Happy Lucky Dragon Win | Magnifico! Italian trio brings flair to first half of the season

Passionate, spontaneous and adored by Asian racing fans, Italians Mirco Demuro, Umberto Rispoli and Nicola Pinna have been a breath of fresh air this season – part of a new wave of talent that has helped to further rejuvenate the Hong Kong jockey ranks.

Of all the emerging sub plots to a fascinating first half of the season, one that has perhaps snuck under the radar has been the influence the trio of up-and-comers – if only for a short burst – adding showmanship and a fun point of difference to proceedings.

Another Italian, Frankie Dettori, personifies the flair of continental European riders, but his countrymen made the most of relatively limited opportunities this term and look set to carry the green, white and red flag forward when the 43-year-old legend eventually retires.

Sunday's Chinese New Year meeting was the first at which Demuro failed to notch a winner since arriving last month, Rispoli’s short second stint with 10 wins showed he is growing in confidence and, after a tentative start, Pinna rode five winners and earned enough gold stars to expect a return invite.

Demuro, who has just turned 35, is a hard-working lightweight with a refreshing attitude. He has that underdog fighter’s mentality of wanting to get better, forged through years of battling in Japan with its unfamiliar culture, language and politics.

After he won the Group One Stewards’ Cup on Blazing Speed, reporters at trackwork were ready to write glowingly of the lucky new boy, when he gave a glimpse of what made him tick with some revealing, self-effacing quotes.

“I’m doing well? Do you think so? I'm not so sure,” he said with a contorted  face, indicating disappointment regarding his efforts at Happy Valley the previous night.