Latest news with #AndreaAtzeni
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni looking to be crowned again on Colourful King at Sha Tin on Saturday
Andrea Atzeni is set for another big showing at Sha Tin on Saturday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Andrea Atzeni thinks a return to Sha Tin could pay dividends for Colourful King when he lines up in the Class Two Philip Chen Trophy (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday evening. The Blue Point galloper was a two-time winner from five starts in Australia before arriving in Hong Kong, where he has won twice for trainer David Eustace. Beaten on debut at Sha Tin, he has subsequently gone from strength to strength at the Valley, winning a pair of Class Three races over the 1,000m trip before two near misses up in Class Two company. Most recently, he arrived just half a length too late when falling short of Kaholo Angel, and Atzeni is hopeful that a switch in venue could be just what he needs. 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 'He's a nice horse. He's moving back to Sha Tin for the first time since his debut over 1,000m. His runs at Happy Valley have been good but it seems like it's taking him more time to hit his top gear,' said Atzeni. 'Hopefully the longer straight at Sha Tin will suit him better. He's a horse that can sit anywhere in a race – every time he's run at the Valley he's gone against really fast horses so there's always been a hot speed and he's got back. 'It's likely to be the same case again on Saturday with Harmony N Blessed, Tomadachi Kokoroe and Lady's Choice going forward, so hopefully we can get across into a nice position and he'll be finishing well like he has. 'He's very lightly raced. Obviously he had a few starts in Australia before coming here but he's only a three-year-old and he's a very promising horse. He's done well this season and there's lots to look forward to next year, too.' HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. It will be a busy day for Atzeni, who has rides in 10 of the 11 races, including last-start winner Smiling Emperor in the Class Four Ip Jug Handicap (1,800m). Just in time! gelding Smiling Emperor gets up late for a first win under @HarryBentley_ for Jimmy Ting in the opener at Happy Valley... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 11, 2025 Trained by Jimmy Ting Koon-ho, Smiling Emperor was ridden by Harry Bentley when quickening up smartly to win a Class Five at the Valley over the 1,650m distance. That was his first win at the 11th attempt and Atzeni is hoping a light weight can help him double his tally. 'He's a good ride to pick up, he won well at the Valley the last day but is now up in class as a result,' said Atzeni. 'His best runs have been in Class Five races, but hopefully with a light weight and a good draw he can still run well.' Andrea Atzeni is enjoying a brilliant campaign with 55 winners so far. Atzeni also rates the chances of the twice-raced Field Marshall in the opening Purves Quaich (1,200m) for Griffins. The David Hayes-trained son of Deep Field has gone to the front in his two starts so far, with a drop back to 1,000m possibly not suiting last time out. Back up in distance with a bend, Atzeni will be looking to open his account. 'He's ran well both times so far. This is the first time I've ridden him but he looks like a great ride to get,' said Atzeni. 'He's got a good draw in one and his form ties in with Light Years Glory, who he's 7lb better off with, so I'm hoping for a big run.'
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni bullish about Patch Of Theta: ‘I wouldn't swap the horse for anything else in the race'
Andrea Atzeni has strong confidence in his two Group Three mounts at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Bidding to add to what has already been a fruitful campaign, Andrea Atzeni has declared he wouldn't swap Patch Of Theta for any other ride in Sunday's Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin. The Sardinian jockey has legitimate claims in the final two features of the season, with Patch Of Theta and his Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) mount Bundle Award shaping as strong contenders. Atzeni, who sits third in the jockeys' championship with 54 wins, hops aboard Patch Of Theta for the first time as Francis Lui Kin-wai's classy five-year-old chases a second Group Three triumph this term. Victorious in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) in January, the Zoustar gelding put the writing on the wall with a fast-finishing third to Helios Express in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) last start. Smart win, Patch Of Theta! 🫡 Francis Lui's Hong Kong International Sale graduate could be Stewards' Cup bound after his smashing G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup victory on New Year's Day at Sha Tin... @KarisTeetan #LuckyStart | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 2, 2025 'He's a very good ride to get,' Atzeni said. 'His last run was very good. If he can repeat that, he shouldn't be too far away. To be honest, I'd say I wouldn't swap the horse for anything else in the race. 'I think 1,400m is his perfect trip because he's not short of speed and he can travel strong. Sometimes 1,200m looks a little bit sharp and a mile, although he's won over it, can be a little bit far for him.' Patch Of Theta emerged as one of Lui's more progressive gallopers during his championship-winning campaign last season with four wins – all over 1,400m at Sha Tin. Since winning a Class Two mile and the Chinese Club Challenge Cup, he has been tested at a much higher level and, despite finishing well back in his two Group One starts, he was not disgraced. Atzeni highlighted another progressive Lui galloper in Packing Hermod, who shoots for a third consecutive win, and Group One victors Beauty Eternal and Invincible Sage as Patch Of Theta's major rivals on Sunday. Bundle Award drops back in trip in the Premier Plate after a solid fifth to Voyage Bubble in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) when making late ground from the tail of the field. The John Size-trained gelding has won three races this season, crowned by last month's Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m). 'He's another good ride. He ran very well the other day in the mile-and-a-half race,' Atzeni said. 'If you take away the winner Voyage Bubble, it was a very close finish – there wasn't far between second, third, fourth and fifth. I didn't get stuck behind horses but if I got a slightly better run in the straight, I think I would have finished a lot closer. 'Back down into a Group Three handicap with a bottom weight [of 115lb], I know he's dropping back to 1,800m but he won over it before he went on to run in the Derby. 'It's a competitive race, but with the weight difference I think he's definitely well in.' Bundle Award jumps from gate 13 in an even race featuring the likes of dual Group Two winner Straight Arron, Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Cap Ferrat and last-start Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) winner Pray For Mir. Blazing Wukong, an impressive debut winner for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's talented three-year-old South Star are among the best of Atzeni's other rides this weekend. 'Blazing Wukong is a really nice horse. He trialled the other day and looked like he's sharpened up from his first run,' Atzeni said. 'It looks like a nice race, but I do like my horse and I think whatever he does this season, he's going to be a much better horse for next year. 'South Star is another horse I like a lot. It's a very good race with some young horses who could be pretty smart next season taking each other on.'
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Blazing Wukong lights up turf for Ricky Yiu as Andrea Atzeni raises bat at Sha Tin
Blazing Wukong and Andrea Atzeni get up in the nick of time at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan Classic Series assignments could await the promising Blazing Wukong after his taking debut win in the Class Four The Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Going off at $5 on the back of some interesting trials, Blazing Wukong was settled towards the back early on under Andrea Atzeni and looked to be going nowhere quickly when racing greenly at the 400m pole. As the leaders began to tire, Atzeni managed to galvanise his willing partner and the pair burst through between horses to grab Wonderstar approaching the line, ultimately winning going away by half a length. It was a performance that left trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai with plenty of hope that he has a good one on his hands. Impressive debut, Blazing Wukong! 👏 Ricky Yiu's Toronado gelding charges to a smart first-up win as @Atzenijockey registers his 100th victory in Hong Kong... 🍾 #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 'He was second-last and to make up that amount of ground in the straight – he has a huge stride and responded well,' said Yiu. 'I've always been a believer that he will do well – he will get a mile. 'This year he'll stay in this class, we only won by half a length.' There were plenty of reasons for Atzeni to smile too, with the Sardinian bringing up his 100th Hong Kong winner on Blazing Wukong. 'It's great to get to that number. I didn't realise I was that close,' Atzeni said. 'I had obviously forgotten the three winners I had ridden 10 years ago. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'To get to 100 is pretty good. It's great to do it with Ricky and owner Jason Chan [Kam-kwan] is a good friend of mine. I've ridden Nimble Nimbus for him and this horse is a nice one.' Tsuen Wan Glory is far too good with Britney Wong in the opener at Sha Tin! #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 Earlier on Sunday, Britney Wong Po-ni and Manfred Man Ka-leung burst out of the barriers to steal away the first two races on the card. Their perfect start began with Tseun Wan Glory's comfortable success in the Class Five Celebrating Timeless Tradition Handicap (1,400m). Wong stalked leader Happy Tango down the back straight and turning into the lane, she pounced and drove her mount into an unassailable lead. Things got even better just 30 minutes later when Patch Of Watch was given an expertly judged front-running ride to fend them all off in the Class Five Ownership Pride Handicap (1,200m). Britney Wong wins the first two races! 🔥 Our apprentice grabs an eighth victory on the dirt course this season as she guides Manfred Man's Patch Of Watch to a second career success... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 Wong crossed over to the rail early from gate nine on the I Am Invincible galloper and never looked back, with the jockey still swinging on the bridle turning into the home straight. In a race where few got involved, Wong kept up the gallop and held off Hinokami Kagura by two lengths. It continued a solid season for apprentice Wong, who heaped praise on Man for all the chances she has been given. 'Very good double to start off the day,' Wong said. 'I'm grateful for all the opportunities Manfred has given me. It was all smiles for Britney Wong and Manfred Man after their double. '[Patch Of Watch] has matured a lot. He has always had ability but he was mentally immature and not quite settled but now he knows what his purpose is in Hong Kong.' Man was quick to return the compliment to Wong, who now sits on 16 wins for the campaign. 'It's been over a year [since Tsuen Wan Glory last won]. He carried no weight – he had 116lbs minus 10lbs for Britney's claim. The 10lbs off made the difference,' said Man.
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ricky Yiu unveils debutant Blazing Wukong ahead of Triple Crown bid with Voyage Bubble
Ricky Yiu (centre) is confident Blazing Wukong will figure prominently on debut on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Veteran handler eyes first-up victory with smart trialler a week before Group One bid with stable star Gearing up for his shot at Triple Crown history with Voyage Bubble next week, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai will unveil an intriguing newcomer in Blazing Wukong at Sha Tin on Sunday. The veteran handler has stable star Voyage Bubble on track for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 25, with the four-time Group One victor bidding to join River Verdon as the only winners of Hong Kong's Triple Crown. But first, Yiu will take a seven-strong team to Sha Tin on Sunday including debutant Blazing Wukong in the Class Four Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1,200m). The Toronado three-year-old has shown promise in his five trials at Conghua, including a pair of fast-finishing seconds on turf and a closing third on the dirt in his latest hit-out. 'He's a pretty straightforward sort of a horse,' Yiu said. 'He's had [five] trials before having his first start and his trials have been promising. The feedback on this horse is positive. He's good as gold.' Blazing Wukong has drawn barrier eight for his race debut, with Andrea Atzeni booked for the ride. While the newcomer has generally raced off the speed in his trials, Yiu is happy to let Atzeni make the call on race tactics. 'I'm going to leave it to the jockey. It depends on how quick they go. I don't want to force him or tie him down to any riding instructions, he's a young horse,' Yiu said. Voyage Bubble tuned up for his @StanChart Champions & Chater Cup test with a barrier trial this morning as he aims to become Hong Kong's second #TripleCrown winner EVER! 🏆 📍 Sha Tin, 25 May | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 16, 2025 Blazing Wukong carries the black, red and yellow colours of owner Jason Chan Kam-kwan, who races Group Three winner Nimble Nimbus with Yiu. The unexposed galloper strikes a winnable race to start his career, with debut runner-up Rainbow Seven and last-start third placegetter Club Ace boasting the strongest recent form. Joyful Friendship, The Concentration, Rising Force, Volcanic Spark, Jolly Ruler and Winning Data are the other Sha Tin runners for Yiu, who was pleased with Voyage Bubble's closing fourth under Matthew Poon Ming-fai in a dirt trial on Friday. 'After this trial, we'll just keep him as happy as possible and keep him ticking over until race day,' Yiu said.
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni hoping Bundle Award can complete historic 2,400m double in Champions & Chater Cup
Andrea Atzeni will be hoping Bundle Award can become the first horse to parlay Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) success into Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) glory in the same season when he jumps aboard the progressive galloper for the first time next weekend. Victorious under Zac Purton in the recent Queen Mother Memorial Cup, the John Size-trained Bundle Award will join forces with Atzeni after Purton opted to lock in the ride aboard stablemate Ensued for the final Group One of the Hong Kong season. 'It's a good ride to get,' said Atzeni. 'He's a horse that stays the trip and he's only young. He's done nothing wrong so far and it's a really good ride. 'He won over the mile and a half the last day. 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. Stayer on the rise? 👀 Bundle Award outstays rivals to win the six-runner G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2400m for @zpurton and John Size at Sha Tin! 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 '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 day, it will suit him.' Atzeni will have his first sit on Bundle Award in a Sha Tin dirt trial on Friday morning, with superstar miler Voyage Bubble and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Cap Ferrat also using the 1,200m hit-out as a stepping stone to the Champions & Chater Cup. Voyage Bubble, who is looking to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown, and British raider Dubai Honour shape as the horses to beat come May 25. '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. The champ Via Sistina claims the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes with ease, equalling Winx's record of 7 Group 1's in a season! 🤩 What a mare!@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025 'Dubai Honour gets this trip very well and last time behind Via Sistina [in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (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.' Triumphant aboard the improving Crimson Flash at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Italian jockey Atzeni heads to Sha Tin this Sunday with a full book of 10 rides as he chases the one victory he requires to notch a century of Hong Kong successes. Ng shows signs of life Pierre Ng Pang-chi was another to taste success at the city circuit's midweek meeting and it was a much-needed breakthrough for the third-season trainer. A runaway leader in the trainers' title for much of last season before being pipped by Francis Lui Kin-wai at a pulsating season finale, Ng also hit the ground running this campaign before hitting a brick wall in recent months. After enjoying a share of the premiership lead as recently as February, Ng has slid down to eighth on the table after managing only three wins in March and one in April. Cambridge is off the mark in Hong Kong! 🤝 Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Irish import was G3-placed at @LeopardstownRC before joining Pierre Ng's stable at Sha Tin... 🇮🇪 @JerryChau15 @AtTheRaces | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025 The victory of Cambridge on Wednesday night was Ng's first in 65 runners and six weeks – the longest drought among the training ranks. While it's well known how difficult it is to contend for titles in consecutive seasons in Hong Kong as horses rise through the ratings to unsustainable marks, Ng's drop off in form has been an alarming one. It will be interesting now whether he can build some late-season momentum or if he saves most of his bullets for another title push next campaign.
