Able Friend had his final workout this morning for Sunday’s HK$14 million Group 1 Champions Mile and the manner in which the big chestnut went about it has instilled further confidence in trainer John Moore and jockey Joao Moreira.
“We can’t be happier - he’s going into the race absolutely primed for the occasion,” said Moore of the world’s equal top-rated racehorse. “Joao’s smile this morning is never-ending - it stretches from here to Beijing and back. We’re going in to the race with high hopes of him repeating what he’s already done in the past.”
What Able Friend has already done this term includes three brilliant wins at G1 level in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). But with a less imperious victory last start in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m), Moore and the horse’s army of fans were looking for a sign that a peak Able Friend will be lining up in the field of six at the weekend.
“This morning he went from the 1800m down the back straight where it’s nice, level ground,” said Moore after the Shamardal five-year-old had been clocked at 57.1s (29.5s, 27.6s) for the final 800m. “He worked the full 1000m and then pulled up in the straight and trotted half of the straight. He came back and he wouldn’t have blown a match out. I couldn’t have him fitter, I couldn’t have him looking any better and now we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
Able Friend will face trainer John Size’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Luger in the mile feature. At the barrier draw, some three hours or so after Able Friend had worked, the big horse was drawn in gate two, with Luger drawn six of six. Moore’s other runners Rewarding Hero, Dan Excel and Secret Sham drew gates one, four and five, respectively. The remaining contender, the Size-trained Real Specialist, was posted in gate three.
“With six horses in the race, the gate is of no consequence,” said Moore, who was joined at the barrier draw ceremony by Able Friend’s owner, Dr Cornel Li. “He’ll be taken back, no doubt, and Secret Sham will probably go on, or Real Specialist, and I believe all horses will have their chance in the way race will be run.”
As to whether Able Friend will make the journey to Royal Ascot for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) in June, Moore said: “Win or lose on Sunday, so long as he runs well and Dr. Li is happy to make the journey, he’ll be going to Royal Ascot.”
??
|
Photo 1:
Able Friend �V with Joao Moreira on board
|
Photo 2:
Dan Excel
|
|
Photo 3:
Secret Sham �V with Douglas Whyte on board
|
