By Alan Carasso
Sunday's G3 Celebration Cup H. was billed as something of a David versus Goliath matchup between Classic series sweeper Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and multiple Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}). But, in receipt of a whopping 17 pounds from the 8-year-old, Golden Sixty–having his first start since winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in March–kicked in with what has become his trademark finishing speed to post a facile success, as Beauty Generation and Champion's Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) hit the line in unison to share second.
Settled worse than midfield behind a moderate tempo, Golden Sixty was patiently handled on the turn, but was eased out into the clear with a bit more than 400 metres to race. Champion's Way, who sat a nice inside trip for Joao Moreira, was sent into the lead in upper stretch, but Golden Sixty's turn of foot proved decisive, as he rolled past an on to a convincing victory. Beauty Generation also traveled inside and was short of room at the furlong marker, but boxed on gamely to earn the dead-heat for second.
“It's very exciting to be back on him [Golden Sixty], he felt great and fresh today–once I got a clear run I knew he'd run them down,” winning jockey Vincent Ho said. “I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”
Winning conditioner Francis Lui is considering Golden Sixty for either the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile or G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) come December.
David Hayes, who has taken over the training of Beauty Generation with the departure of John Moore, was pleased enough with what he saw on the track.
“We knew it was always going to be a big ask to give a young champion like Golden Sixty so much weight, but I thought Beauty Generation would have finished a clear second with a better run and I'm very happy with the way he went,” Hayes said.
Pedigree Notes:
Golden Sixty is bred on the cross of Medaglia d'Oro over sire sons of Forty Niner which has yielded the likes of US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (out of a daughter of Roar), champion Songbird and other 10-furlong Grade I winners Elate and New Money Honey (each o/o a Distorted Humor dam). His deeper female family includes the likes of champions Bosra Sham and Hector Protector and MG1/GISW Ciro.
Gaudeamus is the dam of a 3-year-old colt by Choisir (Aus), and a yearling filly by G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}). She was most recently bred to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) on a Nov. 18 cover date.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CELEBRATION CUP H.-G3, HK$3,500,000 (A$642,413/£354,438/
€388,175/US$451,616), Sha Tin, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.54, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 116, g, 5, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$1,995,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
4yo-HK, 12-11-0-0, HK$33,465,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-2–Beauty Generation (NZ), 133, g, 8, Road to Rock (Aus)–
Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus). (NZ$60,000 Ylg '14
NZBJAN). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd;
T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$586,250.
(DH)-2–Champion's Way (Aus), 115, g, 5, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–
Greta's Yarn (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (A$150,000 Ylg
'17 INGFEB). O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung, Elaine Leung & Angela
Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$586,250.
Margins: 1 3/4, (DH), 3/4. Odds: 0.80, (3.90, 7.80).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
