breednet.com.au

Kiwi Ready to Run Graduate wins G1 Centenary Sprint Cup

Tara Madgwick - Monday Feb 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.

Visit the profile page for Sweynesse

Sweynesse in upcoming sales:
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
3
1.6
Sight Success
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Tarp (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: V Borges 57
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...
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Joy for the Locals as Lucky Sweynesse Salutes in Hong Kong Sprint
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.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Lucky Sweynesse Wins Again!
Kiwi bred sprinter Lucky Sweynesse went on his wining way at Sha Tin on Sunday and might be given the chance to extend a phenomenal season in search of a ninth victory after matching Beauty Generation’s record for the most wins in a single Hong Kong campaign with a dominant performance in the Group III Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m).
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
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.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
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.