Alexis Badel is confident Happy Together has the qualities to contend strongly in the HK$4.075 million Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday when Frankie Lor’s talented gelding bids to extend impressive progress.
Unbeaten in two runs since joining Lor’s stable after the departure of his former trainer Richard Gibson, Happy Together has risen to a rating of 85 after starting the season as a 73-rater with successive victories in Class 3 and Class 2.
“It will be interesting to see how he (Happy Together) can compete against these higher-class horses who can quicken very fast – they’re able to do very fast sectionals – so I think it’s a real test and if he can keep up with those horses, it is a very good sign,” Badel said.
“I always believed that he is a quality horse and he proved already a while ago and the horse has continued to improve and he keeps doing what I thought he is capable of. The horse is pretty simple, he’s very versatile, he’s a very handy horse so hopefully I can put him in the right spot and he can hit the line.”
Happy Together will start from barrier two with only 52.5kg and will face 10 rivals headed by another regular Badel mount Red Lion as well as Circuit Stellar, Running Glory, Telecom Fighters, Super Sunny Sing, The Golden Scenery, Bourbonaire, Spirited Express, Atullibigeal and The Best Peach.
With three wins and two seconds from nine starts over Sha Tin’s 1600m course, Happy Together’s development has impressed Badel.
“He’s doing everything correctly so far, so I’m very pleased with him. His handicap situation is very favourable in this race, he’s a quality horse,” the Frenchman said.
Andrea Atzeni believes Danny Shum’s decision to unleash Packing Bole on Sha Tin’s dirt track will continue to pay off when the Deep Field gelding tackles the Class 3 Chevalier Property Management Handicap (1200m, dirt).
“He was very impressive last start. It was obviously his first run on the All Weather (but) we were actually very confident going into the race because he had trialled well,” Atzeni said reflecting on the bay’s 3.75-length romp on 25 October.
“He had obviously won on the grass before but the switch back to the All Weather seemed to really suit him and he was very impressive last time. Obviously, he goes up in the handicap (5.5kg) but he couldn’t have done it any easier – he’s in good form.”
Keen to continue the form which landed him a Hong Kong career-high quartet last Sunday, Brenton Avdulla hopes Red Desert can press for successive victories when John Size’s veteran contests the Class 4 Chevalier Property Development Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Winless in 33 starts since his previous success in April, 2021, Red Desert posted a drought-breaking triumph under Avdulla on 25 October.
“It was a good result for him. He had been knocking on the door for a long, long time and he was down right on that mark (56.5kg) where you expected him to win, and he was able to get the job done. He’s come through and he’s trialled well in between and I’m looking forward to getting back on him.
“John has got him in really good order and he loves these conditions – 1200 (metres), dirt – he just goes up a little bit in weight but I don’t think it will slow him down too much. He’s going to get his chance to jump, travel on the speed and run well again.” – HKJC
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Apex Top always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. From barrier 1, he should get the run required to win. Go Go Go down in class in this race and should perform better. Some of his runs at the bottom of Class 4 have been good. Rattan World good performance when storming home for third place last start. Master Of Luck recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. But barrier 10 is tricky. Yoo Yoo Knight drawn well and placed second last start, should run well.
Race 2: Wunderbar very impressive debut performance, winning smartly at the track and distance, and looks to have plenty of talent and upside. Trialled well in between runs and McDonald rides and should take beating again. Loyal Bo Bo newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance to upset Wunderbar. Drawn the wrong part of the track, however. Gangnam Star well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Gusty Fighter well prepared for debut and watch the betting. Flying Dragon can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Each-way chance here.
Race 3: Multisuper remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after a promising placing to Wunderbar last start and getting McDonald in the plate here. Red Desert last start winner who retains good form and can run well again if he has maintained his good form. Cool Blue remains a maiden galloper but has been knocking on the door. He needs to be in touch early to improve his chances here. Magic Supreme last start winner who remains in the same grade. Colourful Prince has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.
Race 4: Adefill ultra-consistent galloper and who should be in the finish and perhaps the drop back in distance will enhance his winning chances. No excuses here from a good draw and with McDonald riding. Packing Bole a last start winner who trialled well since. He should find the front and vie to make all. Self Improvement has improved since the blinkers were added and he should be running a race un- der Purton here. Amazing Duck showed improvement at a recent trial, consider. Sakewin resuming from a break and won a recent trial well.
Race 5: Mister Dapper recent runs have been encouraging and can run well third-up. Once again, he has drawn nicely low, from where he will map with every chance. Master Hero form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Another win seems near. Imperial Magee has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve with McDonald in the saddle. Winning Steps fresh up from a break and should run well for Purton and Ng. Lucky Eternity still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win, but the wide draw is a tough ask. Each-way claims at odds.
Race 6: Super Legends nice three-year-old with a good chance to bounce back for a win here. The rise to 1400m should suit and looks to have points in hand. Endeared will win in this grade very soon. Another wide draw is far from ideal, but he is good enough to over- come it with a good steer. Beato good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Owners’ Praise looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Mr Aladdin having third start and may improve here for in-form Pierre Ng.
Race 7: Super Sunny Sing had genuine excuses last start out the back in a race that wasn’t run to suit. Consider again. Open race, but he has what it takes to atone here and the drop back in distance looks key to his chances. Red Lion narrowly beaten last start and goes close here with Purton and Size combining. The Best Peach last start placing was full of merit after he was held up at a crucial stage, nice effort. Happy Together changed stables recently and has improved and should be able to handle the class rise. Atullibigeal last run was better than it reads in a slow run race and do not dismiss. Can improve based on his win two starts ago.
Race 8: Alacrity looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Ready to win but hopefully doesn’t stand too much ground in the run. Supreme Lucky looked unlucky when racing wide last start. Should be able to run a better race under J-mac here. Ching had genuine excuses last start and can improve second-up in this race. Superb Boy should be highly suited by the drop back in distance after fading at the mile last time. Dancing Code turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.
Race 9: Master Of Fortune last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again for the in-form Pierre Ng stable. Speed Dragon turned in a very nice debut run without much luck and looks to have good ability. Romantic Charm improving type and getting close to a win. Could be running a race under J-Mac. Beautyverse is back in good form and must be considered a chance. Chancheng Glory racing in career-best form since the blinkers were added and must be rated a good chance.
Race 10: I Give racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance. Rises in class and this is tougher but he should find the front and lead them a merry dance once again. Beauty Crescent looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Should be going close to winning. Lady’s Choice nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance after a solid last-start placing. Golden Empire can improve second-up from a break. Toronado Phantom generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.