SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL & BUSAN

(Luke Humphreys) On Sunday from both Seoul and Busan we see the running of the first two Stakes races of the season for three-year-olds in the Sports Seoul Trophy (1400M-KOR-Listed) at 3:40PM Korean time followed by the Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy (1400M-KOR-Listed) at 4:05PM.

Whilst these races are traditionally considered “classic trials”, for the first time this year, overseas-bred horses – who remain ineligible for the actual Classics – are permitted to participate. Accordingly, seven of the nine runners in the Seoul trial are foreign bred, one Australian and six American, however, five locally bred horses will get to put their Triple Crown/Tiara reputations on the line in the Busan trial.

The Seoul trial looks the most enthralling of the two as it sees three very impressive types race each other for the first time in Roshe, My Empire and Di Ne.

ROSHE is unbeaten from three starts with a two and a half-length victory on debut followed by a soft 10 length victory and then a victory by one- and three-quarter lengths last start but it could have been a lot more.

MY EMPIRE was a late closing third to Geudaemaniddamyeon in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy prior to winning his next two starts at class three level by six and five lengths respectively.

DI NE has been most impressive since a sixth in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy with victories by 11, 10 and eight lengths.

GAMSAUI HIM was also impressive last start winning by seven lengths.

1. ROSHE – The only unbeaten horse in the line-up following three victories by two and a half lengths, 10 lengths and a very soft one- and three-quarter lengths. This is clearly his toughest test to date but there is no reason why he won’t be up to it.

2. FREE THE ONE – Last start winner over the course and distance on January 24 by a length and a half when racing on pace throughout. This is clearly the hardest race he has run in, but he does come from the stables of Moon Byeong-ki.

3. MY EMPIRE – The second highest rated three-year-old in the country and he has been ultra impressive of late with two recent class three victories by six and five lengths, the latter after making a mess of the start. He made up a lot of ground in his only black type run to date when third in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy to Geudaemaniddamyeon and Wonpyeong Sket. There are big wraps on him, and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

4. CAROLCHAT – Has been behind My Empire in three of his past four with a second four runs back followed by a late closing fifth in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy before finishing behind My Empire again. He struck a winnable class four last time and made most of that to lead for most of the contest and score by four lengths. He has some ground to make up on some of these but at least got a confidence boost last time.

5. BEST PITCH – The first of the two Korean bred runners who is unbeaten bar one. Last time was his biggest win yet when scoring by four lengths at class four level over 1200 metres. Could be the forgotten horse.

6. SAMJOGO – Finished midfield on debut but came out and won impressively from the front at attempt two when scoring by six lengths. Clearly his hardest task today but he is obviously improving.

7. GAMSAUI HIM – It took him a few runs to break through, but he was impressive when doing so last start when scoring by seven lengths from the front over 1700 metres. He obviously stays so it will be interesting to see how he goes back in trip by 300 metres as he was behind My Empire and Carolchat in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy last November.

8. ROOFTOP – He beat Geudaemaniddamyeon as a 20/1 chance back on debut but then was down the track in his next three runs. However, he bounced back last time when winning a 1200 metre class four by four lengths when Kazuya Asano rode for the first time so he should have his confidence back.

9. DI NE – He was beaten in his first two runs but has since come out and gone absolutely bang with a maiden victory by 11 lengths, a class five victory by 10 lengths and a class four victory by eight lengths. It was a strong class four he won last time over a subsequent winner, and it could have been by so much further. The top locally bred three-year-old can get a nice tune up for the Guineas and Derby in this.

Selections	(9) Di Ne, (3) My Empire, (1) Roshe, (7) Gamsaui Him
Next Best	8, 5
Fast Start	3, 4, 6, 8, 9

The Busan trial features star filly CLEARLY WINNER who beat subsequent Breeders’ Cup victor Supex Winner back on debut prior to a victory in September before going lame. She resumed in good fashion a few weeks ago when winning comfortably and will be a big Triple Tiara contender. CLUTCH WINNER has won two of his three starts and is a good front runner. CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU is progressive and has won each of his last three whilst MR. PRIME and HEY BROTHER are also in the winning groove. Unlike the Seoul “trial” most of the runners in this race are Korean bred namely Cheongchuneunjayu, Clearly Winner, Donnaeko, Hey Brother and Muhan Nareusha.

1. MR. PRIME – Unbeaten from two starts with victories by two and a half lengths and a half-length over 1200 metres at class four level from a forward role each time. Biggest test today but you can’t do any more than win.

2. CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU – He was defeated in his first two runs over the 1000 metres however has done well up in trip at his next three with a six length 1200 metre class six victory in November, a further six length score over 1400 metres in a class five in December and a half-length 1400 metre class four win in January. It will be interesting to see if he is up to the task.

3. CLEARLY WINNER – One of the better fillies in the country with a victory over subsequent Group Two conqueror Supex Winner on debut before a five-length victory in September prior to going lame and missing the rest of her juvenile campaign. She resumed with another five-length victory over 1600 metres on February 8 and gets the chance to show her ability prior to the Triple Tiara.

4. CLUTCH WINNER – A winner on debut from the front before missing the start at his second race and not handling the kickback. He bounced back when leading and winning on Boxing Day to score by two and a half lengths. A nice type who must lead but will be hard to pass if he does do so.

5. CLUTCH CANDY – One start for an eighth over 1200 metres on January 9 in a class four. Was at odds of 57.7 in that race and will be even bigger here.

6. DONNAEKO – She wasn’t far away when fourth on debut in a maiden, but this is much harder.

7. HEY BROTHER – Comes into this race following a hat-trick of victories all after leading with two of them by five lengths. He was down the track in his only black type run back in October but looks to have come on since then. Only time will tell if that improvement is enough.

8. MUHAN NAREUSHA – Came from well back when winning his maiden in October and has been around the mark since. However, they were in class five contests, so he is outclassed here.

Selections	(3) Clearly Winner, (4) Clutch Winner, (2) Cheongchuneunjayu, (1) Mr. Prime
Next Best	7, 8
Fast Start	1, 2, 3, 4, 7