The past few months for David Eustace have been all about preparation and planning – building fitness, managing expectations and aiming to peak on a very specific day.
You could easily assume we’re talking about his enviable hand of four-year-olds, carefully assembled and conditioned for Hong Kong’s Classic Series.
And you’d be right.
But front of mind this Sunday morning is something slightly different: Eustace’s first ever marathon, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, which he will run before heading to Sha Tin to saddle up one of his key Derby prospects later in the afternoon.
“It’s not really a race,” Eustace says with a smile. “You’re racing against the clock. I’d love to run under three-and-a-half hours if I can – five-minute kilometres.”
The trainer’s preparation has been simple and methodical, not unlike his approach to training horses. One long run, two shorter efforts each week, plenty of consistency, and no major overthinking.
“I haven’t changed a whole lot, to be honest. Just ran a bit more,” he says. “I’ve really enjoyed the training. It’s been cool.”
While Eustace’s own preparation has been smooth, the same can’t quite be said for Glittering Legend, the lightly raced European import who will make his Hong Kong debut later in the day in the 1400m Class 3 Handicap.
“It’s been a little bit of a rush,” Eustace admits. “He had a setback straight out of quarantine – nothing major, just his action – but we had to stop and then start again. He was a bit scratchy and shuffly early, but he’s moving beautifully now.”
That assessment is backed by the gelding’s profile. Formerly trained in Britain, Glittering Legend arrives with a strong European résumé, including a Listed win at Newcastle and a placing in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. A Hong Kong rating of 78 gives Eustace some breathing room.
“My gut feel is he’ll be better for a run,” he says. “European horses often need tempo. They like a proper gallop to get into a rhythm.”
That theme – tempo – is central to both Eustace’s marathon and Classic thinking. Glittering Legend won’t contest the Classic Mile, but a forward showing on Sunday would put him firmly on the Derby path if the race is run to suit.
“He’s definitely got the ability,” Eustace says. “If they go quick and he gets into a nice rhythm, I think he’ll run well.”
Of Eustace’s other four-year-olds, Helene Supafeeling will bypass the Classic Mile after over-racing last start when the tempo slackened mid-race.
“He found the pace of the 1400 too slow and pulled hard,” Eustace explains. “That stop-start nature of Hong Kong racing can take a bit of adjusting for some horses.”
Dazzling Fit remains on the bubble for the Classic Mile with a rating of 75, having been kept deliberately fresh, while Seraph Gabriel (76) will stay in Class 3 company for now – a move that may ultimately help Eustace manage numbers when final Classic fields are declared.
It’s all part of a broader picture that has seen Eustace make a quietly impressive start to his Hong Kong training career. After arriving with a formidable Australian résumé – including a Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, multiple Derbies and a national trainers’ title alongside Ciaron Maher – the 34-year-old Englishman wasted little time adapting to Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
He finished his first Hong Kong season with 36 winners and has recruited strongly since, sitting just outside the top ten in the current trainers’ championship after a slow start to the campaign.
On Sunday, though, the stopwatch comes first.
“I’ll be there,” Eustace says. “Luckily he’s in a late race.”
A marathon in the morning. A Derby hopeful in the afternoon. For David Eustace, it’s all about timing, rhythm – and being ready when it matters most. ∎
