Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday with a 10-race fixture at Sha Tin. The Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m at Sha Tin on Sunday shapes up to be an enthralling contest, as Lucky Sweynesse aims to redeem himself after finishing outside the top two for the first time last start, since his luckless sixth-place finish in the 2022 G1 Hong Kong Sprint.
Lucky Sweynesse was last seen finishing 4.25 lengths into sixth in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in late January. In that race, he faced challenges from back in the field in a very slow run race, and the following day, he was noted to be lame in his right front leg. Lucky Sweynesse’s recent struggles in keeping up early over the 1200m distance should see him relish returning to the 1400m, a distance over which he has a perfect record of three wins out of three.
This week also sees a jockey change, with Zac Purton losing the ride to James McDonald, who steered Lucky Sweynesse to victory in this race last year.
Elsewhere, promising four-year-old Stellar Express is primed to break through second-up in Hong Kong when he contests the Class 3 race over 1000m.
The John Size-trained sprinter arrived with a solid record, boasting three wins and a couple of placings in France while showing loads of potential. Having trialled well on numerous occasions leading into his first Hong Kong start, Stellar Express was expected to perform well, and although he didn't win, he still performed admirably as he charged home late into second place.
Having trialled well in between runs and expected to improve even more second-up with race experience and fitness on his side, Stellar Express will be afforded every chance stepping away from barrier No 10.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Splendid Star has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade. He should get favours at this distance under Bow- man. Smart Beauty well-placed and looks like a chance in race like this. He will get back and make his usual late bid. Colourful Baron form is good and must be rated a solid chance for Purton and Richards. Joyful Champion had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Low-rated but jumped favourite last start and was given a poor steer. M M Nebula looks a solid good chance based on last start. The distance is his query.
Race 2: Plenty of chances here and the late betting could be telling. Panda last start winner who remains in the same grade and has drawn well for the straight to win again if Yip has kept him in the same vein of form. Fun Elite has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Bowman rides and have to consider. Bowser good performance when storming home for a nice second last start to Panda. Prosperous Smile had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Cheerful World has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Watch the betting.
Race 3: Eighty Light Years racing consistently of late and expect another big run. This is a weak race and he looks hard to beat. Hasten Delight having first start and watch for betting support. He has trialled well enough to suggest he can perform well first-up. Solid Impact should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and could surprise in a race like this. Fashion Legend caught the eye last start running home powerfully and seems to be back in form. Pins Prince last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Barrier 1 suits his chances.
Race 4: Aeroinvincible turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. Second-up, he should be fitter and will get his chance to score stepping away from barrier 1. Silver Destiny having third start and may improve here up in distance. Amazing Run last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He needs luck from out wide but form is improving. Dream Pursuer form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Woodfire Champ has been steadily improving and do not dismiss.
Race 5: Star Club good performance when storming home for third place last start when he was ridden to quiet when produced first-up. He will be hard to beat second-up from a low draw and ridden closer to the speed. King Miles newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should run a big race. But he needs luck from out wide. Packing Prospect form is good and is getting close to a win. He should be there when the whips are cracking. Gimme Five second start and will be fitter. Bowman rides. Glory Elite caught the eye last start running home powerfully after blundering early.
Race 6: Patch Of Theta trialled very well in between runs and appears ready to win after racing with no luck from wide barriers recently. Comes into a low draw here and hard to beat. Voyage Samurai turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. He can run another bold race from the front. Golden Rise had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, give him another chance. Ariel has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Smiling Collector good performance when returning to form last start and has trialled well since.
Race 7: Lucky Sweynesse had excuses last start in a slow-run race and pulling up lame. Didn’t like his trial since, so there is a query on his form, but rising to 1400m will afford him every chance to rebound under J-Mac. Beauty Eternal nice horse who is a model of consistency and is always a chance. Taj Dragon will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. He appears to have what it takes to measure up in a race like this. Galaxy Patch strange prep, on the quick back up after a 1000m run last week, but has class. Lucky With You racing consistently of late and expect another big run. Racing well since the move to Frankie Lor’s stable.
Race 8: Stellar Express turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. Turned in a very impressive trial in between runs and should just be too good second-up with fitness and race experience on his side. Baby Crystal has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement. Won two starts ago over Stellar Express, so that holds him in good stead here. James Tak rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Heroic Master good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Rubylot form is good and must be rated a solid chance.
Race 9: Happy Together last start placing was full of merit after he was away awkwardly but eventually wound up late to just miss, nice effort and he should be able to bounce back here with a clean jump from a low draw. Sweet Encounter every chance last start but still ran a good race and this is a great opportunity for Thompson. Five G Patch generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Super Sunny Sing more than capable of winning again in this race but he will need luck from out wide. Alacrity backing up quickly from last week, can run well again.
Race 10: Illuminous nice 4YO with a good chance here. He won impressively on debut and then had excuses second-up when ridden to far back from a wide draw. The rise in distance suits and he has drawn much kinder. Karma good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and has shown ability. Giddy Up caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds but may be able to prove it no fluke here. Beato has a great advantage on lightweight and consider here. Soleil Fighter solid effort last start and must be rated a chance.