Sixty can crown a golden season in Hong Kong Derby

Wellington
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Golden Sixty
8.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Circuit Three
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Golden Sixty, regarded as one of the best imports of recent years, is ready to give two local talents the biggest day in their respective careers by winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby (8.35) at Sha Tin.

Trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho have never previously been associated with a horse with the explosive turn-of-foot and untapped potential of Golden Sixty, who boasts an impressive nine from ten record, including the first two legs of the Four-Year-Old Series.

But Lui also has another card to play in More Than This, the ex-Richard Fahey-trained gelding, who was placed in both those key ‘trials’ behind his stablemate and is tipped to relish the step up in trip to 1m2f.

This is one of the best renewals of the Hong Kong Derby in recent seasons. First run at Happy Valley in 1873, the race has been restricted to four-year-olds since 1981 and remains the most coveted prize for local owners, many paying in excess of £1 million for a horse they hope is capable enough.

Golden Sixty was purchased by Lui for a more modest amount in New Zealand, where he won a barrier trial. The son of Medaglia D’Oro arrived in Hong Kong unraced and has made eye-catching progress through the ranks.

Lui, 61, who has been training more than 20 years, was a battling jockey, who took eight seasons to ride 36 winners, admittedly in the 1970s, against big names such as Pat Eddery, Lester Piggott, Philippe Paquet and Gary Moore. He is currently enjoying his best year as a trainer.

Ho, 29, is arguably the best local riding talent to emerge since Tony Cruz and rode a winner at Ascot’s Shergar Cup. A Derby win aboard Golden Sixty, who he has partnered in every start, would be the pinnacle of his career.

On official ratings, Golden Sixty is 4lb clear of his rivals, with the second highest, Champion’s Way, likely to be suspect at the distance despite having finished second on his last start in the 9f Classic Cup. His pedigree is predominantly speed.

Zac Purton is eager to make use of More Than This’s inside gate and has publicly declared he will ride the gelding much closer the pace than previously, when he drew wide.

Two horses, who may improve for the increase in distance, are the South American import Butterfield and New Zealand-bred Columbus County, but they will both be banking on a solid pace, which there may well be with 14 runners.

Private Secretary, a Listed winner at Goodwood for John Gosden, has failed to live up to expectations following a debut win in Hong Kong, and has drawn wide.

There are two short-priced favourites on a very good card — apart from Golden Sixty — who should oblige. Wellington, trained by Richard Gibson, has shown an abundance of talent, winning both his starts to date, and can make it is a hat-trick in the 6f Class 3 handicap (8.05).

And save something for the Cruz-trained Circuit Three in the finale, the Class 2 7f handicap (9.50). He has won four of his last five and takes a step up in grade.

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