Able Friend will have to contend with only seven rivals in the HK$14 million Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, 3 May, but trainer John Moore is taking nothing for granted. That is because the untapped Luger is among them. Moore rates Luger: He rates Luger as a serious threat to Able Friend’s burgeoning status.
“I know he can beat the rest, but I don't know that he can beat Luger,” said the Australian. “What that horse did in the Derby, sitting three deep over 2000m and then to win like he did - that is a horse with lots of ability. I don't take any horse cheaply and that applies especially to Luger in this instance.”
Speculation has abounded that Able Friend might venture overseas to cap what has already been a spectacular season. Royal Ascot is the destination most often mentioned, but, while making no secret of his personal desire to take the horse that regal route, Moore is not allowing his thoughts to venture too far beyond Sunday week. So far his focus has remained fixed upon the pressing concern of overcoming the emerging threat at home. The handler is in agreement with Able Friend’s octogenarian owner, Dr Cornel Li, who has stated that no decision on Ascot will be made until after that domestic season-capper.
“How he goes in the Champions Mile will dictate whether we go the next step and venture to Ascot for the Queen Anne over the mile,” continued Moore. “The expectations are high for the Champions Mile, being one of the top-rated horses in the world, and when he’s not winning by big margins people begin to query, fitness-wise, where he’s at in this latter part of the season.”
Moore was pleased with Able Friend’s last performance on 7 April. He believes that he and jockey Joao Moreira learned something more about the horse from that almost workmanlike win in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m), which was Able Friend’s fifth consecutive triumph in a season that has also yielded imperious victories in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
“We rode him closer - I told Joao to have him sitting fourth or fifth, which was something slightly different to the past race-riding pattern where he just drops right out, comes around the outside and enjoys getting into a lovely rhythm,” said Moore. “This time he jumped first out of the machine, got there very easily and travelled. But I think what I’m seeing is that when you drop him out, he gets more relaxed, he has more kick; you use him to get closer, he travels that little bit more keenly. It’s probably told me he doesn’t have that devastating, immediate kick - but then again, speed dictates, doesn't it?”
Luger will head into the race an impressive winner of the HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) over a distance many thought was beyond John Size’s charge. The talented four-year-old had hinted previously at being a potential champion miler.
“Luger’s the one to beat. After the Derby win he’s an outstanding prospect and that gives the race even more flavour,” said Moore. “I’ll be preparing for that encounter because I would think - the way Luger won the Derby and obliterated that field - Able Friend might be getting a few more slaps around the backside because Luger’s going to stretch him!”
The Champions Mile on 3 May is the second of Hong Kong’s spring international Group 1 contests. The first, the HK$20 million Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m), takes place this Sunday, 26 April, and features Red Cadeaux from Britain, Australia’s Criterion, Japanese raider Staphanos, Smoking Sun from France, and the local champions Designs On Rome and Military Attack.
