Lucky Sweynesse took a giant step forward in his newfound calling as a sprinter-turned-miler last start, and this Sunday (26 April) on FWD Champions Day, the four-time Group 1 winner is aiming to cement his status as one of Sha Tin’s top performers over 1600m.

Lucky Sweynesse is trained by Manfred Man and will be ridden by Derek Leung in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). He is one of Hong Kong’s most beloved horses, boasting 17 wins from 33 starts, including eight during a stellar 2022/23 campaign, when he was acclaimed as Hong Kong Champion Sprinter.

Having raced exclusively over 1200m and 1400m prior to this season, a new-look Lucky Sweynesse has since flourished over the mile twice at Sha Tin. Firstly, when he was second to Romantic Warrior in January’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and then victoriously in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) over My Wish on 6 April.

Man, 68, has nurtured Lucky Sweynesse back to fitness after setbacks forced a 12-month absence upon the seven-year-old gelding. Leung, who has partnered the son of Sweynesse in each of his last eight starts, said: “It was good to win on Lucky Sweynesse, who had been waiting for a long time.

“Every time he tries hard. He’s been beaten by Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior (in his last two starts). He’s very honest, and last time it was his turn to get a win.”

Lucky Sweynesse is one of five Group 1 winners selected for the FWD Champions Mile along with Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble, last year’s winner Red Lion, Jantar Mantar and Docklands.

Leung, who has 20 wins this season, was aboard Lucky Sweynesse for his turf gallop at Sha Tin on Monday (20 April) alongside five-time winning stablemate Patch Of Stars, clocking 54.4s (31.0, 23.4).

“I’m very happy – I worked him yesterday and he’s working well. The stable looks after him very well, and his form is very consistent,” Leung said. “Manfred Man and his team have done a very good job to make him healthy again, and his form is back.”

The 37-year-old has four rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday (22 April) at the season’s 65th of 88 scheduled fixtures: Happy Boys, Star Elegance, Little Monster and E Ho Ho.

Bunta Baby (125lb) has won three of his past four starts for Man. Alexis Badel is hoping to steer the Australian import to more success at the city circuit in a cracking Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap (1000m) against 11 opponents, including fellow hat-trick seeker Caspar Fownes’ Sky Cap (121lb), who links with “Magic Man” Joao Moreira.

Badel said: “He’s got a good turn of foot, and the course and distance suit him very well. This time, we have a wider gate (11), so it’s trickier, and there’s a bit more weight on his back (plus 7lb), but the horse is certainly capable of running a good race.

“I was a lot closer to the speed last time, but I was pretty surprised he showed that speed because he came from a touch further back a few wins ago. He’s got speed, if I need it, so he’s pretty useful, and the horse is in good form.”

Group 1-winning Australian rider Ethan Brown begins his short-term contract tomorrow night with seven rides: Concorde Star, Telecom Power, Shooting To Top, Young Arrow, Harmony Fire, Red Elegance and Masterofmyuniverse.

The nine-race fixture at Happy Valley on Wednesday (22 April) commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Flamingo Flower Handicap (1200m).

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC