Latest news with #GalaxyPatch
South China Morning Post
30-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Matthew Poon bags biggest win of his career in stunning upset on Straight Arron
A brilliant rails-hugging ride helped Matthew Poon Ming-fai land the biggest win of his career when the popular jockey lifted Straight Arron to an upset victory in Sunday's Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m). Sent out a $34.5 chance, the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Straight Arron ran on from second last to narrowly beat a luckless Galaxy Patch in a thrilling finish. 'That's why I am so excited after the line because this is my first Group Two, so I have got to thank the trainer Ricky and the owner [Karen Lo Ki-yan] for giving me their good support,' said Poon, who won a handful of Group Threes in the city before Sunday's stunning result. 'It's so great I can win on him. Before the race, I already had a feeling I can get something today, so really lucky and excited.' Matthew Poon wins his first Group 2! Straight Arron returns to form in the Chairman's Trophy at Sha Tin for Ricky Yiu... 👏#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025 Poon, a champion apprentice in South Australia before joining the Hong Kong ranks in 2017, expressed confidence to Yiu pre-race but the veteran handler was completely surprised by Straight Arron's first victory for the stable. A two-time winner in Australia for Chris Waller, the Fastnet Rock gelding started his Hong Kong career with David Hayes before notching four wins – including the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) and Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) – for Caspar Fownes. 'It was an unbelievable result – a big surprise,' said Yiu, who took over training Straight Arron at the end of last season. 'We were walking with the horse and [Poon] said to me 'I wouldn't be surprised if he finished in the first three. I said 'it would be a big surprise, especially over the trip'.' In a messy race which saw the lead change hands three times in the first 800m, Straight Arron was out the back but out of trouble while Galaxy Patch was seemingly poised to strike in midfield on the rail. It became a horror show for Galaxy Patch, with the $2.1 favourite held up badly and having to check off Red Lion's heels when Zac Purton went searching for a run in the straight. Purton switched back towards the inside and Galaxy Patch made a late bid, but Straight Arron had the momentum from an unimpeded run to prevail by a head. Moments In Time was beaten half a length in third. 'The first half of the race didn't really suit him at the tail and over the mile, I thought it will be a touch sharp for him,' Yiu said. 'He still managed to run through on the rail with the jockey, 'Poon Train', and he had a good finish.' Straight Arron continued a dream run for Lo, who celebrated Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) success in another upset with Cap Ferrat a week earlier. Yiu said the six-year-old was more likely to join star stablemate Voyage Bubble in the Group One Champions Mile on April 27, rather than tackle the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) the same day. Straight Arron also capped a double for the Poon and Yiu combination after they won the opening race on Sunday's card, the Class Four Severn Handicap (2,000m), with Mighty Strength. Yiu moved to third on the championship standings with 35 wins this term.
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Pierre Ng hopes returning Zac Purton is the man to spark Galaxy Patch
Pierre Ng Pang-chi is hopeful Zac Purton's return from injury will coincide with the return of Galaxy Patch to the winners' list at Sha Tin on Sunday. Last victorious in October's Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m), Galaxy Patch will join forces with Purton for the first time in this weekend's Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m). While Ng has praised Blake Shinn in the past for his ability to relax known closer Galaxy Patch – the Australian rider partnered the five-year-old to second in January's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m) – he thinks it could be Purton who can truly get the best out of his stable star. 'Zac trialled him really well. I've never seen the horse so relaxed in the early part of the trial, so I think we've found the right person for him,' said Ng in reference to Galaxy Patch's fast-finishing second in a 1,200m dirt trial last week. 'Hopefully, he can win the Group Two [this weekend] and we can look forward to the Group One next month. 'He's the fifth top-rated horse in Hong Kong so I'm sure that he'll manage to do [well] on Sunday.' That Group One is the Champions Mile on April 27's Champions Day, where Galaxy Patch is expected to meet leading local miler Voyage Bubble and Australian star Mr Brightside. While the son of Wandjina would have to find another level to prevail in the Champions Mile, Ng remains confident Galaxy Patch's time will come at the elite level. 'The Group One is in our minds, so hopefully not too long to wait,' he said. 'He's still [only] five years old and he'll be a lot more professional, more mature later on.' Galaxy Patch could well start favourite this weekend in a race featuring Group One winner Beauty Eternal, who gives the field five pounds, Beauty Joy and the up-and-coming Sunlight Power. Sunlight Power steps into Group company for the first time after an impressive season and trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is confident he can make a splash. Class act! Sunlight Power wears down Voyage Samurai in the Kowloon Tong Club Trophy as @HugeBowman makes it a hat-trick at Sha Tin... 🔥#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 15, 2025 'He's rated over 100 now, so he's against the big boys. He's a horse who always tries very hard and gives his best. I'd be very happy if he can finish in the first three,' Yiu said. As for Ng, he will be hoping Galaxy Patch can help him continue his good form as he bids to stay in touch with premiership leader John Size. After landing winners at three of the past four meetings to move to 35 successes for the campaign, Ng also saddles up Gale Saga, Robot Knight, Aurora Patch and Across Da Universe as he looks to close the 10-win gap to Size. The returning Purton has nine rides on his first day at the races since he fractured his left big toe in a race fall on February 9, headlined by Ka Ying Rising in the afternoon's other Group Two – the Sprint Cup (1,200m). Purton also climbs aboard Volcanic Spark, Bottomuptogether, Ka Ying Glory, With A Smile, La Forza, Sunny Da Best and Another World.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Yiu confident of breaking more new ground with Voyage Bubble in the Gold Cup
Veteran handler chases his first Group One success at 2,000m: 'he'll be hard to beat' by Sam Agars on Saturday, February 22, 2025 9:30 AM Voyage Bubble wins last month's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m) under James McDonald. Photos: Kenneth Chan Before Voyage Bubble, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai had never won a top-line feature race over further than 1,200m, with gun speedsters like Fairy King Prawn, Sacred Kingdom and Amber Sky tasked with putting the veteran handler's name up in Group One lights. Now, after wins in the Classic Mile, Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and three 1,600m Group Ones, Voyage Bubble is poised to hand Yiu his first elite-level success at 10 furlongs in this Sunday's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin. 'Even the Derby, I never imagined I could have a horse who could do well in that race because I target horses more likely to do well at shorter distances,' said Yiu, who has long been regarded for his ability to source quality horses from the yearling sales. 'I don't really like the staying-type horses and I don't really purchase them, so the Bubble is an exception.' — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 25, 2024 Fresh from consecutive Group One wins in the Hong Kong Mile and Stewards' Cup (1,600m), Voyage Bubble will look to go one better in the Gold Cup after finishing a neck second to the great Romantic Warrior 12 months ago. With Romantic Warrior in the Middle East chasing Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) glory, victory looks Voyage Bubble's for the taking in a Gold Cup also featuring the likes of Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, stablemate Straight Arron and Five G Patch. 'He's doing very well, I'm really happy with him. He came through his grass gallop and dirt trial very well,' Yiu said of Voyage Bubble, who jumps from gate one. 'He's got a good draw and he'll be hard to beat.' All going to plan, James McDonald will again ride Voyage Bubble but the gun Kiwi jockey will be cutting things fine after partnering Romantic Warrior in the early hours of Sunday morning Hong Kong time. McDonald is scheduled to land in Hong Kong from Riyadh at 1.40pm on Sunday ahead of the Gold Cup at 4.05pm and it is believed Jockey Club officials have done everything in their power to ensure McDonald the swiftest passage possible through the airport. 'I don't want to think about it – I'm only thinking positive,' said Yiu of McDonald, who will be replaced by standby rider Jerry Chau Chun-lok should he not make it back in time. 'He's an up-and-coming local boy and I wanted to give him some support,' added Yiu of Chau. McDonald is joined by Blake Shinn in jetting in for the Group One card, with Shinn to partner Galaxy Patch in the Gold Cup. While McDonald had to forego his ride aboard Howdeepisyourlove in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) due to his late arrival at Sha Tin, Shinn will partner Mugen in that contest. Another jockey joining the riding roster on Sunday is Declan McDonogh, with the Irishman the latest rider brought to Hong Kong as cover for injured trio Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Angus Chung Yik-lai. 'I've been trying for a long time to get out for a stint,' said McDonogh, who competed in the International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley in 2006. 'It's good to be here and we'll see how we go,' added the 45-year-old ahead of four rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Van Gestel backs his system as Hong Kong's careless riding bans skyrocket
Numbers are tracking at a rate that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase after 55 suspensions through the first 45 meetings by Sam Agars on Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:28 PM Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel. Photos: Kenneth Chan Chief steward Marc van Gestel is confident it is simply the competitive nature of Hong Kong racing rather than any lenience in his special penalty system that has caused the number of careless riding suspensions to skyrocket this season. While careless riding bans in Hong Kong were decreasing, dropping from 84 in 2020-21 to 63 in 2022-23, the numbers have been increasing since Van Gestel introduced a system at the start of last season offering discounts on bans and fines for good records. While previously the standard penalty for careless riding was two meetings with increasing fines for repeat offenders, one-meeting bans are now much more common. After 74 careless riding suspensions last season, there have been 55 bans through the first 45 meetings of this campaign – numbers that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase if they continue through until the end of the campaign. Van Gestel and Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding addressed the riding ranks on the matter last weekend 'to reinforce that we do feel there's some scope for some greater care to be taken'. 'Last season we were exceptionally happy with how that new system worked but this season the instances have been a little higher than we would have liked,' said Van Gestel, who replaced Kim Kelly as chief steward in February 2023. 'That's why we spoke to them before the first on Sunday, just to get them to understand we had concerns because the numbers are a bit higher. It's certainly increased and it's something we thought necessary to address with the group.' One theory around the increase in numbers is that some jockeys are less concerned about attracting the attention of stewards in the knowledge they'll likely only be sidelined for one meeting, but Van Gestel confirmed he will not be considering any changes to his system. 'I don't think that's the reason and the riders who have a good record have maintained that good record,' said Van Gestel. 'Jockeys like [Zac] Purton and [Brenton] Avdulla, who haven't been charged this season, are continuing to ride safely. 'I think it's come down to the competitive environment we're in and some jockeys are probably just overstepping the mark. I don't think it's anything to do with the system. 'What our statistics show is that 50 per cent of instances occur in the home straight, which is essentially where the riders are trying to go onto win or run a placing in the race.' Shinn retains Patch ride Blake Shinn will stay aboard Galaxy Patch for the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 23 after connections had planned to make a switch to seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton. With Purton sidelined after breaking his big toe in last weekend's scary three-horse pile up at Sha Tin, Shinn will partner the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Galaxy Patch for a fourth time after piloting him into second behind Voyage Bubble in last month's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m). Galaxy Patch was one of a number of big names to step out at the Sha Tin trials on Thursday morning, running home nicely into third over 1,200m on the all-weather track. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 13, 2025 Galaxy Patch's chief Gold Cup rival, Voyage Bubble, also stretched his legs, finishing third behind Helios Express and Ensued in a trial which also featured Red Lion and Beauty Eternal. Ensued is also among the Gold Cup entries, as is Chancheng Glory, Encountered, Five G Patch, Happy Together, La City Blanche, Straight Arron, Sword Point and Winning Dragon. Thursday morning's third and final trial was taken out by Howdeepisyourlove as he tunes up for his clash with Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on the same day as the Gold Cup. Also heading towards the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup are Helios Express, Red Lion, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, California Spangle, Invincible Sage, Mugen and Patch Of Theta.
South China Morning Post
09-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Purton to miss Ka Ying Rising ride: ‘it's heartbreaking'
Hong Kong's seven-time champion jockey could be sidelined for as long as a month after Sunday's horror three-horse fall by Sam Agars on Monday, February 10, 2025 6:22 AM Zac Purton wins the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) aboard Ka Ying Rising last month. Photos: Kenneth Chan Zac Purton will miss Ka Ying Rising's run in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on February 23 after breaking his left big toe in Sunday's horror three-horse pile up at Sha Tin. Sent flying into the Sha Tin turf after Legend St Paul's broke down and skittled his mount, Silvery Breeze, in Sunday's ninth event, Purton will undergo surgery on his toe on Monday morning. The seven-time champion jockey has been told he is facing at least four weeks out of the saddle. 'It's heartbreaking. I'll miss Ka Ying, I'll miss Galaxy Patch [in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m)], I'll miss Packing Angel [in the Classic Cup (1,800m)]. Hopefully I can get back for the Derby,' said Purton. 'The toe is broken and it needs to be realigned. They're trying to work out whether they're going to put in screws and a plate, or pin it. 'I've also damaged ligaments in the same ankle and the ankle is obviously very swollen. I haven't really had a chance to put any weight on it yet, so we'll see how that goes. 'It's obviously disappointing but it couldn't have been worse than what it was.' Purton had been in white-hot form before the tumble, racking up 20 winners in January and four already in February, including two earlier on Sunday's card. He has been in the saddle for all 10 of Ka Ying Rising's wins, including a run of nine in a row featuring two Group One successes. Purton is joined by Angus Chung Yik-lai, Keith Yeung Ming-lun and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu on the injury list after an incident-marred day at Sha Tin, with more information on that trio's condition expected later on Monday. Ho may have suffered fractures to his neck and shoulder region when falling from Oldtown race six, while Chung has bruising to his face and upper body after coming off Legend St Paul's and Yeung is nursing a bruised upper thigh after his mount, Lupo Solitario, was also caught up in the race nine carnage.
