With the prestigious FWD Champions Day just around the corner at Sha Tin, French jockey Alexis Badel heads into the weekend on a high after a stellar performance at Happy Valley. Badel showcased his sharp form by securing three victories across the midweek card, each one underlining his rising momentum ahead of Sunday’s Group 1 assignment. He’ll be linking up with Happy Together in the HK$24 million FWD Champions Mile and has every reason to feel optimistic, given the way things are shaping up for him in the saddle.
The evening saw Badel display both finesse and tactical nous. He opened his account aboard Winning Heart in a competitive sprint over 1200m, followed by a commanding stayers’ win with Leather Master over 1800m, and capped off his treble with a front-running success on Power Koepp in a Class 3 contest. Reflecting on his performance, Badel acknowledged the consistency of his recent rides and the encouraging backing he has received from trainers. His rapport with Happy Together is particularly noteworthy, and while he remains realistic about the stiff competition in Sunday’s feature mile, he remains confident in his partner’s tenacity and ability to hold his own.
There was plenty more to cheer about for other connections as well. Apprentice rider Ellis Wong made his presence felt with a back-to-back double in partnership with trainer Caspar Fownes. Their first success came when Super Sixty weaved through a tight field to finish with a flourish along the rail. Not long after, Sky Cap dictated terms from the front and never looked back, leaving his rivals chasing shadows in a display of stamina and timing. Fownes, praising Wong’s efforts, expressed hope that the young rider’s confident handling would lead to increased opportunities moving forward.
Wong, still in the formative stages of his riding career, appreciated the faith shown in him. He’s endured some quieter spells but emphasized how crucial consistent support from seasoned mentors like Fownes is in building momentum. His 7lb claim continues to be a valuable asset as he looks to establish himself further in the Hong Kong racing scene.
Elsewhere, fellow Frenchman Antoine Hamelin also made the scoresheet, guiding Jolly Ruler to a determined win in a 1200m Class 4 race for trainer Ricky Yiu. Another notable performance came from Happy Daily, who added another course and distance success to his record under Matthew Chadwick, further proving his affinity for the 1650m trip at Happy Valley.
Star jockey Zac Purton, never far from the spotlight, guided the progressive Horsepower to a convincing win over 1000m. The Frankie Lor-trained sprinter, owned by a prominent trio that includes Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Michael Lee, made it look easy as he surged from the midfield to dominate late in the piece. This marked his third win in just four starts, hinting at significant potential as he continues to climb the ranks.
Meanwhile, Fallon turned in another strong performance under Ben Thompson, adding a second 1800m victory this term for Tony Cruz. The race played out perfectly for the galloper, who capitalized on a solid early tempo to swoop past his rivals and notch his fourth career win in the city. Thompson was effusive in his praise, noting how well the horse thrives at Happy Valley with a string of consistent performances behind him.
The focus now shifts to Sha Tin where the stakes will be significantly higher. The marquee FWD Champions Day card features three blockbuster Group 1 contests — the HK$22 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize, the HK$24 million Champions Mile, and the showpiece HK$28 million QEII Cup. With international talent, local stars, and compelling storylines converging, Sunday promises to be one of the most exhilarating days on the Hong Kong racing calendar.
