Horse racing Hong Kong Champions Mile: Able Friend dazzles at Sha Tin

Able Friend oozed class with victory in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin that not only rubber-stamped his impending trip to Royal Ascot for a shot at the Queen Anne Stakes but was hailed by trainer John Moore as "possibly the best" in his distinguished career.

The five-year-old provided a fourth winner on the card for jockey Joao Moreira and was by far the most impressive, with his Brazilian pilot barely having to let out an inch of rein for the long odds-on favourite to score without coming off the bridle.

It was a performance that completely scotched any thoughts Able Friend could be going over the top after a long season, and also raises the probability he will remain in England after June 16 and be pointed towards the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood just over a month later.

Able Friend's length-and-a-quarter verdict over stablemate Rewarding Hero gives scant indication of his superiority, as Moreira was motionless as he loomed up on the winner.

Rewarding Hero benefited from a fine waiting ride from Neil Callan, nabbing second from Dan Excel, but Hong Kong Derby winner Luger proved a complete flop, weakening to finish last of the six starters.

Moreira said: "He is the perfect horse and does everything so properly.

"As I said before the race, I just wanted to uncomplicate him.

"He's a dream, one of the best in the world, and I could have won as far as I liked."

Moore will take advantage of a five-day away trip to ponder the future for Able Friend, but gave the strongest indication yet that the Ascot mission is on.

He said: "I shall give myself a few days to cool down, and when coming back off that trip let's see how the horse has pulled up.

"I think this was probably his best win.

"He'll undoubtedly meet horses that will stretch him in the Queen Anne but unless anything unforeseen happens, that's where he's going.

"There is a thirty day turnaround between the two races (Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes) and the probability is that we'll put him in a paddock at Newmarket after the Queen Anne."

For owner Dr Cornel Li Fook Kwan, a visit to UK will be something he last realised many years ago.

He said: "I haven't been to England for such a long time.

"John will monitor him and see how he is. He's Hong Kong's horse now, not mine."

Dan Excel, a past winner of the Champions Mile and last season's Singapore Airlines Cup, will now return to Kranji for the latter race in two weeks' time.