David Eustace is banking on a return to the Sha Tin straight in Saturday’s Class One Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (1,000m) to help talented sprinter Colourful King bounce back from a last-start flop.
A victim of bad luck in many races this season, Colourful King notched his only win of the campaign over the Sha Tin 1,000m in November but heads into Saturday’s feature off a well-beaten 11th to Victor The Winner at Happy Valley last month.
The Blue Point four-year-old was taken back to second last from gate 12 and struggled to make ground under 134lb, with Eustace also claiming the hot early speed didn’t suit his galloper.
“Hopefully he can bounce back from last start. He hasn’t had a chance to run down the straight for a while and he’s put his best performances on down the straight, so hopefully he can return to his best,” Eustace said.
“He’s been very consistent, so hopefully he can be again.”
Colourful King followed his only victory of the season with seconds to Stellar Express in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) and a Class Two race up the Sha Tin straight when unlucky both times.
He has the aid of a 5lb swing on Stellar Express on Saturday and jumps from gate six with Andrea Atzeni regaining the ride.
Despite that weight disadvantage, Stellar Express will be one of the major players in the sprint as a five-time course and distance winner.
Eustace has seven other runners at the Sha Tin meeting, including stable debutant Light Years Glory in the Class Four Sha Tau Kok River Handicap (1,400m).
The Advertise gelding recorded one win and four placings for Cody Mo Wai-kit and has trialled stylishly ahead of his first run for Eustace.
“He’s been very consistent and arrived in good order – I haven’t had to do too much with him,” Eustace said.
“I’m hoping a slight step up in trip might bring out just that little bit more that he needs to get his head in front.”
Glittering Legend is another solid chance for Eustace when he bids for his first Hong Kong triumph in the Class Three Beas River Handicap (1,650m) on the dirt.
The British import ran a neck second to Sky Vino in his first start on Sha Tin’s all-weather surface in May and also wasn’t beaten far when third to Le Zonda at Happy Valley last start.
“He’s racing great – his form on the dirt is good. He was very good at the Valley the other day,” Eustace said.
“I’m hoping for another good run.”
Glorious Ryder, Charity Together, Fashion Legend, Pray For Justice and Continent Express are Eustace’s other hopes of adding to his seasonal tally of 34 wins.
“Fashion Legend’s had no luck this season, but he’s put in some good performances,” Eustace said.
“He’s a well-handicapped horse. Pray For Justice will be a nice horse next season – he’s going to want time and he’ll develop into a nice sort, but his trials have always been very pleasing on the dirt, so I thought it was worth a go with no weight.
“Continent Express was caught very wide and I think we can forgive his debut. He’s a horse for next season but hopefully he can just have a nice outing and we’ll plan for next year.”
