David Eustace hasn’t left a Sha Tin meeting empty-handed since mid-May and the trainer looks well placed to continue his hot run at Tuesday’s Hong Kong Reunification Raceday.
Successful for the sixth straight Sha Tin meeting when banging in a double on Saturday, Eustace has a strong hand in Tuesday’s Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,400m) thanks to the airborne Light Years Charm and the consistent Swift Ascend.
Light Years Charm chases a third straight victory after a pair of course-and-distance victories and Eustace is hopeful the exciting four-year-old can continue his march up the ratings.
“I’m very happy with him. He’s trained on nicely. I haven’t had to do too much with him and he’s holding his condition great,” said Eustace of Light Years Charm, who has rocketed to a rating of 93 and will carry 129lb on Tuesday.
Light Years Charm has been winning in spite of his tendency to begin only moderately – something Eustace knows is going to be harder to do as his charge climbs the ratings.
Light Years Charm goes from last-to-first with a BANG in Class 2 at Sha Tin! ✨@EustaceRacing and @zpurton combine with the smart 4YO by Rubick, who soars to consecutive wins... #SummerSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/RUjriQacHD
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 8, 2025
Zac Purton will be tasked with finding a position with cover from the tricky barrier 10 on Tuesday and the jockey will be hoping Light Years Charm jumps well enough to give him options.
“As Zac has touched on, it’s going to get harder the way he races,” said Eustace.
“He does need to learn to jump and he hasn’t really got better at it throughout the season, so that’s going to be the big query. Is he up to it now or down the track? You’d like to think so.”
Swift Ascend is another galloper likely to be coming from off the pace and Eustace is feeling positive about a horse who has run well behind some handy horses in consecutive 1,400m starts.
“I was delighted with Swift Ascend’s run the other day [when fifth behind Packing Hermod, Dancing Code, Young Champion and Mickley],” said Eustace.
“They didn’t go that quick and his closing sectionals were the best of the meeting. He’s trialled well since. There looks like there’ll be pace in that race, which I think will really suit him.”
Packing Hermod overcomes top-weight with a grinding victory in Class 2 at Sha Tin under @zpurton! 💪#TripleCrown | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/sLoWETW1aj
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 25, 2025
Young Champion and Mickley are also among the 12-strong field for Tuesday’s feature, while Taj Dragon, Healthy Happy, Lo Rider and Brilliant Express also line up.
Eustace also saddles up Glorious Ryder, Inno Super, Without Delay, Francis Meynell and Glorious Success as he looks to add to his 35 victories so far in his maiden Hong Kong campaign.
Before turning his attention to Tuesday’s fixture, Eustace will be dialled in on Monday morning’s all-weather trials at Sha Tin, where Massive Sovereign will stretch his legs with a view to a possible run before the end of the season.
Not seen at the races since running sixth in November’s Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) and then undergoing fetlock surgery in December, Massive Sovereign has since switched from Dennis Yip Chor-hong to Eustace and he will have his third trial for his new handler.
All going well on Monday, last year’s Hong Kong Derby hero could line up in the Class One 1,600m contest on July 13.
“He’s going to trial on Monday and then we’ll make a call with Zac and [owner Chan Kam-hung] after that,” confirmed Eustace.
