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. MIGHTY NEO – An up and coming three-year-old who won four times and never been outside the top five. Mighty Now was a smart winner at this distance at class 2 level before running 4th at class 1 over a mile in early August, his best performances have come from on the pace. This is a tough assignment against harder opposition than he has faced before, but he can be competitive.
2.SUNRISE HAWK – A three-time winner at Listed level in Japan, the six-year-old began this year with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the same level at 1500M and 1200M. Returning from three-months off, he was well back in the G3 Tokai Stakes at Chukyo at the end of July but that is a level at which he has previously achieved consistently good results at and he can be better here. Great draw and can be in the mix.
3.BLACK MUSK – Making his fourth appearance in the race, he was 2nd to Vincero Cavallo in April’s SBS Sports Sprint. He can mix his form, as shown when a long way back in the final leg of the series but he was a class 1 winner at the end of July by a full four-lengths. He has a strong finish on him and at his best, he is a top five chance for an in-form stable.
4. DESPITE WIN – A winner of five from eleven, he ran 2nd in the G3 Owners’ Cup at a mile in June before struggling in the KRA Cup Classic at 2000M a month ago. He has won at distances from 1200M to 2000M and looks to have more scope for development. He likes to come from off the pace and minor money is possible
5. VINCERO CAVALLO – A breakout 6th in this race last year, he has since established himself as Korea’s best sprinter with a sweep of all three legs of the Sprint Series this spring. He missed a scheduled prep race at the end of July, so he is first-up, but he went through two trials in August so should be fit. Tactically versatile, at his best, he is a winning chance.
6.ACHIM DONGJA – A stablemate of Vincero Cavallo, he gets his chance having won two of his last three at class 2 level, all at today’s distance and most recently on August 3rd when he came from a long way back. Untried against this level of opposition but he benefits from the services of Ruan Maia aboard.
7. SELF IMPROVEMENT – A rare Hong Kong All-Weather track specialist, the six-year-old was a two-time winner during the 2024/2025 season, both at 1200M. His wins have come when he has raced on or close to the pace and if he takes to the sand track and gets a good start, then he can give a strong account of himself at probable big odds.
8.MIGHTY GO – He ran a super 2nd to Vincero Cavallo in the G3 Busan Ilbo Sprint at this distance in February but has struggled to recapture that form in three subsequent starts, all at Group race level. He has a smart finish and will be running on, but that recent form doesn’t inspire much confidence.
9. KING ANYDAY – It’s fair to say he doesn’t win out of turn and that he isn’t a winning chance here, but he rarely runs a bad race and was most recently 3rd over this distance at class 2 level on August 1st. He likes to race on pace or handy, but he is yet to run the kind of time that will be necessary to compete here. Outsider.
10.CARDINAL FORCE – A three-year-old who has been ultra consistent as he has moved through the grades this year, most recently landing his first class 2 level win over a mile on August 10th when on pace throughout. This is his first time tested against the elite and while he can hold his own, others will be favoured at this stage.
11.SUPER FINISH – He was 4th behind Vincero Cavallo in the final two legs of the sprint series before running 2nd over this distance at class 1 level on July 27th having led for part of the way around. More to find in this company and not an ideal draw, but he can be on or close to the speed and be in this a long way.
12.TAGANO BEAUTY – The veteran eight-year-old rounded off last season with victory in the Listed JBC Sprint at Saga and has in the past been placed at G3 level on the JRA. Remarkably in a career spanning forty-two races and stretching back to 2019, he has never raced at less than 1400M, but the ability to stay further than the 1200M can be a big plus for sprinters on the often-grueling Seoul sand.
13.CHIKAPPA – Won the Listed Hokkaido Sprint Cup and Tokyo Hai last year and he kicked off his four-year-old season with a trip to Saudi Arabia for the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. While he had a hard time there, he showed a return to form when 4th in the Listed Cluster Cup on August 11th and could be peaking in Seoul. A big run is expected, and Yutaka Take rides, who won the race on Graceful Leap in 2017, rides. Widest gate, but the favourite.
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. YES PERFECT – He has only raced twice this year and was well beaten in both in G3 and G2 company. This is his first start since May and while he still has a high rating as a result of earlier exploits, he is hard to recommend here, despite the inside gate.
2. KEIAI DORIE – NON-RUNNER.
3. SOMETHING LOST – Beaten a neck by Raon The Point in the Busan Ilbo Sprint over this distance in March, and followed up with a 3rd and a 4th in two subsequent sprint efforts in Group company. Draw a line though his latest at a mile. Likes to settle handy and run on but a minor money chance at best.
4. BLACK MUSK – A Group winner at this distance two years ago, he has struggled to reach those heights again. Returned in August following five months out but had a hard time over 1800M. His form before the layoff wasn’t great either and he will be an outsider here. At this best, he comes from off the pace.
5. MORFHIS – The grand old galloper of Korean racing, he won the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) in both 2020 and 2022. While he hasn’t tasted victory since the latter of those, he can still mix it with the best on his day as shown with his 3rd place behind Ssonsal and Eoma Eoma in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) in May. He settles back and comes off the pace and was most recently 2nd in a class 1 race on August 4th.
6. EOMA EOMA – Won this race in 2022 beating Japan’s Raptus who while good, is no Remake. He has raced four times in 2024, all in Group company and has placed in three of them including last time out when tried at a mile for the first time in the Busan Owners’ Cup. He may not be quite as quick as he once was, but he won’t be far away. Place chance.
7. REMAKE – The defending champion 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, when he came from behind to run the field down, before finishing 4th in the G1 Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. It’s his first start since March, but the Seoul Racecourse track record holder for the 1200M will take some stopping. Yuga Kawada will be up.
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.”
Preliminary nominations for overseas horses are open for the the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, which return to the calendar for the first time since 2019 and will be run at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday September 4th.
Both the Cup (1800M) and the Sprint (1200M) have a prize fund of KRW 1 Billion (about US$800,000 at current exchange rates). As the race is invitational, all shipping fees are covered for invited horses as well as travel and accommodation for connections:
Horse Racing in Korea 