Magnus Sprinter Downs Lucky Sweynesse to win G2 Premier Bowl
The Group II Premier Bowl (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday was expected to see champion Kiwi bred sprinter Lucky Sweynesse return to the winner’s circle after his first up defeat last month, but he came up short again when seven year-old Magnus gelding Sight Success overpowered him on the line.
Trained by John Size, Sight Success was also having his second run this season and came with a clever well timed run under Brenton Avdulla to snatch a narrow win with a considerable 6kg weight advantage over the favourite.
Take a bow, @brentonavdulla! 🙌
The Australian's fifth win in Hong Kong comes in the 2023 G2 Premier Bowl at Sha Tin aboard the 23/1 Sight Success… 😳 #HKracing pic.twitter.com/cra2u8ZNJA
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 22, 2023
“I was able to hold my spot and just force Zac to go on a bit further than he probably wanted to. I just let Zac and Karis do what they wanted to do and I thought the only way I could beat them was late. Full credit to John and his team,” Avdulla said.
“I had a number of frustrating seconds (this season) and lost a little bit of support through the way, but John has always been one who’s thrown me some good rides. You’ve got to make the most of these opportunities and I’m very thankful.”
Second to Wellington in the 2022 Group I LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Sight Success will be given another tilt at the HK$26 million feature in December after contesting the Group II BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on November 19.
“These small fields are always a bit tricky but I think he (Avdulla) chose the right option and just followed the two leaders and he got a lovely run into the race,” Size said after Sight Success took his overall record to nine wins and five placings from 28 starts.
“He’s a very consistent horse, very honest, always puts in a good run and he seems to be able to sustain a long preparation. Last season, he ran very well in the international race (LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint) and I’m hoping he’ll do the same again.”
A $45,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling purchase from the Dawson Stud draft for Price Bloodstock, Sight Success is the best of four winners from Tarp, a metro winning Bletchley Park (IRE) mare from the family of Group winning sprinters Mobile Link and Papillion.
Tarp has a yearling colt by Widden Stud’s recently passed sire Magnus that is sure to prove a popular sales horse in 2024.
