Integral to Pierre Ng’s ambitions of elite level success, Galaxy Patch took another important step towards the HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private WealthJockey Club Mile on 17 November with a deliberately conservative trial at Sha Tin on Thursday.
Restrained to the rear of the seven-horse field, Galaxy Patch was a clear last rounding the home turn in the 1200m trial before surging late under jockey Vincent Ho to finish sixth, five and three quarter lengths, behind stablemate Beauty Waves in 1m 10.34s on the dirt.
Pierre Ng is chasing LONGINES Hong Kong International Races glory with Galaxy Patch (Pic – HKJC)
Tracking towards the HK$36 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on 8 December, Galaxy Patch – winner of seven of 13 starts in Hong Kong – pleased Ng with his relaxed demeanour and late acceleration.
“The main thing is we want to keep him calm and make sure he jumps smooth and switches off and picks up in the straight. He was well back and the pace was a bit fast today and he did pick up a lot in the straight,” Ng said.
“So, he’s just holding his fitness and he’s ready to race. I’m happy with the trial.”
Leading the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 17 wins, Ng was delighted with Beauty Waves, an entrant for the HK$26 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and the progress of Taj Dragon, who has been nominated for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and finished fifth on Thursday in the first batch.
“Beauty Waves trialled brilliantly. He jumped and got into a good position and then he finished off quite well. Taj Dragon just went through the motions.”
Seven-time champion jockey Zac Purton was satisfied with Beauty Eternal – who will next month attempt to add the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile to the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile he claimed last season – after finishing second to Beauty Waves.
“Beauty Eternal trialled like he always does on the dirt, it’s not his preferred surface but he did everything right. He got out of the gates good, he got into a nice rhythm and he’ll take some benefit out of it. He seems to be getting better every time.
“He’s getting the nerves out of his system – that’s the more important thing and we keep heading the right way.”
Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup winner Helios Express was given an easy time by Hugh Bowman in the second 1200m batch, crossing in 10th place behind Island Breezes, who clocked 1m 09.69s.
A charging second to Ka Ying Rising in the Gr2 Premier Bowl Handicap on 20 October, John Size-trained Helios Express is slated to run in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint on 17 November before a possible tilt at the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.
“It was a pretty standard trial for Helios Express. It was a nice gallop before he races Sunday week. We were drawn the outside, so we rolled around on the outside. I kept him interested but he’s shown before that he doesn’t really do his best on that surface,” Bowman said.
“He felt good, he moved well and his temperament was perfect. He was beaten a fair way but I’m not too concerned about that. He had a nice puff afterwards. He sprinted unbelievably well fresh when he was first-up and it will be interesting to see how he progresses from that race.”
Howdeepisyourlove, another potential LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint contender, trialled smoothly over 1050m under Ben Thompson to win his batch in 1m 01.00s, while Tony Cruz’s BMW Hong Kong Derby aspirant Stunning Peach finished fourth to Eighteen Carat in a 1650m trial.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Saturday with the running of the Class 2 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1400m). The first is due off at 07h00
