Lucky Sweynesse wins Chairman’s Trophy after 729 day hiatus
Rejuvenated miler Lucky Sweynesse (123lb) triumphed for the first time in 729 days on Monday, by defying a brave My Wish (123lb) in the HK$5.35 million Group 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 (123lb) led with Storm Rider (123lb). 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 (128lb) was third, while Galaxy Patch (123lb) found fourth place.
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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 Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) win.
“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,” Man said. “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 Group 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, who proved too good in the Sprint Cup on Monday, in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
“I’m very happy. I need to thank the owners – Mr Cheng and his family for their support, and also the trainer,” Leung said. “The team looks after the horse very well.”
Four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse – who clocked 1m 33.65s a short head in front of race favourite My Wish – next targets the HK$24 million Group 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.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 April).
