Consolidating status as Hong Kong’s premier sprinter with a facile triumph in the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 April), Lucky Sweynesse will next attempt to add further lustre to an increasingly imposing record with a tilt at the HK$20 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) as Manfred Man considers overseas options.
The authority contained in Lucky Sweynesse’s one-length win over reigning Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Wellington and Master Eight prompted trainer Man to describe the Sweynesse gelding as “very special” before outlining ambitious plans for the four-year-old.
Boosting his prize money earnings to HK$32,485,200 with an 11th win from 15 starts, Lucky Sweynesse will lead Hong Kong’s arsenal of speedsters in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize before being set for a possible shot at the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) on 4 June.
The first horse to win six races this season in Hong Kong, Lucky Sweynesse coped admirably with the drop in distance following hollow victory in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 19 March despite making a ragged start today.
“He looked a bit slow this time (out of the barriers),” Man said before addressing the chances of a Yasuda Kinen assignment. “I think at this moment we will enter June in Tokyo, and then I will need to discuss it with the owner. I will discuss with the owner first. I think (he can show the same quality over 1600m) because his last run over 1400m he ran very well. He took a sit and showed us his dash.
“He’s very special for me.”