New Year’s Day didn’t go to plan for David Eustace, but the British trainer can get back on track with a first Group Three success in Hong Kong if Colourful King reigns supreme in Sunday’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m).

Eustace had to settle for close seconds courtesy of Sea Sapphire and Majestic Delight on Thursday, while one of his stable stars, Light Years Charm, could only manage eighth as one of the leading fancies in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m).

The 34-year-old might not have to wait long for his luck to swing, with Colourful King likely to start a popular favourite in Sunday’s feature off the back of a stunning Class Two triumph up the straight.

After back-to-back seconds at Happy Valley to start his campaign, the Australian import stormed home from last with a sensational turn of foot to easily account for his rivals in November.

“He put in easily a career-best performance the other day down the straight – got a great ride and the race set up nicely, but he’s been put up nine points for it and he’s got to take on quality horses,” Eustace said.

“We ran him down the straight at his first Hong Kong start and he ran with credit, but it was only his first start and then he switched to the Valley and won a couple of times.

“There was no reason to switch him back, but the programme basically forced us back to Sha Tin and it turns out he’s versatile, which is really handy.

“Hopefully he can keep improving. It’s going to be interesting on Sunday.”

A dual Happy Valley winner in his first local campaign last season, Colourful King steps up to face the likes of Group Three winner Beauty Waves, Wunderbar, Group One winners Invincible Sage and Victor The Winner and impressive last-start winner Stellar Express in his Group race debut.

Champion jockey Zac Purton, a three-time winner of the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, will again ride Colourful King and he jumps from gate four.

Eustace is also confident Swift Ascend can break through for his first dirt triumph in the Class Three Tai Tong Shan Handicap (1,200m) after a terrific debut on the surface last start.

Racing second up this term, the son of Lord Kanaloa ran on from near last to finish third behind Gorgeous Win and drops in class for Sunday’s contest.

“It’ll be a task for him because he’s carrying weight, which is not easy to do, particularly on the dirt, but he just ran so well and didn’t get a great run,” Eustace said of the three-time Hong Kong winner, who lumps top weight of 135lb on Sunday.

“If he gets a softer run, hopefully he can run well. He deserves to get another win as he’s been racing great in Class Two. He drops in class and he’s not a big horse, but he has carried weight in Class Three and won, so hopefully he can again.”

Hugh Bowman will ride Swift Ascend, who should have the more economical run Eustace desires having drawn gate two.

Eustace will also unveil British import Seraph Gabriel, a Lingfield maiden winner and Group Two runner-up for Ralph Beckett, in Sunday’s Class Three Tai Tong Handicap (1,600m), while Francis Meynell is his other runner on the 11-race card.