Latest news with #BeautyEternal
South China Morning Post
29-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
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 — 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.
South China Morning Post
11-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ben Thompson maintains Hong Kong Derby ride on Bundle Award, while California Spangle presses on
Ben Thompson will again ride Bundle Award in the Hong Kong Derby on March 23. Photos: Kenneth Chan Ben Thompson will maintain the ride on Bundle Award in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), while three-time Group One winner California Spangle is bound for the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) after his racing future came into question. Thompson has a golden opportunity to strike on his first ride in the city's most coveted race after booting home the John Size-trained Bundle Award in Sunday's Class Two Carpenter Handicap (1,800m). The Australian jockey, who has ridden in Hong Kong since February last year, was pumped to retain the mount and is confident Bundle Award will thrive stepping up to 2,000m. 'It was a huge result to get on the horse and to win on him was fantastic,' Thompson said of Bundle Award's fast-finishing victory by a length and a quarter on Sunday. 'He looks the right horse, he couldn't be in better hands with John Size and I hope it's meant to be. 'He was great at the 1,800m and especially he really showed versatility, the way he settled back on Sunday and showed a lethal turn of foot. Before that, he sat close to the speed and was three pairs back when he won his first in Hong Kong. There's no reason to suggest he won't run the trip out strong.' Bundle Award was handed a much-needed penalty of 11 points for his second triumph in the city, with his new mark of 86 putting him safely in the Derby field. The son of Shamus Award also won over 1,400m in January when ridden by James McDonald and up to 1,600m in three consecutive starts in Australia pre-import. Meanwhile, California Spangle led all the way to comfortably win a star-studded dirt trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning as he prepares for another clash with star sprinter Ka Ying Rising. Brenton Avdulla fired Tony Cruz's stable star to the front in the 1,200m heat and he kept on well under little pressure to beat last-start Sha Tin winner Invincible Shield. Connections and Cruz met to discuss the possibility of retiring California Spangle after his fading sixth in last month's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), but they opted to give him another shot to turn his form around in the Sprint Cup on March 30. 'He trialled just as good as ever – I'm happy with him,' Cruz said. 'We'll see. We're planning for the race at the end of the month – the Sprint Cup. The signs are good.' Quality miler Galaxy Patch warmed up for the Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) on March 30 when he ran on strongly from last for third in Tuesday's trial. Size's Group One placegetter Helios Express, who will take on the likes of Ka Ying Rising and California Spangle in the Sprint Cup, was close behind in fourth. Group One winner Beauty Eternal, Ensued and Red Lion were under firm holds when they finished towards the rear in the same trial.
