Andrea Atzeni is confident he can play a crucial role in Francis Lui Kin-wai’s exciting battle for the trainers’ championship while reaching his own personal goal at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The Sardinian jockey will ride Yellowfin, Harold Win and Do Your Part for Lui, who trails title leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi by only one victory heading into the final two meetings of the season.

Atzeni predicted the absorbing fight for championship glory would continue deep into the season finale at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“It will be interesting – it looks like it could go to the last day,” Atzeni said.

“Obviously a lot depends on Wednesday, but I see Francis has got a few good horses coming out and Pierre’s also in form, too.

“Francis has been supporting me the last few months and Pierre has supported me all the way through the season. It’s very, very tight at the moment and I wish them both all the very best.”

Two wins shy of his goal of 50 wins in his first full-time Hong Kong season, Atzeni replaces the suspended Lyle Hewitson on Yellowfin in the Class Two Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,650m).

The five-year-old has been a model of consistency this term with a triumph on each of Hong Kong’s three tracks, as well as four placings.

“Unfortunately Lyle was suspended, but it’s a very good ride to get,” Atzeni said.

“He knows his way around Happy Valley and it’s not a big field, but it’s competitive. He should have a good chance.”

In a rematch with Outgate, Yellowfin meets Tony Cruz’s in-form galloper four pounds better for running a half-length second to him last start.

Atzeni also has high hopes for Harold Win, who heads into the second section of the Class Four Let Me Fight Handicap (1,200m) off a pair of fourths and a close third at Sha Tin.

“I like the horse. We were probably a little bit unlucky at Sha Tin,” Atzeni said of Harold Win’s last-start third when beaten three-quarters of a length by Parterre.

“I couldn’t really get out when I wanted to and he finished off quite nicely. He’s a horse that’s taken a bit of time for the penny to drop. He’s got a decent draw [four] which I wanted, so we can get a good pitch. I don’t know if he’s quite strong enough mentally to go through the Sha Tin straight, so hopefully the shorter straight at Happy Valley might keep him concentrating a bit more.”

Do Your Part will make his Hong Kong debut in the Class Three Lucky Patch Handicap (1,000m). He won two races in New Zealand when known as Our Flash Harry.

Atzeni has one ride for Ng in Bulb Emperor, who drops to Class Four level for the first time in the Star Shine Handicap (1,200m).

Awesome Fluke is a stand-out of the 33-year-old’s other rides, with the former Australian stayer chasing a third straight victory in the Class Three Sweet Orange Handicap (1,800m).

Since transferring to Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s stable, the Group Two WATC Derby (2,400m) winner has struck top form with a third at the city circuit followed by back-to-back victories over 2,000m at Sha Tin.

“He came to Hong Kong with quite a high reputation and like some horses, they can take a bit more time to settle in,” Atzeni said.

“He’s won his last two without giving himself an easy time. If we get a smooth run around, I think the track won’t be a problem and he should be competitive again.”

Atzeni sits fourth in the jockeys’ premiership behind Zac Purton (124), Karis Teetan (83) and Hugh Bowman (66).

“I was hoping to get 50 winners for the season when I first came,” he said.

“Obviously 50 doesn’t sound like a lot, but my first season in Hong Kong, 50 is a good number. It would be nice to get that or more by Sunday. I’ve had a lot of good support from trainers and owners. It’s completely different to what I’m used to, but it’s been a pretty good season.”