The Stayers’ Series reaches its second stage on Sunday when a field of fifteen line up for the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse.
After running 2nd to Winner's Man in both the President's Cup and Grand Prix Stakes, last year's Korean Derby winner Global Hit asserted his claim to be the new King of Korean racing with victory in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul last month.
Despite Winner's Man being out of the picture for the foreseeable future – and possibly to be retired – the margin of victory was less than a length as another four-year-old, Nut Play was bearing down on Global Hit . The pair head the line up for the YTN and a reversal in form shouldn't be ruled out.
At his best though, (14) GLOBAL HIT may prove hard to beat. He draws the same wide gate as he did in the Herald Business and Kim Hye-sun on board will be very aware of the threat that Nut Play – and others – can pose. Expect tactics to be adjusted accordingly.
(3) NUT PLAY also featured on the Triple Crown trail last year, running 4th in the KRA Cup Mile, before 3rd place finishes in both the Korean Derby and the Minister's Cup. He picked up a Listed win last September over 1800M and began this year with a victory at class 1 level before his Herald Business runner-up. He comes into a much better gate this time.
Although they will be at the top of the market, this is no two-horse race. (7) TUHONUI BANSEOK is the defending champion, having demolished a field including Winner's Man by an astonishing eleven-lengths. He made his season re-appearance in the Herald Business, running a creditable 3rd. A big run is possible here.
The wildcard is a stablemate of Tuhonui Banseok's. In fact, it isn't initially obvious which is the second string from the Bart Rice barn as (2) JEONGMUN COBIT enters in sensational form, having won his latest four at distances between 1400M and 2000M, posting some very quick times and for the most part, giving away weight. This is a step into the unknown competition wise, but he may well step up.
(10) SPEED YOUNG was champion juvenile in 2022 and has consistently threatened to break through at the very top level, including a strong 2nd behind Global Hit in the Minister's Cup
and a 3rd in the President's Cup. He can mix his form, but he was a fair 5th in the Herald Business and shouldn't be dismissed today.
Others who may find some interest at longer prices include (11) CHIEF INDY and the only filly in the race, Luigi Riccardi's (4) WONDERFUL SLEW.
The YTN Cup is race 7 on the 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05.
Selections (14) Global Hit (3) Nut Play (2) Jeongmun Cobit (7) Tuhonui Banseok
Next Best 10, 11
Fast Start 5, 6, 7, 10, 14
