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).