Able Friend maintained his routine this morning (Thursday, 11 June), trotting and cantering under work rider Thomas Yeung before returning to his temporary lodging at Michael Bell’s Fitzroy House Stables.
The giant chestnut, Hong Kong’s great hope at next week’s Royal Ascot meeting, seems to be enjoying life in the rural environs of Newmarket, British horseracing’s traditional headquarters.
Trainer John Moore will arrive on Friday night in time to oversee Able Friend’s exercise on Saturday morning, with the Shamardal gelding’s test coming three days later in Tuesday’s G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m). In the meantime, Yeung, George Moore, son of John Moore, Jockey Club vet Paul Robinson and mafoo Alan Ng are ensuring Able Friend is happy and healthy.
Watched this morning by a bevy of international media, gathered for the official annual pre-Royal Ascot media breakfast event in Newmarket, the five-year-old trotted four laps of the trotting ring and then undertook about two and half laps of the Cambridge Road Polytrack at a light canter. That will be the site of Able Friend’s final fast work tomorrow (Friday 12 June).
“The horse is doing well. He continues to eat well and seems to be enjoying it here. He just did about a mile of trotting and 2800m at a light canter this morning and he’ll gallop tomorrow morning,” said George Moore.
At the press breakfast a little later, Ascot Clerk of the Course Chris Stickels had positive news with regard to the expected going for the Queen Anne.
“The track is currently good, good to firm in places,” he said. “We’re putting a little bit of water on the straight track this morning. The forecast actually is for some thunder storms on Friday, which would be welcome. Beyond that, we’re expecting a mainly fine, dry week, so we’ll review the track conditions on Saturday morning after these thunder storms. After that we’re expecting the week to remain fine and dry.
“The intention is for us to start the meeting on good, fast ground, so a mixture of good, good to firm would be ideal (on Tuesday). We’re expecting the temperature to be around 18 degrees on Tuesday – it’s been a bit dry this spring, and cool, but the track is in great shape.”
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Photo 1:
Able Friend canters on the Cambridge Road Polytrack.
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