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posted on 12 September, 2022

Sweynesse Champion impressive on season return

Extending a startling career trajectory with HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (Class 1, 1200m) triumph at Sha Tin yesterday, Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse) crowned Silvestre de Sousa’s return to Hong Kong and left trainer Manfred Man to ponder a host of options.

Hong Kong Champion Griffin in 2021/2022 with five wins from seven starts, the New Zealand-bred resumed in superb fashion by trouncing his rivals in 1m.08.58s, with fellow four-year-old Campione three and a quarter lengths away in second, a neck clear of veteran Duke Wai.

The authoritative nature of Lucky Sweynesse’s latest performance prompted Man, 65, to contemplate a possible tilt at December’s lucrative LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

“I’ll be looking towards all the big races. I think [he could be a horse for the Hong Kong International Races], I think he will get in no problem, but whether he could win or not is another question,” Man said, who previously claimed the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup with Supreme Win (Fastnet Rock) under Zac Purton in 2012.

“He [Lucky Sweynesse] has done better than I expected because he started [on a rating of 52] and now he’s won a Class 1 race. He won easily and made me feel a little bit surprised. I’m very happy, he’s a little bit more mature now.

“He can handle 1200m or 1400m, I need to look at the programme – everyone keeps asking me where I will go next but I need time to study the programme.”

Man immediately ruled out the Celebration Cup Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) on 25 September and the National Day Cup Handicap (Gr 3, 1000m) on 1 October for the gelding, who had risen to a mark of 98 before Sunday’s triumph.

“Two weeks is too soon and the 1000 metres may be a little bit short. I need time to talk to the owner,” Man said, expressing his elation at having secured a richly-talented young star. “All the staff are happy, including myself and my whole family.”

Trapped three-wide in an eventful race, Lucky Sweynesse steamed to the front near the 200-metre mark, leaving his opposition in his wake, clocking 22.70s for his final 400-metre.

“It was pretty straight forward, but he’s just a big baby. No doubt, he’s an improving horse and he was just a bit awkward and he’s got a lot to learn,” said de Sousa, marking the first time he had competed in Hong Kong since 2019.

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St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

The Group One G1 St James’s Palace Stakes is the sire making race whose winners include King Of Comedy’s own sire Kingman as well as Frankel, Shamardal and Giants Causeway. While recent second placegetters of the race include current rising star sires Night Of Thunder and Toronado.

RaceNet - www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/press-statement

Says of Press Statement :

Given that it has won at Group One level and has amassed $1,832,275 in career earnings, Press Statement is regarded as an elite class of racehorse.

Hugh Bowman - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"I was really pleased with First Seal but full credit to Sweynesse, I thought I had the race in my keeping. My filly wasn’t dying on her run but the colt picked me up and put me away."

Kerrin Mcevoy - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He’s been pleasing us at home but we were worried about the ground and also he was meeting a good field first-up, I had to ride him a bit steady from the gate but he was electric when I asked him to go."
"He’s a nice, big colt with a lovely relaxed attitude and a very good turn of foot."

Hideaki Fujiwara - Champion Trainer Japan

Says of Staphanos :

“Staphanos had outstanding ability showing speed and stamina. He was mentally and physically tough. I expect his progeny to be the same!”

Michael Cox - Former South China Morning Post and now The Age racing writer saw Staphanos in the flesh on the track and in his impressive morning workouts

Says of Staphanos :

"Staphanos is a horse of substance, mixing toughness and a no-nonsense temperament in a career in which he raced and beat some of the best Japan had to offer. What a coup by Luigi Muollo and Novara Park to secure this stallion and what an incredible opportunity for New Zealand breeders to send mares to such a highly credentialed son of Deep Impact. He has the looks, pedigree and racetrack performances to be a hit at stud. He could be a real game changer and just the type of stallion New Zealand needs."