Derek Leung Ka-chun and an excited group of owners are dreaming of international Group One glory when they team up with top sprinter Lucky Sweynesse in Sunday’s Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama Racecourse.

Leung, 37, is confident Lucky Sweynesse can deliver him a first overseas success at the elite level while the four-time Group One winner’s owners – the Cheng family – will fulfil a dream 17 years in the making on Sunday.

Leung has ridden 499 winners in Hong Kong – including two at Group One level – and had his first experience in Japan last year when third on Victor The Winner in the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo Racecourse.

“I can’t wait for this Sunday,” Leung said.

“My dream is to try and get as many winners as I can and win Group Ones as well. If I am lucky enough to represent Hong Kong overseas, for me, it’s an honour and a big achievement.”

Lucky Sweynesse bids to join Hong Kong sprinters Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010) on the Sprinters Stakes honour roll fresh from a strong second to the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin earlier this month.

The encouraging return fuelled the Cheng family’s desire to set the seven-year-old for his first overseas assignment.

“Coming to race in Japan is fulfilling a dream. I came here with my friend Mr Wong [Yuk-lun] in 2008 and he owned Armada, who was second in the Yasuda Kinen that year,” part-owner Cheng Ming-leung told the Jockey Club.

“It was an amazing experience for me and my family, so one day I always wanted to come here. Mr Wong will be coming to Japan this time to support us on Sunday here.”

The Chengs have been at Nakayama trackwork throughout the week sporting Lucky Sweynesse T-shirts while watching their beloved galloper warm up for the Sprinters Stakes.

Leung flew to Japan earlier than scheduled to avoid Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong, with the move allowing him to get a better handle on the unique Nakayama track.

“It seems like the horse can handle it very well, but you still have to find out in the race because full speed will be a different story,” Leung said of the track, which features a short straight and steep uphill rise in the run home.

“But at the moment, it seems like everything is fine and we are happy with the horse.”

Leung said Lucky Sweynesse continues to improve having had just three runs since a fractured cannon bone forced him to be sidelined from racing for over a year.

“His fitness is improving. We know his action is fine and that he keeps getting better and better, but with this class you need to be in top form to run well,” Leung said.

“This season he sounds good, though the weather limited him to less training before the season started because of the rain.

“You can see Satono Reve has performed very well in Hong Kong, Europe and Japan. Of course, he is a hot favourite here. I think I respect all of the horses, it’s a very strong field and hopefully we can get some luck and a good result.”