Andrea Atzeni hopes improving Crimson Flash can help him raise his bat at Happy Valley
The 34-year-old has some big chances on Wednesday night as he hones in on a century of Hong Kong winners
Andrea Atzeni will be hoping last-start winner Crimson Flash can draw him one winner closer to his Hong Kong century at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
The Sardinian is just two winners away from raising his bat after two fruitful seasons in Hong Kong and victory on Crimson Flash could also draw him level with last campaign's tally.
The Mark Newnham-trained three-year-old doubled his career total and got off the mark in Hong Kong with a very comfortable win in the Class Three Violet Handicap (1,200m) last month.
Ridden by Atzeni for the first time, he bombed down the outside after a midfield trip to score with plenty in hand and he is well drawn in stall six for his return to the Valley.
Crimson Flash is lightning quick late! @Atzenijockey takes a double at Happy Valley tonight atop Mark Newnham's galloper... ⚡️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/p0vrIAFuF7 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 16, 2025
That form has been boosted by Chateauneuf winning last Wednesday and despite going up 7lbs in the ratings, he looks to be Atzeni's best chance of the evening.
'He arrived in Hong Kong with only one run under his belt, so he's very unexposed,' said Atzeni. 'He was nicely on top over course and distance last time and still showed inexperience, so I think there is more to come from him.
'He has a nice draw to work with and a nice racing weight as well. I'm really hopeful he can run well again.'
The 34-year-old also has plenty of other chances to enhance his total, with the smart Nimble Nimbus hoping to snap a 14-month losing run in the feature Class Two Choi Hung Handicap (1,650m).
Andrea Atzeni's superb season continues! 🤯
He takes a second Group 3 this term as Nimble Nimbus just outlasts Five G Patch for Ricky Yiu... 🏆@Atzenijockey | @AtTheRaces | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/UHAdmmW50B — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 4, 2024
Atzeni was on board when Nimble Nimbus won a red-hot Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin last February, defeating the likes of Five G Patch, Straight Arron and La City Blanche with a power-packed finishing effort.
This season's form has not quite scaled those heights, but he has now slipped down the ratings to a fairer mark and he was not disgraced when finishing fifth in the Class One Shan Kwong Handicap (1,650m) at the Valley back in February.
'It's a small field with only seven runners, but it's still very competitive as you'd expect,' said Atzeni. 'He's not getting any younger, but he can definitely still run well in a race like this.
'He actually ran his best race of this season in a course and distance Class One in February when he finished off well and I'm hoping we can do the same again.'
After a trio of Hong Kong winners in 2014 before his two more recent full-time seasons, Atzeni sits on the cusp of a big milestone – as well ticking off his early season target of flashing past last season's tally.
With 18 meetings to go and just one winner needed to equal last season, perhaps Atzeni can aim even higher, but a Group winner is something he desperately wants to cap off the campaign in style.
'I came into the season wanting to beat last season's tally as my main goal, so it's nice to be so close to doing that with time to spare,' said Atzeni.
'The one thing I've been missing this season is a Group winner – I had two last season with Taj Dragon and Nimble Nimbus.
'I've ridden lots of nice young ones and good types, but I haven't had one in a big race yet. There's still time, of course, and every winner counts.'
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