Hugh Bowman believes a favourable draw can offer “more options” for Lucky Sweynesse when he hops aboard the world’s highest-rated sprinter for the first time in Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m).

Slowly away in his past two starts, Lucky Sweynesse will jump from gate seven as he aims to bounce back to winning ways in the HK$5.35 million contest.

Bowman will be the third rider to partner Manfred Man Ka-leung’s star sprinter in as many starts and the Australian is confident he can adapt to the conditions of the race.

“It will depend on how he begins, but I don’t mind [gate] seven,” Bowman said. “If he is sluggish, which he seems to have developed a habit of being, I think I’ve got more options from seven than if I was drawn in two or three.”

An eight-time winner from 10 starts last season, Lucky Sweynesse began this campaign with consecutive defeats before bouncing back to narrowly prevail in November’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m).

The five-year-old then took out December’s Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) under Zac Purton to complete the set of the city’s elite-level sprints.

Lucky Sweynesse has failed to fire subsequently, finding himself settled towards the rear of the field in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m).

The son of Sweynesse gives five pounds to each of his 10 rivals but Bowman hopes galloping the sprinter in his preparation can pay dividends this weekend.

“We’ll have to wait and see, but it would be beneficial if he wasn’t as far back as he has been in recent starts,” Bowman said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’ve sat on him a couple of times. We jumped out down the back straight last week and did a bit of steady pace work this week. He feels good.”

The city’s champion sprinter faces Hong Kong Sprint runner-up Lucky With You and improving youngster Howdeepisyourlove, who gets his first taste of Group Two competition.

Half an hour later, Bowman will reunite with another star in the form of two-time Group One Champions & Chater Cup winner Russian Emperor. Contesting the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m), the Douglas Whyte-trained galloper will jump from stall three against 12 opponents.

Bowman, who partnered Russian Emperor in his latest Champions & Chater Cup victory, believes this weekend’s contest can leave the galloper in good shape for future targets.

“In reality at 1,600m in this type of race, it’s probably a bit short for him,” he said. “I feel like he’s going along nicely this season. There will be some more suitable races for him this season so we’ll see where we are at on Sunday.”

Bowman takes a nine-strong book to Sha Tin and hopes Rubylot can bounce back to winning ways when he contests the Class Four Homestead Handicap (1,200m).

“Rubylot is a pretty smart horse and he was dynamic at the 1,000m when I won on him,” Bowman said. “The 1,200m won’t pose a problem, he’s raced well over that trip before. It’s good to get back on.”