Andrea Atzeni is confident Simply Maverick can take another step forward in the Class Four Uranus Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when the lightly raced four-year-old galloper hunts for consecutive victories.

After recording this season’s widest winning margin – he registered a four-and-three-quarter-length success over the same course and distance on December 6 – Simply Maverick must defy his 10-point ratings rise and wider starting gate on his return to the city circuit.

“He was very impressive last time. He’s improved a lot this season,” Atzeni said. “I thought he’d improve heading into his last start, but I didn’t think he’d improve that much.”

Unplaced in his first four assignments, Simply Maverick assumed a prominent position in the Class Four Germany Handicap (1,650m) on the International Jockeys’ Championship undercard two weeks ago and forged cleared of his rivals in the Happy Valley home straight.

Stopping the clock at 1:40.76, Simply Maverick’s emphatic victory shocked many observers, including the man who did the steering.

“I was very surprised with how well he won,” Atzeni said. “The handicapper has put him up 10 pounds, which is a big hit, but he couldn’t have done it any easier last time out.”

Atzeni, enjoying a successful campaign with 14 wins to rank sixth in the jockey’s standings, will partner Simply Maverick from barrier 10 in the capacity field. However, the Italian rider is not concerned about the draw.

“He’s a forward-going horse and likes to be up there with the pace, so a wide gate doesn’t really bother me,” Atzeni said. “He has got to up his game, but I think he’s a horse who is progressing with each run, so I’m sure he’ll improve from his last start.”

Atzeni is the only jockey with a full book of eight rides on the midweek programme and heads to Happy Valley with several winning hopes.

Drombeg Banner, whom Atzeni steered to an all-the-way triumph over 1,400m at Sha Tin last month, lines up in the Class Two Saturn Handicap (1,650m), aiming to snare a third consecutive victory on his maiden visit to the city circuit.

“It’s a small field, and it’s a very tight race. This is his first run at Happy Valley, but he’s a very well-balanced horse, so the track should not be a problem,” Atzeni said. “He’s a horse on the up, and he’s flying, so he goes there with a good chance.”

Atzeni’s other engagements on Wednesday night are aboard Escape Route, Crystal Powerful, Gallant Goody, Gusty Fighter, Grateful Heart and Beauty Infinity, with the latter making his debut for John Size.