Pierre Ng Pang-chi may be locked in a pulsating championship battle with his former boss and mentor Francis Lui Kin-wai, but the cool, calm and collected second-season handler insists it’s business as usual as the season reaches a climax.

Ng spent two years as Lui’s assistant trainer before joining the roster in 2022, and the 40-year-old sits in pole position heading into the final three meetings of the campaign, with a 67-65 lead over the veteran.

As well as stints for his father, Paul O’Sullivan and John Size, Ng was an integral part of Lui’s success for two seasons, a spell that included Golden Sixty’s famed 16-run unbeaten streak.

Looking back at his time rising through the ranks, Ng is grateful for the invaluable knowledge he gained during his stint with Lui. But, he says there isn’t any added pressure to take down his old master.

“It doesn’t feel like there is,” Ng said. “I’m training myself and I’m quite independent, so we just keep going and win it if we can.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot from him and from the previous trainers I worked with. I got a lot from them and it seems to be working well. Hopefully it will continue to work next season.

“We still show respect to each other and we talk sometimes, but work is work. He is a very focused man and I’m focused as well so we don’t talk a lot.”

In his bid to secure a maiden trainers’ championship, Ng is set to fire plenty of arrows at Saturday’s Sha Tin meeting, with eight runners on the 10-race card.

One of his leading chances is last-start winner Greenwich, who will aim to collect consecutive victories over 1,400m when he steps up to Class Three level in the Chow Silver Plate.

The four-year-old gelding recorded his first win of the season at the eighth time of asking under Andrea Atzeni and jumps from barrier 10 with the Sardinian in the saddle.

“He ran brilliantly last time and we’re looking for him to do the same on Saturday,” Ng said. “Hopefully he can get in a good position with the light weight in Class Three and go and do it again.”

Greenwich faces stiff competition from John Size’s unbeaten youngster, The Winnabe, while last-start winner King Miles will aim to reduce Ng’s lead for the Lui stable.

Ng believes his consistent six-year-old, Captain Win, is in tip-top condition to record consecutive wins after he kept on gamely for a second career victory last month.

“He was good last time and there will be a fair bit of pace in Class Three for him to aim at. That will be suitable for him to finish off well,” Ng said.

“He looks well, even better than his last run, so I hope he can get a good result for us.”

Captain Win appreciated the drop into Class Four company to prevail by a neck on June 15. He will have to defeat improving rivals Lo Pan Spirit and Full Credit.

Ng’s Saturday team is rounded off by last-start placegetter Robot Knight, Medic Elite, Sea Sapphire, Tradition, Turin Starspangled and Miles Away.

Lui’s battalion is made up of Karate Express, High Rise Power, Foxhunter Way, Foxhunter King, Euro Rocks, Hasten Delight, Sweet Briar, Lucky Gold, King Miles, Mighty Steed, Highland Rahy and Moduleconstruction.