Pierre Ng Pang-chi is confident Sagacious Life has improved again since his last-start victory as the Brazilian import bids to deliver Zac Purton an elusive win in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin.

Sagacious Life has burst into four-year-old series contention with two wins from three local starts, scoring brilliantly on his Hong Kong debut in October before a tough Class Two success on his latest appearance.

Beaten but far from disgraced when sixth with excuses in between the two triumphs, the son of Put It Back gave Ng another confidence boost when he cruised to victory in a dirt trial last week.

Purton, who is yet to win the first leg of the four-year-old series, elected to ride the 97-rated Sagacious Life over half a dozen other leading fancies in Sunday’s coveted feature.

“The horse pulled up well from his last run, he had a trial last week and he seems to have improved a little bit, so he’s ready for the race on Sunday,” Ng said.

“He’s won twice in Class Two over the mile, so we definitely have confidence and the improvement he showed in his trial, we were very happy with that.

“He’s very lightly raced in Hong Kong. The more he steps out the more we learn about him. Maybe his best trip is a mile, but we have three big races coming up and we will find out his best distance.”

Sagacious Life arrived in Hong Kong with an imposing record of four wins and two seconds from six pre-import starts when racing as Navio Fantasma.

He was unbeaten from his first three starts and caught the attention of Hong Kong interests with a Group One success in the Derby Paulista (2,400m).

The only blow to Ng’s confidence ahead of Sunday was a wide draw in barrier 13, with the handler putting his faith in Purton to weave his magic.

The Classic Mile is the only feature race in the city that has eluded the eight-time Hong Kong champion, who has notched a pair of seconds and four thirds in the race.

Sagacious Life boasts the highest rating of the 14 runners on a mark of 97. Next best is Jimmy Ting Koon-ho’s Little Paradise, who has risen to a rating of 95 with five wins and two placings from eight starts.

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu picked up the prized ride from Purton and Little Paradise has drawn nicely in gate six.

Invincible Ibis, the next highest-rated runner on 91, will chase a fifth consecutive win and deliver Mark Newnham back-to-back Classic Mile successes when he jumps from barrier 11.

Patch Of Cosmo and Akashvani are the other two last-start winners in the field, which is stacked with quality and depth.

Outside of the much-anticipated feature on Sunday, Ng will be represented in the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap (1,400m) by Drombeg Banner.

The consistent galloper can bounce back from a last-start 10th when he was checked shortly after the start, with the interference preventing him from taking up his customary role in front.

“Last time he just got cut off once he jumped out of the gate and the race was gone for him. It was just like a barrier trial, so hopefully he can jump well and get to the lead this time,” Ng said.

“We’re lucky with the small field and light weight – he’ll be effective.”

Five-time Hong Kong winner Drombeg Banner is the only runner in the field of five on the minimum weight of 115lb. Group Three winner Patch Of Theta, Group Two victor Tomodachi Kokoroe, Light Years Charm, Group One winner Beauty Eternal and Healthy Happy round out the field.