TONIGHT’S racing program from Royal Ascot, (Aust. Time), features the much awaited clash between Able Friend from Hong Kong, and Solow from France, in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1600 metres in a field of eight runners.

Each is a champion, both adaptable at the distance, a race where there should be no excuses as it is decided over the straight mile.

ABLE FRIEND, Australian bred, is by Shamardal, his 12 wins from 1200 to 1600 metres have earned stake money of $8,168,782, he has won his last five races in succession.

SOLOW is by Singspiel, has put together nine wins from 1600 to 2000 metres, earning $4.173.373 in prize money, he has won at his last four starts.

Both horses are multiple Stakes performers, riding tactics could have an influence on the result.

Fresh from winning the Stradbroke Handicap last week with Srikandi, Ciaron Maher struck again on Saturday, this time at Flemington with Hard Romp.

There was a lot of authority about the win, the gelding displaced Anatina, the original opening favourite, as it turned out she ran a very ordinary race.

Hard Romp will never get it any easier than Saturday, he was simply coasting out in the centre of the track until it was time to go, the curtain was drawn then within a few strides.

“He was just super today, everything was just perfect to the credit of Michael Dee, he has put in a lot of time with this horse, all now is going well”.

The team at the stable have done their share as well, it has been a smooth campaign and a credit to the owners, as they have been pretty patient with him, “said Ciaron Maher.

“If the horse gets the right conditions he goes alright, I would say up to another level, heavy tracks are not a problem with him, he goes well under those conditions,” added Maher.

Hard Romp is by Hard Spun, who is consistently siring winners, particularly in Victoria; however, he is missing from the Darley list of sires for this coming season.

He is being replaced by the brilliant new comer, Brazen Beau, he puts his reputation on the line on Saturday at Royal Ascot, when he pits his talents against the cream of the European sprinters in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Hard Romp ridden by Michael Dee

A change of tactics is all that was required for Azeema to show her true potential, as she did, in winning the Rivette Series Heat 4 at Flemington.

Previously she was leading in her races and weakening, Craig Newitt, fresh from a riding stint in Singapore, allowed her to drop right out to the point she was last on the home turn.

Ironically her stable mate Northroza, who started favourite, was handy in the early running and dropped out to finish near last.

Fast Approaching, who had won three times in this preparation, was calling for assistance over the final couple of hundred metres, looks as if she is in need of a break for the present.

Kaizaen ran a nice even race and looked a likely winner until Azeema appeared on the scene, she simply swamped them.

Azeema is by Fastnet Rock, out of Azumi, an unraced full sister to Alinghi, it is an excellent family with great paddock value.

There are no set plans for Azeema as we know at present, her trainer, Mick Price, will have something for her, she is lightly raced and Saturday’s win will give her a lot confidence, and Flemington does really suit her.

Azeema under Craig Newitt

Sixteen year old Brandon Stockdale is not likely to forget riding his first winner at Flemington, his sixth ride at headquarters on Bon Rocket.

The youngster showed the qualities of one beyond his years, when soon after the start the saddle slipped, throwing pre race plans into disarray.

To his credit he showed a lot of common sense and judgement, he held the gelding together remarkably well, a great performance for one so young.

He earned the seal of approval from trainer, Wendy Kelly, she was impressed with the ride, “this kid is going to be a champion as an apprentice and then as a senior rider,” said Kelly

Bon Rocket wins under Brandon Stockdale

There was a touch of sentiment concerning the win of Bon Rocket’s as she trained his sire, Bon Hoffa, to win nine races, he was a darn good horse winning the M R C Group 1 Invitation Stakes, and Group 3 Bobby Lewis Stakes down the straight six twice.

Bon Rocket deserved his win, he has been knocking on the door at his last three runs, the stable was fairly confident, but obviously the market didn’t share the same opinion.

The gelding will remain in work for the present, while Wendy Kelly looks for a suitable race for him.

Winning Jockey and Trainer

El Greco had quite a bit on those that he met in the Eugene Gorman Handicap at Flemington, recording quite an easy win.

The issue looked a foregone conclusion well before the home turn, the gelding was travelling well, it was just a matter of his rider, Luke Nolan, deciding when it was time to go.

He was entitled to run as favourite; he was the form horse of the race after running second to Prince of Brooklyn at Swan Hill.

There are no great plans for him at present, he is well down the order of the best two year olds out of the Peter Moody yard, there are suitable races for him to contest during the winter.

Alamonteel, a New Zealand filly, made much of the early running and whilst wilting somewhat in the straight, she was far from disgraced in holding down second place.

Moody has been off the Melbourne scene now for quite a few weeks, he had quite a number of runners during the championships in Sydney before moving onto the winter carnival in Brisbane, now enjoying a well earned break abroad.

El Greco is by Artie Schiller, a Sadler’s Wells line sire, he has shuttled each season since going to stud with much success in both hemispheres.

El Greco wins Eugene Gorman Hcp