1

Bathrat Leon

The 2022 Godolphin Mile winner added another big prize this February in the 1351 Turf Sprint (1351m-G3) at King Abdulaziz. Enters off a 3rd place in a JPN G2 to Igniter at Urawa at the end of May when handy throughout. Excels on both turf and all-weather, he hasn’t raced at 1200m but that isn’t a problem as the Seoul sand favours those who can stay further. Big chance.

2

Morfhis

A multiple Group winner, he was 6th in this race last year. While no longer at the peak of his powers, he can still hold his own and was 4th in the SBS Sports Sprint (1200m-KG3) in May and then 4th in a Class 1 handicap in August. Still a powerful closer, expect him to pass plenty late on.

3

Ssonsal

The seven-year-old is in the form of his life and comes in having won the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200m-KG3) in June, when settling right back from a wide draw and sweeping home with Eoma Eoma 3rd, around half a length behind. He has run consistently fast times and he will be finishing strongly. One of the best local hopes.

4

East Jet

Former Group winner at this distance but hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since 2021. Only beat two in this race last year. Best result this year 2nd in a class 1 handicap at this trip in April. Will be on pace, but his best days seem behind him.

5

Eoma Eoma

The defending champion faces a tougher task then he did twelve months ago when he passed Japan’s Raptus late on. He has only one win from four starts in 2023 and that was in a class 1 handicap in February, with three Group level defeats following, most recently 3rd to Ssonsal in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200m-KG3). Still has plenty of quality and speed though, he should be on pace or handy and can be competitive again.

6

Remake

3rd in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m-G3), he was slow away in the Golden Shaheen (1200m-G1) at Meydan in March and ran 5th. Ran 2nd to Don Frankie in the Procyon Stakes (1400m-G3) at Chukyo in July before overturning that form in the JPN G3 Cluster Cup in August, coming from a seemingly impossible position to score easily. A big chance and probable favourite.

7

Yes Perfect

A winner at this distance at class 1 in March and enters having most recently run 2nd in the Owners’ Cup (1600m-KOR-G3) at Busan in July, beaten a head. He does his best work coming from off the pace and while this is a very tough ask, he will be gaining ground in the closing stages. Minor money chance.

8

Daehan Jilju

4th in this race a year ago and then pushed Eoma Eoma all the way in an open race at Busan over 1400m last October. He’s mixed his form in four 2023 appearances with his best being a Class 1 win at 1400m. Most recently finished midfield in the Owners’ Cup (1600m-KG3) in July. At his best, he is a money chance again but is too inconsistent to confidently recommend. Best when on pace.

9

Raon Tap Man

The six-year-old is ultra-consistent. He has run 1:11.3 for the 1200m, when winning last December and has finished no worse than 4th in his four 2023 outings. That 4th was in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200m-KG3) when beaten by Ssonsal and Eoma Eoma. He has form to overturn as he will be at peak fitness. Likes to be on pace.

10

Black Musk

Local G3 winner at this distance last year, he comes back to the sprinting ranks following recent indifferent efforts over further in Group company. Talented but recent form makes him hard to recommend. Strong finisher.

11

Duke Wai

A winner at Sha Tin under handicap conditions in early March before a solid 5th in the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m-G1) on the Meydan turf straight in March. Struggled in elite company behind Lucky Sweynesse in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April. Recent form is on turf, but he has won on the all-weather at Sha Tin although the surface will be a question mark. Place chance.

12

Calm Strong

The only filly or mare in the line-up she has won back-to-back KNN Cups (1600m-KG3) and enters having dead-heated with Crazy Conti for her class 1 win over 1800m in July. Her most recent effort at this distance was 3rd place at class 1 in March but her form is better now, and she likes to be on pace. Others preferred though.

13

Beolmaui Star

He has natural speed but a habit of making things hard for himself as he did when knuckling at the start of the SROA Chairman’s Sprint in June which, from gate sixteen, ended his chances. He has been back to trial since then and came through it well and if he gets a good draw and then a good start, he should be in this a long way.

14

Clean Up Happy

Scratched at the gate through lameness before his latest scheduled assignment in June he has since proved his fitness in an August trial. Prior form not great though and he will be an outsider.

15

Good Pilseung

Returned following seven months out through injury to run a creditable 5th in the Owners’ Cup (1600m-KG3) at Busan in July, when he settled right back and ran on strongly. While it would be hoped he strips fitter for that run, he will be one of the outsiders.