The barrier draws have been set for this Sunday’s (4 September) G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) and G3 Korea Cup (1800m, sand) and some of the leading local contenders have been handed tough assignments with Eoma Eoma having to contend with the widest gate of twelve in the Sprint and Raon The Fighter ten of thirteen in the Cup.

“Oh my,” exclaimed reigning champion jockey Moon Se Young, before correcting himself. “No problem,” he quickly added having drawn Eoma Eoma’s gate. The now five-year-old won last October’s KOR G3 SBS Sports Sprint (1200m) from gate twelve but while he beat a strong field that day, it wasn’t of the calibre of this Sunday’s race, and he has gone from possible favourite to perhaps needing some luck.

British raider Annaf was similarly luckless, drawing gate eleven, although the connections of Japan’s Raptus were satisfied enough with gate nine with trainer Masahiro Matsunaga commenting: “He’s got a fast start so (gate) nine is not a problem.”

Hong Kong’s Computer Patch, whose physicality has been impressing onlookers all week, has gate eight while Singapore’s sprinting mare Celavi arguably got the best draw of all, in three with trainer Michael Clements quipping: “Three is a good barrier. Better than eleven!”

Returning to the locals, jockey Johan Victoire was delighted to be in gate seven with Morfhis. “I’m very happy to be in seven because my horse comes from behind. I can finish strongly,” he said.

After pulling out the wide gate for Eoma Eoma, Moon Se-young opted against drawing for his Korea Cup mount, Raon The Fighter, with trainer Park Jong Kon’s representative dryly commenting: “Ten is fine, the horse is good.” He is, but Raon The Fighter has only raced over 1800m once before, at Class 3 level, and will face a huge challenge on Sunday.

Connections of Japan’s Sekifu claimed they would have preferred a wide draw but will surely be pleased with gate 4, while Hong Kong’s Kings Shield has the inside gate one, generally thought of as an advantage at Seoul. Britain’s Intellogent also draws very nicely in gate two.

As in the Sprint, Johan Victoire was satisfied, despite his Cup mount Simjangui Godong, receiving gate eleven.

“Last time in Busan we had the same number, and he ran well so I’m not disappointed” he said, referring to Simjangui Godong’s dead-heat runner up finish with King Of The Match and behind Raon The Fighter in the KOR G3 Owners’ Cup (1600m). King Of The Match himself has drawn the widest Cup gate in thirteen. Winner’s Man, arguably the leading local contender along with Raon The Fighter, drew well in six.

The only withdrawal from the final nominations stage in either races was unbeaten filly Black Olive, who was withdrawn from the Sprint having gone lame last week. In the Cup, Dolkong, who was also a doubt having not raced since 2019, will run.