Able Friend Storms to Stewards' Cup Triumph
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Dr. Cornel Li's formidable miler Able Friend wore down pacesetter Beauty Flame and notched a second straight group I victory when taking the HK$10 million Stewards' Cup Jan. 25 at Sha Tin.
Trainer John Moore's stable star was named the co-third best horse in the world at last week's Longines World's Best Racehorse ceremony off the strength of his 4 1/4-length romp in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (HK-I) Dec. 14. The 5-year-old Shamardal gelding returned with an sharp 1 1/2-length score in the Stewards' Cup, which was deemed an international group I event for the first time this year.
Jockey Joao Moreira settled the short-priced favorite toward the back of the nine-horse field while Beauty Flame laid down slow early fractions. Beauty Flame kicked for home at the top of the stretch, catching most of his opponents flat-footed except Able Friend. As elite runners Gold-Fun, Glorious Days, and Ambitious Dragon struggled to quicken, Able Friend lengthened stride and rapidly made ground.
With Moreira no more than nudging Able Friend, his advancement was emphatic to secure the victory.
The final time for the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) race was 1:33.50 on turf rated firm. Able Friend ran the final 400 meters in a rapid :21.71.
"The way he won today showed everyone around the world and in Hong Kong that he's the best miler, but he's got to go overseas to prove himself," Moore said. He indicated the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-I) in Japan or Royal Ascot are possibilities, although he has his eye on Dubai
"My personal opinion would be to go to Dubai," Moore said. "It's a 10-day turnaround and it's just easy there and easy back. I will be recommending that to Dr Li."
Beauty Flame held for second, with Rewarding Hero third. Last year's Stewards' Cup winner, Blazing Speed, was outpaced in the stretch after racing handily and kept on for fourth. Ambitious Dragon was fifth, while Gold-Fun and Glorious Days finished sixth and eighth, respectively.
The Stewards' Cup is the first leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown (for older horses). The series continues March 1 with the Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup and concludes in May with the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, both races also elevated to international group I status this year.
Able Friend was bred in Australia by Ramsey Pastoral Co. His dam, the Volksraad mare Ponte Piccolo, was a group-placed stakes winner in Australia. Moore's son George Moore purchased him for Aus$550,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale from breeder Stuart Ramsey's Turangga Farm consignment.