David Eustace thinks a return to 1,400m can be the catalyst for Light Years Charm as he looks to get back on track in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Thursday.

One of Eustace’s stable stars, the six-time winner – including one success pre-import in Australia – scored over the course and distance at Class Two level on his second run of his current campaign.

That was his fifth win over the Sha Tin 1,400m trip and after drawing wide and failing to see out 1,600m in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile in November, Eustace has decided to return to Light Years Charm’s preferred distance for his next run.

A career best will be required against some top performers such as Tomodachi Kokoroe, Patch Of Theta and Packing Hermod, but Eustace is hoping his leading light will prove equal to the task.

“He has got plenty of course and distance form – we tried him at the mile and gave him his chance in the lead up to the big races, but he just doesn’t quite see it out so it’s back down in distance for him,” said Eustace.

“Five weeks between runs really suits him and he seems in really good form at home. The usual thing with him is that we know he starts pretty slow and he hasn’t really improved in that regard, but hopefully there will be enough speed to allow him to get into the race.

“The draw [in barrier six] will help him get into the race that bit quicker, but I suppose we’re dictated to by the rest of the field.

“I think he’s stepped forward from his prior runs this season and this is the best we’ve had him. He’s lightly raced and a relatively young horse. He’s going to need to step up and he’s giving weight away to some good horses.

“He’s on a similar mark to a pair of horses who have proven they can do it at this level, so we know he’ll need to post a personal best to win.”

The British trainer is also hoping for a career-best effort back at Sha Tin from Keen Molly, who runs in the Class Three Chuk Yuen Handicap (1,400m).

He was cruelly denied on his Happy Valley debut over 1,650m three runs ago when run down late, but two subsequent runs over that course and distance have been below that standard and Eustace is hoping a change of scenery and trip could be just what he needs.

“He has been running well without winning – he’s had a bit of bad luck the last two runs, but his first two this season were very good,” said Eustace.

“He was good on seasonal debut here over 1,400m at Sha Tin so I’m hoping a return to this track and trip will bring about a return to form.

“Honestly, I’m not quite sure what his ideal conditions are because he was pretty unlucky to get run down on his Valley debut, so it’s a bit of a wait and see job with him.”

Another big chance on the card for Eustace is Heaving, who ran a race full of promise on his local debut and looks to back it up in the Class Three Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1,200m).

“Heaving is a nice horse, his first up run was very good and with natural progression you’d be hoping for another big effort,” Eustace said of the Australian import, who jumps from gate 12 on Thursday.

“He has drawn wide in what could be a slowly run race, which is a negative, but hopefully he can take a big step forward.”