Clean One showed that his Grand Prix demolition job was no fluke as, emerging for the first time since leaving onlookers in awe of his nine-length win in the season ending finale, he pulled off a similarly dominant victory to win the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Ridden by Seo Seung-un for the first time, CLEAN ONE was sent off as the 1.6 favourite ahead of Gangpungma and Speed Young, but there were nerves at the start as Clean One reared in the gates just prior to them opening. Ultimately, Clean One broke fairly and made it to the front before the first turn.

Gangpungma, on the other hand, was a little better away this time compared with his poor start in the Grand Prix, which had him on the backfoot from the start that day. He settled back but well within striking distance.

Clean One would continue to lead down the back straight but as they turned for home, Jo In-kwon brought reigning horse of the year Speed Young up to challenge on his shoulder. The challenge didn’t last long as under minimal urging from Seo, Clean One quickened away, winning by four-lengths on the line from defending champion Success Baakpa. Gangpungma and Speed Young were 3^rd and 4^th.

“The start wasn’t very smooth.” Winning jockey Seo told KRBC. “There was a bit of movement next to (Clean One) and it unsettled him, so it wasn’t an easy run to the lead. But a horse race is won at the finish, not at the start, so once we got to the front, I was able to slow the pace down a bit and conserve energy.”

“When Speed Young came up alongside, I thought that this would be a test but as soon as I asked for an effort, Clean One responded and I knew then that we would win.”

Trainer Moon Hyeon-cheol said he was more nervous in the lead up to the race than he was for the Grand Prix. “There were higher expectations this time, and we didn’t want to disappoint, and I want to thank my team for the way they prepared. I actually thinks Seoul suits Clean One more (than Busan) and he followed the same routine up to raceday.”

Moon had no surprises when asked to describe where Clean One would be pointed next. “Well, this was the 1^st leg of the Stayer Series, so we still have the YTN Cup and Busan Mayor’s Cup. Then, isn’t there the KRA Cup Classic in Summer? And then, the Korea Cup and Grand Prix.”

On Sunday’s form, Clean One (Bernardini) will start the YTN Cup as short a favourite as it is possible to be.

The next leg of the Stayer Series is the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) on Sunday April 19^th. Next week the focus moves to the filly and mare division as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed).