Badel aims to take advantage of Lucky pickup ride at Sha Tin dirt meeting

South China Morning Post

11-02-2025

French jockey highlights Jamie Richards-trained gelding as the best of his seven mounts on the all-weather card
by Jay Rooney on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 2:25 PM Alexis Badel is all smiles after making the most of the late call-up to ride Righteous Arion at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Alexis Badel hopes to capitalise on several pickup rides, headlined by Lucky Touch, after a jockey shortage forced the Jockey Club to lift his suspension for Wednesday night's all-dirt meeting at Sha Tin.
The Frenchman scored a much-needed winner on Sunday when he got the late call-up to replace Angus Chung Yik-lai on Righteous Arion, who held off the previously unbeaten Hong Lok Golf to claim a narrow victory.
Chung, Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Keith Yeung Ming-lun were ruled out for multiple weeks after they were injured in falls on Sunday.
Badel will look to add to his 10 triumphs this season with a book of seven rides on Wednesday night, with the Jamie Richards-trained Lucky Touch his strongest pickup mount.
Badel hops aboard Lucky Touch for the second time in the Class Four Po Shek Wu Handicap (1,650m), having partnered the son of Sweynesse two starts ago when he ran second to Take Action at Happy Valley.
Lucky Touch was to be ridden again by Purton, who rode him last start when he rocketed home late to run a close third to the in-form Never Peter Out when trying the dirt for the first time.
'I like Lucky Touch. He was a good run last time,' Badel said.
'Ever Smart is a bit better than his form suggests, I believe, regardless of the draw. There are a couple that should run well.'
Ever Smart was another Purton ride, with the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained gelding pursuing a breakthrough success in the Class Five Diamond Hill Handicap (1,200m).
He ran back-to-back thirds at the Valley before leading from barrier 14 and fading to run 12th to Ho Ho Star at Sha Tin last start.
Badel replaces Chung on Superb Capitalist in the strongest race on the nine-event card, the Class Two Tin Chak Handicap (1,200m).
Trained by Tony Cruz, Superb Capitalist will be out to recapture his best form after misfiring in recent runs.
It will be the five-year-old's first start on the dirt since his debut on the surface in May 2023, which yielded a solid fourth.
Mark Newnham holds the key to the Tin Chak Handicap with Sing Dragon, who chases a fifth victory on the dirt, and consistent sprinter Full Credit.
Capital Delight and Bundle Of Charm also look to have claims.
Strive For Glory, All Are Mine, Monta Frutta and Beato are Badel's other rides on Wednesday night.