Andrea Atzeni believes a return to sprinting will prove decisive for Crimson Flash (120lb) when the four-year-old gelding takes aim at a stacked HK$2.84 million Class 2 Daisy Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday (18 March) at Happy Valley.

Trained by Mark Newnham, Crimson Flash steps down in distance after finishing 11th in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February. The three-time winner is a dual victor over tomorrow night’s course and distance – each time under Atzeni.

Atzeni said: “The distance in the Classic Mile was always a question mark, and he clearly didn’t stay. So, he’s freshened up, and he’s had one trial since – I thought his trial was very good. I sat on him yesterday (Monday, 16 March) on the grass. He seems fresh.”

Atzeni, 34, is preparing to partner Top Dragon in the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March), and heads into the midweek programme in super form, having ridden seven winners across the past five fixtures.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on him at Happy Valley. It should be the right pace for him. Off the back of his last trial, he looks like he’s back in form,” Atzeni said.

Crimson Flash faces quality opposition: Colourful King (135lb), Magic Control (128lb), Kaholo Angel (127lb), Brave Star (121lb), Chateauneuf (120lb), Romantic Son (120lb), Young Champion (120lb), Gustosisimo (117lb) and Son Pak Fu (117lb).

Atzeni said: “He’s still young, and it seems like he’s on the up. I do think the little break between the Classic Mile until now has done him really good – he’s moving great.” 

Now with 36 wins this term and holding third position in the jockeys’ championship, Atzeni believes Chris So’s Top Dragon can make his presence felt in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

“He’s not had much luck in his last few runs, whether he finds trouble or if it’s the way the races are run for him,” Atzeni said. “The distance is a question mark, but sometimes you don’t need a 2000-metre horse to win the Derby. If we can get a kind draw and leave him where he’s comfortable, then he’ll be finishing off nicely.”

Top Dragon is a three-time winner from 13 starts. The Pierata gelding has finished no worse than fifth this season, which came when he found trouble in the Hong Kong Classic Mile before his last start, losing momentum in the straight behind Stunning Peach.

Atzeni said: “It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if he did win, it looks like a pretty open race at the moment. His trial was fine – it was an easy trial; we sat last and tried to switch him off. It turned into a bit of a sprint, but he went along nicely.

“He’s a nice horse. Hopefully, if he gets a good trip around, he could run well, whether he can win, I am not sure, but I think he can run well,” Atzeni said.

Trainer Jamie Richards hopes Storming Dragon (117lb) can turn his consistency into a hard-earned win when he tackles the Class 3 Hydrangea Handicap (1200m).

Richards said: “He’s running really well. He just costs himself at the start and he doesn’t travel very well for the first half of the race. It looks like he wants to go further, but when you step him up in trip, he lets you down a little bit. He just needs everything to go perfectly for him – he’s getting down in the ratings now.”

Wednesday’s (18 March) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Aster Handicap (1650m).