Hugh Bowman will partner Lucky Sweynesse for the first time in next Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m), with the 43-year-old the latest beneficiary of Manfred Man Ka-leung’s merry-go-round.

Bowman is the third jockey to hop aboard the world’s highest-rated sprinter in as many starts and the Australian rider is looking forward to getting his chance in the saddle.

“They moved to James [McDonald] last start and now they’ve asked me to ride,” Bowman said. “He’s the best sprinter in Hong Kong and he has been for a couple of seasons, so these are the horses you want to be on board.”

Despite steering Lucky Sweynesse to 11 victories – including three at the elite level – Zac Purton lost the ride on the five-year-old following their defeat in January’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m).

Man called upon the services of Kiwi ace McDonald in his bid to retain the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), but his stable star was unable to justify favouritism for the fourth time this season.

The veteran handler has not been afraid of running Lucky Sweynesse at every possible opportunity and Bowman will become the sixth rider to partner the world-class speedster at start 24.

Elsewhere on next Sunday’s programme, Bowman will reunite with Russian Emperor in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m).

“It’s probably not a race he can be competitive in from a winning point of view, but I’ve been satisfied with his prep this year. He’s an old warrior and he’s enjoying his job, so I’ll give him a spin over the mile – it will be good,” he said.

Bowman was unable to complete a Classic Series clean sweep aboard Helios Express in last Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and said the stamina-sapping nature of the contest may have got the better of the Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1,800m) hero.

“I don’t think the injury affected his performance on the day,” Bowman said. “What effect that had on his preparation for the race I have no idea, but ultimately it was a fast 2,000m and it was a real test of stamina.

“His stamina had not been tested in his last two wins and who knows, maybe he just ran a peak performance in the Classic Cup – he really had to dig deep to win that.”

Leung orchestrates Group One boilover as Victor The Winner upstages Sweynesse

Bowman is hoping to return to the winner’s enclosure with seven rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and nominated Jumbo Legend as one to watch out for in the Class Four To Kwa Wan Handicap (1,650m).

“It’s a pretty standard Happy Valley meeting and hopefully we can get a piece of the pie,” Bowman said. “I like Jumbo Legend. I’m glad he’s got a run and I think the 1,650m could suit.”

Meanwhile, Zac Purton will chase back-to-back Group One Doncaster Mile victories when he jets to Sydney to partner Militarize on April 6.