Able Friend overpowered a world-class field of milers to win the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last month, a performance that earned the five-year-old his place amongst the very best in the world according to official rankings, and on Sunday 25 January he will step out at Sha Tin with another Group 1 target fixed in his sights.
John Moore's powerhouse set a new benchmark for Hong Kong-trained horses at December's international showcase, earning a LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings mark of 127 to rate as the equal third-ranked horse in the world in 2014. This weekend the strapping chestnut will attempt to confirm that status in the Stewards' Cup, newly-promoted to international G1 level and worth HK$10 million.
Jockey Joao Moreira partnered the Shamardal gelding in an all-weather track workout on Saturday and expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which his mount covered 1200m in 1m 24.6s (31.6, 27.6, 25.4).
"He's doing well," said the Brazilian, who has partnered Able Friend to three of seven career wins. "There's not a lot to say - he's top class. He's a different horse, different to all the others. He behaves differently, he walks differently, he looks at you differently; everything he does is different. He's very professional. I don't need to say much about his ability because he's shown us already.
"I've said before, he's the best horse that I've sat on top of, and I'll say it again. Obviously, I respect the horses we will compete against, they are very good horses, their performances tell us that, but it's just that I have a lot of faith in Able Friend. He just needs to bring his best to the race and it will be very hard for them."
Moore seems to hold the ace going into this year's Stewards' Cup, a race he last won in 1987 when it was staged as a 1400m limited handicap. Distinction, carrying 140lb, was the horse that took the spoils that day. The trainer has high hopes that Sunday's race will end his 28-year wait for a second success.
"Able Friend's done everything right leading into the Stewards' Cup," he said. "I'm pleased with his progress and so is the jockey. He trialled last week when I wasn't here and he did that easy, just a nice even trial. He galloped Saturday, that went well, and I'd expect he'll be the horse to beat.
"He'll be out on the turf on Thursday (22 January), from the 1800m start. We've done nothing differently; his lead-up to this race is the same as his last; his weight is around the 1300lb mark - he's a gross doer, he'll eat as much as you can feed him. And after his international Mile run, something's got to do something pretty special to beat him!"
Among those aiming to halt the Able Friend juggernaut are three previous winners, Blazing Speed (2014), Glorious Days (2013) and Ambitious Dragon (2012), while Gold-Fun, runner-up in the past two renewals of the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, also takes his chance. Military Attack is also among the 10 entries.
The field also features Beauty Flame, All You Wish, Real Specialist and the Moore-trained Rewarding Hero.
"Rewarding Hero won last start but he's a Group 3 handicapper. He's in no man's land with his rating, so he has no place else to go. We're hoping he can run to his best and pick up some prize money," said the trainer.
The G1 Stewards' Cup is the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown. The second leg is the G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 1 March and the third-leg is the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 31 May. All three legs have attained international Group 1 status this year, are open to international competitors, and carry increased prize money of HK$10 million.
