Harry Eustace claimed a breakthrough Group 1 victory last season as Docklands won the Queen Anne Stakes. The son of Massaat had previously won the Britannia Stakes in 2023, before second to Charyn in the 2024 Queen Anne. After landing his Group 1, his trainer didn’t have to wait long for another as Time For Sandals won the Commonwealth Cup.
Eustace had La Botte a close second in the Brittania and Divine Comedy a close fifth in the Ascot Stakes, capping off a successful week. The Newmarket-based trainer is set to bolster his Ascot success next week, including with last year’s victors.
Speaking to Sporting Life, Eustace said: “For a lot of people, Royal Ascot is nigh on the pinnacle over a five-day carnival. And for us it’s been incredibly lucky as well. We’ve got incredibly fond memories of it, and we’re looking to keep those coming.
Docklands has remained in strong form since his Queen Anne triumph. He’s hit the frame in three prestigious International events, latterly in the FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin. That came after a comfortable win at Doncaster, and he’s of major interest returning to his beloved Ascot.
Eustace added: “He’s been quite busy through the winter, he’s six, so we’ve got a pretty firm grip on him. He got a break after Hong Kong. He’s already had two runs, so we thought we’d take him for a racecourse gallop. Which he went for last week and loved.
“He seems in excellent order and we’re just looking forward to getting him to the races now.”
Time For Sandals returns to take on the elders
Time For Sandals was something of a shock winner when winning the Commonwealth Cup last season against the three-year-olds. She backed that up when third at Goodwood, but hasn’t quite been in the same form since.
The yard step back to five furlongs this time in the King Charles III stakes on Tuesday, and Eustace said: “I do feel we’re going to be competitive. It’s very tough, we’re now taking on, you know, the senior, older sprinters. Last year it was 3-year-olds only but she’s had enough racing now to equip her for that. And from what we’re seeing at home, I think we’ll see an improved performance.”
Having never attended the Breeders’ Cup, Eustace is hopeful that Docklands and Time For Sandals can take him there.
“It’s been a conversation, most definitely. I’ve never been, and the owners have certainly never been. They’re very keen to go as well. It’s very much on the radar, and really, we just need to see them produce performances that gets them up to being competitive at that level again this year for us to consider it.”