The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon when a field of fourteen fillies and mares take their chance in the Dong-a Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed). Neither of last year’s divisional standouts Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong are taking part and it looks set to be a fascinating affair. There are 11 races at Seoul on Sunday between 10:35 and 18:00, while there are 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) ROAD TO A SPUR has been getting closer over the course of his four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over this distance on February 16th when he led until the closing stages. He draws nicely to lead again here, and he will be a short price favourite to go one better. (6) HANEUL GAMDONG was an improved 4th at start number two at the start of January, coming from off the pace. He comes in fresh following eleven weeks off and he shapes as the main danger. Those two will fill out most quinella tickets. (7) BREEDO KING STAR has been a touch disappointing in two starts back from a lengthy absence. He had previously shown ability though and third-up, he may be fitter. (2) DOUBLE NINE and (10) LASER RUN others in the hunt for the minors.
| Selections | (5) Road To A Spur (6) Haneul Gamdong (7) Breedo King Star (2) Double Nine |
| Next Best | 10, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) KOTAP enters off a best to date 2nd place at 1200M on February 22nd when she led for much of the way around. She has placed at this distance too and from a good draw and with Maia staying on, she can go one better today. The main danger is (3) DONGJIN THUNDER. She too enters off a runner-up finish at her latest appearance, in her case over this distance in a filly-only maiden on February 16th. She can settle handy and can run on. (10) BISANG BELL was an improved 3rd at start number two on February 23rd when ridden much further forward than on debut. She has the challenge of the widest gate but can build on that here. (6) HYEWONYONGMA and (7) CHEONJI LADY others in at least the placing frame.
| Selections | (2) Kotap (3) Dongjin Thunder (10) Bisang Bell (6) Hyewonyongma |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) GIANT BOSS got his maiden win at the third time of asking over this distance on February 9th when handy all the way. He is up in class but down in weight and he has every chance of measuring up in this company. (9) CHOWON DOLPUNG was a winner at this class over 1200M on February 15th in filly company. She is up 2kg in weight but that made it two from her latest three and she is not to be dismissed here. (10) ECLIPSE EDGE has a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both of them at this class and distance. His sole win came from off the pace so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he shapes as a potential danger late on. The up in class last start winners (3) ECLIPSE LUCKY and (5) NAMSAN SONYEO may have a bit more to find but can be competitive.
| Selections | (6) Giant Boss (9) Chowon Dolpung (10) Eclipse Edge (3) Eclipse Lucky |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3,4, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) DONGNAM DOLPUNG has made steady progress across his four starts so far, with his best being his latest when 2nd over this distance on February 21st when, as has been his pattern, he settled back and came from off the pace. Expect similar here and he will be hot favourite to come out on top this time. (9) GLOBAL HEROINE has two 3rd places from four starts, including her last start over 1200M on February 23rd. In this company she can be on pace, and she can be in this a long way. (11) GOLDEN SPOT has been poor in his latest two but does have the fastest time among these for the distance and under a light weight could provide some each-way interest. (10) BEOLGYOUI BOM and (2) TIP TAP, the latter making his return eight months on from his debut and who trialed well, are others to consider.
| Selections | (5) Dongnam Dolpung (9) Global Heroine (11) Golden Spot (10) Beolgyoui Bom |
| Next Best | 2, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win from six attempts, but he has never been worse than 5th and comes in having run a very close 2nd at this class over 1300M on February 9th. His other runner-up finish came on his only previous try at this trip, and he looks to be the one to beat here. (9) GANDAGO comes in having run on from a long way back for 3rd place at 1300M on February 22nd. She is one for one at this distance and under a light weight, she is the main danger here. (11) LUCKY SUNNY could only manage midfield when tried at 1700M for his first go at this class on February 16th. At the start before he was a good maiden winner over 1300M and can appreciate the drop back to one turn. (3) B.K. BELLE and (6) YES MADAM are the other main placing chances.
| Selections | (2) Geuma Foremost (9) Gandago (11) Lucky Sunny (3) B.K. Belle |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) B.K DANCING GIRL got her maiden win at start two at this distance in January, when leading all the way, before being a beaten favourite when stepping up to 1400M for her first try at this class last month and again leading until weakening late. Back down in trip today, she will be favourite again to return to winning ways. (8) KYUNGNAM DRAGON returned from five months out on February 16th to run 2nd at this distance in a maiden. That brings her up in class, but she is down in weight and should strip fitter for that run. (2) QUEEN TYCHE beat Kyungnam Dragon when running out a comfortable winner in that February 16th race. She was beaten into 6th when favourite for her first try at this class two weeks later but comes into a much better gate today and can be given another chance. (11) FLY TO THE MOON and (10) ROAD TO WIN others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) B.K Dancing Girl (8) Kyungnam Dragon (2) Queen Tyche (11) Fly To The Moon |
| Next Best | 10, 3 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) ELDORADO HEUNGBU is yet to win in eight attempts but has no fewer than six top four finishes. Three of those have been at this class, including a runner-up effort on his only previous try at 1700M. He draws nicely to get a soft run to the lead, and he will be a short price to break through. (1) HIPPODROME was gifted the softest of soft leads to win in ridiculous fashion two starts back. Normal service resumed last time out but he had to deal with the widest gate that day. Much better drawn on the inside and with very little else having much speed here, he can be up with the leaders early and in this a long way. (4) GEUMSEONG POWER mixes his form but going on his runner-up effort over 1400M at this class two starts back, he can be in the mix here. (11) PINK GOLD and (6) SUPER THUNDER the other minor money hopes.
| Selections | (3) Eldorado Heungbu (1) Hippodrome (4) Geumseong Power (11) Pink Gold |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Very competitive. (1) RIGHT CHAMP is yet to win in seven attempts but overcame a slow start to run a solid 3rd over 1200M on February 16th. That brings her ostensibly up in class, but she comes down in weight, draws well, and has as good a chance over a distance at which she has placed twice. (8) UNLIMITED RUN led every step of the way to get his maiden win at start three on February 21st. He too comes up in class but is down 3kg in weight and has solid chances from the front again. (10) TOP OF THE TREE beat Unlimited Run when the pair of them ran 1st and 3rd in January. He races for the first time since and like the other two at the top of the market, comes up in class, but can be in this especially with very little other speed to prevent him from getting a forward position. (12) DAMOA and (4) SEVEN QUEEN are others who can challenge.
| Selections | (1) Right Champ (8) Unlimited Run (10) Top Of The Tree (12) Damoa |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 8, 10, 12 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) ONEULDO SMILE debuted a winner last August and then didn’t run again until this January. She is two for two since returning, most recently at this class and distance on February 16th where she led all the way. She only comes up 2.5kg, she draws very nicely, and she can make it four from four here. (7) FINAL GO enters with recently form reading consistently pleasingly and was 3rd on his first try at this class over 1400M on February 8th. He likes to settle back and run on and can be challenging late here. (5) DIANA is similarly consistent. She enters off back-to-back 2nd places at this class, most recently at 1400M on February 15th. Both her wins have come at this trip and while sha has her fair share of weight, she should in this. (6) ULTRA SOCKS and (9) BLUE RACER are others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Oneuldo Smile (7) Final Go (5) Diana (6) Ultra Socks |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 6 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Two standouts here. (8) HWANGJE was a winner at this class and distance on January 24th before going down to 2nd as favourite on February 21st. He continues to go up in weight but Franco, who won on him, returns to the ride, and he can win here. (9) GEUMA GUTTY rounded out his juvenile campaign with 4th place in a Listed race, returned from three months off to only be beaten very narrowly over a mile at this class on February 28th. He comes up to two turns for the first time and carries more weight, but he should strip fitter for that run and has every chance here. (10) SPECIAL WIND was a long shot winner of that February 21st race ahead of Hwangje. He is up a full 5kg in weight and doesn’t draw as favourably to be on pace, but he warrants respect. (2) ASTIN MARINE and (6) BLUE POINT among others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (8) Hwangje (9) Geuma Gutty (10) Special Wind (2) Astin Marine |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) ORION ALPHA got her maiden win at start number five over 1300M in January, leading all the way, and came close to repeating the trick on her first try at this level at 1400M on February 22nd, only going down in the closing stages for 2nd. She remains nicely weighted and back in trip she looks very much the one to beat. (6) FLYING CRUISER is an American bred who began at this class. He has only raced three times and comes in with back-t-back 3rd places from his latest two at this distance and 1400M. He is another who likes to race on pace and he can be challenging for better here. (9) TIARA SUA needs a line drawn through her latest but going on her 3rd place at this distance at the start before, she can be given another chance in this company. (2) YONGBI BULPAE and (7) LOVE COWGIRL others who could challenge for the minors.
| Selections | (5) Orion Alpha (6) Flying Cruiser (9) Tiara Sua (2) Yongbi Bulpae |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) GLORY CROWN has fifteen top five finishes from twenty starts and both of his wins have come at this distance. He enters off a string of two 2nd places and a 3rd from his latest three and while that is reflected in the big weight he carries, he draws well and he can win here. The danger is (8) TAEWANG SINGI is similarly in good form. At his latest he was a close 2nd in a quick race at this class and distance on February 28th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. In this company, he should be leading early and can potentially go all the way. (7) OPEN SKY was disappointing as favourite last time out. He is a winner of three from five and while he is still class 4 eligible, he is slipped in here at class 3 to take advantage of a big weight drop and he could be close. (1) DANGDAE STAR and (6) RAON VIBE MAN, 1st and 3rd respectively when they raced one another at this class over 1400M on February 23rd, are others to consider.
| Selections | (4) Glory Crown (8) Taewang Singi (7) Open Sky (1) Dangdae Star |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Dong-a Ilbo Trophy (KOR-Listed) / KRW 300 Million
The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer for fillies and mares kicks off. (13) FLYING STAR rounded out her three-year-old campaign by running 2nd in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan over 2000M before winning the Listed Breeders’ Cup Queen at this distance. She ran 4th at class 1 level over a mile on her first outing this year and coming on for that run, she can win here. (1) GLADIUS is a bit of a late developer but has really come into her own recently, scoring back-to-back wins at 1800M and a mile at class 2 level in her latest two. She likes to lead and draws very well to do so. (9) CROWN HAMSEONG is a winner of eight from eleven, most recently the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy, beating the boys at 1200M. She is untried at 1800M but has plenty of ability. (7) BANG BANG BANG is a two-time winner at 1800M and may offer some each-way value. (3) RAON FOREST another firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (13) Flying Star (1) Gladius (9) Crown Hamseong (7) Bang Bang Bang |
| Next Best | 3, 14 |
| Fast Start | 1, 9, 11, 13 |
Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(8) DESPITE WIN returned in January from eight months out and has a 2nd place and a win in two starts back, the latter coming over this distance on February 21st when coming from well off the pace. That took him to a total of five top two placings from six starts and while up in class and only slightly down in weight, he can win again. (5) CATALINA MARINE was a winner at this class over 2000M two starts back. He carries his fair share of weight today and drops back to a mile for the first time, but neither should be an issue, and he can be finishing strongly. (7) RISE THE THRONE returns to action for the first time since last August. He had back-to-back wins before the layoff and looked well when trialing in February and he can be considered first-up. (6) GEUMA DISTINCTION and (11) YEONGCHEON SOLEMIO others to consider.
| Selections | (8) Despite Win (5) Cataline Marine (7) Rise The Throne (6) Geuma Distinction |
| Next Best | 11, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) DREAM CARD was a winner on his first try over 1800M on February 23rd, coming from off the pace to score comfortably. He comes up in class and while he doesn’t get much in the way of a weight break, he is favoured to repeat. (2) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA has twelve top four finishes from nineteen attempts including each of his latest four, most recently when 3rd at this class over 1700M on February 23rd. Ruan Maia knows him well having won on him, and he can come from off the pace and go close here. (6) LOVE O MINE was 5th behind Heuimangui Changa in that race. That was her first attempt at this class having previously scored over 1700M at class 5 in January/ She remains lightly weighted and in the mix here. (10) BAZOOKA BOY and (7) BOLLIN others in the frame.
| Selections | (1) Dream Card (2) Heuimangui Changa (6) Love O Mine (10) Bazooka Boy |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) MIGHTY EVER was a winner on debut over 1200M before running 2nd at start two on February 23rd when he came from off the pace to beat three of these. He carries plenty of weight, but he draws well and the step up to 1400M can suit. (1) TAEKHAN had a hard time when weakening over 1700M0 on January 26th. Prior to that he was 2nd at a mile and is one for one at 1400M and from the inside gate he can be on pace and potentially go all the way. (6) EAST GANGJEOK has won his latest two, both at 1300M, to be rapidly promoted to this class. He tackles 1400M for the first time but is down in weight and is another who likes to be on the speed. (4) CHANG CHANG SOCKS and (8) NONSTOP DREAM are others who can place. (Note that (7) SAHARA KHAN is lame and will be scratched).
| Selections | (2) Mighty Ever (1) Taekhan (6) East Gangjeok (4) Chang Chang Socks |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(2) WORLD PEOPLE was an on-pace winner over this distance on February 16th. It was his maiden win at his sixth start, but he already had two 2nd places at 1200M and while he comes up in class, he is down a full 4k in weight and can measure up in this company. The danger is (7) NAEGILUI WINNER. Ultra consistent, he has eleven top five finishes from fifteen attempts and enters after a desperately close 2nd place at this class and distance on February 22nd when settling right back and coming from off the pace. He remains under a light weight, and he can be flying home late again. (4) MIGHTY JOY has also been consistent, in his case finishing no worse than 4th in five attempts. He is up in class but down a full 5kg in weight and his win came at this distance. (1) WONPYEONG KILLAR and (11) DANCING WHIZ others in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) World People (7) Naegilui Winner (4) Mighty Joy (1) Wonpyeong Killar |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 