Rising Hong Kong Superstar for Wandjina

Tara Madgwick - Monday October 14

Larneuk Stud in Victoria is home to value sire Wandjina, whose talented son Galaxy Patch has been acclaimed as the next rising superstar in Hong Kong racing following his dominant return in the Group II Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) on Sunday.

Galaxy Patch wins the G2 Sha Tin Trophy - image HKJC

Trained by Pierre Ng and ridden by Vincent Ho, Galaxy Patch was second in the Hong Kong Derby back in March and then finished his season with a pair of Group wins in June.

Advertisement

Tuned up with a series of recent trials, Galaxy Patch was fit and ready to fire first up over a mile and powered clear of Group I winner Voyage Bubble to win by a length and a half.

“He (Galaxy Patch) has got great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Vincent Ho, who partnered Champion Miler Golden Sixty to 26 wins from 31 starts.

“At the moment, he’s only 70% fit – based on his form last-season, he would have smashed them easier today, but it was enough for him to win today by just stretching out by himself.”

Settling in second last place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb), Galaxy Patch loomed on the home turn before Ho angled into the middle of the track, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m without fully extending.

Vincent Ho believes Galaxy Patch has what it takes to become the best miler in HK - image HKJC

The LONGINES G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in December is the target  race Pierre Ng hopes to claim this season with Galaxy Patch and Ho believes Galaxy Patch has the attributes needed to emulate Golden Sixty.

“He (Galaxy Patch) is a horse that (will) probably replace Golden Sixty at the mile. He’s still maturing, of course. Once he relaxed, he can put the race to sleep and he also had a great turn of foot. It’s early-season, the first race for him, and the preparation is (going) very well,” Ho added.

Ng will aim Galaxy Patch at the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 17 November as a stepping stone to the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 8 December.

“He’s the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We’re very pleased. With four trials, we just wanted him to be settled and he was today. Of course he’s not 100 per cent fit, but we just tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well.

“With his stride length, he definitely looks improved from last season. Racing-wise, he’s more professional, more relaxed and if he can be more relaxed in the parade ring, I’ll be a bit happier.

“Definitely he’s got the potential – it’s how we manage to get him up there. We’ll just do it by each race and hopefully he can go further and better.”

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. He now has the overall record of nine wins from 15 starts.

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.

Wandjina, click for more info.

Galaxy Patch is one of seven stakes-winners for Wandjina, who stands at Larneuk Stud this spring at a fee of $6,600.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Sha Tin Trophy Gr2 1600m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:33.49
1
Galaxy Patch
- 5g Wandjina (AUS) x Voltara (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: C Y Ho 58.5
MM Adelaide Yearling Sale $50,000
Seller: Summerset Park Stud, Gumeracha, SA
Buyer: Will Clarken/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/David Jolly
2
1.5
Voyage Bubble
- 6g Deep Field (AUS) x Raheights (AUS) (Rahy (USA))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: A Atzeni 61
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $380,000
Seller: Torryburn Stud, Torryburn
Buyer: R Yiu
3
1.5
Chancheng Glory
- 5g Mor Spirit (USA) x Solid Scam (USA) (Consolidator (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 52
4
1.8
Straight Arron
- 6g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Imperial Lass (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
5
1.8
Beauty Joy
- 8g Sebring (AUS) x Impressive Jeuney (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M Chadwick 58.5
6
2.5
Beauty Eternal
- 6g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Ithacan Queen (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Z Purton 59.5
7
2.5
The Golden Scenery
- 7g Deep Field (AUS) x Saga's Gift (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K Teetan 52
8
5.8
Red Lion
- 6g Belardo (IRE) x Crystal Idea (IRE) (Namid (GB))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Bowman 57
9
8
La City Blanche
- 6g Cityscape (GB) x Etoile Blanc (BRZ) (Nedawi (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Y L Chung 52
More Reading...
Hong Kong Stakes-Winner for Wandjina
Progressive Aussie bred gelding Galaxy Patch scored his first stakes win at Sha Tin on Sunday when the four year-old son of Wandjina scored a narrow victory in a thrilling finishing to the Group III Lion Rock Trophy(1600m)
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
HK Star for Wandjina – Galaxy Patch Wins G3 Premier Plate
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.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).