Andrea Atzeni (Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Andrea Atzeni, Harry Bentley Eye Hong Kong Group 1 Breakthroughs
Leo Schlink/Hong Kong Jockey Club
Fresh from a double last weekend, Andrea Atzeni will resume his quest for top-level Hong Kong success when he partners Beauty Eternal and Sword Point at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February) in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), respectively.
With 31 Group 1 triumphs spread across his native Italy, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates, Atzeni boasts 1,372 wins in a globe-trotting career but he is yet to strike at the elite level in Hong Kong, where he has amassed 74 victories.
Upbeat after partnering Johannes Brahms and Steps Ahead to wins at Sha Tin last Sunday (16 February), Atzeni concedes both Beauty Eternal and Sword Point face imposing challenges against Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble this weekend.
“Beauty Eternal is a horse has won making the running but with California Spangle in the race and obviously Ka Ying Rising, too, I’m not sure if we are quick enough to take the lead, but on his latest runs, he’s got to improve a little bit,” Atzeni said of the 2024 G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) victor.
“On his old form, he’s definitely up to the level and obviously, as we all know, Ka Ying Rising is going to be tough to beat. But it’s never a one-horse race.”
Beauty Eternal will bid for a second Group 1 win in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup against Ka Ying Rising, California Spangle, Beauty Joy, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Invincible Sage, Red Lion, Patch Of Theta and Mugen.
Atzeni partners Sword Point for the first time in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) where he clashes with Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, Happy Together, Straight Arron, Five G Patch, La City Blanche and Winning Dragon.
“Sword Point is up against it on ratings, his best form is on the dirt but, there again, if you take Voyage Bubble out of the equation, it could be a little more open,” Atzeni said.
Winner of two Group 1s in England and France, Harry Bentley will combine with Patch Of Theta and Winning Dragon on Sunday.
“The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup is going to be a great race to be involved with,” the Englishman said. “Taking on the likes of Ka Ying Rising isn’t going to be easy, but take nothing away from Patch Of Theta, he’s a really good horse – a solid contender – and I’m very grateful to pick up the ride.
“Hopefully things go smoothly and he’s going to put in a big run.
“Winning Dragon was good last start (when second in the Group 3 Centenary Vase). He was carrying a light weight, so that helped, but he travelled into the race really well and just got seen off by a very gutsy horse in Chancheng Glory. You never know. It’s a tough ask but you’ve got to give it a crack.
“We all know the nature of Hong Kong racing and how competitive it is, not only for horses but also for jockeys. I’m chuffed to have not only Group 1 rides, but rides on decent horses in Group 1s.”
