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Pierre Ng has enjoyed a superb start to his training career and, ahead of his third season, the ambitious handler is not one for dwelling on the past as he chases riches both at home and abroad as the start of the 2024/25 campaign quickly approaches.
"I'm very comfortable with what we have done over summer. Hopefully we have a better season than last season," Ng said.
We definitely have a better string to last season. The horses have trialled well and had a perfect summer, they enjoyed that, also they're picking up form well. We're looking forward to the races to perform and to win them."
Ng fell short by one win in last season's trainers' championship to his former boss Francis Lui (69-70), although the term was sweetened by a quartet of Group 3 wins with his stable's now banner horses: Galaxy Patch (twice), Mugen and Taj Dragon .
Mugen contests the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on 29 September in Japan along with fellow Hong Kong raider Victor The Winner. Ng is hopeful of fulfilling a long-held ambition of securing overseas glory in addition to his 110 Hong Kong wins.
"That's what I looked for on my first day of training – winning races overseas and getting my name out there internationally. I really wanted to do that, and in my first year too, anything would be amazing," Ng said.
The 110-rated Mugen defeated California Spangle in the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) last June under Karis Teetan. Mugen and Teetan impressed in a recent barrier trial, clocking 1m 10.52s over 1200m on dirt at Sha Tin.
"It was his second trial and he performed really well. He'll be leaving Hong Kong on the 17th (of September) after we have one more trial next Thursday (12 September).
"He's used to travelling between Sha Tin and Conghua regularly, so travelling shouldn't be a problem with his temperament," Ng said.
Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010) are the only Hong Kong-trained horses to win the Sprinters Stakes.
The progressive Galaxy Patch is perhaps Ng's most exciting galloper. The Group 1-placed five-year-old will target the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 8 December at the HK$126 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
"The Hong Kong Mile is our first step. He'll race in October, then in November, then in December for the International Races, then in January, but then let's see, if he wants to stay further then we can see what happens," Ng said.
Ng expects Galaxy Patch to return in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 13 October.
"He trialled really well (on Tuesday, 3 September), quite keen. He's picking up slowly and by the time the race comes I'll be able to turn him back up," Ng said.
Ng saddles 10 runners at Sha Tin on Sunday (8 September) as he aims to uphold his reputation for strong early-season success.
Beauty Waves features for Ng in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup Handicap (1200m), assigned 115lb, while Ka Ying Rising tops the field with 135lb.
The swiftly advancing Beauty Waves has won three out of his past five starts, including his latest in Class 2 under Alexis Badel last season.
"It was a strong win. He missed the jump and I had to wait, but I didn't panic from there and he showed a great turn of foot to win the race.
"We're facing a strong race. I believe it's a good test for him. He was quite impressive when he came back to Sha Tin after racing at Happy Valley for a while – he showed good ability. It's very positive and I'm hoping he can only improve," Badel said.
Badel takes eight rides, including Chiu Chow Spirit in the Class 2 Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1400m). The Frenchman is aiming to set a new personal best for wins in a season (58).
"I've been here a while and winning Group races, the Derby – they're things that I have to accept as something good, but I'm always looking for better. It's already forgotten, I would like to have the numbers and the big races," he said.
Sunday's (8 September) 10-race season-opening at Sha Tin fixture commences at 12.50pm with the Class 5 Kowloon Peak Handicap (1600m).
