The penultimate local Group 1 of the season takes place on Sunday with the President’s Cup at Seoul. The big race is the 8th on an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 17:55. There are also 6 races at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (11) CYBER TIGER settled handy in his trial, before running on for 2nd behind a nice-looking winner. The draw shouldn’t be a problem, Maia stays on, and he has every chance of winning first up. (6) VERY LUCKY was a close 2nd in his trial, showing on pace throughout. From a central draw, he can aim to lead here and could go all the way. (7) LUCKY EUNPA won her trial, leading all the way around and stopping the clock in a fair time. If she brings that form to the races, then she can be a big chance here. (4) RUN TO WIN trialed up fairly, seven-lengths behind G B Queen, who was a debut-winner last week. Seo Seung-un’s booking means he will have backers. (2) GHOST PLASH another who hinted at ability in his heat.
| Selections | (11) Cyber Tiger (6) Very Lucky (7) Lucky Eunpa (4) Run To Win |
| Next Best | 2, 5 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Fillies only in this maiden with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) RAON POLIS has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, at 1000M and most recently at this distance on September 12th, coming from off the pace. Third-up she can be peaking and she has as good a chance as any here. (3) FOREVER HIT raced twice last autumn for a 3rd and a 4th but then didn’t re-appear until this September 5th when she ran a solid 4th place over 1300M in a similar maiden to this. She should have come on for the run, and she can get closer today. (7) MIGHTY MULAN was an improved 3rd at start number two in a very quick race over 1000M on August 29th, showing on the speed. She comes up in trip for the first time and can be in the finish. Those are the three main chances, with (9) TAKE CHARM looking the best of the first timers, while from a good draw, fellow debut-maker (2) CHEONGUN BISANG could also challenge.
| Selections | (10) Raon Polis (3) Forever Hit (7) Mighty Mulan (9) Take Charm |
| Next Best | 2, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
After a couple of solid trials, (7) WORLD OF DREAM was a good winner on debut over this distance on September 13th, racing handy throughout and running on well. He comes up in class here but is down in weight, draws fairly, and he can maintain his 100% record. (6) MYEONGSEONG PARTY was similarly a winner on debut, in her case over 1000M on September 6th when close to the speed and taking things up late. She is up in class and in trip and while she can’t get a weight break, she can measure up. (8) SEVEN KAISER broke through at this class and distance on August 15th, racing on pace throughout. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but Andre stays on and is not to be dismissed. (1) SUNGLASS and last start winner (4) B.K. DEVIL are others in the frame.
| Selections | (7) World Of Dream (6) Myeongseong Party (8) Seven Kaiser (1) Sunglass |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) COSMO LONG went around in all three legs of the Triple Tiara and while she was well back in all of them, she returned to shallower waters and ran 5th on August 15th. She has placed at this distance and with Franco on for the first time, this looks winnable. (5) HAKSAN SWORD is a bit of a form mixer, but he got his solitary win to date over this trip, and he enters following a close 2nd at class and distance on September 13th. He has his fair share of weight but can sit behind the speed and be a danger. (3) SONGDANGMANGCHI races for the first time since winning at this class and distance on January of 2025. Caution must be applied to any horse returning from an eighty-nine-week lay-off, but he certainly looked well enough when 2nd in a summer trial to suggest that in this company he can go well first-up. (2) SAMJEONG YEOJE and (7) INSPIRE others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Cosmo Long (5) Haksan Sword (3) Songdangmangchi (2) Samjeong Yeoje |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 10, 11 |
Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) DUBAI DREAM can have a line drawn through his latest on September 18th when the reins broke with five furlongs left to travel. He had won his two races leading up to that over 1400M and a mile and he heads to Yeongcheon for the first time and looks nicely in ere to recoup and then some the 3 Million Won fine Lim Sung-sil copped for the faulty gear. It’s not a strong race. (3) OVER RAINBOW was a winner over this distance two starts back and then ran 5th from a wide gate at big odds on his first try at tis class on September 11th. He draws better today and can be close. (5) SINCHEON FREEDOM should be on pace and this is the kind of race were she can pick up some prize money. (1) CHOEGANG LOUIS and (4) BEOLGYO MABEOPSA other place chances.
| Selections | (10) Dubai Dream (3) Over Rainbow (5) Sincheon Freedom (1) Choegang Louis |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) BEAT CODE got is maiden win over 1300M in May and has since registered two 3rd place finishes and a 4th in three tries at this class, coming from off the pace each time. She steps up to 1400M for the first time, and it may be just what she needs to return to the winner’s circle. (6) SAVERS was a winner on debut over 1200M and ten ran 4th to Beat Code’s 3rd on his first try at this class at the end of July. At his latest, he stepped up to 1700M on August 29th and after leading early, ultimately finished in 3rd. She is down in weight, and she is the main danger. (11) DAEDONGYONGMA is up in class following a maiden win over 1400M on August 23rd and in this company, he can be competitive. (9) GOLD ID and (3) TEN BAGGER others in the wider frame.
| Selections | (5) Beat Code (6) Savers (11) Daedongyongma (9) Gold ID |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 11 |
Yeongcheon Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) CHOEGANG HAPPY has a 2nd and a 4th from is latest two, both at this class and both at 1300M. He looks nicely in here, David climbs on for the first time, and he has every chance in this company. It’s been a long time since (5) WIND SWORD registered his only victory to date, but his recent form reads pleasingly with two 4th places and a 3rd from his latest three. A brand new apprentice takes 4kg off his back and that should make him very competitive here. (2) DOLGYEOK SPECIAL did nothing over 1800M in the very first race at this track on September 13th. He as since looked well in a trial and the drop back in trip should be in his favour. (11) SEOBU EAGLE and (7) KISS THE RAIN are others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (8) Choegang Happy (5) Wind Sword (2) Dolgyeok Special (11) Seobu Eagle |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
This is an excellent race for the level. (2) ROAD TO CHAMPION is yet to finish outside the top tree in five starts and comes in having won over 1300M on September 13thh when on pace throughout. He is up in class today but draws nicely to lead again and he can win again. (4) SU BU TAI has won his latest two, both at 1400M and most recently at this class on August 22nd. He can race on pace or come from further back, and while he is up 3kg in weight, he can be a danger again. (3) UNICA races for the first time since finishing 4th at this class and distance on April. She has never finished any worse than that and while she will need this, she looked very well when easily winning a September trial, and she can be competitive. (10) BARAMGAEBI and (5) ISIMNYEON SEWOL are among plenty of others with at least placing chances.
| Selections | (2) Road To Champion (4) Su Bu Tai (3) Unica (10) Baramgaebi |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Yeongcheon Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
The solitary juvenile in the field, (7) MORNING ARIA has impressed so far, finishing 3rd on debut over 1000M in July and then leading every step of the way to win at start two over the same trip on August 9th. She comes up in class and in trip here, but she can make it three in a row. (4) VICTORY STORY has finished 3rd in both his latest two outings, both at this class over 1300M. In this company, he can be on pace, and he can be in this a long way. (9) BULBIT GANGJA completes the trio of main chances. Since returning from a four-month absence in August, he has a 2nd and a 3rd in two starts back, both over this distance, and third up, he can be peaking fitness-wise. The rest are much of a muchness, with (11) MISSOURI CHAMP, second-up following a very long absence, and (2) UNIJOA, perhaps the best of them.
| Selections | (7) Morning Aria (4) Victory Story (9) Bulbit Gangja (11) Missouri Champ |
| Next Best | 2, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) BLISS STAR got his maiden win three outings back over 1400M and has since run 4th and 2nd in two tries at this class, both also at 1400M. He comes up to the mile for the first time, Franco stays on, and he will be favourite to score. He does have liking of coming 2nd though, something he has done on five occasions, and if he does find one too quick, it might be (10) HORIZON STAR. He enters off a win at this class over 1200M on September 19th and while e carries an additional 4.5kg, as well as coming up to the mile for the first time, he can slot in behind from the widest gate and he can be a danger. (5) GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA is yet to win in eleven attempts, but he placed on his only previous try at a mile two starts ago and he can be in the mix again. (9) SAINT RUNNER and (3) WHIZ WIN others to keep safe.
| Selections | (1) Bliss Star (10) Horizon Star (5) Geuphaeng Yeolcha (9) Saint Runner |
| Next Best | 3, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 10 |
Yeongcheon Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) INFINITE WINNER is two for two so far, having scored by six-lengths on debut over 1300M at the end of August and then by five-lengths at start two over 1200M on September 11th. That brings him rapidly up to class 4, as well as to Yeongcheon for the first time, but he comes down in weight and against ordinary opposition, he can complete his hat-trick. (9) B K. SPIRIT took a couple of goes to get to grips with this class following a win in July. He enters though having run a solid 3rd on opening day at this track on September 13th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process, and he can match or better that today. (6) GOLDEN EMPIRE was 4th in that September 13th race, continuing a consistent run of recent form, and he too can be in the mix here. (2) COLUMBIA CHAMP and (5) SAENAE HILL others in line for the minors.
| Selections | (8) Infinite Winner (9) B K. Spirit (6) Golden Empire (2) Columbia Champ |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (2000M) Weight for Age / President’s Cup (KOR G1) / KRW 1 Billion
Most of the local racing heavyweights skipped the international Korea Cup in order to focus on this, so it shapes as a re-match from August’s G2 KRA Cup Classic over the same distance. (2) GANGPUNGMA won that race by three-lengths having been ridden a little further forward than usual and taking things up early in the straight. If he brings that form, he can win again. (3) SUCCESS BAEKPA was 3rd in that race and has a length to make up on (4) GLOBAL HIT, who was 2nd. Both should be firmly in the mix again and can take advantage if Gangpungma is not on his game. If any can interrupt the “big four” then it is (11) FUNNY WILD. The double-Classic winning three-year-old did take his chance in the Korea Cup, running a creditable 4th. He is only getting better, and this will be a very good test to see where he stands against the older locals who have actually bothered to show up this time. Never rule out defending champion (7) SPEED YOUNG, who finally got his overdue Group 1 win in this race a year ago. He has been slightly below the other members of the “big four” in the last couple of races but could bounce back.
| Selections | (2) Gangpungma (3) Success Baekpa (4) Global Hit (11) Funny Wild |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 9, 10, 11 |
Yeongcheon Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(6) SHINING ONE was a winner at this class and distance two starts back but disappointed when well supported on his return on August 21st when never really getting much momentum going. He does mix his form, however, and with Song Kyeong-yun returning, he can be given another chance. Also worthy of another chance is (1) WORLD TOP TIER, who got sent back to trial after jumping badly inwards on her latest at the beginning of September. She looked very good when winning that trial and back in trip today she can be better. (2) HEUIMANG GUNJU enters off a 3rd ok place on this track’s opening day over 1400M, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He can beat plenty again. (8) MEGA MACHINE and (3) CARIBBEAN BAY others in the hunt.
| Selections | (6) Shining One (1) World Top Tier (2) Heuimang Gunju (8) Mega Machine |
| Next Best | 3, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 7 |
Yeongcheon Race 6: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) DAESEONG GOLD led at his latest over 1800M on August 30th before weakening quickly and finishing well back. We’ll draw a line through that and instead go on is three consecutive wins up to 1400M and class 4 and then his 2nd place at this class over a mile on May 29th. That August race was his first in three months so he should strip fitter and back in trip, he should be much better. (4) WONDERFUL BIDDER was 5th from the widest gate on his latest outing on August 9th. He comes in fresh and back to a distance at which he has placed four times from six attempts, and he can be close. (5) BARAM DAERO enters off a 4th place at class and distance on September 13th at this track. He stays under a light weight and can match or better that today. (6) QUEEN TYCHE and (8) UNION CHAMP others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Daeseong Gold (4) Wonderful Bidder (5) Baram Daero (6) Queen Tyche |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) TIGER MANGCHI won his first two races over 1200M and 1300M, coming from off the pace both times. That got him rapidly promoted to this class where he suffered his first defeat over 1400M on September 6th when sent off as favourite. He comes up to 1700M for the first time today but there is no reason why it shouldn’t suit, and under a light weight, he can win. (4) PRIMERO has won his latest two, most recently at this class over 1800M on September 13th. He remains under a fair weight and having won twice at this distance already, he can win again. (2) HEART K was 3rd at this class over 1700M at big odds on September 6th and may provide some each-way appeal here. (7) GOJU ILCHEOK and (10) GEUMA FOREMOST among plenty of other minor money chances.
| Selections | (1) Tiger Mangchi (4) Primero (2) Heart K (7) Goju Ilcheok |
| Next Best | 10, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) CONCORD CODIE was 5th in the Korean Derby and 6th in the Minister’s Cup and since coming back to shallower waters has put together two wins, first at class 4 over 1700M and most recently at this class and distance on September 5th when he scored by a full eight-lengths. He comes up 4kg in weight, but the manner of that victory suggests he should be a short price to make it three in a row. (4) FLYING HONOR has never finished any worse than 4th and he comes in having won over 1700M on August 30th when handy throughout. He is up in class here but down 3kg in weight and he can measure up. (10) LIVE STAR was an also-ran in the Derby but followed up with a win and a 2nd at this class and distance before dropping down to a valuable Trophy Sprint over 1200M on international weekend where he finished a good 3rd despite being poorly away. A two-time winner over the distance, he carries plenty of weight but is not to be dismissed. (1) KING DIA and (2) K POWERFUL others in the hunt in a good race.
| Selections | (5) Concord Codie (4) Flying Honor (10) Live Star (1) King Dia |
| Next Best | 2, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) JJARITHAN HAENGBOK was a winner over 1200M two starts back before running 2nd on his first try at this class and distance on September 13th. He comes up 1,5kg in weight but draws well again and this time, he can go one better. (8) ROOFTOP mixes his form a bit, but he is top rated here and while that means he carries top weight, at his best this is winnable and Seo Seung-un climbing on for the first time will alert plenty. (11) CHEONGUNG STORM beat Jjarithan Haengbok to win that September 13th race, leading from gate to wire. He remains under a very light weight but from the widest gate will have a harder time getting to the lead. Nevertheless, he is not to be ruled out. (7) SOUTH CARNIVAL and (2) MIGHTY CODE are others who should be firmly in this.
| Selections | (4) Jjarithan Haengbok (8) Rooftop (11) Cheongung Storm (7) South Carnival |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
