Maurice gains a memorable victory for Japan and Moore

13/12/2015

Maurice surged up the centre of the Sha Tin straight to produce a stunning victory in the HK$23 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, giving Japan a first win in the 1600m spectacular for ten years and adding yet another Group 1 victory to Ryan Moore’s sensational big race profile.

Able Friend started a short favourite to repeat the memorable stretch surge of last year but, though he briefly looked like sending the crowd into raptures after briefly leading he just lacked the kick of the brilliant Japanese four-year-old, and, in fact, it was Giant Treasure - running a blinder up the far rail – grabbing second three quarters of a length behind Maurice, with Able Friend a further short-head back in third.

Secret Sham, Contentment, Beauty Flame and Toormore represented the early pace but once things got serious in the straight it was all change and, as they hit the 200m pole, it was the big two who became the focus of attention. And with 100m left it was all about Maurice – unbeaten run this season and with victories in Japan’s two major mile races  –  who grabbed the prestige and the huge money on offer for the richest  turf mile race in the world.

During the week there had been mixed messages coming from Maurice’s trackwork
appearances and this was perhaps reflected in Moore’s comments as he dismounted from the Noriyuki Hori-trained winner who started second favourite.

Moore said: “I was a little worried about him today, with him travelling and things. It took him a while to settle into the place but going to the start I was happy, he was moving well and relaxed well.

“He really dug in the last furlong and showed plenty of heart. A stronger pace would have been better for him.

“I think in Japan (Mile Championship) he was slightly more impressive on the day but he’s had to travel in. That was his first run for a long time and he’s backed up three weeks later. He’s a very good horse and the race in Kyoto is always a very hard race and he’s probably slightly underrated on what he’s done. He’s a top-class miler.”

Trainer Hori, who looks likely to become champion trainer in Japan in a few weeks’ time, said: “This is my fifth visit to Hong Kong and I sent my horse here in great condition – everything went as planned. Now I will talk to the owner about Maurice’s future.”

John Moore was remarkably sanguine about the defeat of Able Friend: “He hit the front and I was hoping he would sustain it. I don’t know if his foot injury (mild lameness in his right foot) this morning had anything to do with it but it did take three checks from the vets before we could run him. It is the only excuse I can think of right now.”

Able Friend’s rider Joao Moreira said: “He just got to the front and then just flattened out in the last 100 metres. I don't know why.”

Fourth place went to classy French raider Esoterique with a good finish, local improver Contentment was prominent all the way for fifth and Beauty Flame was sixth. The winning time was 1m 33.92s.