Hong Kong's most anticipated equine raid will go ahead, with the world's highest rated horse, Able Friend, given the green light to step into the global arena with a Royal Ascot campaign next month.
Trainer John Moore confirmed on Tuesday afternoon his champion miler would contest the Group One Queen Anne Stakes on June 16 as long as the horse comes through a barrier trial in early June in good order. The decision was reached after a lunch meeting with owner Dr Cornel Li Fook-kwan.
"Of course I am excited, but this is his biggest test," Moore said.
"I'm going in very open minded. We are taking on the cream of the crop on the world stage. This is our intention, to take on the very best, but we aren't going in thinking the result is a foregone conclusion."
The Queen Anne is expected to also feature French-trained Solow and Karakontie, winners of the Dubai Turf and Breeders' Cup Mile respectively, as well as last year's 2000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder and Group One-winning mare Integral.
"We don't take on these horses lightly," Moore said. "But I have a dream of winning another Group One offshore, especially at Royal Ascot.
"I have been there as a spectator many times and I think I have the horse to do the job, but this is the world stage and we are tackling them on their home turf."
Able Friend is coming off an arrogant win in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin, his sixth success in a row, and the giant chestnut will be out to cement his place at the top of the world rankings with a similar performance down the tricky, undulating Ascot straight.
Moore said that while it was all systems go, the trip was still subject to a good trial on June 2 over a mile at Sha Tin.
"We will approach the club to see if they can put a turf trial on for us and other trainers," he said. "The trial will be the final piece of the puzzle. The travel logistics are all in place.
“As long as he trials well and we are happy with the way he pulls up, we will give it the green light. He will be trialling for fitness, as he would normally before a race here.”
Moore was unable to secure a direct flight to London for the horse but will fly with Emirates Airlines, leaving on June 6, 10 days out from the race.
"I think he will have no trouble travelling because he has the right temperament," he said.
He will be joined by stablemate Not Listenin'tome, an intended runner in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes as long as he performs well in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) on May 31.
It will be Moore's second Royal Ascot visit, having taken Happy Zero in 2010. The trainer will be hoping for better luck this time, though. Happy Zero was on the second line of betting for what was then the Golden Jubilee but finished 22nd to Starspangledbanner, beaten 19 lengths, and was out of action for over a year.
Hong Kong has tasted success at the prestigious meeting twice before, with David Oughton-trained Cape Of Good Hope winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes when it was run at York in 2005 and Danny Shum Chap-shing's Little Bridge taking out the King's Stand Stakes in 2012.
ABLE FRIEND (Shamardal x Ponte Piccolo, five-year-old chestnut gelding)
Trainer: John Moore
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Owner: Dr and Mrs Cornel Li Fook-kwan
Record: 18:12-4-1 (16:11-3-1 in Hong Kong)
Group One Wins: Hong Kong Mile, Champions Mile, Stewards' Cup, Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, Hong Kong Classic Mile
International Rating: 125
