Ping Hai Galaxy packs larger impost for Sha Tin feature

With five winners from the past four Sha Tin meetings, Alexis Badel hopes Ping Hai Galaxy can extend the Frenchman's productive streak when the veteran gelding contests the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap on Sunday. 
 
One of Hong Kong's fastest horses, Ping Hai Galaxy led throughout last start to land the Class 2 The Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap on Sha Tin's dirt course on Dec. 3, defeating Flying Ace by a short head.
 
"He was great last time, that was a very good win," Badel said. "He's always been a very fast horse out of the gate, great early speed. He's a lovely horse, strong body type, so I'm hoping he can carry on this way.
 
"I think he has the ability to do well over 1000 meters. It's more about having the race that suits him – he likes to run free, he likes to do his own pace so if you can get him into a nice rhythm, I think he's going to run well."

Trained by John Size, Ping Hai Galaxy carried 126 pounds last start, but rises to 132 pounds when he faces Kurpany, Whizz Kid, We Are Hero, Astrologer, Carroll Street, Invincible Sage, Dream Winner, Wonder Kit, and Ima Single Man, in this weekend's speed contest.
 
With a pair of Class 3 victories, Invincible Sage rises to Class 2 for the first time and will jump from barrier seven under six-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton.
 
"He seems fine, and we'll find out how he handles Class 2 at the weekend," trainer David Hall said. "He's two from two, he's ready, and the program is there for him to run in that race. It's a straight track 1000 meters again so let's see what he's made of.
 
"The Class 3 races are a bit shallow at the moment, but the Class 2 contests are a bigger hurdle to jump. He's done what he's had to do and he's ready to go back to the races, so it's good that he's got this Class 2 1000 to do it."