The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway on Sunday with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed) for fillies and mares attracting a very competitive field of fourteen. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11;25 to 17:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive maiden to start with. (1) TOUR FELIX returned from almost a year out on February 8th and despite not having done much in two trials, put in a very solid effort in 3rd place over this distance. He should stop fitter for that run, and he can win here. (3) GLOBAL LAND has a 3rd and a 4th from her latest two at 1200M and 1400M coming from off the pace in the first of them and racing handy in the latter. She has a smart finish on her and can challenge late here. (10) ONNURI BIT has a 5th and two 3rd places from three outings to date. She comes up slightly in trip for the first time and it can suit. (6) WONDERFUL CHIEF and (11) VINCENT ALEX others who can aim for the places.
| Selections | (1) Tour Felix (3) Global Land (10) Onnuri Bit (6) Wonderful Chief |
| Next Best | 11, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) HAKSAN HENNY has a pair of 4th places to his name, coming from well off the pace both times. He steps up slightly in trip to 1400M for the first time and it could be what he needs to get home on top. (4) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI could finally be figuring things out with a 4th and a 2nd from his latest two, both over this trio. He is another who likes to go right back and run on and with an apprentice claim, he carries a light weight. (5) KIA ORA had a hard time over 1700M three weeks ago but prior to that ran 2nd at this distance on January 4th and can be in the mix again. (10) DOUBLE BLADE and (7) VALKYRIE are the other two who can be considered for a place.
| Selections | (2) Haksan Henny (4) Hwarangsan Jeonggi (5) Kia Ora (10) Double Blade |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) KISS THE RAIN has proven green in just about every one of her five starts to date but regardless of that she hasn’t been far away in her last couple of runs. She eventually tested the patience of the stewards enough to be sent back to the trials, however in that trial on February 26 she was impressive leading throughout to score by eight-lengths. She looks a good chance of leading and staying there providing she stays on the straight and narrow. (4) WORLD EAGLE CAT needs to bounce back from a basic run last time, but her prior effort would give her a chance, however it must be noted that in that contest she effectively hung her chance, if not victory, away. (2) QUEEN PERFECT has been around the mark to date whilst (7) PERFECT POINT was a much-improved run at her second start. (5) CHOEGANG HAPPY and (12) SAENAE HILL are yet to place but rate next.
| Selections | (8) Kiss The Rain (4) World Eagle Cat (2) Queen Perfect (7) Perfect Point |
| Next Best | 5, 12 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) GHOST CHRYSOL was a winner over 1700M two starts back and then ran 3rd on his first try at this class over the same distance on February 7th when settling back and running on. He remains under a light weight, CC knows him, well, and he can win here. (7) DANGDAECHOWOL enters in super form having won or placed in each of his last six appearances. He is up 3kg on his class and distance score on February 28th when he was close to the pace throughout, and he can be a big danger again. (3) CHEONGSAN JILJU enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on February 15th. An apprentice takes his weight down here and from a good draw he should be one of the early pace-setters and in this a long way. (1) HANGANG CAPTAIN and (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Ghost Chrysol (7) Dangdaechowol (3) Cheongsan Jilju (1) Hangang Captain |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) GREAT POWER has finished fourth in each of his last two starts, over course, distance and grade, attempting to lead throughout on each occasion. Those two efforts look to be the best pieces of form on offer in this contest. (2) HAENGBOK TREE made up a bit of ground back on debut in November and following a midfield finish in a trial earlier this month can go close. The extra 200 metres in this contest compared to her first race could potentially suit also. (8) WORLD TRIPLE CAT has been out the back in each of her last two but did finish third the time prior back in November. (5) WORLD BOLD MAN placed two runs back and rates over (1) BEOLGYO VILLAIN who placed as recently as last start with (4) MY BEST next best.
| Selections | (7) Great Power (2) Haengbok Tree (8) World Triple Cat (5) World Bold Man |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) THE CLASSIC is one for one having led all the way to score on debut by twelve lengths over 1300M. He is up in class and in distance but is down in weight, and given the manner of that victory, he can win again. (6) VALID YOUNG won on debut at 1200M in December and has since run 4th and 2nd in two starts at this class over 1400M. He is up 3kh in weight today as well as coming up to two turns for the first time, but neither should be a problem, and he is a real danger. (7) PASA QUEEN led for much of the way around at this class and distance on January 17th, ultimately finishing 4th but beating a couple of today’s rivals. She’ll be on pace again. (1) SUBMISSION and (4) APPLE STYLE others in the hunt.
| Selections | (11) The Classic (6) Valid Young (7) Pasa Queen (1) Submission |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) OASIS YOUNG came out and won his maiden by four-lengths at the end of January before competing in a much stronger contest at this level at the end of last month. He draws to be in a good spot and can bounce back to winning ways. (4) FLEX TAP is a last start course, distance and grade winner on February 13 and has gone up three kilograms and six pounds for that performance but could repeat the dose. (12) ISIMNYEON JIGI hasn’t found life all that easy in three runs at this level finishing fourth on each occasion but can once more be around the mark. (10) BULBIT GANGJA broke his maiden two back prior to a third in his first run at this level. (6) MOST WANTED shouldn’t be forgotten as he came from well back to win by two-and-a-half-lengths when first-up for almost a year on February 8 at odds of 58/1. (8) D’LOVELY KING rates next.
| Selections | (2) Oasis Young (4) Flex Tap (12) Isimnyeon Jigi (10) Bulbit Gangja |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 10, 12 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) YOUNG FIGHTER got his win at start two and after taking a couple of goes to get accustomed to this class, has been working back toward another with a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two at 1300M and 1200M. Fairly weighted here, he can be on or close to the pace and can prove too strong. (8) CHOWOLMA broke through two starts back over this distance and then beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to finishing 6th of eleven on his first try at this level on February 15th. In this company he should be a threat. (3) THUNDER FIRE scored his maiden win in ay last year but then didn’t run again until February 7th when 6th of eleven over 1400M. He can strip fitter today and get closer. (5) RAIN STAR and (7) SOMETHING DARK are perhaps the best of a limited rest.
| Selections | (10) Young Fighter (8) Chowolma (3) Thunder Fire (5) Rain Star |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) TANTAN DAERO is a consistent maiden that has had a multitude of minor placings from 12 starts. He has finished ahead of plenty of today’s rivals in the past, and gets an apprentice claim for this race, so he must be a top chance of breaking his duck. (11) SWORD WING is a slow starter so his chances will depend on how far he gets out of his ground, but he got past most last time when finishing third at the end of January. (9) SEOBU GAMBLE won his maiden four runs back before bombing out at his first attempt at this grade. He was subsequently stood down to trial and since returning to the races has had two fifth places. (5) OASIS ADELE was fifth at his first run at this level last time, which is the form-line race for this event, on February 15 and is next best over (3) BEOLGYOUI HIM and (4) BLUEORCHID.
| Selections | (8) Tantan Daero (11) Sword Wing (9) Seobu Gamble (5) Oasis Adele |
| Next Best | 3, 4 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (7) HAENGUNUI YEOSIN is yet to win in six attempts but has been a beaten favourite in her latest two when 2nd and 4th at 1300M and 1400M. She doesn’t get an apprentice claim today, but she should be on pace again and today can be her day. She will need to overturn the form on (4) GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA, who was 2nd to Haengunui Yeosin’s 4th on January 31st when coming from off the pace. She didn’t run on in one subsequent start against tougher company, but she can get closer here. (5) POWER BAND was only ordinary over 1800M last time out, but she comes back to the trip at which she got her sole win and can be in the finish. (9) VIVA CHEONGSU and (10) ULTRA SOCKS are the other minor money chances.
| Selections | (7) Haengunui Yeosin (4) Geuphaeng Yeolcha (5) Power Band (9) Viva Cheongsu |
| Next Best | 10, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) STEALTH MODE is an enthralling runner and when last seen had a second to Oasis Red on February 28, clearly the best form on offer in this, a second to World Winners Man on March 30, who has won as high as class three level, and a second to Postman on April 27, who has won as high as class two level. He has had the one recent trial for a second to Success Baekpa on February 26, which is again great form. He has had multiple setbacks across his career but if right can win at probable big odds. (4) WORLD BLUE PIN CAT was a course and distance winner one level below this on January 4 before finishing third at her first run at this level, over the same course and distance as this race, behind Clearly Winner. She is one of the principal chances in the race as is (10) SENSATIONAL WIN who broke through for a nose victory last start after chasing home Mr. Prime and Knicks Go Won in his three prior runs. (7) TUHON FIGHTER, (1) HEAVY DUTY and (11) MAKE IT BETTER rate next.
| Selections | (5) Stealth Mode (4) World Blue Pin Cat (10) Sensational Win (7) Tuhon Fighter |
| Next Best | 1, 11 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Dong-a Ilbo Trophy (KOR-LR) / KRW 300 Million
The first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer for fillies and mares and it is ultra-competitive. We’ll take a chance on (5) ONEULDO SMILE. She was very impressive when winning from the front over 1400M at class 2 level on January 31st and looks to have plenty of potential for more. Her only previous experience of this distance was 2nd place in last year’s Korean Oaks, and she can take another step forward today. (13) ACE HIGH won the Breeders’ Cup Queen over plenty of these in November and led all the way to win over this distance on January 25th at class 1 level. She is tactically versatile so the wide draw isn’t a problem, and she will start as the market leader. (6) BOYRYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was a spectacular winner of the Jeju Governor’s Cup last September. She needs the pace to be on but if it is, she has an excellent chance of running through everything. (2) RAON FOREST is dependable type in these kinds of races and won’t be far away. (4) GLADIUS won this race last year. She races for the first time since finishing 2nd to Ace High in the Breeders’ Cup Queen but looked well in trials and can’t be discounted.
| Selections | (5) Oneuldo Smile (13) Ace High (6) Boryeonglightqueen (2) Raon Forest |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 9, 12 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(7) EUNBIT DAERO rarely runs a bad race in these types of contests and went down fighting last start when finishing second beaten a length to Knicks Go Won after attempting to lead throughout. He once again gets an apprentice claim, this time from Son Gyeong-min who can claim four kilograms and has a great chance of going one better. (4) WORLD LIST CAT was an impressive seven-length winner four runs back prior to finishing third at her first run at this level. She has pulled up lame in the off foreleg at her next two starts but must be a chance if on song. (11) PACHAMAMA is a brilliant front-runner and gets a three-kilogram claim from apprentice Nam Jeong-hyeok, who interestingly rode Eunbit Daero at his last race. She is a specialist at this trip and despite the wide draw can go close from an on-pace role. They are the main three chances over (6) HANEUL BOSS, (2) BLACK SPRING and (1) ROAD TO PARTY.
| Selections | (7) Eunbit Daero, (4) World List Cat, (11) Pachamama, (6) Haneul Boss |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
After an ordinary debut, (11) MAEUM HANA has won two in a row at 1200M and 1300M, showing on pace in both. That brings him rapidly up to this class and he also has the challenge of the widest gate, but neither should trouble him unduly and he can complete his hat-trick here. The main danger is (7) SEOMDOLMORU. He got his maiden win last time out over this distance when on pace throughout and while that was at start eleven and he is up in class, he is down in weight and can measure up at this level. (2) WINNERSUN raced once last summer before suffering an injury setback. The Echo Town gelding trialed well at the end of February and under a very light weight and a good draw, this is a great race to return in. (3) NAEMAMUI YEOLJEONG and (4) HYPER THUNDER are others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (11) Maeum Hana (7) Seomdolmoru (2) Winnersun (3) Naemamui Yeoljeong |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 7: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(4) DESPITE WIN finished second in the Owners’ Cup last year, one place and one-and-a-quarter-lengths ahead of Clean One, prior to being taken up to Seoul where he failed in the KRA Cup Classic, as second favourite to Global Hit, and in the Korean Sprint. He only managed sixth when resuming but can be given another chance. (5) ONEULISUNGAN finished sixth to Munhak Boy in the Kookje Shinmun Cup last season prior to a class two victory in November. He has been knocking on the door in three runs at class one level ever since and was unlucky not to beat Ace High two starts back when beaten a head. They are the two key players whilst (9) POWER SOUND despite running in the hardest race of his career is potentially a place chance on his effort last start and his win three back. (3) CHOEGANG SSONSAL, (7) DOCTOR CAESAR and (1) STAR MATTA look the next best in an interesting class one to close the program on the south-east.
| Selections | (4) Despite Win (5) Oneulisungan (9) Power Sound (3) Choegang Ssonsal |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only. (2) BARO DANAEUN races for the first time since finishing 7th of sixteen in last April’s Ttukseom Cup, the second leg of the Queens’ Tour. Prior to that she had five wins and three 2nd places from eight starts and having looked very well when easily winning a trial at the end of February, she has every chance of winning first-up here. (7) MORNING WONDER was a good winner of a tough race over a mile on February 14th. That continued a good run of form and while she is up in class today, she is down in weight and is a danger. (3) CAPTAIN TIME was a class and distance winner two starts back and while she weakened last time out after leading, she gets an apprentice claim here and can be competitive. (6) GOLD CATCHER and (4) SEOBU CHAMP are others in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Baro Danaeun (7) Morning Wonder (3) Captain Time (6) Gold Catcher |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) ROOFTOP was well back in Seoul’s Classic Trial on March 1st but prior to that was a strong winner over this distance at class 4 level at the end of January. He has mixed his form, but he seems to go best when on pace and in this company, he can get to the front and he can win. (11) EAST GANGJEOK enters off three consecutive 3rd place finishes, all at this class over 1400M. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be matching or bettering those 3rd places here. (10) NAEGILUI WINNER was 2nd at this class and distance on March 1st, coming from off the pace. That continued a solid run of form, and he should be in the finish again. (6) VELOX BOY and (8) GIBUNJOEINMAL, 1st and 2nd at class and distance in January, others to consider.
| Selections | (5) Rooftop (11) East Gangjeok (10) Naegilui Winner (6) Velox Boy |
| Next Best | 8, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 9, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 