The eve of the international OBS Korea Cup and Korea Sprint (1200m) saw torrential rain showers drench Seoul Racecourse and while the forecast for Sunday is good, the wet track could make for some lightning-fast times on Seoul’s big day.
London Town is the track record holder at 1800M (Pic Ross Holburt/KRA)
If Remake’s 1200M record is to fall in the Korea Sprint (G3 1200M), CHIKAPPA is set to be the favourite to break it, and legendary jockey Yutaka Take is flying in to partner the four-year-old. The Japanese challenger will have to deal with the widest gate, but connections say that’s not a problem.
“I think it is better for us” said assistant trainer Ueno Takaya. “It’s far better than risking getting stuck inside. He’s got a fast start, and he can get himself in a good position and the rest we will leave for Yutaka Take to decide his strategy.”
Veteran TAGANO BEAUTY has had a storied career but remarkably has never tackled 1200M before. “He’s eight-years-old now, but he has the playfulness of a foal” remarked Assistant trainer Koji Yamamoto.
“Sometimes he thinks he’s at a rodeo but at race time with a jockey on his back, he knows his job. We know we’re not the favourites but that’s ok for us, he has great late speed, and we know he will be strong at the end.”
SUNRISE HAWK could be well suited to Seoul, according to Assistant Trainer Takuya Saito. “We feel this track is tougher than the ones in Japan but he is a strong horse so this could work to his advantage. He is an intelligent and careful horse, and it is important to follow his rhythm. Yes, Chikappa is fast, but I think Sunrise Hawk is just as good.”
Hong Kong’s SELF IMPROVEMENT may be the lowest rated international runner in the race by a significant margin, but the team behind him are adamant he is not just there to make up the numbers and according to Assistant Wang Ip, they have a clear strategy for jockey Jerry Chau.
“Gate seven is fine, we will just worry about the three or four horses immediately inside us,” said Wang. “His gate speed is good; he can lead or track the pace. We think this race can suit him and that’s why he is here.”
The top local contender is VINCERO CAVALLO and make no mistake, he is a live chance if he brings his best. He is racing for the first time since sweeping the Sprint Series in May and trainer Seo In-seok says he is ready.
“We were going to race him in the summer but decided not to because it was too hot, so we put him through two trials instead. We have him at 90% and with the intention to be at 100% on race day.”
There are thirteen in the Korea Sprint with a local post time of 15:25. The race offers qualification for the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar.
The Korea Cup (G3 1800M), which offers automatic qualification for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, is headlined by US-bred Hong Kong Group race mainstay CHANCHENG GLORY.
The “Pride of Iowa” is racing on a surface other than turf for the first time, but Assistant trainer Vincent Sit, representing Francis Lui in Korea, good-naturedly batted away the obvious question for possibly the one-hundredth time this week, insisting that yes, Chancheng Glory can handle the sand.
“He is American bred; he has experienced dirt when he was young. This horse likes a fast pace so he will be happy if the speed is on. I know the racing pattern in Korea, and I think this horse can like it.”
Sit knows what he is talking about far more than us asking the questions, as in his jockey days, he completed a short-term license at Busan.
1.GREAT WINNER – By a Korean Derby winner, he has won two of three starts since being promoted to class 1 level. His latest was a six-length score over 1800M on July 13th when he led from gate to wire. 5th behind Success Baekpa in the final leg of last year’s Triple Crown, he is untested at elite Group level. He will want to be on pace and draws well to do so.
2.CHANCHENG GLORY – A mainstay in Group races in Hong Kong, the most recent of the five-year-old’s eight wins came in the G3 Centenary Vase in January and he has also placed at G1 level. How he takes to the sand track will be key with all his racing experience coming on the Sha Tin turf, but he is bred for it, and Hong Kong-trained horses with fewer credentials than him have run well in previous editions of both Cup and Sprint. He rates as a big chance and draws well.
3. RAMJET – A winner of five from twelve, four-year-old Ramjet has been running in elite company finishing off his three-year-old campaign with 3rd place in the Tokyo Daishoten behind Forever Young, earning him a trip to both the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup running 6th and 9th respectively. He last ran 6th in the Teio Sho Mikki Fight in July but this race has long been the target. Tactically versatile, he generally sits midfield and aims to run on He has looked very good in morning work and shapes as the one to beat.
4.SUCCESS BAEKPA – A two-time Classic winner in 2024, he downed Global Hit by four lengths to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M) at the start of August, having tracked his rival on the pace throughout. That added to the Herald Business (2000M) he won earlier in the year again from on pace. The best chance among the local horses, he is tactically versatile and has a strong finish.
5.GALAXY ROAD – A good 5th at odds in excess of 150/1 in this race last year before running 5th in the President’s Cup (2000M) and then well back in the Grand Prix (2300M). He has missed most of this season through injury but came back on August 15th and ran a solid 3rd at class 1 over 2000M, coming from off the pace. He should strip fitter for that run, but it will take a big leap for him to be close here.
6.DURA EREDE – Remarkably the five-year-old hasn’t won since his two-year-old campaign, but he has been racing against the very best ever since. Across the turn of the year, Dura Erede ran 3rd in the G1 Champions Cup behind Lemon Pop at Chukyo and then 3rd again to Sunday Funday in the G2 Procyon Stakes at the same track. Previously he was 5th in the 2024 Dubai World Cup. His latest start saw him finish midfield in the G3 Elm Stakes at Sapporo on August 9th, a run he can benefit from in Seoul
7.DIKTAEAN – Veteran seven-year-old and a four-time Listed winner in Japan, he has a 2nd and three 4th place finishes to his name this year, all at Listed level, most recently in the Teio Sho at Oi in July, where he beat Ramjet when coming from off the pace. He is not to be dismissed, and jockey Takuyuki Yano has previous experience of Seoul.
8. SPEED YOUNG – A Swiss army knife of a horse, he was the best placed local in last year’s Korea Sprint, but he has won at up to 2000M. His last win was more than year ago but he always runs in Group company and placed in all three legs of the Stayer Series behind Global Hit and Success Baekpa this year. Likes to settle back and run on.
9.SOMETHING LOST – The only horse trained at Seoul to show up as all the other locals have travelled from Busan. Something Lost is a sprinter, although as a three-year-old, he did run 2nd in the KRA Cup Mile and then 5th in the Minister’s Cup (2000M). He took part in the Sprint Series this year but made little impact and he tries something very different here. He probably isn’t backable.
10.TUHONUI BANSEOK – Multiple Group race winner and 6th in this race in 2023, but it has been a while since he showed his best form. Unplaced in four outings this year, all of them in group company, and most recently 7th behind Success Baekpa in the KRA Cup Classic. In his Group winning days, he used to race on pace but recently has been settling back. Hard for him on current form.
11.STAR MATTA – Enters in good form with a class 1 win two starts back over 1400M before running 5th of ten over 1800M behind Great Winner on July 13th. Tends to settle back and he does have a decent finish on him but previous attempts in Group company haven’t gone well enough to suggest he can make an impact here.
It’s international day at Seoul on Sunday with the two International G3 races. We’ll have full runner-by-runner guides to those in a while but for now, here are the comments for every race. There are 10 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00, and 6 at Busan from 11:55 to 16:05:
There will be new names on both the Sprint and Cup Trophies this year (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens and (2) GOOD MORNING COME will be a short price favourite. He debuted over 1000M on August 2nd and overcame the widest gate to run on for 2nd place, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He draws much better this time, the additional furlong can suit, and he will take some beating. (1) AGAIN GOOD MAN was 4th on debut in that same race, similarly coming from off the pace. He previously raced forward in his trial and given today’s draw shapes as an early front-runner. (3) POWERFUL PARTNER is the only one in the field who has raced twice, improving to 3rd at start two and she may have a fitness edge on plenty here. (8) EAN PERFECT and (9) MIGHTY BEAT hinted at ability on their respective debuts.
Selections
(2) Good Morning Come (1) Again Good Man (3) Powerful Partner (8) Ean Perfect
Next Best
9, 4
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 11
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Not the strongest of maidens. After an inauspicious debut, (8) MUJEOK HAMDAE was an improved 5th at start two over this distance on August 3rd, coming from off the pace. With the same kind of progress here, he is a chance. (10) BEST RAZI has had an interrupted start to her career making three starts up to March this year with the best being her latest when 3rd. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well enough in an August trial and couldn’t hope for a sifter race to return in. (4) RAON SNIPER briefly showed on pace on debut on August 3rd before dropping to 6th. She should have come on for that run and be in things longer here. (6) JINJUUI SIMJANG and (5) ROAD TO STAR are perhaps the best of a limited rest.
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) HEEMANGBAND remains a maiden after twelve attempts, but she has nine top five finishes including a last start 2nd at this class and distance on August 3rd. She has placed in all four of her tries at 1700M, the wide draw shouldn’t matter as she has a strong finish on her and today can be her day. She will need to overturn the form on (1) BLACK SIDAE, who won that August 3rd race, breaking his own maiden at start fifteen. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but draws well to get to the lead and a repeat is possible. (2) BEOLGYOWISU beat a couple of these on her way to 3rd place in another class and distance race on August 3rd and she can be there or thereabouts again. (10) GANGCHEOL DRAGON and (9) SEUNGNI BAROWS are others in the hunt.
Selections
(11) Heemangband (1) Black Sidae (2) Beolgyowisu (10) Gangcheol Dragon
Next Best
9, 4
Fast Start
1, 2, 5, 9
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with three of the nine racing for the first time. Like most, we’ll side with the only one to have raced twice already, (7) OASIS GIJEOK. After running 7th on debut, he was an improved 3rd at start two over this distance on August 10th, racing handy and beating a couple of today’s rivals. Third up he can be peaking, and he is the one to beat. After a couple of decent trials, (5) DREAM RACER was a fair 5th over 1000M on debut three weeks ago. He should have come on for that run and can go closer here. (8) BREEDO SOL was 6th on debut behind Oasis Gijeok and can have derived benefit for the run. With the first timers not looking inspiring in their trials, (3) VORTEX and (4) SHINING ONE are perhaps more likely to have improved from their respective debuts.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies only here. (10) SAMJEONG LADY has won two of her last three, most recently at this class over 1200M on July 13th when leading all the way. She comes up 3kg in weight and she has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can win again. (3) BISANG BELL got her maiden win over this distance two starts back and then ran 2nd on her first try at this class over 1400M on July 26th, coming from off the pace. She only comes up 1kg in weight and she looks very nicely in here. (7) GLOBAL GISANG is up in class having got her maiden win at start number two over this distance on August 13th. She is down in weight, CC stays on, and she can measure up. (4) SPECIAL FORCE and (8) RAON SILENCE among other place chances.
Selections
(10) Samjeong Lady (3) Bisang Bell (7) Global Gisang (4) Special Force
Next Best
8, 2
Fast Start
1, 4, 8, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (1) I AM HAPPY was 3rd on debut over 1200M on August 15th having raced on pace throughout. She should have come on for that run, she draws very well to be on pace again and those who back her here, should be happy after the race. Perhaps not with the dividend though, because she will be a short price favourite so if we are looking to get her beat, (9) DOCTOR CARA might be the one. She does mic her form but going on her 2nd place two starts back she can be in this, and Munro climbs on for the first time. (6) ANN BUNNY races for the first time since last December before which she had a best of 3rd on debut. She ran 2nd in a quick trial at the beginning of August, and if she brings that form to the races, she can be in the mix. (10) SEONGSIL WORLD and (8) GREAT STAR other place chances.
Selections
(1) I Am Happy (9) Doctor Cara (6) Ann Bunny (10) Seongsil World
Next Best
8, 5
Fast Start
1, 3, 8, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (3) I AM GO has underwhelmed in her latest couple, but she has placed at this class and won at this distance. She draws well, and Kozzi returning to the ride gives her as much chance as any. (2) POETIC NUBI is yet to win in seventeen attempts but enters in the most consistent form among these with a 2nd and a 4th from her latest two. She carries a light weight and while she may find one too quick again, she should be in the finish. (10) CRAZY MARI is another maiden, but she comes up in class here after three placings in her latest three. She is down a full 4kg in weight and that should bring her into the reckoning. (4) JERAQUEEN and (8) MENI SHARK others in the placing frame.
Selections
(3) I Am Go (2) Poetic Nubi (10) Crazy Mari (4) Jeraqueen
Next Best
8, 1
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 10
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
1. WINNER’S MAN – He won this race in 2022 when the Japanese challenge wasn’t as strong and was 3rd last year but he hasn’t raced since successfully defending the Grand Prix Stakes in December due to a fracture requiring surgery. He has been back in work since June and looked well in an August trial. A very hard ask first-up but is of top quality.
2. GLOBAL HIT – In Winner’s Man’s absence earlier, last year’s Korean Derby winner established himself as Korea’s top horse with three Group race wins from four starts so far this campaign, most recently the KRA Cup Classic over 2000M here in early August. Generally sits midfield and runs on, he is the best local hope.
3. VICS GO – Dropped back to a sprint distance and won a Listed race back in February but has been in indifferent form since. Likes to be on or close to the pace and he has won at up to 2000M, but his recent efforts make him hard to have here.
4. LIGHT WARRIOR – A nine-time winner, most recently at Listed level over 2000M at Kawasaki in April. Most recently was 6th in the Teio Sho at Oi in June so he does have form to overturn on Wilso Tesoro He is an on-pace runner so draws very nicely and can be expected to get to the front and can be in this a long way.
5. SUCCESS MACHO – Just like Winner’s Man, Success Macho is racing for the first time since the Grand Prix Stakes last December when he ran 3rd and subsequently sustained a chip fracture. He is a G3 winner, and he looked good in an August trial. He is tactically versatile, having raced well when forward and when closing and while this is hard, he can be in the mix.
6. HEUK JEONSA – Well back in his last Group outing in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in May, he gets his chance here having run a solid 3rd in a class 1 handicap over this distance in August when he led for much of the way. At the risk of stating the obvious, this is a whole lot harder.
7. SIMJANGUI GODONG – He had an unsuccessful trip to Dubai, but he bounced back well with his best in four starts since returning 2nd place in the G3 Busan Owners’ Cup over a mile in June. He has a strong finish, and he will be running on. He was 10th in this race last year.
It’s Korea Cup and Sprint Day at Seoul on Sunday – we’ll post the full form comments for both races soon but in the meantime here is the race-by-race for both Seoul (9 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and Busan (7 races from 11:00 to 17:05). There is free entry to both tracks:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time. One of those debut makers will be the short price favourite in the shape of (6) HAKSAN CLEAR. The South Beach filly went through two trials, finishing a fair 3rd in the first of them but then leading all the way to win the second in a quick time on August 1st (that trial was voluntary so may not appear in all racecards). If she brings that form to the races, she will be hard to beat. It isn’t a strong set of rivals. (3) GEOLJAK HAPPY ran 6th on debut over 1000M on August 4th having also performed adequately in a trial. With some natural improvement, she is the clear second pick. We are struggling after that. (7) GEOSEN POKJU and (2) NONSTOP SERVE weren’t horrible in their trials and may make an impact first up. (9) BLUE DRAGON improved in the second of two heats.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with six of the ten racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (5) DOCTOR CURLIN. After a fair trial, she put in a fair debut, coming from the widest gate to sit handy and run on for 5th over 1000M. She should have come on for that run, she draws better, and the additional furlong can suit. The modestly named (2) ALL TIME LEGEND was very quick in a trial, stopping the clock on 61.9 seconds and finishing 5th behind a couple of experienced horses. The track was racing very fast that weekend, but he certainly showed enough to be take seriously first up. (4) BLUE THUNDER won a trial the same day (August 9th) albeit in a slower time. He led all the way and will seek to do the same here. (9) BLACK SPEED and (1) DIA X are other experienced ones who can improve.
Selections
(5) Doctor Curlin (2) All Time Legend (4) Blue Thunder (9) Black Speed
Next Best
1, 3
Fast Start
1, 4, 5, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (11) MAGIC SOUND has raced eight times previously, with five top five finishes and he comes in off his best when runner-up over 1200M on July 7th racing handy. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he won’t need to improve much, if at all on that run, and he will be a short price to score. (1) HIGHEST TIME beat a couple of these on his way to his best finish so far on August 4th when 4th over this distance, coming from well off the pace. In this company and from the inside gate, he can be ridden closer to the pace and can get closer than 4th this time. Among the debut makers, (9) PROMISE showed promise in the last of three trials, running 3rd in a decent time. That bodes well here. (3) CANVASEN GO and (5) AMENO other experienced ones who can compete for the minors.
Selections
(11) Magic Sound (1) Highest Time (9) Promise (3) Canvasen Go
Next Best
5, 2
Fast Start
1, 3, 8, 11
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) CHEONHA GEONGANG took a few goes to work things out but since returning from a five-month absence, she has picked up a 2nd and a 3rd from her two starts back, both at this distance and in quick times. She draws nicely to be on pace, and third up she can be peaking fitness wise. (11) HOLY RUN has finished 4th in both his outings so far, both at this distance. He has done it in contrasting styles, first on pace and then coming from behind so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and third-up he too can be getting better. Also third-up is (8) ROAD TO WIN. She was 3rd on debut behind Cheonha Geongang and then ran a fair 5th of nine at 1400M. Coming back in trip today, she can be in the mix. (9) FLYING ICE and (2) MOTHER WONDERFUL other place chances.
Selections
(5) Cheonha Geongang (11) Holy Run (8) Road To Win (9) Flying Ice
Next Best
2, 6
Fast Start
2, 5, 8, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) CHEONGONGUI SEOM has run 5th in both his two starts so far, but both have been in good times over 1000M and 1200M. In this company and from this gate, he can be on pace and third-up, today can be his day. (8) GANGCHEOL DRAGON has two 3rd places and a 4th from his latest three appearances at 1300M and 1400M. He has never finished inside the top two, but Munro gets on and against this set of rivals, he can break that today. (9) PROCEED beat a couple of these on his way to a close 4th at 1300M on August 3rd. He also has a 3rd place on his resume and can sit handy and run into the money again here. (6) LONDON GOLD and (4) SANGIM DAEPYO among other placing hopes.
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
This is a tricky one. We’ll take a chance on (10) MY DREAM DAY. He comes up in class having run 2nd in both his first two starts at 1000M and 1200M, racing on the pace both times. He draws a touch wider than ideal but is down in the weights and Tom Gillespie’s juvenile looks to have a win in him. (3) CAPTAIN EVERYTHING has good experience at this level with two 2nd places and a 4th from his latest three. Franco knows him well and can settle behind the speed and run on strong here. (4) SEOGWI OREUM has the fastest time of any of these at the distance, recorded when 3rd last time out on August 18th. He may make for some appeal at a probable each-way price. (5) DOCTOR FIGHTER and (11) GRAND DREAM, both up in class following last start maiden wins, are others to keep safe in your wider numbers.
Selections
(10) My Dream Day (3) Captain Everything (4) Seogwi Oreum (5) Doctor Fighter
Next Best
11, 1
Fast Start
5, 6, 10, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) CHOEGANG HYEONMA is yet to win in nine starts but has no fewer than eight top five finishes. He comes in off a solid 3rd place over 1400M on August 4th and while a previous try at two turns didn’t go well, he looks ready for another crack here in what is not a strong race. (6) SINUI UNMYEONG got his maiden win at the thirteenth time of asking over 1400M on August 18th. He comes up in class and up to 1700M for the first time, but in this company, he should be measuring up. (3) SEUNGNI GONGJU does have form at this distance, having finished 4th and 2nd in her latest two – her only attempts at two turns so far. Her times haven’t been special, but they are enough to put her in contention against this lot. The up in class maiden (1) CHROMITE, along with (7) GOLD MUNGCHI, a pickup ride for Edwin Maldonado, are others in the frame.
American Sprinter Anarchist is the first of the international runners to arrive for the OBS Korea Sprint (1200M G3) and OBS Korea Cup (1800M G3) which will be run at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday September 8th. The Doug F. O Neill trained speedster checked into the quarantine stables on Thursday morning. Six Japanese runners, including defending champions Remake and Crowd Pride are scheduled to touch down over the next few days ahead of the races which for the first-time carry “Win And You’re In” status for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar in November.
ANARCHIST was runner up in the 2023 G1 Bing Crosby Stakes and won the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes, both at Del Mar. Having run 5th in this year’s Bing Crosby, Anarchist has skipped a defence of his Pat O’Brien to take his chance in Seoul and his front-running style may be very well suited. Aiding his chances will be rider Edwin Maldonado, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best on pace jockeys as they bid to win the Korea Sprint and gain automatic entry into the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Anarchist at Seoul Racecourse
Koichi Shintani’s REMAKE is the headliner and the now five-year-old has maintained his form in three starts since triumphing in last year’s race, most notably winning the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard in February before finishing 4th in the G1 Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. The Seoul Racecourse track record holder for the 1200M will take some stopping. Yuga Kawada will be up.
JASPER KRONE is perhaps best known this year for unsuccessfully ploughing his own furrow on the opposite side of the Meydan straight course to the rest in the Al Quoz Sprint. He is a two-time Group 3 winner in Japan and has plenty of speed. Regular rider Taisei Danno travels to Seoul to ride for trainer Hideyuki Mori.
KEIAI DORIE took in Riyadh and Meydan earlier this year, finishing in midfield in both the Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the Golden Shaheen. An eight-time winner, including at Listed level in Japan, he comes in having run 3rd in the Listed Cluster Cup at Morioka in August. Takeshi Yokayama will be in the saddle for trainer Akira Murayama.
Remake (Pic: KRA)
Among the local sprinting contingent, 2023 runner-up BEOLMAUI STAR will be a danger. He had an unsuccessful trip to Dubai earlier this year, but on his return to Korea won the local Group 3 SROA Chairman’s Sprint. He mixes his form but as he proved a year ago, at his best he can be right up there. 2022 Korea Sprint winner EOMA EOMA is also set to return. Now seven-years-old, he was a close 2nd to Beolmaui Star in the SROA and showed his versatility with 3rd place in the local G3 Busan Owners’ Cup over a mile in June. GANGSEO GIANT, who broke the track record at Busan for the 1200M earlier this month, also holds an entry.
The Korea Cup winner will gain automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. CROWN PRIDE scored a comfortable win in the 2023 edition of the Korea Cup, ahead of compatriot Gloria Mundi and 2022 victor, Winner’s Man, but then went on an indifferent run of form, including when well back in the Saudi Cup. Ominously though, he returned to the winner’s circle in the Mercury Cup over 2000M at Morioka in July. Takeshi Yokayama is set to be in the saddle for the Koichi Shintani trained defending champion.
Crown Pride (Pic: KRA)
Last year, Crown Pride was ridden as part of a double success by jockey Yuga Kawada, but this time around, “King” Kawada will be among those aiming to prevent a repeat as he partners WILSON TESORO. The Hitoshi Kotegawa trained five-year-old is a two-time G1 runner-up and ran 4th behind Laurel River in the Dubai World Cup in March, He enters off a runner-up finish under Kawada in the Teio Sho at Oi in June and will present a formidable challenge.
Rounding out the Japanese challenge in the Korea Cup is the experienced LIGHT WARRIOR. The Katsuyoshi Uchida-trained seven-year-old is a nine-time winner, most recently at Listed level in April and travels overseas for the first time in his career. Hiroto Yoshihara is booked to ride.
Local hopes are headed by GLOBAL HIT. The four-year-old won the Korean Derby in 2023 and has gone about establishing himself as the best horse in the country, with three wins from four starts this year, all in Group company and with his only defeat being a photo-finish with TUHONUI BANSEOK, who is also set to go in the Cup. Global Hit avenged that defeat with victory in the KRA Cup Classic, the main domestic warm up race for the Korea Cup, over 2000M in early August.
The wildcard though is WINNER’S MAN. The 2022 Korea Cup winner and 2023 3rd placegetter hasn’t raced since successfully defending the Grand Prix Stakes last December – when he beat Global Hit. An international race first-up is going to be a very big ask, but Winner’s Man trialled up very well earlier in August and if he is in the gate, can never be ruled out.
Final declarations and the barrier draw for both the OBS Korea Cup and OBS Korea Sprint will be on Wednesday September 4.
1. SIMJANGUI GODONG – 10th in this race last year, he comes in having run 3rd behind Tuhonui Banseok and Winner’s Man in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) in July when, as is his style, he raced handy. Reliable but will struggle to beat the best of these.
2. THE GUMPU – Enters in career-best form having won two of his latest three and running 2nd in the other. Tactically versatile, he can go well on pace or settle midfield and run on and while he doesn’t look a winning chance here, a top half finish is more than possible.
3. HAENGBOK WANGJA – Never really kicked on from his 2021 Grand Prix Stakes win, he was 5th in this race last year and spent part of the winter in Dubai where he was well beaten in two starts. Returned to domestic action with 6th place in the SROA Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-G3) in June. Likes to settle back and run on but plenty to find here.
4. GLOBAL HIT – The winner of the Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup, he is this year’s outstanding Korean three-year-old. Likes to settle midfield and has an explosive finish, this is a significantly sterner test, but he does get a weight allowance for his age. Don’t rule out a big run.
5. BRIGADIER GENERAL – Returned from seven months out to finish down the field over 2300M at class 1 in July. He should strip fitter for that, but he hasn’t troubled the scorers in Group company in the past and that probably won’t change here.
6. MOONHAK CHIEF – Won this race in the absence of Japanese competition in 2019, and has performed sporadically since, but he has struggled for form this year and has been beaten by plenty of today’s local rivals in recent starts. Outsider.
7. CRAZY CONTI – 7th in this race last year, he enters off back-to-back class 1 wins, most recently a dead heat with Calm Strong on July 30th. Likes to settle midfield and then run on, he should be finishing strongly and can pass plenty late on.
It’s Korea Cup and Korea Sprint Day. The big features are races 7 and 8 on a 10-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:50 to 17:00. Here are the previews:
Eoma Eoma will attempt to defend the Korea Sprint (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener with six of the ten racing for the first time. The exposed form isn’t great, so we’ll side with first timers. (4) SPALTA was much improved in the second of two trials, crossing the line in front having led all the way. The time wasn’t quick, but he did what he needed to and if he brings that form to the races, he has an excellent chance first-up. It’s a similar story with (7) DANCING GANGJA, who failed to qualify first time around but led all the way at his second attempt. He too didn’t post a fast time but won’t need to improve much to be competitive here. (10) HAMPYEONG JANGMI has raced twice, finishing 7th on both occasions. They were both at 1000M and he can improve third-up here. (8) GEUMAK STAR and (1) LADY CODI others with potential to get better.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maiden fillies. (8) SPECIAL FORCE will be a hot favourite, having only gone down narrowly on debut in a quick race over 1000M on August 12th when she was handy throughout. She previously made all in a trial and the step up in trip can suit. She is favoured to lead all the way this time. (6) ANYANG CHEONDUNG only really started to run on when the race was gone on debut over 1000M on August 13th. She should have come on for the run and may appreciate and extra furlong to get stuck into. (4) LOVE MUNMAK trialled up behind Special Force and then debuted behind Special Force, running 7th of eleven on August 12th. She began slowly but did find some late speed and with some more maturity and an additional furlong, she may go better. (5) HAPPY ICTUS and (3) WONDERFUL PAGO others who may improve.
Selections
(8) Special Force (6) Anyang Cheondung (4) Love Munmak (5) Happy Ictus
Next Best
3, 1
Fast Start
2, 3, 5, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Wide open maiden. (3) COLITAS has mixed his form across six starts so far. He has a bit of a tendency to get too far back in his races, but he does run on. He draws well here and if Kim Yong-geun can have him in contention at the top of the straight, he has as much chance as any. (1) DINSI CHAMP and (8) EFFEL TAP came home 2nd and 4th respectively when they raced one another at this distance on August 12th. For Dinsi Champ that was a sharp improvement while Effel Tap is generally consistent, and both should be among the main chances here. (10) SHARP SUNSHINE is another who is unspectacular but consistent. She steps up to 1400M for the first time and can run into some money. (4) GRAND SILVER among others in the frame.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Two standouts in this maiden. (6) SKY JILJU will probably be favourite. He has raced twice so far, both at 1000M, improving in the second of them in terms of both time and finishing position. Both times he did his best work late suggesting that the step up in trip can suit. (5) MADE HEEMANG has also raced twice but in his case, over this distance. He too improved in the second of them, running 3rd and why Sky Jilju may have a little more potential for improvement at this stage, he can be a danger again. What form there is, drops off after this two but (4) LIGHT BROWN ran well enough on debut behind Sky Jilju over 1000M. She was slow away but ran on well and there could be some progress in the tank. (7) GREAT INDY and (9) DREAM BIGGER others who have hinted at ability.
Selections
(6) Sky Jilju (5) Made Heemang (4) Light Brown (7) Great Indy
Next Best
9, 2
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive race. (8) FLYING LIGHT is a form-mixer but based on his latest, when a strong 2nd at class and distance on July 23rd having overcome gate ten to settle midfield and run on well, he must be given a very good chance here. He can sit behind the speed again and run on. (4) SILVER BOOSTER beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class over 1300M on August 12th. He comes up slightly in the weights, but draws well, and can be considered again. (10) GEUMSEONG SIDAE is yet to win in eleven starts but has finished in the top-four on no fewer than eight occasions including an on-pace 2nd over a mile last time out. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but with a little luck at the start can get to the front and should be in this a very long way. (1) STAR RUSH and (3) ARGO GONGJU among others in the hunt.
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(3) COLONEL FLYING shapes as a warm favourite here. That’s based on his latest effort on August 20th when he came from well off the pace to run a very close 2nd at this distance, in the process recording a quicker time than any of the others here have done for the 1400M. He draws well and in this modest company, can win. (6) EONJENA YEONGUNG mixes his form, but he has also posted a quick time for the distance and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he can go close today. (8) UNMATCHED was slow away last time before running 6th behind Colonel Flying. There is little in the way of early speed here so if she can get a better start, she may be able to get on pace and if she does, she has a chance. (9) BLUE CAVIAR and (4) MIRACULUM the best of a limited rest.
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Tricky one. (7) BIG BLED may not have the most attractive of names for a racehorse (with the greatest respect to Slovenian lakeside resort towns) but she has shown ability. She was a good winner in a quick time at 1200M at class 6 level two starts back before finishing midfield on her first try at this level on July 23rd. She likes to sit on or close to the pace and she can win here. (4) BEST CLONE is yet to score in eight but has a 4th and a 2nd in two tries at this class, both at 1200M. She’ll be on the speed here and she steps up to 1300M looking set to be close again. (11) TANGJA has plenty of experience at this class and has been a model of consistency of late, positing quick times at this distance. While he has the challenge of the widest gate and he may once more find one or two too quick, he will be there or thereabouts again. (1) V QUEEN and the up in class (5) SAEBYEOK ANGAE others in the hunt.
The 5th Korea Cup and Korea Sprint are set to be run at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and with Typhoon Hinnamnor getting ever closer, there is set to be heavy rain and probably thunderstorms all throughout the day. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:00 to 17:05. The Korea Sprint is race 7 at 15:35 and the Korea Cup is race 8 at 16:35. Here are the previews of all races:
Moonhak Chief will finally have a successor as Korea Cup winner (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener although all but one have raced at least once before. The favourite will be (2) BAEDARI WANGJA. He ran a good 2nd on debut over 1000M on July 31st when he settled back and ran on, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He should have come on for the run and the additional furlong should suit. Logical second pick is (7) RAON THE COBRA who also debuted in that July 31st race, coming off the pace and running 4th. He too should appreciate and extra furlong to get stuck into. (6) PERFECT GUN MAN has raced twice already, both over 1000M and improving in the latter. At the same rate of improvement, he can go close here. (4) KWAEHYANG, 6th behind Baedari Wangja and Raon The Cobra on what was his second start, and (3) WONDERFUL INDY others in the frame.
Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(11) SUN DRAGON sat handy early on debut over 1000M, before taking things up entering the home straight and running on to win comfortably. He comes up in both class and distance here but is favoured to win once more, despite the wide draw. The main danger is (9) JISANGUN. He has consistently run good times and possesses the fastest one at this class and distance, recorded when a close runner-up at his latest start on July 24th, when handy throughout. He carries his fair share of weight but should be right in this. (1) RAON THE WILD could be an interesting one at probable big odds. He ran on pleasingly enough for 5th last time out, stays under a light weight and comes into a much better gate. (2) QUEEN OF RACING and (3) BLOOD MOON are others in the hunt.
Selections
(11) Sun Draon (9) Jisangun (1) Raon The Wild (2) Queen Of Racing
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
5, 6, 11, 12
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Tricky race. (1) MORNING PEARL returned form six months out to run a good 4th over this distance on July 24th, on what was also her first try at this class following too many near-misses at class 6. She should have come on for the run and can be in the mix here. The probable favourite is (6) CHANGER. A winner at this distance two starts back at class 6 level, he was a front-running 4th at class and distance on July 30th. He’ll be on pace here and could go all the way. (9) DUSON DRIVE returned from six months out away to secure his maiden win over this distance on July 30th. He is up in class here but can measure up in this company. (7) RULES CLASS came from off the pace to run a strong 2nd at class and distance on July 9th in a fast time. He can settle back here and run into some money again. (2) DOLBAE another in the minor money hunt.
Selections
(1) Morning Pearl (6) Changer (9) Duson Drive (7) Rules Class
Next Best
2, 8
Fast Start
2, 6, 8, 11
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
A small field of eight juveniles here with precisely half racing for the first time. There are two standouts, one with experience and one debuting. We’ll side with experience and (1) TWOTWO FLYING. Following a couple of ordinary trials, he ran a useful enough 5th of nine on debut over 1000M on August 7th when handy throughout and finishing in a decent time. He should have come on for that run and nicely drawn on the inside, he can go even better here. (7) RAON THE TANGO is the promising debut-maker. He went through two trials, running faster in the second of them and crossing the line 3rd behind, but not far away from, two experienced racehorses, having settled back and run on. If he brings that form to the races, he has every chance. (5) FINAL SEVEN posted a good enough time in his heat to suggest he can go well first-up. (2) HAMPYEONG SHINE and (3) TAP DREAM others to consider.
Selections
(1) Twotwo Flying (7) Raon The Tango (5) Final Seven (2) Hampyeong Shine
Next Best
3, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 3, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
This is a tricky one. (7) BLACK CHARM’s latest two including a class and distance runner-up finish in a fast time and then a 5th place in a strong race for the class is probably enough to earn him the pick. He got too far back last time behind running on well and if he can be ridden a bit further forward this time, he can win. He doesn’t win out of turn though, hence being still at this level. (12) SAENAE WIN was a winner at this class last time out in June when making all over 1300M. The draw is not good here and he comes up 3.5kg in the weights but he should be competitive. The draw is very kind to (1) BYEORAK and he can use it to get a potentially soft lead. He was behind Saenae Win in that June race, but he subsequently ran 4th over 1300M in July and meets him better at the weights here. He is a chance. (2) GLOBAL STORM is up in class following a win at start sixteen. He’ll be big odds here but is well drawn and he could sneak a place. (11) EUNHYE RECORD another in the hunt.
Selections
(7) Black Charm (12) Saenae Win (1) Byeorak (2) Global Storm
Next Best
11, 9
Fast Start
1, 3, 4, 12
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Maidens and it’s hard to look past (7) MIGHTY STORM here. He wasn’t ready when he debuted last November, but he was put away after that for seven months and since returning in June has raced three times and finished 4th in all three. His latest was his best, when he ran a good time in competitive company and any similar run will see him home on top here. (2) BURUI YEOSIN beat a couple of these on his way to 6th of eleven last time and that along with the good draw and the apprentice claim is enough to make him the second pick. Solitary debut-maker (8) YEONGUNG ROAD won a trial and although it wasn’t fast – he was the only one of the seven in his heat to be inside the qualifying time – he did it easily enough and he couldn’t pick a softer race to debut in. (5) NICE DAY and (11) TAKE ADELE others who could potentially get some minor money.
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(7) HATMURI is the pick here. After getting his maiden win at class 6 level two starts back, he then ran a strong 2nd behind a good winner at this class over 1300M on July 23rd. He steps up to two-turns for the first time but his running style to date gives every indication that it can suit, and he will be a warm favourite. It’s fair to say that (9) AMAZING WHIZ has mixed his form so far but he has a 2nd place to his name at class and distance and ran 4th on his latest outing on July 30th when settling right back and running on. He looks nicely in here and has solid claims for a place. So too (5) P N S GAMBOL, who has the fastest time among those who have tackled the 1700M before. That came on his latest outing on August 14th when he led for most of the way around, ultimately finishing runner-up and under today’s handicap rather than set-weight conditions, he even comes down a kilo. (1) FINAL CHARM and (12) CAMP SAVER others in the frame.
Selections
(7) Hatmuri (9) Amazing Whiz (5) P N S Gambol (1) Final Charm
Next Best
12, 11
Fast Start
1, 2, 5, 12
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
There are two clear standouts in this maiden. (9) SPICE ECTON trialled promisingly and then ran 2nd on debut on August 7th. That day’s good looking winner Graphene King didn’t exactly pull up trees on re-appearance at class 5 this past Friday, but Spice Ecton showed enough running on from midfield to suggest that he may have some ability and with some natural improvement can win this. (8) SMILEY LARRY showed some of that natural improvement when following up his 3rd place on debut with a 2nd place over this distance in a fast time on August 7th. He was on pace that day although the race was devoid of early speed, and he will be challenging Spice Ecton for the early initiative here. (2) SPEED MAST is the clear third pick. He has been much better since a four-month layoff and comes in following a career-best runner-up finish over this distance last start when on pace. He is a place chance again. (1) ECTON POWER and (11) BRAVO HAMYANG are others who can compete for the minors.
Selections
(9) Spice Ecton (8) Smiley Larry (2) Speed Mast (1) Ecton Power
When it comes to the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, few know as much about winning than jockey Kanichiro “Joe” Fujii, the only person to have ridden the winners of both races, having guided Chrysolite to victory in the 2016 Cup and Moanin in the 2018 Sprint.
Moanin & Fujii won the Sprint in 2018 (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
Fujii, who remains in hospital in Japan after a devastating race-fall earlier this year, rode full-time in Korea from 2012 to 2015. After returning home, he became the go-to man for Japanese connections bringing their horses to run in big races in Korea, following his success on Esmeraldina in the Ttukseom Cup in 2015.
“I was so happy to get the opportunity to ride Chrysolite in the Korea Cup” recalled Fujii this Cup week. He was a horse who didn’t like to race among other horses, so the way the race panned out was ideal. Kurino Star O led, and (Chrysolite) was able to sit off the speed and at the end he was very strong.”
Fujii’s 2018 Sprint win on Moanin, can potentially serve as a template for those who have missed out on drawing an inside gate as he emerged from gate nine, while Hong Kong’s Fight Hero, who he duelled with in the home straight and ultimately beat by a Head, started from gate thirteen.
“I knew Moanin was a good horse because he won a Group level race in the JRA but (the Korea Sprint) was his first time running in a 1200M race and I knew Korean horses are very quick out of the gate and very fast in the early part of the race so I couldn’t really keep up with the speed in the early stages. He was off the bridle all the way but once he got out, he really showed a good turn of foot and he fought with the Hong Kong horse. I was never really confident until the last 100 metres because, you know, Hong Kong horses can fight pretty hard.”
Chrysolite & Fujii won the Cup in 2016 (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
Fujii believes that the Japanese horses are in a strong situation compared to other horses coming to Korea, simply due to practical reasons. “I think Japanese horses have a good advantage because the surface of the racecourse is very similar. Transportation wise, Japan to Korea is pretty much next door so it is an easy trip.”
This time around there is one Japanese horse in the Korea Cup, three-year-old Sekifu, who is already a seasoned traveller, while six-year-old Raptus makes his first trip out of Japan to run in the Korea Sprint. Both are strong contenders.
“Sekifu is a horse that likes to get back in his races and can finish very strong. His jockey Fujioka (Kota) is a good jockey.” Similar to Moanin before his Sprint bid, Raptus has been mostly racing over 1400M and Fujii sees no reason that he can’t emulate his performance, especially with a not-so-secret weapon in the shape of his rider. “Raptus has been running in short races and I’m pretty sure he’ll be running in the first three or four. Raptus will be ridden by Miyuki (Hideaki) and he rode Kurino Star O (behind Chrysolite) so he knows the track well.”
As for the pair’s overall chances: “It’s hard to compare with the Korean horses and the other international horses, but (Sekifu and Raptus) have above average form in Japan, so if they do what they have been doing there, I’m sure they will be right up there.”
The Cup, Sprint and Ttukseom Cup weren’t the only big Korean races that Joe Fujii won. “I stayed in Busan and Kim Young-kwan was the champion trainer and he was giving me a lot of opportunities like Speedy First in the Derby and Gamdonguibada in the Grand Prix so that’s why the Japanese connections asked me to ride the Cup and the Sprint. At that time, I wasn’t a jockey in the JRA; I always wanted to be so these victories really opened up my road to becoming a jockey in the JRA.”
Fujii achieved his lifelong goal, but as has been well reported, he now has another, much bigger task ahead of him. “Four months ago, I had a spinal cord injury from the race fall. Ever since then I have been in the hospital. I have been doing a lot of rehab seven days a week, so it is a long long recovery road for me, I’m just trying to get the sensation back into my legs so it is a new challenge for me.”
“I stayed in South Korea for three years; I was so happy with all the people and all the connections giving me a great opportunity and without my South Korea experience I could never ever get into JRA so that was one of my dreams. I won all the big races, the Cup and the Sprint, the Derby and the Grand Prix so the South Korean fans are very important to me, and I hope one day that I can travel again and show my face at the racecourse.”
Horse Racing in Korea 