Lucky Sweynesse extended his undefeated record at Sha Tin to three on Sunday when taking out the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m),
Hong Kong Champion Griffin in 2021/2022 with five wins from seven starts, the New Zealand-bred son of Sweynesse resumed in superb fashion by trouncing his rivals by 3-1/4 lengths in the hands of Silvestre de Sousa.
The authoritative nature of Lucky Sweynesse’s latest performance prompted trainer Manfred Man to contemplate a possible tilt at December’s lucrative LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
“I'll be looking towards all the big races. I think (he could be a horse for the Hong Kong International Races), I think he will get in no problem, but whether he could win or not is another question,” Man said.
“He has done better than I expected because he started on a rating of 52 and now he's won a Class 1 race. He won easily and made me feel a little bit surprised. I'm very happy, he's a little bit more mature now.
“He can handle 1200m or 1400m, I need to look at the programme - everyone keeps asking me where I will go next but I need time to study the programme.”
Man immediately ruled out the Gr.3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) on 25 September and the Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) on 1 October for the gelding who had risen to a mark of 98 before Sunday’s triumph.
“Two weeks is too soon and the 1000m may be a little bit short. I need time to talk to the owner,” Man said.
Trapped three-wide in an eventful race, Lucky Sweynesse steamed to the front near the 200m mark, leaving his opposition in his wake, clocking 22.70s for his final 400m.
“It was pretty straight forward but he’s just a big baby. No doubt, he’s an improving horse and he was just a bit awkward and he’s got a lot to learn,” said de Sousa, marking the first time he had competed in Hong Kong since 2019.
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 in August last year before his subsequent sale and export to Hong Kong.
New Zealand-breds scored four other victories on the 10-race card, courtesy of This Is Charisma, Eternal Bloom, Good Luck Friend, and Gallant Crown.