Golden Sixty’s momentous Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile task got just that little bit bigger at Sha Tin on Thursday, with the brilliant eight-year-old drawing the widest barrier of his glittering career.

Set to face a full field for the first time since his victory in the 2020 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), Golden Sixty will jump from barrier 14 in his first run since his Group One Champions Mile success on April 30.

“Of course, it’s not an ideal draw, and it makes things difficult for [jockey] Vincent [Ho Chak-yiu],” said trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai after a collective gasp filled the air during Thursday’s barrier draw in the Sha Tin parade ring.

“Midfield with cover, of course [would be best from there]. If you look at the field, I think California Spangle will lead, and he will slow down the pace. Probably, this race will be run at a slow pace.

“It’s going to be difficult. I think I will leave it to the jockey. I think the horse knows what to do. He has run so many races, and it all depends on the situation.”

The world’s highest-earning racehorse, Golden Sixty will make more history if he can win Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile off a 224-day break, but he will not have to become the first galloper to win the race from gate 14.

He would join Beauty Flash (2010) in achieving that feat – Catalan Opening (1997) and Additional Risk (1991) also did it, but that was when the race was run at 1,400m – and, if successful, he would not be the oldest horse to win the race either, with Able One victorious as a nine-year-old in 2011.

“Everything is fine otherwise. I’ve looked after him, and the horse has looked after himself,” Lui said of his champion, who chases a Hong Kong record-extending 10th Group One win – two of which have come in the Hong Kong Mile – in what is all but certain to be his last season in training.

Reigning Hong Kong Mile champion California Spangle has drawn gate three, last-start Group Two Jockey Club Mile winner Beauty Eternal will jump from barrier five for Zac Purton, and in-form Japanese galloper Namur (12) joins Golden Sixty in the car park.

One local superstar who fared better at the draw was Lucky Sweynesse, with the city’s premier speedster exiting gate five as he looks to banish the horrors of last year’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m).

After jumping from gate three 12 months ago, Lucky Sweynesse spent much of the home straight buried in heavy traffic on the rail before crossing the line in sixth, two and a half lengths behind the victorious Wellington.

“He can be a bit sluggish from the gates. Any time I can draw inside, even if he’s a bit grubby away, he can still hold his position instead of being out trying to work for it,” Purton said.

While Wellington came down the outside to win under Ryan Moore from barrier 10 last year, his jockey this weekend, Alexis Badel, will have barrier three at his disposal.

“I think it should suit him well. Hopefully he’s going to get a bit of cover from there, hopefully they go along at a genuine tempo and he gets his chance,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

Hong Kong’s other big name, Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) hero Romantic Warrior, will spring from stall seven in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) – the same gate from which he won the city’s richest race in 2022.

Meanwhile, well-credentialed Japanese stayer Shahryar is out of Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) after the Jockey Club confirmed he was “identified to have a potential health issue”.