Pierre Ng hopes the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (17 November) will deliver further evidence of Galaxy Patch’s status as a leading contender for next month’s HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
To face Group 1 winners Voyage Bubble (128lb) and Beauty Eternal (128lb) for the second time this season, along with Straight Arron (123lb), Beauty Joy (123lb), Happy Together (123lb), Red Lion (123lb), Taj Dragon (123lb) and Chancheng Glory (123lb), Galaxy Patch (123lb) will start from barrier five under Vincent Ho.
Ng, who leads the Hong Kong trainers' championship with 18 wins from Caspar Fownes (16), Mark Newnham (14) and David Hayes (14), believes Galaxy Patch has improved since the gelding comfortably downed Voyage Bubble, Chancheng Glory, Straight Arron, Beauty Joy, Beauty Eternal and Red Lion in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 13 October.
"Galaxy Patch is doing really well, he has improved from his last run. Hopefully the rain hasn't affected the track that much," Ng said. "This is another test for him against those two Group 1 horses (Voyage Bubble and Beauty Eternal) – we're really looking forward to it as we build up towards the international race."
Ng will also saddle Taj Dragon (123lb), who will jump from barrier three for Andrea Atzeni.
Ng is represented by Mugen and Beauty Waves in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) and concedes the task of toppling Ka Ying Rising, devastating last-start winner of the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), is formidable.
"Beauty Waves is brilliant. Of course, we running against Ka Ying Rising again. Hopefully, he'll get a placing – second or third, we would be happy," Ng said. "Mugen trialled pretty well but he needs to pick up his form and I'm looking for a good run. Hopefully, he'll get fitter after this run."
Group 1 winners California Spangle, Invincible Sage and Victor The Winner head the weights on 128lb, while the rest of the field – Ka Ying Rising, Lucky With You, Flying Ace, Howdeepisyourlove, Mugen, Helios Express, Beauty Waves, Copartner Prance and Majestic Knight – will carry 123lb.
Ng will pit BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) third placegetter Ka Ying Generation against champion Romantic Warrior in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), optimistic his charge will enhance hopes of starting in the HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) next month.
"Hopefully, he will get a run (in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase). In this race, we hope he can run to his Derby form and get an opportunity against the internationals," Ng said.
Romantic Warrior (128lb) has drawn barrier one for James McDonald and will concede weight to all 10 rivals - Nimble Nimbus, Five G Patch, Encountered, La City Blanche, Sword Point, Ka Ying Generation, Ensued, Money Catcher, Awesome Fluke and Winning Dragon, who are assigned 123lb.
The first of 11 races at Sunday's (17 November) Bank of China (Hong Kong) Race Day is the Class 4 BOCHK Cross-Border Services Handicap (1200m) at 12.30pm.
