Championship-leading trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi has the potential to light up Sha Tin’s Lunar New Year meeting with two of Hong Kong’s most exciting up-and-coming speedsters.

Ng’s scintillating season may have slowed a touch but the 40-year-old handler looks well placed to extend his 15-win premiership lead over Francis Lui Kin-wai when he unleashes Galaxy Patch and Mugen on Monday.

Four of Ng’s 47 victories for the 2023-24 campaign have come thanks to Galaxy Patch, who has rapidly risen through the ranks and contests the Class Two Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m).

Galaxy Patch got off the mark over 1,100m at Morphettville on his sole appearance in Australia before saluting at $6.3 on his Hong Kong debut in October, prevailing by a neck over Sha Tin’s 1,200m turf course.

Following a failed foray onto the all-weather track, Galaxy Patch returned to the turf 1,200m in November for a convincing win from gate 10.

An emphatic victory over the same course and distance came on international day – the four-year-old cruising to a two-and-three-quarter-length win – before he once again dismantled his rivals in January’s Class Two Pok Oi Cup (1,200m).

Last month’s commanding triumph had connections contemplating a possible Classic Series tilt, but Ng ultimately decided a sprint campaign was more suitable for the progressive youngster.

Karis Teetan has been ever-present in the saddle for the gelding’s five starts in the city and he believes the son of Wandjina is in tip-top condition after hopping aboard for a 1,200m trial hit-out on the dirt recently.

“It’s going to be interesting to see him come back,” the Mauritian said. “He’s done everything right, his last trial was good and he’s getting better with time. I’m just looking forward to riding him again.”

Galaxy Patch will jump from gate nine and face a host of worthy rivals in what will be his toughest challenge yet.

Flying Ace and Packing Treadmill enter the contest after finishing fifth and ninth, respectively, in last month’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m), while Howdeepisyourlove returns to sprinting after failing to fire in last weekend’s Classic Mile.

Trainer David Hall will launch a two-pronged attack, with Invincible Sage joining Flying Ace among the 13-strong field.

After bagging a hat-trick of impressive wins earlier this season, Invincible Sage found only Whizz Kid too good in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) on his latest outing and will step up to 1,200m for the first time this term with Alexis Badel in the saddle.

Other live chances include last-start winners Majestic Knight and Bundle Of Charm, while four-time victor Lucky Encounter is likely to have more to give after his recent third behind Galaxy Patch and Gummy Gummy.

Ng and Teetan boast a 24 per cent strike rate when teaming up this season and also combine with Mugen in the Class One Chinese New Year Cup (1,400m).

Dominant last-start winner Mugen headlines Ng’s three-strong hand in the six-horse feature, with Duke Wai and Super Wealthy his other runners.