THE 2023 FWD CHAMPIONS MILE – TRAINER FRANCIS LUI TALKS ABOUT GOLDEN SIXTY

By Darren Winningham | Friday, April 26, 2024

Golden Sixty is looking to rewrite history in the HK$22 million FWD Champions Mile by winning it for the fourth consecutive time after posting his first victory in the race in 2021.

After drawing barrier 7 at Sha Tin on Thursday at the official barrier draw trainer Francis Lui was very confident saying, “I am happy, 7 is not outside nor inside. Especially on Sunday the track may be wet. The middle draw is better.”

Golden Sixty has not raced since December when he won the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (Group 1) after sustaining an injury. Lui said, “it was not a serious injury ... it was some type of inflammation, so we gave him an injection and we rested him for four months. He has not raced for this period, but we just look after him.”

Reflecting on his association with a once in a lifetime horse Golden Sixty Lui said, “I have a good team, we all look after him, and we co-operate very well especially the owner and the jockey. We all trust each other. It is the best way for us to look after him.”

When pressed on the immediate racing future of Golden Sixty, as he now is an eight-year-old gelding. Lui said, “it is hard to say, we need to see how he performs and watch his health”.

Golden Sixty holds the Hong Kong record for winning stakes at HK$165.8 million and 11 Group 1 wins.

The parochial Hong Kong crowd will celebrate long and hard if he can win on Sunday. Regardless of his immediate racing future I can honestly say there has been no better atmosphere I have experienced in Hong Kong when this champion wins in front of his home crowd.

No matter what happens on Sunday, Golden Sixty is etched in Hong Kong racing history forever!

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