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Riding high after a breakthrough double in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon (27 October) at Happy Valley, trainer David Eustace returns to the iconic city circuit on Wednesday (30 October) armed with a trio of runners as he aims to build on a productive weekend.
"The support's been quite good and thankfully they've ran well. It gives you encouragement that whatever you're doing and the routines the horses are in are working," Eustace said.
All three of Eustace's wins have come at the Valley. He arrived in Hong Kong at the start of this season after achieving enormous success in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia.
Swift Ascend provided Eustace with his initial Hong Kong victory. The Lord Kanaloa gelding returns to Class 3 for the HK$1.86 million Hing Yip Handicap (1200m) this week after resuming victoriously on 9 October in Class 4 over tomorrow night's distance.
"I'm very happy with him. He was pretty fit going into his first run, so it's just been a case of keeping him fresh, well and happy," Eustace said. "His gallops have been good and his appetite has remained the same, so hopefully he can make that step into Class 3."
Andrea Atzeni partners the five-year-old from gate two, assigned 126lb. Super Joy N Fun (132lb), Sugar Sugar (131lb), Divano (130lb), Gustosisimo (129lb), Happy Fat Cat (129lb), Magniac (128lb), Harmony Fire (127lb), Beauty Infinity (126lb), Scotch Tycoon (125lb), Sergeant Pepper (121lb) and Bits Superstar (120lb) also feature in the nightcap.
"I'm probably encouraged by the fact that he was still a bit green and having a look around when he hit the front. That tells me there is still some improvement there with racing," Eustace said.
Eustace's first double in Hong Kong came via Charity Gain and Young Emperor. Debutant Hailtothevictors represents the 32-year-old in the second section of the Class 4 Bedford Handicap (1650m) under Vincent Ho.
Ho has nine wins from the past five fixtures. Hailtothevictors breaks from gate eight.
Eustace said: "He's a nice horse. I think the Valley will pose a challenge for him but the timing is right for him to run and he's a horse that we like. I'm sure he will probably need the experience. I think he's a horse with a future this season."
The three-year-old has trialled three times ahead of his first start with Ho, including once at Happy Valley. The bay made ground late in his most recent practice effort at Sha Tin.
An off-season stable transfer, Speedy Fortune lines up for Eustace in the Class 5 Cheung Shun Handicap (1000m) with Atzeni up from barrier one.
"He ran great first-up and will definitely come on for the run. He was fresh, well and will definitely strip that bit fitter. This is a suitable race," Eustace said.
Defeated by Double Show last start on 9 October by one length, Speedy Fortune meets the Douglas Whyte-trained galloper again on Wednesday. Double Show will carry 125lb from gate 10, while Speedy Fortune lugs 135lb.
Eustace is the nephew of former Hong Kong trainer David Oughton, best known for the heroics of sprinting ace Cape Of Good Hope – a winner at Royal Ascot (at York) in 2005. Oughton also handled San Domenico, Che Sara Sara, Idol and Precision.
Eustace's father James is a former trainer. His brother Harry also trains, recently contesting the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) with Docklands, who is entered for 8 December's HK$126 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.
Dragon Delight tackles Hailtothevictors in the Bedford Handicap. David Hayes' gelding shoots for back-to-back wins at Happy Valley.
"Apart from his win, his lead ups to the win were very good, too. He's in a rich vein of form and hopefully off the lighter weight, with a bit of relief and at his favourite track he can step up to Class 4," Hayes said.
Frankie Lor will saddle debutant Circuit Duffy in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap (1200m) with Zac Purton booked. The El Roca gelding caught the eye two trials back with an impressive first over the line effort at the Valley.
Lor said: "Usually, a trial is a trial – not that fast. But he's shown speed, so I'm happy here."
John Size trialled Beauty Eternal, Red Lion and sprint sensation Wunderbar this morning (Tuesday, 29 October) at Sha Tin.
"Wunderbar seems alright. He's going through the process ok and he'll probably run in the 1000 metre race on the ninth (of November at Sha Tin)," Size said.
Wunderbar finished second behind a runaway Nervous Witness today on the dirt. Meanwhile, Beauty Eternal and Red Lion, first and second, respectively, in their trial, will contest the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 17 November.
"They looked normal. They did their normal workout and they looked ok to me. They're both heading to the mile on the 17th. I think they're in pretty good shape," Size said.
Size indicated Howdeepisyourlove and Helios Express will both run in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on 17 November.
Wednesday's (30 October) eight-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 7.10pm with the second section of the Class 4 Bedford Handicap (1650m).