There will be another Eustace name in the spotlight at Sha Tin’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday (14 December), and for Harry Eustace, the hope is simple: that Docklands can deliver a more prominent showing in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Returning with greater maturity and confidence after a year of growth, the trainer arrives with the feeling that the horse has unfinished business in Hong Kong.
Harry has enjoyed a standout year, with Docklands providing him his first top-level success in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot in June. Now a seasoned five-year-old, Docklands returns aiming to improve on his 12th-place finish in last year’s HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
His latest run came when staying on for ninth behind Jantar Mantar in the G1 Mile Championship (1600m) in Kyoto on 23 November. “He ran his race,” Eustace said. “We were drawn 16 of 18, got too far back, but he came home well. When I looked at the result again, the winner won by a couple of lengths but we weren’t far away from being involved with the rest. I think with a better draw, we’d have been among them. So, we’re very happy and it was a brilliant experience.”
Eustace also reflected on why last year’s Hong Kong run may not have shown Docklands at his best. The horse had a complicated second half of the season, with targets shifting toward the Cox Plate (G1, 2040m). “He ran well in the Queen Anne, then City Of Troy’s Juddmonte International, then the Cox Plate, took on Via Sistina again in the Champion Stakes, then went back to a sharp mile in Hong Kong.” This year, he feels the preparation has been steadier. “He’s obviously a better horse and more consistent and competitive at the top level. If we could get an OK draw, I think he could show up a bit better than he did last year.”
Docklands arrived early with the first group of international runners and handled the short Asian journey with no issues. “He took the travelling very well and looks very fresh and well,” Eustace said. “He had his first day on the track last Wednesday (3 December). He obviously ran recently, so he’s fit and we’re really just ticking him over until a week Sunday (14 December). He might have a little leg-stretch this Wednesday or Thursday (10 or 11 December) but that’ll be about it.”
This year’s trip comes with a personal touch, as Harry’s brother David is also expected to have Massive Sovereign running in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). “I believe my brother is going to have a runner in the 2000m race — he nearly had a runner in the mile race which would have been even more fun,” Eustace said. “To both be involved in a day like this is just fantastic for the pair of us. And if we can pick up a bit of prize-money that would be super.”
Stay tuned to Racebuzz for more such updates.
