David Eustace and Zac Purton test rising star Light Years Charm in Group debut

By Paul Ryding

Light Years Charm (125lb) steps into rarefied air at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 September) when he competes in Pattern company for the first time in a mouthwatering feature race, the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m).

The gelding has reached a career-high rating of 100 after a debut campaign in 2024/25 that saw him win four times.

Trainer David Eustace is confident the five-year-old Australian import can give a good account of himself in the biggest race of his young career.

“He’s gone through the grades really well,” Eustace said. “There was a bit of speed in his races, and as a result, he’s been able to put in some good performances.

“His trials have been good. I’ve been happy with him. Everything’s gone smoothly. So there’ll be no excuses. He’s beaten some nice horses along the way. And I’m looking forward to seeing if he can step up.”

Light Years Charm improved a remarkable 36 rating points over the course of his nine-race season. After a first-up fifth was followed by a fourth, he was never out of the frame again in seven outings. But his English handler is under no illusions about the size of the task when he steps up to Group level.

“I’m well aware that this is a different kettle of fish, what he’s competing against at the weekend, so he needs to step up,” Eustace said.

That was a sentiment shared by his rider, champion jockey Zac Purton, who has been aboard the son of Rubick for each of his four victories.

“He’s going to need to raise the bar a little bit from what he’s been doing,” Purton said. “I thought his trial was good, but we don’t know where he’s going to end up yet.

“He’s not the easiest horse to ride,” Purton added. “He can do a few things wrong and he’s very nervous and sweats. But David’s managed him well, and hopefully he continues to do so.”

The HK$4.2 million Celebration Cup promises a competitive renewal with no fewer than five Group race winners going to post and genuine chances for much of the field.

Featherweight Markwin (116lb), a trainee of Cody Mo, one of the early pace-setters in the trainers’ championship, is among a host of progressive types with good claims in the contest, and jockey Harry Bentley believes the five-year-old son of I Am Invincible deserves to be respected.

“He deserves his place,” Bentley said. “It was a good victory, last time out, and naturally, you’re stepping up in class here. You’re up against some really handy types and progressive horses, so he’s going to have to be at his best, but you’ve got to give him some respect, especially off the low weight. With 116 (pounds), in these races, you’ve got to be given some respect and I expect him to run well again.”

In a field replete with developing talent, it is perhaps ironic that for the sole Group 1 winner on the card, Victor The Winner (134lb), the race could take on an altogether different significance.

In his previous outing this term for trainer Eustace, the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m), the seven-year-old struggled badly in Class 1 company, continuing a run of races without making the frame, which stretches back to March, 2024.

“I was sort of pleased with him towards the end of last season, and thought he was coming back to a bit of form,” Eustace said. “And I thought he would show us something in his first run, and he really basically raced, sort of, disinterested.

“I had a bit of a query as to whether the blinkers were the right move, and he certainly showed that day that they were not having a positive effect at all. So they’ve come off, and I’ve kept him nice and fresh. I’m hoping maybe the pace of 1400 might just suit him now, but he certainly needs to show something at the weekend.

“I just want to see him at least jump and travel at a 1400-metre pace and show that he wants to do it. And if he doesn’t, then we’ll have a chat with his owner.”

Sunday’s (28 September) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin gets underway at 12.45pm with the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200m).