Sha Tin Racing: Can Galaxy Patch Deliver a Group 1 Victory for Trainer Pierre Ng?

Pierre Ng is pinning his hopes on Galaxy Patch to secure a long-awaited Group 1 triumph at Sha Tin’s prestigious FWD Champions Mile, set for Sunday, April 27. With a prize pool of HK$24 million on the line, this elite mile race presents another opportunity for Ng’s talented charge to claim a top-level victory. While expectations have soared for the five-year-old gelding, the journey to this moment has been anything but smooth.

Once tipped to be the heir to Golden Sixty’s title as Hong Kong’s top miler, Galaxy Patch briefly seemed poised for dominance. However, as the season unfolded, Voyage Bubble emerged as the more consistent and formidable competitor, seizing control of the division with back-to-back Group 1 wins at Sha Tin. Despite this, Ng remains optimistic about Galaxy Patch’s ability to rise to the occasion, banking on his finishing kick and proven ability to handle the mile distance.

Although Galaxy Patch has shown flashes of brilliance in his Hong Kong career, he’s also had to endure several close calls in Group 1 races. Nevertheless, his record speaks to his class – seven victories from 18 appearances and nearly HK$30 million in earnings. Ng is choosing to stick with a tried-and-tested strategy: allowing the gelding to settle early before unleashing his speed in the final stages, with Zac Purton once again taking the reins.

In a recent interview, Ng emphasized the importance of letting Galaxy Patch find his rhythm rather than pushing him early. A previous experiment with more aggressive tactics didn’t yield the desired result, prompting the trainer to return to a more patient approach. He acknowledged the importance of timing and a bit of racing luck, especially given Galaxy Patch’s tendency to produce strong finishes when given room to accelerate in the home stretch.

The current campaign began promisingly with a victory in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap last October, but the gelding has since struggled to cross the line first, enduring a string of near misses. These include runner-up finishes in several marquee events such as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, the BMW Hong Kong Derby, and the Stewards’ Cup. His most recent outing saw him narrowly beaten as the favorite in the Chairman’s Trophy, trailing a long-shot winner. In contrast, his performance in the Gold Cup was less convincing, attributed in part to a change in racing tactics.

Looking ahead to the upcoming test, Ng has made subtle adjustments to the gelding’s gear, including the use of cheek pieces and a tongue tie in a recent trial. The changes seem to have had a positive effect, as the horse appeared more focused and composed. Ng acknowledges the stiff competition ahead but remains hopeful that the small tweaks, combined with a return to familiar race tactics, could finally deliver a Group 1 breakthrough.

Ng’s rise within the racing world has mirrored the resilience he demands from his stable stars. Beginning his career in 2007 as a work rider under the guidance of his father Peter Ng, he steadily worked his way up the ranks. From that foundation, he honed his skills alongside some of Hong Kong’s most respected trainers, including Paul O’Sullivan, John Size, and Francis Lui. The transition from his father’s retirement to establishing his own name was a tough road, but one that shaped his character.

Despite the challenges, Ng values the path he’s taken and continues to seek growth. His recent travels to Ireland and the UK – including a visit to Aidan O’Brien’s renowned operation – underline his commitment to refining his training techniques and broadening his perspective. With 146 winners to his name in Hong Kong and ambitions that reach far beyond, Ng is firmly establishing himself as a force in the global racing scene.

With the FWD Champions Mile just around the corner, the stage is set for Galaxy Patch to show what he’s made of. And for Pierre Ng, a win on Sunday would be more than just a trophy – it would be a powerful affirmation of persistence, learning, and belief in the long game.