Former Aussie HK’s next superstar?

Synonymous with the sky-high performances of the Golden Sixty, 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 over Sha Tin on Sunday .

Ho guided Galaxy Patch (129lb) to an emphatic victory by one and a half lengths over Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (135lb) and rising talent Chancheng Glory (115lb) in 1m 33.49s, further confirming Galaxy Patch’s extraordinary talent .

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

“He (Galaxy Patch) has a great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Ho, who combined with Golden Sixty to take 26 wins from 31 starts, crowned by a Hong Kong record 10 Group 1s -victories and world titles. record prize money of HK$167.17 million.

“Right now he’s only 70% fit. Based on his form last season, he would have beaten them easier today, but it was enough for him to win today just by stretching himself.”

Galaxy Patch settled into penultimate place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb) and loomed on the home bend before Ho spun into the center of the track and clocked 22.11s for the final 400 meters without fully recovering. to stretch out.

Voyage Bubble was brave in defeat after making ground, while Chancheng Glory held on well in third as stayer Straight Arron (125lbs) attacked from behind for fourth.

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

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

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

“He is the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We are very satisfied. With four trials we just wanted him settled, and that was the case today. Of course he is not 100 percent fit, but we tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well.

“With his stride length he certainly looks better than last season. Racing wise he is more professional, more relaxed and if he can be more relaxed in the parade ring I will be a bit happier.

“He definitely has the potential, so we can get him to the top. We will do it every race and hopefully he can go further and better.”

John Size’s rising sprinter Wunderbar recorded his sixth win from seven starts with success in the Class 2 Artistic Gymnastics and Triathlon Handicap (1200m), giving Zac Purton a treble.

“Like all of John Size’s horses, he has improved in running and is going in the right direction. He just has to learn to switch off a little better in the middle phases,” said Purton, who also scored with Charmander and Savvy Brilliant.

The Frankie Lor-trained Savvy Brilliant earned a PP bonus of HK$1.5 million for the win in the Class 3 Athletics and Judo Handicap (1200m). At Toronado, Savvy Brilliant raced in Australia as Gallaroo and won his only start ahead of Anthony and Sam Freedman at Mornington.

Purton then combined with David Hall to take the Class 5 Badminton and Cycling Handicap (1400m) on top of Charmander.

Luke Ferraris claimed his fourth win of the campaign as Manfred Man’s Patch Of Cosmo took the Class 4 Swimming Handicap (1200m) before Britney Wong partnered the David Hayes-trained Awesome Treasure to win the Class 4 Fencing Handicap (1200m).

“It’s really great for me because Mr. Hayes offered me some mounts, but I couldn’t take them because I had to ride for my boss (David Hall) or because I had already done another ride,” Wong said.

“I’m so grateful that Mr. Hayes kept offering me rides and this horse is such a straight forward ride, a very honest guy. He was very close this season and that means he is doing his best.

“Luckily we got the £10 claim today and luckily the draw didn’t cost us the race today as I was worried about barrier 10. Once I put him in the lead he did everything right – he knew what he had to do – and turned around. on the straight I had 100% confidence in him and he gave me everything. It was a great victory.”

Wong now has three wins and will stick to her stance of not aiming for a series of wins for the rest of the season.

“I wouldn’t say I’m aiming for a number, but I hope I can make the number come – that’s the main goal. As long as I get better, I’m very happy,” she said.

Hayes achieved a double with Stellar Swift in the Class 4 rowing and table tennis handicap (1400m) ahead of Hugh Bowman, who previously partnered the 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 double Chilean Group 1 winner Winning Dragon won the Class 3 Hong Kong, China’s Olympic Team Celebration Cup Handicap 2024 in Paris (2000 m). for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla.

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