Light Years Charm (56.7kg) steps into rarefied air at Sha Tin on Sunday when he competes in Pattern company for the first time in a mouthwatering feature race, the Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap over 1400m.
The gelding has reached a career-high rating of 100 after a debut campaign in 2024/25 that saw him win four times.
Trainer David Eustace is confident the five-year-old Australian import can give a good account of himself in the biggest race of his young career. “He’s gone through the grades really well,” Eustace said. “There was a bit of speed in his races, and as a result, he’s been able to put in some good performances.
“His trials have been good. I’ve been happy with him. Everything’s gone smoothly. So there’ll be no excuses. He’s beaten some nice horses along the way. And I’m looking forward to seeing if he can step up.”
Light Years Charm improved a remarkable 36 rating points over the course of his nine-race season. After a first-up fifth was followed by a fourth, he was never out of the frame again in seven outings. But his English handler is under no illusions about the size of the task when he steps up to Group level.
“I’m well aware that this is a different kettle of fish, what he’s competing against at the weekend, so he needs to step up,” Eustace said.
That was a sentiment shared by his rider, champion jockey Zac Purton, who has been aboard the son of Rubick for each of his four victories. “He’s going to need to raise the bar a little bit from what he’s been doing,” Purton said. “I thought his trial was good, but we don’t know where he’s going to end up yet.
“He’s not the easiest horse to ride,” Purton added. “He can do a few things wrong and he’s very nervous and sweats. But David’s managed him well, and hopefully he continues to do so.”
The HK$4.2 million Celebration Cup promises a competitive renewal with no fewer than five Group race winners going to post and genuine chances for much of the field.
Featherweight Markwin (52.6kg), a trainee of Cody Mo, one of the early pace-setters in the trainers’ championship, is among a host of progressive types with good claims in the contest, and jockey Harry Bentley believes the five-year-old son of I Am Invincible deserves to be respected.
“He deserves his place,” Bentley said. “It was a good victory, last time out, and naturally, you’re stepping up in class here. You’re up against some really handy types and progressive horses, so he’s going to have to be at his best, but you’ve got to give him some respect, especially off the low weight. With that weight, in these races, you’ve got to be given some respect and I expect him to run well again.”
In a field replete with developing talent, it is perhaps ironic that for the sole Group 1 winner on the card, Victor The Winner (60.8kg), the race could take on an altogether different significance.
In his previous outing this term for trainer Eustace, the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m), the seven-year-old struggled badly in Class 1 company, continuing a run of races without making the frame, which stretches back to March, 2024.
“I was sort of pleased with him towards the end of last season, and thought he was coming back to a bit of form,” Eustace said. “And I thought he would show us something in his first run, and he really basically raced, sort of, disinterested.
“I had a bit of a query as to whether the blinkers were the right move, and he certainly showed that day that they were not having a positive effect at all. So they’ve come off, and I’ve kept him nice and fresh. I’m hoping maybe the pace of 1400 might just suit him now, but he certainly needs to show something at the weekend.
“I just want to see him at least jump and travel at a 1400-metre pace and show that he wants to do it. And if he doesn’t, then we’ll have a chat with his owner.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Yee Cheong Raider goes well first-up and looks ready to break through with Purton aboard on his Class 5 debut. Speedy Smartie has been in great form since adopting a more positive racing style three starts ago, and must be considered a strong contender. Sonic Boom resumed with a fast-finishing third from a wide draw, and with an inside gate, he is well placed to score. Cheer For South has drawn well and should enjoy a smooth run and be competitive in this field. Notthesillyone finally broke through in this class last time out. Keep safe.
Race 2: Lahore trialled well for his return and looks poised to secure his first win under Purton, having placed twice from four starts. Flowing Riches ran on strongly in a recent trial and should play a key role first-up. Top Throne made all in a recent trial, and the drop to 1000m for the first time should suit him, given his racing style. Enjoy Golf will find this easier than recent starts and is expected to show improvement. Incanto Star caught the eye flashing home for fourth on debut after a slow start; a clean jump will put him right in contention.
Race 3: Smashing Express showed improvement with a slashing third second-up, and from a favourable draw, he should map well and break through. Perfect Peach returned to the winner’s circle last start and a double looks within reach from an inside draw. Celestial Harmony better than his recent form suggests and can prove a knockout chance dropping to Class 5. Family Fortune stormed home into second last start, but the wide draw on the C+3 course poses a challenge. Smart Beauty a proven performer in this class, he can cause an upset on his day.
Race 4: Sight Happy has regained his form recently and looks to get all the favours to land his second career win in this race. Daily Trophy narrowly beaten last start and must be included in exotic bets, given his consistent form. Fun N Fun Together a better gate and the switch back to the AWT surface are both positives, making him one to watch. Hinokami Kagura scored with style last time out, and remains a strong winning chance, despite a slightly awkward draw. Fortune Warrior has the ability to cause an upset here if given an uncontested lead.
Race 5: Packing Phoenix a talented 4YO with four straight trial wins, he is primed to deliver a strong debut performance under Purton. Patch Of Time had genuine excuses last start (slow to begin) and can improve with a clean jump. Spicy Standard won at long odds last time out and is worth considering if his odds still offer value. California Bay dropped in the ratings and appears well suited in Class 4. He could sneak into the placings. Sea Sapphire possesses good early speed and will give them something to chase under the right race shape.
Race 6: Colourful Winner well placed in a field lacking speed, and with Britney Wong’s 7lb claim, he should deliver a strong showing up front. Blazing Wukong failed to fire as favourite last time out, following an impressive debut win. Worth considering if his odds are decent. Supreme Agility his recent runs over longer distances have been encouraging, so he should not be underrated, despite a shorter trip. The Auspicious has been in consistent form and score anytime in this class. Winning Machine met heavy betting support last start but a wide trip blunted his chances.
Race 7: Little Paradise missed narrowly last start after being held up at a crucial stage. With Purton taking the reins, he is ready for a winning return. Bundle Of Charm his recent form is commendable, including a fast-finishing fourth last start. Ahren a promising 4YO, he has trialled well leading into his first-up assignment and must be included among the better chances. Light Years Glory gets in well at the weights and should run well, though the steep rise in class remains a concern. Storm Rider will relish the drop to Class 3, where he is a two-time winner.
Race 8: Light Years Charm won four of nine last season and is ideally weighted to secure his first Group success first-up. My Wish finished fourth in a G1 feature last start and shapes as an exciting horse to follow this season. Patch Of Theta has shown consistent form at this level, and the drop in distance looks to be in his favour. Packing Hermod with a versatile racing style, he performed well in the 4YOs Series last season, and a win wouldn’t surprise here. Rubylot placed second at G1 level last start, but the widest draw poses a challenge first-up.
Race 9: Tomodachi Kokoroe produced an improved effort last time out and is well weighted to make an impact here. Dancing Code looks capable of securing a double after a tenacious win in this class last start. Gorgeous Win from a wide draw, he needs a genuine pace to deliver a strong finish. Mid Winter Wind boasts a great first-up record and could cause an upset against more fancied runners. Harmony N Blessed travelled wide throughout and faded badly last time out. With a more measured ride – likely under Purton, he could make amends.
Race 10: Armour War Eagle ran on strongly to finish fourth in a slowly run race last start. He should play a leading role in this field. Beauty Crescent secured back-to-back wins last start and a hat-trick looks imminent, given his strong recent form. South Star has won a trial for his return and should run well in this wide-open field. Spirit Of Peace his recent runs have been solid and he will make his presence felt with a genuine tempo. Flying Fortress scored his second win in Class 3 at big odds last time out and should not be overlooked again.
Race 11: Beauty Bolt opened his winning account at his second local start and has since trialled well, suggesting a double is within reach. Yuen Long Elite travelled wide on the speed to score an impressive win last start. A repeat of that performance should see him win again. Flying Luck with a strong turn of foot, he will make a late surge under the right race shape. Pope Cody may have needed his first-up run and could improve with added fitness. Endeared on a seven-day back-up after an eye-catching second, he has drawn well to produce another strong effort.