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...
Glorious Goodwood Day 3 – Flag Start Can’t Stop Wootton Bassett
The Group I Nassau Stakes (1m2f) for fillies and mares was the highlight on the third day of Glorious Goodwood and very nearly didn’t happen at all given the ‘biblical’ rain and a flag start for the five runners that braved the treacherous conditions.
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.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Larneuk Stud’s value Lonhro sire Impending only just missed a century of winners last season and was quick to keep the momentum going with a promising debut winner at Cranbourne on Friday in the Laurel Oak Bloodstock colours.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 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.
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.
Aquis Celebrate Another Promising Winner
Aquis Farm have formed partnerships with many high profile breeders and one of those bore fruit at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when promising Medaglia D’Oro (USA) colt Minted carried the Aquis colours to victory in a brilliant front running win.
Farnan Friday – Winning Double
Farnan sired 14 first crop winners last season to be leading first season sire by winners and his first two runners on Friday both came out and won at Kembla giving him the perfect start to a new racing year.