Andrea Atzeni will take the reins on a pair of smart chances in the Group Three features at Sha Tin on Sunday when he hops aboard Silvery Breeze and Crimson Flash.

The Sardinian jockey returns to Sha Tin after sitting out the last two meetings due to suspension and looks to add to his sensational season tally of 57 winners – one win behind his personal best in Hong Kong of 58 from last season. Atzeni currently sits second in the jockeys’ championship behind Zac Purton.

Atzeni will partner Silvery Breeze for the second time in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m), with the David Eustace-trained galloper coming off a last-start victory over the distance at Happy Valley when beating Liveandletlive by a neck with Purton in the saddle.

Silvery Breeze steps up to Group Three company for the first time, having done everything asked of him this season and rewarding connections with three wins for the term.

“He’s done nothing wrong all season, he’s been very consistent – he’s not been out of the first four actually, so it just shows you how consistent he is,” Atzeni said.

“Obviously all his best form has been at the Valley, although he has won at Sha Tin his first time racing and he ran well at his first start for the season. It looks like the 1,800m will suit him, he obviously won over 1,800m the last day.”

The five-year-old son of Dundeel has been tasked with barrier 11, but should be aided by a light weight of 115lb, which is 8lb less than he carried to victory last start.

“He’s up in grade, so he’s obviously up against it a little bit, but he’s carrying a light weight and he’s a pretty consistent horse, so hopefully he can run well,” Atzeni said.

“From that draw he might have to go back a bit, he’s a horse that if he gets a kind draw he could probably be a couple of lengths closer, but because of the wide gate there’s a good chance he will be further back. But hopefully he’ll be finishing off strongly like he can do.”

Atzeni has had a terrific term so far with regular partner Crimson Flash, who he combines with once again in the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m).

The pair has secured three wins together this season, including two at Class Two level, however failed to fire over 1,600m when running 11th in the Classic Mile and placed sixth when tried in Group Three company for the first time last start over 1,200m.

Atzeni believes the 1,400m trip and light weight of 117lb will suit the Mark Newnham-trained gelding, however he has an outside draw of barrier 10 to contend with.

“He’s done very well for us this season, he’s been very consistent. He won over 1,000m, he won over 1,200m, he obviously won at the Valley and he showed that he’s very versatile winning at Sha Tin as well,” Atzeni said.

“He looks like he’s lost a bit of speed so that’s the reason why we stepped him up to 1,400m, so hopefully the step up in trip might just suit him a little bit better. It looked like he didn’t get a mile in the Classic Mile, but I just think the horse is just much better now physically.

“He’s drawn a little bit out so we’ll have to see what the other race plans are. He’s had a pretty busy season so if he’s still in good order, hopefully he can run well.”

The promising Almighty Lightning has shown ability since winning on debut and scoring two second placings from his following three starts, and will look to add to that record in the Class Three Amethyst Handicap (1,400m).

Manfred Man Ka-leung’s three-year-old will step up to 1,400m for the first time, which should suit the son of Dirty Work, albeit from barrier 14.

“He obviously ran very well last start over 1,200m on better ground and he looked like stepping up to 1,400m is going to suit him, the way he finished off. So hopefully with the light weight – we’ve got a tricky draw of 14 – but if we can get into a nice spot he’ll be finishing off strongly,” Atzeni said.

Atzeni jumps on board another Newnham runner in the form of Super Dragon in the second section of the Class Four Diamond Handicap (1,200m). The Exceed And Excel gelding has shown ability at the trials but is yet to fully transfer that to race day and will have blinkers applied for the first time when he jumps from barrier one.

“He’s a little bit frustrating because he’s definitely got ability, it’s just taking a bit of time for him to put it all together. Mark put the blinkers on him, he just needs a bit of help when he lets down, but the ability is there. If he gets a good trip around from a kind draw, hopefully he can show his ability,” Atzeni said.

Enthusium steps back up to his winning distance of 2,000m in the Class Three Lapis Lazuli Handicap for John Size after a lacklustre performance last start, but Atzeni believes he can bounce back.

“A little bit disappointing the last day, I don’t know why, but stepping up in distance again really suits him. His trials have been nice and he’s definitely got to be left in the tank,” Atzeni said.

The lightly-raced Majestic Valour lines up in the Class Three Sapphire Handicap (1,200m) where he will seek his third win from six starts for Pierre Ng Pang-chi from barrier one.

“He’s been running well consistently. He’s got a good gate, so hopefully puts himself into a good spot and he can run very well,” Atzeni said.

The David Hall-trained Incanto Star will look to break through when he drops in class and distance in the Class Five Spessartine Garnet Handicap (1,400m).

“He’s obviously dropped down in class, which he should be very competitive in. I know he’s carrying a big weight, he’s drawn a little bit out but hopefully he can run well,” Atzeni said.

Atzeni’s book is rounded out by Lucky Year, Happy Special and Happy Promise on Sunday.

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