With months of meticulous planning behind him, David Eustace is itching to get to the track with his first Hong Kong runners on Tuesday.
Eustace will send a pair of runners to the National Day meeting at Sha Tin, with Jumbo Fortune tackling the Class Four Chengdu Handicap (1,400m) and Noble Win contesting the Class Five Shenyang Handicap (1,400m).
While the 32-year-old could have stayed with his former training partner, Ciaron Maher, for the autumn carnival in Australia, Eustace decided to relocate to Hong Kong earlier than most expatriate trainers, making the move in April.
He also sacrificed his summer break to start building relationships and his stable, as well as developing processes he hopes can enable him to grow steadily.
“I’ve taken my time and waited until the horses are ready. Now they are, so I’m looking forward to it,” Eustace said.
“I certainly wasn’t in a rush or felt pressured to run horses but, of course, we all want to compete. It’s nice to be able to put a saddle back on one in a competitive environment for the first time in a long time.”
While Eustace has sourced seven Private Purchase Griffins (horses unraced before import) and 11 Private Purchases (previously raced horses) himself, he kicks off with two of the 19 gallopers who were transferred to his yard from other Hong Kong handlers.
While Jumbo Fortune and Noble Win have a combined record of two wins from 60 starts in Hong Kong, Eustace hopes they can get back on track after a change in environment.
“I’m happy with both of the horses and of the two, you’d have to favour [Jumbo Fortune],” Eustace said. “He’s certainly down the weights compared to what he’s won off and he’s trialled up well.”
Jumbo Fortune’s sole win in the city came in December last year, where he shot home from the rear of the field over the Sha Tin 1,400m with Karis Teetan in the saddle. The Pride Of Dubai gelding carried 135 pounds to success off a rating of 60 – 11 points higher than his current mark.
On Tuesday, he will have the advantage of barrier one and carry 120 pounds in the 13-runner Chengdu Handicap.
“We’ve kept him reasonably fresh and Karis rode him in his trial,” Eustace said. “He quickened well, showed plenty of enthusiasm and I was keen to get Karis because he’s the only rider to have won on him. He’s probably not the most straightforward and he gets a good tune out of him.”
Noble Win was victorious on his penultimate start in June and will have the help of Andrea Atzeni in the saddle for Tuesday’s Shenyang Handicap, with the pair jumping from barrier eight.
“He’s done nothing wrong and his first trial was pleasing and probably caught me by surprise a little bit with how forward he was,” Eustace said.
“He was caught a bit flat-footed in his second trial so I think you can’t read too much into that. I’ve been happy with him and his work was good with Jumbo Fortune on Monday.”
Eustace’s stable took a boost in September when he acquired the 90-rated Colourful Emperor from Tony Cruz. The four-year-old claimed three wins in quick succession at Happy Valley last season and could play a big part for his new trainer.
