May 29 - This week three of Hong Kong's top race horses headed for Tokyo, Japan to compete in the Yasuda Kinen (Group 1 -1600m) on Sunday, June 8th, the fourth and final leg of the thus far exciting Asian Mile Challenge.

Currently rated the top three milers in Hong Kong, Good Ba Ba, Armada, and Bullish Luck, left the city on Tuesday evening and have since been reported as arriving safely and without incident in Japan.

On April 27th, the three horses came first, second and third respectively in the Champions Mile at Shatin, putting them at the top of the Hong Kong miler leader board and ensuring their passage to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen.

There is a lot at stake for the trio, particularly Good Ba Ba, son of the outstanding Lear Fan, who stands to win a lucrative $1 million bonus if he finishes first in the Yasuda Kinen, as it will be his second victory in the Asian Mile Challenge.

A win in Tokyo will also ensure Good Ba Ba's place in horse racing history as only the second horse (fellow traveler, Bullish Luck, being the first in 2006) to net the $1 million bonus for winning two races in the same series.

In addition, should Good Ba Ba win the Yasuda Kinen, he will be the first Hong Kong-trained horse to win five consecutive Group 1 events in the same year. Since 1994, Hong Kong has sent its top milers to Japan to compete in the annual Yasuda Kinen.

In terms of Yasuda Kinen competition, Good Ba Ba is currently rated at 122, along with the world's best miler, Weekend Hussler, Henrythenavigator at 121, Breeders' Cup Mile champ, Kip Deville at 120, and Jay Peg at 120, the South African-trained horse that recently won the Dubai Duty Free and Singapore Airlines International Cup.