Badel hopes for winning comeback

Fully recovered from injury, Alexis Badel hopes to seal his comeback to race riding in triumph when partnering Cordyceps Six in the HK$3.9 million G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Sidelined since a fall on 20 November, Badel returns with five rides headed by Richard Gibson’s emergent sprinter Cordyceps Six and the Frenchman is confident fitness will not be an issue as he aims to build on the 11 wins he has collected so far this season.

“I feel great, actually. I’ve been working a lot on my rehab with the medical staff and I was very lucky to have a lot of people to help me recover quicker and to be in good condition,” Badel said. “I feel great on the horses and I’ve been able to work a lot on my fitness even when I was injured.”

Bidding for a second victory on Cordyceps Six, Badel said: “He’s a very talented horse – he has some class – and I think he’s got a pretty good record over the 1000m at Sha Tin, so I expect him to run a very good race.

“He would deserve to win a race like this on Sunday. I would describe the race as very difficult with so many talented horses – it looks better than a Group 3 – but I believe my horse is going to run well and I’m very happy to ride him. If the pace is good and they run along, he will finish off well. There shouldn’t be any excuses.”

Cordyceps Six is one of seven horses who figure in a return bout from the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint – Sky Field, Super Wealthy, Sight Success, Courier Wonder, Stronger and Duke Wai are the others.

Leading the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship by gaping 35 wins with 72 victories, Zac Purton takes the ride on John Size-trained Courier Wonder in the afternoon’s feature, hopeful the Sacred Falls five-year-old can build on his strong last-start fourth.

“It (Hong Kong Sprint) was one of those races where a couple of horses were ridden out of their comfort zones and then got in the way of other runners in the race and horses that were in the sweet spot – in the right positions – performed well,” Purton said.

“The form out of that race might be a bit misleading and it’s a different race here, going up the straight. He’s continued to improve from one run to the next this season and 1000m is not a problem. We’re drawn on the wrong side of the track (barrier four), of course, so we’re going to need to find the right spot, but he’ll give himself a chance.”

The Class 3 (Restricted) Lung Fu Shan Handicap (1600m) shapes as a decisive race ahead of the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and Hugh Bowman is optimistic Caspar Fownes-trained Viva Chaleur can strike on Sunday.

“His credentials suggest the mile will be to his liking but I’m a little disappointed with his draw (gate No 11),” Bowman said. “He’s a horse that needs to be switched off and relaxed early in his races.

“Regardless of all of that, the horse is ticking over really nicely. He’s a particularly nice horse who is well placed in this race. If he can switch off and relax early in the race, he’s a definite winning chance.”

Trained by Caspar Fownes – who is planning tilts at the Dubai World Cup carnival in March with Sky Field and Senor Toba – Viva Chaleur was Group 1-placed as a two-year-old in France in 2021.

Viva Chaleur will face a string of formidable opponents on Sunday, including David Hayes-trained Bon’s A Pearla, who will start from gate 12 for Silvestre de Sousa and the Brazilian expects the filly to build on an eye-catching fourth at her Hong Kong debut over on 11 December.

“She’s going nicely in the morning and she ran a good race last time out, finishing fourth. I look forward to the race and I think she’s a nice ride to have and she should be competitive all day.”

A Group 2 winner over 1400m in Australia in 2021, Bon’s A Pearla finished third in the G1 Australian Guineas (1600m) under Brett Prebble in March, 2022.

Sweet Encounter will also bid to enhance his stocks under Purton ahead of the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 29 January.

“He’s got a good style, he gets up on the speed and keeps himself out of trouble,” Purton said. “He’s had a couple of soft wins. He’s lightly raced, he’s still on the way up and he’s got to prove himself again at the weekend.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: London Luckystar changed stables recently and has improved. He stands out as the form choice but needs luck from the draw. Run Des Run go on the win two starts ago and give a chance. Colourful Baron ran the second fastest sectional time last start and can improve down in class. Steel Win had excuses last start and forget the run, chance to improve here. Speed Force good performance when storming home for third place last start.

Race 2: Happy Angel has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, he can get the win under Purton. Boom Alliance important gear change with blinkers being added, expect improvement. Nicholson Returns good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and he can make another late bid here. Over The Moon last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Smiling Time narrowly beaten last start and goes close here with luck from out wide.

Race 3: Kings Shield will be suited by the switch back to AWT track, go on the win two starts ago. Handsome Twelve winner of last two starts and is a big chance here if he can handle the rise in class. Chancheng Prince solid effort last start when second place and must be rated chance here. Telecom Fighters showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, he can do the same here. Everyone’s Delight recent trial was quiet when not tested but should run well.

Race 4: The Hulk was eased early before catching the eye late but coming into the low draw could seem him map closer and be hard to hold out. A Americ Te Specso has been steadily improving and do not dismiss, he looks ready to hit the frame under Purton. United We Stand should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Vamos turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Trust Me finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start.

Race 5: Ching has had no luck recently and give another chance. Super Eagle easy trial win recently and looks well. He should be fast out and be trying to lead all the way such as he did in Australia. Golden Bull looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after recent placings. Ha Lee Charm showed improvement at a recent trial. Blissful Star last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can bounce back.

Race 6: Sun Of Makfi well-placed and looks a winning chance in race like this for Bowman. Righteous Doctrine winner of last two starts and looks a top chance again with some luck from the wide alley. The Multiplier was an easy last start winner and must be respected, he just needs to handle the rise in distance. Luck Star remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after several encouraging runs. Green Laser turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.

Race 7: Hit The Shot racing consistently of late and expect another big run in a race that doesn’t seem to have many chances. Champion Dragon showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, every chance to be able to lead all the way if good enough. Nimble Nimbus nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance if he can see out the trip. Intrepid Winner go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Flying Quest has a chance based on past form in this class of race, each-way chance at odds.

Race 8: Sweet Encounter highly promising horse who shows nice ability and looks the one to beat in this Class 3 restricted to four-year-olds. Bon’s A Pearla ran home in fast sectional times last run and looks well, a big second-up run can be expected. Viva Chaleur simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. Majestic Colour turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability; he can only improve more. Gallant Waking racing well with excellent sectional time rankings, he will be getting back and running on late.

Race 9: A ton of chances here, it’s wide open. Sight Success solid effort last start when second in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint and must be rated chance here. Second in this race last year and has drawn ideally for the straight. Duke Wai recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. Cordyceps Six well-placed and looks a chance in race like this and he had excuses in the HK Sprint. Nervous Witness talented galloper who is resuming from a break, can run well. Courier Wonder good performance when returning to form last start and trialled well since.

Race 10: Nordic Dragon highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to win again and land his hat-trick of wins. The rise in distance looks ideal and he should be making light work of his rivals here. Amazing Victory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to cause the upset. Stunning Impact changed stables recently and has improved. Tempest Express placed last start and looks a chance to run well again, but a win would surprise. Gummy Gummy having second start and can improve with experience, fitter now and maps well.

Race 11: Several promising types who are in excellent form contest here. Mighty Stride quality type who remains unbeaten and will go close again, he should get the race run to suit and can finish over the top. Dragon’s Luck winner of last two starts and is a big chance here again, but how much pressure is applied up front may depend on his chances. Superb Capitalist had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race, he can improve big time under Purton. Sakewin recent barrier trial was nice, suggesting a good run can be expected. Bundle Of Charm every chance last start but still ran a good race.