Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview

The Triple Crown gets underway at Busan on Sunday. Before that, the weekend’s racing kicks off on the South Coast on Friday with 11-races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Franco is going to be on mainstream TV next Monday! – He might have some winners before then too! (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported maidens which means a small field. (3) VEGAS JEONTU was 3rd on debut in January before being a beaten favourite from a wide draw when 6th of twelve on March 6th. He is up in weight today but should be on pace and in this a long way.  (5) ONE LAST MARGARITA has a 4th and a 5th from two starts so far at 1200M, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals on March 1st when he settled back and ran on. He won’t need to improve much to win here. Solitary debut-maker (2) MISS WONDER showed fairly in her trial and has to be given a chance in this company first-up. (6) BARAM DAERO and (7) BIWOLUI KKIM can improve.

Selections(5) One Last Margarita (3) Vegas Jeontu (2) Miss Wonder (6) Baram Daero
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start3, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) YONGBI JJANG has made progress across three starts to date, culminating in 2nd place at 1400M on February 27th when settling right back and running on. His style suggests that the step up to the mile can suit, and he can go one better today. (6) FLASH TO ME was a beaten favourite on February 15th over this distance when ridden from a wide gate to be handy but not offering much in the straight. If we go on her outing two starts back when 3rd at 1400M, she can be afforded another chance here. (9) TAMNA BRAVO was similarly disappointing when well back as favourite on March 1st. He has an excuse as he was found to be lame on the near-fore. He has been back in work since March 13th and if recovered, should be a danger. (5) SEUNGNI YEYAK and (2) RESONANCE MARINE are other place chances.

Selections(3) Yongbi Jjang (6) Flash To Me (9) Tamna Bravo (5) Seungni Yeyak
Next Best2, 8
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After winning a trial, (4) SKYNEX ran a close 2nd on debut over 1200M being slowly away and then running on well.  He should have learned from that and with a better start today, he is the one to beat. (5) BACK TO THE DREAM came from midfield to run 3rd on debut over 1300M on February 27th. That also followed a good trial and with some natural improvement, he is a danger. Solitary debut-maker (3) CHEONNYEONDOR went through three trials, and he posted some good times. He draws well to be on pace and if he brings his morning form to the races, he can be in the finish. (11) I AM HAPPY and (9) SHINY KOREA other potential place chances.

Selections(4) Skynex (5) Back To The Dream (3) Cheonnyeondor (11) I Am Happy
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) FAST MAN got his maiden win at this class and distance two outings back and then ran 3rd at 1400M on February 27th when leading for most of the way. Seo Seung-un returns and while he draws a touch wider than ideal, he can get on pace here and he should have too much here. (11) B.K. SPIRIT had a poor day at the office when favourite over 1300M on January 18th, showing on pace but weakening. He comes in here fresh after ten weeks off and back at the trip over which he won, he is worth another chance. (12) TAEYANG EUTTEUM was 3rd in that January 18th race and was 3rd in his latest too on March 15th. The veteran makes a quick return here and this is the kind of race he can money in again. (5) CLUTCH RUNNER and (4) WIND SWORD both need their respective latest starts overlooked.

Selections(10) Fast Man (11) B.K. Spirit (12) Taeyang Eutteum (5) Clutch Runner
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start6, 10, 11, 12

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Raon Forest Beats The Upstarts In Queens’ Tour 1st Leg

Changing of the guard in the filly and mare division? Not just yet, there isn’t as Raon Forest to take out the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed), the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.  

Raon Forest in the Donga Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

The only six-year-old in the race and therefore the only one who came out of what proved to be a vintage Triple Tiara class in 2023, Raon Forest, a Queens’ Tour veteran, entered the race fourth in the market behind Breeders’ Cup Queen winner Ace High with Boryeonglightqueen and Oneuldo Smile also well supported. 

There was unfortunate drama as the gates opened with Indy Ghost going up on hind legs and the going over. Fortunately, neither she nor jockey Masa Tanaka were seriously hurt.

Oneuldo Smile did lead while defending champion Gladius was also on pace, but both were beaten early as Raon Forest, under a patient ride from Jo Jae-ro, consistently made ground on the rail, striking the front a furlong out and lengthening away to win by a full six-lengths.

Boryeonglightqueen and Satang Sonyeo appeared from the back of the field with late runs for 2nd and 3rd. Pre-race favourite Ace High never landed a blow and ended in 7th.

“I had some high hopes” winning trainer Park Jong-kon told KRBC. “Not necessarily that we would win but I had some expectations. The draw was good and while Choi Bum-hyun couldn’t ride (due to suspension), Jo Jae-ro came in and did well.”

“Raon Forest has had so many near-misses, she ran well against the males last time and today she was really good. She’ll go to the Ttukseom Cup next, in the past with her start I don’t think the 1400M would suit but she is different now.”

Raon Forest [Hansen – Raon Nari (by Ecton Park)] moved onto seven wins from thirty-one starts.

The Queens’ Tour will return on April 26th with the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) also at Seoul. Next weekend, it’s the turn of the three-year-olds as the Triple Crown kicks off with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) – informally known as the Korean 2000 Guineas – on Sunday afternoon at Busan.

Korea Racing Report: May 20-22

THE EVER CONSISTENT RAON FOREST WAS THE WINNER OF THE DONG-A ILBO TROPHY AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THE UNDERCARD WAS HEADED UP BY THE TWO CLOSING CLASS 3 CONTESTS AND ROOFTOP was an impressive winner of the second of those class 3 races over the 1200M.

Rooftop (Instagrand) completed a double on the program for jockey Kozzi Asano when knuckling down in the last 200 metres to score by one-length. Rooftop beat Geudaemaniddamyeon back on debut and is now starting to show similar form to the start of his career.

The other victory for Asano came in the opening 1300M class 6 on board VINCENT ALEX (Power Blade).

The first of the class 3 events was the second last on the program and it produced a good finish and the 1400M stoush was won by MORNING WONDER (Concord Point) who won by a neck over the late closing Sure Win with long time leader Gold Catcher a nose away third. Seobu Champ was one-length away in fourth whilst the 2.6 favourite Baro Danaeun who was resuming from 11 months away from the races could only manage fifth a further half-length away.

There were a trio of three-year-old colts on the card that produced smart performances and they included MAEUM HANA (Gaon Champ) who led throughout to win race 8 (1200M Class 4) by seven-lengths and looks yet another good classic aged horse for the trio of CC Wong, Choi Yong-geon and Woo Tae-yul.

YOUNG FIGHTER (Hansen) was a smart winner of race 5 (1300M Class 5) leading throughout to win softly by four-lengths whilst VALID YOUNG (Shackleford) was a good winner of race 4 (1700M Class 5) for Johan Victoire and Moon Byeong-ki as a 2.5 favourite. He was the only horse in the finish that was on-pace in the run in a quickly run race which saw the 2.8 second favourite The Classic falter to finish a long last.

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Donga Ilbo – Queens’ Tour 1st Leg: Form Comments

SEE HERE FOR FULL RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN

There is something of a changing of the guard in the filly and mare ranks as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series kicks off with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Gladius (Pic: KRA)

While defending champion GLADIUS returns, the likes of Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew, who have dominated the top of the division over the past couple of years, are not here and a new set of up and comers could be set to take over.

ACE HIGH is set to be the favourite.  She rounded out her three-year-old campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Queen and then began this year with a strong class 1 win at this distance and the Ha Mu-seon trained Busan raider can take some beating.

She isn’t the only four-year-old taking her chance. ONEULDO SMILE was 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks while BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was the fast-finishing winner of both the final leg of the Triple Tiara and also the Jeju Governor’s Cup. Meanwhile FANTASTIC VALUE won both the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks and hinted at a return to form with a 2nd place in her latest start at class 2 level.

A host of other up and coming four-year-old fillies also step up and with many of them front-runners, the pace could be hot.

Aside from Gladius, RAON FOREST represents the older generation. While the only six-year-old in the race is only a winner of six of her thirty starts, three of those victories have come at class 1 level against the boys and she has been a Queens’ Tour mainstay, winning the final leg of this series last June.

The Donga Ilbo is race 7 on the card at Seoul with a local post time of 15:40.

1. SATANG SONYEO –A winner of five from twelve, including twice at this distance, she has lost her way a little of late, albeit in very tough company – 10th of sixteen in the Grand Prix as a three-year-old filly isn’t bad. Interesting outsider, who can lead or come from behind.

2. RAON FOREST – 4th in this race last year, she recorded 5th, 3rd and 4th in the three legs of the Queens’ Tour Fall-Winter, so has form to overturn on a few of these. Enters off a class 1 3rd over 2000M when closer to the pace than usual. Nicely drawn and can be in the finish.

3. CLAIR BIG BANG – Five wins from eight including two at this distance. She is though yet to win at higher than class 4 with her latest outing being 2nd place at class 3 over 1800M when on pace. This is a big step up, but she has potential.

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Donga Ilbo Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 22)

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway on Sunday with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed) for fillies and mares attracting a very competitive field of fourteen. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11;25 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Gladius won the Donga Ilbo last year (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive maiden to start with. (1) TOUR FELIX returned from almost a year out on February 8th and despite not having done much in two trials, put in a very solid effort in 3rd place over this distance. He should stop fitter for that run, and he can win here. (3) GLOBAL LAND has a 3rd and a 4th from her latest two at 1200M and 1400M coming from off the pace in the first of them and racing handy in the latter. She has a smart finish on her and can challenge late here. (10) ONNURI BIT has a 5th and two 3rd places from three outings to date. She comes up slightly in trip for the first time and it can suit. (6) WONDERFUL CHIEF and (11) VINCENT ALEX others who can aim for the places.

Selections(1) Tour Felix (3) Global Land (10) Onnuri Bit (6) Wonderful Chief
Next Best11, 5
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) HAKSAN HENNY has a pair of 4th places to his name, coming from well off the pace both times. He steps up slightly in trip to 1400M for the first time and it could be what he needs to get home on top. (4) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI could finally be figuring things out with a 4th and a 2nd from his latest two, both over this trio. He is another who likes to go right back and run on and with an apprentice claim, he carries a light weight. (5) KIA ORA had a hard time over 1700M three weeks ago but prior to that ran 2nd at this distance on January 4th and can be in the mix again. (10) DOUBLE BLADE and (7) VALKYRIE are the other two who can be considered for a place.

Selections(2) Haksan Henny (4) Hwarangsan Jeonggi (5) Kia Ora (10) Double Blade
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start5, 6, 9, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) KISS THE RAIN has proven green in just about every one of her five starts to date but regardless of that she hasn’t been far away in her last couple of runs. She eventually tested the patience of the stewards enough to be sent back to the trials, however in that trial on February 26 she was impressive leading throughout to score by eight-lengths. She looks a good chance of leading and staying there providing she stays on the straight and narrow. (4) WORLD EAGLE CAT needs to bounce back from a basic run last time, but her prior effort would give her a chance, however it must be noted that in that contest she effectively hung her chance, if not victory, away. (2) QUEEN PERFECT has been around the mark to date whilst (7) PERFECT POINT was a much-improved run at her second start. (5) CHOEGANG HAPPY and (12) SAENAE HILL are yet to place but rate next.

Selections(8) Kiss The Rain (4) World Eagle Cat (2) Queen Perfect (7) Perfect Point
Next Best5, 12
Fast Start6, 7, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) GHOST CHRYSOL was a winner over 1700M two starts back and then ran 3rd on his first try at this class over the same distance on February 7th when settling back and running on. He remains under a light weight, CC knows him, well, and he can win here. (7) DANGDAECHOWOL enters in super form having won or placed in each of his last six appearances. He is up 3kg on his class and distance score on February 28th when he was close to the pace throughout, and he can be a big danger again. (3) CHEONGSAN JILJU enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on February 15th. An apprentice takes his weight down here and from a good draw he should be one of the early pace-setters and in this a long way. (1) HANGANG CAPTAIN and (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG others in the frame.

Selections(9) Ghost Chrysol (7) Dangdaechowol (3) Cheongsan Jilju (1) Hangang Captain
Next Best6, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) GREAT POWER has finished fourth in each of his last two starts, over course, distance and grade, attempting to lead throughout on each occasion. Those two efforts look to be the best pieces of form on offer in this contest. (2) HAENGBOK TREE made up a bit of ground back on debut in November and following a midfield finish in a trial earlier this month can go close. The extra 200 metres in this contest compared to her first race could potentially suit also. (8) WORLD TRIPLE CAT has been out the back in each of her last two but did finish third the time prior back in November. (5) WORLD BOLD MAN placed two runs back and rates over (1) BEOLGYO VILLAIN who placed as recently as last start with (4) MY BEST next best.

Selections(7) Great Power (2) Haengbok Tree (8) World Triple Cat (5) World Bold Man
Next Best1, 4
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 21)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 11:00 to 17:50. Due to the cancellation of Saturday’s pony-race card at Jeju, the post times for most races have been amended. Here are the previews:

Geudaemaniddamyeon will try and behave a little better on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(2) GREEN JACKET won his trial and then ran a solid 2nd place on debut when settling midfield from a wide draw and running on over 1200M. He should have come on for that run, he gets a better gate here, and he can win. (8) MONEY MOVE trialed up behind Green Jacket and then ran 2nd himself on debut over this distance on January 31st, coming from off the pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He can be close again. (1) BARAMGAEBI ran 3rd in a decent time at this distance on debut on January 30th and will have plenty of backers to go better here. (5) COMPLETE TURBO and first time starter (11) URUS SABBIA look the best of the rest.

Selections(2) Green Jacket (8) Money Move (1) Baramgaebi (5) Complete Turbo
Next Best11, 12
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6 

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (8) PURPLE KOREA will be a hot favourite here. She was sent off at big odds on debut on February 7th but defied those to run a close 3rd having shown on the pace throughout. She won’t need to improve much to win this. (6) SEOUL BIHAENG ran 2nd on debut in January when leading for most of the way before finishing 6th behind Purple Korea on February 7th. He’ll be on pace here and is second choice. (2) DIA JILJU was a slow 6th of eleven on debut at this distance and from a good draw can get closer. With the newcomers not showing much in trials, (4) BULPAEUI YEOWANG and (7) DAEHAN POWER may improve.

Selections(8) Purple Korea (6) Seoul Bihaeng (2) Dia Jilju (4) Bulpaeui Yeowang
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive maiden with a few looking ready to win. (5) K N STORM came from off the pace to get his second 3rd place finish over this distance on February 8th. He doesn’t get the benefit of an apprentice claim today, but a similar effort can see him win. (9) POWERFUL PRADO also has a pair of4rd places to her name. She can get a bit far back in her races, as she did last time, but she gets a weight drop here and can be a danger. (8) SAMJEONG WINNER is yet to crack the top two but has four finishes between 3rd and 5th and should be close again. (2) JEJU PRINCESS and (4) DREAM DIA other chances.

Selections(5) K N Storm (9) Powerful Prado (8) Samjeong Winner (2) Jeju Princess
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (3) WHIZ DREAM was a winner on debut over 1000M in a very quick time but has struggled a little in two starts at this class over 1300M, both times using up quite a bit of energy to get forward and weakening. Today the slight drop back in trip should suit but crucially she draws well and should be able to get a softer run to the front. If she does, she should win. (6) RAON THE PLUMA got her maiden win at start three over this distance on February 8th, leading all the way. She is up in class but can measure up in this company. (4) SEVEN KAISER is yet to win but likewise has never finished outside of the top four and she should be there or thereabouts again. (10) YEONGWONHAN STAR and (11) YES ANGEL are the other place chances.

Selections(3) Whiz Dream (6) Raon The Pluma (4) Seven Kaiser (10) Yeongwonhan Star
Next Best11, 1
Fast Start3, 4, 10, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 20)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maidens with all but two racing for the first time. The experience should be good enough. (2) GYEONGBOK ATOS trialed well and was a beaten favourite when 3rd over 1200M on debut on January 16th when only beginning fairly before being ridden up to the pace. He should have come on for the run and will be favourite again.  (9) NICE MYEONGGA has raced twice for a 2nd and a 4th, the latter at this distance. She should have a fitness edge on these and is a chance. Of the first timers, (3) GOLD POCKET took two goes to qualify but looked very well in the second of them, running an on-pace 2nd in a decent time. He draws well; Seo Seung-un is on, and he can put in a bold showing. (6) GAON PERFECT and (8) GIROL SIDAE hinted at ability in trials.

Selections(2) Gyeongbok Atos (9) Nice Myeongga (3) Gold Pocket (6) Gaon Perfect
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 3

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(12) POWERFUL THUNDER has been getting closer across four starts so far culminating in 3rd place at this distance o February 27th when handy throughout. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but should have enough about him to get to a prominent position again, and he looks ready to win. (10) YONGBI LEGEND was 2nd in a slow race two starts back over this distance. She has mixed her form across five starts but should be placing in this company. (6) MAGIC HAMMER too hasn’t shown much in the way of speed but has a 3rd and two 4th places among four outings to date, and that’s enough to have him in the numbers here. (3) CHAMPUI HYANGGI and first-time starter (1) DOCTOR PUNCH are others who could play a role in the finish.

Selections(12) Powerful Thunder (10) Yongbi Legend (6) Magic Hammer (3) Champui Hyanggi
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start4, 10, 11, 12

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) FANTASTIC BOSS has a 3rd on his record and enters having been the beaten favourite on February 13th when 6th of eleven over 1400M. Coming up to the mile for the first time can suit, and he can win. He will have to overturn the form on (3) DOLGYEOK SPECIAL, who was 4th in that February 13th race, coming from a long way back. She has a 5th and two 4th places from three starts so far and while her times have been slow, she carries a featherweight, and having done her best work late, she should thrive at the mile. (5) NICE POWER beat a couple of today’s rivals on her way to 5th place on March 8th and makes a quick return here to strike while the iron is at least at room temperature. (4) HWARYEOHAN SUNGAN and (8) OASIS CHAMP could improve.

Selections(9) Fantastic Boss (3) Dolgyeok Special (5) Nice Power (4) Hwaeryeohan Sungan
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) THE POINT enters off a maiden win that had been coming on February 13th when he scored from on pace at 1200M. Despite coming up in class he carries an additional kilo today, but that shouldn’t be a problem, and he can win again. (11) BORYEONG ULTRA MAN is the danger. He is similarly up in class following his maiden win, which in his case arrived at start four over this distance on January 18th when on pace all the way. He doesn’t get a weight break either and he draws wide, but Seo Seung-un stays on and he can measure up. (7) VICTORY STORY is yet to win in thirteen but has seven finishes between 2nd and 4th and can be there or thereabouts again. (10) DOCTOR ACE and (2) GREAT STAR others in the frame.

Selections(5) The Point (11) Boryeong Ultra Man (7) Victory Story (10) Doctor Ace
Next Best2, 12
Fast Start5, 7, 11,12

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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CLEAN ONE ASSERTS SUPERIORITY IN HERALD BUSINESS

Clean One showed that his Grand Prix demolition job was no fluke as, emerging for the first time since leaving onlookers in awe of his nine-length win in the season ending finale, he pulled off a similarly dominant victory to win the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Clean One and Seo Seung-un win the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)

Ridden by Seo Seung-un for the first time, CLEAN ONE was sent off as the 1.6 favourite ahead of Gangpungma and Speed Young, but there were nerves at the start as Clean One reared in the gates just prior to them opening. Ultimately, Clean One broke fairly and made it to the front before the first turn.

Gangpungma, on the other hand, was a little better away this time compared with his poor start in the Grand Prix, which had him on the backfoot from the start that day. He settled back but well within striking distance.

Clean One would continue to lead down the back straight but as they turned for home, Jo In-kwon brought reigning horse of the year Speed Young up to challenge on his shoulder. The challenge didn’t last long as under minimal urging from Seo, Clean One quickened away, winning by four-lengths on the line from defending champion Success Baakpa. Gangpungma and Speed Young were 3rd and 4th.

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Korea Racing Report: March 13-15

THE REIGNING GRAND PRIX CHAMPION CLEAN ONE WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THERE WERE NINE OTHER RACES RUN AND WON ON THE CARD.

K N LIGHT (Testa Matta), as is his racing pattern, came right from the back of the field but unlike recent runs passed all of his rivals under Jeong Woo-ju landing the day at odds of 41.7 and in doing so became the second horse of the weekend at Seoul to win as the rank outsider.

The other class 3 contest on the card was the last and WE GO HIGH (Musket Man) returned from three months out to register his fifth win from eight starts by a comfortable five-lengths under Jang Chu-youl.

MUSKET CLEAVER (Musket Man) was an impressive eight-length winner of race 5 (1600M Class 4) and looks to have scope for more improvement going on the way he very easily accounted for his rivals.

The same can be said about CONCORD BLUE (Concord Point) who landed race 4 (1300M Class 5) by five-lengths under CC Wong for trainer Lee Shin-woo.

WHILST DOWN AT BUSAN ON SUNDAY UNJU GUY (Freedom Child) was an incredibly impressive winner of the concluding 1800M class 2 by an ever-extending nine-lengths. 

Unju Guy, who was second to Oasis Blue in last year’s Derby, had run into the likes of Young Skywalker and Oasis Red in recent starts, and was also sent up to Seoul for a crack at the President’s Cup in October, but appreciated not running into horses of that ability with what was visually the most impressive win of the day across the country and the style of his win surely wouldn’t have dented his confidence levels going forward.

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Herald Business – Stayer Series 1st Leg: Preview & Form Comments

SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN

The Stayer Series gets underway at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with a who’s who of the distance ranks lining up in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3).

Clean One easily won the Grand Prix (Pic: KRA)

Defending champion SUCCESS BAEKPA is back, but he is going to have his work cut out if he is to retain his title. A two-time Classic winner at three, Success Baekpa makes his five-year-old debut racing for the first time since finishing down the field in the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1) at the end of November. Prior to that though, he was 3rd in the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) and while that kind of form mixing has been a feature throughout his career, on his day he can mix it with the best. Jin Kyum is aboard for trainer Min Jang-gi.

The Grand Prix saw a display of domination by CLEAN ONE. The then three-year-old led early and had most of the field off the bridle, including Japanese raider Yumeno Honoo, with almost four furlongs left to run, ultimately winning by nine-lengths, the biggest margin in the race in three decades.  He hasn’t raced since but he trialed well a month ago and if he gets to the lead, could run away from them again. Clean One will be partnered for the first time by Seo Seung-un.

SPEED YOUNG is the reigning Horse of the Year and won the President’s Cup. The “Swiss Army Knife” returns to the racing around two turns having taken time out to win the Listed Segye Ilbo (1200M KOR-Listed) last month and will surely be in the finish again.

Runner-up in both the President’s Cup and the Grand Prix was GANGPUNGMA, and he is the best chance among horses trained in the capital. He hasn’t been the most fluent coming out of the gates recently which has put him on the backfoot but he was a smart winner at class 1 handicap level to round out the year and he will have plenty of backers. He starts for the first time having moved to the stable of Choi Bong-ju.

The Herald Business is race 7 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul with a local post time of 16.05:

1. GLOBAL SOCKS – Well back behind Gangpungma over this trip on December 28th and then midfield over 1800M in February. A long time since he last placed and a big outsider here.

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