Lucky Sweynesse to bounce back at Sha Tin

Lucky Sweynesse closed last season with seven Group race victories, including three at the top-level. He resumed this campaign in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at the season’s opening fixture in September. 

Sight Success, Duke Wai, Stoltz and Adios also hold entries in this weekend’s Premier Bowl, as does Victor The Winner, who has been assigned 118lb with a rating of 114.

Lucky Sweynesse matched Beauty Generation’s record eight wins in a single-season through 2022/23. His triumphs in the 2023 G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), 2023 G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2023 G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) saw him become the fourth horse in history to win all three legs of Hong Kong’s Speed Series and return a HK$5 million bonus to connections.

Only Mr Vitality (1995/96), Grand Delight (2002/03) and Silent Witness (2003/04 & 2004/05) have previously landed the Speed Series bonus.

“It will be the same as last season, all the targets – same targets again, November, December,” Man said.

Following Sunday, Lucky Sweynesse will chase a second straight win in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) before another shot at the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 10 December. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Casa Legend looks ready to run a big race in Class 5. Trials have been very good for his return and Bowman on ticks plenty of boxes. Prosecco drops down in grade and start following. He’s been consistent at the bottom of Class 4 and gets his chance here. Gluck Racer change of trainer recently and can improve. Master Of Luck has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade. Fortune Master had excuses last start and forget the run. He can bounce back to form.

Race 2: Telecom Dragon showed improvement at a recent trial and he was an eye-catcher on his last run when a neck fourth. Bowman rides from a better draw and hard to beat. Ka Ying Cheer turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. This looks trickier from barrier 11. Universal Pursuit resuming from a break and trialled well recently. Third start here and maps well from the low gate. Island Golden has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Talents Supremo has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve with Purton in the saddle.

Race 3: Rubylot holding form with recent good trial and looks well. He can take beating second-up after a promising third on debut. Champion Method turned in a very nice debut run when winning well over 1000m and looks to have good ability. Barrier 10 is the query for him. War Of Courage bled last start and has been rested. Won a trial in good order for his return and can run a race under Bowman. Endeared will win in this grade very soon, but the wide draw is far from ideal. Champion Instinct video replay showed last run was very good.

Race 4: Wide-open race here. Aestheticism good performance when storming home for a nice second from barrier 14 last start. Lower draw here which should help his chances. Chancheng Glory caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds. He should be able to go on with it. Strongest Boy has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Good chance on form, but will need a pearler from Purton from the wide gate. Sturdy Ruby drawn well in gate four and is nearing a win after placing a few times. Celtic Times placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. Racing well for Cody Mo.

Race 5: Beauty Waves talented three-year-old newcomer who looks ready to win here. He has done no wrong at the trials and will be expected to win first-up for Whyte and Purton. Invincible Sage has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Has experience on his side. Metro Warrior well-placed and looks a chance in race like this from barrier 13. Explosive Witness recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Sparkling Knight winner of last two starts and looks a chance again. Goes forward and will give a sight.

Race 6: Beato will win soon after running on strongly from wide draws since the class drop. He comes into gate 5 here, which should make a world of difference. Owners’ Praise every chance last start but still ran a good race. Freshened and back to Sha Tin. Northern Beast has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Likely goes back from 13 but will be strong late. Sunlight Power caught the eye last start running home powerfully. Barrier 1 should aid his chances. Lost Child recent runs have been good, but the wide draw isn’t ideal.

Race 7: Lucky Sweynesse beaten by a negative ride in a very slowly run race last start and probably needed the run as well. Purton will need to stay in touch early in the small field here but he should be atoning. Victor The Winner if he gets another soft lead again here, he will take catching. The speed map should suit him to a tee. Sight Success goes well second-up from a break and barrier 1 will ensure the right run. Adios has been placed last two starts and will be in the mix again. Duke Wai resuming from a break after a run in Korea and won a recent trial. Stable in good form, so respect here.

Race 8: Tamra Blitz resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. He has drawn wide in his last three starts but comes into barrier 3 here for Bowman. Golden Samurai rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. With luck from barrier 12, he will be in the finish. Hyper Dragon Ball showed no interest last start, forget the run. Expect better from gate 1. Chiu Chow Spirit had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Massive Action should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He will give a sight.

Race 9: Sword Point a last start winner who trialled well since on two occasions for his return. Gets all the favours from barrier 1 and is the class horse. Helene Feeling winner of last two starts and is a progressive horse on the up. Drawn wide, but that hasn’t stopped him before. Meaningful Star has a great record second-up and expect a good run. Five G Patch has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. The Best Peach good performance when storming home for third place last start. Not out of it.

Race 10: Open race to end the day. Sweet Encounter has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. He draws a better gate for once, which should ensure he maps soft. Trialled well for his return and ticks boxes here. Alacrity caught the eye last start running home powerfully over 1200m. The rise in distance suits. Dancing Code rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. The Golden Scenery form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Find My Love nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Barrier 13 is the query.