There won’t be a Korean Triple Crown winner this year after KRA Cup Mile winner Funny Wild came home 3rd 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 5th 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 3rd 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 2nd at a mile and most recently 4th 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 3rd 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.
3. TIGER ROAR – Only win came over 1400M at class 5 in January, but she was a fair 6th of sixteen in the Luna, settling back and running on and less than a length behind 3rd. The step up in trip can be in her favour, and she will be in the market.
4. CHIEF STAR – Listed winner as a juvenile but her two trips to Busan have not gone well. She went over in the gate before the Breeders’ Cup Rookie and had to be scratched, and then she did too much too soon in the Luna and was the slowest to finish, ending in 5th. She is much better drawn today but gate behaviour and then tactics will be crucial. If they are right, she is a winning chance.
5. COSMO LONG – She got a long way back in the Luna and only managed 10th. Her sole win was in a maiden over 1400M, but she draws well here and can be expected to be closer to the speed. May not shape as a winning chance but can improve.
6. SUCCESS QUEEN – Ran 2nd to Luna runner-up Fappi Babe on her second start in January before getting her maiden win over 1200M in early March racing on pace. 4th to Regina Vincit’s 2nd at her latest over a mile on April 3rd, she has plenty to find here.
7. REGINA VINCIT – Her first couple of outings proved to be at distances too short but she has thrived at a mile with a maiden win followed by a class 5 runner-up, both times coming from a long way back. Not among the favourites, but the extended trip should suit.
8. OASIS RUBY – Mixed her form across seven outings to date, winning at start six over 1400M before running 9th behind Regina Vincit and Success Queen at a mile on April 3rd at class 5. Others favoured here.
9. CLEARLY WINNER – The Luna Stakes winner, her only defeat was in 3rd behind the boys at Listed level over 1400M in March. She settled back in the Luna before racing to be handy on the home turn and then going clear. Some others were finishing stronger, but she had three-lengths in hand on the line and there is no reason she can’t step up again. The one to beat.
10. BORYEONGUI SINYONG – Started as the longest shot on board in the Luna so a 13th place finish was above expectations. Prior to that had a win and four 3rd place finishes up to class 5 level, and she’ll be among the outsiders again.
11. SUNRISE – Maiden winner at start three over 1200M and immediately back up at class 5 level at 1300M on March 29th, beating Lampyojeonggeenie, who has subsequently won again herself. Big step up in trip but she has potential and minor money wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
12. NAOL PASS – Has won up to class 5 level and comes in having run 3rd at class 4 over 1200M. Her one try at further than that was her worst to date so the distance is a concern here, although she is by a Korean Derby winner.
| Selections | (9) Clearly Winner (4) Chief Star (3) Tiger Roar (2) Catch Race |
| Next Best | 1, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 9, 12 |
Horse Racing in Korea 