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Alexis Badel will attempt to join Zac Purton and Joao Moreira as multiple winners of the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) when the Frenchman combines with Manfred Man’s Chiu Chow Spirit in the HK$4.2 million feature on Sunday (22 September).
Badel last year landed the Celebration Cup aboard Frankie Lor-trained Healthy Happy - who returns for a third tilt at the first Group race of the season, having finished second to California Spangle in 2022 – and hopes Chiu Chow Spirit can handle the class rise.
"He seems very fit. He put in a great effort on the first day, he won the Class 2 brilliantly, so I'm hoping he can carry on," Badel said, referencing the gelding's dominant first-up win over the course and distance on 8 September.
"The horse is improving and he has got quality, so I think he deserved (that win). I'm looking forward to riding him and he's not carrying too much weight (117lb), which I see as a good advantage."
If Badel triumphs on Sunday, he will join Purton (three wins) and Moreira (two) among the race's most successful jockeys but he faces strong opposition headed by Taj Dragon (135lb), Flying Ace (131lb), Healthy Happy (129lb), Packing Treadmill (122lb), The Golden Scenery (121lb) and Wonder Kit (115lb).
Badel has ridden Chiu Chow Spirit in all three of his Hong Kong wins and believes the former Australian galloper – who won over 1400m at G3 level in Australia as Twin Stars for Tony & Calvin McEvoy – has plenty of scope.
"All I can say is the horse feels very fit and he's comfortable, so he should run well," Badel said. "I guess it all depends on the pace in the race but he's a finisher - he's got a good turn of foot. Hopefully I can put him in the right spot and he can run well."
Sunday's meeting also features the return of two exciting prospects for 12-time champion trainer John Size – Wunderbar and Young Champion.
The winner of four races from five starts, Wunderbar has not raced since defeating highly-regarded Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on 21 January and resumes following knee surgery. He will be ridden by Zac Purton for the first time.
"He's an exciting horse that I'm looking forward to riding. I haven't sat on him before, so I can't wait to get on his back on race day and get a feel of him and see what he's about," Purton said of the chestnut, who contests the Class 3 Tailorbird Handicap (1200m).
"Obviously, he's had a bit of time off with the little setback with the knee surgery but from what I see he's still competitive in his trials and it would be nice to be associated with him."
Young Champion makes his return in the Class 2 Woodpecker Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan in a race stacked with quality sprinters.
"I thought last season he did everything right, his last win was a good win and looking forward to getting back on him," Teetan said.
"He's had two trials and I thought the second trial felt better – he's improved from the first one, so he's still a work in progress. Mr Size knows what he's doing with the horse and he thinks the horse is ready to go, so this is why he is taking the 1200 metres and he'll be a bit fresh still but it could be a nice race to start his season.
"He's got bigger and better things to come in the future but I also do think further would be better for him but he's been off for a while and he's a bit fresh so I think the 1200 metres would be perfect.
"I think it's a really competitive race."
Sunday's (22 September) 10-race meeting at Sha Tin starts with the Class 4 Hwamei Handicap (1650m, dirt). A farewell ceremony will be held at 3.10pm for champion galloper Golden Sixty, the only Hong Kong horse to win 10 Group 1s and a record HK$167 million in prizemoney.
The three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year will be celebrated by Hong Kong racing officials and customers to mark the contribution to the city's racing and his phenomenal achievements.
Racegoers who wear a top or a cheering scarf, featuring a motif of Golden Sixty or his racing silk elements, can enjoy free admission to the Sha Tin Public Enclosure from 11am.