David Eustace isn’t afraid to thrust Swift Ascend into Class Two company for the first time on Sunday, with the handler backing his stable flag-bearer to take advantage of a big drop in weight in the Tai Tong Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

Swift Ascend has lived up to his name with a meteoric rise this season, recording three wins – including Eustace’s first ever success in Hong Kong – and a close second from his four starts.

Formerly trained by Eustace and Ciaron Maher in Australia when known as Citizenship, the Lord Kanaloa gelding steps up from back-to-back Class Three triumphs at Sha Tin to tackle a strong field headlined by progressive sprinter Wunderbar.

But after overcoming top weight of 135 pounds to win last start under James McDonald, Swift Ascend drops 18 pounds as he bids to continue his red-hot form.

“He’s not a big horse. I think coming down in the weights is obviously going to be a big benefit,” Eustace said.

“It’s a benefit to any horse, but then he’s got to step up again. It’s a strong field, but I think horses in good form take you a long way, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“He’s kept improving. His track work and his condition have been at a really good level the last few months and I’m really happy with him.”

Wunderbar, the only horse to have beaten boom speedster Ka Ying Rising, will be fancied to bounce back from a last-start fifth to Raging Blizzard when he settled just off a hot speed from barrier 11.

The highlight of Sunday’s 10-race card also features last-start winners Raging Blizzard and Full Credit, Copartner Prance, Flying Ace, Son Pak Fu, Gorgeous Win and James Tak.

Andrea Atzeni hops back aboard Swift Ascend after McDonald booted him home on his past two starts.

“Andrea did a lot of work on the horse prior and was unlucky to miss out on the ride when he won at the start of the season, so it’s good to get him back on,” Eustace said.

“He’s riding well and does the weight really easily, which is always a big help.”

Swift Ascend was the first of eight winners this term for Eustace, whose early success in his first season in Hong Kong has led to him picking up the likes of Group One winner Victor The Winner and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Massive Sovereign.

“I’ve got a lot to thank him for and thank the owners for their support,” Eustace said of Swift Ascend.

“He got me off to a good start and has continued that form, so he’s been a big help.”

The 32-year-old has three other runners on Sunday – Speedy Fortune, stable debutant Baby Satellite and Light Years Charm.

While Speedy Fortune is chasing his first victory since May 2023, the son of Pariah hasn’t been beaten far in three of four runs for Eustace including a first-up second at the Valley.

Eustace has turned to Britney Wong Po-ni to ride Speedy Fortune, with the apprentice’s 10-pound claim giving him a potential edge in the Class Five Tsam Chuk Wan Handicap (1,200m).

“Britney galloped him on Monday and got on great with him,” Eustace said.

“He’s an on-speed horse and he’s not a big horse at all, so he’s going to really benefit from the 10 pounds off.”

Baby Satellite joined Eustace after just one run for Jamie Richards, finishing 13th at Sha Tin, while Light Years Charm comes off an unlucky fifth behind Tourbillon Prince on his Hong Kong debut.

“We were delighted with his run,” Eustace said of Light Years Charm, who won once from two Australian starts when known as Bretsal pre-import.

“He stepped a bit slow and after that, he did everything well for his first start in Hong Kong. He’s jumped well at home since. He handled the pace and travelled well and when he got room, he found the line great.

“I’m mindful that he’ll definitely appreciate further, but I’d like to think he’ll be able to make his mark, albeit there’s two last-start winners [Packing Angel and New Future Folks] who look very progressive in the race. It’s going to be a good race.”