Golden Sixty Superb in Hong Kong Mile

Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) took on the world and won on Sunday, effortlessly beating a star-studded international field in the HK$25 million Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. 

Bought for $300,000 from Riversley Park’s draft at the 2017 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Golden Sixty has now won 14 of his 15 starts, including the last 11 in a row. With HK$52.8 million in stakes, he has earned more than 30 times his purchase price.  In the current five seasons, NZB has been the number one source for Group One winners on Hong Kong's International Raceday. Graduates have claimed 35% of all feature races, as well as three of the last four Hong Kong Miles, more than any other sales company in the world.

The 2020 Hong Kong Mile was the toughest test to date for Golden Sixty, and the latest poster boy of Hong Kong racing passed with flying colours.

Ridden as usual by Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty dropped out near the back of the high-class field and calmly bided his time until rounding the home corner.

Ho angled him to the outside and went for gold in the straight, and Golden Sixty produced that sparkling turn of foot that no rival has yet been able to match.

He swept to the lead and powered clear, opening up a winning margin of two lengths and stopping the clock at 1:33.45.

“He is amazing, isn't he,” Ho said. “It was a good preparation for him into this race, and he definitely gave his best today. I'm extremely happy what he achieved and really grateful to be on him.

“I got quite far back, so I just let him slide from the 600-metre mark. It only took him a few strides to almost become equal with them. I tried to save him until I let him down, and when I asked for him, he did really well.”

Golden Sixty is trained by Francis Lui for owner Stanley Chan Ka Leung.