23-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Alexis Badel tunes up for Champions Mile bid with breakthrough treble at Happy Valley
French jockey lands his first three-timer since October 2022 at city circuit ahead of Group One ride on Sunday
Alexis Badel struck top form ahead of his bid for Group One glory on Champions Day with his first treble in two and a half years at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Set to ride consistent galloper Happy Together in Sunday's Champions Mile, the Frenchman tuned up for the city's second biggest meeting of the year with wins on Winning Heart, Leather Master and Power Koepp.
'It's important, my form's good,' Badel said after moving to 25 wins for the campaign.
'I feel good. I've had decent support and a nice book of rides and it's nice to deliver.'
Two wins from his past three starts! Mark Newnham has Power Koepp in serious form as @AlexisBadel grabs a treble at Happy Valley... 🔥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 23, 2025
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's Happy Together faces a tough test against the likes of star miler Voyage Bubble and nine-time Australian Group One winner Mr Brightside in a strong edition of the Champions Mile.
However, the six-year-old has been a model of consistency in Hong Kong with six wins and three top-five finishes in his three Group One starts.
'Happy Together is my faithful friend and I believe his form is good and I think it's interesting to see him over the mile,' Badel said.
'I think it makes it more simple. It's a tough race but he's so honest. He'll run a place.'
Badel bagged the opening two races at the Valley, with Tony Cruz's Winning Heart overcoming a wide run throughout to claim the Class Five Flamingo Flower Handicap (1,200m) before Manfred Man Ka-leung's Leather Master broke through for his first triumph at start 20 in the Class Five Freesia Handicap (1,800m).
Power Koepp continued his top form since a transfer to Mark Newnham, landing his second win from three starts for his new stable in the Class Three Kalanchoe Handicap (1,200m).
Perfectly placed by Badel in the box seat from gate two, the seven-year-old surged to the lead passing the 200m and held off a gutsy Lucky Eight to win by a short head.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, the Valley's leading trainer Caspar Fownes and his apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang teamed up for a race-to-race double with Super Sixty and Sky Cap.
It was 24-year-old Wong's first brace since May last year.
'It's very nice. He's a good kid, so hopefully he'll kick on from this,' Fownes said.
'He gave them nice rides, they were deserving of their victories and hopefully he can get some more support now and more winners.'
Wong capitalised on gate one to spear Super Sixty along the inside for a fast-finishing win in the Class Four Geranium Handicap (1,000m) before making all on Sky Cap in the Class Four The Lusitano Challenge Cup (1,200m).
Sky Cap keeps finding out in front! @elliswong05 and Caspar Fownes combine for a double by capturing the Lusitano Challenge Cup at Happy Valley at 28/1... 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 23, 2025
Starting a $29.9 outsider after finishing no better than seventh from his five starts, Capitalist three-year-old Sky Cap kicked clear in the straight and hung on late to beat Bienvenue by a neck.
'It was a surprise, but his last run was a lot better. He was only beaten three and a half lengths at Sha Tin and came here with an inside gate [two],' Fownes said.
'He was going to be competitive but winning or not, you don't know. We're just happy to get the result.'
Cruz shared training honours with Fownes after also notching a brace with Winning Heart and Fallon, who continued his consistent form with a strong win under Ben Thompson in the Class Three Roselle Handicap (1,800m).
