Aussie Bred Wins HK Classic Mile

Tara Madgwick - Monday January 27

The $HK10million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Monday was won in commanding style by exciting prospect Golden Sixty, an Aussie bred Medaglia D’Oro (USA) gelding, whose half-brother Quiet Riot was also a winner at Warwick Farm earlier in the day.

Golden Sixty wins the HK Classic Mile - image HKJCGolden Sixty burst into clear ground at the head of Hong Kong’s four-year-old pack with an impressive win in the 1600 metre feature, a result that bolstered trainer Francis Lui’s hand for the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Lui saddled two of Hong Kong’s brightest young stars in the event and both came good: while Golden Sixty dazzled, More Than This showed Derby sparkle in second to ease the handler’s nerves.

“It’s a kind of relief – I was a little nervous and the closer we got to the race, the more nervous I felt,” Lui admitted after securing his first victory in the storied contest, the first leg in Hong Kong’s three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“Golden Sixty has done what has been asked of him every time,” Lui continued. “Last race he went 1400 metres, this race was a mile and next time will be 1800 metres in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, so we will take it step by step. If he runs well in the Classic Cup we will go to the Derby.”

The winner took his career tally to eight wins from nine starts and made it a perfect five this season, all under Ho who was also bagging a first Classic Mile success.

“He was a bit keen today and he took some time to settle but he still showed a good turn-of-foot,” the rider said. “He lay in a little bit, which made things a little bit harder, but he still won very easily.

“It’s just a matter of time for him, to pick him up, and I just have to be patient on him and then he will give me everything he has.”

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.

Quiet Riot as a yearlingA half-brother to stakes-placed Igitur, Golden Sixty is the best of five 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.

She had two winners on Monday with her Fastnet Rock three year-old Quiet Riot making a winning debut over 1100m at Warwick Farm for the Bjorn Baker stable.

Quiet Riot was a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer from the Element Hill draft.

Gaudeamus has no yearling for the sales this year, but does have a filly foal by Capitalist and was covered last year by Trapeze Artist.

The final Australian bred yearlings by Darley’s champion shuttler Medaglia D’Oro are selling this year.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Hong Kong Classic Mile 1600m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:33.61
1
Golden Sixty
- 4g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: C Y Ho 57
2
1.3
More Than This
- 4g Dutch Art (GB) x Striving (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
3
2.8
Champion's Way
- 4g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Greta's Yarn (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: K Teetan 57
4
4.3
Beauty Legacy
- 4g Fiorente (IRE) x Rosa Perlato (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 57
5
4.5
Star Performance
- 4g Per Incanto (USA) x Star Guest (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 57
6
4.6
Buddies
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Gladwell (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: J Moore Rdr: K C Leung 57
7
4.8
Playa Del Puente
- 4g Elzaam (AUS) x Playamongthestars (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: B Shinn 57
8
6.5
Decrypt
- 4h Dark Angel (IRE) x She's A Worldie (IRE) (Kodiac (GB))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: S De Sousa 57
9
8.5
Awe
- 4g Bated Breath (GB) x On Her Way (GB) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: J Moore Rdr: N Callan 57
More Reading...
Exclusive opportunity to purchase nomination in Too Darn Hot
Exciting racing and breeding prospects – plus a nomination in Champion First and Second Season Sire Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) – headline a diverse catalogue of 302 lots for the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Impressive Medaglia d'Oro Filly Eyes the Tatts Tiara
Winner of the Group III PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick in April, the James Cummings-trained Multaja capped a wonderful day for Blake Shinn when she powered home to win Saturday’s Listed Mittys Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
Second Stakes-winner for Palace Pier
Kingman’s champion son Palace Pier (GB) only shuttled for one season to Darley Australia with his first 2YO’s to race here this season and in Europe he’s doing a pretty good job with his second stakes-winner emerging overnight at York.
Best On Breeding
We are down to the final Group 1 race of the season, Saturday’s $500,000 Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, and for many the final race of their careers before embarking on a new career in the broodmare barn.
Promising Winner for Yes Yes Yes
Relocated to Gooree Stud this spring, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes has kept doing what he does best in racking up winners with the Ciaron Maher trained four year-old Flamboyant Lad opening his account at Geelong on Friday.
Widden Parade Braves the Rain
Widden Stud’s annual series of stallion parades in the ‘Valley of Champions’ kicked off as scheduled on Thursday with the reigning Champion Australian Sire Zoustar the centre of attention, while the world’s fastest horse Cogburn (USA) also made his debut in Australia.
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Now Triple G1 Oaks Winner for Coolmore
Already a winner of the Group I Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks, expensive blueblood Frankel filly made it a treble of G1 Oaks races when landing the Group I Yorkshire Oaks (1m4f) overnight.
One to Watch – Bendigo
Medaglia D’Oro (USA) has provided some smart two year-old winners this season for Godolphin including Group II winning filly Tenley, who is closely related to this winner at Bendigo on Friday.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.