Galaxy Patch has always displayed Group 1 qualities and trainer Pierre Ng is hopeful the bay gelding can secure a breakthrough when he contests the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 26 April) at Sha Tin.

Twice Group 1-placed, Galaxy Patch is one of Hong Kong racing’s leading milers and is a dual winner at Group 2 and Group 3 level; however, an elite-level crown is all that’s missing from his solid 25-start record, which is headlined by eight wins. He was also a neck second behind Massive Sovereign in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Galaxy Patch won November’s G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) when luck fell his way as he skimmed the rail from near-last on the turn while the field dispersed across the home straight, capturing his most important victory for Ng.

Ng said: “He just needs everything to go right for him – there can’t be too much traffic, but he’s been doing well across the last few seasons and, hopefully, he gets his chance.”

More recently, the six-year-old – showcasing his exciting get-back run-on style of racing – was fourth from barrier nine in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 6 April.

“He’s doing well. He finished fourth and pulled up fine. He was three-wide and it wasn’t a very fast pace. He did make up a fair bit of ground,” Ng said. “Hopefully, we get a better draw next time.”

Galaxy Patch finished fourth in a barrier trial last Thursday (16 April) in 1m 11.23s behind fellow FWD Champions Mile entrants Little Paradise, Red Lion and Invincible Ibis.

“It will be normal training with him. He’ll probably have a gallop on Thursday (23 April) and then he’ll be ready for it. Karis Teetan rides. Generally, I’d like him to be wherever he wants to be – just not switched on. The horse needs to switch off in the run,” Ng said.

Now in his fourth season as a trainer in Hong Kong, Ng is nearing the 200-win mark in the city. The 42-year-old is the son of former trainer Peter Ng, who earned three Hong Kong Horse of the Year titles with Mystic (1984/85) and Quicken Away (1988/89 & 1989/90).

“We’ve won Group 2 races and Group 3 races. We’re just missing that Group 1. The team has been doing so well with the horses, so we’ll just keep trying. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long to get a Group 1,” Ng said.

FWD Champions Day on Sunday (26 April) at Sha Tin also features the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC