He has hit the ground running like few expatriate jockeys do in Hong Kong, and Andrea Atzeni looks well-placed to taste success for the fifth consecutive Sha Tin meeting on Saturday.

Unlike Atzeni’s first Hong Kong stint in 2014, which netted three wins from 78 rides before he cut it short, the victories have been coming at regular intervals for the 32-year-old.

On the back of a prolific October, which saw Atzeni reel off seven successes, the Italian sits fifth in the jockeys’ premiership after 10 wins from 96 rides.

“I couldn’t be happier. It’s nice to have a couple of doubles, and I’m getting great support from a lot of trainers,” the jockey said.

“The quality of rides seems to be picking up already, which is great. All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve had a good start, but there’s no point looking backwards. You’ve got to keep looking forward.”

One galloper Atzeni will be banking on helping him continue his strong form is the unbeaten Champion Method, who shoots for a hat-trick in the Class Three Panasonic Thermo Ventilator Handicap (1,200m).

Successful under Zac Purton on debut, Atzeni was quick to pounce on the ride aboard Champion Method after the six-time champion jockey opted to ride Beauty Destiny last month.

While Beauty Destiny was a late scratching from that October 22 contest, Atzeni piloted Champion Method to a narrow victory and has kept the ride for Saturday’s contest.

“I sat on him [on Wednesday], and it seems like he’s definitely grown a lot physically and mentally,” Atzeni said of Champion Method, who carries just 119 pounds from barrier eight.

“He’s stepping up to Class Three level, and he’s done nothing wrong so far. We’re drawn eight, which is OK. The last day when he won, we were drawn wide anyway.

“He doesn’t win by far, but he seems to get the job done. It was his first time round a bend [last start], and I rode him quite prominently.

“He travelled into the race quite nicely, and I definitely got headed by the second or third horse. Hopefully, there’s a bit more left in the tank for him.”

Champion Method is not the only last-start winner at Atzeni’s disposal at the season’s 18th meeting, with Precise Express looking to carry his form from Happy Valley to Sha Tin.

A winner over 1,800m after being promoted to the field the day before October 29’s afternoon meeting at the city circuit, Precise Express returns to the course and distance of his other three Hong Kong wins for the Class Three Panasonic Lighting Handicap (1,600m).

“He’s a funny horse, and he’s got loads of ability. He’s a horse who needs to come with one clear run, which we saw last time at Happy Valley,” Atzeni said. “He needs to warm into the race, and hopefully, he’s on a going day. He won quite cosily in the end, and he’ll have no issues coming back to Sha Tin.”

Also among Atzeni’s book is Sports Legend, a galloper who has won a Conghua trial since his disappointing first-up ninth.