Pierre Ng Pang-chi is confident Galaxy Patch has the potential to light up Sunday’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) en route to elite-level contests later in the season.

Last season’s champion four-year-old answered every call in his 12-race campaign, with six wins to his name plus seconds in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

Galaxy Patch will meet top-level winners Voyage Bubble and Beauty Eternal on favourable terms when they clash on Sunday, with Ng’s galloper receiving six and two pounds, respectively.

While Galaxy Patch is yet to strike in Group Two company, Ng is certain he is capable of succeeding at that level before holding his own in Group One contests.

“Definitely he can,” Ng said. “He showed us what he’s about last season and he’s up to the top level now. I’m confident he can build from here.

“He’s been doing really well after the break and he’s had four trials to get him calm and get him fit.

“In all his trials he’s been doing really well and he’s showed he’s fit and well. We’re looking forward to it.”

Galaxy Patch ended his season with Group Three wins in June’s Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) and Premier Plate (1,800m), where on both occasions he showed a blistering turn of foot under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu to surge home from the rear of the field.

He will jump from gate two with Ho in the saddle, with the jockey aiming to take his record aboard the son of Wandjina to a perfect three from three.

“I’m not sure how he’s going to jump but he might not jump too sharp. We just want him to be calm, see the field and have a good turn of foot in the straight,” Ng said.

“Hopefully he can do it again and improve now he’s older. I definitely think he’s improved because in trackwork he’s very relaxed, but how much improvement he’s made, we don’t know yet. We’ll find out on Sunday.”

Ng picked out Galaxy Patch’s three main dangers and outlined his future plans.

“Of course, Beauty Eternal is a big danger and with a light weight Chancheng Glory is another,” Ng said. “Voyage Bubble you also have to respect as well.

“Looking ahead, I think we’ll stay at a mile for the Hong Kong Mile and then maybe we’ll stretch him in February for the Gold Cup [2,000m].”

Ng sits at the top of the trainers’ championship with 11 wins from the first 10 meetings and takes an 11-strong team to Sunday’s programme.

While he has a host of live chances, the handler admits it looks a tough task for Wonderstar, who will make his Hong Kong debut in the 1,200m Class Two to close the card.

The five-year-old son of Starspangledbanner won once during his career in Australia and four times during a 12-race campaign in Macau, which ended with a win at Taipa racecourse on March 30.

“He’s been doing pretty well and he showed in all his trials he’s a professional horse,” Ng said. “But, we have to be aware of the quality of Macau against Hong Kong and that might be tough for him.”