David Eustace, a British trainer, is determined to turn his luck around at Sha Tin on Sunday, and he has a secret weapon: the classy sprinter Colourful King. Despite recent setbacks, Eustace believes this could be his big break.
Eustace has had a frustrating season, with a string of close seconds, including Majestic Delight and Glorious Success, who narrowly missed out on victory last Thursday. However, a much-needed win finally came his way with Riding Together's upset victory in the final race.
But here's where it gets controversial... Colourful King, another of Eustace's unlucky seconds this term, is set to run again on Sunday. In his last appearance, he faced an awkward jump and was badly held up, only to storm home and finish behind the dominant Stellar Express in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. It was a tough watch for everyone, especially considering the odds at $1.8.
And this is the part most people miss... Colourful King has a history of success at Sha Tin, having won at the same course and distance in November. With two Happy Valley triumphs under his belt, he's a real contender in Sunday's Class Two Orchid Handicap.
"He was unlucky, but that's racing," Eustace said. "He's in great form, and I'm hoping for some racing luck this time. He's definitely our best chance on Sunday."
Colourful King has a 7lb advantage over Stellar Express, who won last time out with a comfortable lead. The race looks set to be a tactical one, with plenty of pace expected, which could play into Eustace's hands. Youthful Spirits, a speedy challenger, is likely to push Stellar Express for the lead.
Eustace has a strong team at Sha Tin, with Heaving and Young Emperor also in the running. Heaving, an Australian import, has shown improvement with each run and is a solid contender in the Class Three Rose Handicap. Young Emperor, with a daring ride by Luke Ferraris, is a standout winner at $68.85 and has claims in the Class Three Peony Handicap.
"I think Heaving will run well. The weight drop suits him, and his performances have been consistently better. As for Young Emperor, he's a horse that needs everything to go right, and that's not often the case here. But when it does, as in his last win, he's exceptional."
Ferraris will ride Young Emperor again, jumping from gate seven and carrying top weight. Eustace's other runners include Runjeet, Hailtothevictors, Sea Diamond, and more.
So, will Eustace's luck change on Sunday? Will Colourful King bring home the win? And what about the other runners? It's a tactical race, and the outcome is far from certain. What do you think? Feel free to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
