Golden Sixty, the three-time Horse of the Year, has drawn barrier seven for the Group One Champions Mile at FWD Champions Day this Thursday. Trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai admitted to being concerned about the weather conditions, as rain has been prevalent at Sha Tin all week. Golden Sixty’s only defeat on ground worse than good came in the 2022 Group One Gold Cup on a yielding surface. Lui highlighted Golden Sixty’s professionalism and fitness, expressing optimism despite the potential for similar conditions this weekend.
Other notable runners in the Champions Mile include Voyage Bubble (barrier six), Galaxy Patch (barrier one), and Japanese contender Obamburumai (barrier 10). Romantic Warrior, aiming for a record third straight Group One QE II Cup victory, drew barrier 10, while Hong Kong Derby hero Massive Sovereign has a more favorable barrier two.
In the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize, favorite California Spangle will start from barrier seven, while Victor The Winner, fresh off his victory in Dubai’s Group One Al Quoz Sprint, will occupy barrier two. Trainer Tony Cruz expressed concerns about the weather, hoping for a dry track.
Japanese runner Mad Cool, who defeated Victor The Winner in the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen in Japan last month, drew the outside alley of 11. Trainer David Hall had mixed reactions to the barrier draw for his up-and-coming pair, Flying Ace (barrier eight) and Invincible Sage (barrier three), acknowledging the challenges of wide draws for Flying Ace but expressing confidence in Invincible Sage’s gate speed.
