The Filly Triple Crown gets underway on Sunday at Busan as fourteen – seven from the south-coast and seven from Seoul – line up over a mile in the Luna Stakes. There are 6 races at Busan from 12:00 to 16:40 and 11 at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A small field of three-year-old maidens with three of the eight racing for the first time. (3) FUN CRAZY is set to be a warm favourite. After an inauspicious debut over 1300M, he significantly improved at start number two at this distance on February 27th, when settling back in the field and running on strongly for 2nd. In this field, he should have too much. It took (6) TWOTWO KITTEN three trials to qualify but when she did, she did it in style, winning a March heat on a wet track in fine fashion, sitting handy and running through the line well. That should see her in good fitness for her racecourse debut and ready for a bold showing. (5) SONGAM DRAGON was also a trial winner last month and she too can make an impression first-up in this company. Returning to those with prior experience, (4) GLOBAL PRIME and (8) NAMSAN MUJEOK can improve.
| Selections | (3) Fun Crazy (6) Twotwo Kitten (5) Songam Dragon (4) Global Prime |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Another small field and another warm favourite, this time (3) USEUNG BARAM. He has a 2nd and a 3rd from two starts to date, over 1000M and 1200M. He has settled in midfield and run on both times and from a friendly barrier, should make it third time lucky today. We’ll give another chance to (5) JEONGMUN JILJU. He got a long way back on debut but did run on to finish 9th of fourteen. Prior to that he won a trial in good order and with a better start today can get much closer. (7) SINHAN TEUKSONG ran on fairly for 4th on her debut on February 27th. She was a long way behind a good winner but should have come on for that experience and with some natural improvement can be in this. (6) CAMP SAVER and (1) FLYING GOLD others who could have placing claims.
| Selections | (3) Useung Baram (5) Jeongmun Jilju (7) Sinhan Teukseong (6) Camp Saver |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(10) P N S CHANCE overcame the widest gate at her latest start on March 20th, to sit just off the speed and then run on for 2nd place behind Concorde Queen. Kim Yong-geun, who rode her that day, remains on board and this filly, who is out of a Korean Oaks winner, can make her breakthrough here. (8) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER has shown improvement since being stepped up to this trip, with a 4th and a 5th from two attempts at it. On her latest start, she led from gate eleven until mid-stretch, ultimately not losing by a huge amount. She should be on or close to the pace again and can go close. (7) ACE PLAN has a runner-up finish to his name over 1200M. He too should be on pace here and is at least in the placing hunt. (4) TIFFANY BLUE and (3) RAON THE WILD, have both hinted at ability and should be competing for at least the minor money.
| Selections | (10) P N S Chance (8) Hampyeong Fighter (7) Ace Plan (4) Tiffany Blue |
| Next Best | 3, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maidens open proceedings on the south coast. It’s competitive but we’ll tentatively side with (3) SOUTHERN KING, who ran a good 2nd at this trip when settling forward for the first time on March 13th. He draws even more favourably here and won’t need to improve too much to win. (5) BAEK GU looks the primary danger. She beat three of these on his way to 2nd place over 1200M on March 11th when settling handy to the lead and running on well. That was her best finish in five starts to date but she has only missed out on the top five once, and she has solid claims here. (7) ADELE ALLIE’S ran 4th behind Baek Gu in tat March race. That was just his second start and showed significant improvement from his debut. If he can maintain that trajectory, there could be more development here. The solitary debut-maker (2) YASAENGHWA trialed up pleasingly, settling back and running on and this seems a suitable first race for her to make an impression in. (9) MEOTJIN HARU another who can progress.
| Selections | (3) Southern King (5) Baek Gu (7) Adele Allie’s (2) Yasaenghwa |
| Next Best | 9, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Fillies (and one mare) and a lot of last starts are going to need to be forgiven here, including that of the pick and probable favourite (11) BARO QUEEN. She was sent off as favourite two weeks ago but on a very wet track while she was quickly into the lead, she just as quickly faded. We will instead go on her two starts leading up to that when she ran 3rd on both occasions. She has a good start, last time aside, generally finishes off her races, and she is worth another chance here. (7) KKANGDORI looks logical second pick. While she too only managed 7th at her latest start, she did at least beat a couple of today’s rivals and at the start before she ran well for 2nd at 1300M. She will be on pace here and will be in this a long way. (2) LUXURY GOLD was one of those beaten by Kkandori last time out but from a great draw, can get an easier trip today and be competitive. (8) PRINCESS DAY and (5) GEUMGUKHWA others who can go close.
| Selections | (11) Baro Queen (7) Kkangdori (2) Luxury Gold (8) Princess Day |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(11) INDIE MAGIC comes in here having run 3rd at his latest start on March 20th, when from the same gate as today, he got to a handy position, and then ran on well, in the process recording a time more than a second faster than any of today’s have managed at the distance. A similar run here will see him home on top. (7) DOCTOR TANGO is yet to finish in the top three but enters off a solid 4th over 1300M when settling back and running on strong. The time was fair, and, in this company, she can be aiming to match or better. (10) CHONGAL CHARM races for the first time since bearing Doctor Tango as the pair ran 4th and 5th at this distance on March 11th. That was just his second start and with some natural improvement he too should be in this a long way. (9) NAREUCAT and (4) GOLDEN BROOM are others in the frame.
| Selections | (11) Indie Magic (7) Doctor Tango (10) Chongal Charm (9) Nareucat |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Tricky one here. (1) SOBERANIA was sent off as betting favourite at class and distance on March 5th but parted company with jockey Park Eul-woon as they emerged from the gates and completed the course under her own steam. There was a reason for that pre-race status though as she was a smart winner over this trip at class 6 level and then led before weakening on her first try at this class at 1300M. From the inside gate, she may well get a sift lead here and could prove hard to pass. The draw does no favours to (11) K N OLD QUEEEN, but she may be able to overcome it. She comes up in class following a good win at start number two at this distance in January. She has had eleven weeks off, so comes in fresh and under a light weight, and she can play a big part here. (3) MUNHAK FOREST comes up in class despite remaining a maiden after fourteen attempts. He was runner-up to a good winner though at this trip last time out and has run the kind have times that can have him competitive here at an each-way price. (7) CUPID VOW and (12) CUPID BUSANG are others to take into consideration.
| Selections | (1) Soberania (11) K N Old Queen (3) Munhak Forest (7) Cupid Vow |
| Next Best | 12, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Fillies only here. (1) MARIA’S GAL was a good winner on debut at this distance on March 4th when sitting handy early before taking command and scoring easily. The time wasn’t quick, but it was a slow running track and nothing else got near her. She comes up in class but draws beautifully and can maintain her 100% record here. (3) ANASTASIA enters in consistent form with a 4th, a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest three, the latter two at today’s distance. She will be challenging Maria’s Gal for the early lead and has every chance. (6) TTEUGEOUN MANNAM comes in following a useful 4th place at class and distance on March 4th. He comes up a couple of kilograms in the weights under today’s conditions but can go close. (9) CHEONGHO BOSS comes up in class following victory at start number three over this distance on March 11th. Her running style suggests that the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can be competitive here. (5) BEST WIND among others with placing chances.
| Selections | (1) Maria’s Girl (3) Anastasia (6) Tteugeoun Mannam (9) Cheongho Boss |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 7 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(5) ICE STAR tackles two turns for the first time having run a strong 2nd to Jangsan Poison on his only try at 1400M on March 5th. He does come up a little in the weights, but he draws well this time and with Munro remaining aboard, has every chance of winning. (10) JEONGMUN PRINCE rattled home from gate twelve for 2nd place at class and distance on March 12th. His solitary win came at this distance as well and while he can mix his form, his should be working home strongly here. Running home 3rd in that race was (4) CAPTAIN BRAVO. He too drew wide but managed to maintain his solid run of form and he draws much better today. (11) JILJU JEONSA remains a maiden after eight attempts but steps up to two turns for the first time. His best finish was a 2nd place at 1300M, and he may find that this suits at an each-way price. Down in class (1) GLADIATOR AAA also comes into the frame.
| Selections | (5) Ice Star (10) Jeongmun Prince (4) Captain Bravo (11) Jilju Jeonsa |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Having made all to win over a mile at class 6 level on March 4th, (6) ORANGE GARAGE stepped up to this class and distance and ran a creditable 3rd on March 20th. He should have come on for that experience and while he comes up marginally in the weights, he looks to one to beat here. (10) KING GRACE ran 2nd to Orange Garage in that March 4th race before picking up a victory of his own at a mile two weeks later to get promoted to this class. His running style suggests that he can overcome the wide draw and that the additional furlong can suit. (7) LOOKING CAT will have plenty of backers, bringing together as it does the combination of Kim Young-kwan and Moon Se-young. The filly is up in trip but is under a nice light weight and can go well. (3) ILNYEOM CHEONHA and (9) CENTUM THOR are among others who are capable of at least placing in what is a competitive race.
| Selections | (6) Orange Garage (10) King Grace (7) Looking Cat (3) Ilnyeom Cheonha |
| Next Best | 9, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
There will be a warm favourite here in the shape of (1) K N UNDERKING. At his latest start at class and distance on March 5th, he drew gate thirteen and came from off the pace to run a close 3rd behind Jangsan Poison and Ice Star. He comes up 1kg but that is balanced by a much better gate, and he may take some beating. (11) FINAL CHARM is up in class having scored his maiden win at start number three when making all over 1300M on March 6th. He overcame a wide draw to run 4th that start before that at 1200M, and his finish coupled with the additional distance today can put him in the mix again here. (5) BRAVO MAY showed an uptick on his recent form with 4th place in a decent time on a very wet track on March 13th. Today’s handicap conditions see him carrying a slightly lower weight and he can match or better in this company. (4) EAST CHAMP gets a class drop and while that means he does come up in the weights, the shallower waters make him a minor money chance. (10) CHOEGANG JANGSAN another to look out for.
| Selections | (1) K N Underking (11) Final Charm (5) Bravo May (4) East Champ |
| Next Best | 10, 7 |
| Fast Start | 5, 10, 11, 12 |
Busan Race 5: Class Open (1600M) Luna Stakes (Allowance-Listed) / KRW 300 Million
The first leg of the Filly Triple Crown and (5) RAON THE SPURT is the one to beat. A winner of three from five up to class 4 level, she ran 4th having led for much of the way over 1800M at class 3 on February 20th. She has a great start on her, can lead here, and can emulate her stablemate Raon Pink, who won this race last year. Joint-highest rated in the race is another Seoul visitor, (14) CHAMJOEUN CHINGU. She has won three of her latest four and had an excuse of coming back slightly lame in the other one of those. At her latest start on March 5th, she led every step of the way over 1700M at class 4 level on a fast time and Moon Se-young has made a rare Busan trip to ride her. The one doubt is the draw, but she has the quality to overcome it. The rest are going to need to improve, but (13) WONDERFUL RAISE was a smart winner last time at 1400M and looks the type who can take to a mile. (9) GOLDEN POWER is the only runner who has tackled the distance before and scored a good 3rd at class 4 level, putting her in this. (11) BEST TORCH among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Raon The Spurt (14) Chamjoeun Chingu (13) Wonderful Raise (9) Golden Power |
| Next Best | 11, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 11, 14 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race. (8) BEST TAP doesn’t exactly win out of turn, and he comes up 3kg for his runner-up finish at class and distance on March 5th. However, he has the fastest time of any of these for the distance, draws better than last time, and can sit midfield and run on strong here. (5) POWER BOX comes up in class following a smart win over 1300M on February 27th when he was handy to the lead before taking things up close to home and running on for a narrow score. He comes up in trip today too but has little to fear here and will be a big player again, likely from the front early. (4) EOSEOWA ran 4th behind Best Tap at his latest start. Nicely weighted again, he can match or better that here. (12) LAST BOSS and (2) LAPIEO BAN are others to consider for at least a place.
| Selections | (8) Best Tap (5) Power Box (4) Eoseowa (12) Last Boss |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A very tricky finale on the south-coast. Accordingly, in lieu of sticking a pin in it, we might as well take a chance on (4) WIND HIGH improving. She comes up in class following two decent runner-up finishes over 1400M and finds herself beautifully drawn and weighted here. There is nothing to suggest she won’t get the mile and she has as good a chance as any. (7) YEONGWON POWER comes back in trip, after recent efforts around 1800M. Very experienced at this level and with fast times to his name at a mile, he can sit close to the speed here and put in a big challenge at the business end of the race. Speaking of fast times, (1) TOHAM STAR has the fastest for the distance as well as for the first furlong. He draws very nicely here and while he has only won once in twenty-nine attempts, he shouldn’t be too far away. (3) CHOEGANG LIGER is a class and distance winner and along with (6) OLD CHEONHA, is among several others with legitimate placing claims here.
| Selections | (4) Wind High (7) Yeongwon Power (1) Toham Star (3) Choegang Liger |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Another very open race. At first glance, (4) NAMSAN LOVE doesn’t stand out, but a combination of bad luck and bad draws can perhaps give him excuses. His recent run of form is solid with him overcoming wide draws in both his latest two to run on well over 1400M. He gets a very good draw today, and he comes down 2.5kg in weight as well as dropping back slightly in trip. He should go close in what is very modest company. (8) ROCK FIGHTER enters having run a good 2nd at this distance at class 5 level on March 6th. He’s one of only two in the race who have prevailed at this distance already and under a good weight, can be in the finish again here. (12) MIGHTY KICK is yet to win in six starts but comes in off a 2nd and a 5th at this class over 1400M. He may need some luck from the wide draw but should be aiming to go close. (7) NAMCHON DAY and (5) NAESAENGAE CHOEGO perhaps others who could place.
| Selections | (4) Namsan Love (8) Rock Fighter (12) Mighty Kick (7) Namchon Day |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) COBRA BALL is a winner of four from eight so far and comes in following a 4th place finish behind Oxford King in a fast time at this distance on a sloppy track on March 13th. That was his first start since last October, he should have come for it and will be strongly favoured to win today. (6) EAST IMPACT comes up in class after a front-running win at this distance on February 26th. He’s now won five from nine and comes down significantly in the weights which should see him in contention here. (8) RAON FASHION is a class and distance winner and while he isn’t favoured by the draw, in this small field, it shouldn’t be too disadvantageous. He does come up in the weights from his disappointing showing behind Cobra Ball a month ago but is worth another chance to place here. (4) MIREU STORM and (5) A TO Z others in the hunt in a small but decent field.
| Selections | (1) Cobra Ball (6) East Impact (8) Raon Fashion (4) Mireu Storm |
| Next Best | 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Tricky class 1 to close the card with. At the weights, we’ll go with (9) HEUNGHAENG JILJU. He finished his 2021 campaign with 3rd place in the President’s Cup before kicking off this year with victory over 2000M in January. He has won from the front and from off the pace so the draw shouldn’t be too significant. He gets a full 9kg from (8) CHEONGDAM DOKKI, who kicks off his eight-year-old campaign here. His race was run very early in the Grand Prix Stakes in December, and he looked very much ready for the three-month layoff he got. He did win on his first try back after a similar absence in October last year, at this class and distance and carrying the same weight, so never write him off. (4) IRON SOCKS also gets 9kg from Cheongdam Dokki and could be sent off as favourite following his all the way class and distance victory on February 13th. He draws well to lead again and has winning chances. (7) GEUMA ACME, 2nd in the President’s Cup ahead of Heunghaeng Jilju, and (5) GANGTOMA, are others to watch out for.
| Selections | (9) Heunghaeng Jilju (8) Cheongdam Dokki (4) Iron Socks (7) Geuma Acme |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 8, 9 |
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