Able Friend takes sixth straight in Champions Mile

"He's just outstanding," Moreira said. "He just does everything properly.

He's a dream horse. I feel like my dream came true; I found one of the best

horses in the world and I'm very pleased at the opportunity I was given by the

trainer and the owner. I really appreciate it."

As to whether or not Able Friend will have one final start in the Queen Anne

S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot in June before calling time on this season, Moore and

owner Dr. Cornel Li were in agreement.

"I'm getting on a plane tonight so I'm going to get four or five days to cool

down and then when I get back from that trip I'll sit down with Cornel for lunch

and we'll have a chat," Moore said. "But first let's see how he pulls up and if

everything is in order, we will see if he goes to Ascot."

Dr. Li has now watched his Shamardal gelding win six consecutive races at Sha

Tin this term, with four Group 1 triumphs included in that haul.

"This is not my horse -- this is Hong Kong's horse," he said. "As John said,

we will see how he pulls out of this race and then we will decide about Ascot."

The impressive nature of Able Friend's success had the near 27,000 crowd,

including the attendant international media, buzzing about the prospect of

overseas success. But with Able Friend rated nine pounds and more clear of

Sunday's opponents on official international ratings, Moore was circumspect in

his post-race statements.

"Everything went his way today, but at Ascot he would have to run against

horses like Solow (Singspiel), and they're going to stretch him. They're going

to make sure he really is the champion," he said.

"There's  been talk about the Sussex S. (Eng-G1), but if he did go to England

it would be just one race -- the Queen Anne would be enough and then he'd come

back here. There would probably be a 30-day turnaround so we would put him in a

paddock for a week in Newmarket where he could eat a bit of grass in that

British sunshine."

Much had been made in the pre-Champions Mile build-up about the prospect of a

thrilling clash between Able Friend and this year's brilliant Hong Kong Derby

(HK-G1) winner Luger (Choisir). The latter, however, failed to fire and finished

last of the sextet. A post-race examination revealed that John Size's charge had

suffered an irregular heartbeat.

Able Friend stopped the clock at 1:35.39 as he comfortably held the game

Rewarding Hero. The latter had finished third behind the winner in both the

Stewards' Cup (HK-G1) and Chairman's Trophy earlier this year.

"He's run a massive race," said jockey Neil Callan, who ended the afternoon

with three wins. "Everybody knew the task taking on Able Friend. I think my

horse has run right up to his best, it's just unfortunate for him that there's a

horse like Able Friend around. My horse has a bit of class, he seems to be

improving still and if Able Friend doesn't turn up someday he might win a Group

1 himself."

Moreira increased his season's tally to 108 as he rode a five-timer. The

Brazilian is rapidly closing in on Douglas Whyte's all-time record of 114 wins

in a Hong Kong season, with 20 race meetings remaining.

In the contest immediately after the Champions Mile, Able Friend's potential

Royal Ascot travel companion, Not Listenin'tome, ran a race of merit to finish

three quarters of a length third in a Class 2 1,000-meter handicap. The Moore

trainee, who holds an engagement in the Diamond Jubilee (Eng-G1) shouldered top

weight of 133 pounds on what was his second Hong Kong start. The four-year-old

twice placed at Group 1 level in Australia.

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