A wide draw has failed to dampen Alexis Badel’s excitement about riding My Wish in Sunday’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m), with the Frenchman backing the rising star’s versatility for his much-anticipated clash with Voyage Bubble.

In what shapes as one of the highlights of the season so far, last season’s Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble and My Wish face off with the former conceding his younger rival a massive 20lb.

While the handicap conditions certainly favour Mark Newnham’s stable star, the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Voyage Bubble gained an advantage at the barrier draw with gate six, while My Wish was dealt 11.

But Badel, who picked up the plum ride with Luke Ferraris unable to make My Wish’s light weight of 115lb, pointed to the five-year-old’s tactical versatility as a key to his chances on Sunday.

The son of Flying Artie has won leading and sitting on the speed, including a pair of victories last season from barriers 13 and 14, while he charged from last to finish a close second to Cap Ferrat in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) when jumping from gate 14.

“I went through the field a bit and I think the draw isn’t catastrophic,” Badel said.

“The horse has got speed and versatility. He can position himself in different ways with his flexibility. That will be the key and it will depend on the speed of the race.

“It’s a pretty good ride with the handicap weight at his advantage.”

My Wish was the star of last term’s Classic Series, claiming the Classic Mile before seconds in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and Derby, before making a sensational return to win last month’s Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m).

Despite being held up for clear running on the rail in the first half of the straight, the five-year-old burst through when a narrow gap presented to beat Copartner Prance by a length and a quarter.

He drops 15lb on the victory and Badel was impressed with his dirt trial last week when he narrowly beat reigning Sha Tin Trophy winner, Galaxy Patch, while under a hold.

“He’s going pretty well, he’s very fit and his form’s pretty strong. You cannot wish for anything else,” Badel said.

While a Group Two victory is Badel’s prime focus this weekend, he is also keen to help Newnham’s in-form galloper Max Que clinch a hat-trick in the Class Three Sha Kok Handicap (1,600m).

After falling short of a maiden success with four seconds last season, Max Que broke through with a cosy first-up triumph before handling the leap to Class Three with a narrow last-start win under Badel.

The five-year-old steps up to a mile for the first time and has the aid of another ideal draw in barrier four.

“I’ve only known him from his last run, but he gave me a good feel and he seems to have really improved,” Badel said.

“He’s got a turn of foot and if he stays the trip and he loves the mile, he should be able to quicken. He’s very honest and if he keeps improving, I think he’s still got something to offer.”

Ka Ying Power, Same To You, Run Run Smart and All Too Brave are Badel’s other chances to add to his impressive start to the season which has netted him seven wins.

The 35-year-old also confirmed he will again be aboard last-start Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) winner Fast Network in next Sunday’s Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m).