J-Mac Steers Lucky Sweynesse to Second G1 Win

Tara Madgwick - Monday March 20

Fresh from Group I success at Rosehill on Saturday, champion jockey James McDonald was in hot form at Sha Tin on Sunday riding top class Kiwi bred sprinter Lucky Sweynesse to victory in the HK$12 million Group I  Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).

Lucky Sweynesse wins the G1 Silver Jubilee - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Manfred Man, Lucky Sweynesse stalked California Spangle throughout the contest before taking over with 200m left to run, prevailing by one and a quarter lengths in 1m 21.12s with last year’s winner Wellington filling third position.

 

“He’s a pretty straightforward sort of horse, he’s got a great mind to him. He was quick into momentum and we had a perfect trailing position behind California Spangle and he got a lovely tag into the race from the 500 (metre mark) onwards and it felt like a drag race home,” McDonald said.

The four-year-old son of Lonhro stallion Sweynesse landed the first leg of Hong Kong’s Speed Series – the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – in February at his most recent outing before today and with victories in the first two legs, connections will land a HK$5 million bonus if successful in April’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) – the third and final leg of the Speed Series.

Lucky Sweynesse is a two time G1winner - image Grant Courtney

“What makes him so talented is that he’s not only a very fast horse but he can sustain the speed over seven furlongs, which not many sprinters can do, so he’s got a great attribute of conserving energy and building into a race like a pretty good horse,” McDonald said.

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.

With 10 wins and three placings from 14 starts, Lucky Sweynesse is the first Group I winner for Lonhro stallion Sweynesse, who stands at Novara Park.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup Gr1 1400m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:21.12
1
Lucky Sweynesse
- 4g Sweynesse (AUS) x Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs (IRE))
Tnr: K L Man Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
1.3
California Spangle
- 5g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Pearlitas Passion (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 57
Starspangledbanner
3
4.3
Wellington
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mihiri (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
All Too Hard
4
4.5
Courier Wonder
- 5g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: B Shinn 57
5
6.3
Waikuku
- 8g Harbour Watch (IRE) x London Plane (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Damian Lane 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Lucky Sweynesse Wins G2 Sprint Cup
Kiwi bred Ready to Run Sale graduate Lucky Sweynesse continued his domination of the sprint races in Hong Kong defeating reigning champion sprinter Wellington to win the Group II Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday and he comes from a renowned Aussie speed family.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
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.