Pierre Ng will target the biggest victory of his career in Sunday’s (23 October) HK$5 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin when he saddles none other than Lucky Patch – last year’s winner of the race – as one of two entrants from his stable.

Chasing a first win since he was brought down as favourite in the 2021 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Lucky Patch has been unable to return to his peak that saw him bag five wins prior to that mishap, however, Ng’s buoyed by a rise in distance as he plots top-level goals with the El Roca gelding.

“It’s a very big challenge, it took a while for us to get his confidence back and now we just need to get him fitter and ready for the Hong Kong International Races,” Ng said.

A dual Group 2 winner, Lucky Patch is chanced with becoming the first back-to-back winner of this weekend’s contest on a star-studded honour roll which also features the likes of Aerovelocity, Able Friend, Sterling City, Mr Stunning and Hot King Prawn.

“1200 metres suits him better and his fitness levels have improved from the last run, so we’re really looking forward to it and hopefully he has a good run,” Ng said.

Having his third run back for the new season and while under Ng’s care, Lucky Patch has won both of his past two third-up runs in Hong Kong – when he was previously trained by Francis Lui – including victory in this race last year. Last start, the six-year-old finished fourth in the G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) earlier this month.

“I think he’ll run well, we’re looking forward to it and he should sprint home well. Silvestre de Sousa is aboard,” Ng said.

Ng will be double-handed in Sunday’s feature at Sha Tin as Duke Wai lines up under Harry Bentley for the handler alongside Lucky Patch.

“He’s (Duke Wai) very happy and he’s already had two runs so he should be fit and ready for this race. It’s a handicap race so he gets a little bit of an advantage with a light weight but he’s in good form,” Ng said.

Duke Wai has been consistent across his career with 20 top-three finishes (including eight wins) from 36 starts in Hong Kong. The seven-year-old was previously trained by the recently departed Paul O’Sullivan.

Ng has four wins this season from 56 runners. He also has nine second placings and nine third placings to his name.

“The biggest challenge is getting them fit and healthy into the race and secondly to be winning it, it is really hard but the horses are running well, they’re having good runs and they’re picking up prize money,” Ng said. “I’m still very happy, they’ve run well, so I’m just trying to improve them off their previous run.”

Prior to receiving a licence to train in Hong Kong ahead of this season, Ng spent time under the care of his father and former trainer Peter Ng as well as John Size, Paul O’Sullivan and most recently with Francis Lui.

Wellington, Sky Field, Stronger, Courier Wonder, Computer Patch, Sight Success, Lucky Sweynesse, Cordyceps Six, Master Eight and Fantastic Treasure also feature in the entries for Sunday’s Premier Bowl.