There won’t be a Korean Triple Crown winner this year after KRA Cup Mile winner Funny Wild came home 3^rd in the Korean Derby a week ago, but there could still be a sweep in the Triple Tiara as Luna Stakes victor Clearly Winner is set to start as favourite in the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday afternoon. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

The wife and husband trainer and jockey combination of Kim Hye-sun and Park Jae-I scored their first big race success together in the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed) on April 5^th when Clearly Winner pulled away to score by three-lengths, and the step up in trip in the Oaks will hold no fears. She’s only suffered one defeat – against the colts in the Gyeongnam Shinmun (1400M KOR-Listed) – in early March and she can win again.

Luna runner-up Fappi Babe has since gone lame, but five from the first jewel do re-oppose. Chief among them is CHIEF STAR, the highest rated filly in the race and a Listed winner as a juvenile. However, the Moon Byeong-ki trained Seoul raider has had a difficult relationship with Busan.

Boasting an unbeaten record, Chief Star was backed into favourite status ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) in November, but she reared up and over in the starting gate and had to be scratched. She returned to Seoul for a class 4 win and class 3 runner up (albeit not without some gate nerves) but then came unstuck at Busan again in the Luna Stakes when drawn wide and using up a lot of energy to get forward, setting some breakneck speed fractions.

Her final furlong was the slowest in the field but this time from a better gate and a more sensible pace, Chief Star is a chance. CATCH RACE was 3^rd in the Luna at big odds but will be given much more respect this time. TIGER ROAR finished off strongly and is one of a number who may appreciate the step up in trip.

Six fillies who didn’t go in the Luna joint the Tiara trail for the Oaks, with the Seo Seung-un ridden Bayern filly RUSH WILD likely to be the best supported of them in the market.

The Korean Oaks is race 6 with a local post time of 16:05. Here’s a full rundown of the field:

1. RUSH WILD – A winner on debut over 1300M followed by 2^nd at a mile and most recently 4^th over this distance at class 5 level when ridden to the lead from a wide gate. Better draw today and one of few natural leaders. Seo Se ung-un aboard means she will have backers.

2. CATCH RACE – Sole win came in a maiden over 1400M, but she was a smart 3^rd at big odds in the Luna Stakes, overcoming the widest gate and running on from an unpromising position. Better draw and on that effort has to be a place chance.

(more…)