24 April 2026
Lucky Sweynesse bids for G1 mile breakthrough in FWD Champions Mile for Cheng family
Raced by Cheng Ming Leung, Cheng Yu Tung, Cheng Mei Mei and Cheng Yu Wai, Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) is an inspiring comeback story in world racing as the 2022/23 Hong Kong Champion Sprinter bids to write a new chapter in his remarkable racing career in the HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 26 April.
Lucky Sweynesse was sidelined for more than a year due to injury, and resumed in last season’s Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) when the son of Sweynesse finished sixth. He made further improvement with a creditable fourth behind Helios Express (Toronado), closing off his fourth season in Hong Kong.
After a string of fine efforts this season, including finishing fourth in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Lucky Sweynesse provided a pleasant surprise to the Cheng family when he finished second behind Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in the Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), his first time over a mile. The horse went on to run a gallant third behind Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), and in his last start won the Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 6 April.
Cheng Ming Leung said: “It’s a family decision to step him up in trip, as he is bred to be a miler, but there’s no point in running him over a mile when he achieved good results in his younger age. However, after he fully recovered and as he grew older, we believed it was time for him to try the mile.”
Cheng Yu Wai, son of Cheng Ming Leung, said: “Full credit to trainer Manfred Man and his team. They have spent a great effort during the past two years and it is a great challenge to successfully turn things around. We knew that it was not easy, and now every one of us are glad that all the efforts could be fully paid now.”
The family was more than happy when Cheng Ming Leung drew gate four at the barrier draw ceremony this morning (Thursday, 23 April).
“It’s really a good draw, and hopefully our horse can jump well and take a leading or striking position near the fence. Derek (Leung) rides him well and our horse should be competitive in the race,” Cheng said.
Cheng Yu Wai added that Jantar Mantar looks to be the main danger in the race.
Regardless of the result, they are proud to be part of FWD Champions Day.
“We are glad to have the support from everybody, including The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and we are grateful to have a runner on this great day of racing, where champions meet in races of the highest level,” Cheng Ming Leung said.
The 11-race FWD Champions Day card on Sunday (26 April) at Sha Tin starts with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m) at 12.30pm (local time).- Hong Kong Jockey Club
Atmospheric in rarefied air at Otaki
In form gelding Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) was in rarefied air at Otaki on Friday when he broke through for a deserved maiden stakes victory in the Listed Jennian Homes ANZAC Mile (1600m).
The four-year-old son of El Roca has been knocking on the door for some time, winning three of his previous 15 starts, and ran fourth in last year’s Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m), and he earned another crack at black-type when winning over 1500m at Ellerslie three weeks ago.
From his ace barrier, he was only fair away on Friday, but jockey George Rooke stoked him up to regain his deficit to sit in the trail behind local hope Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie).
The speed was on throughout and Atmospheric looked a major danger when turning for home, with Rooke steering him into a gap outside the leader and he quickly hit the front.
Favourite punters began to form an orderly queue at the tote window, but Freddie Time (NZ) (Time Test) had other ideas and began to close late, however, his momentum was interrupted when he had to be balanced up and Atmospheric maintained his advantage to win by 1-3/4 lengths over the Southland gelding.
Trainer Kurtis Pertab was pleased with the performance of his stable newcomer, and he was rapt he was able to secure a black-type result.
“He was away a bit slow, but it was a good ride, he was a lot handier than he tends to race,” Pertab said. “He is a horse that has always had a lot of ability and he rightfully gets his black-type success.”
Pertab has yet to lock in any further plans for Atmospheric and he said he will wait to see how he comes through the race before making any decisions.
“He can get through the ground, but he doesn’t like really wet ground, so I am not sure what we do with him after this, but we will just get him home and make a plan depending on how he pulls up,” Pertab said. “He has done the job anyway.”
Atmospheric’s win completed a stable double at the meeting, with Atavus (NZ) (Tarzino) carrying owner-breeder Gerry Harvey’s silks to victory in the Otaki Tyre Repairs Maiden (1600m) earlier on the card.
“It was a good win by Atavus,” Pertab said. “It was a really good ride by George (Rooke), he is riding super at the moment. He is a horse that might be able to put a couple more together. He got through the ground and he is going to be a lovely stayer.”
Friday’s double continued a lucrative week for Pertab who also recorded a winning double at Arawa Park on Wednesday courtesy of Elusive Faith (NZ) (El Roca) and Getaway (NZ) (Shamexpress), and he is hoping his winning run continues into a busy holiday weekend.
“It has been great week and it makes it all worthwhile,” he said. “We have got a big day tomorrow (at Te Rapa), so we will prepare for that now.”
Pertab will line-up a dozen runners at Te Rapa’s ANZAC Day meeting, including Arrowfield Stud filly Cheerio (Maurice) and Circus Dancer (NZ) (Circus Maximus) in the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
“The drying track will be a big benefit to Cheerio,” Pertab said. “She did a light piece of work yesterday (Thursday) and Troy Harris was very happy with her. She is right on song.
“Circus Dancer had an exhibition gallop at Rotorua on Wednesday and that will bring her on nicely. I am happy with where she is at. She is a class horse and rightfully takes her place.”
Stablemates Quello Dolce (NZ) ( US Navy Flag) and Landlock (Merchant Navy) are on the ballot for the Cambridge Breeders’, and if they fail to gain a start they will head to Ellerslie on Monday to contest the ANZAC Day 3YO (1200m).
“Landlock loves Ellerslie, he has got a very good record there,” Pertab said. “It is a shame Quello Dolce is probably not going to make the field tomorrow, she is right up to them. She is going really well and she will run super on Monday.”- Joshua Smith, LOVERACING
Paul Vettise
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
🎥 Did you see?
Zac Purton joined Michael Guerin in Hong Kong ahead of Champions Day, where Ka Ying Rising will look to win his 20th straight race in the Gr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize
