Able Friend Right at Home for Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup

They tried to lure him for races like the G1 Dubai Turf in Dubai and the G1 Doncaster H. in Sydney, but at the end of the day, Dr. Cornel Li and trainer John Moore simply decided on some home cooking for Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal). The 1300-pound chestnut looks to pick up where he left off in Sunday’s 1400-meter Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin, promoted to international Group 1 status this term. 

A year ago to the day, Able Friend was battling Designs on Rome (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) to one of the most memorable finishes in the rich history of the Hong Kong Derby, but since then, he has established himself as arguably the world’s best horse at the mile distance. The 5-year-old enters this slightly sharper test having won his last three races, leaving spectators aghast as he won with condescending ease. 

The first two of those three scores came at the expense of the reigning champion Hong Kong miler Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 23 and again in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 14, each time without ever being touched by Joao Moreira. The margin of victory last time out over Beauty Flame (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) in the G1 Stewards’ Cup wasn’t as great, but Able Friend was no less impressive. Sunday’s trip looms the only thing that resembles a question mark, but connections enter the event as confident as ever. 

“Dropping down a furlong is not a worry at all,” insisted trainer John Moore. “He is very versatile in the sense that from 1200 to 2000 meters, he is a competitor. This is what champions are like.” 

Gold-Fun defeated the Moore-trained Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) in last year’s QSJC, but, the same way Cape of Good Hope (GB) chased legendary Silent Witness (Aus) in his heyday, the blaze-faced chestnut has seen just about enough of Able Friend’s hind end of late. In that one’s absence, Gold-Fun dropped back to 1200 meters and dealt G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint winner Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) a neck defeat in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize Feb. 15. 

“Able Friend is a multiple Group 1 winner, he’ll be a tough horse to beat and anyone that does beat him I’ll be clapping them very loudly,” commented trainer Richard Gibson. “I’ve got Gold-Fun in very good shape.” 

His best days are almost certainly behind, but 2013 QSJC winner Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) is back for another crack. Third to Able Friend in the Jockey Club Mile, he closed off well in the Stewards’ Cup, but even a final 400 meters in :22.24 could land him no better than a fifth-place finish. Trainer Tony Millard is pleased with his former Hong Kong Horse of the Year, but seems to think this is mission impossible. 

“The last two races [Ambitious Dragon] has had he has been jammed down the inside and hasn’t really had a fair go, he has been compromised, so he is due some luck,” said Millard. “But I think Able Friend on Sunday is the surest thing looking through a bridle!”