Alexis Badel concedes Cordyceps Six’s crack at Sunday’s Classic Mile is “a bit of a gamble”, but there is a precedent of a galloper winning the first leg of the four-year-old series off a last-start Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m) run.
Charming City, trained by David Hayes and ridden by Shane Dye, claimed the 2001 Classic Mile 23 days after he finished fourth that year’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, which Fairy King Prawn dominated even though he was in the twilight of his superb career.
Like Charming City, Cordyceps Six is the highest-rated starter in the Classic Mile. However, unlike Charming City – who had won once and placed second twice across his four pre-Classic Mile races over 1,600m – Cordyceps Six is untested at the trip.
“Obviously, he’s a very nice horse, and we can see from the ratings he’s one of the class horses in the race,” said Badel, who has ridden Cordyceps Six in three of the 111-rater’s 17 starts, winning last season’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).
“It’s all about the distance. He’s got a pretty good record over sprint trips, but we’re heading into the unknown. It’s a bit of a gamble.
“I’ll do some more planning with [trainer Richard Gibson] around where we expect to be in the race, but I don’t think the pace will be quick and having a good gate might be key. I’ll see what I can do, but the wide gate [13] certainly doesn’t make things easier.
“I’d describe the horse as having a very sharp turn of foot, so he’s the sort of horse you want to come a bit late on. That’s his racing manners anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s 1,000m, 1,200m or 1,400m. He’s got a very sharp – but short – turn of foot.”
Cordyceps Six will race without blinkers for the first time in Sunday’s HK$12 million feature after having shades fitted for each of his 17 appearances. Badel believes his mount will settle under him.
“It should be fine. He’s a very relaxed horse. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” Badel said.
With Zac Purton electing to partner ante-post Classic Mile favourite Packing Treadmill, Luke Currie has regained the prized ride aboard Tuchel, whom he steered in each of his first two races.
“He looks like he’s a genuine chance,” said Currie of Tuchel, who has won four of his eight starts, including the Class Two Yuen Long Handicap (1,400m) in which subsequent winners Mr Ascendency and Beauty Live finished third and fourth, respectively.
Tread carefully with Mile favourite on whom Purton hopes to complete his HK set
“I imagine we wouldn’t want to be too aggressive on him, but by the same token, he’s drawn well enough to probably give himself a few options.
“John [Size] has given me a really good go and hopefully I can repay him by winning a nice race,” added Currie, whom the 11-time champion trainer has booked to steer Courier Wonder in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) next weekend.
On Friday, Size retired Excellent Proposal, whose 2021 Classic Mile victory preceded 20 consecutive defeats.
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