The phrase “time-honoured” isn’t one that can often be used unironically in Korean racing, but it applies at least in name to the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer which will be run at Seoul Racecourse this Sunday with a full field of sixteen to take their chance. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY.

Ttukseom was the home of Seoul Racecourse from 1954 until the move to the present location in 1989 when the race, named in honour of the old course, was run for the first time. That old racecourse has never been built on, although it is now the location of one of Seoul’s best downtown parks and this week the bronze statues of a driving finish located at the park’s entrance were adorned with saddlecloths and caps marking this year’s race.

The conditions have changed numerous times over the years and some of the nation’s biggest stars have won the race, including Kwaedo Nanma (2002), J.S. Hold (2007) and Dangdae Bulpae (2011).

However, since 2012 it has been for fillies and mares only. Appearing in the “international blue book” in 2015 it was won by Japanese raider Esmeraldina although she is to date, the only internationl visitor to compete.  There are none this year either, but there will be a new name on the trophy this time around as Jeulgeounyeojeong, who won the last two editions, is not sent out in pursuit of a third.

RAON FOREST won the first leg of the series, the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-L) in March and she will be among the favourites to prevail again. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN and ONEULDO SMILE are among others with strong chances while SATANG SONYEO and GLADIUS are also very capable performers.

The Ttukseom Cup is race 7 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul: Here’s how they line up:

1. TIARA SUA – Since figuring things out, she has at least placed in each of her last eight starts and comes in off a win over this distance at class 3 level on March 29^th when she led. Much tougher company today but can lead and be in this a long way.

2. CATCH THE DREAM – Races for the first time since last October when well beaten by plenty of these but she is a winner of five from eleven and was an on-pace winner in a very quick time in a March trial. Draws nicely to put in a big effort first-up. Place chance.

3. BARO DANAEUN – 4^th in this race a year ago but didn’t race again until this March 22^nd when she was a fair 5^th of ten over this distance at class 3 level. Should have come on for that run but this is a tough ask.

4. GLADIUS – Won the Donga Ilbo last year and followed up with 5^th in this race and rounded out the year with 2^nd in the Breeders’ Cup Queen. Got into kickback in this year’s Donga but back at 1400M, she can be close to the pace throughout and can challenge.

5. CROWN HAMSEONG – 7^th of fifteen on her only start of the year so far in February when trying to defend the Segye Ilbo. She is a three-time winner over 1400M, and she will almost certainly be on pace but on recent form, while she is a genuine class 1 horse others are favoured.

6. RAON FOREST – Strong winner of the Donga Ilbo, coming up the inside from off the pace to win going away. Rarely far away, she has just the one win over 1400M but from a good draw, she can be settled behind the speed and pose a challenge late again.

7. FANTASTIC VALUE – Winner of two legs of the Triple Tiara last year before running 2^nd in the final leg, she has lost her form since then with a 2^nd place over this distance at class 2 level in February her best. 9^th in the Donga Ilbo, she has plenty to find.

8. CLAIR BIG BANG – A strong 5^th in the Donga Ilbo on her first go mixing with the big girls is cause for encouragement. She is two for two at 1400M and while she may not be ready to win in this company, she has an excellent finish on her and she can be close.

9. MAGARITA – Rounded out last year with back-to-back wins over this distance to get promoted to class 2 level and she enters off a solid 3^rd place behind Wonderful Groom at a mile at the end of February. Settles back and runs on.

10. QUEEN TYCHE – Winner over this distance in a somewhat weak class 3 two starts back, she struggled in better company last time.  She has the lowest current rating in the race and at level weights, this may be hard.

11. ONEULDO SMILE – Overdid it in front last time in the Donga Ilbo, leading but then wilting. 1400M is more to her liking and she led all the way for a comfortable class 2 score at the end of January. Draws a touch wider than ideal but if she can lead at not too frenetic a tempo, she is a big chance.

12. HANSEN BRACING – A winner of four of his last five, including his latest two, both at 1200M and most recently at class 2 level, racing on pace. Her only previous Graded experience was in last year’s Luna Stakes, but she has come on since then and is a minor money chance.

13. SATANG SONYEO – Ran on late for 3^rd in the Donga Ilbo and drops back to 1400M for the first time since her second ever start – which she won. Seen as a Stayer she went around the Grand Prix last November. If she doesn’t get too far back, she has the quality to be a contender.

14. FLYING STAR – Won the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at 2000M in October but was midfield in the Breeders’ Cup Queen. A 4^th place in the Donga Ilbo suggests that she is coming back into form. Not impossible and the wide draw is no problem, but her best results have come at further.

15. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – Denied Fantastic Value the Triple Tiara last year before producing an extraordinary to win the Jeju Governor’s Cup in September over this distance. 2^nd in the Donga Ilbo from off the pace. She needs the pace to be hot and if it is, she can run everything down.

16. GEUMA HUGE HIT – Ran with some credit in Queens’ Tour races last year but has been 8^th and 5^th in two races at class 2 level this year, most recently behind Magarita. She’ll be an outsider here.

Selections	(15) Boryeonglightqueen (6) Raon Forest (13) Satang Sonyeo (2) Catch The Dream
Next Best	4, 11
Fast Start	1, 2, 5, 11, 12