It is a week of celebrations, entertainment, and excitement for the Horse racing community around. International Jockey championships, Gala Dinner, and the 4 prestigious G1 races, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has set a stellar week for the community. However, now that the former two have gone through with their presence, the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) have risen to take center stage.
The HKIR has long held prestige among the community as Hong Kong’s most sought-after event. Numerous equines from across the world make their presence to race 4 Group 1 races during the event. Now, as the event is all set to take off on Sunday, will the standout equine, Golden Sixty, make an impression yet again?
All eyes transfixed on Golden Sixty
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On the 10th of December, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will host 4 races to scour the finest of the horse racing world. The list includes the Hong Kong sprint, mile, cup, and vase run at the Sha Tin Racecourse. Golden Sixty, who has been named Hong Kong Horse of the Year for 3 consecutive years, has all eyes set on him. Ahead of the races, World Horse Racing tagged him as the ‘pride and joy of Hong Kong’, and his record would say nothing otherwise.
He's the pride and joy of Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Will GOLDEN SIXTY become just the second three-time #HKIR winner tomorrow in the G1 Hong Kong Mile? 🏆🏆🏆@HKJC_Racing | @Vincenthocy | #金鎗六十 | #ゴールデンシックスティ | #競馬 | #賽馬 pic.twitter.com/mDWfOSQJSX
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) December 9, 2023
During the draw held on the 7th of December by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Frances Lui-trained horse drew the 14th barrier. According to Justhorseracing, the warm favorite now stands at $2.60 with betting sites; his highest since September 2019. Surpassing the numbers, Golden Sixty’s draw 14 might hold a hand in dictating the equine’s glorious career tun.
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Can the equine amuse the horse racing community?
Golden Sixty is undoubtedly one of the brilliants in the field. As an 8-year-old, the Stanley Chan Ka Leung-owned racer holds a career with 29 starts, of which 25 resulted in wins, 2 in placings, and 1 show. His winning races embrace titles from the Chinese Club Challenge Cup, Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Classic Cup, and Hong Kong Derby among others. In attaining his glorious career, Golden Sixty has ever drawn a double-digit gate thrice. The 14th draw for tomorrow would place him in an unlikely situation with only 14 racers on the field.
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“Of course, it’s not an ideal draw, and it makes things difficult for Vincent,” said trainer Frances Lui. “Probably this race will be run at a slow pace. It’s going to be difficult,” he added. According to Thoroughbred Racing, no 8-year-old has won the Hong Kong Mile. Following along, if Golden Sixty succeeds, he will be earning two titles. One would be adding 3 HK Mile victories to his and other as the only 8-year-old to win the Mile.
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