Global Hit remains the one to beat in the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)
After running 2nd to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes, last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit asserted his claim to be the new King of Korean racing with victory in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul last month.
Despite Winner’s Man being out of the picture for the foreseeable future – and possibly to be retired – the margin of victory was less than a length as another four-year-old, Nut Play was bearing down on Global Hit. The pair head the line up for the YTN and a reversal in form shouldn’t be ruled out.
At his best though, (14) GLOBAL HIT may prove hard to beat. He draws the same wide gate as he did in the Herald Business and Kim Hye-sun on board will be very aware of the threat that Nut Play – and others – can pose. Expect tactics to be adjusted accordingly.
(3) NUT PLAY also featured on the Triple Crown trail last year, running 4th in the KRA Cup Mile, before 3rd place finishes in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup. He picked up a Listed win last September over 1800M and began this year with a victory at class 1 level before his Herald Business runner-up. He comes into a much better gate this time.
Although they will be at the top of the market, this is no two-horse race. (7) TUHONUI BANSEOK is the defending champion, having demolished a field including Winner’s Man by an astonishing eleven-lengths. He made his season re-appearance in the Herald Business, running a creditable 3rd. A big run is possible here.
The wildcard is a stablemate of Tuhonui Banseok’s. In fact, it isn’t initially obvious which is the second string from the Bart Rice barn as (2) JEONGMUN COBIT enters in sensational form, having won his latest four at distances between 1400M and 2000M, posting some very quick times and for the most part, giving away weight. This is a step into the unknown competition wise, but he may well step up.
(10) SPEED YOUNG was champion juvenile in 2022 and has consistently threatened to break through at the very top level, including a strong 2nd behind Global Hit in the Minister’s Cup and a 3rd in the President’s Cup. He can mix his form, but he was a fair 5th in the Herald Business and shouldn’t be dismissed today.
Others who may find some interest at longer prices include (11) CHIEF INDY and the only filly in the race, Luigi Riccardi’s (4) WONDERFUL SLEW.
The YTN Cup is race 7 on the 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05.
Selections
(14) Global Hit (3) Nut Play (2) Jeongmun Cobit (7) Tuhonui Banseok
After the sprinters last week, this week it’s the second leg of the Stayer Series and the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) headlines the daytime card on Sunday at Seoul. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:
Global Hit headlines Sunday’s YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) USEUNG CONCORD raced twice in late summer last year, recording a 3rd and a 2nd over 1000M and 1200M. He hasn’t raced since but trialled up fairly in March and Moon Se-young’s engagement makes it likely they intend to pick up from where they left off and win first-up against this very limited set of opponents. (5) ARCH ROCKET has hinted at ability and should at least be on pace here. An apprentice keeps his weight very light, and he should be in the mix. (10) POWER TRY is the solitary debut maker. It took hm two goes to qualify but he looked competent enough at the second time of asking and he can be considered against this lot. (7) JEONGSEONG VICE and (6) HERO NARA others in the placing frame.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) BREEDO KING STAR enters off a 3rd and a 4th, both at this distance and both times settling behind the lead before finishing well. Despite the wide draw, he can be expected to be on pace here and he us the one to bear. Clear second-pick is (1) GEUMSEONG REVERE. Having returned from almost nine months out to run a 4th place over 1300M on March 14th, she should strip fitter here and can be a danger. The form falls off significantly after those, but (5) ÉCLAIR POWER has hinted at ability across his three starts so far. He has got a bit far back in his races but should be running on strong here. (7) CHANGJOUI GIDUNG and (3) HIGH END are potential improvers.
Selections
(9) Breedo King Star (1) Geumseong Revere (5) Éclair Power (7) Changjoui Gidung
Next Best
3, 6
Fast Start
1, 6, 8, 9
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) BLAZING MAN will be the favourite here. He has shown steady improvement across his three starts so far, most recently when 4th over 1400M on March 22nd when racing on pace. He has finished ahead of a few of these already and he should be finishing ahead of all of them today. (3) THUNDER GUY comes in having finished a fair 4th on debut over 1200M on March 31st. The time wasn’t the quickest, but he should have benefitted from the experience and with some natural improvement, can go closer here. (4) HANEUL SINHWA dead-heated for 5th place behind Blazing Man last time out and can there or thereabouts again. (2) BEST BOY and (7) GOAT KING IJI among others to consider for the minors.
Selections
(9) Blazing Man (3) Thunder Guy (4) Haneul Sinhwa (2) Best Boy
Next Best
7, 6
Fast Start
3, 4, 9, 12
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only and (2) JERAQUEEN will be a warm favourite here having made steady progress across her five starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1300M in a similar all-filly race on March 17th when leading almost all the way. She draws nicely to lead again and will be expected to go one better. (10) BEATRIZ enters having run an improved 3rd over this distance in February when racing on the pace. The same apprentice keeps her weight nice and light, and despite the wide draw, she can be on pace and in this again. (7) PINK WIND was one of those behind Jeraqueen on March 17th, but she has a 2nd place to her name and can be a factor here. (6) CHOGANGBULPAE and (5) MONEY TOUCH others in the placing frame.
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) MORPHEUS is up in class having secured his maiden win at the sixth time of asking when stepped up to a mile and leading all the way on March 24th. He has performed well at this distance as well and while he doesn’t get much in the way of a weight break, he can be on pace again and can go back-to-back. (4) MOVIE MORE is yet to win in ten attempts, nine of hem at this distance but she comes in with a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two. She carries a light weight, draws well to challenge Morpheus for the early lead, and it could well be her day. (2) VELOCIRAPTOR was a winner at this class over 1300M two starts back. It may have been her first win on her twentieth start, but she has loads of experience at this level and this is the kind of company she can place among. The rest need to improve on recent form with (11) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE and (6) SINHAE MANGCHI perhaps the most likely.
Selections
(5) Morpheus (4) Movie More (2) Velociraptor (11) Wonderful Cherokee
Next Best
6, 12
Fast Start
4, 5, 6, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) YONGAM MARENGO finished down the field when sent off as favourite at class and distance on March 23rd. The margins weren’t huge though and we can give him another chance after two near-misses leading up to it. He can sit behind the speed and prove too strong late on. (6) RAON THE TAP has two placings at this class and enters off a fair 5th, ahead of Yongam Marengo in that March 23rd race. Moon Se-young stays aboard, and he will have plenty of backers here. (5) MEOTJIN GIROK has been working his way back into form and enters off a smart 2nd place at class and distance on March 17th. He is another with a strong finish who should be doing his best work late. (4) BULGEUN POKPUNG and (7) NAOL DAEWANG others to consider.
Selections
(9) Yongam Marengo (6) Raon The Tap (5) Meotjin Girok (4) Bulgeun Pokpung
Next Best
7, 3
Fast Start
3, 4, 6, 10
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (11) JAZZ STAR was a winner on debut over 1200M in an all-filly maiden on March 22nd when settling midfield and running on. She comes up in class and in distance here, but neither should be an issue, and, under a light weight, she can maintain her 100% start. (2) WONDERFUL CUTIE is the main danger. She was a winner at this class and distance in February – the only one in the field to have prevailed at 1400M – before running midfield in stiffer company than this and under 56kg last time out. She comes down in the weights here with an apprentice engaged, is drawn well, and she can return to form. (10) ARION QUEEN will need a line drawn through her latest over a mile but should be happier back in trip here. (7) NONSTOP DUTY and (1) CHIMING RUN others in the hunt.
Selections
(11) Jazz Star (2) Wonderful Cutie (10) Arion Queen (7) Nonstop Duty
Next Best
1, 3
Fast Start
5, 7, 10, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) ROYAL BEST got his maiden win over 1300M in January, making all, and has since been 4th on both tries at this class, both times having led. He draws nicely here, CC climbs aboard, and he can win. (2) JECHUK IHO remains a maiden but is yet to finish any worse than 4th after five starts last year. He hasn’t raced since last October but he looked very well when leading all the way in a trial at the start of this month, and from a good gate, he can put in a bold showing first-up. (9) HAEJE YEOGEOL got her maiden win two starts back before running 2nd on her first try at this class over 1200M on January 14th having led. She comes in fresh after fourteen weeks out and she can be in the hunt. (4) GOLDEN LINE and (6) TAMNA CHOEGANGJA others to consider.
Selections
(3) Royal Best (2) Jechuk Iho (9) Haeje Yeogeol (4) Golden Line
Next Best
6, 7
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 8
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Horse Racing in Korea 