KOR G1 – 1200m – Sand
| 1 | Perdido Pomeroy | Led this race last year until overcome with a furlong to run and ended up 6th. Rebounded with a win a month later at Busan but has been indifferent across four subsequent starts. Last raced three months ago when 7th in the SBS Sports Sprint, behind Doraonpogyeongseon and Today. He’ll aim for a fast start but looks up against it here. |
| 2 | Today | Won 10 of his first 12 races and started favourite for the SBS Sports Sprint in June where he ran a close 3rd to Doraonpogyeongseon. Was then a strong 3rd in the KRA Trophy at Kranji, Singapore in July where he overcame a bit of bad luck to place behind Singapore’s Skywalk and Rafaello. From Korea’s top stable, he should be near to the pace and should go close. |
| 3 | Zentenary | Ran in this race last year, showing close to the front early on but was quickly bettered. Enters in good form with a win and 2nd place from his latest two starts but in much softer company than this. Will aim for a quick start and try to hold on for as long as possible. Outsider. |
| 4 | Geuma Rapid | Started his career very promisingly but has been hampered by a succession of injuries. One start into a comeback following nine months on the sidelines and offered few clues in that Class 1, finishing 10th. |
| 5 | Ace Korea | This up and coming sprinter is the only three-year-old in the race and accordingly gets a weight allowance. Two very smart wins in the spring led him to take his chance in the SBS Sports Sprint in June but he finished well back behind three of his rivals here. Returned to Busan and was an eye-catching Class 2 winner at the end of July. |
| 6 | Morning Daero | It’s been more than a year since his latest win, over 1400m in July 2017. Best finish in 2018 so far was a 2nd at this distance in March. Beat one home on his latest outing a month ago and will be among the outsiders here. |
| 7 | Doraonpogyeongseon | Third in this race last year. Returned to Seoul in June to win his second consecutive SBS Sports Sprint at this distance, beating Today and establishing himself as Korea’s top sprinter. Stretched out to a mile to win another big Stakes race at Busan in July. Versatile and in top form. |
| 8 | King Malpic | Prolific winner in France, including three consecutive triumphs between April and June this year at La Teste De Buch and Chantilly between 1200m and a mile. Runner-up at latest outing in the G3 Prix de-Ris-Orangis (1200m) at Maisons-Laffitte. This is a different test but the form is good. The sand is a query. |
| 9 | Moanin | Won the Listed Coral Stakes (1400m) at Hanshin in March, his first win since the G1 February Stakes at Tokyo back in 2016. Won six of his first seven starts and has raced at a high level since. Should not be troubled by first start at distance as short as 1200m. JRA horses generally adapt to the track and the jockey knows Seoul well. A big chance and possibly the one they’ll need to beat. |
| 10 | Wonder Bolt | Very experienced eight-year-old who finished runner-up to Singapore’s El Padrino in the Asia Challenge Cup back in 2014. More than two years since his last win but still a regular place-getter in Class 1 handicaps. Most recently ran 2nd over 1800m. Usually ridden patiently these days but this is a tough ask. |
| 11 | Wild Dude | Winner of the G2 Kona Gold Stakes (1300m) at Santa Anita in 2016. Ninth of 16 in this race two years ago. Has raced in Dubai since. Has not recaptured the very best of his American form but his latest effort was encouraging, finishing a running-on 4L 4th of 8 behind Mind Your Biscuits in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) at Meydan. |
| 12 | Chublicious | Has filled a top-two position in six of his last seven starts, dating back over a year. They include wins in the G3 De Francis Memorial Dash (1200m) at Laurel Park, when he was the longest shot on the board, as well as the Listed Mr Prospector Stakes (1200m) at Monmouth Park this June. He only beat one home on his latest outing at Delaware Park on 14 July but American-trained horses with similar records ran well here last year. |
| 13 | Fight Hero | Attempting to emulate Super Jockey, who won this race for Hong Kong in 2016. Finished up the season a winner over the all-weather at Sha Tin on 24 June at this distance, coming from off the pace. All Hong Kong wins have been over 1200m and, if he adapts to the sand, he – like any Hong Kong sprinter – has every chance. |
