The Jeju Governor’s Cup highlights an 11-race Sunday card at Seoul and Indian Star will be bidding to win the 1400 Group 3 test for fillies and mares for the third consecutive year. She’ll be up against it though as a tough field of sixteen, including two Oaks winners and a whole host of others line up.  The 1st is at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. There is also racing at Busan with 6 races from 12:40 to 17:10.

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(7) BANGTAN SONYEO has run 3^rd on both his starts to date, both of them in valuable races (he actually was 4^th across the line in the Munhwa Ilbo but the “winner” was disqualified). Neither of those races were especially quick but he showed prominently last time and here he will be expected to be on speed early and can win. Of the four others who have raced before, (3) JANGSAN FLY will be expected to improve – he actually ran slower on debut than he did in his trial – while (4) CHEONNYEONUI BARAM went back to trial after his own August debut and showed some potential. There are seven first-timer starters and among them, (12) GEUMBIT JANGIN was perhaps most impressive in trials. He’s a half-brother to plenty who have raced well, at least at lower levels. (9) HOMECOMING posted a fast time and should also go well first-up in what is a better than average looking maiden.

Selections	(7) Bangtan Sonyeo (3) Jangsan Fly (12) Geumbit Jangin (9) Homecoming
Next Best	4, 6, 8
Fast Start	2, 3, 7, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

After an inauspicious debut, (4) RULE BREAKER has come back and posted a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two subsequent starts. The latest being at this distance. He’s well drawn to hit the front early and the only thing that should be broken by the end is his maiden. (7) MEGA CITY and (1) K ZONE came home 3^rd and 4^th respectively when they raced each other over 1300M on September 15^th. Both have been there or thereabouts for some time now and look to be the biggest dangers to the favourite. (9) JEONGMUN K ran on well for 5^th last time at 1200M and the additional half furlong today may benefit while (10) ROAD MAN ran a useful 3^rd of 7 at the distance at the start of September and returns form a seven-week layoff with the potential to repeat.

Selections	(4) Rule Breaker (7) Mega City (1) K Zone (9) Jeongmun K
Next Best	10, 8
Fast Start	1, 4, 7

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Small field but competitive with plenty in the hunt. (6) ISCRA is up in class following an eye-catching seven-length score over this distance on September 15^th. It had been coming well as he had been getting progressively closer, never finishing worse than 4^th over four starts to date. He made all that day and has every chance of doing so again. (9) DAE UNHA was the one who got closest to Iscra and he is accordingly up in class too – while he won’t be out of his depth, he obviously has plenty to find. A stiffer challenge is likely to come from (5) BARAMUI SORI, a winner on debut in August and who ran 2^nd on her first try at this level five weeks ago. It’s her first try at further than the minimum distance, but she should be able to cope. Another leading contender is (7) BACK TO BACK, who looks to be coming back into form after a few wobbles in the early summer. (2) CITY CHAMP drops back in trip after good recent work at 1700M. He’s yet to get his maiden win but can challenge for a place in this company.

Selections	(6) Iscra (5) Baramui Sori (7) Back To Back (2) City Champ
Next Best	7, 1
Fast Start	3, 5, 6

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 50 Million

After taking a few goes to find her feet at this level, (6) SKY MARINE has run well over her last two starts, most recently being beaten just over a length into 2^nd at this distance on September 15^th. That was a good race and she beat some decent horses making it hard to oppose her here. (7) NEUNGRYEOK SIDAE also enters following a class and distance 2^nd place. Like Sky Marine she’s been a little inconsistent but looks a potential danger today. (1) LUCAS ran a close 5^th on his first try at this level just over a month ago. She’s up in trip for the first time and her running style suggests it may suit. There are a couple up in class following maiden wins last start but both (5) I AM WINNER and (10) BLESSING ROAD look as though they have plenty to find leaving (8) CHEONGSU DOLPUNG, who returns after more than a year off but trialled up well last week, and (9) LIVINGSTONE, as potential place-getters.

Selections	(6) Sky Marine (7) Neungryeok Sidae (1) Lucas (9) Livingstone
Next Best	8, 3, 10
Fast Start	6, 7, 10

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

A maiden for imported juveniles here with just three of the eleven having raced before. (4) HAVANA CHARLIE was favourite on debut on September 9^th having blitzed a late-August trial. He was beaten by a super performance by Gaon Queen and it would take something very special to beat him today. The other two with experience offered little on their respective debuts so we’ll turn to the first-timers to try to find some competition. (2) INCHEON SPEED showed plenty of speed when winning a trial two weeks ago and is the clear second pick. (5) FIGHTING LANGFUHR also came out on top in a trial and is the likely third-favourite. (3) SPEED WINNER and (7) MAPLE MOON others to catch the eye and both could go well first-up.

Selections	(4) Havana Charlie (2) Incheon Speed (5) Fighting Langfuhr (3) Speed Winner
Next Best	7, 1
Fast Start	2, 4, 5

Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) EAST KINGDOM enters in good form and was 3^rd last time out (beaten a neck by Sky Marine, who we saw earlier) over 1300M. He steps up to two turns for the first time with little to suggest that it won’t suit and he could be hard to beat. (7) ADELEUI KKUM remains a maiden but the Hansen colt came up to this distance for the first time in August and ran a good 2^nd place. He comes in following nine weeks off and looks the main danger. (8) DAE CAIN is another who remains winless but he too gave a good account of himself at class and distance three weeks ago and can aim for the places here. (4) ASTER and the returning (2) BULSA BULPAE others who come under consideration to register a money finish.

Selections	(6) East Kingdom (7) Adeleui Kkum (8) Dae Cain (4) Aster
Next Best	2, 9
Fast Start	6, 9, 10

Race 7: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) THE KING won on debut in April but in three starts since, he’s been very much “the Prince”, being sent off as favourite in all of them but finishing as runner-up each time. Nevertheless, he’s not done a huge amount wrong and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him favourite again and this time to get on speed early and make all. Should he come up short again, (11) SKY CITY and (1) MR. TURNER finished 1^st and 2^nd at class and distance on September 15^th and among the main dangers. There was just a head between them on the line that day and Mr. Turner is favoured to overturn that here. (4) KING POSE and (7) RAON ZEUS also raced each other last time out although with rather less distinction. Both are better than that though and can improve here.

Selections	(8) The King (1) Mr. Turner (7) Raon Zeus (4) King Pose
Next Best	11, 3
Fast Start	4, 7, 8

Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Three of the ten enter looking to complete a hat-trick of victories here. Two of them, (1) GIGA LIGHT and (4) FAST FASHION are up in class but both ran out impressive victors at this distance on their respective latest starts and both have every chance of going close here. On the other hand, (3) BEST VICTORY’s latest win was at this level when he and (10) GANGSEO EUTTEUM and (6) HAPPY TODAY filled out the 1, 2, 3 over this distance on September 16^th. He came from off the pace that day and ground out the victory by half a length. He only carries an additional half kilo and is to be respected. Gangseo Eutteum has to be given a chance of overturning that margin having been a good class and distance winner as recently as August. (8) SHARK DAEJANGGEUN ran on really well to win on September 9^th and is another one who can be a big danger here.

Selections	(3) Best Victory (1) Giga Light (4) Fast Fashion (8) Shark Daejanggeun
Next Best	10, 2
Fast Start	3, 7

Race 9: Class Open “Jeju Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) 1400M Allowance / KRW 400 Million

1. SPECIAL STONE – She won the Korean Oaks comfortably in July at 1800M but couldn’t beat Seouri Byeol when they re-matched here over the same distance in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup a month ago. Never run at this distance and first time at one turn since January. Will be strongly backed.
2. SINUI MYEONGRYEONG – Began the year highly thought of but finished 5^th in the Sports Seoul Cup at this distance in March and didn’t make it to any of the Classics. She’s a class 2 winner over 1200M. Her three wins have come from leading all the way so if she gets in front – and she’s got a chance with this draw, she can run well.
3. LEAD MONEY – Won the Ilgan Sports Cup over 1800M in July after the favourite fell. Dropped back to this distance for her next two starts finishing 6^th and 4^th, both at class 2. Will need to improve here.
4. HWANGGEUM GEOTAP – Five-year-old who is yet to make it out of class 3. Recent form in Busan has been creditable but unexceptional. Slow starter who can finish well but this is a tough ask.
5. SEOURI BYEOL – Came from the back to run 3^rd in the Korean Oaks before doing the same to win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup in a much smaller field. Steps back in trip today but won the last time she raced at it in June. Tactics will be interesting. Quality filly with a big chance.
6. MIRACLE HANSEN – A winner of four from seven, she comes in having made all to win the MJC Trophy on international weekend at 1200M. First try at this distance today, the start will be important, and she may well feel the pinch at the end. Has plenty of potential for further development though. Don’t rule out.
7. INDIAN STAR – She raises her game in this race with an all the way easy score in 2016 followed by a much harder fought victory a year ago. She’s not won since. Last start was a disappointing run in the SBS Sports Sprint in June, but we’ll forgive her, and she is one of the few established class 1 entrants. She participated in a trial in Busan last week and looked sharp enough. Don’t underestimate.
8. SUN DAY – The up and comer of the race, she didn’t run as a juvenile but has won four of five since debuting in March. Her latest two have been back to back victories over a mile. First try at 1400M today, she’s from Kim Young Kwan’s stable but is this too much too soon?
9. JEJUI HANEUL – The Korean Oaks winner in 2017, she was 2^nd in the Sports Chosun Cup in June and then 3^rd behind Lead Money in the Ilgan Sports in July. Comes in having run 2^nd to the excellent Gangtoma over 1800M three weeks ago, she could challenge for the places here.
10. ICE MARINE – 7^th behind Jejui Haneul in last year’s Oaks she then didn’t race again until June of this year. She covered an awful lot of ground late on to win over this distance in July and then almost repeated in the KNN Cup at a mile in August. Could well be the one to beat.
11. BLUE FLAG – Full-sister to 2014 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gyeongbudaero, she was 4^th in both the Korean Oaks and the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. In between times she registered a class 3 handicap win at 1800M. Capable but plenty of form to overturn on some of the others – she is though unbeaten at up to a mile and will be backed.
12. NIKE STREET – Another with form to overturn, she was a disappointing last in the Oaks but ran a useful 3^rd in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She’s won at 1700M at class 4 but looks to be most effective as a sprinter. First go at this distance, not among the favourites but has a placing shot.
13. PRIMA QUEEN – Beaten by Sinui Myeongryeong over 1200M in August before turning the tables at the end of September. Has struggled in two attempts at this distance this year although in fairness, one was in the Ttukseom Cup. Outsider.
14. TOUR ROSE – Won the Selangor Turf Club Trophy over 1800M in June before running 4^th of 8 in a class 1 handicap at the same distance in July. Not raced since. Last tackled this trip last December and while she won’t be favoured, she is one the few established class 1 level fillies here.
15. BLUE TIME – Enters off the back of a win and a 2^nd place finish at Busan, both at this distance. They were at class 3 though and she will need to be raising her game today. Stablemate of Indian Star
16. BRIGHT STAR – 2^nd to Jejui Haneul in the 2017 Oaks, she’s been up and down this year with a class 3 win over 1900M and a class 2 3^rd at this distance in May. Last ran 6^th behind Ice Marine in the KNN Cup. Plenty to find.

Verdict: Last year’s race was full of action and this year’s promises similar and it’s not impossible that (7) INDIAN STAR could pull off a shock hat-trick. She’ll not be favourite though and plenty of support is expected for (1) SPECIAL STONE and (5) SEOURI BYEOL. Loads of others are in with a chance in a race where the pace is sure to be hot, but we’ll go for (10) ICE MARINE to step up and take the honours.

Selections	(10) Ice Marine (5) Seouri Byeol (6) Miracle Hansen (7) Indian Star
Next Best	11, 1, 3, 8
Fast Start	2, 3, 6, 7, 8

Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) THANK YOU CHARLIE beat four of these on his way to his second consecutive victory, which came at class and distance on September 15^th. He looks to have plenty of potential for more and is the one to beat here. (8) NEORANEUN CHUKJE was 2^nd in that race, less than a length behind and could well be the main danger again while the 3^rd place-getter, (7) MR. CUPID, while greatly exceeding expectations that day, can also challenge for the places once more. On the other hand, (11) BROADWAY SIN was a disappointing 6^th in that race but can be given another chance here.  Among those who didn’t run in that race, (9) PARK SOCKS was 2^nd the last time he tackled this distance in July and looks in with a should of placing while (10) OJEI MYEONGDAB returns to action for the first time in nine months and was very fast when winning a trial last week.

Selections	(1) Thank You Charlie (8) Neoraneun Chukje (7) Mr. Cupid (9) Park Socks
Next Best	11, 10
Fast Start	1, 6, 8, 11

Race 11: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Big handicap sprint to finish with and all manner of outcomes are possible. The slight top pick is (5) CHEONJIGA. He races for the first time since beating three of these on his way to victory on August 12^th in a similar race at this distance. His come from behind style means he may need a bit of luck in running but he looks very nicely in to repeat. Second that day was (3) ZENTENARY. He went on to be an also-ran in the Korea Sprint but he is a game competitor who can never be completely ruled out. Also well back in the Sprint – but ahead of Zentenary – was (12) WONDER BOLT. Now eight-years-old, he showed good form earlier in the year at longer distances but is capable of coming from the back to get close here. (1) TWO KAY also drops back in trip and is likely to look to lead from the inside gate and should stick around at the finish. (9) CITY STAR races for the first time since March. He was turning into a top-class sprinter but has had several setbacks and was 2^nd in a Listed and a Graded race in the two outings before his latest layoff. He trialed well two weeks ago and shouldn’t be ruled out.

Selections	(5) Cheonjiga (9) City Star (12) Wonder Bolt (3) Zentenary
Next Best	1, 10
Fast Start	1, 2, 4, 10