Luke Middlebrook
The Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200m tops the 10-race card at Sha Tin at Hong Kong on Sunday.
In that event, thriving four-year-old Lucky Sweynesse is in search of his first big-race success.
Lucky Sweynesse has risen swiftly through the grades since making his racetrack debut in February this year, winning his way to current mark of 112 after debuting off a usual rating of 52 for unraced southern hemisphere horses.
Tasting defeat on just two occasions from a so-far eight races, the Manfred Man-trained gelding vies for a hat-trick of wins on his second-up run for the season this week after blitzing his Class 1 rivals first-up at this track and distance 42 days ago.
Lucky Sweynesse will have to bring his A-game to defeat Hong Kong's current best sprinter Wellington, as well as other up-and-comer Cordyceps Six, on Sunday, but in his corner is match fitness and 5kg difference, so the up-and-comer gets his chance. Zac Purton also jumps back in the saddle - another positive.
However, history is against Lucky Sweynesse as no horse making their Group race debut has won this race in the past 17 editions while just three Premier Bowl favourites – Sterling City (2013), Aerovelocity (2014) and Lucky Bubbles (2016) – have won.
Elsewhere, promising four-year-old Galaxy Witness can score a second-up win when he returns to Sha Tin in the Class 2 1400m Handicap (Race 10).
Galaxy Witness showed huge potential last season by winning his first four starts while finishing third in his final race of the season. By doing so, the up-and-comer asserted himself as a serious player ahead of this season's Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
First-up at this track and distance two weeks ago however, things went awry as he began fairly which resulted in him settling back in the field and then having difficulty obtaining clear running at the top of the straight.
It was still a good run against the slow tempo as he closed off the second fastest in the race into seventh place, beaten 1.50 lengths. Second-up, he looks hard to beat with luck in the run.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Sunny Baby was an easy last start winner and must be respected to repeat the dose as he looks to get all the favours again. El Jefe has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve from the low draw. Fortune Master had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He can take second-up improvement. Zacian ran the second fastest sectional time last start and maps to be a chance. Golden Mission last start winner who remains in the same grade. Can run a race first-up from the low draw.
Race 2: Turquoise Alpha is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and, third-up now, he should be ready to fire. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is in good form and who has Purton in the saddle. Just needs some luck from out wide. Oscar Glory good effort last start leading all the way to win, he will try to do the same under apprentice claims. Lifeline Vision remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after going close recently. Ezra generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. The pace should be on to suit him.
Race 3: One Voice last run suggested a win was very near and he should benefit from the rise in distance. A moderate Class 4 race where he looks to be hard to beat. Super Red Dragon has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Every chance with Purton steering. Perfect Peach last start winner who remains in the same grade. He can run well again with luck from out wide. Master Of Luck was eased early before catching the eye late last time. He is improving and could be the longshot chance. Red Brick Fighter will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well from barrier 1.
Race 4: Super Sunny Sing caught the eye last start when running home well first-up. Hard to hold out second-up. August Moon change of trainer recently and can improve after catching the eye in a recent trial. Daring Pursuit newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance, despite drawing awkwardly. Gallant Hero remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after several good recent runs. Mach Ten newcomer who trialled okay and can run well from the low gate.
Race 5: Flying Dragon good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, but he had plenty of excuses in the run, so there was good merit. Drawn well to win. Summit Cheers every chance last start but still ran a good race and he’ll be fitter now. Superb Boy has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. Metro Warrior had plenty go wrong in the run last time, he can improve.
Race 6: Powerful Wings looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Drawn well low, he will map to get every winning chance in the run. Secret Vision had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Looking Cool backing up quickly from last week, can run well. Encountered looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form and he can improve with Purton taking the ride. Circuit Stellar has a good record over this race distance and has fitness on his side.
Race 7: Money Catcher looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. From barrier 4, and with Purton remaining in the saddle, he gets another chance to go one place better. Rise Brethren good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, he looks the next-best winning chance. Celestial Power had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Running Glory talented galloper who is resuming from a break and who can run well. Looking Great last start winner who rises in class, but can measure up.
Race 8: Lucky Sweynesse highly-talented four-year-old with a good chance to score his first Group race success, given this race is run under Handicap conditions and he has fitness on his side and with Purton riding. Wellington Hong Kong’s best sprinter currently but who is first-up and has top weight to overcome. Still, he will give this race a shake. Cordyceps Six well-placed at the weights and should be much fitter second-up now. Lucky Patch can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, he gets his chance to atone. Stronger should be finishing fast with an expected fast early speed, drawn well low in barrier 1.
Race 9: Midori Beauty last start placing was full of merit as he had plenty of excuses in running, nice effort but he needs luck from the wide draw. Victor The Winner an impressive winner last start on debut who has trialled well since. He gets every chance to measure up from the low draw. Beauty Tycoon rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Sakewin appeared to be unfit first-up, fading late in the straight. He can improve. Enchanting Ibis can improve second-up from a break and should be an each-way price.
Race 10: Galaxy Witness had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Hard to beat second-up. The Golden Scenery good performance when storming home for third place last start but barrier 9 looks awkward. Oriental Smoke rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up with some luck from out wide. Packing Victory more than capable of winning again in this race with a good run in transit. Sauvestre nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance, especially from his low draw.