Al Quoz Sprint

Well done fellas !
Cheers

made all well done chaps

Big nod to HK and cheers.

He is the Magic Man, superb ride.

The Magic Man again, wonderful stuff!

Went as we hoped it would Mr D - wonder if they will be tempted with Royal Ascot for him.

It sure did HK and congratulations, your confidence was rewarded. Big thanks for all the info as well.

I read that Able Friend is heading to Royal Ascot so maybe Amber Sky can join the party. Would be great if they both came over!!

The Champions Mile on May 4th will be AF's first target I think - will be taking on Gold Fun and Glorious Days - there are some decent Intl entries too.

Amber Sky's targets are limited unless they get him to somehow stay 6f so you'd have to hope that they would be interested in the Kings Stand as those are the only 2 1000m races in the global sprint challenge(Though he was only beaten 2.5l by Sterling City in November over 1200m and he bled).

John Moore on Able Friend

I have another horse, Able Friend, that I would like to take over for the Queen Anne if I get the green light.

"I believe in him. He's a serious Group One horse and I think he's the real deal."

Come on Jonny, bring him over.

Agree HK, the King Stand would be the ideal race at Ascot for Amber Sky and Exceed and Excels seem to go very well on that track, which is a big plus. Funny old track the straight course at Ascot IMO. I think the Nunthorpe (G1) at York would be the best race for him, that track will suit his style of racing perfectly. I couldn't see him getting beat at York if the ground was on the quick side. £154,000+ winning prize money is nothing to be sniffed at but then again, maybe it is!!!

There are only 3 1000m races in HK for him unless they can get him to race at 1200m -next one is April 6th HK Gp3 race worth HKD 2,500,000 (A handicap). The next pattern race after that in HK is October (Another HK Gp 3) so unless they want to go to Aus with him he's still going to be fairly fresh around the UK summer time. He's got no nuts so they just have to go for prize money.

Totally agree about the nature of the track at ascot, in fact id expect Ahtoug to turn the tables should they meet again at Ascot. At York, with that early pace, i think he would be away and gone!

You could be right Mackies as it's a stiff 5f at Ascot and that may not be to his liking....though in the g2 race from last Nov he seemed to last to 5.5f and that was round a bend too - it seems they are determined to get him to win over 1200m though....

Yiu was delighted with the victory and is now considering further overseas tests before aiming the Exceed And Excel four-year-old at the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December.

“It’s an international Group 1 and he’s had to fight all the way to the post,” said the trainer. “The horses kept coming at him, especially in the last 100m, and I thought he might get tired but he kept going. I’m just relieved he won!

“The King’s Stand at Royal Ascot is definitely something to think about but I will talk to the owner first. He’s just improving and hopefully he can keep improving.”

Mr D - there's another very good Exceed and Excel running in Aus on Saturday in the golden slipper, she is fav but she is very very smart

Shea Shea was given a lot to do by Soumillion. Is he going to Royal Ascot? He was 2nd there last year and i'd not be surprised if he reversed form.

Cheers for the info HK, I will have look. Bit peed off forgetting about Gordon Lord Byron running down there last weekend, went off at a big price as well! He's ran well in Hong Kong a couple of times and now he's winning in Australia, top move by connections as he is very versatile regarding trip... a bit like my old mate Lucky Nine.

I tend to agree that Amber Sky would be more vulnerable at Ascot and it wouldn't surprise me if Ahtoug or Shea Shea got past him but I get the feeling it will take a very good effort from both to do that... if the ground is quick! Look forward to the clash if he comes over and then onto York for the Nunthorpe!

Sint, MDK said Royal Ascot is the main target for Shea Shea in an interview before the Al Quoz Sprint. He's still sick by the defeat last year!

Had a look at this Exceed and Excel filly Earthquake (great name) HK and she looks very good. Her turn of foot in the Blue Diamond Stakes was super impressive and she looks like she could possibly get further as well. I don't follow much Aussie racing but I think I will with this one, 6/4 with B365.

cheers Dinos. He is a very consistent horse. Reading the RP in-running comments for the race it does seems like Jockey was a little at fault for the margin of defeat, so horse still clearly retains all his ability at 7yo.

Careful on Earthquake - had to give her some antiobiotics this week and she's been watched by the vet.

Thanks for the update HK, I was waiting for the draw but a no bet for me now.

Speaking of Aussie sprinters...that Lankan Rupee is a beast. High cruising speed with a powerful kick at the end....top horse.

The thing about Amber Sky vs Shea Shea...that's the second time SS has come up against a brutal front runner over 5f and not got there....Jawla clocking that sub 10 second opening furlong sectional in the Nunthorpe being the other time...you can't dily daly in these races...get on with it!

He is indeed ELG, I'm also not convinced AS would get beaten easily as some would suggest, to stay with AS means you would use a lot of fuel, SS didn't get any closer to AS in the final furlong, I'd back AS against him again.

Mr D - Able Friend is running tomorrow in a HKG2 race, only a 6 runner field but he's got Packing Whiz  (3rd in the HK Mile in Dec)and Helene Spirit up against him so you'd hope he'll win comfortably if he's to go on to the Champions Mile and then Ascot (Moore has mentioned Ascot again).

Very good effort from Earthquake, I thought she had it won but Mossfun snuck up on the inside to nab her. The draw and probably the ground went against Earthquake, Mossafun had winning form on Soft. Two very good fillies by the look of it.

I think Amber Sky could beat Shea Shea and Ahtoug at Ascot but I just don't like that straight track at the Royal meeting and this is what would be my main worry. It's a lottery at that place when Stickels gets his Watering Cans out IMO!

I will have to listen to the race via the live HKJC Radio Stream tomorrow. He should beat these HK and then hopefully onwards and upwards, if John Moore thinks he's top notch that's good enough for me.

Cheers again for the info HK, it's wall to wall Grand National stuff over here at the moment and nothing else gets much of a mention.

I thought Earthquake was in front too long but it was a good ride on the winner.

Wall to wall National and ladies day pictures......I've had 3 small ew on the GN - Chance Du Roy, Battle Group and Quito De La Roque (the last one i did by mistake). Been away from the UK for a bit too long now to follow it too seriously as get no chance to spend time on the form though do have a very small interest in 2 horses that are coming slowly to hand!! It's easier in HK to study the form as we only have 2 meetings a week (so you lose less)

Good luck today.

Yep, I think your right about Earthquake but a good run with a few things going against her.

I backed Night in Milan (good ground) and Mountainous (soft ground) a couple of weeks ago EW but unfortunately Night in Milan just missed the cut and the ground is probably a bit too quick for Mountainous now. I really fancied Night in Milan as well!

Ladies day at Aintree is very unique, I bet the fillies are classy in Hong Kong as well!!!

Good luck HK, I think we are going to need it.

The fillies in HK are a cosmopolitan bunch....but in general a lot smaller than those depicted in the Daily Hate newspaper!! I would recommend a trip to view it for yourself...you'd need to avoid July August and the beginning of September as that's the closed season for the races - but then I'm sure you'd choose December!

Not too sure if the NHS has a vaccine for yellow fever.....

I'll let you know when one of the horses we have an interest in is running.

They sound like my kind of fillies, I'm on the small side myself so it should be a level playing field in Hong Kong. The fake baked to death look isn't for me... anymore!!!

Yep, December in Hong Kong would be fantastic, hopefully I will get myself over to there this year.

Keep the updates coming HK.

A 5th place between us....and a refusal.

Battle Group's a right old monkey, playing silly buggers again. We had a bit of everything in that race HK apart from the winner!!!

My dad picked horse No29 because that's his birthday, it only goes and bloody wins.... I give up!

I've had a small wager on Packing Whiz

Slow run, didn't touch AF - won easily, nice turn of foot.

The slow pace didn't help AB early on in the race but he's turn of foot blew them away. He looks the real deal to me and will be hard to beat in the Mile.

I meant AF (Able Friend)... it's too early!!!

So next stop Ascot for Able Friend? Likely opponents Toronado, Olympic Glory..what else is there...mind gone blank

It sounds like it all depends on how he performs in the Champions Mile.

John Moore

“I just wanted to keep him ticking over for the Champions Mile, so now he’s got some more mileage into his legs and we’ll have a very fit horse going into that race,” said Moore. “The six-week gap was just going to be too much in my opinion. He was a very fit horse going out there today, that’s for sure, after going over 2000m in the Derby.”

Able Friend made certain of his fourth win of the campaign in no-nonsense fashion, albeit in a slow time of 1m 37.19s – almost three seconds outside standard. Jockey Karis Teetan settled the Shamardal gelding at the tail of the five runners as Pleasure Gains set a steady tempo up front, and as the field made the turn for home the highly-regarded Hong Kong Classic Mile winner cruised up on the outside of his rivals before quickening to the lead 250m out. Teetan rode his mount with hands and heels as Able Friend hit the wire untroubled, while Packing Whiz edged out Pleasure Gains for second by a nose.

“There were a lot of tactics going on out there,” said Moore. “I expected Helene Spirit to go on and there was Pleasure Gains going on. There was a bit of a tactical duel between some of the jocks but Able Friend just settled at the rear of the field, came around them at the right time, didn’t give them much start – too good for them.”

The G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June had been mooted in recent weeks but Moore is taking a pragmatic stance with regard to that potential target.

“We’ll take it race by race, we’ll see how he pulls up after the Champions Mile and then we’ll put it to his owner, Dr. Li, about running in the Queen Anne,” said the trainer. “It’s still a learning curve with this horse. He’s had seven runs now this season and I’m still getting to understand him. I still think he’s a world class horse and he had to do that to those horses today to prove to everybody that he is up to that standard.”

I've been a fan of AF since he first ran here, I wasn't overly impressed today, though it was a messy sort of race. He did run his fastest final 2f today but you would expect that on the earlier sectionals. If Glorious Days turns up in his best form on may 4th then I'd back him, gold fun will also be running so it should be a good race.

The nominations for the AP on 27th April are announced this weds.

Having read those comments I do hope they come over, if only to fill out the market. By the sounds of things he'd be over the top by June.

By the sounds of things he'd be over the top by June.

Yep, that would be my worry to and shipping him over here. There isn't much time to play with between the Champions Mile and Queen Anne so it's probably going to be tough for him to show his best performance if he comes.

The Mile division for older horses in Europe doesn't seem to have much depth this year and the other thing is will they race Toroando and Olympic Glory against each other?! I don't think they will but we will have to wait and see.

Regarding the race today I thought he raced a bit too keen early on behind a very slow pace but he still managed to finish off the race with some zip, so for me I think it was a very good performance. It looks like the Champions Mile is going to be a cracking race.

Probably not. OG goes to Lockinge first I think, Toronado may go to Ascot first time out.

Lankan Rupee was very impressive today

MrD - you about today?

Sorry HK, missed your post!

I sent you a message re one of the horses I have a share in - just got beaten, looked like she was going to win.

Just had a look HK and she nearly did it, rotten luck to get beat by a head!

I will have to keep my eyes open a lot better next time, I can't believe I missed that.

We've got another 2, one's just had a wind op so he'll be out soon - all with the same trainer. Looking forward to the race on Sunday - should be a cracker.

California Memory is making his comeback the week after in the G1 champions mile

GL

Great stuff HK, cheers for keeping me in the loop. It looks and sounds like you are going to have some fun with those horses.

Mouth watering clash Sunday, John Moore holds the aces that's for sure. I will stick with Military Attack, hopefully his price will be a bit bigger than it is at the moment. What's the weather like over there at the moment HK?

Hamza gave the Al Quoz Sprint (6th) form a nice little boost last week winning the G3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.

Best of luck and hopefully you get the win next time.

Weather is warm and humid - around 26/27 degrees, some rain due later in the week but it shouldn't affect the going, it was good yesterday. The weather for Sunday is a bit of cloud cover - I will be there to watch this one.

I'm interested in Dibayani as I think there's improvement to come from him, the HK Derby was only his 3rd run this season and was beaten a length running on from the back after being drawn in 14 and at 12-1 is a good ew bet. Will have to wait for the barrier draw on Thursday first before getting properly involved though. I'm not convinced by Military Attack this season, he's been a bit in and out but this is his time of year and Moore is following the same pattern as last year with him bar the trip to the WC and he ran too badly to be true there, so how much has that affected him - he is still the highest rated 2000m turf horse in the world I think?

I've had a better look at the QEII Cup race and I might have been a bit hasty with Military Attack. Hong Kong horses that have raced at the Dubai World Cup meeting and then raced in the QEII Cup have got a very poor record which looks like a big negative for MA. The shipping to and from Dubai is probably a reason for this and at his current short price I think I will give him a miss this time. I don't think MA had much luck in the Dubai World Cup, he got blocked a couple of times and also got bashed into so I think that race can be binned and wasn't his true from. The draw will be key for MA and I will wait and see what happens Thursday before I make a final decision. I think the head will rule the heart this time though.

The Hong Kong Derby horses look good but need to improve to win, Dibayani is unexposed/fresh and I can see where you are coming from with him HK... a good EW price especially if he gets a nice draw.

I can't believe the price of Epiphaneia, this fella is better over 1m 4f+ and I think he will find 1m 2f a bit too sharp. I prefer the other Japanese runner Uncoiled, he ran well in the Tenno Sho(Autumn) behind Just A Way and Gentildonna last year, that would give him a shout in this if he can get back to that form. His first two runs this year have been OK, he couldn't get a run in his last race and looked a bit unlucky. A right handed track on quick ground will suit and at 25-1 he might be the one for me EW. I will wait for the draw first before I decide.

Looks like it's going to be another cracking weekend for you HK.

I think Moore likes DOR more at this stage - though his team have their final blow out tomorrow so we'll see how they look.

Dibayani has improved again since his Derby run so that's good news - he doesn't need to get a good draw either. Dibayani is now only 9-1 in the UK which is a bit short for a maiden in HK and who won only 2 races in Ireland so it may be wait and see what price he is on HKJC on Sunday. (DOR's Irish form is far superior too and has finished in front twice in HK)

If you like Uncoiled then you have to include Vercingrtorix (de Kock has a good record in this race) as he was beaten a similar distance by Just a Way - but Uncoiled would be more value.

Akeed Mofeed was taken out yesterday.

Yep HK, it sounds like JM is more confident DOR will run his race rather than the ones that came back from Dubai. To be fair I can understand that but I don't think MA had that hard a race in the Dubai World Cup, it's all about price for me so I hoping the locals back DOR big time. I'm changing my mind more and more and I'm finding it a tough one to call this year. The draw might help matters tomorrow.

I agree with you about Vercingrtorix and his form behind Just A Way is similar to Uncoiled but I always like to try and find some value and the Japanese runner ticks the box (33-1 RaceBets). I will wait till the weekend before I have a bet, there might be some better value hopefully.

Good day chaps. I tried finding the market for this on Oddschecker but couldn't. Which UK bookies are quoting?

Look at the 'International tab " on odds checker - it is there. They do make the draw today so perhaps it is suspended.

Perhaps the experts can help - but does the draw have much of an impact at this track/distance?  It is a 700m straight right from the off?

Stepitup    9/4                                                                                                   
Designs On Rome 9/4                                                               
Epiphaneia    11/4                                                               
Tropaios    7/2                                                                                                   
Wild Geese    7/2                                                                                                   
Cash Luck    4
Military Attack    4                                                       
Vercingetorix    9/2

Just a crazy market..........DOR was 7/1 yesterday will WH. Bookies rubbing hands in glee with these prices.....

I think Oddschecker is going a bit nuts, some of the horses it's got listed are not running in the QEII Cup. Weird!

Good draws for MA (4) and DOR (5). Dibayani wide again (10).

Kingchip, the 2000m start is right in front of the stands, it's less than 200m to the first bend so the draw can be quite important

CHeck this out http://www.hkjc.com/english/racinginfo/racing_course.htm though 10 runners shouldn't cause too many issues.

Not so sure it's bad for Dibayani in 10 but MA has a cracking draw, Uncoiled could find trouble as MA will just sit off Same World who will likely set the pace from 2 so he could get trapped as he's doesn't look like he's an on pace runner normally.

I think MA will get the run of the race again like the race he won in Feb - there shouldn't be any excuses for him MrD and I think the magic man is sick and tired of seeing the backside of DOR.

No bet yet as I'm waiting to see what happens Saturday when betting opens on HKJC.

Form guide is here

http://campaign.hkjc.com/en/2014-apqe/formguide/20140416_LM_QEFormGuideEAll.pdf

Thank you sir - please let us know your final selection.....

Thanks for the link info also..

Howdy FatoteSport, last year Bet:365 were the best regarding Hong Kong prices. I backed Military Attack last year at 7-1EW on the Saturday before the race, very early Sunday morning he was 14-1 with them because the Hong Kong punters didn't want to back him. For some reason they seem to be hooked up into the Hong Kong market, whilst our other bookies are not. It worked out well for me last year as I backed MA at 14-1EW as well but also got paid out at the bigger price on my earlier bet. I would keep an eye on their prices if you are looking at horses the Hong Kong punters are not backing... especially just before the race.

Hopefully Oddschecker will sort out the gremlins which are screwing up the QEII Cup market on their website, absolute joke today.

Great draws for the more fancied runners and Military Attack is back on my radar especially after his Thursday track work. The Magic Man reckons he's in better form than he was before he won the Hong Kong Gold Cup and John Moore thinks he's recovered well from his Dubai trip which is great news. I really hope the locals don't back him and his price drifts a bit more than the current 4-1. I've gone full circle but as you say HK there shouldn't be any excuses from gate 4, I'm going to keep the faith and back MA even though the stats are against him.

I agree with you about Uncoiled HK, not a great draw for his style of racing. He will more than likely get boxed in from gate 1 but you never know. I still think he's a big price and will more than likely have a little EW bet on him as well.

I still think Epiphaneia is a stupid price and not sure why he's so short. I will be very surprised if he's got the pace for this race/trip.

Guys,

I keep reverting to the replay of the last DOR run, if he puts up the same show or improved, (not having a hard Dubai race) where does that put him, in your far more educated opinion?

Incidentally, the HKJC website is simply outstanding, I was looking at the May card and form guide info for Gordon Lord Byron's race - If only the English provided such detailed info - they have the 365 Gold Cup at Sandown in less than 40 hours and there is still no final card let alone form guide as has been provided on the HK website!

Kingchip - you'd love the TV coverage here (I only understand the English progs), but on race days every runner in every race is analysed by the team of experts, they have one lady in the parade ring going over how the horses look and walk etc with 2 guys also commenting from the box - all very informed and the night before they have a prog to analyse every race too. Though I must add only having 2 meetings a week does make it easier.

As to DOR - he is obviously a very good horse (good 2yo form in Ireland) he won't be beaten for not giving his all, he looks like a right battler with a lot of class and Moore thinks he's a proper G1 horse.

MrD - I think DOR will be hit by the locals, recently Derby winners have gone off fav in this race, they have a bad record too with only 2 recent winners - Ambitious Dragon and Vengeance of Rain who were both well above average, 16 out of the last 19 derby winners have raced in the same year, Moore does rate DOR very highly though so perhaps he is in the AD bracket?

If MA hadn't run in Dubai I would be all over backing him now, but this Dubai stat is really putting me off - but then if he hadn't gone to Dubai he would be a lot shorter than 4-1 (which is a good price for the top rated horse in the race).

This is also interesting

http://www.hkjc.com/english/corporate/racing_news_item.asp?in_file=/english/news/2014-04/news_2014042301035.html

Amber and Able Friend on the same card at Ascot June 17th - what a prospect. Hopefully the ground will be right for them....

Thanks for the info.

MrD - as expected, early price is 2.3 DOR and $6 for MA. I think my bet is going to be MA at that price with a cover bet on Vercingtorix.

I thought that would be the case HK, the locals love backing the Derby winner in this.

MA is 9-2 at the moment with B365, I'm hoping he drifts a bit more. When he does I will be on. I'm still debating whether to back Uncoiled as well, I've really liked his track work this week but now we are closer to the race I'm having doubts. I will wait and see what his price is tomorrow.

Has it been dry over there today HK? My Windows Weather App forecasted thunderstorms! Any moisture in the ground would be a big plus for MA IMO.

It has rained a bit today, nothing too bad though - there may be some tomorrow too. I'd back MA now at 9-2, he's shortening on hkjc and I have a feeling he may get shorter tomorrow as the magic man has some chances early on so you could see some all up money going on to MA. I'm getting more confident about MA - if he is $5 tomorrow at the off I may have one of my biggest ever bets in HK on him.

Super duper, OK HK I will back him now. B365 are best price guaranteed so if he does go off at a bigger price I will not lose out.

I'm more confident about MA with rain around. I think they will be backing Epiphaneia as well, mainly because of the trainer/jockey combo.

No rain this morning, lovely sunny day, but there could be showers this afternoon.

GL with what ever you back (Lucky Nine is running in the race before today along with Rich Tapestry and Frederick Engels) - will be back tomorrow as won't be home after the races, the Liverpool Chelsea game kicks off at 9pm so it's going to be a long day - 22 of us in a box.

MA is still $6 on HKJC, though the win pool only has HKD 400k in at the moment.

Gutted with that, I thought MA had it won but DOR battled back to win on the line.

DOR did exactly as expected........sorry about your bets on MA....

Good luck guys.

Still gutted, I was counting my winnings when MA went past us....DOR is a decent animal! Always this Sunday to get it back in the G1 champions mile race....Able Friend, Gold Fun and Glorious Days - add in a returning California Memory, going to be a good race.

Fair play Kingchip, DOR stays very well and I can understand John Moore stepping him up in trip (1m 4f) for his next race. He could be even better over this distance, the way he races suggests he will IMO!

When MA hit the front I thought he would stretch away HK and win but once again Tommy Berry got the better of the Magic Man. I bet he's sick of the sight of them pair now. Great effort by MA with all the travelling he had to do, he's tough and proved his Dubai World Cup run was all wrong and a none event. Singapore next and he will be hard to beat if he gets another good draw.

Able Friend looks like he's got a massive chance in the Mile but I was very impressed with Gold Fun's run last time... very classy race.

Able Friend in 14, Gold Fun 2 and Douglas is on GF and not Glorious Days......I'm hoping to get MA losses back with AF, but my confidence is lower now he's been drawn in the river!!

Do the low boxes have that much advantage?

Very interested to hear you thoughts on Dan Excel from box 7? Last weeks winning team berry/moore - a trip that suits and no ground worries - 20/1 looks huge to me considering. The other I like is Gold Fun 9/2.

If AF was drawn better, it would be a lump-on for me, he still might win but he has a lot to do from 14 at a full pace G1 speed, will he have the time to do it? Can you elaborate on the jockey switch you mention on GF, below please?


Regards,

KC

If you look at the stats you'd have to say no major advantage! The trainers do make quite a lot of noise about it though, Glorious Days won the Intl mile in dec from 13 sp it can't have been that bad. I think Whyte would have had the choice between him and Gold Fun and chose GF so that should be an indication as Whyte has ridden him in every race bar the once.

I'm with you on DE - he's got good form in good races over this trip and is good ew value, think this week the magic man will get some compensation though, could be a Moore forecast.

Think I'll do a AF win (I'm chasing losses) and a Quinn on AF & DE plus GF for the trio

GL

Just noticed AF is 9-4, I'm pretty sure he'll be a lot shorter on hkjc. Think that's a massive price for him over his best distance - he beat DOR over this trip!

Good luck,

9/4 with 365,. Also did Dan e.w at 20/1

Hope it all goes to plan..

Not too pleased with that draw for Able Friend and I'm going to give him a miss in this one. A bit short for me now but I probably would have been a backer if he'd been drawn lower! He does look a top prospect and his form with DOR is rock solid but there are a few runners in the race this year and he might struggle to get a good position.

I really liked Gold Fun's run last time out and his run in the HK Mile but he's a bit short for an EW bet and I'm not that confident he will win. If he's a bigger price on Sunday I might change my mind.

I have a bit of a soft spot for Dan Excel and have backed him a few times over the years, he's such a tough honest horse you just cannot help but like him. The race last year played into his hands and suited his style but there are more runners this year and I don't think he will be able to fend them off this time from the front. On the plus side he's got Tommy Berry on board and a decent draw but I think this race is tougher than the one he won last year.

The one I'm going to back is Mshawish EW, I followed him last year and was glad to see him stay in training because I've always felt he needs really quick ground to show his best and he never got it in France. His runs in Dubai this year have been good winning the Zabeel Mile easily and he then ran well from a terrible position in the Duty Free (no run/got blocked/Dettori) to finish 4th... again. Mshawish has got a super draw in 6 and a good jock this time so at 20-1 EW he will do for me, hopefully the track will ride like last week and if it does I can see him running very well.

Good luck with ya bets lads, this is going to be a cracker.

GL MrD.

I think Moore knows where he is with AF vs Gold Fun as he rates AF much more than DE. IF AF was drawn lower he'd be a lot shorter (I think he'll be much shorter on the day), though the locals may lump on GF again as they did in december as he's got supposedly a much better draw.

This is the draw data though - 14 has the highest % place stat (from fewer runs)

http://racing.hkjc.com/racing/Info/meeting/Draw/english/Local/20140504/ST#race9

Also fingers crossed for a decent run from California Memory.

I admit HK I get swayed by the draw a bit to easily and have paid the price a few times over the years. I'm not saying he cannot win from 14 but for me to back a horse at his current price I need every box ticked.

The confidence John Moore has shown in Able Friend is infectious and it's hard to ignore. He is not the kind of trainer to say things for nothing. AB has looked awesome and has got the potential to be one of the world's best milers. I get the feeling JM thinks AB is better than DOR and that's probably a good enough reason to back him tomorrow but I haven't got the balls to from that tricky draw! I will be more than happy to see him win, hopefully Royal Ascot will be next if he does.

Good luck HK and have a great day.

If it was 1200m race then no way would I touch anything that wide in a G1, his early show on hkjc is evens so 9-4 is very good if still available.

Unfotuntunately won't be there tomorrow as I'm still under house arrest after last Sunday!!

I feel your pain HK!!!

Another G3 winner from the Al Quoz Sprint (7th). 6th (Hamza) and 7th (Sole Power) both won G3 races now at Newmarket, looking good for Amber Sky if he comes over.

Just watched Sole Power win easily - very good for Amber Sky indeed

AF is 1-2 on HKJC

Amber Sky 5-1 for the Kings Stand.

Bloody hell, they are backing AF big time. The locals don't care about the draw HK... fair play!

I think Ascot may well stretch him a bit, very stiff 5f - but he is classy

There's only HK$ 500k in the win pool at the moment so a fair bit to go yet.

The ground is never quick on the first day either at Royal Ascot, another COC who likes to get his watering cannons out.

OK, do you think they will get stuck into AF tomorrow HK?

I think if you can take 9-4 still get on it as I'd be surprised if he's bigger than evens now, lord knows what price he'd be if he was drawn in one of the middle gates!!

What are you on for the 2000?

I've been tipped Vorda for the 1000 tomorrow - mate of a mate knows someone in the operation and apparently they are quite sweet on her.

I backed Noozhoh Canarias and Charm Spirit EW a few weeks ago. I will be happy if one gets placed.

Trip a worry for me regarding Vorda, I haven't backed anything in the 1000 yet, looks wide open.

Im on Toormore just for interest only ew

Hi chaps. Any ideas if amber sky is still coming over for the kings stand?

IMPRESSIVE Al Quoz Sprint winner Amber Sky, the 5-1 favourite for the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, will not run, according to trainer Ricky Yiu.

The son of Exceed And Excel emerged as one of the division's leading sprinters when powering to victory at Meydan in March and would have likely been a major player at the royal meeting.

However, he will have some time off as connections plot their next move.

"We won't go to England - there are no alternative plans either," said Yiu, quoted by the South China Morning Post.

"We are just giving him a rest and we will think about a plan for next season later."

Last year's King's Stand first and second Sole Power and Shea Shea are next in the betting for the 5f Group 1.

Any updates on Shea Shea?

Cheers BJG

Big shame, was looking forward to amber sky coming over.

I think they are going to give him another crack at 6f with the goal of the intl sprint in Dec.

Money  back on Military Attack on Saturday, currently 6-4

MrD sent you a message

Yep, gutted with that news about Amber Sky but not that surprised.

The Al Quoz Sprint churned out another winner Sunday as well, Catcall won the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp easily. He loves Soft ground and if he got his conditions in the King's Stand I would give him a big chance.

I might do the Lucky Nine/Military Attack double like last year HK. Draw is a big factor for me at Singapore so I will wait and see before betting.

Cheers again for the info HK, I've replied.

Just looked at the King's Stand entries and Catcall is not entered, what a shame! I thought he was... I don't get why he's not.

Lucky Nine is just getting into top form, great run last one giving 5lb to the field and being beaten 1 length. He had gate issues recently too where he was missing he break, hopefully he's over that.

If MA runs to anywhere near the lady run he should be winning.

De Kock has no issues with Shea Shea who will bid to avenge his narrow defeat by Sole Power in the Kings Stand Stakes."Shea Shea I am very happy with and all is going well," he added.

"He will probably go for the Kings Stand Stakes, the other race [Diamond Jubilee] would be a long shot."

One for the future Sint is a horse called Rad - 3 from 3 in HK, won last time after a break of a year, ran the 2nd fastest 1000m in recent years last season as a 3yo - faster than amber sky.

Another decent race in HK on Sunday coming up - Designs on Rome, Dominant, California Memory and the dark horse Dibiyani, it's over 2400m so may be interesting.

cheers HK.

Race tomorrow at ST - Sterling City, Amber Sky and Rad all line up over 1000m, they are hoping to get AS over 1200m this year....should be a very informative race, AS giving Rad 19lbs.