David Eustace wins his first race in Hong Kong, Zac Purton slots a treble

By Leo Schlink

David Eustace notched his first win as trainer in his own right when Swift Ascend gave the young British horseman milestone success in first section of the Class 4 Harbour View Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (9 October).

Eustace, 32, is the youngest trainer in Hong Kong, having earned his place in one of the world’s most competitive racing jurisdictions after saddling more than 1,000 wins in Australia, where he trained in partnership with Ciaron Maher, winning the national training title and landing most of the country’s major races, including the Melbourne Cup, W.S. Cox Plate and Sydney Cup.

“It’s obviously a great thrill. I’m grateful for the opportunity to train the horse for the owners. I’m just delighted for the team – my assistant Cash (Lee), to build a fantastic team of staff that have worked really hard the last few months. They deserve many plaudits,” Eustace said.

A nephew of former Hong Kong trainer David Oughton – whose son and Eustace’s first cousin, Charlie, was on track to watch Swift Ascend’s win – Eustace said: “Great to have my cousin here, really special to have family here for my first win. Great to get the first win, but it’s a long season ahead.”

Eustace fittingly struck for the first time in his new surroundings with a horse he trained in Australia in tandem with Maher when the Lord Kanaloa gelding was named Citizenship.

“He won for me in Australia and he’s now won a race for me here. I don’t think anyone could have predicted that,” Eustace said, who scored with only his sixth starter in Hong Kong after saddling three second place-getters.

“I think the horse (Swift Ascend) can go on. He’s still a little bit green, he was off the bridle when he hit the front and he had a bit of a look around, but the blinkers really helped. He got a really great ride from Zac. Plan A didn’t really eventuate, so he went to plan B and there’s no better man or decision maker around this track.”

Swift Ascend was Purton’s third winner on the card and the Australian was delighted to deliver Eustace’s maiden victor.

“It’s good, it’s a nice feeling when you get someone off the mark and it’s even better feeling when you deliver their first winner in Hong Kong. It’s special. I know what it feels like, I know what it means,” Purton said.

“I’ll be on his wall forever – that’s even better.”

Jamie Richards notched his first win of the campaign with Gallant Valour’s success in the Class 4 HKEX Cup Handicap (1200m) under Hugh Bowman, ending an exasperating run of outs for the New Zealander.

With two seconds and five thirds from his previous 39 starters, Richards was relieved after Gallant Valour’s short-head victory.

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating start to the season to be honest, we haven’t had a lot of luck,” Richards said. “The horses have been running quite well and we’ve had a lot of placings but Hong Kong is a very competitive place and it’s just great to get a winner – every winner counts and we’re pleased to be on the board.

“Last year I tried to start fast and it didn’t work and this year I just thought I’d take my time a little bit, but I didn’t expect to have to wait this long to get the first win on the board.

“The horses are running well though and we’ve got a lot of young horses in the stable that just need a little bit of time. It will just give the owners a little bit of confidence that we can get one over the line and take a bit of pressure off.”

Hong Kong International Sale graduate Super Unicorn careered to a five and three quarter length victory under Purton in the Class 4 Man Yiu Handicap (1650m), impressing Frankie Lor in the process.

“The margin was a little bit surprising. Last start, it was his first time here (Happy Valley) and Zac said he was a bit keen early and then in the straight, he got a bit lost. This time, the pace was fast which was good for him,” Lor said.

Purton completed a race-to-race double when Pierre Ng’s Aurora Lady swept to a four and a quarter length triumph in the third section of the Class 4 Harbour View Handicap (1200m). Ng further consolidated his lead in the trainers’ championship with I Can’s win in the Class 3 Pedder Handicap (1650m).

Dragon Delight posted his second win in Hong Kong with success in the Class 5 Li Yuen Handicap (1650m) for David Hayes. Ridden positively by Ellis Wong, the Wandjina gelding won twice in Australia when known as Door To Door and trained by Patrick Payne.

Douglas Whyte’s Double Show slotted his second course and distance victory under Harry Bentley in the Class 5 Man Cheung Handicap (1000m) before Hayes combined with Karis Teetan to seal a double with Chateauneuf in the Class 3 Pottinger Handicap (1200m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (13 October) with the Hong Kong, China’s Paris 2024 Olympic Team Celebration Raceday, featuring the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m).