Amazing Kid (130lb) has found his rhythm, and jockey Andrea Atzeni is optimistic the John Size-trained speedster can complete a hat-trick of wins in Wednesday night’s (28 January) first section of the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.

During his familiar mid-season surge, Size has returned eight wins in January after slotting six in December. He trails the championship-leading Mark Newnham by 13 wins with 20 for the campaign as he chases a record-extending 14th training title.

Amazing Kid broke through by a head in December before confirming that effort was no fluke with a one-length score in January – both times with Atzeni in the plate.

“It just took him a bit of time to put it all together, but the ability was always there at that level. Once he got his head in front it’s done his confidence good,” Atzeni said.

“His first win we had a good gate (one) and space opened up on the fence. He didn’t win by far, but he won quite cosily. The second time, we thought, well everything went right for him the first time, but he took a step forward.”

Amazing Kid’s two triumphs have come in Class 4 at Happy Valley over 1200m.

“He’s pretty good out of the gates; he puts himself in a good position most of the time. He travelled really well, and from being on top of him and watching the replay, he never actually looked in any doubt. When I let him down, he picked up and won quite well (last start),” Atzeni said.

Atzeni has 19 wins this season and links with Pierre Ng’s Refusetobeenglish (121lb) in the Class 3 Southorn Handicap (1200m). The bay finished a career-best third last time out.

“He’s been running pretty consistently. He’s very straightforward, but he doesn’t have a lot of early speed. We had a good draw last start (one) and we managed to get a more prominent position. We’re drawn 10 tomorrow night, so there’s a chance we’ll be back a bit further than we want, but hopefully the speed is on,” Atzeni said. 

“He’ll be doing his best work at the end like he usually does. He’s improved with racing, the more he’s had in Hong Kong, the better he has got.”

Greater Bae (119lb) also contests a high-quality Southorn Handicap to round out the card for David Eustace, who is one away from 50 training wins in Hong Kong.

Eustace said: “It was a good run (on debut). It was probably a classic first run at the Valley. He missed the kick, stormed home and then he was stuck in traffic. But he would have learnt plenty from it, and he didn’t have much luck the other day at Sha Tin, but he comes back to the Valley, and he’s trialled well since.”

Zac Purton pairs with Greater Bae after trialling the four-year-old over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course in 1m 10.81s, finishing ahead of Red Lion and Raging Blizzard, respectively.

“I think when he works it all out, when he gets the right run and right barrier, that he’s a horse with ability,” Eustace said. “Hopefully that’s tomorrow, but if it’s not, hopefully he has a bright future.”

Derek Leung is seeking consecutive wins aboard Straight To Glory (132lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap (1200m) for trainer Michael Chang.

“He did everything perfect (last start). He went smooth, he had an inside draw last time and he ran good. The draw (six) this time isn’t too bad,” Leung said. “He’s quite a straightforward horse. We’ll try to do the same.”

Wednesday’s (28 January) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Fenwick Handicap (1000m).