Andrea Atzeni believes a wide draw cost Farraaj victory in Australia and is hoping for better luck in Hong Kong.
The Italian jockey believes the British raider would have gone closer than third in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington at his most recent start had he not had to start from the outside.
“He was probably a bit unlucky not to win the race at Flemington – he was drawn 14 of 14 and was kept three wide all the way,” Atzeni said.
“The horse is very well, he’s quick out of the gate and if he gets a good draw, which is very important here, he’ll run a big race.
“With a better draw he might have won in Australia and the Cup is looking like a very open race this year.
“I know there might not be a lot of pace in the race but if we get a good draw and just get in behind the pace then I think we’ll be fine.”
Atzeni was speaking after he partnered Farraaj in a solid work-out at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.
He was happy with the way the Roger Varian-trained five-year-old stretched out over a mile and a quarter (2000m) in his first serious exercise since he landed in Hong Kong a week ago.
Australian Derby winner Criterion, fifth in the Mackinnon won by Happy Trails, arrived in Hong Kong in the early hours of Tuesday morning accompanied by sprinter Buffering.
