Andrea Atzeni has described being reunited with Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) as “a great opportunity” with the rider bidding to maintain his unbeaten record aboard John and Thady Gosden's charge at Goodwood next week.
Frankie Dettori has partnered Stradivarius to three G1 Gold Cup triumphs at Royal Ascot and has been the man aboard the star-stayer for the majority of his career. However, a decision was made by “mutual consent” to change things up in the saddle, with Atzeni the prime beneficiary.
“It's a great opportunity for me to get back on him. I had a sit on him and gave him a blowout on the Cambridge Road-he feels in good order 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 as a 3- and 4-year-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 seems well within himself.”
Atzeni added, “He's been solid all the way through. To keep a horse of his age, a full horse too, it's unbelievable what they've done with him.
“He owes us nothing, everyone connected with him, and hopefully he'll turn up on Tuesday and we'll see the Stradivarius we've seen in the past.”
Stradivarius will be bidding to win the G1 Goodwood Cup for a fourth time on Tuesday but faces stiff opposition from his Royal Ascot conqueror, the reigning Gold Cup hero, Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Atzeni was aboard Stradivarius for his first two victories in the Goodwood Cup but hasn't ridden the chestnut since they were successful in this race back in 2018.
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