Korea’s best horse returns from the injury that kept him out of the Korea Cup to defend the President’s Cup (1 1/4M KOR-G1), the country's richest open age race restricted to locally bred runners.

A year ago, Global Hit won the President's Cup on his way to securing the season ending Grand Prix Stakes. That particular streak of wins had begun with the KRA Cup Classic, but Globa Hit came unstuck in that race this time around in August when from a wide gate, he struggled to settle under jockey Kim Hye-sun and ultimately finished a well-beaten 2nd. 

It's perhaps a sign of the esteem Global Hit is held in that there has been scarcely any talk of his injury in the build up to the race. After the KRA Cup Classic he came back lame, but it wasn't as serious as first feared and he returned to work on August 29th and hasn't missed a planned session since. The layoff – and missing a very taxing Korea Cup – may work in his favour.

There's a familiar supporting cast. Global Hit's stablemate SPEED YOUNG can run well at any distance at the highest level but almost always runs into one too quick, be it Global Hit or latterly SUCCESS BAEKPA, the KRA Cup Classic winner. If the favourite doesn't perform on his return, those two are the most likely beneficiaries.

Here is a full run down of the field:

1. GANGPUNGMA – Enters in great form having won three of his last four, all at class 1 and all at 1 1/4M. He likes to settle back and run on and while he was well back in this race a year ago, he is a better horse now and while maybe not a winning chance, he will have backers on an each-way line.

2. MY DREAM DAY – Won the final leg of the Triple Crown at this distance in Seoul in June but was 2nd to Oasis Red at class 3 level over 1 1/8M on his return. Enters off a class 2 win at 1 1/8M on September 14th when handy throughout. Big step up in terms of opposition but potential.

3. GLOBAL HIT – The defending Champion, he placed in Group 2 company at Meydan in March. He won her first two starts back in Korea in the Stayer Series but then suffered a reverse to Success Baekpa in the KRA Cup Classic when failing to settle from a wide draw and coming back lame. He has been back in work since late August and has had no problems first-up in the past. Much better draw than the Classic and the one to beat.

4. NUT PLAY – A class 1 winner over this distance in January and then 3rd behind Success Baekpa and Speed Young in March's Herald Business. He has only raced three times since and has struggled for form, most recently 8th in the KRA Cup Classic. Plenty of quality and comes in fresh but improvement needed for any more than minor money.

5. SPEED ONE – Has won at this distance and comes in from a 2nd place in a Trophy race over 1 1/8M that had the bottom somewhat fall out of it and ended up with only six runners, beaten less than a length by filly Satang Sonyeo. Beating Vics Go when 4th in a handicap in July, but this is a hard ask.

6. SUCCESS BAEKPA – A winner of two legs of the Triple Crown last year and in Global Hit's absence won the first leg of the Stayer Series in March before running 4th and 3rd in the final two legs. Draw a line through a poor effort in the Owners' Cup on a quick track that caught many out. Strong winner of the KRA Cup Classic at this distance and 6th of eleven in the Korea Cup. Big chance.

7. SPEED YOUNG – Hasn't won since taking the Busan Owners' Cup in June 2024 but he always runs in top quality races and rarely misses by much. Tactically versatile, he was the best local finisher when 4th in the Korea Cup over 1 1/8M in September. He will be there or thereabouts again. 

8. EUNPA SARANG – The 2024 Korean Derby winner. He has only won once since then and has a best of 3rd in five starts this year, which came at class 2 level over this distance in July. Most recently well back in the Listed Ilgan Sports at the end of September and this is a hard ask.

9. OASIS RED – Only 5th and 4th in the two legs of the Triple Crown that he contested, but could he end up as the best of the three-year-old crop? He has won his latest two, both at class 3 over 1 1/8M, beating My Dream Day and Young Skywalker, racing on pace both times. This is much harder but with a good draw, he can be in this a long way.

10. YONGAM SESANG – Won the Listed Sports Chosun over this distance in May, although that had a rating cap of 80. Has only raced once since, when 7th of eleven over 7f at class 1 in September. He should strip fitter for that but will be an outsider in this company.

11. UNJU GUY – Another who may end up as the best of the three-year-olds. He was 2nd in the Korean Derby before running midfield in the Minister's Cup. Most recently was an eye-catching winner at class 2 level over this distance on August 24th when on pace throughout. This is much harder, but a good run can't be ruled out.

12. VICS GO – Solid campaigner who has won at Listed level over a sprint distance and at this distance at class 1. Comes in off back-to-back 2nd places at a mile and 7f at class 1 level, most recently coming from off the pace. Doesn't shape as winner but a place isn't impossible. 

13. YOUNG SKYWALKER – Ran 3rd behind My Dream Day in the final leg of the Triple Crown, before winning at class 4 level in July. He was 2nd to Oasis Red at class 3 level over 1 1/8M on September 7th, dueling hard in the closing stages. Good prospect but plenty to find.

Selections   (3) Global Hit (7) Speed Young (6) Success Baekpa (9) Oasis Red
Next Best   1, 4
Fast Start   3, 5, 6, 10