Toormore On Course For HK Mission

Toormore (Ire) (Arakan), a dual Group 2 winner since he was purchased by Godolphin earlier this year could bid for international Group 1 glory in next month’s G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin Dec. 13. A stalwart of the Richard Hannon stable since being crowned Champion European 2-year-old in 2013, Toormore was last seen running a good third to Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) in the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp Oct. 4. “Toormore has done us proud these last three seasons, winning just short of £900,000 in prize money, not bad for a £36,000 yearling,” commented Richard Hannon before adding. “Godolphin are looking at a globetrotting campaign next year, and he has not been over-raced this summer, so there should still be some juice in the lemon for Hong Kong. He ran really well when third at Longchamp, but a mile definitely suits him better than seven furlongs and, while Able Friend will be tougher to beat on his home patch than he was in the G1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, we’ll go there fresh and well next month.” Not only will Toormore have to deal with the local hero Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) but he could also face stiff competition from fellow British trained Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The David O’Meara trained 5-year-old is still in the mix for Hong Kong according to his owner Geoff Turnbull following his fine effort in defeat to Tepin (Bernstein) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile.