We have an interesting race on our hand and perhaps the most competitive of all four Gr.1 races, The Hong Kong Mile at HKJC-owned Sha Tin racecourse. Strong defender and 2016 winner, Beauty Only will try to repeat his success this year as well but the race favourite is Seasons Bloom. The son of Captain Sonador has well prepared for this race he also won the lead up race to the mile with J Moreira steering him.
Winner of the Mile (2014), J Moreira is booked to steer Paul Lo Chung Wai & Kathy Lo Ho Hsiu Lan owned-Seasons Bloom. Two top class horses from the stables of Aidan O'Brien, Lancaster Bomber and Roly Poly will break from gate 11 and 14 respectively. Roly Poly has had a good summer winning three Group 1 races.
Other strong contenders are Helene Paragon and Lightning Spear both starting at gates 2 and 1 respectively. Lets see who keeps their mind focused for the win.
| No | Horse Name | Age | Origin | Pedigree | Trainer | Owner | Jockey | Race Form |
| 1 | Lightning Spear | 6 | GB | Pivotal-Atlantic Destiny(Royal Academy) | D Simcock | Qatar Racing Ltd | O Murphy | 20 Starts, 6 Wins |
| 2 | Helene Paragon | 5 | FR | Polan-High Zaff(High Chaparral) | J Moore | Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo & Others | T Berry | 25 Starts, 7 Wins |
| 3 | Karar | 5 | GB | Invincible Spirit-In The Light(Inchinor) | F-H Graffard | Al Shaqab Racing | P-C Boudot | 19 Starts, 4 Wins |
| 4 | Satono Aladdin | 6 | JPN | Deep Impact-Magic Storm(Storm Cat) | Y Ikee | Satomi Horse Co Ltd | H Bowman | 25 Starts, 8 Wins |
| 5 | Seasons Bloom | 5 | AUS | Captain Sonador-Pyramisa's Lass(Not A Single Doubt) | C S Shum | Paul Lo Chung Wai & Kathy Lo Ho Hsiu Lan | J Moreira | 14 Starts, 6 Wins |
| 6 | Sichuan Dar | 6 | AUS | Not A Single Doubt-Apocrypha(Octagonal) | A T Millard | Boniface Ho Ka Kui | N Rawiller | 26 Starts, 5 Wins |
| 7 | Western Express | 5 | AUS | Encosta de Lago-Alsatia(Marauding) | J Size | Larry Yung Chi Kin | S Clipperton | 13 Starts, 6 Wins |
| 8 | Contentment | 7 | AUS | Hussonet-Jemison(Commands) | J Size | Benson Lo Tak Wing | B Prebble | 29 Starts, 10 Wins |
| 9 | Beauty Generation | 5 | NZ | Road To Rock-Stylish Bel(Bel Esprit) | J Moore | Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen | K C Leung | 17 Starts, 6 Wins |
| 10 | Joyful Trinity | 5 | IRE | Zanzibari-Bargouzine(Stravinsky) | J Moore | Lai Wai Chi | G Mosse | 24 Starts, 7 Wins |
| 11 | Lancaster Bomber | 3 | USA | War Front-Sun Shower(Indian Ridge) | A P O'Brien | Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier | R Moore | 14 Starts, 1 Wins |
| 12 | Beauty Only | 6 | IRE | Holy Roman Emperor-Goldendale(Ali-Royal) | A S Cruz | Eleanor Kwok Law Kwai Chun & Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen | Z Purton | 32 Starts, 8 Wins |
| 13 | Horse Of Fortune | 7 | SAF | Stronghold-Sweet Virginia(Casey Tibbs) | A T Millard | Fantastic Five Syndicate | U Rispoli | 35 Starts, 9 Wins |
| 14 | Roly Poly | 3 | USA | War Front-Misty For Me(Galileo) | A P O'Brien | Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier | J Heffernan | 17 Starts, 6 Wins |
1: Seasons Bloom
2: Roly Poly
3: Western Express
By Apurva Chavan, Senior Racing Writer, apurva.chavan@secretariatsworld.com