Andrea Atzeni's hopes spring Eternal in Chairman's Trophy bid
Andrea Atzeni is optimistic Beauty Eternal strikes a winnable assignment when the Group One victor chases his first success in almost 12 months at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Buoyed by the John Size-trained gelding's fast-finishing fourth last start, Atzeni has high hopes for Beauty Eternal in the Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m).
The Italian jockey rode Beauty Eternal for the first time under race conditions in last month's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), in which the son of Starspangledbanner jumped only fairly but ran on well late to be beaten two lengths by superstar Ka Ying Rising.
He steps back up to his preferred distance, at which he won the Group One Champions Mile in April last year under champion jockey Zac Purton.
GO ON, @KarisTeetan! 🔥
The Mauritian ace guides superstar Ka Ying Rising to a third Group 1 win in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin ahead of Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/sVEeLdIERx — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025
'I thought his last run was good,' Atzeni said. 'He was a bit sluggish early but he finished off quite nicely.
'Up in distance again will really suit him and with a good draw and a clean break, hopefully we're in a good position.
'It's a very open race. Obviously Galaxy Patch has trialled very well and might be the horse to beat, but we've got a nice draw. He's moving well and pulled up good from the other day.'
Jumping from barrier four, Beauty Eternal is one of three Size-trained gallopers set for the Chairman's Trophy.
Group Three winner Ensued drops in trip after a last-start second to Voyage Bubble in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m), while the consistent Red Lion bids for the biggest win of his career.
In Sunday's other Group Two, the Sprint Cup (1,200m), Atzeni conceded Gorgeous Win faces a mammoth task against Ka Ying Rising.
The Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Gorgeous Win is the lowest-rated of the seven Sprint Cup runners on a mark of 97.
'It's a small field and we all know Ka Ying Rising's going to be tough to beat, but we're all trying to play for some prize money,' Atzeni said.
'There looks to be quite a bit of pace in the race, so hopefully we can give him a chance.'
Third in the jockeys' premiership with 35 wins this term, Atzeni hopes to continue his momentum after celebrating his 34th birthday in style with a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.
'I came back from the two-day suspension and had winners most meetings and a few doubles. Hopefully I can stay out of the stewards' room and keep the ball rolling,' Atzeni said.
Gale Saga, Stellar Express, Robot Knight, South Star and Across Da Universe are Atzeni's other rides on Sunday.
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