By Alan Carasso
Enjoying the benefit of a feathery 116 pounds while making his black-type debut in Wednesday's G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. at Sha Tin, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) easily and impressively validated odds-on favouritism against older rivals in this steppingstone to the Hong Kong Classic Mile versus fellow 4-year-olds Jan. 27.
The mount of leading homegrown rider Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty took up a spot in the latter third of the field as Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) galloped them along up front as is his wont. Quietly ridden into the final 600 metres, Golden Sixty was held together nearing the lane, edged his way into the clear and put the race to bed nicely with a stinging late turn of speed. Fat Turtle (Aus) (Smart Missile {Aus}) ran on for second ahead of Champion's Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}), who turned in an improved effort in a Classic Mile prep.
“The mile will definitely be in his scope, he's ready,” Ho told the HKJC's David Morgan. “He travelled beautifully, he wasn't pulling–he was genuine. When I pulled him out he showed a great turn-of-foot and won easily. He tries extremely hard, it's been a case of getting his mind right; he's still a bit hot, a bit toey, but he's more relaxed in his races now.”
Winning trainer Francis Lui also has the progressive More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB})–undefeated in three runs this season–heading towards the Classic Mile.
Pedigree Notes:
Golden Sixty is the 138th worldwide black-type winner and 73rd group/graded winner for Medaglia d'Oro and is the now 21-year-old stallion's first stakes winner in Hong Kong. An A$120,000 purchase out of the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the bay made for a solid pinhook when fetching NZ$300,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready To Run Sale 10 months later after breezing up 200 metres in :10.48 (video).
Golden Sixty is one of four winners from six to race from his dam, winner of the 2006 G2 Debutante S. at Leopardstown for trainer Jim Bolger. His stakes-placed second dam was a half-sister to four full black-type winners, including champion Proskona (Mr. Prospector) and Korveya (Riverman), the dam of the outstanding champion and MG1SW Bosra Sham (Woodman), fellow champion and French Classic winner Hector Protector (Woodman) and G1 Pouliches victress Shanghai (Procida). Golden Sixty's third dam includes Hong Kong fan favourite and MG1SW California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}).
Gaudeamus is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Choisir (Aus), a weanling filly by G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) and was most recently bred to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) on a Nov. 18 cover date.
Wednesday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP H.-G3, HK$3,250,000 (£313,719/€371,076/A$593,207/US$416,247), Sha Tin, 1-1, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.70, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 116, g, 4, by Medaglia d'Oro&log=">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
1ST STAKES WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (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$1,852,500. Lifetime Record: 8-7-0-0, HK$8,170,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $104,481. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Fat Turtle (Aus), 117, g, 5, Smart Missile (Aus)–Pilya, by Gulch. O-Ho Koon Wah, Tsui Yuk Wah & Dominic Ho Tsz Kin; B-Gooree Park Stud Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Frankie Lor; HK$715,000.
3–Champion's Way (Aus), 120, g, 4, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–Greta's Yarn (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (A$150,000 Ylg '17 INGFEB). O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung & Elaine & Angela Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-John Size; HK$373,750.
Margins: 2, HF, 1HF. Odds: 3-5, 12-1, 15-2.
Also Ran: Encouraging (Aus), Ka Ying Star (GB), Good Standing (Aus), Seasons Bloom (Aus), Northern Superstar (SAf).
Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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