Eustace elated with first hat-trick in Hong Kong
HONG KONG - Continuing a prodigious rise among Hong Kong's training ranks, David Eustace celebrated the first treble of his career in the city on April 6 at Sha Tin after Regency Happy Star, Good Luck Babe and Sea Sapphire saluted.
"I thought we were coming here with a strong team and probably our first three runners proved that with two winners and a second," said the British trainer, 32.
"This is a nice surprise. They've all raced well and consistent, so it's very pleasing."
Enjoying a rewarding first campaign in Hong Kong with 23 wins, Eustace - formerly in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia - struck first with Regency Happy Star ($12) in the HK$875,000 (S$151,000) Class 5 Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1,400m) under Alexis Badel.
Said Eustace: "He's had a terrific season - just gaining confidence and relaxing very well now in his races. Obviously, the distance and the track is perfect for him and he's been ridden beautifully by Alexis.
"It's going to start to get a bit tougher, but hopefully we can have one more go in Class 5."
Regency Happy Star has won three of his last five starts. Good Luck Babe ($25) outlasted rivals in the Class 4 United Alumni Handicap (1,600m) under Karis Teetan, while Sea Sapphire ($67) showed plenty of fight to capture the Class 4 CUHK Alumni Cup Handicap (1,200m) with Ben Thompson.
Eustace's previous best Hong Kong hauls were two doubles, while Teetan's treble on April 6 began aboard the David Hayes-trained Top Throne ($15) in the second section of the Class 4 New Asia Alumni Handicap (1,200m).
"He ran great in his first run. He actually did many things wrong but to still run where he ran was a great effort and we thought he would always improve from that, which he did," said Teetan.
Teetan closed his three as youngster Mr Cool ($27) opened his account in the Class 4 Morningside Alumni Handicap (1,400m) for trainer Frankie Lor, whose Dubai runner Sword Point ran last in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1,600m) on April 5.
Besides Mr Cool, the Hong Kong trainer bagged a race-to-race double after Voyage Samurai ($8) added a fifth win at his 13th start to his burgeoning record in the Class 2 Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1,600m) under Derek Leung. HKJC
