Golden Sixty made a successful return from injury in a Sha Tin trial on Tuesday, prompting Vincent Ho Chak-yiu to declare the champion galloper can continue his glittering career beyond his potential swansong on FWD Champions Day.

In his first official appearance since sustaining a left foreleg injury on January 3, Francis Lui Kin-wai’s 10-time Group One winner ran a comfortable third in a 1,200m trial on the all-weather track.

Ho, who took an important step in his own comeback from injury, took Golden Sixty back to last and applied little pressure in the straight as Hong Kong’s record-breaking star cruised to the line under his own steam.

Connections have touted the Group One FWD Champions Mile on April 28 as a possible farewell for Golden Sixty, but Ho is convinced the eight-year-old marvel can extend his career.

“He still enjoys and loves his racing,” Ho said. “If he’s healthy, why take away what he loves? He should get to go out there and enjoy what he loves.

“He’s never felt eight years old. He feels even better, improving every year with age. With the structure of the horses, they always tend to feel 100 per cent when they are six, so eight is nothing.”

Ho gave a glowing report on Golden Sixty after the crucial trial and said he had scope for significant improvement.

“He felt good, a little bit heavy still, but we still have some time,” said Ho, who has ridden Golden Sixty in all 30 career starts for 26 victories.

“[I’m] happy with how he is after a long break. He always feels good and gave a good response. He was sort of easing off the last 100m or so. It was his first trial back and he will pick up after this.

“Definitely he will improve from that. He’s always laid back, especially these [last] couple of years, and in trials he always shows some laziness, even on turf gallops. That’s him.”

Lui plans to give Golden Sixty another trial before he chases a record-extending fourth consecutive Champions Mile.

“Just usual, probably some gallops next week and then one more trial, some turf gallops and ready for the race,” Ho said of Golden Sixty’s routine after Tuesday’s trial.

Golden Sixty last raced when scoring a breathtaking victory in the Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, overcoming barrier 14 to win the feature for the third time.

The winner of a record HK$165.8 million in prize money was Ho’s first ride in a trial since he sustained neck and finger injuries in a race fall in January.

Aiming for a return to race riding at Happy Valley on April 10, the 33-year-old endured a long road to recovery, including a rehabilitation stint in Geneva last month.

“[Golden Sixty and I] always tend to do things together. It’s a good connection with him, so I’d say we’ll both benefit from that [trial],” Ho said.