Light Years Charm delivered a Group 2 success for trainer David Eustace in the HK$5.35 million Sha Tin Trophy Handicap over 1,600 metres at Sha Tin on Monday, October 19, completing a treble that marked the English trainer’s most successful day in Hong Kong. Ridden by Karis Teetan, the six-year-old secured victory with a well-timed finish and strengthened his prospects of targeting the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December.
Carrying 115lb, the minimum weight in the race, Light Years Charm settled into a comfortable position along the inside rail before challenging long-time leader Patch Of Theta. The gelding responded strongly when asked for an effort, moving past the pace-setter and holding off the late challenge of My Wish in the closing stages.
Patch Of Theta finished second, one and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, while My Wish took third, a further quarter of a length back. The result delivered Eustace his first Group 2 victory in Hong Kong and extended Light Years Charm’s impressive record at the top level.
Light Years Charm Strengthens Eustace’s December Plans
The Sha Tin Trophy success followed Light Years Charm’s runner-up finish in the Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap over 1,800 metres in June and his victory in the Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap over the same mile distance in May. His career prize money consequently reached HK$17.69 million.
Eustace indicated that the Hong Kong Cup over 2,000 metres remained the intended target for December. However, he acknowledged that the horse’s staying ability would influence the final decision, particularly given the demands of a Group 1 contest over a mile.
The trainer said the draw and the weight carried had encouraged confidence before the race. He also praised Teetan’s decision to maintain a position along the rail, explaining that Light Years Charm performed best when allowed to build momentum rather than being restrained and asked to produce a sudden burst of speed.
Teetan, who rode the Rubick gelding for the first time in a race, said the horse had given him a positive impression during a previous trial at Happy Valley. He added that Light Years Charm travelled smoothly and responded when called upon, sustaining his effort through the finish.
The victory capped a productive afternoon for Eustace, who had already celebrated two other winners earlier in the programme.
Eustace Completes Treble as Shannon Glow and Ace Eagle Score
Shannon Glow opened Eustace’s winning account for the day with a successful debut under Jerry Chau in the first section of the Class 4 Sun Chui Handicap over 1,400 metres. Carrying 129lb, the four-year-old produced a strong late run to secure the race.
Ace Eagle then claimed a maiden victory in the second section of the Class 4 Lung Hang Handicap over 1,200 metres. Zac Purton partnered the four-year-old, who carried 131lb, to complete Eustace’s treble and take the trainer’s season tally to 10 wins.
Elsewhere, Dennis Yip reached a significant career milestone when Supreme Voyager won the Class 4 Sun Tin Wai Handicap over 1,000 metres. Harry Bentley guided the four-year-old, carrying 119lb, to victory and gave Yip his first winner of the season.
The result made Yip the eighth trainer in Hong Kong racing history to reach 900 career victories. He joined an elite group featuring John Moore, John Size, Tony Cruz, Caspar Fownes, Ricky Yiu, Francis Lui and Danny Shum. Yip, the champion trainer in the 2012/13 season, expressed satisfaction at reaching the landmark after a lengthy wait.
James Cummings also registered his first Hong Kong training success when Grand Eagle captured the Class 3 Lek Yuen Handicap over 1,200 metres. Chau produced a well-timed challenge aboard the four-year-old, who had finished eighth on his first appearance two weeks earlier. Cummings praised the horse’s improvement and suggested that further progress remained possible.
Purton, Chung and Ho Add to the Day’s Winners
Purton recorded his second victory of the afternoon when Packing Fighter won the Class 3 Sha Kok Handicap over 1,600 metres for trainer Danny Shum. Carrying 135lb, the four-year-old secured a comfortable success that earned him promotion to Class 2.
Angus Chung also enjoyed a productive meeting. He partnered Good Good to victory in the Class 4 Chun Shek Handicap over 1,800 metres for trainer John Size. Carrying 116lb, the gelding established a clear advantage with 300 metres remaining before holding off the late-finishing Victor Supreme by half a length.
Chung followed that success with another win aboard Star Satyr in the second section of the Class 4 Sun Chui Handicap over 1,400 metres for Tony Cruz, completing a race-to-race double.
Vincent Ho continued his consistent recent form by guiding I Excelle to a first career victory in the Class 5 Shek Mun Handicap over 1,800 metres for trainer Pierre Ng. Ho later completed a double aboard Baby Sakura in the final race of the programme.
Gutsy Bravo also opened his winning account in the first section of the Class 4 Lung Hang Handicap over 1,200 metres for trainer Chris So. James Orman partnered the winner, recording his sixth success of the campaign.
Baby Sakura rounded off the meeting with victory in the Class 3 Wo Che Handicap over 1,400 metres. The Tagaloa gelding, carrying 131lb, maintained his progress towards the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and extended his winning sequence to three races. The result improved his career record to five victories from eight starts.
Light Years Charm won the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap at Sha Tin on October 19, completing David Eustace’s treble and strengthening the gelding’s prospects of a December campaign. The meeting also featured Dennis Yip’s 900th Hong Kong training victory and first wins for James Cummings and several runners.
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