Colourful King will return to Sha Tin on Thursday, October 1, as one of the leading contenders for the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap over 1000 metres, part of an 11-race National Day programme that brings together some of Hong Kong’s leading sprinters.
Trainer David Eustace has made a promising start to the new season with three wins and will be hoping Colourful King can take another step forward in Group company. The five-year-old will carry 123lb and jump from barrier seven under Zac Purton, who currently leads the jockeys’ championship.
The gelding has already shown his ability over Sha Tin’s straight 1000-metre course. He finished second in the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap in January after an unlucky run and has since closed last season with a Class 1 victory in June.
Colourful King returns to his preferred 1000m
Eustace believes the Sha Tin 1000 metres is the right test for Colourful King, who has won twice and finished runner-up twice from five starts at the course and distance.
The preparation has included two barrier trials and two turf gallops. His latest grass trial pleased the stable, while Eustace noted that the dirt trial was primarily designed to bring the horse forward.
“He’s not the sort of horse who shows his best on the dirt, but he needed to have that trial,” Eustace said. “He jumped well and he’s come through it in good order.”
The trainer also believes Colourful King has become more reliable from the barriers, an important factor over Sha Tin’s straight sprint course.
“He probably jumps a bit better now than he used to,” Eustace said. “He was nice and clean last start; hopefully he can do that again and just get into a nice rhythm.”
Rated 103, Colourful King arrived in Hong Kong after recording two wins over 1000 metres in Melbourne. Eustace has identified the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy in January as a longer-term target, while the horse is also expected to tackle the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200 metres at Sha Tin on October 25.
The National Day Cup therefore represents another useful opportunity to assess whether Colourful King can transfer his strong course record into Group-level success.
Crimson Flash brings consistency to National Day Cup
Crimson Flash will provide another serious challenge. The five-year-old heads into the race following an excellent previous campaign in which three Class 2 victories were recorded between Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
Mark Newnham’s 105-rated sprinter will start from barrier eight with Andrea Atzeni back in the saddle. Atzeni has already partnered Crimson Flash to six victories and believes the horse has the versatility to handle the demands of Thursday’s contest.
“He’s a very consistent horse. He never really runs a bad race and he’s been a good horse for us,” Atzeni said.
Crimson Flash has previously won over 1000 metres up the Sha Tin straight and has also scored over 1200 metres at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley, giving his connections plenty of confidence ahead of his seasonal return.
Atzeni travelled to Conghua for a barrier trial, where Crimson Flash showed good pace. The gelding then worked on the grass on Monday, September 28, and has reportedly come through the preparation in good order.
His most recent trial produced a sharp 57.66 seconds for 1000 metres on turf at Conghua on September 18.
Colourful King and Crimson Flash will face a strong line-up that also includes Raging Blizzard, Beauty Waves, Tomodachi Kokoroe, Bottomuptogether, Magic Control and Johannes Brahms.
The National Day Cup will form the centrepiece of Thursday’s programme, with racing beginning at 1pm with the Class 5 Nanning Handicap over 1200 metres. The meeting will provide a busy public-holiday card at Sha Tin, with the straight-course sprint drawing particular attention.
Entry to the public enclosures at Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourse will be free on National Day.
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