Stradivarius | Emma Berry
Andrea Atzeni described being reunited with Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is “a great opportunity” with the rider bidding to maintain his unbeaten record aboard John and Thady Gosden’s ship at Goodwood next week.
Frankie Dettori teamed up with Stradivarius to win three Gold Cup championships at Royal Ascot and was the man on board the star for most of his career. However, a decision was made by “two-way consensus” to change things up in the saddle, with Atzeni being the main beneficiary.
“It was a great opportunity for me to get him back. I sat on him and gave him a match on Cambridge Road – he’s feeling in good shape and I’m looking forward to Tuesday,” Atzeni told Sky Sports Racing.
“I didn’t have much to do with him at home when I rode him when I was three or four years old. I’d say he’s not a flashy worker, he just gets the job done.
“He’s been there and done it a million times, he knows the time of day but he looks good in himself.”
Atzeni added, “He was solid all the way. To keep a horse of his age, a full horse, it was unbelievable what they had done to him.
“He doesn’t owe us anything, everyone is connected to him, and hopefully he’ll show up on Tuesday and we’ll see the Stradivarius we’ve seen in the past.”
Stradivarius will bid to win the G1 Goodwood Cup for a fourth time on Tuesday but face stiff opposition from his Royal Ascot conqueror, defending Gold Cup hero Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire} ).
Atzeni has been on the Stradivarius boat for his first two wins in the Goodwood Cup but hasn’t ridden the chestnut since their success in this race in 2018.
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This story was posted in Europe, News shared in Europe, Europe’s Top News and tagged Andrea Atzeni, Atradivarius, Frankie Dettori, Good wood.
