Last weekend was a very entertaining and potentially busy time for all die-hard sports fans. In America there was the Kentucky Derby and the much-hyped boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, both on Sunday morning for those of us in Hong Kong. In Britain Ryan Moore was on the mark with a brilliant Classic double on Saturday and Sunday thanks to Gleneagles and Legatissimo in the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. And on top of all that exciting action, I chose to stay awake until the early hours on Sunday to watch the Real Madrid game, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick to help his team edge Sevilla for a 3-2 win.
That was a real feast of world-class sports events but of course the one that really mattered to me was at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. Our brilliant Able Friend was set for the G1 Champions Mile and he did not disappoint as he produced another stunning performance. His growing army of fans can have had few if any worries during the race. Jockey Joao Moreira just sat comfortably in the saddle all the way around and the big horse cruised home for another impressive win – which was his 6th victory on the trot this season.
The five-year-old oozes class and it’s a real delight for us to see the world’s best horse right here in Hong Kong. In his four recent wins at the top level he has trounced all his opponents with ease, so it’s little wonder that many people - including me - rate this wonderful horse as the best one we have had since the legendary sprinter Silent Witness. We don’t have a horse breeding industry and our horse population is not large, but it’s really exciting for us to have such a stellar horse to join the ever-growing list of world-class horses we have had here in Hong Kong already this century.
Able Friend’s owner Dr Cornel Li said in the post-race interview that Able Friend is Hong Kong's horse now and “not mine anymore”. As I told our local and overseas media friends after races on Sunday, it was encouraging to note that on that day we had a surge of 4,000 people after Race 5 at Sha Tin Racecourse, who I believe, were coming to watch Able Friend. That shows the resonance this outstanding miler has with the public, and that support will continue to grow as he keeps on performing at such a high level.
There has been intense interest far and wide about Able Friend’s imminent race plan – particularly as to whether the world’s top rated racehorse will head to England in June to take part in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting. Able Friend has proven this season that he is beyond the reach of any of his compatriots in the mile category - they simply cannot match him. But I think all would have to take note that Able Friend would have to overcome a few challenges and factors to be successful, including the long travel, now being close to the end of season in Hong Kong, not training on the track in his pre-race preparation, transport on the race day, and last but not least, an undulating track he may not get used to.
Dr Li and John Moore will likely make a decision in the near future as to whether Ascot is on or off. We hope that Able Friend stays healthy and we hope - if he does go overseas - that he can show his brilliance on foreign turf so as to endorse the quality of Hong Kong racing.
While we are waiting for further news from Able Friend’s camp, his jockey Moreira will be continuing his quest for more wins tonight after riding a five-timer on Sunday. His season’s tally now stands at 108, taking him to within striking distance of breaking Douglas Whyte’s all time record of 114 wins, which Douglas set in 2005/06. Joao has 20 race meetings to spare, so that gives us a clear indication of the remarkable success he has enjoyed this season. He’s fully booked for the eight races at Happy Valley tonight and I will see if he can ride more winners to further close that gap.
Other than that, tonight we will also be celebrating the return of the Le French May, bringing together French culture and flavor to racing excitement to racing fans at our Happy Valley theme nights. Various dedicated French food treats, as well as music and dancing performances will add to the on-course entertainment. I hope you will have a great time and soak up the Gallic atmosphere there this evening.
For tonight’s card, the Victoria Racing Club Trophy is a Class 3 handicap over 2200m and is run as race 6. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a long and strong relationship with the VRC. We share not only the same vision of fostering international racing, we also have regular discussions on how we can work closer together, as well as conducting employee exchange programmes to learn from each other.
The pace in this race should be good to slow, due to the fact that Supreme Fresh is likely to lead. But he will not have his own way by setting a slow pace, and will be pressurized by Industrialist Way, Full Glory and France Valour. This will give horses coming from midfield and the back of the field a chance to be competitive in the finish.
Ensuring will be positioned in the back of the field and is working very well. Being ridden by Moreira he is my first pick in this race. It is interesting that the Wong family likes to buy horses with stamina and this applies to his son Vincent who is the owner of Entrusting, who is an improving and a proven stayer having won over 1800m as a two-year-old in France. He has a chance to be placed here in my opinion. Supreme Fresh is working well and I would see him as a place chance, as are Photon Willie and Ambitious Champion.
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