Bidding for a fifth consecutive victory when he tackles the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 20 November, Wellington indicated he is on course for next month’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) with an effortless trial win at Sha Tin today (Friday, 11 November).

Allowed to balance early before building momentum, Wellington was never placed under any pressure in emerging strongly over the closing stages to win the 1200m trial in 1m 10.25s for Alexis Badel to edge out Lucky Patch by a short head with pace-setting Wayfoong Legend a further neck away in third.

A three-time G1 winner and reigning Hong Kong Champion Sprinter, Wellington pleased Badel with his application.

“It was good, just a bit of routine exercise for him. He was very focused and he felt good underneath,” said the Frenchman, who has partnered Richard Gibson’s star in eight of his 11 victories.

Courier Wonder (fifth) and Waikuku (10th) also featured in Wellington’s trial on the dirt.

Duke Wai (fourth) and Cordyceps Six (fifth) chased John Size’s Golden Express to the line in batch two. Yet to race in Hong Kong, Golden Express clocked 1m 10.03s under Zac Purton.

Known as Gulf Of Venice when trained by David Vandyke, Golden Express won his only Australian start – a Doomben 1200m Maiden in June – by five and a half lengths.

With 10 wins so far this season, Badel is hopeful unbeaten Sweet Encounter can add to the tally with a third consecutive win for Size when he contests the Class 3 Panasonic Nanoe X Thermo Ventilator Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (12 November).

“He’s been very good so far, last time he was given a difficult task with a lot of weight (135lb) and a bad gate (14) and he managed to win the race. He seems to be good shape and we will try to keep going,” Badel said.