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Able Friend gallops, Moore is confident ahead of Sunday��s Group 1s

23/02/2017

By David Morgan

John Moore believes that Able Friend is still “just better than the others” as he points his stable star at Sunday’s HK$10 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin. The trainer spoke this morning (Thursday, 23 February) after the Shamardal gelding had galloped solo down the turf backstretch at Sha Tin racecourse. 

“You’ll see on Sunday. If he gets clear, he’ll just go,” Moore said.

Two years ago, Able Friend wowed the Sha Tin crowd with one of those performances that only a champion has the capacity to effect. And it came in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup – the big horse extricating his hulking frame from a rail-side pocket with the nimbleness of a danseur and then quickening past rivals in an act of uncommon brilliance.

Able Friend was a heart-in-mouth fourth with 250m of that race remaining but finished on the bridle. Jockey Joao Moreira was easing him at the winning post, with his rivals two and a quarter lengths and more adrift. He was an athlete at his apex.

“I’m confident that if he gets clear running, on his work this morning and the fact that he has improved in his work, he’ll be winning on Sunday,” Moore said. “He’s a few lengths better than even Helene Paragon.”

Able Friend was a length and a quarter third behind Helene Paragon a month ago when the stablemates met in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). That was the former Horse of the Year’s third start back after a well-documented tendon problem that sidelined him for nine months.

Now seven years of age and with five starts and 16 months behind him since his last win, Able Friend must prove that he is still a dominant force at this elite level. Moore, though, is not doubting his champ.
 
“There’s no fear in my mind,” he said. “I think, when the adrenaline’s running, he’ll overcome the age factor, skeletal changes, or whatever – he’s that good, he’s just so much better than what’s in Hong Kong at the moment.

“He’s a fitter horse since the Stewards’ Cup and I think he’s the horse to beat. In my opinion, he should have won last time, and, if he’s a fitter horse now, then he should be winning this time.”

As to this morning’s work, Able Friend stretched his legs down the back under his regular work rider, clocking 53.9s (28.5, 25.4) for 800m.

“He galloped down the back and then eased right down and trotted down the straight because I just want to keep him on level ground and avoid any chance of lameness issues. I reckon he’s run 53 or 54 seconds - a freshen-up for going over 1400 (metres).”

Helene Paragon will attempt to confirm Stewards’ Cup superiority and looked in fine fettle this morning as he galloped in company with Sunday’s HK$10 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) contender, Werther. The pair clocked 1m 24.1s (31.0, 30.0, 23.1) for 1200m.

“Helene Paragon is in fantastic form,” Moore said. “Sam Clipperton, who rode him this morning, said he’s improved further from his last win, so that’s good to hear. He galloped with Werther. They did the same as Able Friend in that they went out the back.

“If Able Friend was to not get clear running then Helene Paragon would take a load of beating, but I just think he’s not as good as Able Friend.”

Rome sparks ahead of hat-trick bid

Moore believes that he could be in for a big day with strong candidates in both of Sunday’s G1 contests. Werther posted a smart effort first-up after a lay-off when sixth in the Stewards’ Cup, while Designs On Rome, who returned from his own setback to win a second Hong Kong Gold Cup last year, is pleasing the handler.

“He’s flying at the moment, Designs On Rome, he’s really doing well,” he said. “It’s like he hadn’t had any issues, this morning he just worked down the back and trotted down the straight, the same as with the others. For a horse that’s had surgery in the past, he’s really flowing over the ground at the moment.”

The seven-year-old worked this morning on the turf and was timed at 56.5s (30.1, 26.4) through 800m.

“I’m looking really strong in that Gold Cup with Werther and Designs On Rome,” Moore added. “Werther’s not a hard horse to get fit and he pulled up clean, and if there’s this moisture in the ground, he will love it. I’m expecting a big day on the weekend. I’m looking forward to it.”

Able Friend lands a dominant victory in the 2015 edition of the Queen��s Silver Jubilee Cup.
Photo 1:
Able Friend lands a dominant victory in the 2015 edition of the Queen��s Silver Jubilee Cup.

 

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