In a startling assessment, Zac Purton believes Lucky Sweynesse is capable of further improvement as Hong Kong’s top-rated sprinter prepares to contest the HK$5 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
With five wins this season – including a pair of Group 1 triumphs – Manfred Man’s star galloper has soared from a mark of 98 to 130, two points higher than reigning Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Wellington, who also competes in Sunday’s feature.
Man is preparing Lucky Sweynesse for the HK$20 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 30 April and Purton contends the four-year-old has further scope to enhance a stunning record of 10 wins and three minor placings from 14 starts and HK$29,635,200 in prize money.
“The thing with Lucky Sweynesse is that we still don’t know where his ceiling is yet, he’s still improving. A lot of horses go through the ratings very quickly but he’s unassuming in the fact that he’s not quick out of the gates, you’ve got to ride him along to get a position and that was still the case last start,” Purton said.
“He certainly doesn’t help you from the gate and that’s always a concern with him because you don’t know what type of position you’re going to get. As well as that, what is his best distance? Is it 1200m, is it 1400m, could it be a mile? We’re still trying to work that out as well.
“He’s a gem to do anything with in the morning. He’s getting quieter and quieter, so much so that he wants to stand around at the track in the morning, having a look. I think he knows he’s above average and hopefully he can keep on winning.”
Purton reunites this weekend with Lucky Sweynesse after riding California Spangle into second place behind Lucky Sweynesse in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on 19 March.
John Size hopes the weight differential can advantage Courier Wonder, who was fourth behind Lucky Sweynesse and California Spangle in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
“He’s been sound and his last few runs have been quite encouraging. He looks like he’s going to win a race. His last start over 1400m, he finished the race off nicely. The quinella horses were too strong for him but now back to 1200m, he might run on well pretty well and he might grab prizemoney again,” Size said.
The 11-time champion trainer is represented by veteran Waikuku and Running Glory in the HK$5 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m), where California Spangle will chase a fourth win for the season under Purton.
“Waikuku seems fine. He normally only lasts until the end of April and then he’s had enough but, at home, he’s been fine, he looks good, he’s trained well and he still seems happy to be in work. He’s not sour in any way so, hopefully, he’ll run a good race,” Size said of the three-time G1 winner.
“Running Glory is stepping up in grade sharply with his rating of 105 so he might as well run against the good ones and see how he measures up.”
California Spangle concedes 2.5kg to seven rivals – Waikuku, Tourbillon Diamond, Beauty Joy, Money Catcher, Running Glory, Columbus County and Healthy Happy.
G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) winner California Spangle jumps from barrier No 2 for trainer Tony Cruz and Purton retains telling confidence in the five-year-old.
“He’s certainly a very good horse and when he’s presented with the opportunity, he gets the job done,” the Australian said. “If you sit down and look at his numbers, his record (nine wins and seven minor placings from 16 starts for prize money of HK$52,718,300), he’s a serious horse.
“He’s just been overshadowed by a giant (Golden Sixty). I love riding him – he’s a great horse to ride, he’s a good horse to look at, he’s got a great racing style. He’s still got a fair bit of racing ahead of him. Obviously, he has to give the five-pound weight penalty to the other runners and that always even things up as well." - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Only two stand outs in this race for the Griffins. Ka Ying Victory has looked the best trialler and will take beating. Joyful Prosperity looked well in his trials and will be the next-best winning chance. Super Bonus having first start and watch the betting odds, he showed improvement in his most recent trial. Kaholo Angel has been well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. Happihood fair trial, watch the betting.
Race 2: El Valiente looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He should appreciate a lower barrier draw. Chiron was an easy last start winner and must be respected to run well again. A slightly more awkward barrier here. Compulsory ran the second fastest sectional time last start and appears an each-way hope. Sure Win Win had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race, give another chance. Run Run Good generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 3: Multisuper recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. Lucky Encounter newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should be given a winning chance. Red Elegance well prepared for debut and watch the betting, Purton takes the rise so there is probably some ability there. Talents Supremo down in class here and can surprise, start to follow. Turbo Power could sneak a place in a race like this.
Race 4: An open race with many chances here. Righteous Doctrine drops down in grade and start following. Nice Birdie improving type and getting close to a win, he has to be considered. Emerging has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve here. Amazing Teens caught wide last start and still ran well and he’s always a chance on this surface. Billionaire Secret finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is getting close to a win.
Race 5: Perfetto disappointing last start, when beaten as an odds-on favourite, but worth giving another chance here in a race that is highly winnable. Publicist recent runs have been encouraging and can run well, he’s improving. Smiling Collector generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, chance in a race like this. Bulb Prince go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Classic Archi best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Each-way chance at odds.
Race 6: We Are Hero racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance to continue his winning ways. California Deeply racing well with excellent sectional time rankings and he might be very well suited on the straight course. Atomic Force last start winner who remains in the same grade and will prove competitive again. Metro Warrior looks a place chance if holding form, he’s an honest type but doesn’t win out of turn. Run Run Cool was eased early before catching the eye late last time, a similar run ca be expected.
Race 7: Quite a few in-form horses going head-to-head here and it should be a competitive Class 4. Happy Golf more than capable of winning again in this race from his low barrier. There should be upside there. Call Me Dandy was another easy last-start winner who will be thereabouts again. Fast Buck showed no interest last start, forget the run and go on prior good form. Always Fluke video replay showed last run was very good on debut and expect a decent second start. Timestorm has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone.
Race 8: Lucky Sweynesse top class four-year-old who looks hard to beat in this race. He has to be rated Hong Kong’s best sprinter now and only Wellington can test him. Barrier 4 is ideal and he’ll be hard to hold out from there. Wellington goes well third-up from a break from barrier 1, he will get his chance to turn the tables. Cordyceps Six should be highly suited by the drop back in distance, but a win would surprise. Courier Wonder looks capable of improving to be placed after recent encouraging runs. Rewarding Together looks a place chance if you go on previous consistent form.
Race 9: California Spangle form is outstanding and should be hard to beat in this race after going down to Golden Sixty and Lucky Sweynesse in his last two starts. There’s no opposition of that calibre here and Spangle should be atoning easily from barrier 2 for Purton. Beauty Joy stable mate to California Spangle who is a bit erratic but has ability and can surprise. Running Glory consistent performer of late and worth considering at an each-way price. Money Catcher place chance at best but he’ll be on-pace for a long while. Tourbillon Diamond goes well second-up, could be one for the exotics.
Race 10: Quite an open race this one and hard to separate the leading hopes. Packing Treadmill nice horse who is a model of consistency and is always a chance. He should be hard to beat with luck in the run. Red Lion was an easy last start winner and must be respected despite the class rise. Circuit Stellar winner of last two starts and is a big chance here if he gets a soft time on the lead. Fantastic Treasure good performance when returning to form last start and he should acquit himself well again. Lucky With You can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, prefer him over 1200m however.
Race 10: Solid Impact smashed into favourite last start and ran well into second after the leader and winner had a soft time in front. He gets another winning chance here. Winner Method down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. Eternal Bloom ran the fourth fastest sectional time last start. Unpresuming every chance last start but still ran a good race and have to consider again. Run Run Buddy rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up, but he needs luck from out wide.