Up-and-coming sprint star Galaxy Patch will take his place in next month’s Classic Mile, with trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi hoping a gear change will help his four-year-old negotiate the step up in trip.

While Galaxy Patch has raced solely over 1,200m in Hong Kong, winning four times to rocket to a rating of 96, connections have decided to take their chance in the first leg of the prestigious four-year-old series on February 4.

“Yes, we’re going to race in the Classic Mile. The owner wants to,” confirmed Ng, admitting that while he’d like to run the son of Wandjina over 1,400m first, it’s all happened too quickly.

“We have to go straight to the Mile as there’s not enough time for another run. We’ll probably give him another trial next Friday, maybe with a gear change to pacifiers hopefully to settle him a bit. Just cover him up and hopefully he relaxes a bit.”

Karis Teetan has ridden Galaxy Patch in all five of his Hong Kong starts, including his convincing win on the weekend, and will be aboard for the Classic Mile, while Zac Purton confirmed on Tuesday morning he has opted to partner Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Helene Feeling in the HK$13 million feature.

A week before the Classic Mile, Ng will saddle up three runners in the Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) as he chases his first Group One victory.

Veterans Duke Wai and Super Wealthy were among the 13 entries released on Monday, as well as last-start Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) victor Taj Dragon.

Taj Dragon, who was penalised a whopping 21 points for his Group Three success, will race at the elite level for the first time in the Centenary Sprint Cup on January 28, before turning his attention to the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at his pet distance.

“We will run him at the shorter distance and get him prepared for the 1,400m Group One in March,” Ng said.

Rounding out the Centenary Sprint Cup entries are Lucky Sweynesse, Wellington, Victor The Winner, Lucky With You, Courier Wonder, Flying Ace, Whizz Kid, Packing Treadmill, Sight Success and Son Pak Fu.

Wellington, who trainer Jamie Richards confirmed will be ridden by Hugh Bowman for the first time later this month, stepped up his preparation for the race at Tuesday morning’s trials.

In his first hit-out since his third behind Lucky Sweynesse when ridden by Alexis Badel in last month’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), Wellington moved through his gears to cross the line first under Bowman.

“He’s had a bit of an easy time since the international sprint but the plan was always to give him a maintenance trial here,” said Richards.

“He seems to be in good shape. He’s going to have to be right at the top of his game with Lucky Sweynesse in there, obviously, but we’re looking forward to next weekend. He’s just got to hold his form. We’re doing everything we possibly can to make sure he turns up in good shape.”