Badel Flying High As HKIR Week Looms

Frenchman Alexis Badel rode his first race in Hong Kong on a two-month contract on Longines Hong Kong International Races day Dec. 11, 2016 and earned his first local victory a little more than two weeks later, guiding Supreme Profit (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) to a 24-1 upset of a 2000-metre Class 2 at Sha Tin for trainer Danny Shum, one of seven wins during that stint. Five years later, the former French champion apprentice will ride for much bigger stakes, with mounts in three of the four races that comprise the 2021 HKIR at Sha Tin on Sunday week.

Just 31 years of age, the son of trainer Myriam Bollack-Badel and former jockey Alain Badel rode his first winner at group level in France in 2013, scoring aboard Norse King (Fr) (Norse Dancer {Ire}) in the G3 Prix du Conseil for his mother. He served His Highness the Aga Khan as second-retained rider behind Christophe Soumillon at the outset of the 2015 season and finished in the top 10 in the French jockeys' premiership.

Badel returned to Hong Kong for the next two seasons, racking up a respectable 40 winners, while further honing his craft back at home, where he registered a maiden Group 1 success astride Nonza (Fr) (Zanzibari) in the Prix Jean Romanet. In his first full season in Hong Kong in 2020/2021, Badel booted home 58 winners–good for a share of fifth on the jockeys' premiership– winning at a strike rate of 9.32%, sixth-best among the locals. During that first full season in 2020/21, he partnered with Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) to win the Hong Kong Classic Cup under a coy ride from the front and a first Hong Kong Group 1 badge courtesy of Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the Chairman's Sprint Prize.

 

WATCH: Wellington gives Alexis Badel a first Hong Kong G1 in the Chairman's Sprint Prize

 

The latter, trained by Richard Gibson, gives Badel his best chance at HKIR success in next Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, where he squares off with the likes of Japanese raiders Pixie Knight (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) as well as top locals Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) and the progressive Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}). Badel put Wellington through his paces in a 1050-metre barrier trial over the Sha Tin all-weather track Friday morning, 'winning' the heat by a comfortable 3/4 of a length (video). Wellington missed an intended appearance in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 17, but was found to be lame, and resumed in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 21, finishing seventh in a race he was certain to need.

“He gave me a good feel today as he was off the track for a long time, so he needed that first run to get him back to a better shape,” Badel told the HKJC notes team. “I'm expecting improvement from him, he trialled well and delivered a strong finish this morning. Hopefully he pulls up great, but he gave me a nice feel, he was strong and sharp so I'm very happy.”

He added, “We know he is a top horse in Hong Kong, we're just looking for some improvement following his first run–he should be back to a better shape now, so let's see on the big day what he can do.”

Badel rides Healthy Happy for trainer Frankie Lor in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, and after failing in a trial last time, fared much better Friday morning, finishing a much-improved second (video).

“It was much better today because last time he couldn't pass the trial naturally, so today he showed a very big improvement and that's very positive,” Badel told HKJC media.

Healthy Happy races for the first time since finishing well behind Hong Kong Sprint candidate Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in the G3 Premier Cup H. (1400m) last June.

And for the trainer that gave him a leg up on his first Hong Kong winner five Decembers ago, Badel will climb aboard the very honest Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in the afternoon's richest event, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m), to which he was supplemented for HK$30,000. The gelding, formerly known as Eric the Eel, was a troubled third for Badel in last year's Hong Kong Classic Mile and he has been aboard in all four starts this term, including a short-head success under a feather-weight in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. (1800m) Nov. 7 (video).

“So far he's done well, I hope he can maintain his good form and we will see if it is good enough to win such a big race but he's been very consistent with good form recently, so if he can repeat that again then he should run well,” Badel said.

Before his busy Sunday, Badel will look to improve on his podium finish in last year's Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Dec. 8. He shared third with Hollie Doyle last year and joins Purton, Moreira and Vincent Ho as the local representatives. He has 19 wins from 158 rides this term and ranks third behind Purton and Moreira.

“It's fantastic, I was very keen to participate again and I was fighting very hard for my spot to compete in the IJC again,” Badel said. “Now I just hope I can pick up some good rides, it looks competitive, but it looks quite fair and I believe the competition will be very competitive and open.”

The post Badel Flying High As HKIR Week Looms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Derby Winners Throw Down In Hong Kong Gold Cup

Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}), winners of the BMW Hong Kong Derby in 2020 and 2019, respectively, treated racing fans to an epic final-furlong battle in Sunday's G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, with the undisputed current king of the hill in the jurisdiction just clawing his way past Furore to take his current winning streak to 13 and his overall record to a spectacular 16 from 17. Golden Sixty is now within four victories of the record currently held by the legendary Silent Witness (Aus) (El Moxie).

The $1.35 (35-100) favourite was taken back to settle in the latter part of the field and switched off nicely for Vincent Ho, as Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) set a very slow early tempo in advance of Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who nearly upset last year's Derby at 289-1. Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) rolled forward to try to inject some pace mid-race, as Golden Sixty and Furore eyeballed one another back in the field, the dynamics squarely working against them. The opening 1200 metres were posted in a dawdling 1:15.09, better than a full second outside of standard, and Ho got to work on Golden Sixty, peeling him out and around horses at the 600 metres Meanwhile, Joao Moreira was happy to ride Furore for luck and stuck to the fence. As Golden Sixty wound up on the grandstand side, he looked like he was going to run away, easily claiming defending champion Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) with a furlong and a half to go while wanting to shift inward. But Moreira found a split in upper stretch, shot Furore through and battled with everything he had, only to be on the short end of the bobber. Golden Sixty's final half-mile was timed in :44.48, fractionally faster than Furore's :44.57, albeit with a far inferior trip around the second turn.

“I was quite confident that I would stay ahead of them but we fought hard–it wasn't easy, it was a bit unexpected to be that close,” Ho admitted. “I was just worried about the horse to the inside of him because Golden Sixty laid in a bit, he would have won easier if he didn't do that. Once he went past Exultant he wanted to lay in–it made it difficult for me but it's still a victory.”

With foreign targets off the table, the top two are expected to face a rematch in the G1 FWD QE II Cup over the same course and distance Apr. 25. From there, Golden Sixty could go for a sweep of the 'Triple Crown' in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m), for which he stands to collect an HK$10-million bonus if successful.

 

WATCH: Golden Sixty outgames Furore in the Hong Kong Gold Cup

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CITI HONG KONG GOLD CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000 (£1,107,985/€1,281,174/A$1,994,280/US$1,547,816), 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.25, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '18 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo-HK, 17-16-0-0, HK$66,525,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Furore (NZ), 126, g, 6, Pierro (Aus)–Stormy Choice (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (NZ$210,000 Ylg '16 NZBJAN). O-Lee Sheung Chau; B-G S A Bloodstock Pty Ltd; T-Tony Cruz; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,640,000.
3–Exultant (Ire), 126, g, 7, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: SHD, 1, 1. Odds: 35-100, 6-1, 22-5.
Also Ran: Glorious Dragon (Ire), Time Warp (GB), Columbus County (NZ), Playa del Puente (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

Waikuku Back To Best In QSJC…

For the first time in four years, a horse not named Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) has taken out the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup.

Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), an unlucky runner-up to Furore in the 2019 Derby and winner of last year's G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m), was given a perfect ride by Joao Moreira, swooped in front with about a furlong to race and came away to an easy score over a game Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}). The victory was the 1300th in Hong Kong for trainer John Size, whose total is exceeded by only the retired John Moore (1735) and Tony Cruz (1329).

“It probably means I've been here a long time and I'm doing my job well,” the understated Size said, reflecting on his move from Sydney to Hong Kong two decades ago. “Every achievement along the way in your career is meaningful. I couldn't have imagined that in my wildest dreams. Obviously, it's been a good move–very good for my career–and I hope is that I can do a good job for customers.”

 

WATCH: Waikuku back to winning ways in Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000 (£1,107,985/€1,281,174/A$1,994,280/US$1,547,816), 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.78, gd.
1–WAIKUKU (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Harbour Watch (Ire)
1st Dam: London Plane (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Aunt Julia (GB), by In The Wings (GB)
3rd Dam: Original (GB), by Caerleon
(€33,000 Ylg '16 TISEP). O-Jocelyn Siu Yang Hin Ting; B-Riversfield Stud; T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 20-8-4-2, HK$35,843,680. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Southern Legend (Aus), 126, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–Donna's Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg '14 INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud (NSW); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,640,000.
3–Mighty Giant (NZ), 126, g, 5, Power (GB)–Wanderov (NZ), by Ustinov (Aus). O-Mr & Mrs Li Ming On; B-; T-Ricky Yiu; J-Neil Callan; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NO. Odds: 11-10, 29-10, 12-1.
Also Ran: More Than This (GB), Ka Ying Star (GB), Not Usual Talent (NZ), Wishful Thinker (Aus), Buddies (Aus), Champion's Way (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

Classic Cup Thievery…

When last seen finishing seventh to Excellent Proposal (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile four weeks ago, Happy Healthy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) endured a wide passage from the riverside draw and never truly reached contention. With Alexis Badel inheriting the ride when Vincent Ho opted for hampered Classic Mile third Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), Happy Healthy was allowed a soft lead and never relinquished it en route to a 21-1 boilover.

Drawn gate eight this time, the former Peter and Paul Snowden trainee when raced as Leviathan hopped out best of all and controlled the pace through an opening 1000-metre split of 1:00.40. Still allowed to amble along on the circle, he put away pace-pressing Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) in upper stretch and had enough in the locker to hold off the fast-finishing outsider Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winner for Aidan O'Brien of last year's G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot, who raced with first-time blinkers Sunday. Shadow Hero (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) ran an improved race in third. Excellent Proposal was done no favours by the lack of pace and came from well back to be a sneaky-good fourth, his final 400m of :45.57 the second-fastest in the race.

“I was just happy to let my horse go because he's obviously a very big horse and I knew he was going to stay on well,” said Badel. “He was also very relaxed in front. It allowed him to take a very big breath before the effort and then he kept on well.”

Pedigree Notes:

Healthy Happy is the 18th black-type winner for Widden Stud's Zoustar, whose other stakes winner outside of Australia is the talented Singapore galloper Top Knight (Aus). He is the only winner to date from his multiple Australian Group 3-placed dam, a daughter of SW/GSP Dashing Granada and a half-sister to MSW & GSP Celebrity Girl (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), herself the dam of 2020 G2 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude winner and G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas third Instant Celebrity (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}).

The dam of the 2-year-old colt Publicist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Lady Lakshmi produced a full-sister to the latter after being led out unsold on a bid of A$300,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. She dropped a Merchant Navy (Aus) colt in 2020 and is back in foal to Russian Revolution (Aus) on a late November cover.

 

WATCH: Healthy Happy leads them a merry chase in the Hong Kong Classic Cup

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC CUP-LR, HK$12,000,000 (£1,107,985/€1,281,174/A$1,994,280/US$1,547,816), NH/SH4yo, 1800mT, 1:47.21, gd.
1–HEALTHY HAPPY (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Zoustar (Aus)
1st Dam: Lady Lakshmi (Aus) (MGSP-Aus, $288,541), by Lonhro (Aus)
2nd Dam: Dashing Granada (Aus), by Keltrice (Aus)
3rd Dam: Jovan (NZ), by Nassipour
1ST STAKES WIN. (A$375,000 Ylg '18 MMGCYS). O-Sin Tung Hing, Sin Yuk Lok & Sin Yuk San; B-Lachlan River Bloodstock (Vic); T-Frankie Lor; J-Alexis Badel; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-2-1, HK$10,749,270. *Formerly Leviathan (Aus).
2–Russian Emperor (Ire), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Atlantic Jewel (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mike Cheung Shun Ching; B-Coolmore, Lauri Macri & Partners; T-Douglas Whyte; J-Keith Yeung; HK$2,640,000.
3–Shadow Hero (Aus), 126, g, 4, Pierro (Aus)–Sookie (Aus), by Casino Prince (Aus). (A$260,000 Ylg '18 INGFEB). O-Edmond Lee Man Bun; B-Lightning Thoroughbreds, Mrs D Kolivos (NSW); T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: NK, NO, HF. Odds: 21-1, 79-1, 39-5.
Also Ran: Excellent Proposal (Aus), Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), Packing Waltham (Fr), Sky Darci (NZ), Lucky Express (Aus), Sea of Life (Aus), Arthur's Kingdom (Ire), Delightful Laos (Ire), Lucky Patch (NZ), Conqueror (Aus), Smiling Time (SAf). Scratched: Maximus (Ger). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.

The post Derby Winners Throw Down In Hong Kong Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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