James McDonald is confident the world’s highest-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse can bounce back from the “worst run of his career” when he looks to retain his crown in Sunday’s Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin.

McDonald is out to continue his Hong Kong love affair in the HK$13 million feature, with the superstar Kiwi hopping aboard Lucky Sweynesse for the first time since they reigned supreme in last year’s renewal.

Hunting for a staggering fourth Group One success in the city this season, McDonald believes a step up in distance will allow his mount to rebound from a disappointing effort in January’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,400m).

“It was the worst run of his career last start, but he’s a serious horse on his day and he’s unbeaten over 1,400m,” McDonald said.

After Zac Purton elected to ride California Spangle in last year’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, McDonald got the call up to partner the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained speedster in the five-runner contest.

McDonald and Lucky Sweynesse tracked California Spangle’s every move in the opening stages before looming up ominously and surging for home. After picking off Purton’s mount in the final 200m, Lucky Sweynesse kept on to prevail by a length and a half.

“He was very good last year,” McDonald said. “He beat a very in-form California Spangle, who was flying. He did a good job and ran it out strongly.

“He’s a champion sprinter and he’s as good as you can get. Last season he was great and he’s been a slow build this year, but I wouldn’t swap him for anything, that’s for sure.”

While Lucky Sweynesse was prolific last season, claiming eight of his 10 starts including six in succession, the five-year-old has been unable to continue his dominance over Hong Kong’s sprinting ranks this term.

After he was turned over at $1.2 and $1.4 carrying 135 pounds on his first two appearances this term, Lucky Sweynesse narrowly got the better of Victor The Winner at $1.3 in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m).

While the five-year-old produced his customary turn of foot to snare the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) and become the first galloper to win all four of the city’s top-level dashes in the same calendar year, he could only manage sixth after a troubled passage in the Centenary Sprint Cup.

“It’s a bit of a different kettle of fish this time because it’s over 1,400m rather than six furlongs, but I’m pretty hopeful of our chance this time around,” McDonald said.

“It’s a good field. Zac’s on Beauty Eternal so he must have a massive chance, and Taj Dragon is also going super at the minute and he may be able to come up another notch.”

McDonald hops aboard six gallopers on the 10-race card and nominated last-start winner Giddy Up in the Class Three Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1,600m) as his best chance away from the feature.

“I think Giddy Up is a brilliant chance – he looks fantastic,” McDonald said. “I also ride Packing Prospect again and he didn’t get a lot of room last time. He should improve as well.”

Meanwhile, McDonald will continue his big-race alliance with Danny Shum Chap-shing in this month’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), with the rider confirming he will partner the 95-rated Helene Feeling in the city’s most prestigious race.