Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday with a 10-race fixture at Sha Tin for the running of the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m).
There won't be any better opportunities for Lucky Sweynesse to bounce back to his winning ways than in the G2 Sprint Cup.
Lucky Sweynesse has been beaten at $1.3 and $2.2 in his last two starts, finishing sixth and beaten 4.25 lengths two starts ago in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup before checking in 1.50 lengths into fifth in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m subsequently. However, on each occasion, he has had excuses due to pedestrian tempos and being too far back in the run, as well as pulling up lame in the Centenary Sprint.
His late splits have still been strong, as evidenced by his second fastest 400m to the 200m for the meeting and the fastest final 200m of the meeting last start in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
However, that means nothing if you still have too much ground to make up on the lead speed when it matters, and this week’s jockey Hugh Bowman needs to be positioned closer early. In terms of the weights, he is very well placed, and the majority of his opposition would need to take the next step to beat him.
In the final race of the card, Promising four-year-old Illuminous tests his mettle over 2000m for the first time in Sunday's Class 3 event.
Illuminous has raced three times in Hong Kong so far, winning over 1200m first-up before a luckless eighth second-up over 1400m. Third-up, he flashed home late into second over the mile after being slow to muster.
The New Zealand import has placed up to 1700m prior to import and there's no reason why he shouldn't see out 2000m this week.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Wide-open race to kick off proceedings. Chiu Chow Brother had vet excuses last start (irreg. heart rhythm) and forget the run. Always dangerous in this grade and has what it takes to bounce back here. Yee Cheong Warrior has a chance based on past form in this class of race and start to follow. Fortune Master was eased early before catching the eye late. Good record over the distance which should hold him in good stead here. Medic Elite looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. More Rice has finished close up recently and can run well and is well rated now to show something.
Race 2: Escape Route has dropped in the ratings and appears better suited to this class. He could prove too good for this lot on the class drop and having proven himself at the trip before. Sharpen Bright more than capable of winning again in this race with luck in the run from out wide. Darci Joy has finished close up recently and can run well as Purton takes the ride. Satirical Glory looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Last start was a forgive run due to a poorly-judged ride. Special Hedge has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Begins fast and will give a sight.
Race 3: Eighty Light Years nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to atone for a last-start defeat. Purton sticks with him over a couple of others he has partnered. Ka Ying Victory holding form with recent good trial and looks well. He has been only fair since rising in class but could be open to improvement. Righteous Arion turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Gracious Express turned in a debut performance and has trained on well since. Golden Empire always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level.
Race 4: The Khan recent runs have been promising. He finally draws a gate having drawn wide in his first three career starts and hopefully the rider can make better use of the inside draw. Affirm gains a start and looks a winning chance here based on his solid last-start second. Circuit Fiery having second start and can improve with experience after an okay debut run when finding the line well. Mission Voice recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. Super Goldi turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly from a wide draw but has a lower gate here.
Race 5: Champion Instinct racing in career best form and must be rated a good chance to keep the picket fence going. This will be tougher as he rises in class however. Endeared has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race. Lady’s Choice disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here. Hasten Delight having second start and can improve with experience. But he did pull up as a roarer first-up so there are health queries. Northern Beaches turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.
Race 6: Full Credit showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Third-up now and from barrier 1, he seems good enough to break through here. Lifeline Express was an easy last start winner and must be respected to be able to repeat the dose. Starmen has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance as Purton teams up with Richards with this newcomer. Giant Leap having second start and can improve with experience after a promising first-up run. Rubylot drops down in grade and start following. Finds a suitable race where he could prove too good.
Race 7: Lucky Sweynesse had no luck last start and the start before but this looks his chance to bounce back to his winning ways given the lack of depth in regards to his opposition. However, Bowman must stay in touch early so as not to stand too much ground if the pace is sedate. Lucky With You looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Howdeepisyourlove rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up now that the penny has dropped. Invincible Sage well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Flying Ace last start winner who rises in class but can run well.
Race 8: Competitive race, this. Beauty Eternal will find this easier than last start and can run well. On paper, he has the best form, and he will appreciate the mile. He is the one to beat but not a betting prospect if too short in the market. Happy Together rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up as Lor has him flying. Red Lion solid effort last start when third to California Spangle. Just needs some luck in the run from out wide here. Nimble Nimbus racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance. Encountered had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire.
Race 9: Californiatotality more than capable of winning again in this race after an easy last-start track and distance win. Just a 3YO who should have upside. Mister Dapper had excuses last start when racing wide without cover and give another chance from a better draw. Volcanic Spark last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Go on prior good form. Laugh Tale turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is improving all the time. Aestheticism down in class here and can surprise. But the wide draw is the concern.
Race 10: lluminous last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he is a nice horse on the rise. Tests his mettle at 2000m for the first time but gives the impression that he should see it out. Awesome Fluke recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting an improved run can be expected. Unbelievable last run was better than it reads in the Derby. He has been steadily improving and could surprise at a price here. Kimberley recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Billionaire Secret good performance when storming home for third place last start behind the Derby winner.