Sixteen colts will set out at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, bidding to be the first since Power Blade a decade ago to win the Triple Crown. The series gets underway with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2), the “Korean 2000 Guineas”.

Eight of the sixteen have travelled down from Seoul, but capital visitors do not have a good record in the race, registering only three victories since the race began in its current form in 2008 and none at all since Global Chukje scored in 2019. This time though a formidable line-up travels.

LIVE STAR has won his last three starts by a combined thirty-eight lengths, including a full eighteen last time out at class 4 over 1800M. While the robustness of the opposition he faced is debatable, he has been nothing if not impressive.

DI NE was well beaten behind Roshe in the Listed Sports Seoul Trophy on March 1^st but prior to that was going very nicely and will be firmly in the market while FLUTTER and HWANG GEOM EO JJANG also travel down with solid credentials.

Don’t rule out the home team though. HEY BROTHER enters with the highest rating. He was 2^nd behind Clutch Winner in the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy but prior to that was an excellent winner over a mile at class 4 level in January. Jockey Choi Si-dae won the race on Betelgeuse in 2023.

Seo Seung-un won the Cup Mile on Cheongnyong Bisang, one of those three Seoul horses to triumph in the race. Now firmly Busan-based, this year he partners FUNNY WILD, who while he lost his way late on when 2^nd over 1800M last time out, was very strong prior to that and from a great draw, will be on the speed.

There is sadness over the race. Champion Juvenile Supex Winner began the week set to be favourite but suffered a catastrophic ligament and sesamoid injury on Monday morning which he ultimately succumbed to on Wednesday.

The KRA Cup Mile is race 6 on the 7-race program at Busan with a 16:05 post time:

1. HEY BROTHER – The highest rated in the field and one of the most experienced with nine starts. He’s won four times up to class 4 and a mile. His most recent start saw him 2^nd to Clutch Winner in the Classic Trial at 1400M on March 1^st. A front-runner, the mile suits and the draw suits, and he is among the favourites.

2. BREEDO SOL – Only beat two home in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie but has begun his three-year-old campaign well with a win over 1800M at class 5 level and then 2^nd at class 4 over the same distance on February 15^th, beating Legend Hit. Likes to come from off the pace and can aim for some minor money.

3. FUNNY WILD – A strong winner over 1800M at class 4 level in February, he led when trying to repeat at class 3 on March 1^st but ultimately weakened late on and was caught. He is one for one at the mile, he has a great draw to get on pace and with Seo Seung-un riding him from potentially several options, he will probably be the betting favourite.

4. LIVE STAR – Took a few goes to fully figure things out, but he has won his latest three, most recently at class 4 level over 1800M on February 7^th when leading all the way and scoring by a full eighteen-lengths in a time that would win the Korean Derby most years. On that evidence, he has to considered a real threat here.

5. AMAZING ONE – One of the more experienced runners, his three wins came in consecutive races between November and December and up to 1800M and class 4. Well back behind Supex Winner in January, he was 3^rd on his latest on March 8^th. Place chance.

6. FLUTTER – After an inauspicious debut, he has won three in a row, most recently at class 4 level over the mile at Seoul on February 1^st, when leading from gate-to-wire and scoring by a neck. On that form, he has to be given a chance here with Kim Hyo-jung bidding to be the second female rider to win a Classic.

7. DI NE – Lost his first two but then looked every inch the star when winning his next three by a combined twenty-nine lengths up to class 4 and 1400M. Was set to be favourite for this but then put in a lackluster effort when only beating one home behind Roshe in the Listed Sports Seoul on March 1^st. Worth another chance even if a few doubts have emerged.

8. FANTASTIC FORCE – A winner on debut over 1000M last September, he then placed three times including in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie, before kicking off his three-year-old campaign with 4^th place over a mile at class 4 on January 30^th. Plenty to find here.

9. CONCORD CODIE – Won three in a row between November and January and up to class 5 level and 1400M, settling behind the speed and running on. Most recently was a two-length 3^rd in a competitive class 4 event over a mile on February 14^th. Can be a danger late here

10. CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU – Won three in a row between November and January up to class 4 and 1400M before finishing 5^th of eight in Busan’s Classic Trial on March 1^st. Can settle midfield and run on, the mile may suit but he will need to find some improvement here.

11. HWANG GEUM EO JJANG – Won his first two but was a well-beaten 5^th when odds-on favourite over a mile at class 4 on March 1^st but he had to contend with a wide gate and a bad start. The Busan mile should suit better.

12. GENERAL WIND – A winner of two from three most recently at class 5 level over 1400M on February 15^th when he led all the way and won by four-lengths. Still somewhat under the radar he may have plenty of scope for more development, but others are more proven.

13. LEGEND HIT – Won by five-lengths at class 5 level over a mile in January and was a beaten favourite over 1800M at class 4 on February 15^th when handy throughout but finishing 3^rd, with Breedo Sol in 2^nd. Can sit behind the speed and run on but others likely to be favoured.

14. CHOCOLATE – Sole victory came in a maiden over 1400M in December though he has since run 3^rd over 1800M at class 5. Big outsider.

15. G FLEX – A class 5 win over 1200M on February 28^th allows him to take his chance here but a previous try at 1400M was unsuccessful and this is a big ask.

16. RUNNERS HIGH – A winner of two from five up to class 5 and 1200M, he ran 2^nd on his first try at class 4 and 1400M on January 23^rd. Wins came from settling back and running on so mile may suit, but plenty to find here. Half-brother to Cheongu, who earned a trip to Meydan ten years ago.

Selections	(4) Live Star (1) Hey Brother (3) Funny Wild (7) Di Ne
Next Best	6, 11
Fast Start	3, 6, 7, 12, 15