Only the draw looks to separate the best two middle distance horses in town as they face off in the Group Two Longines Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin today and that might just be enough of an edge for the Tony Cruz-trained California Memory, reports Racing Post HK.

California Memory (Matthew Chadwick) and Military Attack (Zac Purton) both had hurdles to overcome first-up when they clashed as bit part players in the Sha Tin Trophy at 1,600m and each did an admirable job, finishing fourth and sixth respectively and with only a narrow margin separating them.

Military Attack looked to race fresher than the grey, was held up in the straight before hitting the line well but for California Memory there were difficulties too.

He was also held up for a time in the straight and, in fact, when both horses were clear they levelled up and matched each other stride for stride over the final 200m.

On that occasion, California Memory drew wide, went back at the start to cross to the rail at the back of the field while Military Attack drew closer in and was steadied towards the rear, pretty much outside California Memory for most of the race.

What is crucial to today's race is that California Memory is in gate five this time and his arch rival in the ten barrier from the 2,000m start, which can be so unforgiving.

Last season, we saw Purton reinvent Military Attack by putting him handy in races, even when he drew the outside barrier in the Premier Plate over 1,800m.

But the 1,800m start has 1,000m of straight track before they reach a turn and drawing wide from the 2,000m isn't as friendly - with 600m of turn ahead when they jump.

A jockey doesn't have the same luxury of beginning with an open mind then choosing forward or back on the run.

There looks to be little speed in the race, and Purton may commit to going forward from the start although it runs the risk of firing up Military Attack, who did run quite keenly first-up. His alternative is to go back to the rear and give a start to his rival.

Purton is riding so brilliantly, it wouldn't surprise if he got it exactly right but he has some thinking to do while Chadwick looks drawn to land in a midfield two-wide spot on California Memory without having to do much to get there.