Andrea Atzeni showcased his elite riding skills with a trio of victories under the Happy Valley Racecourse lights, propelling himself further up the jockeys’ leaderboard in a dominating display on Wednesday night. His partnership with trainers Mark Newnham, Ricky Yiu, and John Size proved fruitful, as each combination delivered impressive results on a competitive card. With the latest wins, the Italian rider now boasts 43 wins for the season, maintaining an exceptional strike rate in recent meetings.
Crimson Flash, Giant Leap, and A Americ Te Specso were the highlights of Atzeni’s night. Despite an awkward start aboard Crimson Flash, a backup strategy saw the duo surge home effectively, reflecting both tactical flexibility and the benefits of carrying a lighter weight. Atzeni also partnered successfully with Giant Leap and A Americ Te Specso, both of whom displayed grit and responsiveness when it mattered most. The latter’s win further strengthened John Size’s championship ambitions, giving him a significant buffer in the trainers’ standings.
Mark Newnham continued his strong campaign with Fatal Blow delivering a convincing performance under the guidance of Luke Ferraris. This result lifted Newnham’s win count for the season to 36, reinforcing his consistency across the term. Meanwhile, Ricky Yiu was visibly elated with Giant Leap’s performance, noting the gelding’s ability to step up in class and overcome a weight drop, signalling untapped potential.
Jamie Richards had cause for celebration as well, clinching his first brace of the season thanks to standout efforts from Iconical and Sunday’s Serenade. Both runners were expertly handled by champion rider Zac Purton. Richards, who has faced his share of close finishes this term, expressed relief and optimism, hopeful that this change in fortune signals a stronger finish to the season.
Iconical adopted front-running tactics after a sharp break and maintained the tempo despite tiring late, while Sunday’s Serenade benefited from a fast pace, finishing with a burst of late speed from the rear. Purton noted that neither race unfolded exactly as anticipated, yet both horses adapted admirably, showing development and maturity.
Elsewhere on the card, Lucky Planet produced one of the most dominant performances of the night. The four-length margin under Matthew Chadwick showcased a horse in peak condition, building on a prior win at Sha Tin with authority. Trainer Cody Mo appears to have found the key to the gelding, who continues to thrive with aggressive tactics.
Benno Yung reached a career milestone with his 100th Happy Valley win courtesy of Day Day Victory. The HKIS graduate, ridden by Alexis Badel, unleashed a powerful late run to secure a well-earned victory. Yung praised the horse’s development and hinted at further progress now that the gelding has matured.
The final chapter of the evening featured a gritty effort by Management Folks, who stayed on strongly over the extended 2200m trip to claim the Bellflower Handicap. Under Karis Teetan, the staying performance added a notable feather to David Hall’s cap.
Hong Kong racing action now turns to Sha Tin for the Easter Sunday meeting on 20 April, promising another exciting round of top-tier competition.
