Karis Teetan is excited to renew his partnership with Galaxy Patch in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 February), almost two years since he last rode the Pierre Ng-trained gelding.

Teetan, one of the most sought-after riders in the jurisdiction, has 23 winners this season and will become the fourth jockey to ride Galaxy Patch in five races this term. Ng will also reapply blinkers to his stable star as he continues his efforts to unlock the eight-time winner’s potential.

“I can’t wait, it’s been a long time,” Teetan said of reuniting with the four-time Group race winner. “I rode him in a trial recently, and he trialled good. I was happy with the way he moved, and the way he did everything. He quickened up really well.”

The 1400-metre distance represents a relatively unfamiliar challenge for Galaxy Patch, having raced at that distance just once previously. Notably, the last time Galaxy Patch stepped out over 1400m was his last ride with Teetan, when he finished second by a length in the 2024 edition of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Drawing barrier seven in the 10-runner contest also affords Ng and Teetan some tactical flexibility on Sunday.

“Galaxy Patch is not a horse that can be box seat or anything,” Teetan said. “He’s a horse that comes from off the speed. But he’s coming to 1400 again, so it’s going to be a differently run race. It actually might suit him because he might like the fast pace. He ran second behind California Spangle over 1400 (in the 2024 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup), and I thought it was a really good run. If he can do a run like that, he’ll be strong.”

The winner of six races during an eye-catching debut campaign in 2023/24, including the G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) and the G3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m), Galaxy Patch has failed to live up to that early promise, with only two wins across the subsequent two seasons.

He faces a tough assignment to add to his win tally in Sunday’s feature race, which is carded as Race 8 and will be run at 4.35pm, as he prepares to go up against a high-class field that includes the world’s leading sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, who bids to set a Hong Kong record of 18 consecutive wins.

Teetan emphasised that a good run was important for the six-year-old.

“Of course, you try to win first, but the main aim is to try to get your horse to run his best race. Ka Ying (Rising) is going to be strong – I’ve ridden him in the same race last year, and I know the 1400 (metres) is no problem for him.

“Galaxy Patch is a good horse. He just needs everything to go his way. When he won the Group 2 (BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile, 1600m) with James (McDonald) in November, he took the shortest run; that’s what he needs. It’s going to be a strong race, taking on the best sprinter in the world, but I know that he is in good shape.

Sunday’s (22 February) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin commences with the Class 4 Daffodil Handicap (1000m) at 1pm.