Tough task for Lucky Sweynesse

Zac Purton concedes Lucky Sweynesse faces a significant challenge at Sha Tin on Sunday when the sprinter tackles the Grade 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) attempting to match Beauty Generation’s record of eight victories in a season.

Manfred Man’s star will contest his 10th race in a campaign which started with victory in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on the opening day of the season on 11 September and subsequently blossomed with three Group 1 triumphs – the Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).

If successful on Sunday, Lucky Sweynesse will match Beauty Generation’s tally of eight wins in the 2018/19 season.

Purton has been aboard in five of Lucky Sweynesse’s victories this term and rates his last-start Grade 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize performance as the finest of the gelding’s stunning season – while also regarding this Sunday’s challenge as his most daunting.

“I think last start was probably his best performance. He was very dominant in that race, he got himself into the right spot and took care of the field pretty comfortably,” Purton said before assessing the HK3.9 million Grade 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap, a race he previously won aboard Gallant Lion (2009), Aerovelocity (2014), Winner’s Way (2018), Little Giant (2019) and Thanks Forever (2020).

“Lucky Sweynesse has got to carry a big weight (61.5kg) and give a lot of weight away to some quite promising horses, so it’s a big ask for him here at the end of a long season but we hope he can do it one more time.

“He’s had a terrific season. He hasn’t done anything wrong. The only time he’s been beaten is when he’s been unlucky. He’s turned up every time and we hope he can do it again.

“It’s not going to be easy, there’s no doubt about that. It’s an interesting race but he’s drawn well (barrier three), there’s a bit of speed so he should get the right run and he’s a big horse – he can carry the weight – it’s just a matter of whether he can give the weight away to the younger horses coming through.”

Lucky Sweynesse has to concede weight to all seven of his rivals – Sight Success, Courier Wonder, Cordyceps Six, Master Eight, Rewarding Together, Victor The Winner and Ima Single Man.

Purton, who has twice won on Victor The Winner, believes Danny Shum’s emerging speedster will present a formidable obstacle under Karis Teetan.

“Victor The Winner has run good time in some of his races, he’s drawn the perfect gate (barrier one), Karis is very good on some of these horses who like to lead and use their speed. He’s got good hands, good balance and Victor The Winner gets in with no weight on his back. He’s run very fast time, so he’s going be very hard to catch.”

Beauty Joy is bidding for a second Grade 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap win.

Hugh Bowman hopes Beauty Joy can land a second Grade 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) despite having to shoulder 61.5kg – 6.5kg more than he carried in last season’s victory – after his excellent second to Golden Sixty in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 30 April.

“Beauty Joy has been racing against the supreme horses here in Hong Kong and he finds a race now where it’s probably a fair drop in class for him but he’s carrying top weight and giving a fair bit of weight to some pretty decent opposition,” Bowman said.

“Whether he can overcome the handicap is yet to be seen, but he’s certainly in good form.

“If we can get a nice, consistent flowing tempo, I’m sure you’ll see the best of him. It’s not like he over-races, but he’s got a particularly light mouth and as soon as you put the bit in it, he doesn’t react well so it’s a matter of trying to flow with him and get into a nice rhythm with him and, if we can succeed in doing that, he will be strong late.

“I would prefer it at set weights but we’ll see what we can do.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Happy Day can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Purton rides and he should figure in the finish. Northern Beast turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. One to follow as a win seems imminent. Darci Joy always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. He can go close with a well-timed ride from the apprentice. Forever Folks should be highly suited by the drop back in distance. Brave And Bold was eased early before catching the eye late. He is on the improve from the John Size yard.

Race 2: Cool Blue good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. In an open race, he looks the standout and is hard to beat. Mega Bonus turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second place. Purton takes over Maia, which is a positive. California Vanes has a chance based on past form in this class of race and start to follow again. Elon down in class here and can surprise. Imperial Magee was an easy last start winner and must be respected if he shows up in the same form.

Race 3: Beauty Eternal looks the one to beat based on current form. The small field of six will make it a tactical battle, but, on class, he is the stand out. Beauty Joy winner of this race last year and looks a chance again as he has been back in good form recently, runner-up to Golden Sixty last start. Circuit Stellar a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which he should. Beluga generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Fantastic Treasure is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time. Each-way chance from the low draw on the light weight.

Race 4: Baby Crystal nice 4yo from the John Size yard with a good chance to go one place better here after solid first-up run into second place. From barrier 3, he will get all the favours. Greenwich newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance first-up. One to follow. Green N White last run suggested a win was very near, but barrier 14 is the query. Hong Kong Hall will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. Texas Moon down in class here and can surprise. He looked well in recent trial and gets barrier 1.

Race 5: Lady’s Choice has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. He has since won a trial easily and impressively under Purton, who takes over the reins from Hamelin. Sturdy Ruby finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start for an eye-catching fourth-place finish. He is nearing a win. Flamingo Trillion was an easy last start winner and must be respected to go on with it. Joy Coming has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Speed Fay Fay looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form.

Race 6: Happy Golf looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form as he failed on the rain-affected track last start. Helios Express has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance. Any luck from barrier 12 and he should be fighting out the finish. Flying Ace turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly first-up. Fitter now and has ability. Winner Method last start winner who remains in the same grade, can run well again. Self Improvement newcomer who has trialled well for debut, but the betting could be telling.

Race 7: Lucky Sweynesse Hong Kong’s best sprinter who needs no introduction and looks very hard to beat. It’s hard to see him going under unless he severely underperforms. Victor The Winner dangerous frontrunner who can be hard to catch. This is hardest race yet, but he continues to rise to the occasion. Cordyceps Six winner of this race last year and looks a chance again as he looks to have taken improvement from a stable change from Gibson to Lui. Courier Wonder turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. He back in form. Sight Success well-placed and looks a chance in race like this.

Race 8: Youthful Deal winner of last two starts and is a big chance here on the class rise and the light weight. Adios well-placed and looks a chance in race like this if you go on his win here four starts ago. Majestic Star was eased early before catching the eye late into fifth place last start. He is w two-time track and distance winner who can run well. Super Win Dragon last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he is suited back in distance here. Explosive Witness had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race.

Race 9: Hoss nice 4yo with a good chance if he can see out the 1400m on his first try. Holds him form with a nice trial performance and looks to still be ahead of the handicapper. Chiu Chow Spirit overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He went under as a $1.5 chance last start, so has to be respected on his SP profile. Noble Win good run when storming home for third last start. He should map ideally from his low draw. Wings Of War good performance when storming home for third place last start and the stable seems to be back in form.

Race 10: Hyper Dragon Ball had excuses last start when he hung in throughout on a rain-affected track and forget the run. Solid Impact nice horse who is a model of consistency and has to be considered because of that. Not Usual Star good effort last start leading all the way to win. He should hold his own again here. Seizing The Moment caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds on a rain-affected track, that is the query. E Legend a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which he should.