David Eustace’s successful first season in Hong Kong reached a new high when the British handler scored his first treble in the city at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Boasting several strong fancies among his team of eight, Eustace struck with Regency Happy Star and Good Luck Babe before one of his least-fancied runners pulled off a late plunge to cap the stable’s three-timer.
Sea Sapphire was brown-lamped late in betting in the Class Four The CUHK Alumni Cup (1,200m), firming from $28 to $13 before making all under Ben Thompson.
A prolific Group One winner in Australia in partnership with Ciaron Maher, Eustace has made an instant impression in Hong Kong with 23 wins in his first campaign.
“It’s very exciting,” Eustace said of his three-timer.
“I thought we were coming here with a strong team and probably our first three runners proved that, with two winners and a second [with Dazzling Fit].
“[Sea Sapphire] is a nice surprise. They’ve all raced well and consistently, so it’s very pleasing.”
Sent to the front from gate nine, Sea Sapphire kept finding to shrug off a determined challenge from the $3.2 favourite Akashvani.
He scored by a neck as the first two home broke well clear of their rivals, with third-placed Lucky Archangel beaten just over three lengths.
On his fourth run since switching from the Pierre Ng Pang-chi stable, Sea Sapphire bounced back from a disappointing last-start 12th at Happy Valley in January.
“To be honest, I thought he was coming into the race in good form,” Eustace said.
“His trial on the grass was very pleasing and a lot better than his trials on the dirt, where he doesn’t really show his best. We had a setback earlier in the season just through health and his run prior to his last one actually had a lot of merit.
“Obviously I thought he would improve with the run, but the race set up really well and he got a beautiful ride by Ben.
“He’s a horse who doesn’t need too much training, he doesn’t carry a huge amount of weight so it’s just a case of keeping him fresh and well and healthy, which he is.”
Thompson, who rode Sea Sapphire on his previous two starts before Sunday, wasn’t shocked by the gelding’s second career victory.
“It’s no surprise for him to beat a handy field. Especially Akashvani, who was there with us the entire way,” the Australian said.
“[Sea Sapphire] had 118 pounds, obviously for a very in-form stable, and he duly saluted.”
Another stable transfer, Regency Happy Star, notched his third win from six starts for Eustace with a thrilling triumph in the Class Five Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1,400m).
Sent off the $2.5 favourite, Regency Happy Star had a cosy run on the leader’s back from gate one for Alexis Badel and prevailed by a short head from Lucky Man.
“He’s had a terrific season – he’s just gaining confidence and relaxing very well now in his races,” Eustace said of the former Michael Chang Chi-wang and Tony Cruz-trained galloper.
“It’s going to start to get a bit tougher, but hopefully we can have one more go in Class Five.”
Good Luck Babe was the middle leg of Eustace’s treble, leading all the way under Karis Teetan to beat Matsu Victor narrowly in the Class Four United Alumni Handicap (1,600m).
Eustace wasn’t far off winning four consecutive races on Sunday, with Dazzling Fit charging from near last to finish second to Top Throne in the second section of the Class Four New Asia Alumni Handicap (1,200m).
Comments
