Post 11 'not an issue' for HK Mile favorite Able Friend

Post 11 'not an issue' for HK

Mile favorite Able Friend

Hong Kong trainer John Moore was unfazed Thursday despite his much-vaunted

Hong Kong mile favorite Able Friend drawing gate 11 of 11 -- the only one of his

seven International day runners to draw a double figure barrier.

"It's not an issue," Moore said, "Joao (Moreira) will still be looking for

some cover and you'd rather draw a touch further in but he's such a versatile

horse it shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully, there's some speed up front and he

can slot in. If not, so be it. I can assure you we will still be going in with

very high hopes."

Jockey Joao Moreira was less sanguine.

"It's not the best, I guess," he said as he shrugged his shoulders.

Moore and fans of Able Friend can take heart from the fact that three of the

past four Hong Kong Mile winners have come from outside gates -- Glorious Days

(13), Ambitious Dragon (11) and Beauty Flash (14).

Gold Fun, last year's runner-up and the runner-up to Able Friend in the

lead-up Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin, is widely held as the main rival to Moore's

charge on Sunday and his trainer Richard Gibson was delighted to draw gate 6.

"Very happy with six and very happy with the horse. He's in really good

shape. Now it is fingers crossed time for a trouble-free run," Gibson said.

Ironically, Japanese trainer Hideaki Fujiwara was less than enamored of

drawing the usually coveted gate 1 for Fiero.

"Middle to outside is what I hoped most, but I suppose now he will be able to

travel on the rail, saving for a late run. We will find the right tactics and he

is very versatile," he said.

Moore's emerging star Designs On Rome (gate 3) and the evergreen Cirrus Des

Aigles (4) fared best of the "big names" in the Hong Kong Cup over 2,000 meters.

Cirrus Des Aigles' trainer Corine Barande-Barbe was very pleased with the

draw.

"Draw 4 is perfect for us. We should get away nicely from there and find a

good spot. We're very happy with that," she said.

Her assistant trainer Jean-Jacques Poincelet was even more exuberant. With a

smile, he quipped: "It's as if they gave away a place on the podium!"

Moore said that he was happy with the draw for top class middle-distance

horse Designs On Rome as well as his lead-in to the race.

"He'll be at his peak on the weekend and he's already shown that he's right

up there among the best horses in the world. I'm pleased with all of my horses

leading into Sunday," Moore said.

Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara was thrilled with Archimedes' Cup post.

"Best draw (2) I could have hoped for. Happy with that," Fujiwara said.

In contrast, trainer David Hayes was concerned about Criterion's landing in

post 9 in the Cup.

"Lost the toss there. Only two to go, three or nine and we were left with

nine. Still, I guess he can stay out of trouble from there," Hayes said.

Hong Kong legend Tony Cruz could have been excused for any dismay to draw the

widest gates in the Cup with California Memory (11) and Blazing Speed (12) but,

like Moore with Able Friend, he wasn't unduly concerned. 

"I believe California Memory still has a great chance and I'm very happy with

him. He likes to come from behind so we'll be patient with him from this draw,"

he said.

As to Blazing Speed, Cruz said: "He's 100 percent fit and even though he's

got that challenging draw we can be waiting on the outside, handy even, and I

don't believe he needs to be covered up. He's a horse that can wait even if he

doesn't have any cover."

Cruz was delighted with his Vase runner Wille Cazals drawing post 3.

"I believe the mile and a half will be perfect for him, he's in good form and

now he has a good draw. He's spot on for this race," the trainer observed.

Cruz was likewise happy with Peniaphobia's post in the Hong Kong Sprint,

after the sophomore successfully overcame post 14 in the Jockey Club Sprint.

"Today we've got alley number 6 and I think that's a perfect position to be

in. If he can sit just off the pace, fourth or fifth, I'll be happy. He's got a

great chance. He's the youngest horse in the race but he's up to it. He hasn't

got the early speed any more so I'll be happy if there's pace on. As he's

matured, he's lost the early speed and now he comes home with a stronger finish

than ever."

Sprint foe Buffering will break from post 8.

"I was asked before the draw what I would like and I said four to seven, so I

can compromise and take eight," trainer Robert Heathcote said.

"On Tuesday morning I was about to get on the plane and go home. He couldn't

walk that morning and here we are Thursday morning and he worked lovely this

morning. On ratings and form, if he was to reproduce any of his last three runs,

he's going to be right in the mix. We know the way he runs, he's not the fastest

horse out of the gates but his first 50 meters, once he musters, he gets going

at a very high cruising speed. There's some speed inside of us but Buffering has

the speed to cross. I expect to see us up there in the first couple whatever

happens."

Sole Power drew post 5, to the satisfaction of trainer Eddie Lynam.

"Happy with that draw. I can't use the draw as an excuse. I'll have to think

of another one now," the trainer quipped.

Trade Storm's trainer David Simcock described his post 5 as "an ideal draw"

for the Mile.

Drawn one spot to his inside is World Ace, whose trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said,

"Number 4 best draw. Very good."

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi would have preferred Grand Prix Boss to have drawn

better than post 10.

"Hold up for the late run is his racing style, so the inner draw would be

much better. But he is a type of horse who has some elements of surprise, so he

will do something with this draw," Yahagi said."

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