Aiming to strike back in a tense trainers’ championship battle, Pierre Ng Pang-chi is hoping there will be enough speed in Sunday’s Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) to help Galaxy Patch mow down his rivals late.

Stable star Galaxy Patch heads Ng’s strong assault on Sunday’s pair of features at Sha Tin, with last-start winner Taj Dragon also set for the Lion Rock Trophy and talented sprinter Mugen bound for the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).

After leading the trainers’ championship outright from November until last weekend, the second-season handler now shares top billing with Francis Lui Kin-wai on 59 wins with only 12 meetings remaining in the term.

Galaxy Patch has shone for Ng this season, showcasing his star power in four electrifying wins to go with seconds in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

However, a potential lack of pressure in the Lion Rock Trophy field of seven could thwart the Wandjina gelding, who is known for settling back in his races and producing a powerful turn of foot late.

Ng dispelled concerns about Galaxy Patch’s recent trial, however, in which he ran last of six under little pressure from Vincent Ho Chak-yiu on the dirt at Sha Tin.

“He does switch off now, which is a good thing, but as soon as Vincent gave him the signal in the straight, he finished off well,” Ng said.

“That was ideal and the horse pulled up well. Vincent said he felt brilliant and his form is good.

“Hopefully there won’t be too slow a pace on the weekend and he can perform.”

Atullibigeal and Chancheng Glory loom as the most likely pace angles in the HK$4.2 million race, though both gallopers have raced off the speed in recent starts.

Ho will take his first race ride on Galaxy Patch, who jumps from barrier two and looks well placed with 122 pounds under handicap conditions.

Andrea Atzeni hops back aboard Taj Dragon, who won the Class One Racing Heritage Handicap (1,400m) narrowly last start under claiming apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang.

It was the Mehmas gelding’s fourth victory this term, with his haul headlined by the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) under Atzeni in January.

“He’s a consistent runner. He’s run over a mile twice in Group company and finished sixth both times, so I definitely think in a Group Three handicap with what is not a heavy weight that he will finish off well,” Ng said of Taj Dragon, who carries 127 pounds on Sunday.

Mugen looks well placed dropping to the 115-pound minimum after a fast-finishing third to Invincible Sage in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) on Champions Day.

“He finished off well last time in the Group One race so this time it is quite an advantage to have a lighter weight,” Ng said.

“In these races, the lighter-weighted horses often run better so hopefully he can push his rating up higher.”

Harry Bentley will take his first race ride on Mugen, who has won three races and finished in the top three in all seven starts this season.

The son of Deep Field could enhance his chances of travelling overseas for feature sprints in the future with another win on Sunday.

“I talked to the owner and we probably won’t travel in the short-term, but maybe next year,” Ng said.

“He still needs to get more ratings points to do that – hopefully he can get up to around 110 so we can look at international races.”