Golden swoop
Regency Legend’s win in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin yesterday, Sunday, 1 September, added lustre to the already gilded appearance of Hong Kong’s emerging talent pool, which includes the likes of Aethero and Champions Way, both set to return in the coming weeks.
Golden Sixty (130lb) can be added to the list after surging to success under Vincent Ho in the Class 3 Sunset Peak Handicap (1200m). Francis Lui’s 75-rated bay bounced back from a late-season defeat to make it four wins from five starts and showed once again that he could be a force capable of rising high.
“I expected him to be competitive and he really showed his heart today – which was good,” Ho said after the four-year-old defeated another smart young gun, Mr Croissant (126lb), by a length and a quarter, thanks to a deep-closing burst that saw him clock 21.91s for the final 400m.
“He was very sharp out of the gate but I wanted him to settle and I was sure he was going to pick up very well – I wasn’t in a rush,” Ho said.
The rider is in the zone after a successful spell in Britain this summer and will head to Seoul next week to ride Hong Kong’s representatives Glorious Artist and Ugly Warrior at the Korea Autumn Racing Carnival.
Two more young prospects battled for the Class 4 Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1000m) with the Benno Yung-trained Ka Ying Master (130lb) outpointing Dancing Fighter (132lb).
“He’s the easiest colt I’ve ever ridden, he’s quiet and honest,” winning jockey Keith Yeung said. “I think he still has plenty of improvement. He hasn’t tightened up yet, he’s a bit fat, to me, and he’ll grow more solid. He has a bright future.”
Ho and Lui made it a double together in the finale, the Class 3 Li Fa Shan Handicap (1400m), thanks to Cordyceps.