Lucky Sweynesse chases G2 Sha Tin success

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for an 11-race fixture at Sha Tin featuring a Group 2 triple-header as some of Hong Kong’s best aim towards December’s International Races.

In the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), top-class Lucky Sweynesse aims to bounce back after experiencing defeat on two occasions this preparation. Conditions will favour Lucky Sweynesse more this week in the set weights race, as he only has to give away 2.5kg to most of the field, compared to more in his previous two runs under handicap conditions. Top sprinter Wellington makes his seasonal reappearance, marking his first start for Jamie Richards.

In the G2 Jockey Club Mile, California Spangle will be favoured to continue his winning ways after an impressive first-up win. Trainer John Size’s up-and-comer, Beauty Eternal, will give him the most work to do after finishing third in his first-up race against ‘Spangle’ and appearing to be in need of the run.

The G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) is the most open of the feature events, with Russian Emperor heading the ratings. The top-class stayer takes on a handy bunch of five-year-olds on the rise, including Sword Point, Five G Patch, and Straight Arron.

There’s also plenty of talent stepping out on the undercard, including promising four-year-old Helios Express who makes his seasonal return in the Class 2 Handicap over 1200m.

The John Size-trained sprinter left a lasting impression in three starts last season. He flashed home late into second place from a wide draw on debut in early June before confidently winning his next two starts. Size appears to have prepared Helios Express well for his return, evident through three barrier trials. However, resuming after over four months of absence always raises questions. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Romantic Hero newcomer who has trialled well for debut and will be favoured to score a first-up win from barrier 1 in the famous Romantic Warrior colours. Likely to be over-bet, however. Patch Of Time another first starter who has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance. Super Highway drops down in grade and start following. Smart Leader had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He also dislodged the rider on that occasion. Star Club showed improvement at a recent trial and expect better.

Race 2: Rise Brethren has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. This looks his race to lose. Champion Dragon placed last start and looks a chance to run well again from a low draw to suit his racing pattern. All For St Paul’s last start winner who remains in the same grade. Could lead softly and be hard to get past. Nearly Fine go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. But- terfield has finished close up recently and can run well on an each-way basis.

Race 3: Raging Blizzard resuming from a break and the recent trial was excellent. Requires luck from barrier 11 but he looks a horse on an upwards trajectory this season. Fighting Machine newcomer for Pierre Ng who has trialled well for debut and should run a race. Gorgeous Win has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Prince Chiswick holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Third start here and can continue to improve. Victory Scholars can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Drawn wide but will press forward and give a sight.

Race 4: Small field but littered with talent. Helios Express talented galloper who is resuming from a break. Should have more to come but will need to be good to win this first-up. Flying Ace reaching peak form and can go close here with Purton seemingly choosing the ride over Helios Express. Lucky Encounter winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to continue his good form. Dream Winner caught wide last start and still ran well. Packing Treadmill video replay showed last run was very good. Can run a race from the low draw.

Race 5: Lucky Fun has been running on well and could surprise here as he comes into a low gate. Smart Fighter holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Drawn wide, which could make it tough, but a win is nearby. Speedstar every chance last start but still ran a good race. Should be going close again here. Ariel looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Barrier 13 is tricky though. Lost Child looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form when ridden quieter. Expect improvement.

Race 6: Turin Mascot more than capable of winning again in this race after an impressive last-start win at Happy Valley. Pierre Ng has him going well and he should have more to come this season. Ensued created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented. Purton seemingly jumps off second-up, however, which piques interest. Swan Bay remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win. Frantanck solid effort last start and must be rated chance here. Packing Hurricane is a distance specialist who looks a big chance to improve in this race.

Race 7: Lucky Sweynesse has a good chance at the weights as opposed to the two Handicap races he has been beaten in this season, and gets his chance to bounce back here. Duke Wai placed last start, but had excuses late when he was tight at the 100m, and looks a chance to run well again. Trialled very well in between run and goes close here. Sight Success caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds. Can go on with it. Super Wealthy change of trainer recently and can improve based on his impressive trial. Wellington goes well first-up from a break and should be respected.

Race 8: California Spangle scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. He should lead and be hard to chase down again in the small and disappointing field of five runners. Beauty Eternal clearly appears to be the biggest danger to the favourite after third to him last start. He should be fitter now, as he looked in need of the first-up run, and can prove a bigger threat this time in. Voyage Bubble fresh up from a break and should run well. Healthy Happy goes well first-up from a break and should be respected. Beauty Joy never far away from the winner but is erratic and can prove difficult to ride.

Race 9: Sword Point ran out of condition last start when first-up beaten 0.75 lengths into sixth and will be fitter now. Will relish rising to 2000m second-up and appears to map ideally from barrier 3. La City Blanche placed last start when third to Encountered and will run well again. He’s on the verge of a second local win. Five G Patch good performance when storming home for third place over 1800m last start. Loves the distance and is a genuine hope. Straight Arron recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Russian Emperor will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well second-up.

Race 10: Galaxy Patch nice four-year-old with a good chance after a better run on the all-weather last start than it appears. Trialled well in between runs and will appreciate back to turf. Northern Beaches had excuses last start when caught wide. Should mapper kinder here and chances improve. Celestial Colours having first start and watch the betting odds, trials have been sound and he should run a race. Pins Prince was an easy last start winner and must be respected despite the rise in class. Monta Frutta has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance.

Race 11: Golden Samurai every chance last start but still ran a good race when he looked in need of the run. Fitter second-up and reunites with Vincent Ho. Massive Action good effort last start leading all the way to win and he might get away with it again here. Simple Hedge winner of last two starts and is a big chance here first-up with luck from out wide. Chiu Chow Spirit turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into third. Tamra Blitz placed last start and looks a chance to run well again from his low draw