ROSHE, a perfect five-from-five and the latest hottest prospect in Korean racing, faces his toughest task to date as he travels away from Seoul for the first time and enters Graded Stakes company for the first time as he heads a full field of sixteen in the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS BUSAN AND SEOUL.
The Owners’ Cup is the only all-aged open mile race in the country. With Seoul’s 1600M spur start being restricted to ten runners and the KRA Cup Mile and KNN Cup being only open to domestic-bred three-year-olds and fillies and mares respectively, the Owners’ Cup is the only time of the year an imported or older male horse can prove themselves at the elite level over a mile.
For ROSHE, a US-bred three-year-old, that opportunity comes quicker than most and as the only one of his age in the field, he will get a 3kg advantage over the rest. He has comfortably seen off all comers in five starts to date, most recently over a mile at class 2 level at Seoul on May 23rd when he sat behind the speed before effortlessly pulling clear in the home straight.
Against a field that isn’t hugely strong for the level, with most of the big-hitters keeping their powder dry for next Month’s KRA Cup Classic, Roshe’s greatest opponent may be, to use the tiredest of cliché’s, himself. Can he adapt to the travel, the new environment and the more punishing tempo that a Graded race generally has? If he answers yes to those questions, he can continue on his merry way. Jang Chu-youl will continue on board for trainer Song Sang-hyeon.
MUNHAK BOY and WONPYEONG STROM perhaps present cautionary tales. Both had outstanding starts to their careers but neither has managed to maintain their form – although Munhak Boy did at least claim a G3 win in the Kookje Shinmun last October. Jockey bookings on the pair are interesting. Lim Da-bin, who has partnered Wonpyeong Storm to six of his seven wins, returns for the first time in five starts, while former Selangor Turf Club champion Andre Luis Sa Dilva takes his first ride in Korea on Munhak Boy.
WONDERFUL GROOM, the SBS Sports Sprint runner-up is set to be among the second live of favourites after Roshe. DESPITE WIN and YOUNG SKYWALKER are others who will be in the market. Here is a full rundown of the field:
1. DAEHAN JILJU – The veteran is second up have returned from a near eight-month layoff to run 9th of fourteen in the SBS Sports Sprint over 1200M. Can strip fitter but this is a very tough test.
2. BEOLGYOUI KKUM – Solid 4th in the SBS Sports Sprint and then 7th in the SROA Chairman’s. He has only tackled the mile twice for a 2nd and a 4th, but he draws well to be on pace, and the jockey booking is a plus.
3. ROSHE – He is five for five and the most exciting three-year-old talent in racing. Easy winner over a mile at Seoul at class 2 level. This is his first time away from Seoul so there will be the question of how he travels and adapts but if he is fine with both then from a great draw, he should win.
4. YOUNG SKYWALKER – Won three in a row across the turn of the year and then ran fairly in midfield in the YTN Cup and Busan Mayor’s. 2nd on his only previous try at a mile. In a sifter field, he should be getting closer to the places today.
5. WONPYEONG STORM – Started his career like Roshe but was found wanting when stepping into elite company. Has two wins over the mile and Lim Da-bin, who rode him for six of his seven wins returns, but recent form doesn’t inspire confidence.
6. GIANT STEP – Gets his chance after a class 1 win over 1400M on May 10th, on pace throughout. Has two wins and three places from seven goes at a mile. Mixes his form but on his day can be close.
7. GREAT TOP – Has only raced up to class 3 level and only won up to class 4 and 1200M. Has back-to-back 2nd places from his latest two, both over 1200M and this is a big step up in terms of distance and grade.
8. MR.KEYMAN – Returned from over seven months out to run 3rd at big odds in a mediocre class 2 over 1800M on May 29th. Can strip fitter for that run and he is a two-time winner over a mile, but others favoured.
9. WONDERFUL GROOM – 2nd to Vincero Cavallo in the SBS Sports before finsihng well back in the SROA having drawn a wide gate. Three-time winner at a mile up to class 2 level, he can be on pace here and he can be a big danger.
10. DESPITE WIN – 2nd in this race last year, he was 3rd to Star Matta over 1400M on March and then 2nd (ahead of Star Matta) in April at 2000M. Two wins and two places from four tries at a mile, Seo Seung-un knows him well and he is at least a place chance.
11. BEST RACE – Won four in a row between last July and this January and was 6th of fifteen behind Speed Young in the Listed Segye Ilbo over 1200M in February. Beaten favourite last time behind Giant Step, he looked well in a trial two weeks ago and is a place chance.
12. STAR MATTA – Well back behind Clean One in the Busan Mayor’s but the veteran was in arguably the form of his career prior to that with a win and three 3rd places from his prior four outings, all at class 1. Not a winning chance but a good run can’t be ruled out.
13. MAENGNYONG – Gets his chance having won three on the spin, including his first try at class 1 on May 17th when on pace throughout over 1400M. A mile hasn’t been his go in the past so the distance is a question but there is no doubting his form.
14. BEOLGYO MASULSA – Stong winner of a Trophy race at class 2 equivalent in April before finding himself overmatched in the Busan Mayor’s This is a more suitable assignment and he shouldn’t be far away.
15. ECLIPSE THE KING – Led the Listed Sports Chosun over 2000M in May before weakening. Done no favours by the draw but if he can get a bit of luck and find a forward position, he could be interesting. One for one over a mile
16. MUNHAK BOY – A first Korean Group race ride for Andre Da Silva and it’s a very tough ask. Munhak Boy was a G3 winner at Busan over 1400M last October, but he hasn’t held his form since
Horse Racing in Korea 