Galaxy Patch out to end Golden era in Champions Mile

Already the highest prize money earner of all time, Golden Sixty is out to break his own record with a fourth win in Sunday’s Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.

The 11-time Group 1 winner and rising nine-year-old is warm favourite on Sunday but connections are apprehensive about the conditions, with Hong Kong subject to heavy rain throughout the week, some of which is predicted on race day.

Trainer Francis Lui was happy enough when the three-time Hong Kong horse of the year drew barrier seven of 11 but admitted he was “worried” by the forecast, given he was beaten 5.6 lengths at his only run on rain-affected ground in the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).

If Golden Sixty were to falter, in what some believe could be his final career run, trainer Pierre Ng is hoping Galaxy Patch can be the one to step up and challenge and while admitting the challenge will be tough, he believes the horse will handle wet ground.

“I don’t think it (rain) would be an impact for him, he’s been training in similar conditions at Morphettville, the race at Group One 1400 (metres) he came second, it was a bit of a rainy day on that day so I don’t think it will be a problem for him,” Ng said.

Formerly known as Gulinga Spirit when winning a maiden at Morphettville under Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea, Galaxy Patch has run second at his past two starts at Group One level in Hong Kong, beaten a neck in the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last start.

“I think, to be honest, running against the best miler, Golden Sixty, I’m just looking for a good run… hopefully he runs top three and gets prize money for us and has a very good future,” Ng said.

“He’s brilliant, the last two weeks. After the Derby he was a bit sad, losing that race. The first 2000 metre trip for him, he does feel it a little bit in the first week but in the second and third week he was much better. He trialled up last week and showed us he’s back to normal.”

Meanwhile, the horse many considered the heir apparent to Golden Sixty, Voyage Bubble, is back for a third crack at the champion having won the Group 1 Steward’s Cup (1600m) earlier this year.

“We expect so (runs well), there’s a little bit of improvement in him… we expect him to run well again, but then again, we don’t know how the weathers going to be like. I think if it was a normal soft track he could handle it,” trainer Ricky Yiu said.

Golden Sixty is the $2.10 favourite ahead of Galaxy Patch at $7 and Voyage Bubble at $8 with betting apps.