Able Friend Thriving Ahead Of Queen Anne Stakes

Hong Kong based superstar Able Friend impressed assistant trainer George Moore with his first serious piece of trackwork since arriving in England ahead of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next Tueday.

Joao Moreira has been booked to ride Able Friend in the 2015 Queene Anne Stakes during the Royal Ascot Meeting. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Joao Moreira has been booked to ride Able Friend in the 2015 Queene Anne Stakes during the Royal Ascot Meeting. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Able Friend arrived in the United Kingdom on Saturday and he was given a testing gallop at Newmarket this morning as he continues to build towards the toughest test of his racing career to date in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Moore told the PAA that Able Friend had no problems handling the testing flight from Hong Kong to England and he said that he will continue to serve the work up to the son of Shamardal in the lead-up to next Tuesday night (AEST).

“The horse arrived on Saturday and worked on the Polytrack next to Newmarket racecourse,” Moore said.

“He worked around 1800 metres (nine furlongs) and will go a little further tomorrow morning.

Michael Bell has given us a seasoned horse to lead him in his work.

“Able Friend was having a good look around, but he does that back in Hong Kong as well.

“Everything is going good, there are no problems and we’re looking forward to next week.”

Able Friend is currently the equal highest rated horse in the world and he will be chasing his seventh straight victory in the Queen Anne Stakes after taking out the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m), Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Group 1 Stewards Cup (1600m), Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) and the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m).

Despite his recent record, Able Friend is on the second line of the Queen Anne Stakes betting market behind French galloper Solow and Moore admits that the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan winner will prove very tough to beat.

“I think the French horse is the one we’ve got to beat,” Moore said.

“He was good in his last Group One and looks pretty smart.”

Solow has won his past five starts and he stamped himself as one of the most talented horses in the world when he beat The Grey Gatsby and Mishawish to take out the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in Match 28.

Solow is currently available at 2015 Queen Anne Stakes odds of $2.40 with Ladbrokes and is a narrow favourite from Able Friend ($2.75), Night Of Thunder ($6), Arod ($11), Toormore ($11) and Integral ($13).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.