Kiwi bred Ready to Run Sale graduate Lucky Sweynesse continued his domination of the sprint races in Hong Kong defeating reigning champion sprinter Wellington to win the Group II Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday and he comes from a renowned Aussie speed family.
Trained by Manfred Man and ridden by Zac Purton, Lucky Sweynesse scored a length win in the feature sprint as a short priced favourite.
Boosting his prize money earnings to HK$32,485,200 with an 11th win from 15 starts, Lucky Sweynesse will lead Hong Kong’s arsenal of speedsters in the Group I Chairman’s Sprint Prize (April 30) before being set for a possible shot at the Group I Yasuda Kinen (1600m) on 4 June.
The first horse to win six races this season in Hong Kong, Lucky Sweynesse coped admirably with the drop in distance following commanding victory in the Group I Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) last month despite making a tardy start today.
“He looked a bit slow this time (out of the barriers),” Man said before addressing the chances of a Yasuda Kinen assignment.
“I think at this moment we will enter June in Tokyo, and then I will need to discuss it with the owner. I will discuss with the owner first. I think (he can show the same quality over 1600m) because his last run over 1400m he ran very well. He took a sit and showed us his dash.
“He’s very special for me.”
A $90,000 purchase for J & I Bloodstock from the Woburn Farm draft at the NZB Ready to Run Sale, Lucky Sweynesse is a full brother to Group I placed Signora Nera and is from stakes-winning Red Clubs mare Madonna Mia.
His female family is all Australian speed with his fourth dam being brilliant Group winning filly Beach Gown, the dam of dual Group I winning sprinter Wrap Around with other family members including Champion 2YO Filly Fashions Afield and current season stakes-winners What You Need and Fashion Legend.
With 11wins and three placings from 15 starts, Lucky Sweynesse is the flagship performer for Lonhro stallion Sweynesse, who stands at Novara Park.
