Followers of the 'Dream Team' of John Size and Douglas Whyte have never had such an array of choice, with the two premiership leaders combining in an unprecedented eight of the 10 races on today's Champions Mile card at Sha Tin. It will also be the ultimate test for the rising star of Hong Kong racing, the brilliant four-year-old Danacourt, who hits Group One company for the first time and only seven days after returning from an six-month illness-enforced lay-off. Danacourt lost no marks with his close second to Happee Owner in last week's Hong Kong Macau Trophy as it was only the winner's hard racing fitness that made the difference in the concluding stages. If punters were wondering about the way the chestnut came through last week's battle, then feast your eyes on the accompanying photo, taken at trackwork yesterday, and worry no more. The early shoppers have caused a minor surprise by nominating fallen idol Silent Witness as their favourite for the Champions Mile, at $28, with Danacourt second favourite at $52, and 'logical' favourite Joyful Winner at the value quote of $66. The shortest-priced favourite of the day, on early markets at least, is also to be found in the Size barn: first starter Deminer in the third event (Class Three, 1,200m). The 2004 International Sale Graduate is superbly bred, being by Europe's champion sprinter of 1992, Anabaa, from a stakeswinning half-sister to Snippets, and is showing all the family's explosive ability. The other horses who will enjoy the Size-Whyte branding are G-One Leading (race one), Sand Dance (race four), River Dancer (race five), Fly Me To The Moon (race six), Bumper Bumper (race eight) and Winning Bullet (race nine).
