Preparing to embark on a David and Goliath challenge aboard Beauty Waves against Ka Ying Rising in the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 April), Alexis Badel slotted a double to claim his 300th Hong Kong win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 April).

The Frenchman closed the meeting in style with a running double aboard Me Tsui’s The Auspicious and Jamie Richards-trained Jubilant Winner to reach the milestone.

“It’s great. Eva, my wife, told me I was close to 300 (wins) but I didn’t realise how close I actually was, so I didn’t come to the races thinking I would achieve it tonight and I am very pleased that I had a double and, coming back from suspension, it’s always good to ride winners and I’m very happy,” Badel said.

Badel will chase his third Chairman’s Sprint Prize success after triumphing in the race on Wellington in 2021 and 2022, but he is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge he faces in attempting to defeat Ka Ying Rising.

“Beauty Waves is a very nice horse, he’s got quality and he’s fighting against the top horses right now,” Badel said. “He ran a good race the other day and I am looking for another good run from him.”

The Auspicious (119lb) continued an excellent season by claiming his fourth win for the campaign with victory in the Class 3 Oncidium Handicap (1800m). With only three runners behind him on the home turn, the Almanzor gelding powered down the centre of the track to slot his fifth career win.

Registering his fourth win of the season, Jubilant Winner (126lb) gave Richards a double with all-the-way success in the Class 3 Roselle Handicap (1200m).

Ethan Brown made a flying start to his short-term Hong Kong stint when Shooting To Top (126lb) claimed the Class 4 Geranium Handicap (1650m) for Cody Mo, providing the Australian jockey breakthrough success at only his third ride in the city.

“I’m over the moon,” Brown said. “Everything worked out really well. I was presented with a good horse, we found a good position and he was too strong in the finish.”

“It was great, it’s obviously something we all strive to do – to get the opportunity is one thing, but to get a winner straight away is another thing.

“It’s a very quick and tight track, you have to be on you’re A game, but I’m picking it up as I go and it was certainly a track I wanted to conquer. The atmosphere is great – it’s a good atmosphere and good feeling. Hopefully we’ll make plenty more. 

“The horse felt great, Cody had him nice and fit and he bounced well from the gates. We were able to get a good trailing position and had a very smooth run – Cody had him in perfect order and I was the benefactor. 

“I just wanted to get a winner early and we’ve been able to tick that box. It gets the monkey off my back and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead. I feel relieved and just feel happy that I’m able to get a winner early – as it’s not easy to do.”

Fresh from a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 April), 13-time champion trainer John Size continued his charge up the 2025/26 standings when Nebraskan (131lb) scored under Andrea Atzeni in the Class 5 Flamingo Flower Handicap (1200m).

A dual winner in Australia, Nebraskan notched his first victory in Hong Kong to provide Size with his 41st win of the campaign to trail Caspar Fownes (49), Mark Newnham (48), Danny Shum (47), David Hayes (45) and Francis Lui (42).

Hayes and Zac Purton combined with Vigor Eye (126lb) to clinch the Class 4 Lavender Handicap (1200m).

“He’s (Vigor Eye) a consistent horse. I thought he might have won a bit easier, but he got the job done. If you look at him, he’s had six starts and has been in the money five times, so I think he’s a consistent horse who will win again in this class,” Hayes said.

Purton sealed a double when Richards-trained Thunder Prince (120lb) claimed the Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

Jerry Chau extended his lead in the race for the Tony Cruz Award for the leading homegrown jockey with victory in the Class 5 Freesia Handicap (1650m) aboard David Eustace’s Podium (126lb). Chau has 35 wins for the campaign, seven clear of nearest pursuer in the Tony Cruz Award standings, Vincent Ho (28).

Ellis Wong piloted King Profit (131lb) to victory from gate 12 in the Class 4 Heather Handicap (1000m) to provide Shum with timely momentum ahead of Romantic Warrior’s tilt at the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 April).

Casa Of Honor (117lb) broke through for his first Hong Kong victory for Michael Chang under a well-timed drive from Matthew Poon to land the Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap (1000m). Formerly known as Perennial when trained in Australia by Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich, the gelding won five races pre-export.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 April) with FWD Champions Day featuring the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).