Latest news with #Atzeni
New Paper
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Atzeni bidding for first HK G1 atop Bundle Award
HONG KONG Andrea Atzeni has clinched the HK$13 million (S$2.16 million) Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) ride on Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2,400m) winner Bundle Award. On May 25, Atzeni will chase his first Hong Kong Group 1 trophy on Bundle Award, who became the first runner from this season's Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) to win a Group 3 race in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Sha Tin on May 4 under Zac Purton. With seven-time champion jockey Purton likely to partner Ensued in the Champions & Chater Cup, Atzeni took the opportunity to familiarise himself with the Shamus Award four-year-old in a 1,200m dirt trial at Sha Tin on May 16. Pitted against fellow Champions & Chater Cup contenders - four-time Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble and 2025 Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat - Bundle Award was not pressured and finished seventh behind Cap Ferrat in 1min 11.44sec. "It's a good ride to get," said Atzeni. "He's a horse that stays the trip and he's young. He's done nothing wrong so far and it's a really good ride. "He's won over the mile and a half the last time. I know they didn't go really quick and it turned into a bit of a sprint. "But in these mile and a half races, they never go a gallop here anyway, so it could set up very similarly and he's a horse who has quite a bit of speed. "He stays but he's got quite a bit of pace. So, if it turns into a bit of a sprint like it did the last time, it will suit him." The 2025 Champions & Chater Cup features British globetrotter Dubai Honour, Cap Ferrat, Ensued, Five G Patch, La City Blanche, Moments In Time, Noisy Boy, Rubylot, Sword Point, Winning Dragon and Voyage Bubble. The latter is chasing a HK$10 million bonus as he attempts to sweep the Triple Crown series. Ensued finished fifth in the second batch of trials on May 16, behind the John Size-trained stablemate Super Express, who clocked 1min 11.01sec. Already a winner of the Group 1 Stewards' Cup (1,600m) and the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m), Voyage Bubble is bidding to join River Verdon (1993/94) to win all three legs of the Triple Crown series. "Voyage Bubble has got to step up in trip, which is obviously a question mark. But, with the class that he has, he probably doesn't need to stay to win it," said Atzeni. "Dubai Honour gets this trip very well and last time behind Via Sistina (in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,000m at Randwick), although he had a bit of a tough trip, he never gave up and kept going all the way to the line. He's a very smart horse." Fresh from his 100th victory in Hong Kong after the Ricky Yiu-trained debutant Blazing Wukong ($25) won the Class 4 The Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1,200m) on May 18, the Italian hoop now has 49 wins this season. He sits third on the Hong Kong jockeys' championship behind Purton (110) and Hugh Bowman (61). Matthew Poon leads the race for this season's Tony Cruz Award as leading homegrown jockey with 34 wins, seven clear of 2021/22 winner Matthew Chadwick and injured Vincent Ho (both on 27). Poon, 31, has been a revelation this campaign as he sweeps towards bettering his personal-best haul of 37 wins in a season, set in 2020/21. "Everybody will get a chance if they work hard. You just never give up, no matter how long it takes. You just have to be positive and you never know when the chance comes," said Poon. "You have to be ready and well prepared, wait for the opportunity to come and try to take it." Meanwhile, the heat is also on in the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers' championship. David Hayes' treble at Sha Tin on May 18 saw the Australian move to within six wins of compatriot and 12-time champion John Size, with 16 meetings left in the season. Hayes dominated with the performances of Oriental Smoke ($15), Solid Shalaa ($38) and World Hero ($36) to reach 50 wins for the campaign, raising hopes of a third Hong Kong trainers' championship having earlier trailed Size by 11 wins. "John is hard to catch, being six ahead, but if he has a quiet couple of weeks and I have a good couple of weeks, it could get close," said Hayes. "There's a glimmer of hope. I've got a lot of young horses that are going to start running that are trialling well, but basically I have to keep going and John has to stop winning. "Every time John trains a winner, it's hard, but it's worth giving it a go." Hayes won the Hong Kong trainers' title in 1997/98 & 1998/99 and his three-timer on May 18 took his career tally in the city to 657. Oriental Smoke was the first to strike for Purton in the Class 4 Members' Care@HKJC Handicap (1,800m) before Solid Shalaa's scored in the Class 3 The Members Cup Handicap (1200m). Near the tail end at the home turn, Solid Shalaa closed in brilliantly under Ellis Wong to snatch victory late. World Hero was the third leg of Hayes' treble, dictating from the front under Alexis Badel to land the Class 4 Sha Tin Clubhouse Handicap (1,400m). HKJC
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
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 — 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 — 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.'
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Colourful King ‘getting better' as Andrea Atzeni aims for a big night at Happy Valley
Andrea Atzeni is hoping to be the hat-trick hero at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when Colourful King and Crystal Powerful both go for three wins on the spin. Sardinian Atzeni, sitting third in the jockeys rankings with 45 winners for the season, has another strong book of in-form rides to enhance his tally. Colourful King is his mount in the feature Class Two Seoul Handicap (1,000m), winner of both his starts at Happy Valley since a promising Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin. He dived late to beat Youthful Spirit by a nose in a Class Three over 1,000m in March, but increased the margin by two lengths when flashing clear of him again in another course and distance Class Three. Big win, Colourful King! 🚀@EustaceRacing's talented sprinter explodes to consecutive victories under @Atzenijockey in the Hong Kong China Rugby Cup at Happy Valley... 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 9, 2025 His sights are raised today against some seasoned rivals, but David Eustace's charge – a dual winner at Sandown in Australia before shipping over – is totally unexposed and should have plenty more to offer. 'He's thrived since David [Eustace] switched him to the Valley,' said Atzeni. 'I thought he was really impressive again last time and he's definitely improved since his last run. 'He's going up into a Class Two and will need to improve, but he's a horse who has done nothing wrong and seems to be getting better.' Atzeni also rides Crystal Powerful, who is on the hat-trick trail in the Class Three Yeongcheon Handicap (1,200m) for trainer Cody Mo Wai-kit. Crystal Powerful won back-to-back races at the Valley last season and has repeated the feat this campaign. He showed a very willing attitude to edge out Diamond Soars in a 1,000m Class Three in March, knuckling down after being outpaced at the top of the straight to win by a head. It was a similar story over course and distance three weeks later, with Atzeni all action to get his partner up by a short head. Crystal Powerful does it again! An in-form @Atzenijockey scores consecutive wins with Cody Mo's sprinter in the Japan Racing Association Trophy... 🔥 #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 2, 2025 Those runs have suggested a return to 1,200m – the trip he gained both his wins over last season – would be perfect and he gets that on Wednesday. He has the ideal draw in stall seven and Atzeni is hoping lightening can strike for a third time. 'I think dropping to 1,000m was a good shout, as he's been showing a lot more speed lately,' said Atzeni. 'I think the key for him has been the draw – he's a horse who needs to be handy and we've been lucky with our barriers lately. 'Obviously his two recent wins have come over 1,000m, but he this trip suits him just as well and we've got another good draw to work from. I don't think another rise in the weights will stop him from going close.' Atzeni has been enjoying another stellar season, with only Zac Purton (100) and Hugh Bowman (57) ahead of his 45-win haul. The 34-year-old is just three winners away from last season's tally and after a slow start to the season, it goes to show just how well things have been going for Atzeni that he is so close already. 'Things couldn't have gone much better the last six to 10 weeks,' said Atzeni. 'We had a bit of a slow start, but it's great to finish strong and I'd love to get through the 50-winner mark and beyond. 'There's still plenty of racing left and I'm really grateful to all the support I'm getting. I'll just have to keep kicking and hopefully I can beat last season's tally at the very least.'
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni hopeful Beauty Destiny can take red-hot Valley form to Sha Tin
He's one of the most in-form gallopers in Hong Kong at the moment, but the big question remains – can Beauty Destiny take his Happy Valley form to Sha Tin? After finally fulfilling his potential with five spectacular wins from his past six starts, Beauty Destiny will race on the Sha Tin turf for the first time since November 2023 in Sunday's Class Two Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy (1,200m). The Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained gelding infamously started his career at the home of the city's biggest races in 2023, going down as a $1.4 favourite on debut and $1.7 favourite second up when racing greenly and swishing his tail in running. He could only manage 10th when resuming in November that year and finally broke through for his first victory later that season, scoring at the Valley under Zac Purton. /63112111. 🔥 Beauty Destiny is aiming to take Happy Valley heroics - five wins - to Sha Tin in Sunday's Class 2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy! 🏆@Beautystablehk | @Atzenijockey | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 10, 2025 However, Beauty Destiny has returned this season a more mature horse, with his ability to settle early in his races and finish strongly in complete contrast to his early days of going too hard and fading. He started his current streak off a mark of 51 and has soared to 95 thanks to two Class Four victories, a pair of Class Three wins and a Class Two success last start. In-form jockey Andrea Atzeni, who has been aboard Beauty Destiny throughout his breakout campaign, hopes the five-year-old shows he isn't just a Happy Valley specialist on Sunday. 'Hopefully the way we've been riding him lately, that's what has helped him turn the corner rather than just racing at Happy Valley,' Azteni said. 'It's hard to know how far he's got to go still because every time he goes up a level or in the handicap, he just keeps turning up. 'He's doing it quite well, too. He's not just falling in, he's been winning well. It was only a matter of time before he moved to Sha Tin because there aren't many races for him at the Valley, so it will be interesting to see how he goes. 'I don't think there will be any issues. If he gets luck in running, it's a tight race but on what he's been doing lately, it wouldn't surprise me if he goes again. He's a very good horse and lets hope he can go to another level.' Beauty Destiny jumps from gate two in a solid Class Two sprint featuring Gorgeous Win and last-start winners Lady's Choice and Kaholo Angel. After surging to third in the jockeys' premiership with a haul of recent winners, Atzeni hopes to continue his form when he also rides Island Breezes, Cheer For South, Ahren, Drala, Drombeg Banner, Gold Master and Ballistic Win on Sunday. 'I wish I had a better draw with Ahren because I really like the horse,' Atzeni said of the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained gelding, who jumps from gate 12. 'It doesn't make our job any easier, but hopefully there's a bit of pace in the race and we can slot in somewhere and he'll be hitting the line again. 'Drombeg Banner is a solid horse. It's a good race, but he's in with a light weight [115 pounds] and I can't see any other pace in the race, so hopefully we should get a nice lead. 'Gold Master won quite cosily last start. He's up in class with a light weight [120 pounds], but I like him a lot. He keeps improving.'
South China Morning Post
07-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni keen to keep the ball rolling with ‘nice book of rides' at Happy Valley
Sardinian jockey will look to add to his 38 winners for the campaign on Wednesday night He's one of the form jockeys among the Hong Kong riding ranks and Andrea Atzeni will head to Happy Valley on Wednesday night armed with a book of rides he hopes can help him continue his momentum. Third in the jockeys premiership after 12 wins in the past month, Atzeni will look to add to his 38 victories this season with seven rides at the midweek meeting. 'The last few weeks have gone fairly well and hopefully we can keep kicking until the end of the season,' said Atzeni. 'I've got some nice rides on Wednesday. I could have done with better draws with a couple of them but I feel like I'm going into Wednesday night with a nice book of rides.' Colourful King nails Youthful Spirits! 😱@EustaceRacing's son of Blue Point, a two-time winner at Sandown in Australia, gets off the mark in Hong Kong with @Atzenijockey at Happy Valley...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025 One of Atzeni's mounts who has drawn well is last-start winner Colourful King, who jumps from gate four in the Class Three Hong Kong China Rugby Cup (1,000m). Trained by David Eustace, who is fresh off a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday, Colourful King broke his Hong Kong maiden at start two when sticking his nose in front over this course and distance last month. 'He only just got up the last day and we beat Youthful Spirits, who goes in front. He is in the race again so at least we know for sure the speed is going to be on,' said Atzeni. 'He's an improving horse and a horse we've always liked, so hopefully there's more to come from him.' Atzeni retains the ride aboard the John Size-trained Golden Rise for the Class Three Ho Man Tin Handicap (1,200m) after partnering the five-year-old into third in his Class Three debut last start. 'He was a little bit unlucky the last day. I was on the fence but I went one off trying to keep my options open, but it was probably the wrong thing to do,' said Atzeni of Golden Rise, who carries 120 pounds on Wednesday night. 'If I had stayed on the fence he probably would have nearly won it. With that weight he should be competitive in Class Three. He wasn't beaten far last start and he showed that he can be competitive in the grade.' Also among Atzeni's book are last-start winner Same To You, who rises in grade for the third section of the Class Four King's Park Handicap (1,200m), and Club Ace in the second section of the King's Park Handicap. 'Same To You is a nice ride to get. He's a course and distance winner and although he's got a tricky draw, he won quite nicely the last day so hopefully up in class with a light weight shouldn't be an issue,' said Atzeni of Mark Newnham's charge, who carries 120 pounds from gate 12. 'Club Ace is solid. He was a little bit disappointing last start but on his previous starts he wouldn't be without a chance.'
