Andrea Atzeni will take the reins with a number of good placings in the Group Three features at Sha Tin on Sunday when she flies aboard Silvery Breeze and Crimson Flash.
The Sardinian jockey returns to Sha Tin after sitting out the last two meetings due to suspension and is looking to add to his impressive season tally of 57 wins – one win behind his personal best in Hong Kong of 58 from last season. Atzeni currently holds second place in the jockey championship behind Zac Purton.
Atzeni will partner Silvery Breeze for the second time in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m), with the David Eustace-trained runner emerging victorious at the Happy Valley distance when he beat Liveandletlive by a neck with Purton in the saddle.
Silvery Breeze enters Group Three for the company for the first time, having done everything asked of him this season and rewarded with a combined three wins for the term.
“He hasn’t done anything wrong all season, he’s been very consistent – he hasn’t been out of the top four, so that just shows you how consistent he is,” Atzeni said.
“Obviously his best form has been at Valley, although he has won at Sha Tin on his first out and ran well earlier this season. The 1,800m looks to suit him, he obviously won over 1,800m on the last day.”
The Dundeel five-year-old has been tasked with blocking 11, but should be helped by a lighter weight of 115lb, which is 8lb less than he carried to victory last start.
“He’s graded up, so he’s a little bit against it, but he’s carrying light weight and he’s a solid horse, so hopefully he can run well,” Atzeni said.
“Because of that draw he might have to go back a bit, he’s a horse that if he gets his type of draw he could be closer, but because of the wide gate he’s more likely to be further back. But hopefully he’ll be finishing as strong as he can.”
Atzeni has had a tough time so far with regular partner Crimson Flash, who joins him once again in Group Three of the Premier Cup (1,400m).
The two have won three times together this season, including two at Grade Two level, however they failed to clear more than 1,600 meters when they ran 11th in the Classic Mile and placed sixth when tested in the Group Three for the first time they started the 1,200 meter race for the last time.
Atzeni believes the 1,400m trip and the light weight of 117lb will suit the Mark Newnham-trained gelding, however he has an outside qualifier at barrier 10 to contend with.
“He has done very well for us this season, he has been consistent. He won over 1,000 meters, he won over 1,200 meters, obviously he won the Valley and he showed that he has the ability to win in Sha Tin as well,” Atzeni said.
“He looks like he’s lost a little bit of speed so that’s why we moved him up to 1,400m, so hopefully the step up in the trip can suit him better. It looked like he didn’t get a mile in the Standard Mile, but I think the horse is better now physically.
“He’s been out a bit so we’ll have to see what the other race plans are. He’s had a busy season so if he’s still in good shape, hopefully he can run well.”
The promising Umeme has shown potential since winning on debut and scored two second-place finishes from his next three starts, and will be hoping to add to that record in the Grade Three Amethyst Handicap (1,400m).
Manfred Man’s three-year-old Ka-leung will step up to 1,400m for the first time, which suits the son of Dirty Work, albeit from barrier 14.
“Obviously he ran very well last start over 1,200m on good ground and he looked like the step up to 1,400m would suit him, the way he finished. So we’re hoping for a lighter weight – we’ve got a tough draw for 14th – but if we can get into a good position he’ll be finishing strong,” Atzeni said.
Atzeni jumps on board another Newnham runner in the form of Super Dragon in the second leg of the Grade Four Diamond Handicap (1,200m). The Exceed And Excel gelding has shown his ability in trials but has yet to transfer to race day and the glitter will be used for the first time when he jumps from the first hurdle.
“He’s a bit confused because he has the ability, it takes him a little time to put it all together. Mark has his eyes on him, he just needs a little help when he goes down, but the ability is there. If he gets a good ride from the draw, I hope he can show his ability,” Atzeni said.
Passion returns to his winning distance of 2,000m in the Grade Three Lapis Lazuli Handicap for John Size after struggling at the start of the last, but Atzeni believes he can bounce back.
“It’s a bit disappointing on the last day, I don’t know why, but going up the distance again is good for him. His tests have been good and he has to be left in the tank,” Atzeni said.
The lightly raced Majestic Valor lines up in the Grade Three Sapphire Handicap (1,200m) where he will look for his third win from six starts for Pierre Ng Pang-chi from barrier one.
“He has been running well consistently. He has a good gate, so hopefully he puts himself in a good position and can run very well,” Atzeni said.
The David Hall-trained Incanto Star will look to break through when he drops in class and distance in the Grade Five Spessartine Garnet Handicap (1,400m).
“Obviously he has dropped in class, something he should be very competitive. I know he has a lot of weight, he is a little out but I hope he can run well,” Atzeni said.
The Book of Atzeni is completed with a Year of Luck, Special Happiness and Good Promises on Sunday.
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