James McDonald delivered a masterful ride aboard Galaxy Patch to spring a surprise and claim the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m), upsetting odds-on favourite My Wish in the process.
It was a first victory in 13 months for Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch as James McDonald, the soon-to-be-named 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey, registered the second win of his latest short-term stint in Hong Kong.
My Wish was slow from the gates, with only eventual winner Galaxy Patch emerging slower. But he quickly recovered and adopted a customary position – on pace and one off the rail heading to the bend.
The contest unfolded quickly as they entered the home straight, and a thrilling finish seemed likely with several runners manoeuvring into position to strike.
Luke Ferraris, aboard 1.4 favourite My Wish (123lb), cruised into a clear run before asking the two-time Group winner to quicken at the 250-metre mark. However, the response from Mark Newnham’s five-year-old was limited, and he was soon swallowed up by McDonald, who had timed a searing run on Galaxy Patch (123lb) up the inside rail to perfection.
Hollie Doyle rode the unheralded Sunlight Power (123lb) into second place for trainer Ricky Yiu, while the Frankie Lor-trained Happy Together (123lb), ridden by Alexis Badel, grabbed third, both half-a-length behind the winner. My Wish boxed on to claim fourth, a further half-length in arrears.
The brisk pace delivered the fastest 1600m time – 1m 32.88s – of Galaxy Patch’s career and an eighth win for the six-year-old. Ng revealed the addition of blinkers was a telling factor.
“Obviously, with the gear change, with the blinkers, he finished stronger to the line, but still a little bit of improvement has to be made,” Ng said.
“We waited for very long (for this win). This preparation has gone really well. Last month’s (race) was a bit unlucky with the run – he ran sixth. And today, luckily, it opened up well for him,” he added.
Adding further merit to the win, McDonald reported Galaxy Patch overcame interference in running.
“He did really well. He got a bit of a check at the 800 (metre mark), and he regathered himself and came with a good surge,” McDonald said. “A nice confidence-boosting win heading into December and we’ll see how we go.”
The result makes the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) an intriguing affair with My Wish seeking to turn the tables and the prospect of some smart overseas challengers, such as The Lion In Winter and Soul Rush, adding another element.
Ng revealed that McDonald is engaged to ride Galaxy Patch in the December showpiece and said he had pursued the Kiwi to take the ride.
“We waited for long for him (James McDonald) – he was busy last season with Voyage Bubble. So this season we waited for him. It was the first time he rode him in a race, he won it. We’re looking forward to the next one.”
By Paul Ryding
