An in-form David Eustace hopes Colourful King (128lb) can continue to advance when the three-year-old contests the Class 3 Hong Kong China Rugby Cup Handicap (1000m) under Andrea Atzeni on Wednesday night (9 March) at Happy Valley.
Eustace revelled in a first Hong Kong treble on Sunday (7 April) at Sha Tin and the 32-year-old is eyeing more momentum when he saddles four runners – Brave Witness, Colourful King, Jumbo Fortune and Charity Together – at tomorrow’s nine-race card.
Sired by Blue Point, Colourful King has raced twice in Hong Kong, winning his most recent effort by a nose over Youthful Spirits (134lb), who he reopposes from barrier four following that victory laden with courage and aptitude on 19 March.
“He did by the barest of margins. It certainly looked like luck went our way that night and it’s good to get the win obviously. He’s a horse who I think will continue to improve.
“He’s the type of horse who is a still a bit nervy and a bit unsure of himself, so I think he can gradually improve with the more racing he has,” Eustace said. “It was great to get the win and hopefully he can keep progressing.”
Youthful Spirits steps away from gate eight. Harmony N Blessed (135lb), Eternal Fortune (131lb), Casa Of Honor (126lb), Seasons Wit (123lb), Basic Instinct (120lb), Watch This One (119lb), King Eccellente (117lb) and Multidutch (116lb) complete the field.
“It does look like they’ll go fairly quick and he has a nice gate to stalk and be strong late. The encouraging thing for me as well is that he looks like he’ll get 1200 (metres), especially around the Valley when asked to. It does just give us options,” Eustace said.
Eustace has 23 wins through his first season training in Hong Kong. His treble last weekend came via Regency Happy Star, Good Luck Babe and Sea Sapphire.
“You obviously don’t go expecting that by any means but I thought we had a strong hand and the horses were racing well. Hoping to get one, maybe two but to get three was a great thrill. It shows the horses are in good form and the staff are working hard and well,” Eustace said.
Jerry Chau seeks wins at consecutive fixtures when he gets the leg up on Super Joy N Fun in the Class 3 Ho Man Tin Handicap (1200m) for trainer Benno Yung. The pair missed by three quarters of a length last start on 19 March.
“Last time he had a good draw and we found the perfect position. He finished well and he always tries hard,” Chau said. “Before last time we put him at Sha Tin and tried the 1400 metres – he didn’t show better (form) than at Happy Valley, that’s why we’re back to his best distance and course.”
Karis Teetan also jubilated with a three-timer on Sunday. He goes for a first win with Triumphant Warrior for trainer Danny Shum in the third section of the Class 4 King’s Park Handicap (1200m).
“I thought he ran a good race last time from where he came from (barrier 11). He seems to be running well lately. I am looking forward to riding him,” Teetan said. “Danny has the horse in really good form – I galloped him yesterday (Monday, 7 April) and he felt good.”
Matthew Poon worked two key FWD Champions Day hopes in barrier trials this morning (Tuesday, 8 April) ahead of the HK$74 million showcase on 27 April at Sha Tin.
Stepping out in the first heat ahead of a possible HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) return, Lucky Sweynesse broke smoothly from the wide draw before picking up between runners to win in 57.95s over 1000m on turf at Sha Tin.
“I think with every trial he is getting better and better. Now he is almost ready to race, if he pulls up well, then he is almost ready to race,” Poon said.
Lucky Sweynesse hasn’t competed since April, 2024. He is a 16-time winner – including four times at Group 1 level – from 24 career starts in Hong Kong.
Ahead of a budding clash with Australian star Mr Brightside in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble impressed Poon as he crossed in first over the mile on turf in 1m 36.68s.
“He jumped super, he knows what to do – he travelled nicely and relaxed. I just asked him a little bit and he quickens. How good is that? He’s so relaxed, he jumps super and then next to other horses he can switch off, save energy and then you give him a little signal and he just goes,” Poon said.
Wednesday’s (9 April) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Yau Ma Tei Handicap (1650m).