Lucky Sweynesse impresses in trial

[Wandering Eyes]

Jockey Matthew Poon worked two key Champions Day hopes in barrier trials on Tuesday ahead of the HK$74 million showcase on 27 April at Sha Tin.

Stepping out in the first heat ahead of a possible HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) return, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) broke smoothly from the wide draw before picking up between runners to win in 57.95s over 1000m on turf at Sha Tin.

“I think with every trial he is getting better and better. Now he is almost ready to race, if he pulls up well, then he is almost ready to race,” Poon said.

Lucky Sweynesse hasn’t competed since April 2024 when he had surgery on his left front fetlock after he was injured when winning the 2024 Gr.2 Sprint Cup. He is a 16-time winner – including four times at Group 1 level – from 24 career starts in Hong Kong.

Ahead of a budding clash with Australian star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble impressed Poon as he crossed in first over the mile on turf in 1m 36.68s. “He jumped super, he knows what to do – he travelled nicely and relaxed. I just asked him a little bit and he quickens. How good is that? He’s so relaxed, he jumps super and then next to other horses he can switch off, save energy and then you give him a little signal and he just goes,” Poon said.

Meanwhile jockey Jerry Chau seeks wins at consecutive fixtures when he gets the leg up on Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) in the Class 3 Ho Man Tin Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday for trainer Benno Yung. The pair missed by three quarters of a length last start on 19 March. 

“Last time he had a good draw and we found the perfect position. He finished well and he always tries hard,” Chau said. “Before last time we put him at Sha Tin and tried the 1400 metres – he didn’t show better (form) than at Happy Valley, that’s why we’re back to his best distance and course.”

View the full article