Andrea Atzeni is hoping Super Unicorn is up to the task when he goes for a brilliant hat-trick in the Class Three Sea Eagle Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening.

The Sardinian is fresh off a brilliant second on Giavellotto in Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), finding just Sosie too strong when trying to defend his title.

“It was a brilliant run – we had a nice trip following the winner but it was a bit of a messy race,” said Atzeni. “We didn’t go much of a gallop, which we thought could be the case, but he’s a horse you can only ride one way.

“Turning for home I was travelling better than the winner, but he just kept finding a little bit more and he’s obviously a very nice horse. He narrowly beat me in France [in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe] and we just got beat by a better horse on the day again.”

Atzeni now turns his attention to the Valley where he will reunite with Mark Newnham’s Super Unicorn, who has hit form with a vengeance in his last two starts over course and distance.

A Class Four winner two starts ago, he had no issue stepping up in grade at his following start when unleashing a devastating turn of foot from the rear to defy his $20 price.

The Savabeel gelding zipped home between horses and despite another 6lb rise for his most recent win, Atzeni is confident of a big performance from a good draw in stall two.

“He’s got a good gate and is a really consistent horse and he’s running against similar horses to last time, like I Can and South Star,” said Atzeni.

“It’s a classic 1,650m field and there are a lot of dangers, but he won well the last day and the horse he beat [Flying Fortress] has boosted the form since.

“He’s a horse who’s up in the ratings and will need some luck in running, but he’s going the right way. He never wins by far but he always seems to get the job done, doesn’t he?”

Another of Atzeni’s big chances is the John Size-trained Noble Deluxe, who is bidding to make it 16th time lucky in the Class Five Robin Handicap (1,000m).

He has finished in the top five on five of his seven starts this season and comes off a solid third over the 1,200m trip under Atzeni at the Valley last week.

“He ran really well last week. He had a good couple of runs at Sha Tin and then flopped, but last week he showed much more,” said Atzeni.

“Hopefully if he can keep that form, it’s only going to be a matter of time before he gets his head in front.”

Atzeni will also team up with three-time Happy Valley winner Hayday, who bids for a first win since May in the Class Three Nightjar Handicap (1,000m).

The Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained galloper has not quite hit top gear this season, but he has dropped in the ratings and finally drawn well in barrier two in his quest for a fifth career success.

“He’s drawn a good gate and on this rating, he could be well handicapped,” said Atzeni. “Obviously he hasn’t shown that of late, but he’s drawn a good gate and hopefully we’ll get a good trip around.”

Atzeni also rides Francis Meynell, Iconical and Amazing Kid on a busy night at the city circuit.