‘Beast From The East’ dethroned, as Japan’s Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong’s Able Friend in Mile

Maurice beats Hong Kong's Able Friend in a thrilling match in Sha Tin yesterday. Maurice has now won the title of Asia's best miler.

Maurice won the Longines Hong Kong Mile yesterday. He beat the favourite, Able Friend, by three lengths. It had been 10 years since a Japanese horse had won this race. Maurice is unbeaten in six starts this season. He is a talented racehorse. Able friend was lame, but he was able to finish the race anyway. The jockey Joao Moreira was suspended for four meetings. Giant Treasure was beaten home by Able Friends. John Moore's horse won HK$23 million. His trainer, Noriyuki Hori, is proud of his horse. There was no foreign winner of the Hongkong Mile since Hat Trick in 2005.

Able Friend was third in the Mile. The horse has been troubled by various ailments over the past 18 months. He was shod on Saturday morning and on Thursday after the gallop he probably accentuated whatever the problem was. After the horse was last fitted with shoes, he was running out at the end. It made a difference because he hung out. He moved up to run past Maurice and just stopped. Maurice won the race. John Moore is proud of his horse. They will have him back on track soon. There is a Stewards’ Cup next month. Able friend was unplaced in Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Japan’s Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong”s Able Friend in Mile.

Maurice and Ryan Moore were beaten by one of the best milers in the world. Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong’s Able Friend in Mile.

Christophe Soumillon lost the race in the last 100 metres. Maurice won the title with defeat of Hong Kong’s Able Friend in Mile.

Joao Moreira couldn't hold on in the closing stages. Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong's Able Friend in Mile.

Japan's Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong's Able Friend in Mile.

Esoterique beat Pierre-Charles Boudot by two lengths. Maurice won the title with victory over Able Friend in Mile.

Gerald Mosse was tense in the starting gate and travelled further back than expected. He was boxed in and came through but it was too late.

Danon Platina and Sakae Kunieda lost the match. Maurice won the title with defeat of Able Friend in Mile.

Fiero and Mirco Demuro finished second and third respectively in the race. Maurice won the title with defeat of Able Friend.

Japan's Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong's Able Friend in Mile. Neil Callan was caught three wide.

Toormore lost to James Doyle. Maurice won the title with defeat of Hong Kong’s Able Friend in Mile.

Japan's Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong's Able Friend in Mile. Daniel Tudhope had a nice run in front.

‘Beast From The East’ dethroned, as Japan's Maurice takes title with defeat of Hong Kong”s Able Friend in Mile.