'Why not have a go?' - Mick Appleby to saddle first runner in South Korea

Trainer Mick Appleby will break new ground this weekend when he saddles his first runner in South Korea and joins Jane Chapple-Hyam as one of two British-based trainers represented at its major international meeting.

Appleby will rely on Annaf, who finished second in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on his penultimate start, in the 6f Korea Sprint at Seoul on Sunday. The race returns alongside the Korea Cup for the first time since 2019.

The three-year-old arrived in South Korea on Friday with Appleby's apprentice Erika Parkinson, and the Rutland-based trainer is relishing an opportunity hatched in a plan this summer.

"He's settled in well and looks really good. He's cantered around the track a few times and has taken it in his stride. We're really excited," Appleby said.

"We've never been there before, but I got talking to a few of their boys who were promoting it at the Newmarket July sales, and we saw they were offering good prize-money and expenses were all paid for.

"The race looked a suitable target for him and the prize-money is excellent, so why not have a go?"

Annaf: two-time all-weather winner runs in Korea on SundayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Annaf finished down the field in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood on his last start, but his two wins came on the all-weather and Appleby hopes a switch to dirt at Seoul will improve his chances.

"Erika has been looking after him since they got there and has been doing an excellent job. The dirt should suit and Erika said he's been suited to the track," he added.

"The only thing we're worried about is quite a lot of kickback, so we'll put some eyeshields on him and hopefully he should run well.

"David Egan will ride him and he has experience in riding in Asia already last week. I think he's booked to ride Jane Chapple-Hyam's horse [Intellogent] too. I'm flying out to be with them tomorrow."

The British team on the card will be completed by the Chapple-Hyam-trained Intellogent, who has hit the frame in the Royal Hunt Cup and John Smith's Cup this season, in the 1m1f Korea Cup.

Both races carry international Grade 3 status for the first time and one billion Korean Won (£632,252/€740,647) in prize-money. Chapple-Hyam has had two runners in the Korea Cup before, including Ambassadorial who was third in 2019.

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