Asian Mile Challenge Nominations Feature Best In The World Fans of top class international racing can look forward for an even stronger and more exciting Asian Mile Challenge (AMC) in 2007, judged on the initial nominations for the US$12.5m series between March and June. Featuring the best milers in training worldwide, an impressive tally of 403 nominations from 19 racing jurisdictions have been received for the challenge comprising Group 1 races in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan. Miesque´s Approval, the NetJets Breeders´ Cup Mile champion of 2006, heads the list and is closely followed by Bullish Luck, winner of three of the six AMC legs to be run to date and also the recipient of a US$1m bonus for winning two legs last year. The second meeting of the Dubai International Racing Carnival on Thursday, January 25, will showcase the US$175,000 Asian Racing Federation Stakes where the winner will receive an invitation for the first AMC leg, the Futurity Stakes, in Melbourne on March 3.This will not be the only significant development for AMC nominees over the coming days as in Melbourne this weekend the top class nominees El Segundo and Haradasun will line up for the Gr.2 Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield respectively. Meanwhile, the brilliant Golden Slipper and dual Classic winning filly Miss Finland will perform an exhibition gallop in Adelaide. Over in Hong Kong, a fantastic field is preparing for the Gr.1 Stewards´ Cup this Sunday, featuring a rematch between The Duke and Armada, one-two in last month´s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile. The Duke is also being readied for a shot at Futurity Stakes. 'It gives me great pleasure to announce such outstanding quality and quantity to the nominations for the Asian Mile Challenge, especially during the 31st Asian Racing Conference. It is also very gratifying to see how many of the world´s leading owners and trainers have targeted our Challenge in just its third edition,' said Mr Mark Player, Chairman of the AMC Committee and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Manager of International Races. The four legs of the Asian Mile ChallengeFuturity Stakes, Caulfield, March 3 - US$532,000 Dubai Duty Free, Nad Al Sheba, March ? US$5m Champions Mile, Sha Tin, April 29 ? US$1.03m Yasuda Kinen, Tokyo, June 3 - US$1.89m Bonus StructureFour wins = US$4m bonus Three wins = US$2m bonus Two wins = US$1m bonus
