GOLDEN Sixty, Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse, could have another record in his sights as he aims to become the second highest-earning thoroughbred ever with victory in tomorrow’s Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (9:00am) at Sha Tin.

The Francis Lui-trained seven-year-old has won 24 of his 28 career starts, including eight Group 1s, amassing over £13 million in prize money, and currently lies fourth on the all-time list of highest-earning thoroughbreds, behind Winx, Arrogate and Almond Eye.

Victory would leave him only around £270,000 short of the record held by Australian wondermare Winx.

Golden Sixty also aims to win the FWD Champions Mile for a record third time in a row, to overtake back-to-back winners, Bullish Luck, Xtension and Beauty Generation.

He faces eight rivals including Australia’s My Oberon and New Zealand-trained Group 1 winner Aegon, as well as renewing rivalry with Hong Kong-trained California Spangle.

Trainer Francis Lui is happy with his star’s preparation, said: “Everything is smooth and I am very happy with him.I don’t feel any pressure, the pressure before the race is that I hope he can win.”

Golden Sixty has already won the first two legs of the Hong Kong Triple Crown: the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup over a mile in January, followed by the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over 10 furlongs the following month.

His form this term has been brilliant and the race should set up for him with his late speed.

My Oberon and Annabel Neasham bring some impressive Australian Group 1 form to Hong Kong and a strong show would be no surprise, especially after his second in the Doncaster Mile.

California Spangle is the likely leader again and will make a bold bid.

BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Voyage Bubble is the up-and-comer but that was a surprise win and he has a lot more to do.

QEII Cup

The FWD QEII Cup at 9.40am is an intriguing race with William Haggas’ Australian Group 1 winner Dubai Honour taking on Group 1 Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior, the crack Japanese mare Geraldina and her compatriot Danon The Kid, second to Romantic Warrior here in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December.

The other Japanese runner Prognosis, a son of Deep Impact, is also worth a look and continued to improve and is capable of taking another step here. He has an experienced rider in the form of Zac Purton.

Romantic Warrior should make his class tell. Next best is Geraldina who should be at home over this distance. Dubai Honour was impressive in his two Group 1 wins down under but may have been flattered and this is stiffer opposition.

FWD Champions Day also features the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (7:50am) which will see a rematch between the top two sprinters in Hong Kong, Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington, while the Hugo Palmer-trained Flaming Rib is set to represent Britain for owner Michael Owen. Flaming Rib was down the field in the Group 1 Meydan sprint so would look to have a bit to do.

Lucky Sweynesse has won his last four races and is Hong Kong’s premier sprinter. He’s the one to beat.

Japan

Titleholder holds the aces

Tenno Sho (Spring)

JAPAN also has a Group 1 this weekend in the long distance Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto with seventeen horses in the gate and the first prize is JPY220 million.

The 2022 winner Titleholder is the likely favourite to follow up last year’s seven-length win. The 2022 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) winner, Ask Victor More, runner-up Boldog Hos and third Justin Palace are the dangers.

Titleholder is a three-time Group 1 winner and the five-year-old by Duramente looks to become only the sixth horse in JRA racing history to win the Tenno Sho (Spring) back-to-back. Last year, Titleholder followed up his Tenno Sho (Spring) win with victory in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen. His Arc bid was sunk on the soft going and was followed by a disappointing ninth to Equinox in the Group 1 Arima Kinen in December. However, Titleholder returned for his first start this year to win the Grade 2 Nikkei Sho last month by eight lengths.

The 2022 Kikuka Sho (over a mile and seven furlongs) winner Ask Victor More has only finished out of the placings twice in his 10-race career. Boldog Hos showed his promise in the Group 1 Kikuka Sho last year and finished only a nose behind winner Ask Victor More, who won the race in record time. Third in that race, Justin Palace (Deep Impact) beat Boldog Hos by over a length on his first start of 2023 in the Hanshin Daishoten.