Galaxy Patch underlines rich talent with G2 Sha Tin Trophy romp

By Leo Schlink
Synonymous with Golden Sixty’s towering feats, Vincent Ho has anointed Galaxy Patch as Hong Kong’s “next future star” after the gelding’s dominant HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday (13 October).

Ho piloted Galaxy Patch (129lb) to an emphatic one and half length win over Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (135lb) and rising talent Chancheng Glory (115lb) in 1m 33.49s in another confirmation of Galaxy Patch’s extraordinary talent.

“He (Galaxy Patch) has got great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Ho, who partnered Golden Sixty to 26 wins from 31 starts, crowned by a Hong Kong record 10 Group 1 triumphs and world record prizemoney haul of HK$167.17 million.

“At the moment, he’s only 70% fit — based on his form last-season, he would have smashed them easier today but it was enough for him to win today by just stretching out by himself.”

Settling in second last place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb), Galaxy Patch loomed on the home turn before Ho angled into the middle of the track, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m without fully extending.

Voyage Bubble was brave in defeat after covering ground, while Chancheng Glory held on well for third as stayer Straight Arron (125lb) charged from the rear for fourth.

Ho combined with Golden Sixty to win last December’s LONGINES G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) — the race trainer Pierre Ng hopes to claim this season with Galaxy Patch — and Ho believes Galaxy Patch has the attributes to emulate Golden Sixty.

“He (Galaxy Patch) is a horse that (will) probably replace Golden Sixty at the mile. He’s still maturing, of course. Once he relaxed, he can put the race to sleep and he also had a great turn of foot. It’s early-season, the first race for him, and the preparation is (going) very well.”

By Wandjina, Galaxy Patch raced only once in Australia as Gulinga Spirit, winning a Morphettville maiden race over 1100m for Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea before transferring to Hong Kong, where he has now won seven of 13 starts and prizemoney of more than HK$25 million.

Extending his lead at the top of the trainers’ championship, Ng will aim Galaxy Patch at the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 17 November before the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 8 December.

“He’s the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We’re very pleased. With four trials, we just wanted him to be settled and he was today. Of course he’s not 100 per cent fit, but we just tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well.

“With his stride length, he definitely looks improved from last season. Racing-wise, he’s more professional, more relaxed and if he can be more relaxed in the parade ring, I’ll be a bit happier.

“Definitely he’s got the potential — it’s how we manage to get him up there. We’ll just do it by each race and hopefully he can go further and better.”

John Size’s emerging sprinter Wunderbar posted his sixth win from seven starts with success in the Class 2 Artistic Gymnastics And Triathlon Handicap (1200m) to give Zac Purton a treble.

“Like all of John Size’s horses, he’s improved with the run and he’s going the right way, he just got to learn to switch off a little bit better in the middle stages,” said Purton, who also scored on Charmander and Savvy Brilliant.

Frankie Lor-trained Savvy Brilliant earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for victory in the Class 3 Athletics And Judo Handicap (1200m). By Toronado, Savvy Brilliant raced in Australia as Gallaroo, winning his only start for Anthony & Sam Freedman at Mornington.

Purton then combined with David Hall to clinch the Class 5 Badminton And Cycling Handicap (1400m) atop Charmander.

Luke Ferraris slotted his fourth win of the campaign when Manfred Man’s Patch Of Cosmo landed the Class 4 Swimming Handicap (1200m) before Britney Wong teamed with David Hayes-trained Awesome Treasure to win the Class 4 Fencing Handicap (1200m).

“It’s really amazing for me because Mr Hayes has offered me a couple of mounts but I couldn’t take them because I had to ride a horse for my boss (David Hall) or I had already taken another ride,” Wong said.

“I’m so thankful that Mr Hayes kept offering me rides and this horse is such a straight-forward ride, a very honest boy. He’d been running very close this season and that means he tries hard.

“Luckily, we got the 10lb claim today and thankfully the draw didn’t cost us the race today because I was concerned about barrier 10. Once I put him in the lead, he did everything right — he knew what to do — and turning into the straight, I had 100% percent confidence in him and he gave me everything. It was an awesome win.”

Wong now has three wins and will maintain her stance of not setting a targeting a number of victories for the rest of the season.

“I wouldn’t say I’m aiming for a number, but I hope I can keep the number coming — that’s the main goal. As long as I’m improving, I’m very happy,” she said.

Hayes sealed a double with Stellar Swift in the Class 4 Rowing And Table Tennis Handicap (1400m) for Hugh Bowman, who earlier partnered Caspar Fownes-trained Family Jewel in the Class 4 Sailing Handicap (1600m).

Lucy In The Sky continued his solid progress for trainer Me Tsui with victory in the Class 3 Taekwondo Handicap (1400m), while dual Chilean Group 1 winner Winning Dragon landed the Class 3 Hong Kong, China’s Paris 2024 Olympic Team Celebration Cup Handicap (2000m) for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (16 October).