Pierre Ng Pang-chi surged back to the top of the trainers’ championship with a sensational treble in consecutive races at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.

After losing his early title lead to the red-hot David Hayes last Sunday, Ng responded in style when Sunny Darling, Robot Knight and Turin Mascot boosted his tally to 15 wins for the season – one clear of Hayes.

“David Hayes has done really well,” Ng said. “We’ll just try to get more winners and keep everyone happy.”

Sunny Darling finally converted his sharp trial form to the races in scoring his first Hong Kong victory in the Class Four JCI Hong Kong Senate Cup (1,200m).

Ridden by Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, the former Australian galloper crossed from barrier 10 to sit outside pacesetter Always Fluke before taking control in the straight.

He beat Shanghai Style by a length and three quarters, turning around his poor race form from his previous 10 starts in the city.

Robot Knight’s triumph was also a breakthrough result, with the Deep Field gelding chalking up his first career win in the Class Four Tiu Yue Yung Handicap (1,200m).

Andrea Atzeni had Robot Knight trailing tearaway leader Jolly Companion, before he pounced at the 150m and drew clear for a decisive two-and-a-half-length victory over Golden Long.

“He’s been knocking on the door since last season,” Ng said of Robot Knight, who was placed three times on the dirt last campaign.

“In a couple of runs where he sat just behind the pace or was in front, he didn’t like it. He likes being out wide.”

Zac Purton sealed Ng’s three-timer with a runaway win on Turin Mascot in the Class Three Tsim Mei Fung Handicap (1,650m). Ng landed the trifecta when Fighting Machine and Supreme Agility filled the placings.

Elsewhere, Matthew Poon Ming-fai declared his intention to return to the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) after shooting into the top four of the jockeys’ premiership.

Continuing an impressive start to the season, Poon recorded his ninth win when he guided Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Reliable Profit to a commanding victory in the first section of the Class Four Tin Ha Shan Handicap (1,650m).

The 30-year-old jumped to third behind Purton and Hugh Bowman in the title race, before Ho overtook him when he secured the second leg a double on Capital Delight in the Class Three Wa Mei Shan Handicap (1,200m).

The top four in the championship represent Hong Kong in the IJC at Happy Valley in December.

“It’s a long way to go but, to be honest, I really want to be in the top four of the jockey championship so then I can ride in the IJC,” said Poon, who last competed in the IJC in 2018.

“My target is to get into the IJC and also get more support from different trainers, which I’m trying to do now. I’m riding trials in Conghua [and] trials in Hong Kong to get more opportunities.

“If I can get more rides, hopefully I can get more winners. Riding in the IJC was amazing. It was unforgettable, so I’m doing my best to do it again.”

Poon produced a clever ride on Reliable Profit, hooking the six-year-old off the fence just before the turn after he enjoyed an economical run from gate one.

With most winners on the night coming down the centre of the track, Poon found the better going and the popular $2.4 favourite let down strongly to pounce on the lead at the 150m.

Reliable Profit drew clear to beat Excel Wongchoy by two and three-quarter lengths, backing up his dominant last-start win on the dirt.

Earlier, Lyle Hewitson ended a streak of 39 rides without a win when he booted home Colourful Baron in the Class Five Hebe Hill Handicap (1,800m).