WATCH: The highest rated horse in the world, Hong Kong's Able Friend
Trainer John Moore believes Able Friend's calm demeanour will hold him in good stead when the star miler departs for England early on Saturday morning for his shot at the Group One Queen Anne Stakes on June 16.
After leaving Sha Tin at 2.15am, Able Friend will be loaded for a eight-hour cargo flight bound for Dubai that is due to depart Chek Lap Kok at 4.40am. After a three-hour stopover on the tarmac in Dubai, where Able Friend will stay on the plane, he will then fly the final seven-hour leg to Heathrow Airport. From there Able Friend will be transported by road to the Newmarket stables of Michael Bell.
The five-year-old's trainer, John Moore, said he was confident the mild-mannered gelding would handle the journey well.
"It's between 21 to 22 hours stable to stable, so it's quite a trip," Moore said.
"It is the first time he has been on a plane since flying to Hong Kong from Australia but I don't think he would be the type of horse for which it will be a problem.
"He has such a fabulously calm demeanour and for that reason I don't think it will be stressful. Of course, there's always a risk with temperature, bacterial infection or going off feed - the horse's health is the first priority. But if it all goes to plan we will be racing 10 days after he arrives."
Able Friend will be accompanied by two stable staff and Jockey Club vet Paul Robinson.
"We will just make sure he is properly hydrated and fit and healthy to fly," Robinson said. "He hasn't travelled in some time, and even though he is a calm horse, they all react differently when put in a jet stall.
"Once we are on the plane we will just make sure he is happy and drinking fluids. I'm always surprised by how happy horses seem to be once they are on a flight. Most of the time all they want to do is eat and drink and relax.
"But he is a bright horse and very quiet and calm - the less intervention from the vet the better. We don't want to be doing examinations every hour because that could cause unnecessary stress," Robinson said.