Seoul – January 12 (4 trials)

US import Malibu Bulpae (Malibu Moon) ran on very strongly to cross the line eight lengths ahead of the rest on what was a very cold morning in Seoul. He arrived in Korea last June and this was first time qualifying.

Argo Hwanggeumkkot (Louis Quatorze) blitzed his heat, finishing 12-lengths and two full seconds clear. The five-year-old got his solitary victory in January last year but struggled in six attempts at class 3 and last raced in September.

Class 2 horse Special Joy (Kitten’s Joy) won heat 3 easily but will need to do another starting test having been very slowly out of the gate. He last raced in September.

Cupid Lady (Peace Rules), sent back to trial having finished a tailed off last over 1800M in November, won the final heat comfortably. She’s won four of nine in total

Busan – January 13 (4 trials)

Turnpike (Corinthian) looked very comfortable winning his heat at Busan last Saturday. Peter Wolsley’s four-year-old has won 4 of 15 and last raced in September 2017. In the same trial, David Millar’s Sillaui Dalbam (Menifee) finished off nicely for 2nd. He last raced in August 2017.  They passed a tiring Black Shield (Einstein) who led from the gate. Kim Young Kwan’s three-year-old filly is yet to make her racing debut.

Lucky Nova (Vicar), who won four of her first five races between May and August last year re-qualified. She ran a close 2nd in her heat to Lucky Time (Street Hero) , who had a very promising season as a three-year-old in 2016 but suffered setbacks in 2017.

Goliath Marine (Volponi), 4th in the 2016 Grand Prix Stakes was sent out for a tune-up easily winning his heat. He last ran in the President’s Cup in November, his 8th of 9 completing a disappointing latter half of the year for him. Royal Ruby (Chapel Royal), 2nd in both the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby and 4th in the Minister’s Cup re-qualified in the same heat. He hasn’t raced since the final leg of the Triple Crown last July.

Three-year-old filly S S Young (Spicule) was a very comfortable winner of the first heat of the day, making all on the bridle. She is yet to race.

(Trials take place at Seoul Racecourse on Friday mornings and Busan Racecourse on Saturday mornings, commencing at 10:20am).