Locals have dominated the Hong Kong Mile since its inception and the presence of Golden Sixty and California Spangle makes 2022 an even tougher task than usual. 

Hong Kong-trained horses have won 14 of the last 16 editions of the race and the two Sha Tin-trained standouts seem to have a stranglehold on this year’s race. 

The lead-up clash between them in the G2 Jockey Club Mile was one of the greatest races ever seen at Sha Tin and the sequel might even be better than the original. 

Tactics loom as key to this race: From barrier two, Zac Purton is almost certain to lead again on California Spangle – is there anything more he could have done last time? – and from gate four Vincent Ho will be stalking his rival aboard Hong Kong’s undisputed champ. 

The presence of  two Japanese runners – Schnell Meister and Danon Scorpion – and the Australian miler Law of Indices add some depth to this race but it looms as another two-horse war. 

Watch Asian Racing Report’s Michael Cox and Andrew Le Jeune break down the race: