Rather than lean on his father for advice, Pierre Ng Pang-chi has chosen to keep to himself and block out any outside noise in the build up to his first crack at the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

In the midst of an incredible second season as a handler, Ng can extend his lead in the trainers’ premiership and join his father Peter Ng Bik-kuen on the Derby honour roll when he starts Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Generation on Sunday.

Peter Ng knows what it takes to win the city’s biggest race, having prepared Reliable Source to salute in 1990. He landed the quinella that year with Quicken Away running second and also had the runner-up, All-Rounder Graham, in 1991.

While he would be well qualified to offer his son some sage advice, Pierre Ng has been keen to keep things simple in the lead up to the Derby.

“I haven’t spoken to him, I don’t want to get any conflicting opinions about the things I want to do otherwise I could get a bit mixed up,” Pierre Ng said.

The 40-year-old’s stable has been in hot form, establishing a significant lead in the race for the premiership in the first half of the season.

While his form has cooled off slightly in recent weeks, Ng still holds a strong lead on 52 wins, 12 clear of nearest rival Francis Lui Kin-wai.

While buoyed by his overall performance this season, a Derby triumph would be the dream result for Ng.

“For our second year of training, to have two horses in the Derby is a privilege for the stable. To participate is just a very good feeling,” he said.

With Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Generation, Ng has two completely different horses chasing Derby glory.

Galaxy Patch, a brilliant sprinter with four wins at 1,200m, makes the unconventional leap to 2,000m having raced over 1,000m just three weeks ago.

While he is yet to prove his staying prowess, the Wandjina gelding has proven his class in a short career that also included a slashing second to California Spangle in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) last start.

“Galaxy Patch is the wild card,” Ng said. “We just keep testing him. The last run was sort of the impossible mission, first time at 1,400m in a Group One, but he managed to run well, so hopefully he can do it again this weekend.”

In contrast to Galaxy Patch, Ka Ying Generation proved himself at the Derby trip with a fighting victory on February 4 before a luckless 13th in the Classic Cup (1,800m), where he copped a severe check early in the race.

“Ka Ying Generation has got the win at the distance and it’s just a matter of time before he makes a very good stayer later on,” Ng said.

History favours Galaxy Patch, with only two gallopers rated under 100 successful since the Derby became a 2,000m contest in the year 2000.

He boasts the highest rating of the 14 runners at 103. Classic Mile and Classic Cup winner Helios Express (102) is the only other contender rated above 100.

Blake Shinn will ride Galaxy Patch for the first time, with Ng banking on the Australian’s soft hands to help his charge settle in his first attempt at the trip.

“Blake is a very good judge. Obviously, this type of horse gives a very good feeling in his trackwork, he has the strength and stride length to be a Group One horse and I’m pretty happy with him after his work the other day,” Ng said.