Atzeni conf ident
DONCASTER’S leading rider Andrea Atzeni is hopeful of a third William Hill St Leger success this afternoon.
Over the last five seasons he has ridden 44 winners at the Yorkshire course, 13 more than his nearest rival Paul Hanagan. Two of those wins came in Legers – on Kingston Hill for Roger Varian in 2014 and on Simple Verse for Ralph Beckett a year later.
Atzeni was without a ride 12 months ago and is relishing riding Defoe, who is unbeaten in four starts this season.
Defoe began the campaign by winning a handicap company at Newbury in May but will go to post at Town Moor rated 113, with his latest success being achieved in fluent style in a Group Three at the same track last month.
“My little horse is genuine and has done nothing wrong all season,” Atzeni said. “He’s improved all year and has done so again since his last win at Newbury. He’s never been flashy in his work, or in his races, but I rode him in his last piece of work and he was really good. He’s ready to go again.
“He needs to improve because he’s going to a different level but I’m very happy and think he’s going there with a big chance. He has a great mind on him and is straightforward to train and ride. It’s hard to tell how good he is, or when we are going to get to the bottom of him.”
Atzeni is well placed to judge the merit of two of Defoe’s biggest rivals as he won the Qatar Goodwood Cup on Stradivarius and partnered Crystal Ocean at Royal Ascot before that colt went on to take the Gordon Stakes.
He respects both, but can find chinks. He said: “Stradivarius showed he is a top class stayer at Goodwood but he’s coming back in trip. I’m also not certain the ground will suit him.
“Crystal Ocean has definitely got the class but he’s going up to a mile and six for the first time on soft.”
Atzeni would not swap mounts even if he was not obliged to ride Defoe. “The easy ground is ideal for him,” he said. “I expect him to be involved in the finish as he’s a very cool horse and won’t be phased by a big occasion and a big crowd.”