I believe many of you have watched the Queen Anne Stakes through our simulcast last night. It’s a regret that Able Friend could not perform to his top level in this straight mile contest. I watched this John Moore-trained gelding in the parade ring and he appeared to be very relaxed, but looked a different horse when he got to the barrier.
I believe the connections, like me, were at a loss after the race. Perhaps it’s the undulation of Ascot, or all the pomp and circumstance on the way to the start, or maybe just the fact that Able Friend had a long season and this last run at the end of the season was simply one too much. After all, this was not the real Able Friend!
Although the venture was unsuccessful on this occasion, I see it a brave run by the horse and to me, he is a great horse. Able Friend can now enjoy a deserved leisure spell before going back to Hong Kong in mid-July. Hopefully he can soon regain his fitness after recharging himself, and I look forward to seeing him get back to the top of his game next season.
A visit to Royal Ascot is a must-do for any racing fan. The scenes are incredibly unique and it is always a great thrill to visit. After the early disappointment from the Queen Anne, it was exciting to see Hong Kong’s leading jockey nearly land a massive upset in the prestigious King’s Stand Stakes. A late booking for Joao Moreira which only came through on Sunday while we were at Sha Tin, his ride on the 9-year-old Medicean Man had many people on the grounds murmuring about his remarkable touch in the saddle, one we are fortunate enough to witness on a regular basis.
I will stay for a day more before coming back to Hong Kong and as such, will be absent from races at Happy Valley tonight. Having said that, I will still check the race results online and I hope you all will enjoy the events this evening.
I have also studied the Valley races and a strong Class 1 field is assembled for the Happy Valley Vase at 1800m, a race that dates back to 1979 and was originally a Griffin race for 3-year-olds. Today it is one of the premier races of the Happy Valley season.
Romantic Touch, third in this year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby, is a win and top three chance after a good effort last month in a Class 2 mile at Happy Valley. He carries a light weight and will need to do his running from the back, but the step back up in trip gives him a chance to be in the thick of it over the final stages. He was a $750,000 High Achievement Bonus recipient earlier in the season and has a chance for a further $250,000 in bonus money with a Class 1 win tonight. Top Act is another High Achievement Bonus recipient eligible for a top-up award tonight and comes into the race having won five times this season, including three times over 1800m. He is a solid place chance and has the advantage of being part of a moderate pace and should be perfectly positioned to deliver his best effort in his first-ever try in Class 1 company.
Harbour Master and Pleasure Gains are both Happy Valley specialists, combining for eight wins from only 13 races. Of the two, however, Harbour Master is a top three chance as he has won four of eight at this distance and is coming into the race in top form after missing by only a half-length in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. Despite the wide draw and without the benefit of a prior race or trial at Happy Valley, Packing Llaregyb remains a place chance on the strength of his consistent form this season.
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