Vincent Ho Chak-yiu will be replaced by Blake Shinn aboard Galaxy Patch in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin next month. After missing out on winning the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in their first meeting in March, the top Australian jockey will return with Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s stable star. In his last five races, Ho has ridden Galaxy Patch, winning two consecutive Group Threes and the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) before suffering two unlucky losses.
In last month’s Group Two Jockey Club Mile, the Wandjina gelding finished third to Voyage Bubble as the $1.7 favorite after being trapped wide without cover during a sweeping run. In the Group One Hong Kong Mile, he finished eighth to Voyage Bubble after being held up for clear running several times in the straight.
“If he can have a good run in transit, he’ll be right there.” He ran incredibly well in the mile without luck. Shinn, a three-time Hong Kong Group One champion, nearly lost the Derby when Galaxy Patch advanced from last place to lose by a slim margin to Massive Sovereign.
On his subsequent run, Shinn rode Galaxy Patch very well, but his poor speed and yielding surface prevented him from finishing sixth to Beauty Eternal in the Group One Champions Mile. The 37-year-old stated that on January 19, he will also ride Beauty Waves, Ng’s elegant sprinter, in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m). On January 1, the winner of the 1,000-meter Group Three National Day Cup will compete in the 1,000-meter Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. At Sha Tin’s all-weather meeting on Wednesday night, Ho suffered a concussion after falling from Super Win Dragon, making his week even worse after losing the Galaxy Patch ride.
Three other riders are expected to make a comeback on Sunday, despite the top domestic jockey missing the 10-race event at Sha Tin. After missing Wednesday night’s meeting due to illness, Zac Purton will ride in the Class Two Poinsettia Handicap (1,200m), which will be led by Wunderbar. Despite being fined for five mounts, Lyle Hewitson has recovered from a severe fall off Joyful Hunter at Sha Tin last Sunday, which left him with a damaged quadriceps and a sprained knee. In order to participate in eight rides on Sunday’s schedule, Matthew Poon Ming-fai will persevere despite missing the final three races on Wednesday due to a broken toe.
