Luke Middlebrook
Just six horses will line up in Sunday's feature race at Sha Tin, where Hong Kong's best sprinter,
LUCKY SWEYNESSE, aims to continue from where he left off in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's
Cup Handicap over 1200m.
As a triple Group 1 winner and the victor in eight out of 10 starts during his breakout 2022/23
campaign, LUCKY SWEYNESSE faces a similar challenge to his last race, where he won the Group 3
Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) in early June. On that occasion, the Manfred Man-trained talent
carried 135lbs to a comfortable 1.25-length victory, and he will face the same challenge again on
Sunday, giving away 20lbs to the rest of the field.
The only horse that seems capable of breaking LUCKY SWEYNESSE'S winning streak, as he vies for a
seventh straight success, is talented five-year-old VICTOR THE WINNER, who finished as the runner-
up to LUCKY SWEYNESSE in the Sha Tin Vase.
Elsewhere, thriving five-year-old ALL IS GOOD is on track to continue his winning ways in the Class 3
1400m Handicap.
It wasn’t until start number 15 that ALL IS GOOD broke through for his first career win in early May,
but he proved it no fluke by going on to win his next two starts stylishly. On each occasion, he posted
convincing winning margins of 1.75 lengths.
Though ALL IS GOOD will face his toughest test as he rises into Class 3, trainer Francis Lui has found a
race that lacks depth, while with Zac Purton in the saddle it provides the gelding with every winning
hope stepping away from barrier 2.
Track Spy
Video Replay Stars
Race 2 – 5 EVER BLESSING
He had two starts last season and they were complete forgive runs. On each occasion, he drew wide
in barriers 13 and 14 and subsequently raced wide, checking in 4.25 lengths into seventh on debut
and seven lengths into eighth second-up. He is a horse who has shown some ability at the trials, so
with better luck in running, perhaps he can put his best foot forward and improve.
Race 3 – 8 VANQUISHER
Two starts ago, he was heavily supported at Happy Valley but was slow to begin which obliterated
his chances. On his next start, he didn’t quite attract the same level of support but he outperformed
his starting price of 49/1 with a fast-finishing effort to pick up fourth place after being too far back in
the on-pace dominated race. Well prepared with two barrier trials for his return, he should be fi t
and ready to go first-up and appears on track to figure in the fi nish.
Sectional Time Stars
Race 1 – 5 STARSHIP EIGHTY
He turned in his best run yet on his final race of last season, finishing 3.25 lengths into seventh place
while coming home the second-fastest. However, he was unable to be properly tested after striking
traffic, so it is possible he could have finished even closer.
Race 8 – 1 BLUE MARLIN
He was sent forward from barrier 14 last start but raced without cover which resulted in him
weakening in the straight. On prior good form, he was ridden more conservatively and coming home
strongly on each occasion. Winning his trial in good enough fashion for his return, he is capable of
bouncing back.
Luke Middlebrook’s Selections:
R1. 3-1-8-5
R2. 2-5-4-7
R3. 1-8-2-4
R4. 1-2-3-4
R5. 6-7-1-3
R6. 3-2-10-1
R7. 8-7-1-2
R8. 10-1-8-5
R9. 1-6-4-5
R10. 2-1-6-10
Betting Strategy:
R7 #8 Win
R9 #1 Win
R10 #2 Win