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| Sumita Pawar |
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Lucky Sweynesse emerged victorious in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday, just in the nick of time. Coincidentally, his half-brother is scheduled to be auctioned off this week at Karaka.
Lucky Sweynesse, a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, was purchased by J & I Bloodstock for US$90,000 from Woburn Farm’s 2020 draft. He has an impressive record of 14 victories in Hong Kong, including the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup, and Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. He was crowned Champion Griffin in 2021-22 and went on to become Champion Sprinter and 4YO in the Asian racing jurisdiction a year later. Zac Purton rode Lucky Sweynesse to victory for the tenth time, making him the first horse since Hot King Prawn in 2018 and 2020 to win the race twice.
“He got the job done,” Purton said. “He’s sort of getting back to his best. He’s not quite there yet but he took another step in the right direction today and he’s going to need to be better next time.”
On 10th December, Lucky Sweynesse will be competing for his first Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. Lot 116 at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is a half-brother of Lucky Sweynesse, sired by Contributer. Adrian Stanley, the farm principal, is pleased with the amount of attention the colt is garnering.
“He is a lovely, strong, physical horse,” Stanley said.
“It was lovely to see Lucky Sweynesse back to winning form and a good rehearsal for the International Group One Sprint next month.
“There is a lot of Hong Kong interest in the colt. He ticks all the boxes for a horse that deserves to go up to Hong Kong.”
After preparing Lucky Sweynesse for the sale, Stanley commented that the Contributer colt has a more impressive physical appearance compared to his older sibling.
“He is more physical and stronger than his brother. His brother was the same size, but this guy is more forward,” he said.
The colt is one of the 15 horses in the Woburn Farm draft. Stanley is also anticipating impressive performances from a few other young horses.
“Lot 358, the Shamus Award, is a lovely type of horse. He is a Guineas and Derby type of horse and he has been well received,” he said.
“Lot 259, The Autumn Sun, is a lovely shape of horse and you would be pressed to find a better type than him on the sale ground.”
Stanley is pleased with the foot traffic at Karaka ahead of the sale, which starts on November 22 at 11am.
“Coming out of COVID, it is picking up and getting busier every year,” he said. “It is good to see the Hong Kong trainers and permit holders down. It gives a good vibe ahead of the sale and hopefully that transfers to the sale ring tomorrow.”