Colourful King ensured bigger prizes remain in sight with a convincing victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Thursday (1 October).

David Eustace, who previously said the improving five-year-old would need to make an impression domestically before being considered for overseas assignments, was pleased as Colourful King (123lb) made it back-to-back victories down the Sha Tin 1000-metre straight course.

Colourful King stalked early leader Magic Control (115lb) with 300 metres remaining before Zac Purton asked the gelding for an effort with 100 metres to go. The five-time winner in Hong Kong quickly pulled a length clear to claim the day’s feature race. Bottomuptogether (120lb) ran into third, while Magic Control was second.

“It was pretty straightforward and painless,” Purton said. “He was in the right spot and travelled well behind the right horse all the way. It was just a matter of him delivering, and he did that.”

Eustace was encouraged that his charge showed fighting spirit when a determined Magic Control, who Colourful King also beat into second in their most recent meeting in June, made a battle of it in the final stretch.

“He hasn’t got a lot of options (at 1000m), so he needs to be right when he has them,” said Eustace, who celebrated a second Group 3 triumph in Hong Kong. “So, it’s just nice to see him execute well. And he got in a bit of a battle and showed a bit of tenacity, too.”

Eustace believes Colourful King is a 1000-metre specialist, which limits his options. The Englishman outlined the plan for the remainder of the season.

“I think he probably runs in Group 2 over 1200 (metres) (G2 Premier Bowl Handicap) in a touch over three weeks (25 October),” Eustace said. “And then there’s a race in January, the Grade 3 down the straight (G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap, 1000m).”

Asked about the previously mooted possibility of an international campaign, Eustace said he is open to travelling the five-year-old.

“I would certainly consider it. They’re a long way away, but when you travel a horse, you do need to plan a long way out, so we won’t overrace him and will have him ready for races abroad towards the end of the Hong Kong season,” Eustace added.

Ka Ying Lightning races to an impressive second victory from as many starts for David Hall in the Class 4 Hangzhou Handicap (1000m).

Ka Ying Lightning races to an impressive second victory from as many starts for David Hall in the Class 4 Hangzhou Handicap (1000m).

David Hall saddled a treble. Matthew Poon-ridden Cirrus Speed (129lb) made all as he registered his first Hong Kong win in the Class 5 Nanning Handicap (1200m), before a surging finish aboard Solid Car (125lb) in the Class 4 Chengdu Handicap (1400m) ensured James Orman’s solid early-season form continued and brought Hall his second winner of the day.

The highlight of Hall’s hat-trick was an imposing win for Ka Ying Lightning (133lb) in the Class 4 Hangzhou Handicap (1000m), who made it two wins from two career starts. Andrea Atzeni provided Hall with his sixth winner of the nascent season.

“He’s an exciting horse,” Hall said. “He’s just really come on leaps and bounds with his behaviour – his parade beforehand, saddling up and then behind the barrier.

“He’s jumping out of the gates better and he’s a professional racehorse. He’s got a great action, he likes the firm ground and he’s going to be a good, fun horse for Hong Kong,” the Australian added.

Sky Jewellery fights out the finish with Hot Delight before securing the Class 2 Beijing Handicap (1400m) for John Size and jockey James Orman.

Sky Jewellery fights out the finish with Hot Delight before securing the Class 2 Beijing Handicap (1400m) for John Size and jockey James Orman.

Sky Jewellery (134lb) got back to winning ways in the Class 2 Beijing Handicap (1400m) for John Size, who registered his second winner of the season. As the betting market predicted, it was Size’s five-year-old and Francis Lui-trained Hot Delight (128lb), under Vincent Ho, going toe-to-toe in the last 100 metres, with Orman-ridden Sky Jewellery narrowly lifting to claim his sixth win from nine starts and completing a double for his Australian rider.

“He was just there to win the race,” Size said. “He’s just presented again, like he’s always promised to do. He’s got a reputation of being a racehorse, and he keeps holding it up.

“I think he can be fitter, but sometimes a horse like that, if you push him a little bit too much, you don’t get the result. But he’s done well,” Size added.

Brett Crawford grabbed his first winner of the season when All Are Mine (128lb), ridden by Alexis Badel, claimed the Class 5 Shenyang Handicap (1600m).

Pierre Ng continued his good early-season form when Nichola Yuen scored aboard Aerovolanic (122lb), who took his fourth win from 18 starts, in the Class 3 Tianjin Handicap (1400m). Ng is joined on eight winners for the season by Cody Mo, whose Hong Kong International Sale graduate Super Goldendragon (133lb) made it three wins from his last five starts when he took out the Class 4 Jinan Handicap (1800m) under Derek Leung. Mo and Leung completed a double when Absolute Heart (122lb) obliged in the Class 3 Shanghai Handicap (1200m).

Manfred Man landed the day’s longest-odds winner when E Ho Ho (121lb) scored for Harry Bentley at 49/1 in the first section of the Class 4 Chongqing Handicap (1200m), and Keith Yeung opened his account for the season aboard Chris So’s Cavamazing (127lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Chongqing Handicap (1200m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 October).