Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), the world's joint top-rated racehorse, is on track for the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot June 16 after running on nicely to finish a close second in a 1600-meter barrier trial Tuesday morning at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Winner of six straight, including the G1 Champions Mile May 3, the massive chestnut won the break from gate nine, but he immediately switched off and allowed himself to be taken to the back of the field while ridden cold by Joao Moreira. With the dogs out about halfway into the turf course, Able Friend was still last as they reached the head of the lane and, without ever being asked to extend, readily gained on the front rank and was just beaten to the wire by Packing Llaregyb (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), himself a stakes winner last November and beaten just two lengths in fifth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup Apr. 26. Romantic Touch (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), third in this year's Hong Kong Derby, finished a head behind Able Friend to round out the top three. Able Friend was timed in 1:37.74 for the metric mile.
“Joao said he's 85-90% there now and with two weeks up our sleeves it's just right on schedule with how I've trained him for his previous big races,” trainer John Moore commented. “All in all I'm very pleased with the outcome of that trial. He's at the end of his prep so when we get to England it'll just be a case of fine-tuning him.”
Added Moreira, “He did that nicely, he's done nothing wrong and I was delighted with how he travelled. I was actually very happy he didn't trial in an outstanding manner. That means he is heading to his best when we need him to be. He's done extremely well and I think he's as good as or even better than when he won the Champions Mile.”
But the Brazilian isn't taking anything for granted.
“Based on Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire})'s win in Dubai [in the G1 Dubai Turf], he looks like he's the main danger to our horse, but obviously we've got to respect the other horses in the race,” Moreira continued. “But at the same time I'm full of confidence for my horse, he's been good to me and I have a lot of faith in him.”
Able Friend departs for England this Saturday.
Click here for the HKJC barrier trials page and click on the number 1 (may not work in Explorer).
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