All eyes were on his stable mate Blazing Speed (GB), the winner of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup over 2000m in early May, but Douglas Whyte drove Helene Super Star to the front in the straight after a rails run and none of his rivals were able to pull them back.

The victory was a career best for the winner, successful in the Group 2 UAE Derby in 2013, who had finished sixth behind Blazing Speed in the AP QEII Cup last time.

Able Friend has become Hong Kong’s horse as he prepares for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot in a week’s time.

On May 3rd the Sha Tin crowd increased right through the afternoon towards start time of The Champions Mile such is the interest in Able Friend and his superior performance to win that race was greeted with roars of crowd approval.

There will be considerable Asian Racing Federation interest in the five-day meeting at the Ascot course outside London from June 16th to June 20th.