Jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun bemoaned an unsuitable trip and fast pace after Lucky Sweynesse’s disappointing 11th in Sunday’s Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama Racecourse.
In his international debut, Manfred Man Ka-leung’s four-time Group One winner settled behind midfield from barrier 10 and was under pressure throughout in a race dominated by on-pace runners.
Sent off a $7.3 chance with parochial Hong Kong punters but $36.6 in Japan, Lucky Sweynesse was well beaten behind Win Carnelian, who caused a massive upset at $93.75 in the Hong Kong market.
“Our horse didn’t jump bad and I went to go forward into fourth position, but the other horse [to his outside] kept squeezing him so he had to come back a bit,” Leung said.
“All the way, the outside horse put pressure on him and for a big horse, the race never went smooth.
