David Eustace is hoping Vivacious Win can go back-to-back at Happy Valley with Zac Purton aboard once again in the first section of the Class Four Morrison Hill Road Handicap (1,650m).

The Autumn Sun galloper broke through with a superb performance last start after being sent off as $1.90 favourite to win at the course and distance by five lengths over Glorious Journey.

Wednesday sees the four-year-old jump from an inside draw of barrier two, which Purton can take advantage of to settle near the pace, however, he will be tasked with 132lb after receiving 10lb for his victory.

“He’d been knocking on the door for some time and I suppose finally everything clicked. He got a good draw, good speed on, and a strong ride round the turn, which put the race to bed,” Eustace said.

“It was nice to see him do that because he really had been a shade unlucky. Obviously the handicapper hasn’t missed him as a result, so he’s got to clearly improve again.

“He’s been ridden handy in his races where he’s performed well. I think he’s quite versatile, but from a good gate we’ll definitely try and make the most of it.”

Following a quiet trial at Conghua in between runs, Eustace is very pleased with how he has come through the run.

“I thought his trial was really pleasing and he looked great. He’s holding his weight well and coat looks good as ever. Fingers crossed he can handle the rise in weight and run a good race,” Eustace said.

Young Emperor has been racing solidly at Sha Tin and Eustace is hoping to see the five-year-old carry the form across to Happy Valley with Luke Ferraris aboard in the Class Three Leighton Road Handicap (1,200m), where he is a winner at the track and trip.

“He’s been racing really well in some strong races at Sha Tin – obviously one early in the season, he got a superb ride from Luke that day. He’d just been racing so well at Sha Tin, I hadn’t transferred him across to the Valley, but he’s a winner at the Valley. He’s got a good gate, he’s in good form, I think he should run well,” Eustace said.

Central Bank has improved with each of his three runs in Hong Kong so far, and will contest the Class Three Des Voeux Road Central Handicap (1,000m) with Richard Kingscote in the saddle from a more favourable barrier of five compared to 10 last start.

“He’s an interesting horse, particularly for next season. I think he’s done a pretty good job for a new young PP [Private Purchase],” Eustace said.

“Last start was good, he had to work hard the first two furlongs of the race and that just sort of told at the end, so with a better draw I think he’ll run well. I think he’ll probably benefit from a step up in trip in time as well.”

Ferraris also takes the reins on Definitive in the Class Three King’s Road Handicap (1,650m), who is a two-time course and distance winner, but has raced on the all-weather track at his previous four starts.

“He’s found a very strong race, particularly for the time of year, so it won’t be easy but he’s had a freshen and trials have been sound. Luke knows him quite well, he’s a dual course and distance winner in the grade, so I’d be hopeful of him returning and putting in a nice performance,” Eustace said.

The consistent Hailtothevictors and Joao Moreira will look to go one better than last start when they step up in distance in the Class Five Ice House Street Handicap (2,200m)

“I think the distance will be fine, but every time he’s gone to the Valley he’s been a bit disappointing, so that’ll be the test for him,” Eustace said.

“He’s been very consistent on the dirt and at Sha Tin in Class Five. I’d be fairly confident the ability is there to win and the distance is OK. It’d be nice to see him be able to transfer that form to the Valley.”

Power Summit lines up in a very open race when he takes on the Class Five Westlands Road Handicap (1,650m) with Karis Teetan in the saddle, after pulling up lame in the right front leg the day after his last start.

“He’s actually starting to work things out. I thought his run last time was not too bad and he’s put in some OK performances at the Valley,” Eustace said.

“It’s a slightly kinder gate and an open race, I think the mile around the Valley is probably ideal for him. He led last time he was there, which didn’t work out, but he should be able to get a softish run and hopefully he can run well.”

Kingscote also combines with Gratifide in the second section of the Class Four Racing World 50th Anniversary Cup (1,200m), where the Shamus Award galloper jumps from barrier one with blinkers applied for the first time.

“Good gate, needs to improve with blinkers on. He’s had a couple of OK runs in and others are a bit below par, so I’m hoping the headgear and a good gate, ridden forward, can bring some improvement,” Eustace said.

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