EUSTACE THRIVING, RINGS UP 30TH WIN

Light Years Charm gives first-season British trainer maiden Class 2 gong in Hong Kong

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HONG KONG - David Eustace added further lustre to a burgeoning Hong Kong debut season when emerging talent Light Years Charm won the HK$2.84 million (S$466,000) Class 2 Lee On Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on June 8, presenting the young trainer with his 30th winner of the campaign.

By Rubick, Light Years Charm gave Eustace his first Class 2 triumph, collected a PP (Private Purchase) Bonus of HK$1.5 million and a prizemoney of HK$1.59 million, after Zac Purton patiently piloted the four-year-old to his third win from eight starts.

Sold in Australia at the 2022 HTBA May Yearling Sale for A$3,750 (S$3,100), Light Years Charm took his Hong Kong earnings to HK$7.6 million. He had transferred from Brett Dodson's stables as the winner of a maiden race over 1,410m at Lismore, New South Wales in June 2024.

Slowly away, Light Years Charm ($8) was allowed to settle and build momentum at the tail. Purton then angled the gelding to the outside of the eight-horse field, clocking 44.58sec for the final 800m and 22.37sec for the last 400m.

"It was a perfect ride. The horse actually did jump better than he normally does, but he got squeezed at the start. Zac took his time and assessed the pace up front and the horse lengthened really well," said Eustace.