Galaxy Patch will make his return at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 27 September, when he will contest the HK$4.2 million G3 Celebration Cup Handicap over 1,400 metres. Jockey Karis Teetan will partner the seven-year-old gelding, who will be looking to begin his new campaign with another strong performance against a quality field.
The Galaxy Patch Celebration Cup will provide the talented gelding with another opportunity to add to his impressive record. He will arrive with eight wins from 27 Hong Kong appearances and will already have Group 2 and Group 3 victories to his name. Trained by Brett Crawford, Galaxy Patch will carry a 120 rating into the contest.
Galaxy Patch will also have a strong record against some of Hong Kong’s leading horses. He will have finished within a length of a first Group 1 victory in 2024, while his following nine attempts at the highest level will have produced one placing. Teetan will be hoping the gelding can turn his proven ability into another major success.
Teetan will have a familiar partner in Galaxy Patch and will be looking for the right conditions over 1,400 metres. The gelding will lack early pace but will possess a sharp turn of foot, making the race tempo an important factor. A strong pace and a clear run in the closing stages will give Galaxy Patch the opportunity to use his finishing speed.
Galaxy Patch Celebration Cup Will Feature Quality Opposition
The Celebration Cup will bring together several notable performers from last season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Little Paradise, Stormy Grove and Invincible Ibis will all be entered after successful campaigns in the major four-year-old contests.
Little Paradise will arrive following victory in the Hong Kong Classic Mile over 1,600 metres, while Stormy Grove will have won the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1,800 metres. Invincible Ibis will bring Hong Kong Derby-winning form after his success over 2,000 metres.
Helios Express, Patch Of Theta, Copartner Prance, Lucky With You and Soleil Fighter will also feature among the expected runners. The quality of the field will give Galaxy Patch a demanding test as he returns from his summer break.
Galaxy Patch will have completed his first trial of the new campaign at Happy Valley on 19 September. He will have finished second over one mile in 1 minute 11.52 seconds, with the trial providing an opportunity to change his routine after his summer preparation.
The performance will have given his connections a positive indication ahead of his return. Galaxy Patch will now head to Sha Tin Racecourse for a competitive assignment where he will again face several established Hong Kong performers.
Teetan will also have a busy schedule at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 23 September, where he will take eight rides. He will partner The Auspicious in the Class 3 Tai Hang Handicap over 1,800 metres. The five-year-old will have trialled twice ahead of his first-up appearance and will face 11 rivals, including 2026 Hong Kong Derby fifth-place finisher Seraph Gabriel.
Jerry Chau will ride Superb King in the Class 4 Island Handicap over 1,000 metres. The Francis Lui-trained bay will have finished second five times from 16 Hong Kong starts and will be looking for his first victory in the jurisdiction.
Nichola Yuen will partner Prestige Always in the second section of the Class 3 Mount Butler Handicap over 1,200 metres. The runner will step up in class after a strong previous effort, while Yuen will carry a light weight and will look to make use of the horse’s early speed.
Meanwhile, Group 1-placed Numbers will continue his preparation for a return later in the season. The Frankie Lor-trained runner will have appeared in a Sha Tin barrier trial on 22 September and will be expected to undertake another turf trial over 1,600 metres next month.
Numbers will be aimed at the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over 1,800 metres on 8 November. His preparation will continue as he builds towards that return.
Wednesday’s Happy Valley fixture will comprise nine races and will begin at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Nam Fung Handicap over 1,650 metres.
The Galaxy Patch Celebration Cup will see the talented gelding return to Sha Tin Racecourse on 27 September, with Karis Teetan aboard and several leading Hong Kong performers expected to provide a strong test.
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