21 April 2026
Transformed sprint hero Lucky Sweynesse goes for FWD Champions Mile glory
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) took a giant step forward in his newfound calling as a sprinter-turned-miler last start, and this Sunday on FWD Champions Day, the four-time Group One winner is aiming to cement his status as one of Sha Tin’s top performers over 1600m.
Lucky Sweynesse is trained by Manfred Man and will be ridden by Derek Leung in the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). He is one of Hong Kong’s most beloved horses, boasting 17 wins from 33 starts, including eight during a stellar 2022/23 campaign, when he was acclaimed as Hong Kong Champion Sprinter.
Having raced exclusively over 1200m and 1400m prior to this season, a new-look Lucky Sweynesse has since flourished over the mile twice at Sha Tin. Firstly, when he was second to Romantic Warrior in January’s HK$13 million Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and then victoriously in the Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) over My Wish on 6 April.
Man, 68, has nurtured Lucky Sweynesse back to fitness after setbacks forced a 12-month absence upon the seven-year-old gelding. Leung, who has partnered the son of Sweynesse in each of his last eight starts, said: “It was good to win on Lucky Sweynesse, who had been waiting for a long time.
“Every time he tries hard. He’s been beaten by Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior (in his last two starts). He’s very honest, and last time it was his turn to get a win.”
Lucky Sweynesse is one of five Group One winners selected for the FWD Champions Mile along with Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble, last year’s winner Red Lion, Jantar Mantar and Docklands.
Leung, who has 20 wins this season, was aboard Lucky Sweynesse for his turf gallop at Sha Tin on Monday alongside five-time winning stablemate Patch Of Stars, clocking 54.4s (31.0, 23.4).
“I’m very happy – I worked him yesterday and he’s working well. The stable looks after him very well, and his form is very consistent,” Leung said. “Manfred Man and his team have done a very good job to make him healthy again, and his form is back.”
The 37-year-old has four rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday at the season’s 65th of 88 scheduled fixtures: Happy Boys, Star Elegance, Little Monster and E Ho Ho.
Group 1-winning Australian rider Ethan Brown begins his short-term contract tomorrow night with seven rides: Concorde Star, Telecom Power, Shooting To Top, Young Arrow, Harmony Fire, Red Elegance and Masterofmyuniverse. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Lawson-Carroll to ride Bona Sforza in Australasian Oaks
Ace Lawson-Carroll’s dream comeback is continuing, with the South Auckland apprentice jockey set to cross the Tasman to ride Bona Sforza (Written By) in the A$1 million Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
The 21-year-old hoop made his return to racing just a month ago after he suffered career threatening injuries in a race fall last July and he subsequently underwent several surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
“I broke my neck, I had a hip replacement and I also had surgery on my collarbone,” he said. “I lost a fair bit of feeling in my foot through not being able to use it much and I was slowly trying to get movement back into my legs.
“I did a lot of rehab with it to try and get it mobile, which was the biggest thing.”
He made a fairytale return when winning aboard Bona Sforza in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton earlier this month, which came exactly one year to the day after their triumph in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1200m).
Lawson-Carroll is pinching himself after he got the nod by trainer Samantha Finnegan to travel across the Tasman to partner with Bona Sforza for a third time, and he is hoping to repay her faith this weekend.
“I am very grateful and very excited,” he said. “It will open up some more doors for myself and it is a great opportunity to get over there and see what racing is like across the ditch.
“Hopefully I can venture out and meet some new connections, creating new relationships will be quite cool.”
While he only has one ride booked for Saturday, Lawson-Carroll is hopeful some local trainers will take a chance on him.
“I am looking to go over on Friday and come home on Sunday,” he said. “Samantha and Francis Finnegan are going to try and get in contact with a few trainers while they are over there, but at this stage it will be just the one ride.”
The trip will also offer Lawson-Carroll the opportunity to ride against expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald.
Crowned Longines World's Best Jockey on three occasions (2022, 2024 and 2025), McDonald has been an inspiration for many young Kiwi jockeys, Lawson-Carroll included, and the young Kiwi is looking forward to competing against one of the best in the world this weekend, with McDonald to partner the Chris Waller-trained Panova in the Oaks.
“Everyone likes James McDonald, so it will be cool to meet him, I have seen him once or twice but I have never actually met him,” Lawson-Carroll said.
Having won over a mile last start, Lawson-Carroll believes Bona Sforza will be well-suited to the step up to 2000m this weekend, with the week’s dry weather forecast also working in her favour.
“The track will suit her over there because it is obviously pretty wet back home,” he said. “If you look at her form, she has always gone well on a Good track.
“Unfortunately she has drawn the outside gate (barrier 20), but hopefully she settles and stays the trip.”
With an undefeated record on Bona Sforza, Lawson-Carroll is dreaming of continuing their golden run along with his fairytale comeback.
“Hopefully we can go three for three, it would be a great tale to tell,” he said. - Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
Dennis Ryan
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