Definitive (115lb) left no room for doubt at Sha Tin this afternoon (Sunday, 4 October), pouncing under Karis Teetan to win the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Muk Min Ha Handicap (1650m, dirt) and add further fuel to trainer David Eustace’s form in the new season.

Eustace celebrated a second Group 3 win in Hong Kong last Thursday (1 October) with Colourful King before Definitive secured the third-season handler’s fifth win this term as the recipient of a cracking ride from Teetan aboard the five-year-old War Decree gelding.

Stepping from barrier seven, Definitive positioned behind leader Sing Dragon (127lb), while Sky Vino (115lb) held third on the rail. Turning for home, Teetan pressured the leader before taking over at the 400m, scoring by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1m 38s.

Teetan said: “He went down to the gates feeling good and when he came out so well, I thought, that’s halfway home already. He was able to control the race and he picked it up nicely. He had no weight on his back and he was in the perfect spot.

“I always knew he had ability, and sometimes it’s just about him bringing his ‘A game’ to the races, too. I must say, well done to David and his team – they had the horse spot on.”

Talents Ambition (128lb) finished second with Sky Vino grabbing third. Eustace expects Definitive will seek a fourth Happy Valley win after today’s breakthrough in Class 2.

“He got a beautiful ride and the setup of the race worked out well for him. He’s got to take his medicine from the handicapper, and there are not too many options for him on the dirt, but he’s got a very effective record at Happy Valley,” Eustace said.

Racing in the same silks as triple Group 1 winner Mr Stunning for owner Maurice Koo and trainer Frankie Lor, Mr Cool (126lb) dashed to victory in the Class 4 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap (1400m), capping a double for Teetan.

Lor also grabbed two of his own when Horsepower (135lb) nicked the Class 3 Shing Mun Handicap (1000m) under Andrea Atzeni. The Harry Angel gelding is owned by Michael Lee, former Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and his family.

Zac Purton reached 1,100 wins on the Sha Tin turf as Michael Chang’s Lady’s Love (129lb) claimed the Class 4 Sham Tseng Handicap (1400m). Purton kicked off his double aboard KOL (122lb) in the Class 4 Kwok Shui Handicap (1200m) for David Hayes.

Chang said: “Today has been lucky on my side, as both my horses drew barrier one. This horse (Lady’s Love), Zac came back and said he does a few things wrong – he doesn’t fully concentrate. I think he still has a couple of lengths left to improve further.”

Purton, a nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey, leads the 2026/27 standings with 14 wins – six clear of his nearest rivals. The winningest rider in Hong Kong racing history, 43-year-old Purton has notched 2,035 wins in the city since arriving in 2007/08.

Lady’s Love is Zac Purton’s 1,100th turf course winner at Sha Tin.

Lady’s Love is Zac Purton’s 1,100th turf course winner at Sha Tin.

Team Happy (124lb) began Chang’s double under Matthew Poon, taking out the Class 5 Lo Wai Handicap (1400m), while Hayes also trained two victors as All Round Winner (120lb) skimmed the inside rail to strike under Harry Bentley in the Class 3 Shek Wai Kok Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Double Bingo (128lb) edged to Class 5 Chai Wan Kok Handicap (1650m, dirt) success under Nichola Yuen for trainer Ricky Yiu. Victory is the seven-pound apprentice’s sixth from the past four fixtures.

Big Return (120lb) made his first appearance over nine furlongs a winning one, taking the Class 3 Chinese Recreation Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1800m) under Alexis Badel for trainer Jamie Richards.

After interference from Firefoot (123lb), Supreme Agility (131lb) was declared the winner of the Class 4 Sha Tsui Handicap (1650m, dirt) following an inquiry and objection after initially finishing second with jockey James Orman for trainer Pierre Ng.

Ng said: “He’s quite a different horse this season. It took him a long while to build up this good form. He showed in a trial he’s much sharper now, so I’m looking forward to him running in Class 3 from a light weight.”

Six-year-old Bunta Baby (127lb) and jockey Luke Ferraris denied Four-Year-Old Classic Series potential Solid State (135lb) in the Class 3 Yau Kom Tau Handicap (1200m). The gelding savoured a fourth career win for trainer Manfred Man at odds of 38/1.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (7 October).