Able Friend en route to Royal Ascot The final link in the chain that will take Able Friend to Royal Ascot should be installed when the John Moore-trained gelding starts a hot favourite for the Champions Mile at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday. The big chestnut is the undisputed star miler in Asia and his sequence of five straight victories have included three Group Ones and a Group Two. Moore has dominated the Champions Mile with five successes as he again attempts to get the upper hand on John Size, who is responsible for Hong Kong Derby winner Luger and Real Specialist in a small but select field of six. Largely through Moore's persuasion, owner Dr Cornel Li Fook Kwan has agreed to send Able Friend on a Royal Ascot mission that will see him line up in the Queen Anne Stakes. Able Friend, who started odds-on only to be eclipsed by the sensational South African miler Variety Club in last year's Champions Mile, has delighted connections in his build-up. Moore and jockey Joao Moreira are united in believing the five-year-old has not been at his best for his latest two outings, but that he is as sharp as ever following track work on Thursday. Moore said: "Joao got off and had a smile from here to Beijing. "I believe I've got the horse 100 per cent fit and I have high hopes of him repeating what he has done in the past." With so few runners, the race is likely to become tactical, but that is simplified by the fact two-thirds of the field are from Moore's barn. He added that Secret Sham would adopt his customary front-running role, while expecting Luger to push forward and sit outside the lead. Moore, who also saddles Rewarding Hero and Dan Excel, said: "It will be a game of cat and mouse, and I think Luger will be in front of us for sure. "The way Luger won the Derby got my attention. He stamped his authority on the race and, for that reason, you have to be wary that he could challenge a horse like Able Friend. "But win or lose, as long as my horse runs admirably on Sunday, Royal Ascot is still on the cards. "As it stands, the plan is to go to the Queen Anne Stakes on June 16, but it would be nice going there with another win under his belt."
