A week after the remarkable performance of Golden Sixty in the Group One Hong Kong Mile, the racing community turns its attention to an exciting new entrant, Patch Of Theta, making his much-anticipated debut in Sunday’s Class Four Lukfook Jewellery Diapure Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin. The horse was bought for a hefty HK$8.6 million by Angela Yeung Kit-ming at the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS), with high hopes resting on his potential.
Patch Of Theta, sired by the celebrated two-time Group One winner Zoustar, has shown promising signs in his trials at Sha Tin. Jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, familiar with handling HKIS graduates like Denfield and Nordic Dragon, sees a lot of potential in Patch Of Theta. Despite being inexperienced, Ho is optimistic about the three-year-old’s abilities and potential.
The young horse’s price tag places him among the most expensive HKIS purchases in the past decade, following Circuit Number One and Household King. As he steps onto the track for his first race, Patch Of Theta faces the challenge of gate one on Sha Tin’s straight course, but the team remains hopeful of a strong performance.
Trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai has been working to temper Patch Of Theta’s keenness, focusing on getting him to relax during the race to enhance his performance. The goal is for Patch Of Theta to surpass the achievements of previous sales toppers, who often struggled to progress beyond their initial ratings.
Vincent Ho, coming off a triumphant week at the International Jockeys’ Championship, is set to guide Patch Of Theta with a focus on the current racing week. Ho’s 16 wins for the campaign reflect his skill and dedication, and he is also optimistic about Dream Winner’s prospects in the Class Two Lukfook Jewellery Cup (1,000m), especially after the horse’s recent trial victory.
The racing world watches with anticipation as Patch Of Theta embarks on his journey in the competitive sphere of Hong Kong horse racing. His debut at Sha Tin represents not just a test for the young galloper but also a significant investment in the future of the sport. With Ho’s expertise and Lui’s training, Patch Of Theta has the potential to make a notable impact in his first race and set a precedent for his racing career.
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