Andrea Atzeni bags Stewards Cup before Storm Antoni wipes out racing at Goodwood
Andrea Atzeni, due to leave Britain in the next few weeks for a lucrative trip to Hong Kong, won the Coral Stewards Cup on Aberama Gold. Tom Marquand, top rider at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, was also on the scoresheet
Andrea Atzeni squeezed in one more big winner at Goodwood before Storm Antoni wiped out the action.
The top jockey, soon to quit Britain for Hong Kong, bagged the Coral Stewards Cup riding 18-1 chance Aberama Gold. David O'Meara's sprinter fared best in a slow-motion finish, having three-quarters of a length to spare over Apollo One (10-1).
Shortly after the 27 runners returned, including third-placed Bielsa (12-1) and fourth Mr Wagyu (14-1), the rest of the card was abandoned. An inspection deemed the ground unsafe and the final three races of the Qatar-Airways backed Festival were scrapped.
Classic-winning jockey Atzeni, 32, leaves Britain for a six-month overseas adventure on August 27.
"It's nice to ride a big winner, I've had a good week," said the 32-year-old, who has nearly 1,200 successes to his name.
"From a financial point of view it's a no brainer moving to Hong Kong, but there are many reasons why I'm doing it. Unless you're a leading rider, getting big winners every week, it's very hard to make money in his country unfortunately. The travelling is not getting any easier and the cost of living has gone through the roof."
A group including leading jockey over the five-days, Tom Marquand, trainers and course officials, assessed the track. But on a day when rain only briefly relented, turning the going heavy, it was more than the track could take.
“There is an area of false ground on the bottom bend and unfortunately we are unable to get around it." said clerk of the course Ed Arkell.
Marquand took his tally for the week to four with a typically enterprising ride on shock Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes scorer Sumo Sam (25-1).
Sweet William's quick hat-trick in the Coral Summer Handicap saw bookies make him outright favourite for the Ebor later this month.
"If the trainer wants to run, of course I wouldn’t turn it down," owner-breeder Philippa Cooper said.
