Golden Sixty can sweep Hong Kong's Triple Crown with win in Hong Kong Derby

Earlier this year, there were questions whether the 4-year-old gelding Golden Sixty could be as effective at a mile or 1 1/8 miles as he was while winning four consecutive starts at six and seven furlongs earlier in the Hong Kong season.

The issue was resolved when Golden Sixty closed from off the pace to win the Hong Kong Classic Mile on Jan. 27 and the Hong Kong Classic Cup at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 23.

Those races are the first two legs of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown for 4-year-olds. The final race in the series is Sunday’s $2.57 million Hong Kong Derby at 1 1/4 miles at Sha Tin Racecourse. Golden Sixty will be favored to join Rapper Dragon (2017) as the only horse to sweep the series.

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Post time for the Hong Kong Derby is 4:35 a.m. Eastern, or 1:35 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available on DRFBets.com.

The fact Golden Sixty is in contention to sweep the series is somewhat remarkable. In the Hong Kong Classic Cup, Golden Sixty overcame traffic in early stretch under jockey Vincent Ho to win by a half-length over Champion’s Way, who is rated as a leading contender for the Hong Kong Derby.

Francis Lui trains Golden Sixty as well as More Than This, considered a major threat in a field of 14.

Monday, Golden Sixty worked six furlongs on turf at Sha Tin in 1:20.70, including a final quarter-mile in 25.40 seconds. Horses in Hong Kong seldom work as quickly prior to a race as their American counterparts.

An Australian-bred gelding by Medaglia d’Oro, Golden Sixty has won 9 of 10 starts, all in Hong Kong.

“Fingers crossed he can see out the [1 1/4 miles] this Sunday,” Ho told Hong Kong publicity after the workout.

“We just don’t know yet. He can be quite tricky at times. He can be quite keen, and it depends on the day. He can wind up really easily, but in general he’s normal.”

More Than This was second by 1 1/4 lengths to Golden Sixty in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and third by a length in the Classic Cup. Champion’s Way, trained by John Size, was third to Golden Sixty in the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup at seven furlongs at Sha Tin on Jan. 1 and third by 2 3/4 lengths in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

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Size respects Golden Sixty, who he said Thursday “has the ability to sprint quickly and put them away fast.

“I think he showed his authority to win that day,” Size said of Golden Sixty’s Classic Cup win.

For Champion’s Way, the Hong Kong Derby distance is a slight concern for Size, who has the won race four times.

“He has a nice rolling action,” Size said. “If he has a bit of luck, he just might get the trip.”