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A month ago, Winner’s Man became the first horse to win four different Korean Group 1 races.
On Sunday at Seoul Racecourse, he seeks to win the Grand Prix Stakes (2300M KOR-G1) for a second time and in doing so match Triple Nine's five Group 1 successes.
The Grand Prix is the oldest, and in the eyes of most Korean connections, the most prestigious race on the calendar with it first being run at Ttukseom Racecourse on Boxing Day 1982. Since 2005, the distance has been set at 2300M – the longest distance in use in Korea – and since 2009, it has expanded to include horses trained at Busan as well as Seoul. In the thirteen runnings of the so-called "open era", (there was no race in 2020) Seoul has won five times and Busan has won eight times.
Three horses have won it twice, Pogyeongseon in 1985 and 1986, Ka Shock Do in 1990 and 1991, and Dongbanui Gangja in 2008 and 2009. Winner's Man , the 2022 champion, will be hot favourite to emulate them in 2023.
Korean Derby winner Global Hit will aim to become the first three-year-old to win the race since Bold Kings in 2015. The youngsters used to triumph regularly; Bold Kings was the 5th three-year-old to win in eight runnings following Dongbanui Gangja, Mister Park, Gamdonguibada and Indie Band. Gamdonguibada was the last filly or mare to win when she triumphed under Joe Fujii in 2012. Ony one, Eodigana, lines up this time, while Global Hit is the only three-year-old.
Along with Global Hit, Success Macho, who ran 4th in the Korea Cup and then 2nd in the President's Cup, and Tuhonui Banseok winning the Class Open Weight for Age, who downed Winner's Man twice this summer, are set to be the other leading contenders. Haengbok Wangja, the 2021 victor also goes, bidding to be the first two-time winner to score in non-consecutive years. Here is a full run-down of the field (jockey/trainer):
1. TIZ BAROWS (KOR) Antiono Davielson Da Silva/Seo In-seok – Well back in both KRA Cup Classic and President's Cup this preparation. Looked to have a load of potential when winning the Listed Sports Chosun in May but hasn't kicked on since. Jockey won the race in 2019.
2. WINNER'S MAN (KOR) Seo Seung-un/Choi Ki-hong – The best in the country despite his mid-season stutters behind Tuhonui Banseok. Those seem to be behind him now and at anything like his best, he will win again.
3. EODIGANA (KOR) Yoo Seung-wan/Kim Yoon-seop – The only filly or mare in the race and a big run shouldn't be discounted. She flashed home for 5th in the President's Cup and the 2300M should suit. Not a winning chance but a minor money hope.
4. CHIEF INDY (KOR) Johan Victoire/Park Jae-woo – Well back from a wide gate in the President's Cup but ran 5th and 3rd in two class 1 races over this distance this year. Can be doing his best work late here.
5. FANTASTIC MAN (KOR) Kim Dong-young/Moon Hyeon-cheol – First start since running 2nd to Galaxy Road over 2000M in September but looked well in a trial just last Saturday. Big ask first-up though.
6. JEONGMUN SAI (KOR) Park Tae-jong/Hong Dae-you – Likes to be on pace so a potential early leader here. Comes in off a fair 7th in the President's Cup and can be in this a long way. Not a winning chance though.
7. GLOBAL HIT (KOR) Kim Hye-sun/Bang Dong-suk – The Derby winner is this year's champion three-year-old, and he finished off the President's Cup very well. He will be on or close to the pace and he is the main danger.
8. BLACK MUSK (KOR) Jo Sang-beom/Choi Yong-goo – His last five starts have been in Group company at distances between 1200M and 2000M, but he has finished midfield or worse in all of them. Tactically versatile but hard to have on this year's form.
9. DORAON POPEYE (USA) Lim Gi-won/Choi Yong-goo – Winner at class 1 over this distance in the summer and ran 5th, again at 2300M last time out. One of those one-paced grinders who gets the job done in this sand, he can go well, but hard to recommend at level weights.
10. HAENGBOK WANGJA (USA) Moon Se-young/Park Young-gu – Won this race two years ago but then didn't kick on as anticipated. Does though enter in good form with a 5th in the Korea Cp and 3rd in the KRA Cup Classic. He will launch his run late and is a money chance.
11. GLAXAY ROAD (KOR) Lee Sung-jae/Kim Gil-jung – Class 1 handicap winner over 2000M in September after running a fair 6th in the Busan Owners' Cup. Well back in the President's Cup last time out and lots of form to overturn here.
12. BAEKSAEK GWANGCHAE (KOR) Choi Bum-hyun/Bae Hou-jun – Well back in recent starts, he is another he has a fair finish on him and will probably pass a few late on. Doesn't shape as a win or place chance though. Jockey won the race in 2008 and 2009.
13. TUHONUI BANSEOK (USA) Park Jae-i/Bart Rice – Defeated Winner's Man to win both the YTN and Busan Mayor's Cups this summer before running 6th in the Korea Cup and 5th in the KRA Cup Classic. Comes in fresh, and while the wide gate is an issue as he likes to lead, he is one of the biggest dangers.
14. BRIGADIER GENERAL (AUS) Song Jae-chul/Seo Bum-seok – Came from off the pace to win at class 1 level over this distance in October. Tactically versatile but remains unconvincing at the elite level.
15. MIGHTY NEW (NZ) Lim Da-bin/Ham Wan-sik – Enters in very good form with 2nd in the JRA Trophy on international weekend followed by a win class 1 over 1400M. This is a different magnitude of difficulty though. First Grand Prix runner as trainer for the 2016 winning jockey.
16. SUCCESS MACHO (KOR) Franco Da Silva/Min Jang-gi – Got his Group win in the Busan Owners' Cup in July before running a super 4th in the Korea Cup and then 2nd in the President's Cup. Can race on pace or come from behind and despite the wide draw, he has strong claims.
The 41st Grand Prix, has a post time of 16:10 on Sunday 17th and will be broadcast live within Korea on the YTN channel. Both Seoul and Busan Racecourses are offering free admission on the day.
Selections: (2) Winner's Man (16) Success Macho (7) Global Hit (13) Tuhonui Banseok
Wildcard: (3) Eodigana
