Leading local hope Able Friend pleased connections with his final piece of work on the turf under Joao Moreira this morning. Zac Purton got the leg up for the first time on Ireland’s Gordon Lord Byron and took him for a spin on the turf, while South Africa’s Variety Club took things a little easier in the quarantine area.
Able Friend
ABLE FRIEND – HK
Galloped 1200m on the turf under Joao Moreira in 1m 28.7s (31.5, 32.0, 25.2). Trainer John Moore said: “He went out on the grass this morning, he worked over 1400m and ran home through 1200m. He pulled up very clean-winded and Joao was very happy with the work. He had that run a couple of weeks ago so he’s there and the others have to beat him.
“The gate’s a bit awkward but there should be a decent pace on, and if he can find cover and get a nice run, it will be interesting to see what he can do when he slingshots into the race.”
GOLD-FUN – HK
Gold Fun
Galloped 1200m of the all-weather track under a work rider in 1m 28.4s (32.3, 29.4, 26.7). Jockey Douglas Whyte said: “The horse is in great form – he’s probably as good as he’s ever been. This is the toughest task for him, as of yet, it’s probably one of the best mile line-ups I’ve ever seen, so we’ll just be happy that he’s competitive and he holds his own.
“Being drawn in gate two does eliminate a lot of excess work, so it will be a benefit without necessarily being a massive help. He’s always been a bit vulnerable when he hits the front too soon but he’s got blinkers on now to eliminate that problem, and I also think in this tougher field he won’t have horses dropping away as quickly as they did in the Hong Kong Mile. There will be a lot of horses there until right near the winning post, so he’s going to have to stay true and honest right the way to the line.”
GORDON LORD BYRON – IRE
Gordon Lord Byron
Worked on the turf course under Zac Purton, clocking 29.8s for final 400m. Jockey Zac Purton, after riding the horse for the first time, said: “It was just a light piece of work, to get a feel for him and open up his lungs. He’s a well-balanced animal, beautiful to ride and he felt strong underneath me.”
Purton conceded that barrier 13 was “not ideal” but not insurmountable. “I will talk to connections and sort something out. We’ll have our thoughts but not be bound by any plan. Much will depend on how he begins and how others begin. He can be a touch slow out on occasions according to Tom (Hogan).
“It wouldn’t bother me to be midfield or perhaps a touch better. Not too far back as the A+3 course can tend to suit those handy. I’m not sure why that’s the case but for whatever reason that’s the way it often is. We’ll see.”
Trainer Tom Hogan, who arrived in Hong Kong the previous day, said: “The signs are good. He was 469 kilos when he ran here in December and he was precisely that weight yesterday morning, not a half kilo more, not a half kilo less.
“We’ve got Hong Kong’s top jockey on board and he chased the ride and got the tick of approval from Craig (Williams) who rode him in Australia. I’ve watched him before and he rides very well and he was happy with the horse this morning. I’m happy with him too and hopefully I’m still happy with him come Sunday evening.
Hogan did not seem too perturbed by the wide gate, despite the fact that no horse has won the Champions Mile from a double figure draw. “Perhaps we’ll just have to make a bit of history,” he said.
MEINER LACRIMA – JPN
The Japanese horse had a steady workout on the all-weather track before being paddock schooled this morning.
MSHAWISH – FR
Worked on the all-weather track and closed off over 800m in 57.3s (31.8, 25.5). Aymeric Candas, assistant to trainer Mikel Delzangles, said: “All good, positive.”
VARIETY CLUB – SAF
Trainer Mike de Kock inspected the horse, this morning, in the quarantine stables and advised that he did not require any further work beyond the trotting ring within the quarantine compound. He did not come out on either of the main tracks.
(source: HKJC)
