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Wellington catches the eye as LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint campaign beckons
Anticipated to return in Sunday week’s (23 October) HK$5 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin, Wellington limbered up with an impressive barrier trial under Alexis Badel over 1200m on dirt this morning (Tuesday, 11 October).
“Yes, it was (very impressive). I came from far behind and the horse hit the line very strongly, he was very concentrated and he ran a very good trial,” Badel said.
Roughly 10 lengths off the leading horse upon turning for home, Wellington let rip late under the Frenchman, picking off rivals one-by-one this morning to cross the line in second position behind Reve Parisien who clocked 1m 09.93s for the effort.
Ahead of this morning’s trial, Wellington was full of himself – buzzing in Sha Tin’s sand ring as Badel linked with last season’s Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2021/22).
“He’s always a bit funny when he’s fresh at the beginning of the season – I’m always very cautious because he can spin around very quickly,” Badel said.
Chasing victory in the HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Wellington closed out last campaign with setbacks in his wake and victory in this year’s G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), respectively.
