Karis Teetan seeks second Premier Bowl after ‘amazing’ Able Friend

By Declan Schuster

Karis Teetan knows what it takes to win the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) and the affable Mauritian has the chance to land a second aboard the John Size-trained Howdeepisyourlove at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (20 October).

Nine years on from his scintillating success aboard champion Able Friend in the 2015 Premier Bowl, Teetan reflects on the hulking chestnut’s demolition job of star sprinters, in what eventuated as the Shamardal gelding’s final win of his distinguished racing career in Hong Kong for former trainer John Moore.

Loaded with 133lb as the contest’s top-rated horse, Able Friend was as electrifying as ever in the home straight, unleashing his trademark powerful finish under Teetan to score from a near-impossible position.

“He was amazing. Everybody thought he had no chance and John Moore just told me to leave him behind and hope he hits the line strongly. At the 400 (metre mark), I said to myself ‘well, I’m definitely going to win this race’ – he was a machine,” Teetan said.

Returning from disappointment in Great Britain four months earlier at Royal Ascot, Able Friend bested elite performers Gold-Fun, Peniaphobia, Lucky Nine, Amber Sky and Aerovelocity at Sha Tin that day – a performance which made certain the late Dr Cornel Li’s exceptional horse would be acclaimed as the world’s highest-rated sprinter.

“It’s a really good race the Premier Bowl. I’ve had some luck in it. If you get a horse with a chance in these races and, with the weight, you can always do something,” Teetan said.

Rated a 9/1 chance, Able Friend’s 12th Hong Kong win was in the Premier Bowl. He finished his career with HK$61.33 million in earnings. Although Howdeepisyourlove’s record doesn’t quite match the feats of the former superstar, he will, however, carry 18lb less as equal bottom-weight with 115lb assigned this weekend.

“Howdeepisyourlove has done very well. He’s come a long way and towards the end of last season he ran a couple of good races. I thought his last run was a good run, he finished off nicely. He has no weight on his back and that’s going to be his opportunity to perform at his best,” Teetan said.

California Spangle (135lb) tops the field on a mark of 126. Ka Ying Rising (128lb), Invincible Sage (127lb), Taj Dragon (122lb), Encountered (116lb), Flying Ace (115lb), Beauty Waves (115lb), Lucky With You (115lb), Majestic Knight (115lb), Helios Express (115lb), Packing Treadmill (115lb) and Harmony N Blessed (115lb) feature.

Howdeepisyourlove is a five-time winner – three times with Teetan at Happy Valley. The gelding placed at Group 3 level last season behind Ka Ying Rising in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m).

Teetan steered Howdeepisyourlove – who races for the Lo Profile Syndicate – into second place in a barrier trial over 1050m on dirt at Sha Tin on 8 October.

“I was very happy with his trial. Mr Size’s horses get better after every trial and race. I think he’s going to be in the fighting zone when I need him, because with that weight on his back, I think it’s going to be a very even race,” Teetan said

Size also saddles the returning Helios Express, winner of last term’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

Alexis Badel partners the Toronado gelding for the first time under race conditions, who has not lined up since finishing eighth in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last March.

“I think he has a favourable weight in the race which is going to help him. He’s a very good horse but it’s his first run this season and he comes back to 1200 metres – I’m very interested to see how he is going to run. He’s obviously a very good ride,” Badel said.

Helios Express rates 102, third lowest in the race. The Andy Yung-owned five-year-old won three races over 1200m prior to his two Four-Year-Old Classic Series successes.

“There’s a few question marks. He followed the Derby road last year but he also has a very good record fresh. I think he should run a good race, whether he is fit enough to win is another question but he’s a good horse,” Badel said.

Sunday’s (20 October) HKJC 140th Anniversary Raceday at Sha Tin features 10 races and commences at 12.45pm with the Class 5 The With You. Then. Now. Always. 1600m Handicap.