Docklands may not have won since Royal Ascot in June, but taking on top line company in the UK, France and Japan is no easy task.
Add Hong Kong into the mix with the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, a turnaround could provide trainer Harry Eustace and globetrotting jockey Tom Marquand with one of their might significant career highlights.
The now five-year-old entire took out the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1609m) on the opening day of the Royal Meeting with a career peak Racing and Sports rating of 122.
An eye-catching fifth in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes (1609m) at Goodwood followed together with finishing just outside of the placings at the highest level at Deauville and Ascot before being too far back in the run to make an impression in the Mile Championship (1600m), finishing fifth.
The mile at Sha Tin can be the return to form though taking on the likes of local heroes Voyage Bubble and My Wish is a challenge, Eustace is content with where his charge is at.
“The Japanese experience was fantastic but hard,” Eustace said.
“The competition and the travelling for him was hard and we weren’t helped by drawing 16 of 18. I was delighted with the run and he has really bounced out of it well. He looked super this morning and I think we’ll run a solid race on Sunday.
“He is mentally tough and the first time you travel horses you never know how they will handle it. He travelled ok last year but he has definitely taken it better this year.”
While Docklands will be out to improve on his fifth placing in the 2024 edition of the Mile, Tom Marquand, who is no stranger to international success, will also be looking to improve on his record at Hong Kong’s premier course.
In 35 rides at Sha Tin, Marquand has saluted only once in February 2025.
