Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 29)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8-races from 11.35 to 17.55. The first two-year-old race of the year kicks things off while the highest class race of the day is the class 2 race 7. Here are the previews:

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

The two-year-olds have arrived and it’s nine-first timers over the short course in the opener. (2) TIPPING POINT was the best in trials, showing on pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals when crossing the line 3rd in a fair time. She draws well to be on pace here and has every chance. (5) OASIS HEUIMANG is a half-brother to recent G2 runner-up Wonderful Groom. His train time was good enough and Seo Seung-un up will mean he has plenty of backers. (3) RUBY GONGJU also ran fairly in her heat, finishing well back behind the winner but posting a time quicker than any others here and that’s enough to have her in the numbers. (8) HAERANG RUBY and (9) DOCTOR QUE SERA others who hinted at ability in their heats.

Selections(2) Tipping Point (5) Oasis Heuimang (3) Ruby Gongju (8) Haerang Ruby
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 7

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

(1) HAENGBOK TREE debuted with a 4th place last November and then didn’t reappear until March when having been gelded, he ran an on-pace 2nd over this distance. He stepped up to a mile on April 19th and finished 4th. Back down in trip and well-drawn, he can be peaking third-up and he can win. (5) FLEX KHAN also debuted last year, in his case in September, and also ran 4th. He finally returned for start number two on April 26th and while he didn’t have the ultimate gear-change, he was a strong 3rd over 1200M. He should have come on for that run and is a danger. (7) SHIN STAR ONE ran 6tha dn 4th in two starts last year and can go well on return after a decent enough trial. The similarly named (4) CHAMPUI HEUIMANG and (2) CHAMPUI YEONGGWANG are others in the hunt.

Selections(1) Haengbok Tree (5) Flex Khan (7) Shin Star One (4) Champui Heuimang
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start1, 6, 8, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (8) DOLPHIN KICK is a fourteen-race maiden but has eleven top five finishes, including last time out on May 1st when a close 2nd at this class and distance and beating several of today’s rivals. In the absence of an apprentice claim, she comes up 3kg in the weights, but today can be the day, (5) MAGIC SHOW is also yet to win, in her case from ten attempts. She has six top four finishes and was 2nd at this class over 1400M on April 24th. She carries a light weight and can be firmly in the mix. (4) DOKKI TIGER is up in class having broken through at start seven over 1400M on May 8th, racing on pace. She draws well and may offer some each-way appeal. (10) ARE YOU READY and (3) NEW LEADER were behind Dolphin Kick on May 1st but could get closer today.

Selections(8) Dolphin Kick (5) Magic Show (4) Dokki Tiger (10) Are You Ready
Next Best3, 11
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) OASIS STAR broke through at start three and has a 4th and back-to-back 2nd places in three subsequent tries at this level. The most recent of those was on May 1st when he stepped up to the mile for the first time and raced handy throughout. He should have derived benefit from that experience and will be a short price to go one better here. (8) K ROYAL is a twelve-race maiden, and he does mix his form, but he comes in off a 2nd place at this class over 1800M on May 8th and if he races to that level again, he is the danger. (11) BIG SMILE comes up in class despite being winless, but he enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1400M and under a light weight, the mile just might suit at probably decent odds. (2) BREEDO ARENA and (6) BEOLGYO MABEOPSA others in the placing frame.

Selections(1) Oasis Star (8) K Royal (11) Big Smile (2) Breedo Arena
Next Best6, 7
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 11

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT: MAY 22-24 – Roshe, Knicks Go Won

A BUMPER CROWD OF 27,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY, AND THEY SAW A TEN RACE CARD WHICH CONCLUDED WITH A 1200M CLASS 2 WHERE FLYING DAY continued her consistent run of form by making it six wins from fourteen starts with a last gasp victory over longtime leader Nice Force (writes Luke Humphreys).

Roshe (Pic: KRA)

Flying Day (Race Day) at her previous victory had run down last year’s top juvenile filly Chief Star in the last couple of strides and ran down another smart sprinter in the closing stages with an extending half-length victory over Nice Force who just about returned to his best form that saw him start an odds-on favourite in the KRA Sprint on Grand Prix Day last year.

Flying Day paid 5.3 on the Korean tote with Nice Force being the 4.3 second favourite, whilst the 3.9 popular pick Eldorado Nolbu ran his usual consistent race without winning leaving himself too much to do in the run and he ended up finishing a never nearer 3rd. Blue Lemon was the other one in the market at 7.1 and finished 5th.

30 minutes earlier Kozzi Asano landed Race 9 (1200M Class 4) on GOOD MORNING COME (Freedom Child) who returned to the winners list after being around the mark against solid opposition at her previous three starts. Following her three-quarter length victory as the 3.0 favourite she has now won three races from nine starts. Hwasangwihwan was 2nd with Fedaykin, 4.8 third choice, 3rd and Chumchuneunjangmi, 4.6 second pick, in 4th.

The Luigi Riccardi prepared three-year-old filly WILD MAGIC (Triple Nine) made it back-to-back front-running wins in Race 7 (1800M Class 4) as the 2.5 favourite with a one-and-three-quarter length victory over the 3.5 second market choice Ghost Chrysol. Wild Magic continues to progress, and the domestically bred filly is one to keep following.

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Clean One Sets Down Korea Cup Marker in Busan Mayor’s

Clean One emphatically confirmed his status as the best horse in Korea as he dominated the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on Sunday afternoon, leaving his supposed rivals trailing far behind him in the Busan sand in the final leg of the Stayer Series. In doing so, he had onlookers wondering just what might happen on the first Sunday in September.

Clean One (Pic: KRA)

Having rounded out his three-year-old season by winning the Grand Prix Stakes by the biggest margin in three decades, Clean One kicked off 2026 with a dismissive score in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3), the first leg of the Stayer Series at Seoul in March. With bigger targets and workload management in mind, he was kept out of last month’s YTN Cup. That was won by Succes Baekpa, and instead, Clean One came straight to the Busan Mayor’s Cup over the Korea Cup distance of 1800M.

Clean One was sent off as the 1.4 favourite. That price seemed generous as as under Seo Seung-un, Clean One cruised into the lead setting a pace that, as in the Grand Prix and Herald Business, his rivals were soon uncomfortable with. Seo meanwhile sat motionless before asking for a brief effort in the home straight that saw the pair  kick on and win by six-lengths from Global Hit.

A month ago, when a resurgent Global Hit ran 2nd to Success Baekpa in the YTN, many observers opined that a prime Global Hit would have easily gone past the winner. Nobody even entertained any thought that he would have gone past Clean One. Even in 2nd, Global Hit ran the quickest time he ever has for the 1800M. The figures suggested that this may even have been the old Global Hit.

Ever the enigma, Gangpungma, on a day when many had written him off, ran a fine 3rd, with Success Baekpa in 4th. Yeonggwanguifirst was 5th with Speed Young an uncharacteristic 6th.

“From about the 4th corner, I was confident he would win” trainer Moon Hyeon-cheol, very unconvincingly, given it was obvious to all other observers that from the first corner Clean One would win, told KRBC. “I am so proud of Clean One” he said, with a little more conviction. “It’s the greatest success for our stable so far and so good to do it in front of so many fans who have turned out at Busan.”

Moon also paid tribute to runner-up Global Hit, a horse he revealed he worked with during a brief spell as assistant to Bang Dong-suk, just before striking out on his own. “I helped prepare Global Hit a couple of times and was really happy to see him run well today. I want to help Clean One achieve as much as Global Hit.”

As for what’s next for Clean One: “Nothing has changed from before, we will next go to the KRA Cup Classic and then to the Korea Cup. The only factor we consider is the horse’s health.”

Winning jockey Seo Seung-un wasn’t quite as reticent as his trainer. “The plan was to lead, and while I had a couple of ideas what to do if we were unable to do that, we got to the front quite easily and really, 100 metres into the race, I was pretty sure we would win.”

“I only care about the chemistry between me and the horse. My job is to help him flow freely and not get in his way. To be honest, this race was a race he should win; a really light test for him, don’t give us any plaudits for today, the race I am focused on is the Korea Cup.”

Further down the field, Tuhonui Banseok signed off from a long career that saw him win this race twice in 2023 and 2024 in 12th place. The eight-year-old will return to the races safe and sound one last time for his well-earned retirement ceremony next Sunday.

Clean One is by Bernardini and is out of No Fault (by Blame). He was purchased by K.O.I.D. out of the Keeneland 2023 Yearling Sale for $22,000. In Korea he is campaigned by the Healing Farm Union organization.

The KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) is at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday July 26th. The Korea Cup is on Sunday September 9th.

Next week, the main race of the weekend is also at Busan as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer concludes with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3)

Busan Mayor’s Cup: Preview & Form Comments for the Stayer Series Finale

It will be a battle of the best Korea has to offer as emphatic Grand Prix Stakes and Herald Business winner Clean One, the highest rated horse in the country, returns to take on the likes of Success Baekpa, Speed Young and Global Hit in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2), the final leg of the Stayer Series, at Busan Racecourse on Sunday. SEE HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS BUSAN AND SEOUL ON SUNDAY.

Clean One (Pic: KRA)

Clean One skipped the YTN Cup for workload management reasons with his season being geared around a successful defence of the Grand Prix at the end of November – and hopefully a tilt at the international Korea Cup in September. He’s been back in work since the very end of March and is set to be a short-price favourite. Seo Seung-un will be aboard.

Success Baekpa took the honours in the YTN Cup. It was only his eighth career win but five of those have been at Group race level and while he can mix his form, when he is good, he is undoubtedly very good.

Then there is Global Hit. It would be fair to say that the old, pre-injury, Global Hit would have probably cruised away from the field on the YTN Cup. That he managed to get within a length of peak Success Baekpa, suggests that he is far from done. Whether he has a win left in him at this level is another question though.

Speed Young is the reigning horse of the year, having got his breakthrough Group 1 success last November in the President’s Cup. Like the versatile performer he is, he dropped back to a sprinting distance to win the Listed Segye Ilbo in February before registering 4th and 3rd places in the first two legs of the Stayer Series.  Outrageously consistent, he will be in the mix again.

Gangpungma has also been around the placings in elite company over the past few months although may have let slip his best chance of a win. Wonpyeong Storm and Munhak Boy, despite the latter having a Group victory to his name, are also not entirely convincing.

Tuhonui Banseok, a two-time winner of this race, in 2023 and 2024, will reach the end of his racing career with a final run in the race

The Busan Mayor’s Cup will be run earlier than most Group races as it will be shown live on the KBS N Sports channel. It will be race 3 on the card with a local post time of 13:25. Here is a full run down of the field:

1. WONPYEONG STORM – Hasn’t lived up to his early promise and he’s struggled in elite company, most recently 12th in the Herald Business. Comes in fresh and he is one for one over 1800M with plenty of time to make it at this grade, but others are favoured.

2. GLOBAL HIT – Ran on strongly for an excellent 2nd in the YTN Cup, getting within a length of Success Baekpa. The old Global Hit would surely have run down the winner that day, but it was still a fantastic effort, and he is not to discounted from going close again.

3. YOUNG SKYWALKER – Won three in a row between November and February up to class 2 and at 1800M and 2000M but was twelve-lengths back in 6th place in the YTN, struggling late on. Has potential at the elite level but perhaps not quite yet.

4. SPEED YOUNG – Mr. Reliable, the Swiss army knife horse won the Listed Segye Ilbo over 1200M in February before 4th and 3rd place finishes in the Herald Business and YTN Cup. Tactically versatile, he will surely be in the finish again.

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Mayor’s Cup Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 24)

The Stayer Series concludes at Busan this Sunday with Clean One making his return to face off against Success Baekpa, Speed Young, Global Hit et.al. in the final leg of the Stayer Series, the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2). There are 7 races at Busan from 11.25 to 16.55 and 10 at Seoul from 10.35 to 17.55. Here are the previews:

Success Baekpa and Global Hit reoppose on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) GOLD ID didn’t do much on debut in March and ended back in a trial on April 16th where she cruised away to cross the line 1st in a quick time. It is worth mentioning that she had trialed well before her debut too, but she is worth another chance here. (8) JISAN COMING SOON went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them when on pace throughout. If he brings that form to the races, he can be a danger first-up. (4) PIEONARI ran a fair 5th on debut over this distance on May 2nd, racing handy throughout and beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process and he can improve here. (6) CHRYSOL HEELS and (10) PNS LEAF other potential improvers.

Selections(7) Gold ID (8) Jisan Coming Soon (4) Pieonari (6) Chrysol Heels
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After a good trial, (6) NAEGILUIWONDERFUL was sent off as favourite on debut over 1200M on April 25th and after a slow start, rallied for 4th place. He should have come on for that run and with a better break has every chance today. (5) COWBOY QUEEN was 5th on debut and followed up with a 2nd and most recently a 3rd place in two subsequent outings, both at 1200M. She stays under a light weight with an apprentice claim, she draws well and she can be a big danger. (9) PASA ACE was an improved 3rd at start four over 1300M on April 26th, settling midfield and running on. He too keeps the same apprentice claim and can go close. (10) LOVING PURPLE and (1) SMART GRAND others in the minor money frame.

Selections(6) Naegiluiwonderful (5) Cowboy Queen (9) Pasa Ace (10) Loving Purple
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) PERFECT POINT has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over this distance on April 19th when on pace throughout. He’ll be on pace again, Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time, and today can be the day. (11) O.K. BABY was a very close 2nd at start number two over this distance on May 1st when he very nearly led all the way. Without an apprentice claim he is up 3kg in the weights and he has to contend with the widest gate, but he can be in the mix again. There are five debut makers and (9) PACHOUI KKUM looked good when winning a trial in a quick time on April 23rd, showing handy throughout. If she brings that form to the races, she is a big chance first up. (4) FLASH COCO and (5) BORYEONG THE QUEEN are others with experience who can improve.

Selections(6) Perfect Point (11) O.K. Baby (9) Pachoui Kkum (4) Flash Coco
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start3, 6, 9, 11

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

(2) MEGA WIND has made progress across three starts so far with his latest being his best when 4th over 1300M on May 2nd when racing on pace. He draws well to lead again, the slight step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem, and he can win. (10) DUSON LIFE registered a 3rd place two outings back over 1300M and while he could only manage 5th on his latest at this distance on April 19th, he can be given another chance here. Duson Life will need to overturn the form on (6) GRAY PHANTOM, who ran 4th in that April 19th race, coning from well off the pace. The same apprentice keeps her weight nice and light and she can match or better that today. (1) M J VET, who comes out of a 2nd place in a very limited race, and solitary debut-maker (9) BREEDO EPIC, are others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Mega Wind (10) Duson Life (6) Gray Phantom (1) M J Vet
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 8, 10

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

After finishing 5th on debut, (2) MAEUMMEOGEUNDAERO was an on-pace 3rd at start number two over 1300M on April 17th. Third-up he can be peaking, he draws well and the slight step up in trip shouldn’t stop him from breaking through. (1) GAON PERFECT was 3rd on debut over 1300M on March 20th before running 4th in that April 17th race, laying out for part of the race. He has four-lengths to find on Maeummeogeundaero but shapes as a big danger. (5) TEAHO beat three of today’s rivals when a much-improved 3rd as the longest shot on the bard on April 24th. He gets the same apprentice allowance today and warrants more respect. (3) WORLD BOLD MAN and (4) SKY BOY others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Maeummeogeundaero (1) Gaon Perfect (5) Teaho (3) World Bold Man
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 23)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul where there are 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55. Feature race is number 7 on the card where the unbeaten ROSHE will step up to class 2 level and take on the likes of Raon Silence, New Dolkong and My Empire over 1600M. Here are the previews:

Roshe (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) WHIZ POINT has been a beaten favourite in each of his two runs to date, but he has been placed on each occasion and that form is the best on offer in this race by a long way so he really should be breaking through. (5) NEUNGRYEOK DORYEONG is a Shim Seung-tae prepared Nitrous gelding on debut that has trialled once for a three-length third when prominent throughout on April 16. (6) LEGEND MATCH has been just behind the placegetters in all four of his runs and made-up ground from last most recently on April 19 and in doing so ran past the reopposing (2) ONNURI BIT who incidentally rates next over (3) NASCA BULCHUNGGAEK and (4) PRIME STAR.

Selections(11) Whiz Point (5) Neungryeok Doryeong (6) Legend Match (2) Onnuri Bit
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) BLACK MAMA went within a nose of breaking her maiden last start after finishing just behind the placegetters in her previous couple of runs. She is one of five horses in the race that will be in unknown territory inside the last couple of furlongs but if she stays, she can win. (11) SEMYEONG PEAK has been consistent in seven runs and has not been too far behind a couple of good winners so she must be a chance, but she is also up big in trip. (6) BLACK SUN came from last to run fourth over this distance last start so she will stay and will go close too. (4) SPICE BAND should be around the mark once more with (10) SMART MINK and (2) NURI EUTTEUM next best.

Selections(9) Black Mama (11) Semyeong Peak (6) Black Sun (4) Spice Band
Next Best10, 2
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 7, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) CHEONGONGUI SEOM has been placed in two runs this time in over the course, distance, and grade with the winners of those two races going on to subsequently win again and finish a narrow second respectively. He will go close once more and can take first prize this time. (8) TIGER BULPAE has been consistent without winning but she could very well break her duck this time even though she has three-and-a-quarter lengths to find with Cheongongui Seom from March 14. (11) RAON THE CLARA won an incident packed maiden by a wide margin in February before finishing a narrow third on her first run at this level as an odds-on chance. She could go a couple of places better whilst (2) SEVEN KAISER is another who has not been far away and rounds off the key four chances with (1) MY WAY BOSS and (10) JEONGSEONG FACTOR rating next.

Selections(4) Cheongongui Seom (8) Tiger Bulpae (11) Raon The Clara (2) Seven Kaiser
Next Best1, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) JEONGSANG HERA has chased home Di Ne and subsequent Derby winner Hwang Geum Eo Jang at her last two starts and she ran the latter to a neck when they met on December 6 so that is naturally outstanding form. She was best of the rest behind another top liner in Roshe at the trials on April 30 and should get every chance to win first-up. (10) NAOL AURORA looked good when leading throughout to win her maiden by six-lengths last start and must come in with a decent chance. (11) GOLDEN DIVA is a last start course, distance, and grade winner and whilst going up five pounds and three kilograms for that neck victory she is a hope of repeating. (8) CALL ME SKY has been a beaten odds-on chance at her last two but if you fancy her to win this time you will get better odds. (7) STEEPLE and (3) MIGHTY SHINE rate next, the former had the latter back in third way back on August 23 in a race Jeongsang Hera was second in and the subsequent Oaks winner Catch Race was fourth in.

Selections(6) Jeongsang Hera (10) Naol Aurora (11) Golden Diva (8) Call Me Sky
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 10, 11

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

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 22)

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Tuhonui Banseok, two-time winner of the Busan Mayor’s Cup, will retire after this Sunday’s race (Pic: KRA)

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

(5) P.D SPECIAL ran 5th twice last autumn and then returned on April 26th to run a close 2nd at 1200M, showing on pace throughout. She should strip fitter for that run, she gets the same apprentice claim, and she can go one better. (2) POWERFUL RUBY has been knocking on the door with a 4th and a 5th among her finishes to date. In this company she too should be on the speed and with Seo Seung-un staying on, she must rate as a chance. (10) WONDERFUL LALA was an improved 4th at start three over 1200M on April 19th and she can build on that here. (1) RIVER RUN and (7) CHAMPUI HYANGGI are others who can be in the mix.

Selections(5) P.D Special (2) Powerful Ruby (10) Wonderful Lala (1) River Run
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 11

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

(6) DOLGYEOK SPECIAL has a 5th, three 4th places, and then two 3rd places from her six starts so far, with her latest three all having been over a mile. She likes to settle back and run on and while in the absence of an apprentice claim, she is up in weight today, she has as good a chance as any. If she does find one (or two) too quick again, it could be (2) FLASH TO ME. Her best is a 3rd place at 1400M three outings back and while she has disappointed compared to her odds in her latest two, she is drawn well and worth another chance here. (9) WORLD GOAT was 5th behind Dolgyeok Special on April 26th, and he can potentially get closer today. (8) NICE POWER and (11) THANKYOUFORTHETIME others in the hunt.

Selections(6) Dolgyeok Special (2) Flash To Me (9) World Goat (8) Nice Power
Next Best11, 3
Fast Start2, 8, 9, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) GOLD POCKET ran 2nd on debut over 1300M in March before getting her maiden win at start number two on April 17th, running on strongly from a handy position. She comes up in class here as well as slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem and she can win again. (11) YEOUN got her maiden win back in debut and has run fairly for 4th, 2nd and 5th in three subsequent outings at this class. The latter was her latest when she was a beaten favourite on April 17th when she used up a lot of energy early. She can be given another chance here. (6) GLOBAL HEROINE has a 2nd and a 4th from her latest two at this class and while a non-winner of twenty, this is the kind of race she can place in. Up in class pair of (8) SEUNGNI YEYAK and (4) THEMIS other chances.

Selections(1) Gold Pocket (11) Yeoun (6) Global Heroine (8) Seungni Yeyak
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 7, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) HEY BRO got an easy lead from a wide draw over a mile last time out on April 17th and was able to convert it into his second win from five starts. He comes up in trip as well as 2.5kg in weight, but he can lead again and he can win again. (10) TAMNA BRAVO is winless in eight but ran a fair 4th when stepped up to this class and distance on April 26th and under the same light weight, he can be competitive again. (4) CAPTAIN DRAGON was 4th at this class over a mile on May 5th and could be ready for another crack at the extended trip here. (3) BREEDO QUEEN STAR is yet to win but her racing style suggests that the step up in trip can suit, while the veteran (5) THEIA comes in off a last start 3rd at class and distance and can aim for a repeat.

Selections(8) Hey Bro (10) Tamna Bravo (4) Captain Dragon (3) Breedo Queen Star
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start6, 8, 9, 10

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

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Born Dia Denies Vincero Cavallo Double Sprint Series Sweep

Vincero Cavallo was denied a second consecutive clean sweep of the Korean Sprint Series and ultimately had to settle for 3rd as Born Dia led all the way to win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Born DIa holds off Winner Clear (Pic: KRA)

After sending him off as the second favourite in both the first two legs of the series, punters this time finally had full faith in Vincero Cavallo, making him the 1.4 marker elect. Born Dia meanwhile was the joint second-longest shot on the board at 82.7.

From gate ten, Seo Gang-ju had a surprisingly easy time taking Born Dia across to the lead where they settled and made steady progress. Vincero Cavallo meanwhile settled midfield among a crowd of jostling horses and was quickly hemmed in on the fence.

With plenty of energy left in the home straight, Born Dia was able to keep lifting and held off the fast finishing Winner Clear by half a length, with Vincero Cavallo, who at no point in the race looked a winning chance, two lengths back in 3rd.  

“I’ve worked hard since debuting, and it is nice to get the chance in a major race and to win” jockey Seo Gang-ju told KRBC after claiming his first Graded winner.

“I couldn’t be sure of the win until the very end, I knew that Vincero Cavallo and Winner Clear would be coming and that we had to stand our ground.  Born Dia did that very well.”

(Pic: KRA)

Winning trainer Kwon Sung-ju told KRBC that the win made amends for a disappointing showing in the SBS Sports. “There is probably no faster starter (than Born Dia) at Seoul or Busan, but when she’s challenged, she has problems as happened in the previous race….Seo Gang-ju had his instructions and he carried them out perfectly and I’m really grateful to him.”

Winner Clear couldn’t quite get there although trainer Baik Kwang-yeol thought for a moment that he might. “I thought we’d won” he conceded to KRBC. “We finished strongly but the finish line came just too early. No regrets, we did our best”  

As for Jo Jae-ro, beaten on Vincero Cavallo, he said his opposition’s game plan worked very well: “They broke away well, secured the lead as planned and then they managed their energy very effectively. There were a few collisions in there, a lot of bumping and I think ultimately (Vincero Cavallo) didn’t have enough left after that to show his usual sprinting performance. There were no other problems but sometimes the race doesn’t go as planned.”

Born Dia is a five-year-old mare by With Distinction and out of T P Mc G (by Flatter). T P Mc G was unraced but has also foaled multiple Korean winners such as Seungbusa and Black Mamba. The five-year-old is owned by Son Byeong-hyeon and moves on to seven wins from twenty-four starts.

Korea Racing Report: May 15-17

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BORN DIA LED THROUGHOUT TO WIN THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST LOCAL SPRINT RACE BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF GOOD ACTION ON THE UNDERCARD. MUSKET DAY was the winner of the supporting Sports Chosun Trophy (KOR-LR) over 2000M by five-lengths in a race dominated by the backmarkers (writes Luke Humphreys).

Musket Cleaver won the Listed Sprots Chosun (Pic: KRA)

Musket Day (Musket Man) came into the race with very consistent form and won easily under Jang Chu-youl as the 4.3 second favourite over Wonderful Northern who was best of the group of six that broke away up in front, ridden the most conservatively of them, finishing 2nd. Taepyeong Hero was 3rd with Zetta Master from his standard rearward position making late ground for 4th. Daeseong Star, 2.9 favourite, could only manage 5th after racing on the pace with the 2024 Derby winner Eunpa Sarang blowing his chance at the start with a horrible beginning and was a never nearer 6th. No Problem could only run 7th after being one of those that was prominent whilst Mandaero was 8th in the final ride in Korea before returning to Malaysia for Harry Kasim.

The victory of Musket Day completed a training double for Moon Byeong-ki after PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) landed Race 4 (1200M Class 5) by three-lengths and in doing so broke his maiden at the sixth time of asking.

Elsewhere on the card the concluding 1400M Class 3 was landed by the admirable seven-furlong specialist CLUB Q (Revolutionary) who made it six wins from ten starts with a one-and-a-quarter length victory as the 3.1 favourite over Orion Alpha with the up in trip Cheonmahoryeong finishing 3rd                                                                                                                     

GLOBAL CHAMP (Gaon Champ) continued his progression in Race 6 (1600M Class 4) following up his late closing win on April 18 with an eight-length romp under CC Wong at generous odds of 2.2. He has now won four races from six starts and the locally bred Jeon Seung-gyu prepared gelding is one to keep watching.

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Vincero Cavallo Bids For Double Sweep: SROA Chairman’s Trophy Preview & Form Comments

A year ago, Vincero Cavallo became the first horse to sweep all three legs of the Korea Sprint Series. Now, the five-year-old is one race from doing it all again as he enters the favourite for the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAYhttps://korearacing.live/2026/05/15/sroa-chairmans-sprint-sunday-seoul-busan-race-by-race-preview-may-17/.

Vincero Cavallo a year ago (Pic: KRA)

Having lost his form in the second half of 2025, VINCERO CAVALLO wasn’t sent off as favourite for either the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) or the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) but after comfortably scoring by two lengths in both races, the Seo In-seok trained five-year-old has reconfirmed his status as the nation’s top sprinter. He will be favourite this time and at his best, is untouchable by this set of rivals.

If Vincero Cavallo isn’t at his best, WINNER CLEAR, who was the market elect in both the first two legs of the Series, may take advantage. Seo Seung-un, who rode him to 5th place in the SBS Sports keeps faith, and so will plenty of backers. WONDERFUL GROOM and HAKSAN SPEED, 2nd and 3rd in the SBS Sports, will also have their supporters.

The wildcard is FINAL K. He won five of his first seven starts between September 2024 and June 2025 with his only defeats coming at Listed level as a juvenile and then in the G3 Owners’ Cup at Busan. He had several injury setbacks after that and didn’t race again until April 18th when he made a winning return at class 1 level over 1200M, beating I’m Jjang.

Final K can have derived plenty of benefit from that run and as the one who doesn’t have form to overturn on Vincero Cavallo, the Cairo Prince four-year-old could have as much chance as any of pulling off a surprise.

The SROA Chairman’s Sprint is race 8 on a ten-race card at Seoul that also features the Listed Sports Chosun over 2000M. 

1. SILVER RAIN – Three-time winner over this distance and hinted at a return to form with 4th place over 1400M on April 19th. He is a solid class 2 horse but looks overmatched in this company.

2. BEOLGYOUI KKUM – 4th at big odds in the SBS Sports when on pace throughout. Draws very nicely to be on the pace again and another money finish can’t be ruled out. Four-time winner at this distance.

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