Day: June 7, 2025

FANTASTIC VALUE SET FOR TRIPLE TIARA SWEEP

Next weekend all eyes will be on Oasis Blue’s attempt to become the first three-year-old since Power Blade almost a decade ago to sweep all three-legs of the Triple Crown. This Sunday at Seoul Racecourse, Fantastic Value has the opportunity to become the third filly in four years to claim the Triple Tiara as she starts the hot favourite for the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3). SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

Fantastic Value and Oneuldo Smile were 1st and 2nd in the Oaks and meet again (Pic: KRA(

After winning the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks in 2022, Golden Power successfully completed the set with victory in the Gyeonggi while a year later Jeulgeounyeojeong did the same. Having pulled off dominant victories in both the Luna and the Oaks, FANTASTIC VALUE should be joining them.

All of the top five in the Oaks return with runner-up ONEULDO SMILE the probable second-favourite. Having skipped the Luna, she entered the Oaks with a perfect four from four record but while she led for much of the way, she was powerless to stop Fantastic Value from sweeping by and was five-lengths in arrears on the line.

CC Wong will be aboard Oneuldo Smile once more and it will be interesting to see whether they employ the same tactics and lead again.

BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was 3rd in both the Oaks and the Luna and should be in at least the placing mix again, while a newcomer to the Series is ROCK CANDY. The Bart Rice trainee gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile and her running style suggests that she could be a filly who can make the step up in trip.

The Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup is race 7 on the 9-race Sunday card at Seoul.

1. FLASH RUN – Only win came in maiden company at 1300M but she was a good 5th in the Oaks as the longest shot on the board and from the widest gate. Further improvement is possible.

2. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – 3rd in both the Luna and Oaks but she has won over 1800M. Hard to see her overturning the form on Fantastic Value but shapes as a place chance and the additional trip can suit.

3. LIME TREE – Class 4 winner over a mile and 4th in both the Luna and the Oaks, eight-lengths behind Fantastic Value in the later. Will race handy and can match or better that 4th.

4. RISING MO – 2nd in the Luna Stakes coming from well off the pace but only beat one him in the Oaks. Has run better when coming from a long way back but too inconsistent to confidently recommend for a place

5. ONEULDO SMILE – Won her first four up to Class 4 and 1200M and then led the Oaks before being passed by Fantastic Value. She has five-lengths to make up but will probably be on pace again and will be 2nd favourite.

6. ECLIPSE THE QUEEN – Enters off her maiden win over 1400M on April 5th when coming from midfield. Fresh after nine weeks off, but big step up here.

7. FANTASTIC VALUE – Comfortable winner of the first two legs of the series and no reason to suggest that the step up in trip, or the new environment at Seoul, will be a problem. She will be the strong favourite.

8. ROCK CANDY – Gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile, coming from off the pace. Extended trip may suit and may offer some each-way interest.

9. ALPHA FEMALE – The only maiden in the race, she hasn’t even finished in the top three. Seirene won this race as a maiden for the same owners last year but surely lightning does not strike twice.

Selections(7) Fantastic Value (5) Oneuldo Smile (2) Boryeonglightqueen (8) Rock Candy
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 9

Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (June 8)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 9 races from 10:35 to 18:00, and at Busan with 8 races from 11:00 to 17:30. The feature is the G3 Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup over 2000M where Fantastic Value will be seeking to sweep all three legs of the Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies. Here are the previews:

Seriene was the Gyeonggi winner a year ago (Pic: KRA)

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

The form is totally unconvincing here to the extent that we’ll take a chance on one of the first-time starters. (9) CHAMPION SOCKS showed handy in his trial finishing in midfield in a fair time. With some natural improvement on that, the Shackleford gelding has as much chance as any. (1) FLYING GLOW debuted in August 2023 but then didn’t appear again until two efforts last May and June with a best of 4th. He then got injured but he looked well when showing on pace in a May trial and can go well first up in this company. (8) P N S JU was an improved 3rd at start eighteen three weeks ago in similarly weak company and that is enough to give her a chance here. (5) BULGEUNTAEYANG and (10) P N S OHOH others to consider in a race that perhaps won’t see the track record threatened.

Selections(9) Champion Socks (1) Flying Glow (8) P N S Ju (5) Beulgeuntaeyang
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 10

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

(6) BIGBANG CLASS was front running 2nd on debut over this distance on May 9th. He should have come on for that run and from a good draw he can be on pace again and won’t need to improve much to win this. (8) PLUTO has a 2nd a 3rd and a 4th from three starts so far and while that may make it seem it is trending the wrong way, he has shown progress in each of them. He will be on pace here and should be in this a long way. (11) JJAK SARANG has hovered around the placings across her four starts so far and she should be there or thereabouts again. Debut-maker (5) SOMETHING ELSE looked well when an on pace 2nd in her second trial and along with (4) DIA KNIGHT, is another to consider.

Selections(6) Bigbang Class (8) Pluto (11) Jjak Sarang (5) Something Else
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It’s hard to go past (1) WILD WHIZ. He ran once for 3rd last summer and then wasn’t seen again until this May 19th when he led from gate to wire over this distance. He comes up in class but should strip fitter for that run and down in weight and drawn well, he can go all the way again. The main dangers are both up in class after last start maiden wins too. (8) SAMJEONG LADY raced on pace for a comfortable win at 1200M back in February. She comes in fresh and can measure up. (7) CHOEGANG SPEED didn’t do much in his first two outings but came from off the pace to score at start three over 1200M on May 3rd. The slight step up in trip can suit and he can be challenging late. (2) CUPID HEART and (9) SEMYEONG STRONG are the other main placing chances.

Selections(1) Wild Whiz (8) Samjeong Lady (7) Choegang Speed (2) Cupid Heart
Next Best9, 6
Fast Start5, 8, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) MISSOURI CHAMP got her maiden win in March and has since run 3rd and 4th in two starts at this level at 1200M and most recently at 1300M on May 9th She came from off the pace in both of those, but in this company, she can be ridden further forward, and she can win. (7) BROWN ROOKIE has finished 4th in each of her latest three outings, including behind Missouri Champ two starts back. She has been running on well and the slight step up in trip can suit. (2) RAINBOW ROAD mixes her form but her latest two have been good, especially a 2nd place at this class over 1400M on May 2nd. From a good draw, she should be on pace and can be in this a long way. (8) TRIPLE J and (10) GEUMA REJOICE are other place chances.

Selections(5) Missouri Champ (7) Brown Rookie (2) Rainbow Road (8) Triple J
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 7

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

Fillies and mares only here. (10) SMART TAKE returned from five months out to get her maiden win over this distance at the end of March before running 3rd over the same trip on her first try at this class on May 4th. She has a smart finish on her so the widest gate is no problem and third up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness-wise. (2) RAON THE KEISHA has two 2nd places and a 3rd in three goes at this class since her maiden win last November and hasn’t missed the top three since her debut. She draws nicely to sit handy, and she shapes as the main danger. (1) I AM GO has been similarly consistent and will have plenty of backers with Seo Seung-un climbing on for the first time. (4) LUCKY DAY and (11) ANYANG TSUNAMI others in line for the minors.

Selections(10) Smart Take (2) Raon The Keisha (1) I Am Go (4) Lucky Day
Next Best11, 8
Fast Start1, 2, 8, 11

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

(more…)