Lucky Sweynesse owner hoping patience pays off in bid to thwart Ka Ying Rising's record attempt
Hong Kong's former top sprinter takes on the new king in Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) on Champions Day
Lucky Sweynesse's owners are hoping a year of patience will pay off in Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin.
Owned by the Cheng family, Manfred Man Ka-leung's sprinter has been off the track since winning the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin in April 2024, where he beat subsequent Chairman's Sprint Prize winner Invincible Sage.
Lucky Sweynesse himself won the 2023 Chairman's Sprint Prize in a record-equalling campaign in 2022-23, where he matched Beauty Generation's record of eight Hong Kong wins in a season.
This year's warm favourite Ka Ying Rising is also aiming for an eighth win of a remarkable campaign, something Lucky Sweynesse's connections will be hoping they can play spoiler on Sunday.
Lucky Sweynesse is just so, so good! 🔥
The speedster remains unbeaten through 2023 by claiming the Chairman's Sprint Prize & a HK$5 million bonus for winning the Speed Series. @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/70txawhWmL — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 30, 2023
Patience has been key for owner Cheng Ming-leung and they will hope to be rewarded when their four-time Group One winner returns from left fore fetlock surgery.
'As a racehorse owner, patience is the key and we always have high hopes for our horse,' said Cheng. 'Though he had to be sidelined for a long period, he recovered well and all along his situation was very stable, and we kept the faith that he will return one day.
'I am excited to see him make a comeback on FWD Champions Day, the same meeting when he scored in the same race two years ago.
'Having said that, I didn't rush my trainer but full credit to Man – he and his stable team has done a great job to turn things around. The horse is fully recovered now and is ready for the challenge.'
Lucky Sweynesse is not there to just make up the numbers, with Cheng buoyed by recent blistering trials.
'His performances in his recent trials were very impressive,' Cheng added. 'It looks the horse has a good heart and we are all delighted to see him coming back to his best.
'We always have high hopes for him and hopefully he will have a forward showing this time. I have confidence that he will finish in the frame.'
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