Moore cagey over Able Friend’s Hong Kong Mile chances

Trainer John Moore has downplayed Able Friend’s chances in the 2016 Hong Kong Mile despite some impressive track work at Sha Tin this week.

There were some doubts about the 2014 winner’s fitness following a minor injury to the hindquarters sustained in quarantine when shying from a manure truck in September.

The Australian-bred gelding looked good in practice on Thursday, but both Moore and star jockey Joao Moreira were cautious in their appraisals.

“He was impressive in his work this morning,” trainer John Moore said.

“He had a good blow after that gallop but recovered quickly, but Joao did say it was a pity that we didn’t get that extra race into him. It was an impressive gallop but Joao was still a little bit reserved.

“The incident in quarantine delayed his prep and from the wide gate on Sunday his fitness will definitely be tested.”

Some have pointed to Able Friend’s wide barrier draw as a good omen.

Having won from gate 10 of 10 two years ago, the seven-year-old will jump from 14 of 14 in Sunday’s Group One Mile.

According to Moore, however, a lack of preparation and match fitness makes things much more difficult this time around.

“He was a very fit horse two years ago when he won from a wide draw and he was peaking at that time,” he said.

“Able Friend’s draw is a grave concern for the simple reason that he’s going into the race not 100 per cent fit, in the sense that he missed an intended run going in, so he’s had just the one run leading into this race.

“I was hoping for a middle gate and that he could get some nice cover. From gate 14 he’s going to come back to the rear of the field and his task is going to be set; with respect to getting home in a very slick sectional time.

“His fitness is suspect. I’m worried.”

There was far more optimism for Moore’s other contestant in the HK Mile.

Helene Paragon firmed into $6 joint favouritism at CrownBet on Friday after earning rave reviews from rider Hugh Bowman, who took out the Hong Kong Jockey’s Championship at Happy Valley this week.

“Hugh Bowman was ecstatic about his work this morning,” Moore said.

“He’s drawn the gun gate (five) and he should have won last time. From that gate jockey Hugh Bowman will give him a great ride and given clear running in the straight he’s one of the horses to beat.

“Taking into consideration the factors I’ve spoken about with Able Friend – the poor gate and the fitness query – Helene Paragon would be the pick of my runners in the race.”

The trainer’s big chance in the 1200m Hong Kong Sprint is NotListenin’tome – another top performer on the track this week.

“We’ve tried something a bit different with his training programme and he’s going very well,” Moore said.

“His win in the trial was good. Lucky Bubbles did close late and I don’t think he was really knocked around but my horse won well.”

Moore added that he thought the gelding had enough early pace to compete from a strong draw at barrier four.

“We’ve drawn very well, the Hong Kong horses,” he said.

“There’s going to be quite some speed underneath. I think NotListenin’tome and Takedown have the same amount of speed early and they’re likely to be upsides early, which makes it all the more interesting.

“He’s a fitter horse than last year. There’s a lot of speed drawn inside him and he’s going to get the gun run in behind them.”

Designs On Rome will have to work hard in the 2000m Hong Kong Cup against Japanese stars A Shin Hikari and Maurice, but Moore was confident in his prospect’s preparation.

“The Japanese armada is in town,” he said.

“They’ve come in full force and I take them very seriously, they can compete on the world stage anywhere but my horses, bar Able Friend, are fully prepared and we have home town advantage.

“Designs On Rome has drawn a good gate (six). He always goes back so Joao (Moreira) has to be conscious of how much ground he gives way early.

“You can forgive his last run, it was second-up syndrome factor and he was flat. Joao rode him this morning and said he was a fitter horse than last year.

“Given a good tactical ride by Joao, we’re in there with a chance.”

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