The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer comes to a conclusion on Sunday with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) attracting a full field of sixteen fillies and mares to the south coast. The big race is race 6 on the 7-race card at Busan which runs from 11,25 to 16.55. There are also 10 races at Seoul with a class 1 test over 2300M as the feature. Seoul’s card runs from 10.35 to 17.55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million
Northern hemisphere two-year-olds and southern three-year-olds with all but one of the eight racing for the first time. The experienced one is (3) SOUTH CARNIVAL, who has raced twice for a 3rd and a 2nd, both at 1200M. He was on pace in his latest on March 28th and should have a fitness edge on these. (4) HOPE K was an all the way trial winner in a quick time just two weeks ago, crossing the line ten-lengths to the good. If he brings that form to the races, he can prove hard to beat. (7) GRAND PAS CLASSIC was also a commanding trial winner, leading all the way to score by four. He too can be a danger first-up. (2) SAUDI SOCKS and (6) MIGHTY SAVER others who hinted at ability in their heats.
| Selections | (3) South Carnival (4) Hope K (7) Grand Pas Classic (2) Saudi Socks |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3 , 4 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience though and while (2) FLYING SMART has been a beaten favourite in both her starts so far at 1300M and 1400M when settling right back and running on, the fitness edge can be crucial. At the shorter distance, she can be further forward from a better gate, and she can win. (11) BEAUTIFULLY beat a couple of today’s rivals on her debut on April 25th, racing handy over this distance. She has the challenge of the widest gate, but she should have come on for that run and she can be close. Among the debut makers, (9) WHITE JACKPOT ran 2nd in a decent time in a May 14th trial and can put in a bold showing first up. (5) MASK GIRL was 5th behind Beautifull on debut and from a better gate and second up, can improve. (6) PNS BEAUTY another first-timer who can be competitive.
| Selections | (2) Flying Smart (11) Beautifully (9) White Jackpot (5) Mask Girl |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Eight fillies and one gelding in the south coast opener. (4) WIDAEHAN HEART debuted all the way back in October of last year, running a strong 2nd over 1000M. She then went lame but has been back in work since March and looked well when 2nd in a trial on May 7th. She is the one to beat here. (6) NORTHERN QUEEN has mixed her form a little over her six starts but going on her 2nd place two outings back when leading close to home, she has to rate as a chance in this company. (5) DIA X is an eighteen-race maiden but has two placings and no fewer than ten finishes in either 4th or 5th and he can be close today. (7) MAGIC TREE was a nondescript 7th on debut all the way back in July last year. She hasn’t raced since but returned to regular work at the start of April and has trialed well. Debut-maker (1) WONDERFUL PAS went through two trials and should be nice and fit on debut.
| Selections | (4) Widaehan Heart (6) Northern Queen (5) Dia X (7) Magic Tree |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 7 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) SAENAE RANIA has thrived since being stepped up to this trip, recording back-to-back 3rd place finishes, both times racing on pace. From a good draw, she will be on the speed again, and she can win. (11) JECHUK SANJIRO ran 3rd at start number two over this distance in April. He leaned in heavily when 5th over 1700M on May 9th to the extent that he was sent back to trial and having come through that in fine fashion, he is a chance today. (6) SEOPOKCHAT has a 3rd and three 4th places to his name. He has settled back and run on strongly each time. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time and there is every chance that it can suit. (10) UMARU and (3) TRIPLE S are other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Saenae Rania (11) Jechuk Sanjiro (6) Seopokchat (10) Umaru |
| Next Best | 3, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 5 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) STEALTH KINGMAN was an on pace 2nd in a decent time over 1300M on April 17th. He should have come on for the run and from a good draw he can be on pace again and this time he can go one better. (4) PILSEUNG WINNER returned from over three months off in April and has since run 3rd and 4th at 1400M and at this distance, settling in midfield and running on. Third-up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness wise, and she can be close. (3) MORE QUICKLY enters off a best to date 4th place on May 17th and should be aiming to match or better that in this company. (7) WONDERFUL WIND and (8) WORLD TRIPLE CAT are others in contention for the minors.
| Selections | (5) Stealth Kingman (4) Pilseung Winner (3) More Quickly (7) Wonderful Wind |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) NINJA TIGER is yet to win, though she is far from alone here. She comes up in class following two 3rd places and most recently a 2nd at 1300M on May 2nd and under a light weight, she has as good a chance as any. (5) HAKSAN PRINCE is a twenty-one-race maiden but has placed on eight occasions, including last time out when 3rd at this class over 1700M. Four of his five runner-up finishes have come at 1400M and while he has his fair share of weight, he can be a danger. (7) WONPYEONG GANGJA has come from off the pace to run 3rd in both his latest two at this class and distance and he can do similar today. (2) GOLD SPINNING has at least won at this distance and along with (8) HANGANG FANTASTIC, can be considered on a place line.
| Selections | (10) Ninja Tiger (5) Haksan Prince (7) Wonpyeong Gangja (2) Gold Spinning |
| Next Best | 8, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) OASIS YOUNG has won two of his last three, most recently on March 22nd when he led all the way over 1300M. He comes in fresh after ten weeks out and while he is up in class and down to a shorter trip than he has raced at before, he is the one to beat. (9) RUNNERS HIGH comes out of the KRA Cup Mile and while he was always on the backfoot that day from the widest gate, he was a runner-up at this class over 1400M before that and back in shallower waters today, can be given another chance. (6) APDOJEOK NUMBERONE has two 3rd places among three tries at this class, both over this distance. In the absence of an apprentice claim, he comes up in weight here but can be in the mix, racing on pace. (7) BRIGHT MARINE enters off a 4th place at this class and distance on May 1st when racing handy throughout and under a light weight can be aiming to match or better that. (5) MADE HEEMANG has trialed since his latest and can be competitive.
| Selections | (4) Oasis Young (9) Runners High (6) Apdojeok Numberone (7) Bright Marine |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (5) BROWN MAMMA was a winner at this class and distance in January and has held his form since with back-to-back 4th places at this class over 1400M. An apprentice jockey takes his weight back down close to the mark at which he last won off and he can win today. (8) POWERFUL PRADO got her maiden win three outings back and has a 3rd and a 4th in two subsequent outings at this class over 1300M and 1400M. She carries a light weight and looks sure to be in the finish. (3) NUNI OLKKAYO races for the first time since January. Her record was good before the layoff and having been back in work since late March and having won a May 7th trial, she has solid claims first-up. There is a big drop off after those three with (2) MIGHTY AMI and (6) MAX PARTY might be best of the rest.
| Selections | (5) Brown Mamma (8) Powerful Prado (3) Nuni Olkkayo (2) Mighty Ami |
| Next Best | 6, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) WILD REAL was an all the way winner on debut over 1200M on April 26th. He is up in class and in distance but is down in weight, Franco stays on, and he can make it two from two here. (6) DELTA FORCE is also up in class following a maiden win, in his case at start number four over 1300M on April 24th. That win had been coming and with a 3kg weight drop, he can measure up here. (4) WIND MIREU has had a very interrupted career, racing twice as a juvenile, winning once, and then just one time as a three-year-old, also successfully. He reappears for the first time since last August and having run a solid 2nd in a trial, he can go well first-up again. (3) DOCTOR MATTERS and (9) HUIMANG LOGI continue the theme of up in class last start winners who can be competitive at this level.
| Selections | (5) Wild Real (6) Delta Force (4) Wind Mireu (3) Doctor Matters |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Plenty enter in good form. (2) DONGGANGUI STAR has two 2nd places from his latest three, most recently at this class and distance on May 3rd, when settling back and closing strongly. He comes up 2kg in weight, but he can go one better here. (4) BREEDO CALEY was a winner at this class over 1800M on April 26th, leading all the way. He is up 3kg in weight, but he draws well to be on the speed once more and a repeat shouldn’t be ruled out. (7) LUCKY JOY was a maiden winner over this distance two starts back and has four-lengths to find on Breedo Caley from that April 26th race when he was 2nd. He gets a weight swing and can definitely be closer. (1) BEST JOY and (8) FIVE STAR others firmly in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Donggangui Star (4) Breedo Caley (7) Lucky Joy (1) Best Joy |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 6 |
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
A maiden winner at start number three in February when racing for the first time in almost eleven months, (7) MOST WANTED has held his form with a pair of runner-up finishes in two starts since, both at this class over 1300M. He comes in under pretty much the same weight, he draws well, and he will be a short price to win. (8) CLUTCH RUNNER got his maiden win at start two back in February. Since then, he has been working his way into contention at this class, most recently when 4th at this distance on May 8th. He can continue to get closer today. (9) HEUIMANG TAYO returns to action for the first time since last September. He had a win and three placings from five starts prior to the layoff and looked well when 2nd in a quick trial in April. Veteran (11) TAEYANG EUTTEUM, along with (10) HANEUL POKPUNG, are others in line for the minors.
| Selections | (7) Most Wanted (8) Clutch Runner (9) Heuimang Tayo (11) Taeyang Eutteum |
| Next Best | 10, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 8, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) START UP was a comprehensive all the way winner over 1400M on April 12th, scoring by nine-lengths. He comes up in class today as well as up to the mile for the first time, and while he doesn’t get a weight break, the manner of that win last time suggests that there is more to come. He will be a short price. (7) HANMADIMALDO has been working his way back into form and enters here having run 3rd over 1700M at this class on April 26th. Under a light weight he tackles the mile for the first time and he shapes as the danger. (10) GLOBAL HAMSEONG has a 5th and a 4th in two tries at this class, both over the mile and he may offer some each-way appeal. (4) LOVE O MINE and (6) TRISTAN WANGJA others who can go close.
| Selections | (5) Start Up (7) Hanmadimaldo (10) Global Hamseong (4) Love O Mine |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / KNN Cup (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million
The final leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer and it is a fascinating puzzle especially with the big hitters all drawn wide. The way last year’s Oaks winner (10) FANTASTIC VALUE ended a fallow run of form by running off with the Ttukseom Cup over 1400M last month was impressive. 1600M should really be better for her and she can sit behind the speed and launch a late challenger. She will need to see off an even later challenge from defending champion and Donga Ilbo winner (13) RAON FOREST. The wide draw is no problem for her as she will sit back and launch her challenge late and it would be no surprise were she to win again. Even later will be (12) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN. When she gets it right, she is spectacular, but she can leave herself a bit too much to do. If she is within striking distance, she can blow them all away late. The up and comer is (16) NICE BUDDY, and while she is done no favours by the draw, her 2nd place in the TJK Trophy in April behind Beolgyo Masulsa over this distance was an excellent audition for this. For an each-way chance, (7) YEOSU SUPER STAR can be on pace and potentially in this a long way.
| Selections | (10) Fantastic Value (13) Raon Forest (12) Boryeonglightqueen (16) Nice Buddy |
| Next Best | 7, 14 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 11, 14, 16 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 1 (2300M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
A rare use of the Grand Prix Stakes distance. (2) SATANG SONYEO comes out of the Ttukseom Cup on the Queens’ Tour where 1400M was far too short. She hasn’t gone to Busan for the KNN Cup and is instead tried again at the longest trip, having run 4th of eight in a similar race to this last October, before being overmatched in the Grand Prix. She carries a very light weight here and with a bit of pace to run at, she can win. (10) PEPPER X won at class 1 at 1800M in February and since has a 4th and 3rd. He tries this distance for the first time and will probably be favourite. (3) VET CAPTAIN won back-to-back races over a mile and over 1800M at class 2 in February and March, leading all the way both times. He ran fairly in the YTN Cup, beating a couple of today’s rovals and has a chance here. (5) NORTHERN TIME has won at the distance and can be taken seriously while (9) MAGLE DAY likes to close.
| Selections | (2) Satang Sonyeo (10) Pepper X (3) Vet Captain (5) Northern Time |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) FANTASTIC EAGLE has been a model of consistency, never finishing any worse than 5th over his nine starts to date and winning twice up to class 5 level and a mile. He came from a long way back to run 2nd last time out and could well be ready to step up to 1800M for the first time today. (2) WINNERS ROOKIE was an on-pace winner at this class and distance on April 10th having overcome gate twelve. She comes up 3kg in weight, but that should be more than balanced by a much better draw, and she could go back-to-back here. (9) UNJU MAGIC comes in off a 2nd place at this class and distance on May 1st and under a light weight again, can be in the finish. (7) KOHINOOR and (6) NANEUN KKUM others in the frame.
| Selections | (5) Fantastic Eagle (2) Winners Rookie (9) Unju Magic (7) Kohinoor |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) AIRFORCEONE had a very hard time in the Derby last month, but he was a smart winner over 1700M at class 4 level in March, leading all the way. He is very nicely weighted here, he draws well, and he can claw his way back into the winner’s circle. (1) MAJOR CROWN won back-to-back races over 1200M at class 4 level before stepping back up to this distance for his first try at class 3 on May 2nd when he led for much of the way before ultimately running 3rd. He is only up 1kg and from the inside gate, is a big danger. (4) EFFEL TAP enters off a 2nd place over this distance on April 25th and while that brings him up in class, this isn’t a very deep race for the level, and the light weight can make him competitive. (3) GOOD HAPPY and (8) KEIDRAGON other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Airforceone (1) Major Crown (4) Effel Tap (3) Good Happy |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only in the finale. (1) STUNNING DOLPHIN has a win, and three runner-up finishes from her four starts so far. Her win came in a maiden, and she is up in class here following back-to-back class 5 2nd places over 1300M. She is down a full 4kg in weight, Luis knows her well having ridden her every time, and from the inside gate she can be on pace and can score here. (4) WONDERFUL SOCKS has six top three finishes from ten appearances to date. She has been on pace in her latest two, both at this class over a mile and both of which have ended in narrow 2nd places. She’ll be on pace again and she has won over this distance. (8) LOVE IN SEOUL has won two of her latest three to bring her rapidly up in class. Like Stunning Dolphin, she gets a big weight drop and that should make her competitive. (11) POWER BAND and (10) SEMYEONG DIA among plenty of others with at least place chances.
| Selections | (1) Stunning Dolphin (4) Wonderful Socks (8) Love In Seoul (11) Power Band |
| Next Best | 10, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 