Andrea Atzeni and Harry Bentley will both line up in the coveted Hong Kong Derby on Sunday, due off at 8:05am in the UK.
Bentley, who began his Hong Kong career in 2021, won the second leg of the Classic series on Stormy Grove earlier this month and retains the ride.
Bentley told Sporting Life: “It was a really good race to have ticked off the list. It was certainly my biggest win in Hong Kong and the race comes with a lot of prestige. It’s obviously a feeder for the Derby so winning that race you get a little bit excited at the thought of going into the big race with a really good chance.
“There’s always a big hype around the Derby, it’s the standout race of the season. What comes with that is plenty of excitement and expectation, so I’m feeling that at the moment. The excitement is there, and I can’t wait.”
Bentley will wear the silks of Marc Chan, who also saddles last years Copper Horse Stakes second Seraph Gabriel. Bentley’s best effort in the Derby was a fifth place two years ago, but suggests Stormy Grove has to be put “in the mix.”
Atzeni to ride ‘lively outsider’ Top Dragon
Andrea Atzeni is going great guns despite a slow start to the Hong Kong season. Sitting in third place in the Jockey’s Championship, he picks up a spare ride on Top Dragon.
“The top guns were taken but there were a couple of spare rides available. I ended up taking Top Dragon, who is trained by Chris So,” said Atzeni.
“Although he’s only won once this season, he’s very consistent and has never been out of the first five. In his last three runs, I think he’s had an excuse each time. He was a little unlucky in the Classic Mile. He just got short of room at a crucial stage of the race. But he did well to put himself together and finish the way he did. I thought that was a good run.
“Last time, I didn’t ride him, but I thought he would win. When he got beaten by Stunning Peach, I was a little bit unsure about the form but then that horse went and won again in a Class 2, beating a decent field.”
Stunning Peach, formerly known as Islandsinthestream, was second in both the National Stakes and the Criterium de Saint-Cloud for Ballydoyle.
“Looking at the Derby, I think he’s one of the lively outsiders,” stated Atzeni, who’s 18 wins away from matching last season’s tally of 58.