5 hours Ago By Jack Dawling
Lucky Sweynesse will not defend his crown in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), with Manfred Man Ka-leung ruling his stable star out of December’s showpiece on Tuesday. The participation of the four-time Group One winner at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting was always in doubt after he pulled up from his Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) victory in April with a fracture to his left fore cannon bone. “At this moment everything is fine, but we still need time to see,” Man said.
“No, he won’t be [running] in December. It’s too soon – later on.” After nearly four months away from the track, Lucky Sweynesse began light work in August before taking to the Sha Tin dirt for his first gallop on September 30.
He will also be a notable omission from the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) on October 20, where the David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising will bid to continue his ascension. The impressive Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) winner is set to have a trial at Conghua on Thursday morning, with Zac Purton making a rare visit up to the training facility to hop aboard. “He’s improved a lot in the last six months and it will be good to get back on him,” Purton said.
“You’ve just to keep him ticking over and make sure he’s doing everything right.”.
