David Eustace is aiming to maintain a rich vein of form at Sha Tin on Sunday that has seen him climb the trainers’ standings in recent weeks, hoping it extends to next week’s HK$130 million Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting.
Five wins from the last four Sha Tin meetings have ignited the second-season handler’s campaign after a slow start, and one of his best chances of adding to his seasonal tally of eight wins is Swift Ascend in the day’s sporting highlight, the Class 2 Chatham Handicap (1200m, dirt).
The Lord Kanaloa gelding struck three times – his only three wins – in quick succession at the beginning of the 2024/25 season and made a sound start to the current campaign with a fast-closing fifth place last month. Eustace believes the timing is right for the six-year-old to make his bow on the dirt.
“I always wanted to do it (run him on dirt), but probably the right opportunity hadn’t presented. This race was three weeks after his really good first-up run,” Eustace said.
“Kick-back is something that a lot of horses may not enjoy early on when they’re not used to it, but they do get used to it. His run style is going to be the most concerning part of it,” he added. “He’s a horse who does sit midfield or worse, so the draw will be important.”
Swift Ascend was drawn in barrier No 7 and will be ridden for the first time by Harry Bentley on Sunday.
Eustace hopes his surge will extend to next week’s Longines Hong Kong International Races, where he saddles the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Massive Sovereign in the HK$40 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m). It’s a challenge that will provide the second-year trainer with his first taste of the jurisdiction’s showpiece meeting, though it pits his runner against the great Romantic Warrior.
“I’m very happy with Massive Sovereign,” Eustace said. “It’s a big assignment. But all we can do is get him to the races in as good a shape as we can. You never know, it’s a horse race.”
Another of the stable’s leading chances on Sunday in the Class 3 Mody Handicap (1650m, dirt) is Loch Tay, who provided Richard Kingscote with his first winner of the season last month. Having his first run on the dirt, the three-year-old chestnut enjoyed a wonderful trip to prevail by 0.75 lengths at odds of 20-1.
“He’s a good travelling horse. He got himself in a good pitch that day and responded well to pressure,” Kingscote said. “We had an OK draw that day, so hopefully at the weekend we can get another good sit, and hopefully we can come forward.”
Meanwhile, the soon-to-be-named 2025 Longines World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald, believes Galaxy Patch, his mount in the HK$36 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m), has come on for his 0.50-length victory in last month’s G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m). Speaking after the six-year-old’s final barrier trial ahead of the race, McDonald was excited about the Wandjina gelding’s prospects.
“The thing about Galaxy (Patch) is, I feel he’s improved since the other day. He seems to have got a bit of confidence out of that (win), and he didn’t trial as good as what he trialled for me this morning leading into that run. So, it just shows that he’s taken a good step forward, and I think I’m on the right horse there,” McDonald said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Beauty Missile caught wide last start but still finished strongly for fifth. From a good draw, he’s poised to break through at his second attempt in Class 5. Courier Magic looks overdue for a win after four consecutive placings, and with Purton staying aboard, he shapes as a leading contender. Meepmeep will relish the drop to Class 5, where he boasts a great record. Euro Rocks has not been beaten far in his last two starts, and a Top 3 finish wouldn’t surprise. Go Go Go showed improvement last time out and is well weighted to produce another encouraging effort.
Race 2: King Alloy led most of the trip on his Class 5 debut last start and is on a highly winnable mark now. Glory Cloud narrowly missed last start and looks capable of breaking through anytime in the cellar grade. Colourful Winner stuck on well for fourth in a fast-run race last start and is worth considering if he isn’t overbet. Winning Machine finished a solid fourth in Class 4 last start and must be respected with the drop in class. Yee Cheong Raider will make a strong late surge if the pace suits, though his form has been patchy.
Race 3: Aurio appears to have an edge over his Class 4 rivals and should be highly competitive in this moderate field. Brownneedsfurther has improved with each run and is edging closer to a win. Vigor Eye has trialled well for his debut, and from a favourable draw, he should deliver a strong performance. Autumn Vibes possesses tactical speed and will give them something to catch if he can cross early from a wide draw. Invictus Dragon attacked the line strongly late from a wide gate last start, and should be right in the mix if he can map closer from a good draw.
Race 4: City Thunder resuming from a break, he hasn’t been fully tested in recent trials, but on previous form he should play a key role here with Purton aboard. Quick Contribution produced an eye-catching first-up effort and is poised to build on it with added fitness. Superb Guy ran his best race to date last time out but the widest gate poses a challenge. Top Peak showed tactical speed and stuck on for fifth last start. He is open to further improvement third-up. Good Fortune his recent trial win was impressive, and he is expected to produce an improved effort.
Race 5: Better And Better flashed home for fifth in a slowly run race last start, and with a better draw, he’s primed to shed his maiden tag. Fit For Beauty heavily backed and duly saluted last start. With more upside, he could secure back-to-back Class 4 wins. With A Smile raced wide last start, and with a more economical trip likely from a low draw, he could show improvement. Positive Smile has turned in an eye-catching recent trial and could prove to be a value pick. Winning Data showed improvement last start, and with the apprentice claim, he should run well again from a low draw.
Race 6: We Are Hero a track and distance specialist, he will relish the drop in class after a fast-finishing fourth in Class 2 last week. Sparkling Fellow his recent efforts have been encouraging, suggesting another win looks imminent. Fast Responder with Guyon jumping aboard, he’s well placed to go one better after a close second over this track and distance. Stellar Express better than his recent form suggests and could surprise at odds at his second start back to Class 3. Horsepower three from four in this class, he will make his presence felt in a genuinely run race.
Race 7: Jolly Companion has found the line well in his last two starts, and with a more favourable jockey booking, he should play a key role here. Hinokami Kagura scored a tenacious win last start and remains a strong chance despite a weight rise. Fortune Whiskey flashed home late into second last time out and looks to have regained form. Daily Trophy heavily backed but underperformed last start. With a better draw, he could bounce back. Vulcanus a proven performer in this class, he let down well to finish sixth last time out, though carrying top weight remains a concern.
Race 8: Bottomuptogether benefiting from a massive class drop, he could be hard to run down in Class 2, despite the awkward draw. Self Improvement highly suited by the switch back to the All-Weather track and should secure a Top 3 finish from a good draw. Invincible Shield showed improvement with a close second last start and looks one to follow. Gorgeous Win with a strong turn of foot, he could place at long odds if they overcook it up front. Swift Ascend finished a luckless fifth last start after encountering traffic at a crucial stage, and with better luck in running, he could make amends.
Race 9: Reliable Profit has shown consistent form on the All-Weather surface, and from a low draw, he’s ready to make amends after a fast-finishing third last start. New Forest made all to score an impressive win over this track and distance last start. A double looks highly likely if he can repeat that performance. Allcash won at big odds last start and is worth considering if his price still offers value rising to Class 3. Excellence Value his strong recent form makes him hard to overlook in this race. Another World from pole position, he could run a cheeky race despite a few mediocre efforts recently.
Race 10: Top Dragon comes off an impressive last-start win in this class, and looks poised to secure a double. Little Paradise a progressive 4YO, he finished strongly into third despite a slow tempo last start. With Purton staying aboard, he looks a leading contender. Young Achiever has finally drawn a favourable gate and could cause an upset. Etalon Or ideally weighted on his Class 3 debut, he should run well despite facing strong opposition. Lucky Sam Gor let down well to claim sixth in a slowly run race last start, and could finish in the money if the pace suits. -iRACE Magazine