Karis Teetan is set to renew his partnership with Galaxy Patch in the highly anticipated HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin this Sunday, almost two years after their last ride together. The Pierre Ng-trained gelding aims to recapture the form that made him a standout in Hong Kong racing.
Teetan, one of the top riders in the jurisdiction with 23 winners this season, becomes the fourth jockey to ride Galaxy Patch in five starts this term. Blinkers will be reapplied on the four-time Group race winner, as Ng seeks to unlock the six-year-old’s full potential. “I can’t wait, it’s been a long time,” said Teetan. “I rode him in a trial recently, and he moved really well. He quickened smoothly and felt comfortable throughout.”
The 1400-metre distance is a relative challenge for Galaxy Patch, who has only raced over this trip once before — finishing second by a length in the 2024 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, also with Teetan aboard. Barrier seven in the 10-runner field gives both horse and jockey some tactical flexibility. “He’s not a speed-on horse; he comes from off the pace,” Teetan explained. “A fast-run 1400 might actually suit him. He ran well over this distance before, and I’m confident he can produce a strong performance.”
Galaxy Patch shone in his debut season of 2023/24, winning six races including the G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) and the G3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m). However, victories have been sparse over the last two seasons, with just two wins to his name. Despite this, Teetan remains focused on extracting the best performance possible on Sunday.
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, set as Race 8 at 4.35pm, faces a competitive field including Ka Ying Rising, the world’s leading sprinter, who is chasing a Hong Kong record of 18 consecutive wins. “Of course, the goal is to win, but the main aim is to get him to run his best race,” Teetan said. “Ka Ying Rising is strong, but Galaxy Patch is in good shape and can be competitive if everything goes right.”
Sunday’s full Sha Tin card kicks off at 1pm with the Class 4 Daffodil Handicap (1000m), and features 11 races throughout the day, promising an exciting lineup of contests for fans of Hong Kong racing.
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