Lucky Sweynesse continues winning run
Impressive sprinter Lucky Sweynesse lodged a third consecutive win to maintain his unbeaten record with success in the first section of the Class 3 Sheung Hei Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
“It was a good effort,” jockey Zac Purton said. “He travelled a bit strong through the first half of the race and then when we came down near The Rock (750m), he wobbled a bit and might have lost his confidence in the track and lost his rhythm, so I had to click him up a little bit but he grabbed the bit and wanted to get going.
“He wobbled off the track a bit around the turn and then he wanted to hang in under pressure – he did a lot wrong tonight, but he’s gone up a lot in the ratings very quickly which for a young horse is not easy. I don’t think he was at home on the track either, so it was a good effort.”
Trainer Manfred Man indicated the New Zealand-bred three-year-old would probably have a short break before turning his attention to Sha Tin in a bid to add to his trio of Happy Valley wins.
“The jockey reported he wasn’t comfortable in the conditions, so it was a good,” Man said. “I might try him at Sha Tin next to see how he handles it there.”
Lucky Sweynesse was sold as a Ready To Run two-year-old out of Woburn Farm’s 2020 draft for $90,000 to Joe Barnes’ J & I Bloodstock and is the second foal out of Listed Wanganui Cup winner Madonna Mia.
The son of Novara Park Stud stallion Sweynesse was a trial winner out of Shelley Hale’s Cambridge stable before transferring to Hong Kong.
Jason Collett faces stint on the sidelines
Kiwi expat Jason Collett will undergo shoulder surgery after fracturing his clavicle in a race day fall at Warwick Farm.
Racing NSW stewards confirmed the injury late on Wednesday night and the top jockey is expected to go under the knife on Thursday.
"Jason has a fractured clavicle that requires surgery by (Racing NSW doctor) Dr Duckworth tomorrow," Racing NSW said in a statement.
Collett, who celebrated his fourth Group One win aboard Montefilia in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, was riding the Matthew Smith-trained Flambeur in the fourth race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when the tiring horse stumbled and fell near the 300m, dislodging him from the saddle.
He hit the ground heavily and was taken to hospital where the fracture was diagnosed.