Able Friend Leads Champions’ Mile Invitees

Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), recently named the world’s co-highest rated racehorse along with Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}), heads a list of eight runners invited to the HK$14-million (US$1,805,910) G1 BMW Champions Mile to be contested at Sha Tin Racecourse Sunday, May 3. 

Owned by Dr. & Mrs. Cornel Li, Able Friend, an A$550,000 Inglis Easter yearling purchase, has proved an unstoppable force during his current campaign, with stirring successes in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, G1 Stewards’ Cup and G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup ahead of a last-out defeat of Beauty Flame (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) in the Chairman’s Trophy Apr. 7. He figures a hot favorite for the Champions’ Mile, a race in which he was runner-up to South African raider Variety Club (SAf) (Var) last May. Another strong performance is likely to lead to a maiden overseas voyage, either to Royal Ascot or Japan in June.

The strapping chestnut could be joined by as many as three other stable companions, including Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal), who seems to be rounding into shape after an Australian spring campaign was dashed due to illness. Winner of the 2013 renewal, the 7-year-old finished one spot behind Able Friend in defense of his title last spring, then took his show on the road and prevailed in the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2000 meters just two weeks later. Most recently fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the Chairman’s Trophy, Dan Excel is programmed for a return to Singapore following the Champions’ Mile. 

In most years, the Hong Kong Derby winner remains at that 10-furlong trip for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, but the connections of Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) have passed on that opportunity in favor of a David-versus-Goliath clash with Able Friend. Victorious in five of his first seven local appearances, the 4-year-old took a Class 2 handicap over 1800 meters Feb. 15 before overcoming a very wide trip to score by 3/4 of a length in the Derby Mar. 15.

“This year’s Champions Mile does not have an overseas challenger but that does not lessen the quality of the race,” commented Bill Nader, the executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Able Friend is a horse of immense aptitude and his appeal is such that he is capturing the imaginations of a global audience. He will be tough to beat, but in the potentially world-class Luger, he has a new and exciting challenger to contend against.”