With less than four weeks to go until the Classic Mile, the race for a berth in the first leg of the four-year-old series is well and truly heating up.

David Hayes’ decision to skip the feature with the city’s top four-year-old, Ka Ying Rising, has thrown the race wide open for a progressive galloper to stamp themselves as a future star of Hong Kong racing.

The Post has ranked the top 10 candidates for the Classic Mile on January 31.

1. Packing Hermod

Francis Lui Kin-wai’s talented galloper is a stand-out prospect after showing plenty in his four wins from five starts.

The son of Rubick’s only defeat was a solid second in the Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,400m), which he followed up with a fast-finishing victory under Joao Moreira on December 8. The mile might be as far as he wants, but he looks like he will handle the trip.

2. Johannes Brahms

Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s smart import stamped his Classic Mile claims with a strong win on his third Hong Kong start, overcoming a tricky run in the straight to score under James McDonald.

The 1,186m winner at Naas for Aidan O’Brien pre-import boasts a pedigree that suggests the mile shouldn’t be a problem and he can strengthen his claims in Sunday’s Class Two 1,400m event at Sha Tin.

3. Rubylot

The David Hayes-trained gelding put down an early Classic Mile marker with a barnstorming first-up win over Bottomuptogether in September.

He didn’t seem to appreciate settling closer in the run at his next start, but bounced back with a more patient ride when rattling home for a neck second to Packing Hermod. With a mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree and a lethal turn of foot, he can be a major player on January 31.

4. Mickley

It would pay to forgive John Size’s import for his last-start 12th behind Huge Wave after he was badly held up in the straight and thwarted by a slow speed. He is proven at the mile, having won Ascot’s Britannia Stakes last year and second up in Hong Kong at the trip.

He also possesses a strong turn of foot and gives Size a great shot at back-to-back Classic Mile wins.

5. Cap Ferrat

The former Australian galloper backed up his impressive trials for Lui with a closing second to Mickley on his Hong Kong debut under top weight. The Classic Cup (1,800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) might be more to his liking, having been placed twice at Group One level over 2,000m pre-import, but he can still be effective at a mile.

6. Packing Angel

One of the most in-form four-year-olds along with stablemate Packing Hermod, Packing Angel would be much higher on this list if not for his rating of 72.

That mark probably puts him on the borderline of making the Classic Mile field but on the strength of his past two victories under Zac Purton, there is no doubt the son of Melbourne Cup (3,200m) winner Shocking can be a leading contender if he sneaks in.

7. Markwin

Cody Mo Wai-kit’s strapping son of I Am Invincible stamped his claims with a pair of barnstorming wins over 1,400m, before falling narrowly short of a hat-trick when third to Tourbillon Prince. His pedigree suggests he will thrive at a mile and possibly further.

8. My Wish

What he lacks in size, he makes up for in ability and heart.

Mark Newnham’s galloper has been a revelation with three wins this term, while he had some excuses when third behind Huge Wave in his first test at 1,600m last start.

9. Steps Ahead

Another Lui aspirant, the son of Written By has won twice and never finished worst than third from seven starts. His fast-finishing second to Huge Wave sitting off a slow speed was most impressive.

10. Stunning Peach

Tony Cruz’s high-profile import hasn’t raced since pulling up lame after a luckless ninth at the Valley on December 4. The two-time Group One runner-up has trialled well enough since as he bids to get his Classic Series tilt back on track.