An inspired decision to step up in trip by the connections of Lucky Sweynesse paid off as the evergreen seven-year-old returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in two years in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Monday.

It has been a long time between drinks for the four-time Group One-winning sprinter, who last saluted on this card two years ago when taking home the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m).

With Ka Ying Rising on the scene and his years starting to advance, connections have toyed with extra distance and a second to Romantic Warrior on his first try of the mile certainly put the writing on the wall.

That bold choice by connections paid dividends, as the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained stalwart fended off a gallant challenge by My Wish in the closing stages on Monday.

“He makes me feel surprised; when he was young, he was a real sprinter, but now as a seven-year-old he can go to the mile,” Man said.

“It was the son of the owner [who suggested the distance switch] – he studies a lot and suggested to me that he would make the horse go to the mile.

“His last run when he went over a mile, the winner was Romantic Warrior. The horse is very fit and in this race, we are lucky to have two horses going in front and he stayed behind the leader. He ran very comfortably so the horse kept on really well.”

In hindsight, the win always looked likely in running, with jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun always travelling ominously well behind the pace-setting duo of Chancheng Glory and Storm Rider.

As they turned in, Leung sauntered up to the leading pair and pounced at the 400m pole, establishing what would turn out to be a winning break on the field.

The race looked to be a done deal at the 200m, until My Wish came screaming out of the pack under Hugh Bowman and the alarm bells soon rang out on the leader.

Leung had just enough in reserve, however, and snagged his 10th Group race in Hong Kong by an ever-closing short head – though his jockey was not sure as they crossed the line.

“I have to thank the owner and the trainer for the opportunity, the horse has been really honest and only been beaten by the horse of the year,” Leung said.

“This time, he showed his ability again and although he won by a short margin, he ran a huge race.

“I was 50-50 [about winning the race], two strides before the line I could feel My Wish was coming strong so I just put our heads down and hoped; I didn’t know until I watched it back on the big screen afterwards.

“He has really deserved to win a race, he’s been honest every time he has run and he just kept being beaten by those two horses [Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising].”

Attention will now turn to Champions Day, with Man leaving no doubt that the wide-open Group One Champions Mile will be his intended target.

That is no surprise, with his regular sprinting rival Ka Ying Rising continuing to build a dynasty over the shorter distances, and there seems to be a few more chapters of the Lucky Sweynesse story to be written.

“We have the Champions Mile to look forward to now – a lot will depend on which internationals come across and the draw we get,” Leung said.

“I’m sure if he runs like he did today, he would have a good chance.”

The win took Leung up to the 20-winner mark for the campaign and the 37-year-old has no complaints about how things are going so far this season.

“I was really looking forward to today and I have to thank all the owners and trainers who have supported me this season,” Leung added.

“This season, I’ve won a Group Two, a Group Three and run second in the Derby – I’m just always looking for the next one.”