The HK$14m (US$1.8m) Gr1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m) (also the first leg of the 2005 World Series Racing Championship) will be jostling for outright public popularity alongside Silent Witness' first tilt at 1400m at Sha Tin next weekend.

Even with today's news that the US-trained Pellegrino (formerly a top class performer in Argentina prior to winning the US Gr1 Hollywood Turf Cup over 12 furlongs in California last December) has been a late withdrawal from the QEII due to a raised body temperature, the fact remains that the field is nothing short of outstanding. Adding a string to the HKJC's marketing bow, news today that Grand Armee, Elvstroem and Touch of Land (all confirmed contenders for the April 24 event) made it into the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Top 50.

Hong Kong also has the fifth best horse in the world according to the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings - Silent Witness (who has maintained his international ranking of 123 in his three wins since January). Multiple G1 winner Bullish Luck - another HK resident - also made it into the top 50th - taking equal 24th position with a rating of 118.

For the dedicated QEII page on the HKJC website click here.