Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The heat was turned up on Sunday at Sha Tin in Hong Kong with the running of three of the best races in the world and the results did not disappoint.
A conversion of locals, Japanese, English and Australian runners set upon Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday, and it was the locals that flew the flag, dominating all three majors.
‘Sprint King of Hong Kong’
The G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize was expected to be a close event between last year’s Champion Sprinter Wellington (All Too Hard) and the ‘new kid on the block’ Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse), who has taken all before him this preparation.
Once again, with Zac Purton aboard the Manfred Man ‘Kiwi’ bred routed his rivals, winning by 3l. Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) ran a bold race in second, with Wellington running third.
It was the fifth consecutive win for Lucky Sweynesse, advancing his overall record to 12 wins, two seconds and a third from 16 starts.
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ), winner of the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The 4-year-old gelding was crowned The Champion Griffin in Hong Kong in 2021/22 and had previously claimed the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup and the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Connections are contemplating an overseas trip for the star galloper with The Everest and the G1 Sprinters S. in Japan under discussion.
“He is just getting better this horse,” Zac Purton said.
“They will have a lot of fun with him next season.
Zac Purton returns to scale aboard Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“They made him work early to get in the position he got. He wasn't able to get into his rhythm for quite some time, but once he got there, he travelled beautifully. It was then a matter of conserving energy, so he had something left.
“He is clearly the sprint king of Hong Kong.”
Lucky Sweynesse was a NZ$90,000 purchase from the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale by J & I Bloodstock from the Woburn Farm draft.
The gelding is a full brother to the Group I placed Signora Nera (NZ) and is from stakes-winning Red Clubs (Ire) mare Madonna Mia (NZ).
Lucky Sweynesse is the best runner for Sweynesse, who stands at Novara Park Stud, and stood the 2022 breeding season at a fee of NZ$9000 plus GST, a 2023 fee has yet to be announced.
Golden Sixty rewrites history
The Francis Lui-trained Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) claimed an unprecedented third consecutive G1 FWD Champions Mile.
With his regular rider Vincent Ho aboard Golden Sixty ran out a dominant winner; the outsider Beauty Joy (Sebring) ran into second with Hugh Bowman in the saddle, while California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) who led for most of the mile journey faded into third place.
The Andrew Forsman-trained New Zealand raider Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) ran the best of the Australasian representatives running sixth just ahead of the Annabel Neasham-trained My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Not much can be said that hasn’t already been spoken or written about the peerless 7-year-old gelding Golden Sixty; he is simply a ‘freak’. He has claimed numerous titles throughout his racing career in Hong Kong.
Golden Sixty was crowned the Horse of the Year in Hong Kong in 2020/21 and 2021/22, alongside his two Hong Kong Champion Miler titles, and crowned once as the Champion Middle Distance Horse in Hong Kong 2020/21 and the Champion 4YO in Hong Kong 2019/20.
Golden Sixty, three-time winner of the G1 Champions Mile | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I said before the race to enjoy every moment with Golden Sixty because he is seven now, and you never know when he will retire. We will enjoy every single step with him," Vincent Ho said.
“I am nothing without him, so all credit to Golden Sixty.”
Golden Sixty advanced his record to an incredible 25 wins, two seconds, and a third from 29 starts.
Vincent Ho, regular rider of Hong Kong Champion Golden Sixty | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Golden Sixty was bred and sold by Element Hill for $120,000 as a yearling to Riversley Park and Enigma Farm at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was then pinhooked through the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where he realised NZ$300,000 to Lui.
Golden Sixty is out of the Group 2 winner Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humour {Ire}), who has also produced the stakes-placed Igitur (Helmet) and Rainbow Connection (Choisir).
Romantic Warrior and J-Mac, a ‘class above'
The Danny Shum-trained 4-year-old gelding Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamtion {GB}) brought his brilliant best to Sha Tin for the G1 FWD QEII Cup running out a dominant winner over a strong field that including the dual Australian Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) and the last Japanese Group 2 winner Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Romantic Warrior ran out a 2l winner with Australian rider James McDonald in the saddle over Prognosis, with Dubai Honour doing his best to stay on for third.
It was the second victory in the G1 QEII Cup for Romantic Warrior, who has been crowned the Champion 4YO and Middle Distance Horse in Hong Kong for the 2021/22 season.
Romantic Warrior (Ire), winner of the G1 FWD QEII Cup | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Danny Shum shared the connection's desire to campaign Romantic Warrior in Japan.
“Romantic Warrior was beaten by Golden Sixty last start, but he wasn’t right,” said Shum.
“That afternoon, I went to see him in the stable to give him a carrot, and he only wanted a small bite. I knew then he needed a rest, we gave him one, and he picked up well and was back to his best today.
“His owner would love to see him run in Japan, we will look towards that.”
“His (Romantic Warrior's) owner would love to see him run in Japan, we will look towards that.” - Danny Shum
“His (Romantic Warrior) will to win is unbelievable; if only every horse had his will to win,” McDonald said.
“He was back to his brilliant best today.”
Romantic Warrior was bought at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and resold at the 2021 Hong Kong Jockey Club Hong Kong International Sale for HK$4,800,000 (AU$925,400) to owner Lau Pak Fai Peter.
