Kiwi Ready to Run Graduate wins G1 Centenary Sprint Cup

Tara Madgwick - Monday February 6

Flying Kiwi bred sprinter Lucky Sweynesse claimed another feature Hong Kong sprint when taking out the $HK12million Group I Centenary Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday at the expense of Aussie bred speedsters Wellington and Sight Success to become the first G1 winner for his sire Sweynesse.

Lucky Sweynesse wins his first G1 - image HKJC

His trainer Manfred Man was devastated after Lucky Sweynesse failed to obtain clear running before finishing an untested sixth in the Group I LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 11 December, but gained sweet redemption in this event when Lucky Sweynesse prevailed under Zac Purton to win by a length and a half as favourite.

“There was nothing I could do in the International Sprint (Hong Kong Sprint). We drew the wrong gate (barrier three) and we just got locked away. I was just disappointed for Manfred. It was his big chance and it doesn’t sit well with me at not being able to deliver for him, but hopefully today has gone some way to repaying him,” Purton said.

“It was pretty painless today. As soon as he begun as well as he did and I was able to get outside the leader, I was fairly confident from there. He still had to turn up and do it and Sight Success gave him a good race – he gave a good kick, so I had to work to get past him and hold them off. He did a terrific job.”

Beaming with excitement, Man said: “Each winner is special for me but a Group 1 winner makes me feel powerful. I’m still excited. I was full of confidence that he could win. Two runs ago he just had no luck, everyone could see that. This race he drew eight but he could still win. I think the horse can still improve. Zac told me he is a good horse.”

Advertisement

Ruling out international travel, Man will next target the two remaining legs in Hong Kong’s Speed Series – the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 19 March and the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 30 April.

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.

Lucky Sweynesse becomes the first Group I winner for Lonhro stallion Sweynesse, who stands at Novara Park.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Centenary Sprint Cup Gr1 1200m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:08.12
1
Lucky Sweynesse
- 4g Sweynesse (AUS) x Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs (IRE))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: Z Purton 57
2
1.5
Wellington
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mihiri (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: A Badel 57
All Too Hard
3
1.6
Sight Success
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Tarp (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: V Borges 57
Magnus
4
2.0
Courier Wonder
- 5g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: L Currie 57
5
3.0
Sky Field
- 6g Deep Field (AUS) x Laravissante (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: J Bowman 57
6
3.1
Super Wealthy
- 7g Epaulette (AUS) x Well Hidden (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 57
7
3.2
Duke Wai
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x Swan Lake (NZ) (Green Perfume (USA))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: H Bentley 57
8
6.5
Master Eight
- 5g Oamaru Force (AUS) x Curzon Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K Teetan 57
More Reading...
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Lucky Sweynesse Wins G2 Sprint Cup
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.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) Defends Sprint Cup Crown
Hong Kong’s sprinting superstar Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) notched up his 10th black-type victory with an emphatic defence of his title in Sunday’s HK$5.35m Group Two Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Lucky Sweynesse a Class Above in Chairman's Sprint Prize
Odds-on favourite Lucky Sweynesse stood tall in the Group 1 The Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin and took his place among the world's elite sprinters.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.