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There’s just a week to go until Seoul Racecourse hosts the International Keeneland Korea Cup & Korea Sprint but before that there is G3 action on Sunday in the shape of the Jeju Governor’s Cup.

Jeju is the home of the Korean breeding industry and the race is one of the most valuable on the Korean calendar for locally bred fillies and mares.

A big field of 15 has been attracted by the big prize; 7 are trained in Seoul while 8 have travelled up from Busan. Those southern raiders include last year’s winner Indian Star(left) who is set to be favourite to retain the crown she won on a soaking wet track just under a year ago.

Among her rivals are the shock Oaks winner JejuiHaneul, who is joined by Bright Star and Uju Star, 2nd and 4th respectively in the fillies’ Classic. Thomas Gillespie saddles Black Sapphire, a full sister of Triple Nine, while there is other foreign interest with Franco Da Silva partnering Bright Star, DjordjePerovic on Happy Sensation, Johan Victoire on Chang Se, Antonio Da Silva on Rain Sky and JP Guillambert riding at Seoul for the first time as he takes the mount on Pink Blade.

Here is a full rundown of the field for the race, which will be run over 1400M.

1. STEAL THE SHOW WHY–Only beat four home in the KNN Cup last start and plenty to find here. Usually settles in midfield.

2. BRIGHT STAR – Has only raced four times, winning the first two before being beaten a head by JejuiHaneul in the Oaks. Then ran in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown and had a hard time. Should be much more comfortable today and in with a shout. Front-runner.

3. HAPPY SENSATION – Hasn’t won at any higher than class 4. Top trainer and jockey combination in the shape of Song Moon Gil and DjordjePerovic but looks to have too much to find.

4. PINK BLADE – A stablemate of Super Blade, she drops back in trip for the first time in several races. Enters in good form, last finishing 2nd in a class 3 handicap over 1900M just two weeks ago. Plenty to find but not impossible. Others may be faster at the start.

5. UJU STAR – The sole representative of Busan’s top trainer Kim Young Kwan, she’s won four from seven. Fourth in the Oaks behind JejuiHaneul and Bright Star, she was a three-length winner over 1300M on August 6th. She’ll be on the early pace and is a leading contender today.

6. SUPER BLADE–Stablemate of Pink Blade and perhaps the second-string, she last won in January so it’s a big ask here. 2nd in a decent race over 1200M last time out, she’ll settle handy and can run on well but the competition looks a bit stiff.

7. TOUR ROSE – Winner of four from nine but still on the up. Saw a winning streak of three come to an end two weeks ago when she was 3rd over 1400M having got a bad start. If she gets away well, she is not without a chance.

8. LEAD MONEY - A winner of two from ten so far, she last ran 2nd in a quick race over 1300M at the end of July. However, that was at class 4 and a lot of improvement will be needed if she is to find the money here.

9. BLACK SAPPHIRE – Always prefaced by the fact that she is a full sister to two-time President’s Cup winner Triple Nine but she is a fine racehorse in her own right. Perhaps wants a bit further than this but Thomas Gillespie will have her right and she could do it. She’ll be on the speed.

10. CHANG SE – Began her career very well but has had a hard time since being promoted to class 1 and with her rating on the slide should soon be back at a more comfortable level. Up against it here. Stablemate of Tour Rose.

11. SANTA GLORIA – Stablemate of Steal The Show Why, she didn’t do much in the KNN Cup last month. However, she runs on well and should pass a number late on. Could sneak some minor money.

12. INDIAN STAR – Last year’s winner hasn’t actually tasted victory in four outings so far in 2017. However, she came desperately close in a tough class 1 race at this distance on July 16th and still looks the one they need to beat. She’ll be on the early pace and can go all the way.

13. RAIN SKY - Hasn’t been a factor in her latest outings and it’s a very stiff task today albeit with a top jockey on board.

14. JEJUI HANEUL–A shock winner of the Korean Oaks at Busan in June, flying home from the back to score by a head, she returned back down to Earth in the Minister’s Cup at Seoul last month. She’ll not be among the favourites but don’t completely rule her out.

15. PINOT NOIR – One of the Grand Mares of Seoul Racecourse, she’s won a number of big races over the years including the Spring Stakes as recently as this March. Tends to do her best work at that time of year and her last couple have been lacklustre but never rule her out.

Selections: 12, 9, 2, 5