Racing: Millions on offer for world's best milers

Sunline, where are you?

Yesterday a staggering US$12.6 million ($18 million) four-race metric mile championship was announced that three years ago could have been named the Sunline series.

The 2006 Asian Mile Challenge further underlines the almost unbelievable money available for top-class international horses.

The Asian Challenge was inaugurated this year, but it encompassed just the US$1 million Champion's Mile in Hong Kong and Japan's US$2 million Yasuda Kinen.

For 2006 the Challenge has been widened to include the US$527,000 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on March 4 and the US$5 million Dubai Duty Free (1770m) on March 25, the race Sunline finished a brave third in to Jim And Tonic and Fairy King Prawn in 2001.

There is a US$4 million bonus to a horse that wins all four races, US$2 million to a horse that wins three legs and US$1 million for the winner of any two legs.

Sunline's international form at her peak left little doubt she was capable of winning all four races.

It is remarkable to think that successfully completing that four-race series would eclipse the $13.8 million Sunline won during her 4 1/2 year career.

Sunline picked up $724,000 for her third in the Dubai Duty Free in 2001, but there is no doubt she would have won but for being taken on early in front by one of the Godolphin horses ridden by Frankie Dettori.

She beat the runner-up, Fairy King Prawn, in the Hong Kong Mile in December 2000.

The 2006 Dubai Duty Free, with the Dubai Sheema Classic, is the world's richest race on turf.

To further emphasise the commitment and spirit of cooperation of all four racing clubs combining in the Challenge, travel subsidies for horse, trainer, owner and jockey will be offered.