Owned by Cheng Ming Leung, Cheng Yu Tung, Cheng Mei Mei and Cheng Yu Wai, Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) will resume after a long break in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin’s FWD Champions Day amid hopes of the completion of a great comeback story from the horse.
Winner of the 2023 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter in the 2022/23 season, Lucky Sweynesse suffered a health setback after winning the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) in April, 2024 and was sidelined from races for more than a year, during which he underwent left fore fetlock surgery. After two impressive winning trials recently, the Sweynesse gelding will bid for the fifth Group 1 win of his career.
Veteran owner Cheng Ming Leung, said: “As a racehorse owner, patience is the key and we always have high hopes for our horse. Though he had to be sidelined for a long period, he recovered well and all along his situation was very stable, and we kept the faith that he will return to race one day.
“I am excited to see him make a comeback on FWD Champions Day, the same meeting when he scored in the same race two years ago. Having said that, I didn’t rush my trainer but full credit to Man, he and his stable team has done a great job to turn things around. The horse is fully recovered now and is ready for the challenge.”
Cheng described Lucky Sweynesse has a tough character and he believes the top-class speedster will be competitive on Sunday.
“His performance in his recent trials were very impressive,” Cheng said. “It looks the horse has a good heart and we are all delighted to see him coming back to his best. We always have high hope on him and hopefully he will have a forward showing this time. I have confidence that he will finish in the frame.”
Cheng also revealed jockey James McDonald actively asked to ride his horse on Sunday.
Cheng said: “James contacted the stable team and actively asked for the ride. He had already achieved success with my horse and with such a top-class jockey on board, it further boosted my confidence.”
“Of course, it will not be an easy race with a number of strong opponents including Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress). However, we will try our best and I hope everyone will cheer him on this Sunday.”
