Sun shines on Hong Kong's world-beaters
John Moore unleashes Able Friend in the Mile and Designs On Rome in the showpiece Cup,while Aerovelocity chimes in with Sprint triumph to send message around the globe
There was a distinct lack of scandal, controversy and heartbreak, but it had everything else as the world came to the Longines Hong Kong International Races and was sent home with plenty to think about as local stars became global heroes.
More than 74,000 Hong Kong fans crammed a Sha Tin where the blue sky overhead was matched only by the blue sky bursting from local performances that claimed three of the four Group Ones, eight of the 12 placings and announced a new world champion miler in Able Friend.
The John Moore-trained gelding had given a preview in his lead-up, but that paled as he found an unexpected pace in the Hong Kong Mile that helped him triumph by more than four lengths with jockey Joao Moreira wondering why he had burdened himself unnecessarily with a whip.
"Today is a dream come true," said Moreira, who missed the international meeting with suspension last year, but was centre stage as he grabbed the Mile and the Cup.
"Last year, I wasn't even in the game, but this year I'm here and winning races."
Moreira declared Able Friend the best horse he has ever sat on, and the handicappers are going to agree this morning that his was the greatest equine performance in history by a Hong Kong-trained horse.