The crowd of stable staff and onlookers broke into smiles as Lucky Sweynesse pulled up from his breezy turf gallop at Nakayama on Wednesday morning (24 September). Trainer Manfred Man patted his charge with quiet satisfaction, while jockey Derek Leung leaned down to stroke the gelding’s neck — a small, telling gesture of confidence before Sunday’s Group 1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m).
The seven-year-old, already a four-time Group 1 winner, looked relaxed yet purposeful as he bounded up Nakayama’s testing 310-metre home straight. Under bright sunshine, he was kept on a tight rein by Leung, who later remarked:
“He feels great. He always looks around like he does in Hong Kong, always curious with everything. It was his first time galloping here but everything went smoothly.”
Hong Kong eyes third Sprinters Stakes crown
Man and the Cheng family, Lucky Sweynesse’s owners, watched on with quiet pride. Their horse now aims to add his name to Hong Kong’s roll of honour in this race, which so far includes Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010).
After the hit-out, Lucky Sweynesse paraded before a throng of photographers before heading back to the Japan Racing Association’s international stables. Man was satisfied with what he saw:
“He worked very good. The jockey reported that the horse feels very fit. Today was just to see him gallop. In Hong Kong, we already know that his form keeps coming. In my mind, I am happy about the horse.”
The gelding’s recent efforts include a second-place finish in the Chief Executive’s Cup earlier this month at Sha Tin, where he chased home world-rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising in tough conditions. “That day the track wasn’t really suitable for him, but he still came second behind the best,” Man noted.
Experience and new headgear
Sporting a visor when he resumed this month, Lucky Sweynesse will again wear headgear on Sunday. Man explained:
“Now as his age is getting a bit older, we need a little bit of support to keep him more concentrated.”
The former Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) boasts 16 wins from 27 starts, with earnings topping HK$75.75 million. His resume glitters with victories in the 2023 Hong Kong Sprint, Centenary Sprint Cup, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and Chairman’s Sprint Prize. He is also one of just five horses to have landed the HK$5 million Hong Kong Speed Series bonus.
Set for Nakayama showdown
This year’s Sprinters Stakes, the 59th running since its inauguration in 1967, will see Lucky Sweynesse line up against Group 1 winners Satono Reve, Lugal, Mama Cocha and others over Nakayama’s undulating 1200 metres. Post time is scheduled for 2.40pm (HKT) on Sunday, with barriers to be drawn Friday morning (26 September, JST).
Read the full story and more racing updates on RaceBuzz.
