ABLE Friend will be hard to beat in Sunday’s HK$14 million Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

Trainer John Moore was delighted with the big chesnut’s final workout this week and said: “We can’t be happier - he’s going into the race absolutely primed for the occasion.”

Already a three-time Group 1 winner this season, Able Friend will be ridden as usual by Joao Moreira. Moore added: “Joao’s smile this morning is never-ending - it stretches from here to Beijing and back. We’re going in to the race with high hopes of Able Friend repeating what he’s already done in the past.”

A son of Shamardal, Able Friend will face just five rivals on Sunday, headed by John Size’s Hong Kong Derby winner Luger, who is stepping down in trip.

Barrier draw

At the barrier draw, some three hours or so after Able Friend had worked, the big horse was drawn in gate two, with Luger drawn six of six. Moore’s other runners Rewarding Hero, Dan Excel and Secret Sham drew stalls one, four and five, respectively. The remaining contender, the Size-trained Real Specialist, was posted in stall three.

“With six horses in the race, the gate is of no consequence,” said Moore, who was joined at the barrier draw ceremony by Able Friend’s owner, Dr Cornel Li. “He’ll be taken back, no doubt, and Secret Sham will probably go on, or Real Specialist, and I believe all horses will have their chance in the way race will be run.”

As to whether Able Friend will make the journey to Royal Ascot for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes in June, Moore said: “Win or lose on Sunday, so long as he runs well and D. Li is happy to make the journey, he’ll be going to Royal Ascot.”