You would struggle to find anyone awaiting Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin as eagerly as jockey Alexis Badel.

Suspended for the final five meetings of last season for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to achieve the best possible result aboard V Chevaliers in June, it will be over 10 weeks between race rides for Badel by the time he climbs aboard Super Win Dragon in the second event at Sha Tin.

“I’m definitely keen – I’m just looking forward to winning again,” said the Frenchman. “I’ve had a little bit more of a holiday than the others but I’ve been enjoying the simple things with my family so I’m refreshed and happy to be back.”

Opening day elicits fond memories for Badel, who partnered the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Perfect Match to victory in the Class One Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) in his first meeting as a full-time jockey in Hong Kong.

“It was a great feeling and Danny has always been a good supporter for me, so I’ll try and keep it that way,” Badel said.

A year on and the 31-year-old is hoping history can repeat when he jumps on another smart Shum galloper in Tourbillon Diamond for Sunday’s feature.

Six furlongs looks to be well on the short side for the five-year-old, who was brought to Hong Kong for the Derby, but the gelding did perform strongly over 1,400m when third under Badel in his Hong Kong debut last November.

“I think the horse is in good form based on what he’s done before and if he can produce his best I think he will run well. He’s got a good run over 1,400m first-up so you never know,” Badel said.

“The horse felt good in his trackwork and in his trial as well, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. It would be great to run well in this race, it would be a good sign and very positive for the future.”

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Badel went onto win 58 races last season, including the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize aboard Wellington and the Classic Cup with Healthy Happy, and he has seven rides this weekend as he looks to start the new campaign full of running.

He jumps aboard the Douglas Whyte-trained Mister Snowdon in the Class Two Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1,400m), a last-start winner who looks to have plenty of potential.

“He’s a nice horse, he works well and to win a Class Two at your second start is never easy. He’s got plenty of ability,” Badel said.

Badel also teams up with Whyte in the Class Four Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1,200m), where he combines with familiar sidekick Smart Wongchoy after five placings from five rides aboard the 15-start maiden.

“He’s a very consistent horse. He tries hard but last season we always found someone to beat us on the line, so he deserves to win,” the jockey said.

“He looks like he’s a stronger horse this season. He’s a nice horse, he will try hard and the field doesn’t look too strong, so hopefully he can do something good.”