Able One
photo: HKJC
Evergreen galloper Able One (NZ) (Cape Cross) defied his age to land a remarkable victory in the Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Ridden by Jeff Lloyd, the John Moore-trained Able One (NZ) settled in second before being sent forward at the 200 metre mark, producing a scintillating turn of foot and proving too strong in the run to the line defeating Cityscape (Selkirk) by a neck, with stablemate Xtension (Xaar) a further neck away in third place.
It was second time lucky for the son of Cape Cross (Green Desert) who was controversially scratched at the barriers prior to last year's race.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd described the victory as the biggest moment of his career.
"I was going to go out and ensure a nice pace, but still give my horse every chance, so I was very happy to see Flying Blue doing the work for me. The pace was genuine and he was travelling as well as any horse could. It was a surprise the way he took it up, we were quick enough and nobody could come up my outside," the Hong Kong-based South African jockey said.
"It's just great. A nine-year-old winning with a 50-year-old on his back. He might have been big odds but I've been riding him in his work and I knew he was going well," Lloyd said.
Engaged primarily as a pacemaker for his more fancied stablemate Xtension, Able One (NZ) has trainer John Moore looking forward to bigger and better things in 2012.
"I am going to recommend to the owner that it is his farewell season, but we may consider going overseas, perhaps Dubai," said Moore. "He is the most amazing horse that I have trained, coming back from five stress fractures to win a Group 1 at nine."
New Zealand Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park) loomed up in the straight, but was unable to quicken, finishing in ninth position.
Trainer John Bary was philosophical after the race.
"He's run his guts out, Jonathan [Riddell] gave him a perfect ride, but he just wasn't good enough today. It's a different level up here and we have to be prepared for it. We have 10 hours to think about what we will do with him on the flight home but he's certainly headed for a nice spell."
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Able One (NZ) is by former shuttle Cape Cross from the Danehill (Danzig) mare Gardenia, and is a full-brother to the Graeme Rogerson-trained stakes winner Florilegium (NZ) (Cape Cross).
Sir Patrick Hogan was thrilled with the win which he said came as a surprise.
"It's a great thrill for Justine and I, as we bred him and it's great for the New Zealand racing industry," Sir Patrick said.
Sold through Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park, Able One (NZ) was purchased by Te Awamutu trainer Graeme Sanders at the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$190,000. The son of Cape Cross was then reoffered later that year at the Ready to Run Sale for Two-Year-Olds where he realized a price of NZ$270,000 and was knocked down to Taupo-based bloodstock agent Paul Beamish.
Lot 479 at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale descends from the same family as Able One (NZ).
Ridden by Jeff Lloyd, the John Moore-trained Able One (NZ) settled in second before being sent forward at the 200 metre mark, producing a scintillating turn of foot and proving too strong in the run to the line defeating Cityscape (Selkirk) by a neck, with stablemate Xtension (Xaar) a further neck away in third place.
It was second time lucky for the son of Cape Cross (Green Desert) who was controversially scratched at the barriers prior to last year's race.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd described the victory as the biggest moment of his career.
"I was going to go out and ensure a nice pace, but still give my horse every chance, so I was very happy to see Flying Blue doing the work for me. The pace was genuine and he was travelling as well as any horse could. It was a surprise the way he took it up, we were quick enough and nobody could come up my outside," the Hong Kong-based South African jockey said.
"It's just great. A nine-year-old winning with a 50-year-old on his back. He might have been big odds but I've been riding him in his work and I knew he was going well," Lloyd said.
Engaged primarily as a pacemaker for his more fancied stablemate Xtension, Able One (NZ) has trainer John Moore looking forward to bigger and better things in 2012.
"I am going to recommend to the owner that it is his farewell season, but we may consider going overseas, perhaps Dubai," said Moore. "He is the most amazing horse that I have trained, coming back from five stress fractures to win a Group 1 at nine."
New Zealand Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park) loomed up in the straight, but was unable to quicken, finishing in ninth position.
Trainer John Bary was philosophical after the race.
"He's run his guts out, Jonathan [Riddell] gave him a perfect ride, but he just wasn't good enough today. It's a different level up here and we have to be prepared for it. We have 10 hours to think about what we will do with him on the flight home but he's certainly headed for a nice spell."
Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Able One (NZ) is by former shuttle Cape Cross from the Danehill (Danzig) mare Gardenia, and is a full-brother to the Graeme Rogerson-trained stakes winner Florilegium (NZ) (Cape Cross).
Sir Patrick Hogan was thrilled with the win which he said came as a surprise.
"It's a great thrill for Justine and I, as we bred him and it's great for the New Zealand racing industry," Sir Patrick said.
Sold through Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park, Able One (NZ) was purchased by Te Awamutu trainer Graeme Sanders at the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$190,000. The son of Cape Cross was then reoffered later that year at the Ready to Run Sale for Two-Year-Olds where he realized a price of NZ$270,000 and was knocked down to Taupo-based bloodstock agent Paul Beamish.
Lot 479 at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale descends from the same family as Able One (NZ).