As the Grand Prix is the final Group 1 of the Korean racing season that every local connection wants to win, its Global Hit who is the overwhelming race favourite with betting sites.
Beaten a nose last year by the now retired Winner’s Man, it was also his third placing that denied the Japanese contingent from sweeping the places at the International Korea Cup in September.
His best, or even close to it, will be too good for his rivals, and is coming off a champions victory in the Governor’s Cup of 2000m at Seoul’s Let’s Run Park racecourse for owner Kim Joon Hyun.
Now the winner of four from six starts this year at 2000m he steps up the 2300m of the Grand Prix, in drawing Gate 4 of 14 runners, and will be again be ridden female jockey Kim Hye Sun.
Sired by the Cigar Mile winner To Honor and Serve, he’s the family of Breeder’s Cup Juvenile winning sire Spectacular Love, from US stakes placed winning Yanke Victor mare Tammy’s Victress.
The improving 4yo Naol Sniper is certainly to be Global Hit’s main challenge, as he ran third to him in the KRA Cup Classic and second in the President’s Cup, while America Gold is there to win.
Last Sunday at Busan two important Breeders races were staged, headed by the Korea Gr2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie of 1400m which sets to decide the Champion Korean-bred Juvenile of 2024.
With race favourites having a good record in the short history of the event, this year it was different with the long-shot Aqua Line to score a home straight last-to-first upset victory in 1-27.0s.
Sent out as the race-favourite on winning Seoul’s Rookie Stake and NACF Chairman’s Trophy at his last two starts, Captain P.K. was ridden to win by jockey Kim Jeong Jun and lead from Gate 5.
Whereas Aqua Line, who was unwanted by racegoers, did not have the speed of the leaders when jumping from Gate 7, and dropped to last of the 16 runners running along the back straight.
With the grey Captain P.K. leading into the home straight and began to race away, it was Aqua Line near last and near the rail who made his move and caught the tiring Captain P.K. at the 150m.
In racing away to win by ¾ length from the fast closing Dragon Ninja and Khan Max, who also came from the back of the field, as it was Aqua Line’s second win from four starts within 10 weeks.
Ridden by Jo In Kwon for trainer Seo Bum Seok, Aqua Line is by Korea’s long serving Illinois and Tapa Bay Derby winner Musket Man, who was third in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
So, what for Aqua Line next season with the Korean Derby of 1800m in May and the Korea Cup also of 1800m in September, and a ‘win-you’re-in’ for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
In fact, the KRA was duly honoured when the Korea Sprint winner Remake accepted his ‘win-you’re-in’ invitation to contest the Breeder’s Cup Sprint at Del Mar in finishing behind the leaders.
Also at Busan was the final of the Breeders’ Queens Cup for 3yo+ Fillies and Mares with victory to Flying Star, ridden by Yoo Seung Wan for trainer Seo In Sook and owner Song Chang On.
In sitting one-out and one-back behind the leader Starter for the majority 1800 meters, Flying Star raced away on rounding the home turn, and tiring held-off Raon Forestry to win by half-length.
Now winning three times this year at 1600 and 1800m, the 4yo Colors Flying mare Flying Star is very much an improver having been a front-running second in the Geyongnam Governor’s Cup.
