British trainer David Eustace is aiming to build on his early success this season as he prepares to send a strong team of four runners to Happy Valley racecourse on Tuesday night. In his third season based in Hong Kong, Eustace said the increased depth of his stable—now comprising 69 horses—has allowed him to target more victories in the early part of the campaign.
Eustace’s horses have typically shown improvement after one or two runs, but the expanded roster gives him greater flexibility to pursue better results from the outset. Speaking ahead of the race meeting, he expressed optimism about sustaining the progress made last season, when his team elevated their performance significantly.
The trainer opened the current season at Sha Tin with a victory by Light Years Glory, and he hopes to add to that tally with Silvery Breeze, Dazzling Fit, Gratified, and Holmes A Court, all set to compete at Happy Valley. The 35-year-old acknowledged a mixed bag of barrier draws, which could influence tactics during the races.
Silvery Breeze, a three-time winner last term including two victories over Happy Valley’s 1,650-meter course and distance, faces a wide draw in barrier 12 for the Class Two Shek O Handicap. Eustace plans to have champion jockey Zac Purton manage the early pace carefully, noting the horse does not respond well to being pressed too hard from an outside gate.
Dazzling Fit makes his debut at Happy Valley in the Class Three Chung Hom Kok Handicap over the same distance. The gelding, a three-time winner at Sha Tin, contested final legs of last season’s Classic Series, finishing fifth in the Classic Cup and tenth in the Hong Kong Derby. Eustace commented that although Dazzling Fit is stepping into unfamiliar territory, his good recent trials and favorable barrier one draw make for an encouraging outlook.
Gratified, who improved noticeably with blinkers late last season—including a victory at Happy Valley—returns in the second section of the Class Four Lido Handicap over 1,200 meters. Despite an inside barrier nine draw considered less than ideal, Eustace expressed confidence that Gratified could continue his upward trajectory.
Holmes A Court, winner on his stable debut for Eustace in June after leading all the way, will run in the first section of the Lido Handicap. The horse’s jockey, Brenton Avdulla, has established a good rapport, and the trainer hopes a similar front-running approach will produce a solid performance. Holmes A Court is reported to be fit and well ahead of his appearance.
Overall, Eustace’s cautious yet hopeful approach underscores his ambition to consolidate and improve his stable’s standing during the Hong Kong season, capitalizing on a larger and more balanced roster.