NEXT UP

A field of fourteen that includes several Group winners will contest the Listed event over the sprint distance of 6 f, which returns to the calendar after having to be pandemically postponed in 2021.

Raon First  – the only filly or mare in the race – is the probable favourite, coming off her comfortable win over her distaff contemporaries in t Jeju Governor's Cup at 7 f in December, but she has beaten the males at class 1 level too and with a weight allowance and a great draw she may prove hard to catch.

2020 Owners' Association Trophy winner East Jet also lines up and will be a big danger while Busan's challenge is led by Classic winner Touch Star Man  and the speedy Doctor Carson .

The Segye Ilbo Cup is race 9 on the 11-race program at Seoul Racecourse and is scheduled to jump at 17:05 Seoul time. There are also 6 races at Busan. Here is a horse-by-horse guide to the big race:

1. ICE PUNCH [Hansen – Willing Miss (More Than Ready)] – Still eligible for class 2 racing, he enters in consistent form and can run good times. Great draw and top jockey booking. No surprise if he sneaks some minor money at good odds.

2. RAON FIRST [Musket Man – Pink Candy (Southern Image)] – Hugely talented mare who has won from 6 f to 1 1⁄8 m with her latest being a G3 score in the Jeju Governor's Cup over 7 f albeit against fellow filles and mares. She likes to race forward, is beautifully drawn here and is the likely favourite.

3. TOUCH STAR MAN [Testa Matta – Useung Touch (Menifee)] – Classic winner at three, he comes in having run a huge 2nd place in the Grand Prix Stakes over 1 7⁄16 m in December. Big drop in trip here but top trainer/jockey combination and likely to be well backed. Chance.

4. ROLLER BLADE [Officer – Dactique's Quest (Coronado's Quest)] – Back-to-back all the way wins over 7 f at class 2 level in June and October then 7th of 12 on his first crack at class 1 level in December. Down in trip and good draw can suit but this is harder. Needs to be on pace.

5. PLATINUM EURO [Eurosilver – Wild Cat (Biwa Shinseiki)] – Recent three outings have been at 1 1⁄8 m. Last time he raced at this distance he was 6th to Raon First's 3rd. Races best when settles midfield and runs on but form too mixed to recommend

6. EAST JET [Strike Again – Lend (Coronado's Quest)] – Disregard his latest start when he matched pace with Raon The Fighter, who blitzed the G3 field. He is very consistent, loves the 6 f and is better suited here. The weight is no problem, he can run fast times. He will be on pace and is right in this.

7. DO KKI BLADE [Officer – Allie's Premo (Alex's Pal)) – First start since last August. Ran 2nd to East Jet last June when getting weight at this distance and has won at Group level in Busan back in 2020. Trialed well but this is a hard ask first-up.

8. MENI HERO [Menifee – Pocketful Of Money (Running Stag)] – Established class 1 winner and made his big breakthrough at Busan on November when winning the Owners' Cup over a mile. Can come from off the pace and will be working home well late. Not out of this.

9. WORLD DAY [Ecton Park – Sand World (Star Dabbler)] – Stablemate to Touch Star Man and looks to be the second string. Second up after a layoff and last start was on pace before weakening over 7 f. In this at this best but plenty to find here.

10. CARVING CROSS [Peace Rules – Singgeureounchowon (Menifee)] – Won seven in a row before running into subsequent Grand Prix winner Haengbok Wangja. 6th behind Raon First at 7 f two starts back and then 6th in President's Cup at 1 1⁄4 m last time. Tring to find his niche, it seems, and a few may be too sharp here.

11. JEONGMUN SAI [Simon Pure – Kayville (Giant's Causeway)] – Drops back to this distance for the first time in a long time but has been a revelation with 4th and a 3rd in the President's Cup and Grand Prix Stakes. Can it translate to the shorter distance? Perhaps, and he has won at this distance in the distant past, but this won't be easy.

12. YAHO SMART CAT [One Cool Cat – Fly Top (Petionville)] – Solid midfield class 1 campaigner but it's been a year and six starts since his last place finish and that doesn't appear likely to change here.

13. DOCTOR CARSON [Hansen – Carson's Cat (Mountain Cat)] – Rose to prominence with a serios of wins over Blue Chipper when getting lots of weight throughout last simmer. Proved he could do it at level weights when winning a feature race at this distance in October but has struggled against the elite in his latest two. Place line .

14. COMPLETE SWEEP [Simon Pure – Few N Far Between (Pico Central)] – Two starts into a comeback following six months off but will need to improve a lot on his last start 5th over 7 f to compete from the widest gate here.