David Hall hopes Flying Ace can make a smooth transition to the dirt when he tackles the surface for the first time in the Class Two Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Flying Ace has been a consistent customer this term, flashing home to finish in the placings despite being forced to negotiate wide draws in his three starts.

After edging up the ratings from 89 to 94 this season, Hall – who has been in the winner’s enclosure at the past three Sha Tin meetings – believes Flying Ace can manage the change.

“He seems to trial OK on the surface, and the dirt races are there for him,” Hall said. “There’s just no races for him on turf, so we have to go to the dirt. Whether that’s going to be a good thing or a bad thing, there’s only one way to find out.”

After bursting onto the scene to win his first four races during a streak from December 2021 to March 2022, Flying Ace’s career was put on hold two months later when he underwent a procedure to remove bone fragments from his right knee.

Sidelined until October 2022, the son of Swiss Ace was only successful on one of his six appearances last term.

“He’s come from some horrific draws, put in some big performances and run some good sectionals,” Hall said. “Everyone can see his form is there in black and white.

“He’s certainly racing very well, and he deserves to get a victory, but it’s a different game with the dirt this week. He’s a fit horse, and we’ll find out on Sunday. I don’t think he needs to improve. He just needs to have a bit more luck.”

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Flying Ace will have the help of Zac Purton in the saddle, and the reigning champion jockey is confident the galloper can give a good account of himself.

“The horse is going well, and he’s trialled well on the dirt before, so I don’t think that’s an issue,” Purton said.

“He’s been drawn on the outside all season, and it’s been a bit hard for him. Hopefully, they can help him out, and he can get the job done. He deserves a win.”

Purton also provided an update on Beauty Eternal after steering the galloper to victory in his 1,200m dirt trial at Sha Tin on Thursday. Ahead of his Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile assignment next Sunday, Beauty Eternal travelled strongly before edging clear of Silver King in the heat.

“His trial was good. He rolled around the outside and did what he had to do,” Purton said. “He seems to be [on track]. He’s come through his last run nicely and trialled well again today.”

Hong Kong Derby hero Voyage Bubble also showed he is on track for next Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile showdown with Golden Sixty, producing an impressive trial win of his own.

“He gave me a really good feel, and even though it’s going to be a strong race, he’s a lovely progressive horse who’s going the right way,” jockey James McDonald said.

Meanwhile, this year’s Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1,200m) winner Little Brose will shift from the care of Ben, Will & JD Hayes in Australia to the stable of their father David in Hong Kong, with owner Peter Young keen to tackle the 2025 Classic Series with the three-year-old.