There are plenty of people wondering why Manfred Man Ka-leung is running Lucky Sweynesse in Sunday’s Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) on opening day. However, for the veteran trainer, it is simple – there is a race available, so why not?

It is rare to see the very best Hong Kong horses step out in September – a full three months from December’s grand final, the Longines Hong Kong International Races – and Lucky Sweynesse’s particularly busy 2022-23 campaign only concluded in June, but Man sees no cause for concern.

“He’s already had two months’ holiday, what’s the problem? I entered the first race,” the trainer said. “I’m just looking forward to seeing him run again.”

Defending Chief Executive’s Cup champion Lucky Sweynesse will lug 135 pounds under Zac Purton and give 20 pounds to all five of his out-of-the-handicap rivals, one of whom is Danny Shum Chap-shing’s impressive 106-rated sprinter, Victor The Winner.

Victor The Winner, the likely leader from gate five under Karis Teetan, finished a length and a quarter adrift of Lucky Sweynesse at the same weights in June’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).

Victor The Winner edged Lucky Sweynesse in a 1,000m turf trial at Sha Tin on Monday morning, and Man urged caution with his three-time Group One winner after a preparation interrupted first by last weekend’s typhoon and again by Thursday night’s torrential rain.

“Carrying 135 pounds after interrupted training won’t be easy,” Man said. “Last week with the typhoon and today with the big rain, we couldn’t do anything.

“He couldn’t go out to the track, and after losing a few days’ training, I think he’s only got a chance – not a very big chance.”

Shum confirmed Victor The Winner is in good order ahead of his second crack at bringing down the city’s leading speedster and brushed off the chaos caused by the weather, pointing out that “every horse has missed work – what do you do?”.

Comprising half of the Chief Executive’s Cup field are runners from Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s yard, and the handler believes his best chance of giving Lucky Sweynesse a scare comes in the form of Adios.

A Class One winner at the course and distance two starts ago, Adios will exit barrier two under Alexis Badel.

“Beating Manfred’s horse will be difficult, but at least they have light weights,” said Lor, who also saddles Rewarding Together and dirt specialist Youthful Deal.

“If there’s not too much more rain, Adios should be my best chance. Rewarding Together is getting a little bit older and Youthful Deal has never won on the turf.”

Rounding out the field is Tony Cruz’s Ima Single Man, and the Jockey Club’s decision to award prize money down to sixth this season will ensure everyone earns a cheque.

“There’ll be something there for the owners,” Lor chuckled.

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Closing Sunday’s card is the Class Two Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1,400m), in which Lor saddles Sauvestre.

“He came back from Conghua on Thursday afternoon and he’s looking well. He’ll be OK on a yielding track if needed, too,” Lor said.

Also in the field is Super Sunny Sing, who runs for the first time since finishing eighth as second favourite in March’s Hong Kong Derby, as well as Flaming Rabbit, Find My Love and Galaxy Witness.