Eustace thriving, rings up 30th win
HONG KONG - David Eustace added further lustre to a burgeoning Hong Kong debut season when emerging talent Light Years Charm won the HK$2.84 million (S$466,000) Class 2 Lee On Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on June 8, presenting the young trainer with his 30th winner of the campaign.
By Rubick, Light Years Charm gave Eustace his first Class 2 triumph, collected a PP (Private Purchase) Bonus of HK$1.5 million and a prizemoney of HK$1.59 million, after Zac Purton patiently piloted the four-year-old to his third win from eight starts.
Sold in Australia at the 2022 HTBA May Yearling Sale for A$3,750 (S$3,100), Light Years Charm took his Hong Kong earnings to HK$7.6 million. He had transferred from Brett Dodson's stables as the winner of a maiden race over 1,410m at Lismore, New South Wales in June 2024.
Slowly away, Light Years Charm ($8) was allowed to settle and build momentum at the tail. Purton then angled the gelding to the outside of the eight-horse field, clocking 44.58sec for the final 800m and 22.37sec for the last 400m.
"It was a perfect ride. The horse actually did jump better than he normally does, but he got squeezed at the start. Zac took his time and assessed the pace up front and the horse lengthened really well," said Eustace.
"He'll definitely appreciate a break and I hope he'll get better next season. He's doing nothing wrong at the moment. He's obviously going to have to continue to improve, but hopefully he can.
"It's hard to know what the ceiling is. He's only four and he's a big, raw horse. It would be wrong for me to put targets on his back. We'll see how far he gets."
With 30 wins from 303 starters in Hong Kong, Eustace - who hit the ground running on Oct 1, 2024 - has made a strong impact in his first season.
"Happy with how it's gone so far. They've raced well and consistently, and the team at home are doing a great job. We'll try and round the season out well," said the 32-year-old handler.
With a double on June 8, Purton stretched his lead in the jockeys' championship to 52 with 118 wins for the term, well clear of Hugh Bowman, who is on 66.
The seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey praised Light Years Charm after the win.
"It was a really good effort. He actually didn't begin that bad, but the runner on the inside and the runner on the outside both shifted ground, so that put him on the back foot, but I just left him alone," he said.
John Size edged closer to a record-extending 13th trainers' championship with a double, stretching his lead over David Hayes to eight, with 62 wins to 54 and 10 meetings left in the season.
Size's Ping Hai Comet ($24) surged away in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Lam Tin Handicap (1,600m) under Purton. Brenton Avdulla then scored on Majestic Express ($29) in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 On Yam Handicap (1,000m), earning a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.
Antoine Hamelin notched his eighth winner of the season, striking on the Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Prophet ($96) in the HK$875,000 Class 5 Chung On Handicap (1,400m).
"It's nice to get a winner today - it's hot, but it's less hot when you win," said the Frenchman.
"I think the horse was in good form and didn't deserve to be at such long odds. I believed in him, I thought he was a chance, the only concern was the draw (barrier 13).
"But he had a good start. He led, controlled the race and held that to the line."
Britney Wong's reunion with Cheval Valiant ($36) led to victory in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Lai On Handicap (1,000m) for Douglas Whyte and gave the 10lb-claiming apprentice a double.
"He was my first win (in Hong Kong on Sept 22, 2024) and I know him very well," said Wong.
"Thank you to Mr Whyte for putting me back on because I have to chase this ride. I'm happy that everything's gone well today and I've had another win. I'm very happy."
Ruby Sailing ($26) landed the HK$875,000 Class 5 Chak On Handicap (1,200m) under Wong to give Manfred Man a winner across each of the past seven meetings. Wong, 26, has ridden nine of her 18 winners this season for Man.
The Chris So-trained Perfectday ($60) pounced late to snare the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Kwong Tin Handicap (1,200m) under Keagan De Melo. The latter made perfect use of barrier one to sit third behind Wonderstar and Lunar Dash before striking at the post for a short-head win.
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