Derek Leung Ka-chun is counting his blessings as he gears up for huge Group One rides on Lucky Sweynesse and Numbers at Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin.

The 37-year-old has tasted Group One glory on two occasions, winning the 2017 Hong Kong Mile on Beauty Generation and the 2024 Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) on Victor The Winner, but a Group One Champions Mile success on Lucky Sweynesse would perhaps eclipse both in terms of popularity.

The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained galloper, who won the Sprint Series in 2023, has reinvented himself this season after missing much of last campaign due to left fore fetlock surgery.

Returning this season with a second to Ka Ying Rising in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m), his three most recent starts have seen him branch out beyond the 1,200m trip.

Second to another Hong Kong superstar in Romantic Warrior on his first mile try, he built on that last time out to fend off My Wish and win the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m).

The significance of Lucky Sweynesse’s resurgence is not lost on Leung, who is feeling very fortunate to be part of his comeback story.

“I’m very lucky to be riding him on Sunday. His performances have been very good with me this season and everyone is looking forward to Sunday,” Leung said. “It’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to it.

“I know the horse very well and I have a lot of confidence in him. We have a good draw [in barrier four] on Sunday and we’ll try to do the same as last time – be positive and hopefully get a good result.

“I’m just a very lucky jockey, I’ve ridden him in the good times and Manfred and his stable have looked after him very well. He’s recovered really well and is very healthy – he’s ready for Sunday.”

The Champions Mile is the most competitive of Sunday’s top-level prizes, with Lucky Sweynesse taking on top locals such as My Wish, Voyage Bubble, Derby winner Invincible Ibis and Little Paradise, while also having overseas challenges from Jantar Mantar, Strauss and Docklands.

There is plenty for Leung to be wary of, but My Wish and Jantar Mantar are the two he is focusing on the most.

“For me, I think My Wish is my biggest competitor, because last time we had an easy pace so we got all the benefit, whereas he had to come from behind. He hit the line very strong and I think he has a good chance,” Leung said.

“He has more experience than the other young horses and I think Jantar Mantar is the other main danger. He has good form overseas and if he can show that Japanese form here, he is the main danger.”

Leung will also partner Numbers in a smashing running of the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m), where he will come to blows with global champion Romantic Warrior, Japan’s rising force Masquerade Ball and Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) winner Sosie.

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s young galloper has enjoyed a great start to local life since moving across from Australia, winning the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) – his second Hong Kong win – before admirable fourth and second-place finishes in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and Derby (2,000m) respectively.

Although, on paper, the task looks to be mighty for the four-year-old, Leung is hoping that a likely soft lead can be one weapon he can exploit to try and cause a seismic upset come Sunday.

“I galloped him on Thursday and trialled him last week – he finished very well. It will be a very tough race on Sunday, but my horse is a front runner and if he can control the pace, I think he will run very well,” Leung said.

“In the Derby, he had an awkward draw outside and we wanted to cut the corner. This was very challenging for him; this time we don’t need to punch out of the gate and push to lead, we can find a good rhythm for him.

“We will try our best to cause an upset, it’s why we’re here!”

Those comments were echoed by trainer Lor, who is hoping his challenger can lean on his experience from Australia and a better draw to give the market leaders a real fright.

“It’s a very strong race, but we need to look at how good he really is,” Lor said. “We’ve got a good draw compared to the Derby in stall four and he can lead from there, but he also wouldn’t mind settling second.

“He has really good experience from Australia and we’ll know how good he is after Sunday. I hope he can run a strong race.”

Lor also has another strong chance with the unbeaten excitement machine Salon S in the Class Two FWD Insurance CMB Wing Lung Bank Handicap (1,400m).

His improving three-year-old is a perfect four from four, despite being extremely headstrong and carting his rider Matthew Poon Ming-fai around the track.

It’s still very early days for him and with no weight to carry as he moves up in class on Sunday, Lor is hoping he can continue his progression ahead of a potential tilt at next season’s Classic Mile.

“He’s still learning – in the mornings he has been getting better, but once he gets in a race, he’s still very strong and a bit keen,” Lor said. “He’ll keep learning; I hope after a break next season he’ll relax and 1,600m will be no problem for him if so.”

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