It could also be the first time a Hong Kong horse will race in the event should one of the local runners win Sunday's Champions Mile at Sha Tin racecourse.

However, Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges Friday looked even further ahead, saying it is only a matter of time before Hong Kong punters can bet on American racing pools and vice-versa, once again raising the issue of "commingling" he has been championing since he took over the top job at No1 Sports Road.

The commingling of pools means that punters in Hong Kong could bet on Hong Kong horses racing overseas and get the better dividends offered there against the cramped odds offered on simulcast races for which local betting pools are small.

In addition, overseas racegoers will be able to bet directly on Hong Kong's betting pools, thereby increasing local turnover and, in turn, increasing the Hong Kong government's revenue.

"There are taxation issues with commingling but these, we believe, can be overcome," Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

"We need a different framework for Hong Kong to participate in international commingling. It can't just be a one-way street with other countries betting into our pools and we will need the Hong Kong government's support on this."

Kenneth Kirchner, senior vice president, product development, of the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association, also spoke on commingling.

Kirchner oversees all domestic and international wagering on the Breeders' Cup and has presided over turnover growth from US$64 million (HK$499.2 million) in 1995 to US$140 million last year, US$20 million of which came from overseas.

"We are making real progress," Kirchner said in reference to international commingling.

"It's one step at a time, but we have the will and we have the technology. Hopefully we may even have commingling with Hong Kong by next year's Breeders' Cup."

Kirchner added: "We have commingled with France for 10 years and other parts of Europe for the past five or six years.

"We are in discussions with Hong Kong, of course, and also with places like Australia and Japan. Most racing jurisdictions now realize that we have to create huge worldwide pools and so far we've just been scratching the surface."

Engelbrecht-Bresges said "the future of racing is global."

He added: "It is necessary to think outside the normal domestic boundaries.

"If you don't go global, you'll miss out. The future of racing is international and central to this is the creation of strong commingled betting pools between major racing jurisdictions."

The US Breeders' Cup is one of the year's most important racedays and the winner of the Champions Mile in Hong Kong will now get automatic entry following agreement between Hong Kong and Breeders' Cup management.