Alexis Badel believes Wellington’s class is sufficient to offset fitness concerns when the mercurial speedster resumes in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 November).
First-up since landing the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day in April, Wellington has overcome a “minor niggle” for trainer Richard Gibson and, based on recent trial performances, Badel is confident the All Too Hard gelding is ready to fire.
“I’m just glad to see him back at the competition because he’s such a good horse and I believe he’s going to run a strong race. I’m looking forward to it and let’s see how he goes,” Badel, fresh from a Happy Valley double on Wednesday (17 November), said.
“The horse feels good. His last trial was quite good, it was impressive. The horse showed good speed, he relaxed and responded quite well in the end, so I’m very happy.
“He’s always been quite an easy horse to get fit and, of course, he’s a very good horse so he always gives me a good feel. He might need that first piece of competition, he might need to have that run but he looks good, fresh and happy. His action is good as well.”
Wellington cruises to trial success this month.
Drawn in barrier seven, Wellington faces nine rivals in an intriguing mix of the established guard and emerging contenders, including fellow G1 victor Hot King Prawn and rising talents such as Courier Wonder, Sky Field and Naboo Attack.
Badel is unfazed by the draw.
“I don’t think it’s a problem. He’s a very good horse, he’s very easy to ride. Just need him to settle and to be comfortable and he can finish off the race very well,” Badel said.
Wellington, who will carry 128lb, is unbeaten from two attempts first-up in Hong Kong.
Francis Lui this morning provided another positive assessment on Golden Sixty as Hong Kong’s champion galloper readies for his seasonal return in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) under Vincent Ho.
“He’s okay, everything is fine. We were happy with the gallop on Tuesday (16 November), he was quite relaxed,” Lui said, referencing a leisurely 1200m gallop in 1m 21.6s, with a closing last 400m of 23.8s.
Unbeaten in 14 successive starts, Golden Sixty completed preparations this morning with another 1200m workout, clocking a sedate 1m 27s for the journey with an unhurried 27.5s close.
