Hong Kong’s top sprinters renew acquaintances in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) March 10 at Sha Tin Racecourse with at least one auditioning for a trip to Dubai.
On paper, they all have Lucky Sweynesse to beat. But there are some wrinkles.
Although he has shown the raw ability to dominate rivals both domestic and foreign, Lucky Sweynesse has not always been lucky in his runs. While working his way up the class ladder, he went to the post as the favorite in his first group 1 outing, the 2022 Hong Kong Sprint (G1). Boxed in on the rail, he was denied a run and finished sixth.
He won eight of his next 10 starts but again found trouble in his most recent start and reported sixth in the Centenery Sprint Cup (G1) Jan. 28. Following that, trainer Manfred Man opted to switch riders, from Hong Kong’s six-time and reigning champion, Zac Purton, to James McDonald.
Purton, who can afford to be diplomatic, had only good things to say about Lucky Sweynesse as he prepared to challenge the champ while switching to Beauty Eternal. Purton singled out the hike in distance to 1,400 meters (about seven furlongs) as being in Lucky Sweynesse’s favor.
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“He (Lucky Sweynesse) has just felt like he’s wanted further for quite some time now and I think the step up in distance is going to be a huge asset for him,” Purton said.
If Luckey Sweynesse should be unlucky again, likely beneficiaries could include California Spangle, Lucky With You, and Beauty Joy.
California Spangle has had some tough luck of his own, not the least of which is running into dominant rivals like Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior in race after race. He has had his moments, including a narrow victory over Golden Sixty in the 2022 Hong Kong Mile (G1)—his last top-level win. But pickings have been slim this season, with only one win from five starts.
Nonetheless, trainer Tony Cruz is hoping the distance and another rider switch, to Brenton Avdulla, will result in a good enough showing to justify putting California Spangle on a plane to the Dubai for a run in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T) March 30.
“He’s entered for Dubai and we’ll decide whether we will go depending on how he performs on Sunday,” Cruz said. “We hope for a good result.”
Lucky With You certainly is knocking on the door after runner-up showings in the Hong Kong Sprint in December and the Centenary Sprint Cup in January.
Beauty Joy, who like Beauty Eternal, totes the pink-and-black Kwok family silks, is more familiar at a mile and finished second to Golden Sixty in the 2023 Champions Mile (G1).
This being the Year of the Dragon, those following the Chinese Zodiac will cast an eye on Taj Dragon, one of two entries from trainer Pierre Ng. Ng currently leads the chase for the Hong Kong training premiership with 49 wins. He won’t predict a victory over the big boys in the Queen’s Jubilee Cup but smiles on Taj Dragon’s five victories over the course and distance.
“Taj Dragon has been working well. He had a good trial with Hugh Bowman on him, and hopefully he can run a good, free race,” Ng said. “Hopefully he can get in the top three. He’s running against the top horses in Hong Kong.”
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