James McDonald has been booked to ride Seraph Gabriel in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after the superstar jockey chose to hop off Beauty Bolt in favour of David Eustace’s British import.

McDonald was aboard Beauty Bolt in the first two legs of the Classic Series, finishing third in the Classic Mile and seventh in the Classic Cup (1,800m), but he was taken by Seraph Gabriel’s close second to Lucky Sam Gor when he rode him on the Classic Mile undercard.

The son of Saxon Warrior disappointed on his following start, finishing a well-beaten 10th behind Gentlemen Legacy over 2,000m, but Eustace is confident he can bounce back with McDonald on board.

“He was very keen to ride him since he finished second here over a mile and he raced flat next start, which was frustrating and a bit of a headscratcher honestly,” Eustace said.

“He pulled up absolutely fine from the run. He’s a European horse, they can do that here so we gave him a quiet week and just built him up towards the trial and we just took the view that off the back of a flat run, he didn’t need another run but to have him at his best for the race next weekend, a trial would be better than squeezing another run in.

“[Owner] Marc [Chan] was very sporting and was happy to take that risk and if we didn’t get a run, we didn’t get a run, so I think it’s the best preparation for the horse going into the race.”

Brenton Avdulla is expected to replace McDonald on the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Bolt.

Eustace’s first tilt at the Derby will also feature Dazzling Fit, who will again be ridden by Luke Ferraris after his brave fifth in the Classic Cup.

“He’s had a really good prep. I feel he’s going to be really peaking on the day,” Eustace said.

“Each run has been an improvement and every time he’s stepped up in trip, he’s answered that as well. We’re really pleased with the way he held his ground in the Classic Cup.”

At Sha Tin on Sunday, Eustace’s long-time maiden Majestic Delight finally broke through at start 16 when he capitalised on gate one under Hugh Bowman to claim the Class Five South Wall Handicap (1,200m).

Pint-sized Blaze delivers

When Thunder Blaze arrived at David Hall’s stable from Ireland, the trainer was in complete disbelief.

“I don’t think he’s small – I think he’s tiny. When he walked in the door I thought ‘oh my god, what are we doing here?’” Hall said.

What the two-time pre-import winner lacks in size, he makes up for in ability and determination and he proved that with his first Hong Kong triumph on Sunday.

After starting his local career with two encouraging runs on the Sha Tin dirt, Thunder Blaze broke through courtesy of a ground-saving ride by Matthew Poon Ming-fai in the Class Three Junction Handicap (1,650m) on the all-weather.

“He’s an amazingly small horse but he’s a genuine racehorse, he’s got a real heart and wants to do it,” Hall said after Thunder Blaze ran on from fourth to beat Romantic Thor by a short head.

“I think Zac [Purton on Romantic Thor] was a bit worried about being caught behind the leader and he gave up that spot, which presented there for us, and then obviously in the straight he got the rails run, so all those things made a bit of a difference.

“It was a big difference for him – he gets a Class Three win and a bonus, so great effort for a little horse.

“You always look at him and you don’t expect too much because of his size, but everything he does, he puts a bit of effort in and he’s very genuine. He’s probably lucky he’s still a colt – it probably helps him be a little bit stronger. But he’s a genuine racehorse and I’m sure he can win again.”

Thunder Blaze helped Hall clinch a dirt double after he struck in the Class Four Nam Kok Handicap (1,650m) with $28.70 chance Nezha.

The Kiwi import relished his first start on the brown stuff when he stormed home under James Orman to beat California Star by three-quarters of a length.

“You’ve got to watch the replay to appreciate how good a win it was,” Hall said.

“He got taken out of the race before the corner and the horse in front of him just stopped and there was nothing Jimmy could do. He was held up for nearly 200m and to carry 135lb and give them that sort of start and sprint like he did, [it was a] very good performance.”