Pierre Ng aims for stars with exciting FWD Champions Day plans

By Declan Schuster

Galaxy Patch could next take on the might of Golden Sixty or Romantic Warrior on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 28 April) at Sha Tin.

After his slashing second in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Massive Sovereign, Galaxy Patch will be set for the HK$22 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) or HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) – holding entries for both contests.

Golden Sixty chases a fourth consecutive FWD Champions Mile, while Romantic Warrior is aiming for a hat-trick of FWD QEII Cup wins, leaving trainer Pierre Ng eager to halt either of the star galloper’s famed streaks with his rapidly improving four-year-old.

“I will talk with Blake (Shinn) but we’ll either go to the Mile or FWD QEII Cup. I don’t think he will go back to sprinting. I think he can do a mile or further – we’ll see how he pulls up,” Ng said.

Galaxy Patch is one of Hong Kong’s hottest talents. He is a four-time winner from nine starts in the city, having placed at Group 1 level two runs back in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) behind California Spangle.

“Galaxy Patch tried 2000 metres for the first time and he did it in the Derby. It was a very promising run. No one could have predicted what he could do but Blake has shown us what he is capable of doing,” Ng said.

Galaxy Patch had previously only ever raced as far as 1400m before his bold BMW Hong Kong Derby tilt for Ng, which nearly came through with success. By Wandjina, Galaxy Patch has earnt HK$16.66 million for his owner.

“He was a bit unlucky over the last 200 metres, but he got a clear run from there and finished close. I know we can’t have a second crack at the Derby, but we have a potential Group horse for later on,” Ng said.

Stablemate Ka Ying Generation finished a brave third for Ng in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

Aiming to return following a setback, Golden Sixty’s preparation ramped up this morning (Tuesday, 26 March) ahead of FWD Champions Day – his planned final start – with a grass gallop for trainer Francis Lui at Sha Tin, clocking 31.9s, 27.2s, 24.8s (1m 23.9s).

Looking to Wednesday’s (27 March) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley, Ng saddles eight runners as he aims to extend his championship-leading 52 wins, while Lui remains hot on his heels with 43 triumphs following a Sunday three-timer.

A recent acquisition to the stable, Beauty Waves lines up in Class 3 Hok Yuen Handicap (1000m) under jockey Zac Purton. The Irish-bred chestnut has placed four times from five starts in Hong Kong after arriving as a one-time winner at Dundalk in 2022.

“He’s knocking on the door. He switched stables and he’s had three trials with me. He’s in super condition and hopefully the 1000 metres suits him, just so that he isn’t overly keen and can finish off well,” Ng said.

Captain Win’s most recent two runs at Happy Valley have seen him finish second and Ng is seeking a first win with the bay in the Class 3 Kowloon City Handicap (1200m).

“Hopefully he’ll get a nice run and can get a win for me,” Ng said.

Wednesday’s (27 March) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the second section of the Class 4 To Kwa Wan Handicap (1650m).