ALEXIS BADEL SLOTS HAPPY VALLEY TREBLE AHEAD OF FWD CHAMPIONS DAY

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Leo Schlink) | Thursday, April 24, 2025

Preparing to partner Happy Together in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 April), Alexis Badel took riding honours at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (23 April) with a treble.

The Frenchman was in brilliant form, scoring with Tony Cruz’s Winning Heart in the Class 5 Flamingo Flower Handicap (1200m), Manfred Man’s Leather Master in the Class 5 Freesia Handicap (1800m) and Mark Newnham’s Power Koepp in the Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap (1200m).

“It’s important, my form’s good. I feel good. I’ve had decent support and a nice book of rides and it’s nice to deliver,” said Badel as he cast ahead to FWD Champions Day this weekend.

“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. I think it’s a tough race but he’s so honest. He’ll run a place.”

Ellis Wong and Caspar Fownes combined for a race-to-race double, landing the Class 4 Geranium Handicap (1000m) with Super Sixty, who finished powerfully along the rails to triumph, before Sky Cap led virtually all the way to win the Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

“It’s very nice. He’s a good kid (Ellis), so hopefully he’ll kick on from this. He gave them nice rides, they were deserving of their victories and hopefully he can get some more support now and more winners,” Fownes said.

“(Sky Cap) 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 (barrier two). He was going to be competitive but winning or not, you don’t know. We’re just happy to get the result.”

Wong, who claims 7lb, said: “I’m really happy to ride both of them for Caspar. Things have been a bit quiet but the boss (Fownes) gives me good support and I hope I can keep on riding more winners.”

Badel’s compatriot Antoine Hamelin struck on Ricky Yiu’s Jolly Ruler in the first section of the Class 4 Lavender Handicap (1200m) before Happy Daily posted his second course and distance victory this season for Dennis Yip in the Class 4 Heather Handicap (1650m) for Matthew Chadwick.

Ridden by Zac Purton, Horsepower (135lb) continued an impressive rise with an emphatic victory in the Class 3 Orchid Handicap (1000m) for Frankie Lor. Owned by Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Michael Lee, his wife Vanessa and daughter Amelia, Horsepower slotted his third win from only four starts.

Trained by Frankie Lor, the Harry Angel gelding settled in the midfield before being taken to the outside of the field on straightening before surging powerfully down the middle of the track to defeat Seasons Wit (122lb) and Parents’ Love (115) in 56.34s.

Fallon (130lb) provided Tony Cruz with a double with a strong win in the Class 3 Roselle Handicap (1800m) under Ben Thompson. Relishing the solid pace set by Northern Beast, Fallon posted his second course and distance win this season and the fourth of his Hong Kong career.

“Fantastic – he’s in a great vein of form,” a delighted Thompson said. “Happy Valley has been a happy hunting ground for him. He’s had two wins and two seconds from his last four starts at Happy Valley, so he’s a happy horse.”

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