The first leg of the inaugural Asian Mile Challenge (AMC), the HK$8 million Champions Mile (Gr.1-1600m) on May 14, promises to be the most eagerly-awaited and intriguing race of the season now that Hong Kong legend Silent Witness, the world's top-ranked turf sprinter that has exhausted every superlative en route to a record-breaking 17 straight wins, prepares to race over a mile for the very first time - and against top class opposition from home and abroad.

The Champions Mile, on declaration day (12 May), drawn a selected field of thirteen with three starters from Japan, Great Britain and Australia and ten rivals from Hong Kong bidding to be the first to lower the champ's colours in a race worth approx. US$1.026 million. Worth approx. US$2 million, the Yasuda Kinen (Gr.1-1600m) in Tokyo on June 5 is the second leg of the AMC. A bonus of US$1 million will go to the winner of both races. That's a total of approx. US$4 million up for grabs in just two races.

The ever-popular Silent Witness not only has to carry the SAR flag for his beloved local supporters, he is about to put his 17-race unbeaten streak on the line over the untested and untried water of 1600m for the very first time. Based on his performance, known temperament and the racing record of his sire, dam and broodmare sire that they were all middle distance winners over 1500 to 1700m during their career, there are strong reasons to believe that Silent Witness is capable to extend his undefeated winning streak comes May 14 2005.

Besides Silent Witness, two other high-class trainees of trainer Tony Cruz have been selected in this international event. Bullish Luck and Perfect Partner, the respective winner of the 2004 Stewards' Cup (G1) and Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) indeed is the insurance policies for the Cruz stable in capturing this prestigious HK$ 8 million dollars race.

Although top-class English trainer Mark Johnston put down seven of his inmates' name at entry time, but only one was chosen. This invitee certainly deserved her placing and it is the dual English and Irish 1000 Guineas (both G1 1600m) as well as Royal Ascot Group 1 winner of last year, Attraction. There is very little doubt that Attraction could play a big spoiler role in beating Silent Witness over her pet distance of one-mile in the 2005 Champions Mile.

Asian Mile Challenge partner country Japan shipped over a small but selective team of two for this inaugural Mile series, these two are Cosmo Bulk, the brave runner-up of the Japanese 2000 Guineas and the Japan Cup and the Group-placed Meiner Solomon, who withdraw on declaration day due to a sudden fever.

The remaining selected overseas runner is the ultra tough three times Australian Group 1 placed and Group 2 stakes winner Delzao.