Last night I took a late flight from Hong Kong and a few hours ago I hopped off the plane in London. Soon I’ll be on my way to Ascot to attend the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting where, for the first time in three years, there will be a Hong Kong participant, as Able Friend will be running in the day’s opening event, the G1 Queen Anne Stakes.
Over the past decade, our elite milers have earned high ranks in the world’s turf mile category. From the likes of Bullish Luck and Good Ba Ba to the more recent heroes like Ambitious Dragon and now Able Friend, they have all demonstrated their world-class credentials. And the elite performances of Hong Kong milers have not just been confined to our home turf. The Yasuda Kinen in Japan was won by the great Fairy King Prawn and Bullish Luck, and we have seen fine efforts in the Dubai Turf (formerly the Dubai Duty Free) over a distance slightly beyond the mile trip. Able Friend, now rated the joint second best horse in the world, will carry our hopes this time and will hopefully claim a first top level win in the UK for our Hong Kong milers.
We have had some notable world-class runners go and participate at the royal meeting in the past, the likes of Little Bridge, Sacred Kingdom and Cape Of Good Hope, but in my opinion, Able Friend is even more high profile and the one that has drawn most coverage from British and international media leading into the race. Many are hailing this year’s Queen Anne Stakes, and the three-way tussle between Able Friend, French runner Solow and local hopeful Night Of Thunder, as one of the most interesting races on the card this year and a flagship contest. Certainly it is doing a lot of good for the image of Hong Kong racing and is helping promote it to the international racing audience.
Nobody could fault the horse’s preparation as he has settled and worked exceptionally well after arriving in the UK. He’s the second ever Hong Kong runner in the Queen Anne, following Bowman’s Crossing who was seventh in the 2004 renewal. I’m sure many racing fans in Hong Kong will be as eager as I am to see Able Friend in his first overseas run, and we will all no doubt have our fingers crossed that he will produce his “A Game” in the race today.
I have also done some analysis on the race. I’m hopeful that Able Friend can show his best and win the race, but I’m mindful of the fact that he will have to face an uphill battle for a win here. Without doubt he’s a classy horse, but he will be running for the first time over the very stiff 1600m at Ascot, against some very good and experienced opposition over this track and distance, at the end of the Hong Kong season. With all these factors in combination, it will be a real challenge for him.
Solow is working extremely well and is in great form. The demanding straight course will suit him as he’s likely to run better over 1800m than the mile, especially a mile around the bend would be too short for him. Night Of Thunder is in good form and well proven over course and distance, as well as for Toormore who should be sharper for this outing. They are the other main opponents for Able Friend, but I have the most respect for Solow. Having said that, if Able Friend can show his A-game he still has a good chance to win. I would like to thank Dr Cornel Li and his family for being very supportive and for the chance to show how good Hong Kong racing is.
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