This week’s Asian Racing Review assesses the fallout from Sunday’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin, including the situation facing Manfred Man, trainer of the impressive winner Lucky Sweynesse. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club last week granted Man a one-year extension past the standard retirement age that will enable him to continue training through the 2023-24 season.

But Michael Cox believes an overhaul of the Jockey Club’s rules is required to allow trainers to remain competitive and attract ongoing support from famously fickle owners. 

“Trainers need more certainty in Hong Kong to succeed,” he said. 

“Once you’re on that slippery slope out the door and you’re seen as unlucky, or in bad form, the last thing you need is another question of ‘Will they even be here training next year?… I just think that they should revisit the criteria.”

Also in this week’s edition of Asian Racing Review: 

Breaking down Lucky Sweynesse’s maiden Group 1 triumph (0.00); Coxy produces an official HKJC rule book as he prosecutes his case for a ‘Manfred Man rule’ (3:37); A look at the next leg of the ‘Speed Series’ Queen Silver Jubilee Cup that will likely pit Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington against California Spangle (4:38); The latest on who will ride Senor Toba in Qatar (6:29); Why Tony Cruz’s ‘miler’ California Spangle could actually be an attractive Everest prospect (7:27).

Manfred Man has a star on his hands but the clock is ticking out