Patch Of Stars shines at Sha Tin

[Wandering Eyes]

Karaka graduate Patch Of Stars (All Too Hard) lived up to expectations in the feature Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1200m) and boosted his Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospects with a smart win for Manfred Man and Zac Purton on an eventful day at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Purton, who bagged a treble to extend his championship lead to 22 wins, spoke cautiously about Patch Of Stars drawing a tricky barrier nine in the build-up to the race. But in the event, he was able to manoeuvre the All Too Hard gelding into the box seat before letting down strongly to put away a handy field.

Patch Of Stars was sold through the Riversley Park draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for $800,000 to owner Yeung Kin Man.

The win sealed a raceday double for Man, after Hollie Doyle had earlier ridden Double Win (NZ) (Burgundy) to victory in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap (2000m), increasing the veteran conditioner’s seasonal total to 13.

“I think 1200 metres is good for him, because in the Class 3 1400 metres, he was favourite twice and was only fourth and fifth,” Man said. “Back at 1200 metres, he won a Class 3 and was promoted (to Class 2) today and won again, so I think it’s the best distance for him.”

On The Lash (NZ) (Savabeel) held off fast-finishing rivals in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap (1800m) to deliver trainer Pierre Ng’s first victory in four meetings.

The win provided Luke Ferraris with another valuable win in his bid for LONGINES IJC qualification, as he held on by a nose from Richard Kingscote surging late on Cool Blue.

Trainer Cody Mo’s Bucephalas (NZ) (Savabeel), whose odds plunged to 7/1 moments before the flag dropped, sliced through the field of the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Miss Hong Kong Love Yourself Collection Handicap (1400m) to claim his first Hong Kong win at his sixth attempt under Matthew Chadwick.

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