Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
Rejuvenated miler Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) triumphed for the first time in 729 days on Monday by defying a brave My Wish (Flying Artie) in the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin for jockey Derek Leung and trainer Manfred Man.
Lucky Sweynesse broke from barrier 10 as Chancheng Glory led with Storm Rider. Positioned behind the pacesetters, Lucky Sweynesse peeled three-wide turning for home, hitting the front at the 250m as My Wish surged late. Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble was third, while Galaxy Patch found fourth place.
The former Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) Lucky Sweynesse – making only his second start over 1600m – was sidelined for more than a year due to a left fore fetlock injury found following his 2024 HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) win.
Man said: “He makes me feel surprised. When he was young, he was a sprinter, but now as a seven-year-old, he can go to one mile. This horse is very fit, and we are lucky in this race that we had two horses go to the front. He stayed behind the leaders and he ran very comfortably – the horse did very well.”
Lucky Sweynesse’s initial attempt over a mile came in January’s HK$13 million Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) when he was second to 13-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior. Leung has partnered the horse in his past seven races, including his most recent second to Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
Leung said: “I’m very happy. I need to thank the owners – Mr Cheng and his family for their support, and also the trainer. The team looks after the horse very well.”
Lucky Sweynesse was initially purchased out of Woburn Farm’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by J & I Bloodstock for $90,000.
He had two trials for New Zealand trainer Shelley Hale, winning over 900m at Ellerslie before his subsequent sale and export to Hong Kong.
Four-time Group One winner Lucky Sweynesse – who clocked 1m 33.65s this afternoon a short head in front of race favourite My Wish – next targets the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), where he could face internationals Jantar Mantar and Docklands.
“He’s (Derek Leung) ridden him a few times – he knows the horse. This time the horse was a 100 per cent fit. In my lifetime, this horse is the perfect one, and we’ll keep his training normal – his age is seven – so I don't want to push him too hard,” Man said.
