The Rising Star: Patch Of Stars' Meteoric Journey Continues
In the competitive world of Hong Kong racing, maintaining a winning streak is no easy feat. Yet, champion jockey Zac Purton is confident that Patch Of Stars, the gelding under the guidance of trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung, can continue his remarkable ascent. With an impressive record of five wins in his last seven starts, this horse's rating has skyrocketed from 50 to 92 in just eight months, a true testament to his talent.
But here's where it gets controversial... Patch Of Stars' recent success hasn't come without its challenges. In his last race, he faced the daunting task of overcoming gate nine, a position that many would consider a disadvantage. However, with Purton's masterful riding skills, he navigated this obstacle with ease, claiming victory in the Lukfook Jewellery Cup (1,200m).
And this is the part most people miss... despite rising another 4lb in the rankings, Purton believes Patch Of Stars is more than capable of continuing his winning ways. He faces another wide draw in gate 10 for the Class Two Ivy Handicap (1,200m), but Purton remains optimistic, stating, "He's working well, so I expect him to run another good race."
However, Purton also acknowledges the challenges that come with success. "The more races you win, the harder it gets," he says. "He's drawn awkward again, but he's held his form."
In his last start, Purton employed a strategic move, pushing Patch Of Stars forward from his wide draw to settle in a favorable position. This tactic paid off, as the son of All Too Hard kept his momentum to beat Invincible Shield by a neck.
Invincible Shield, with a 4lb advantage over Patch Of Stars on Saturday, will also face a slightly awkward draw in barrier eight. Other contenders include Gorgeous Win, fresh from a strong dirt win, and Crimson Flash, who is riding a wave of form after three straight wins.
Purton's book of rides for the 11-race card is impressive, including last-start winners Invincible Ibis and Packing Glory. Invincible Ibis, trained by Mark Newnham, is chasing a hat-trick in the Class Three Poinsettia Handicap and will step up to the mile for the first time before his Classic Mile tilt in February.
"He's mentally and physically immature, so there's room for improvement," Purton says of Invincible Ibis. "His raw ability is evident, but he needs to refine his racing craft. As he tackles longer distances, we hope to see him take those steps forward."
So, will Patch Of Stars continue his meteoric rise? Can Invincible Ibis maintain his momentum in the Class Three Poinsettia Handicap? These questions and more will be answered at Sha Tin on Saturday. Don't miss the action!
What do you think? Will Patch Of Stars' luck hold out, or will the challenges of a wide draw prove too much? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
