He dreams of a Hong Kong return and Italian jockey Alberto Sanna’s connection with the city remains strong ahead of his bid for consecutive H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) triumphs aboard Douglas Whyte’s Russian Emperor in Qatar on Saturday.

Sanna’s time in Hong Kong was cut short when the Jockey Club chose not to relicense him soon after they hit him with a lengthy ban for “not taking all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing” aboard Dances With Dragon in November 2019.

While over four years have passed since Sanna last rode in Hong Kong, he’s struck up a strong bond with Russian Emperor and he described last year’s win aboard the son of Galileo for good friend Whyte as a dream come true.

“Last year, it was a beautiful day and an emotional race,” said Sanna, the most polished talent on Qatar’s circuit. “It’s always a pleasure to be back on Hong Kong horses, join my friend Douglas and also have the support of the owners.

“This race is quite a special race for me. This year, it’s going to be tougher because there are better horses, but Russian Emperor is in good order and we are going to try to do the double.”

Plagued by injury during his time in Hong Kong, Sanna notched 34 wins from 737 rides in the city between July 2017 and December 2019, headlined by a Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) victory aboard Southern Legend in the final months of his stint.

Crowned champion jockey in Qatar for the second time last season, the Italian is on a mission to establish himself as a leading rider on the international stage, with several recent trips to different jurisdictions strengthening his global CV.

“In the summer, I went back to Italy and it was successful,” Sanna said. “The year before, I was in Germany. I’m travelling a lot.

“I wish I could come back to Hong Kong – there’s always a hope. Hong Kong is the best league in the world. When you’re there, you learn a lot and you get to ride against the best jockeys, so you always improve yourself.

“To cruise against the others at an average level is not very helpful, so I really wish to go back there one day – at least to ride a couple of meetings.”

Set to face a red-hot field aboard Russian Emperor in Saturday’s H.H. The Amir Trophy, which jumps at 9.15pm Hong Kong time, Sanna hopes his experience around the tight-turning Al Rayyan turf course can prove a big advantage against a selection of the world’s top jockeys.

Emperor ‘flying’ during final preparations for H.H. The Amir Trophy defence

“It’s not an easy track to ride and you must know the track,” said Sanna, who contests the international Group Three against the likes of Ryan Moore, William Buick, Joao Moreira and Yuga Kawada. “It’s like if they made a Group One at Happy Valley – not many jockeys can ride well at Happy Valley first time out.

“If you keep riding, you learn about the track. I was champion jockey last season, so Qatar is being good for me. There isn’t a strong favourite in the race like last year who you have to keep an eye on, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I think Point Lonsdale will go forward, Haunted Dream [will be] pushed quite close to the pace and Simca Mille will probably sit third or fourth. Israr and Rebel’s Romance are good horses and you never know with the Japanese – they always go flat out in Japan. It’s a good field.”