Ardy party rolls on with new Hong Kong winner

Sunday at Sha Tin saw James McDonald and Gold Patch kick off the card in winning fashion, combining for a determined victory for trainer Francis Lui and the Patch Syndicate.

Contested over the 1000 metres, the opening event was no gimme, with the Zac Purton-ridden Sparkling Fellow applying strong pressure throughout. However, Gold Patch proved up to the task, edging clear late to give McDonald the early advantage in the McDonald-Purton duel.

Bred by Dame Lowell Goddard, Gold Patch is a three-year-old gelding by Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan, out of the Per Incanto mare La Donna. He is the mare’s second foal, with La Donna having returned to Ardrossan for five of her six coverings to date, the only exception being Banquo, who recently celebrated his first winner.

Gold Patch was sold by Lilywhites Lodge at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for $155,000, before being reoffered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale, where he was purchased by KM Yeung for $250,000.

From just 11 runners in Hong Kong, Ardrossan has now sired eight winners, an impressive strike rate on one of the world’s most competitive stages.