Andrea Atzeni keen to keep the ball rolling with ‘nice book of rides' at Happy Valley
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 pic.twitter.com/A3LHor1wVJ — 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.'
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