A record crowd of just over 85,500 flocked to Sha Tin to see what was a much anticipated clash between local hero Able Friend and Japanese runner Maurice. While there were many other talented milers in the field, the clash between these two had been all the talk since fields were released.

The morning started with much drama as it was revealed that Able Friend had an issue with a hoof and would need to undergo a veterinary examination prior to his participation being confirmed. He passed the vet check, but had been the centre of attention all morning, something that would no doubt bothered the horse.

Able Friend had drawn widish in gate ten and Maurice in eleven. Ryan Moore was able to settle Maurice perfectly in mid-field with Able Friend right on his tail. The pace was steady, without bing spectacular (24.58, 23.22, 23.44, 22.68). On straightening Moreira pushed Able Friend wide and he started to unwind, although he didn’t put a gap on the field as previously. He headed Maurice for a time, but Moore was able to pick his mount up and drive to the line to comfortably win in the end (margin three quarters of a length).

Jockey Ryan Moore said “I’m very pleased for the horse. That race in Kyoto is always very hard to win, and he’s backed it up three weeks later. I think he’s maybe been a little underrated, but he’s a very good horse and he showed it today.” No doubt he showed that he’s a very good horse yesterday, up with the top milers on the planet, and it would be hard to imagine anyone underrating him now. He was strong at the line and a nine furlong trip for him may not be out of the question, bringing Dubai into calculations for him as a future option.

While Able Friend not doubt disappointed his connections, he did obviously have a disrupted day, which no doubt didn’t help his cause. Whether the foot issue was a factor in his defeat is an unknown, but you wouldn’t imagine it helped his cause. He also copped a check after 200m as Ryan Moore eased into the running line (he was later suspended for four days), but this did not contribute to his being beaten. Moreira said “He got to the front and just flattened out in the last 100 metres. I don’t know why.” Trainer Moore added “I was hoping he would hold on in the closing stages but he couldn’t. Whether the foot issue was a factor, I don’t know but he had three veterinary checks this morning which wasn’t easy.”

While only seventh, another Japanese runner Danon Platina caught the eye. He’s an up and comer and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Trainer Sakae Kunieda said, “He was tense in the starting in the starting gate and travelled further back than expected. He was then boxed in and came through but it was too late.”

It will be interesting to see where the international handicappers rate Maurice after his strong win here. Moore’s comment about the horse being underrated can only have been made because previous ratings have irked his camp. Those will be out in the next couple of days as the international handicapper meet in Hong Kong.

You can relive Maurice’s triumph here.