Andrea Atzeni is eager to make the most of his best opportunity in a Group One race in Hong Kong when he rides leading Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) contender Giavellotto on Sunday.

Oisin Murphy was in the saddle for Giavellotto’s dominant victory in the Vase at Sha Tin 12 months ago, but his commitment to ride Eydon for owner-breeder Prince Faisal paved the way for Atzeni to ride Giavellotto on Sunday.

Atzeni has also ridden plenty for Giavellotto’s trainer Marco Botti and boasts a good record on the son of Mastercraftsman, including a win at York in 2023 and a strong last-start fourth to Daryz in the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) in October.

With Giavellotto expected to start one of the favourites in the Vase, Atzeni will have his best chance to strike in a Group One at Sha Tin since he rode Poet’s Word, who ran sixth as an $8.2 chance in the 2017 Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

“It’s a hot race. You can make a case for a lot of these horses, but if Giavellotto turned up the way he did last season, he’s going to be the one to beat,” said the Sardinian rider, who has notched Group One triumphs in seven different countries.

“The way he won it last year, he was very impressive.”

Giavellotto will bid to become only the third stayer to successfully defend their Vase crown, with Doctor Dino (2007-08) and Luso (1996-97) achieving the rare feat.

The six-year-old warmed up for his return to Hong Kong with an impressive triumph over subsequent Group One victor Kalpana in the Group Three September Stakes (2,400m) at Kempton in September.

He then ran well on an unsuitably soft Longchamp track in the Arc.

“I thought he was a brilliant run,” Atzeni said of the Arc performance. “Obviously we were very hopeful to run a big race with him but as we know, the rain came on Friday which changed the ground quite quickly.

“We weren’t sure about the ground, but we had a kind draw and we managed to have a nice trip around and he ran a very good race, finishing fourth behind three very good horses.”

With a firm Sha Tin surface set to suit Giavellotto, Atzeni is confident he can turn the tables on the reopposing Sosie, who finished narrowly ahead of him in the Arc in third place.

“Looking at the form, there’s a good chance. He’s obviously a horse that’s much better on top of the ground and I do think he’s a horse that enjoys a flat track,” Atzeni said.

“So Sha Tin, a mile and a half on quick ground and a flat track is what he wants.

“Sosie’s a very good horse. He’s a multiple Group One winner, he’s very solid and [trainer Andre Fabre] knows how to travel those horses.”

Giavellotto was dealt gate six at Thursday’s barrier draw, while Sosie drew eight and fellow top hope Al Riffa two in the field of 11.

“I don’t think there’s much between them,” Atzeni said.

“Al Riffa’s obviously a good horse. I thought he was a good run in the Melbourne Cup, giving all that weight away to the rest of the field from that draw.

“He stays very well, he goes on any ground and he’s had quite a busy campaign.

“I think Bundle Award has got a shout. I’ve been riding him quite a lot. He’s a good horse too, so he could get in the mix.”