Talented five-year-old MUGEN is expected to usher in the Lunar New Year in style with a win in Monday’s Chinese New Year Cup race over 1400m at Sha Tin.
The sprinter, trained by Pierre Ng, has been in sensational form this season, securing three wins from four starts and ascending in the ratings to a mark of 91 since kicking off his campaign in Class 3 with a rating of 63.
This ‘get back, run on’ type was last seen rising to this distance for the first time in his career, concurrently making his first foray into Class 2 territory.
This is ENORMOUS! 😳@KarisTeetan masterfully navigates a passage through the field aboard Mugen for Pierre Ng… #TripleCrown | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/wTptwB8jc0
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 21, 2024
Eased back early from barrier 10 and eventually encountering some traffic at the top of the straight, MUGEN unleashed a sharp turn-of-foot, impressively winning by two lengths.
Although MUGEN faces what should be his toughest test yet as he steps up into Class 1, he stands out as the in-form horse to beat in the small field of six, especially considering the light weight.
Galaxy Patch should space his rivals
Arguably the most exciting four-year-old in training in Hong Kong at the moment, GALAXY PATCH returns to action, aiming to keep his track and distance record unblemished in the Class 2 race over 1200m.
After a last-minute decision not to race GALAXY PATCH in last weekend’s first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, with trainer Pierre Ng stating, ‘We didn’t buy the horse for any Classic Mile or four-year-old series run,’ the up-and-comer returns to the scene of the crime where he was last seen a month ago and where he remains unbeaten from four attempts.
Galaxy Patch returns on Monday! 😏
Entries 👉 https://t.co/G5mWyq4ZyA | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/gxpyulI1r0
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 6, 2024
Currently holding a handicap rating of 96, this run appears to be GALAXY PATCH’s last in this type of company before ascending to Group level and testing his mettle.
