Joy for the Locals as Lucky Sweynesse Salutes in Hong Kong Sprint

Mark Smith - Sunday December 10

It all went pear-shaped for Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) in last year’s Group 1 The Longines Sprint, when unplaced for the only time in his career, and for a worrying moment, it looked like a repeat was on the cards.

He's a winner (image Grant Courtney)

After enjoying the run of the race, Zac Purton was held in a pocket by James McDonald on Victor The Winner, but once in clear air, the son of Sweynesse put the race to bed.

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The Manfred Man-trained 5yo gelding defeated the Artie Schiller (USA) gelding Lucky With You by three-quarters of a length with last year’ winner Wellington (All Too Hard) the same distance back in third.

With his fourth Group 1 success, Lucky Sweynesse advances his record to 15 wins, four seconds and a third from 21 starts with earnings of HK$70,568,900.

"I had the run inside Victor The Winner but when James went for him, he shifted in and hampered me a little bit, but he accelerated so quickly, I was able to come out across his heels and he had his chance from there – he did what he had to do. I love him,” Purton said.

A $90,000 purchase for J & I Bloodstock from the Woburn Farm draft at the NZB Ready to Run Sale, Lucky Sweynesse is a brother to Group I placed Signora Nera and is from stakes-winning Red Clubs mare Madonna Mia.

His fourth dam is the 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 stakes-winners What You Need and Fashion Legend.

A win for the local hero (image Grant Courtney)

Lucky Sweynesse is the standout performer for the dual Group III winner, and Group 1 placed Lonhro stallion Sweynesse, who stands at Novara Park for $10,000. 

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Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Sprint Gr1 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:09.25
1
Lucky Sweynesse
- 5g Sweynesse (AUS) x Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs (IRE))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: Z Purton 57
2
0.8
Lucky With You
- 6g Artie Schiller (USA) x Heredera (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: A Atzeni 57
3
1.6
Wellington
- 7g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mihiri (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: A Badel 57
All Too Hard
4
2
Victor The Winner
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x Noetic (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
5
2.5
Duke Wai
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x She's Swan Lake (NZ) (Green Perfume (USA))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: K Teetan 57
6
4
Highfield Princess
- 7m Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Pure Illusion (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: John Quinn Rdr: Jason Hart 55.5
7
4.3
Jasper Krone
- 5h Frosted (USA) x Fancy Kitten (USA) (Kitten's Joy (USA))
Tnr: H Mori Rdr: Y Kawada 57
8
4.5
Mad Cool
- 5h Dark Angel (IRE) x Mad About You (IRE) (Indian Ridge (IRE))
Tnr: M Ikezoe Rdr: Cristian Demuro 57
9
5.5
Sight Success
- 7g Magnus (AUS) x Tarp (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: B Avdulla 57
10
6
Aesop's Fables
- 4h No Nay Never (USA) x How's She Cuttin' (IRE) (Shinko Forest (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
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