Progressive Aussie bred gelding Galaxy Patch is a star on the rise in Hong Kong for his sire Wandjina, powering home from what looked an impossible position to win the Group III Premier Plate (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Trained by Pierre Ng and ridden by Vincent Ho, Galaxy Patch was second in the Hong Kong Derby back in March and at his most recent appearance won the Group III Lion Rock Trophy(1600m).
Sent out second favourite, he settled at the rear and came with a withering run to snatch a neck victory over Beauty Joy (Sebring).
“He’s a future star and he’s got plenty of potential. He was the best horse in the field, I think, and that’s why he can do something like this. From a wide barrier (10), we just wanted him to settle and he was still a little bit keen probably over the first 400 (metres) and then he relaxed just before entering the turn,” Ho said.
“I just took my time to let him slowly slide forward and asked him for an effort and he’s a very decent horse. Thanks to Pierre’s team for their support and trust – to be able to ride good horses like this is everything.”
Second in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) this season, Galaxy Patch has now won seven of 13 starts.
Pierre Ng has high hopes for the future and believes there is much more to come from Galaxy Patch.
“It was probably from an impossible position. He’s (Galaxy Patch) been over shorter distances and now to 1800 (metres), he ran second over 2000,” Ng said.
“He’s pretty much like an all-rounder to me – a typically Australian style of horse, starting from short to long. As you can see behind the gates, he’s much more mature today. I hope we can see him more mature next season.”
“Definitely we’re aiming for big races. Let’s see what the schedule comes up with.”
Galaxy Patch was a $50,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Will Clarken/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Jolly from the Summerset Park Stud and won his debut in Adelaide before his sale to Hong Kong.
Bred and sold by Summerset Park, Galaxy Patch is a half-brother to stakes-placed Comearoundsundown and Creativity being the best of eight winners from unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Voltara, who died last year.
Galaxy Patch is the sixth stakes-winner for Wandjina, who will stand at Larneuk Stud this spring at a fee of $6,600.
