Golden Sixty offers connections one other probability to indicate some sporting enterprise and journey | HK Racing

Covid-19 restrictions and the “danger” of taking Golden Sixty abroad went hand in hand when connections delivered the completely anticipated resolution to not deal with June’s Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) in Japan with the good miler.

Now, we are going to get a greater window into precisely what was holding again coach Francis Lui Kin-wai and proprietor Stanley Chan Ka-leung after Golden Sixty confirmed together with his superb victory in a gripping Stewards’ Cup that he has effectively and actually outlasted the constraints of the pandemic.

Jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu couldn’t conceal his disappointment when journey plans had been shelved final season, suggesting “they most likely don’t wish to take the danger to journey the horse to a distinct monitor” and “there are additionally all of the Covid-19 restrictions”.

It’s once more Ho main the cost round giving Golden Sixty the possibility to check himself overseas, placing each March’s Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) and the Yasuda Kinen on the desk after delivering an ice-cold experience on Sunday.

Lui was much less enthusiastic, suggesting publish race he “nonetheless want to go” abroad at some stage earlier than telling the Put up on Monday “you by no means know, I believe the following step needs to be to race in Hong Kong after which resolve”.

There may be apparent hesitance from some Hong Kong house owners on the subject of taking horses overseas, with fears they won’t be the identical galloper on return. Loads imagine the Jockey Membership doesn’t precisely exit of its option to dispel that idea because it appears to maintain its finest expertise at residence to guard the rankings of its greatest races.

That might be examined within the subsequent few months, with Golden Sixty – by exhibiting, as a seven-year-old in his fifth season, he could be nearly as good as he has ever been – providing connections an surprising remaining probability to exhibit a bit sporting enterprise and throw warning to the wind with Hong Kong’s finest horse.

Spangle to step again in journey

Whereas the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) – the place he would once more meet Romantic Warrior – the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and the Dubai Turf all appear to stay on the desk for Golden Sixty’s subsequent begin, Tony Cruz is maintaining it easy with California Spangle.

The Hong Kong Mile champion, who completed third on Sunday, will step again to seven furlongs for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on March 19 and look to take care of his unbeaten document on the journey after snaffling September’s Group Three Celebration Cup.

Whereas it could not attain the lofty heights of the Stewards’ Cup, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup may nonetheless be a ding-dong conflict if reigning champion Wellington and Fortunate Sweynesse additionally find yourself within the subject, not to mention Golden Sixty.

A Covid constructive of a distinct kind

With Covid-positive people who find themselves asymptomatic allowed to go to work as of Monday, Jockey Membership chief government Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has confirmed contaminated jockeys can experience offered they go a “medical examination”.

“It’s not solely whether or not you’re constructive, however are you match to experience?” Engelbrecht-Bresges mentioned.

“If anyone is asymptomatic and has no different indications of being impacted [they can ride]. We’ll deal with it the identical because the flu – the important thing problem is that they must be bodily match. We’ll nonetheless have them separated from the others, as a result of we nonetheless have a restricted variety of jockeys.”

The Jockey Membership will even reduce its rigorous testing regime, which noticed jockeys examined day-after-day.

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