HK International Races Possible for Light Years Charm

David Eustace is eyeing a run at December's showpiece LONGINES Hong Kong International Races for Light Years Charm after he capped the English trainer's best day in Hong Kong with victory in the HK$5.35 million (approx. £510,000) G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1 mile/1600m) at Sha Tin on Monday (19 October). Six-year-old Light Years Charm, carrying the minimum 115lb under Karis Teetan, enjoyed a splendid trip along the rail and finished with aplomb, wearing down long-time pace-setter Patch Of Theta while pulling away from My Wish, who rallied in the final 100m. Patch Of Theta finished second, a length and three-quarters behind, with My Wish a further quarter of a length back. The win - Eustace's first Group 2 triumph in Hong Kong - completed a treble for the third-year trainer. Light Years Charm has now earned prizemoney totalling HK$17.69 million, with this coming after a runner-up finish in June's G3 Premier Plate Handicap and victory in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap at the end of May. "It's been a good day," Eustace said. "I thought he could run well, given the draw and the weight. "We've been working back from December - I was keen to target the (G1 LONGINES) Hong Kong Cup. I feel he'll stay that well. I think at level weights over a mile at Group 1 level, he'd probably find a few too sharp. But pulling up, he wasn't having too much of a blow. I think he appears to be a natural stayer and at this stage we'll still go in that direction. "Karis said it went very smoothly and he got into a lovely rhythm. I was keen to hold the fence; he's a big horse that needs momentum and is not a horse who wants to be held up. I just felt trying to angle out and ask for a turn of foot; he's not really that type. Teetan was taking his first ride on the Rubick gelding, and was glowing about the horse's credentials. "It's good to get a big win," Teetan said. "David was really confident that this horse was going to run very well with this weight on his back. "I trialled him at Happy Valley and, honestly, he gave me the feel of a good horse, and I think he's showed that today. He had a good run through, but I must say, when I needed him, he responded well and he ran all the way through the line." Earlier in the day, Eustace celebrated a victory on debut for Shannon Glow, ridden by Jerry Chau, the four-year-old who powered home at 33/1 in the first section of the Class 4 Sun Chui Handicap. Another promising four-year-old, Ace Eagle, claimed his maiden victory as Zac Purton guided the hot favourite home in the second section of the Class 4 Lung Hang Handicap, the treble taking Eustace's season win tally to 10. Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday 21 October.