Pierre Ng Pang-chi Aims to Maintain Trainers' Championship Lead with Eight-Horse Team at Happy Valley

Pierre Ng Pang-chi is keen to maintain his spot at the top of the trainers’ championship when he unleashes an eight-strong team at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, headlined by hat-trick seeker Prestige Always.

A noted fast beginner in his campaigns, including in 2023-24 when he finished runner-up in the championship, Ng has struck early with nine wins from the first eight meetings to sit one ahead of Cody Mo Wai-kit and Manfred Man Ka-leung.

The 43-year-old has high hopes for his Valley squad and declared Prestige Always had room for improvement after his tough first-up victory when trapped wide without cover.

A narrow winner at Sha Tin at the end of last term, Prestige Always will bid to complete a hat-trick under in-form apprentice Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu when he tackles Wednesday night’s first section of the Class Three Yip Fat Handicap (1,200m).

“Luckily last race we got a good ride with Nichola on,” Ng said of Yuen’s first career triumph at the Valley.

“He’s still in good form after the last run. He’s still holding up very well and I’ll say he’s improved from it as well.

“He should be handy in the run and he will still have a light weight.”

Prestige Always defied a wide run from gate nine to win at the course and distance last month and has drawn far more favourably in barrier three on Wednesday night.

Yuen, who has made a brilliant start to the season of her own with eight wins, will again ride the Irish import.

Ng is also excited about his talented sprinter Aurora Lady’s return from a long injury-enforced absence in the second section of the Yip Fat Handicap.

The four-time course and distance winner hasn’t raced since last November after battling lameness and undergoing surgery on both fore fetlocks in April.

“He sustained an injury last season, so we had screws put into his fetlocks,” Ng said.

“He’s had three trials before this run and he trialled pretty well to me after all the issues he’s had.

“He’s come back a stronger horse and more mature horse, so running in Class Three with top weight first up, I’m looking for a good performance there and I think he definitely has the ability to win in Class Three or even higher class.”

Keith Yeung Ming-lun will ride Aurora Lady, who must overcome top weight of 135lb and a wide draw in barrier nine.

The son of Star Witness wasn’t beaten far when placed in his most recent two trials at Conghua.

Refusetobeenglish is Ng’s representative in the other Class Three race on the Valley card, the Hing Fat Handicap (1,650m). The Australian import is still chasing his first Hong Kong victory after three placings from his 13 local starts.

“He’s been very unlucky. He was knocking on the door last season and last run was something we’ll just have to forget about,” Ng said, referencing Refusetobeenglish’s first-up 12th at the Valley when he started slowly and was held up in the straight.

“He’ll be a very strong chance this week. We just have to be patient and try our best to get the success.”

Derek Leung Ka-chun, another rider who is in top form to start the season with eight wins, will ride Refusetobeenglish.

Good Luck Win, Luck Is Back, Jumbo Steps, Master Champion and Healthy Healthy are Ng’s other Valley runners.