Able Friend Wins Champions Mile in Easy Romp
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Able Friend maintained his supremacy in Hong Kong's mile division when he trounced rivals in the HK14 million Champions Mile (HK-I) May 3 at Sha Tin.
The 5-year-old Shamardal gelding bested stablemate Rewarding Hero by 1 1/4 lengths, while another stablemate, Dan Excel, finished third, a half-length back, in trying for a second win in the race he captured in 2013. The top three finishers are trained by John Moore.
Jockey Joao Moreira said Able Friend, who currently sits atop the World's Best Racehorse Rankings with U.S.-based Shared Belief, had plenty of power in reserve in winning in 1:35.39.
"Heaps," Moreira said, when asked how much the energy the winner had to spare.
Able Friend was settled fifth of six runners, five lengths off the pace, as stablemate Dan Excel took the field along at a moderate tempo. Able Friend cruised up on the outside of runners exiting the final turn and, with every one of his rivals hard at it down the straight, Moreira remained motionless in the run home.
Able Friend eased to the lead in the final furlong and coasted to finish line comfortably clear of Rewarding Hero.
It is some measure of Able Friend's talent that the strapping chestnut clocked :21.35 for the final quarter mile without ever coming off the bridle.
As to whether or not Able Friend will have one final start in the Queen Anne Stakes (eng-I) at Royal Ascot in June to conclude this season, Moore and owner Dr. Cornel Li were in agreement.
"First let's see how he pulls up and if everything is in order. We will see if he goes to Ascot," Moore said.
Dr. Li has now watched his Shamardal gelding win six consecutive races this season at Sha Tin, including three other group I races: the Hong Kong Mile in December, Stewards' Cup in January, and Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in March. Prior to Sunday's race, he won the Chairman's Trophy, a local group II, April 7.
"This is not my horse, this is Hong Kong's horse," Li said.
Ramsey Pastoral Co. Ltd. bred Able Friend in Australia from the stakes-winning Volksraad mare Ponte Piccolo, a half sister to South African grade I winner Global News.
Able Friend was sold from the Turangga Farm consignment at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale to Moore's father, Hong Kong bloodstock agent George Moore, for $550,000 (US$570,020).