA), was a Group Two winner at Leopardstown and Listed winner at The Curragh and was a brilliant three-time winner as a two-year-old.
As well as Golden Sixty (USA), Gaudeamus produced the black-type performers Rainbow Connection and Igitur and Sydney winners Be Mindful and Quiet Riot.
Josh Hutchins purchased Gaudeamus (USA) for $160,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Wood Nook Farm with Golden Sixty in-utero.
The 19yo daughter of Distorted Humor (USA) is still going strong. She has a yearling filly by Vancouver and a weanling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB). She visited So You Think last spring.
