On the back of a huge performance in Europe’s richest race aboard Giavellotto, Andrea Atzeni is relishing the chance to jet off on yet another fly-in, fly-out mission in next week’s G1 Caulfield Cup.
While Giavellotto was overlooked by most in Sunday’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, last season’s G1 Hong Kong Vase winner battled on for fourth to collect over US$300,000 under Atzeni, who was extremely pleased with the six-year-old’s effort in testing conditions.
“It was a brilliant run,” Atzeni told Idol Horse. “When the rain came – and there was a lot of rain – we thought our chances might be very slim because all his best form was on top of the ground.
“The track was pretty soft and sticky, but the important thing was the draw and the trip. With the trip we had and the draw we had, I think we could’ve finished a good third on better ground.
“He got into a nice pitch and when it opened up, I was hoping he’d come there with a chance and he did. I’d have taken fourth before the race, that’s for sure.”
Giavellotto settled towards the rear and on the rail with the eventual winner, Daryz, on his outside. When called upon by Atzeni for an effort 450m from home, the six-year-old kept on reasonably well in the straight, only being overhauled for third in the final few strides by Sosie.
The Marco Botti-trained Giavellotto’s next stop is to Sha Tin on December 14, where he will try and defend his Hong Kong Vase crown. Atzeni added that he is “unsure” who will take the ride at the Hong Kong International Races.
“It hasn’t been confirmed just yet,” he said. “He’d be great to get on if it does become available. Of course, he won the race last year and that’s definitely the plan with him.”
Before then, though, Atzeni will be off on his travels, bidding for more international success. The 34-year-old will fly off to Australia for the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 18, where he has been confirmed to take the ride on the Simon & Ed Crisford-trained Meydaan.
For Atzeni, the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage, whether it be in France, Australia or Hong Kong, is one of the highlights of his career in the saddle.
“Those are the days you live for, and even miss a bit,” he added. “Riding in the Arc, in the top races and on the top horses.
“I’m going to Australia for the Caulfield Cup and, all being well, I’ll be back for the Melbourne Cup. When I was based in Europe, the rides weren’t there for me in Australia. But being based in Hong Kong, that’s a big advantage.”
Atzeni, who won the G1 Sydney Cup aboard Circle Of Fire in April last year, believes the Frankel four-year-old arrives Down Under with a nice profile looking ahead to his Spring targets.
Meydaan most recently stayed on well for third behind Giavellotto and Kalpana in a hot renewal of the G3 September Stakes over a mile and a half at Kempton.
“It’s a good ride to get,” Atzeni said. “His European form is decent and he’s a very solid horse. I know he hasn’t won for a while, but he’s been running well and I think he’s the type of horse that will really suit a mile and a half at Caulfield. Then, all being well, he’ll crack onto the Melbourne Cup.” ∎
