1

Glorious Artist

He’s rated 94 in Hong Kong but that doesn’t mean much when a Sha Tin-trained horse comes to Korea. Glorious Artist won once in the 2018/19 season, over 1650m in May when he stalked the pace on a wet and slow track and ran on strongly under Zac Purton. He’s run well at this distance and if he finds the track surface amenable, he’ll be in the mix for some money.

2

Harvey Wallbanger

A three-year-old who won the G2 Holy Bull Stakes (1700m) at Gulfstream Park in February. He hasn’t quite pushed on since then and last start ran 4th in the Ellis Park Derby over a mile. Trainer Kenny McPeek saddled The Truth Or Else to 4th in the 2017 Sprint so possibly the track is less of a concern that it may be for some of the other internationals.

3

Lone Sailor

He may only have won 2 of his 21 starts but 16 of those starts have been at Graded company. He chased home Justify in 8th and 5th in the G1 Kentucky Derby & G1 Preakness in 2018 and ran 3rd in the G1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in May. Last start 2nd in a Saratoga allowance. He tends to go well back at the start and has a very strong finish. Distance should suit. If he adapts to the track, he has a winning chance.

4

King Of Glory

A winner of seven from 14 he has just come up a little short against the elite. He does though come in off a good run in 3rd behind Blue Chipper and Baengmunbaekdap in the KOR G3 Busan Owners’ Cup over a mile in late July. That was his first try at a mile and his coming through it well has encouraged connections to have a go at 1800m for the first time here. Will most likely aim to be prominent early if not lead. He’ll be a long shot, but the prize money goes down a long way.

5

King Of Ace

One start into a comeback following a lengthy spell out through injury, he ran an encouraging 3rd in a decent Class 1 over 1200m. He’s won at Class 1 at this distance in the past, making all the running and he could well be looking to set the pace here. Untried in the best company, he’ll be an outsider.

6

Baengmunbaekdap

A versatile type who won two of his last four outings, over 1200m and 2200m.  He is also inconsistent as he only beat two home in the KOR G3 YTN Cup (2000m) on his only previous visit to Seoul in May.  But then put in a fine run when 2nd to Blue Chipper in the KOR G3 Busan Owner’s Cup (1600m). His trainer has a good record in this race and he’s entitled to be a place consideration behind Dolkong. Usually settles in midfield and aims to improve late.

7

Ambassadorial

Jane Chapple-Hyam previously brought Solar Deity to run in the 2016 Cup and Ambassadorial has run well on the Chelmsford all-weather with a win and a 3rd there since returning from almost a year out in June. Those were over 1400m and a mile so distance and surface may be a question mark, but he ran on very pleasingly last time and a money finish shouldn’t be ruled out.

8

Cheongdam Dokki

He was the shortest priced Korea-trained horse in this race last year, leading early before being blown away by London Town and ultimately finishing 4th. He then ran 2nd in the KOR G1 Grand Prix Stakes (2300m) in December. Has won just one of four starts this year, the Herald Business Cup over 2000m in April, and hasn’t been a factor in the other three, including 9th behind Dolkong in the KOR G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800m) latest. Raced on-pace from the start in his wins, but hasn’t got away well in either of his latest two. The talent is there but recent form is concerning.

9

New Legend

A Korean bred, he raced seven times in the USA, winning once at Arlington Park before returning to Korea last year. Back home, he won his first five in fine fashion but began to falter when reaching the elite level when 4th in both the KOR G3 Busan Ilbo Cup (1200m) and KOR G3 YTN Cup (2000m), before finishing 3rd behind Dolkong and Moonhak Chief in the KOR G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800m). That means there is plenty of form that he needs to overturn.

10

Dolkong

The one Korea-trained horse to have name recognition on the International stage having won the Listed Curlin Handicap (2000m) at this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival before running 3rd in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 3 (2000m) to earn a berth in the World Cup itself. Raced once since returning to Korea, winning the KOR G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup over this distance in June. Ran 2nd in this race last year under a conservative ride. He takes a while to hit top gear but can be deadly when he does. He is a real chance.

11

Moonhak Chief

A winner of three from five in 2019 including the KOR G3 YTN Cup (2000m). He ran a strong 2nd to Dolkong in the KOR G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800m) last start, getting within a length of the winner. This 4YO looks to have scope to get better. He generally races best close to the pace and could put in a big run.