Amazing Kid has hit a rich vein of form at Happy Valley, and confidence is quietly building that the progressive sprinter can extend his winning run when he lines up in Wednesday night’s Class 4 Lockhart Handicap over 1200 metres. Carrying 130lb and once again partnered by Andrea Atzeni, the John Size-trained four-year-old arrives seeking a third straight success after back-to-back victories that have sharpened expectations.
The timing has been fitting. As the Hong Kong season moves through its mid-winter stretch, Size has slipped into familiar rhythm, posting eight winners in January following a productive December. With 20 wins to his name this term, the champion trainer continues to chip away at the lead held by Mark Newnham while pursuing a record-extending 14th trainers’ title.
Amazing Kid Building Momentum at the Valley
The story of Amazing Kid has been one of patience rewarded. After hinting at ability without delivering, the gelding finally broke through in December, edging home by a narrow margin. He returned in January to confirm that effort was no accident, scoring more decisively by a length, both victories coming under Atzeni’s measured guidance.
“It just took him a bit of time to put it all together, but the ability was always there at that level,” Atzeni said. “Once he got his head in front it’s done his confidence good.”
From barrier one in his first win, the path opened along the fence, and while the margin was slim, the result was secure. The follow-up performance carried greater authority, with Amazing Kid travelling strongly throughout before asserting late.
“He’s pretty good out of the gates and usually puts himself in a good position,” Atzeni added. “When I let him down last time, he picked up and won quite well.”
Both victories have come in Class 4 company over the same Happy Valley 1200-metre trip, a combination that has clearly suited the gelding’s sharp early speed and sustained finish.
Beyond the opening sprint, Atzeni also features prominently later on the card aboard Refusetobeenglish in the Class 3 Southorn Handicap over 1200 metres. Trained by Pierre Ng, the bay arrives off a career-best third and continues to improve with each outing.
“He’s very straightforward, but he doesn’t have a lot of early speed,” Atzeni said. “From a wider draw, he may settle a bit further back, but he’ll be doing his best work at the end.”
The same race also sees Greater Bae represent David Eustace, who stands on the brink of his 50th training win in Hong Kong. The four-year-old showed promise on debut at Happy Valley, flashing home after missing the start, and has since trialled encouragingly.
“It was probably a classic first run at the Valley,” Eustace said. “He stormed home but ran into traffic. He’s learnt from that and has worked well since.”
Zac Purton takes the ride after trialling Greater Bae over 1200 metres on the Sha Tin dirt, a hit-out that suggested further improvement is within reach.
Elsewhere on the programme, Derek Leung aims to follow up aboard Straight To Glory in the second section of the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap. Trained by Michael Chang, the gelding delivered a smooth, controlled performance last time and draws favourably again.
“He did everything perfect last start,” Leung said. “He’s quite straightforward, so we’ll try to repeat that.”
Wednesday’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley gets underway at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Fenwick Handicap over 1000 metres, setting the stage for a competitive evening highlighted by Amazing Kid’s bid to maintain his upward momentum.
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