Nice Time and Eunpa Sarang have headed South for the KRA Cup Mile (Pic: KRA)
Six colts have made the trip down from Seoul to face seven from the host track and it is a race of many chances.
Champion juvenile HANGANG CLASS will probably start as the betting favourite locally, but he comes in having been beaten in Busan’s Classic Trial, the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Trophy (1400M KOR-Listed) in February, when taken down late by WONDERFUL LEAR. The pair meet again with Hangang Class this time much better drawn.
NICE TIME was Seoul’s best juvenile last year, and he has started 2024 in fine fashion with two wins, including in the capital city’s Classic Trial. He will be ridden by Moon Se-young, who last week won the opening leg of the Triple Tiara on Eclipse Berry and could well make it a double here.
DOCTOR KINGDOM had plenty of near misses throughout the juvenile series last year but an improvement shouldn’t be ruled out while his stablemate, BACCHUS, has taken the same route that last year’s winner Betelgeuse did, and is already a winner at 1800M, let a lone a mile. SUCCESS BAEKPA and STORM BREAKER are others who skipped the Juvenile Series and the Classic Trials to take a different path here.
1. HANGANG CLASS – Dominant seven-length winner of the Breeders’ Cup in December to be crowned champion juvenile. He was favourite for Busan’s Classic Trial in February but was a touch slow out of the widest gate and was then ridden hard around the outside to ultimately establish a four-length lead turning into the straight before being picked off late. He is drawn much better today for an easier run and his class can see him through. The favourite.
2. WONDERFUL LEAR – Picked off Hangang Class late on to win Busan’s Classic Trial, he is a winner of three from six. He has mixed his form and Hangang Class beat him twice last year. Don’t read too much into his midfield finish at this distance in January in a tough and quick race against older horses at class 3 level. He can be very competitive here.
3. NICE TIME – A winner of five from six stars so far with his only defeat coming at Busan when 4th in the Breeders’ Cup. He was slowly away in Seoul’s Classic Trial but showed a lot of heart to haul himself to the lead and then to keep it under pressure. The mile may well suit.
4. LALA KA – Won the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy but has never come close to repeating his explosive exploits from last August’s Rookie Stakes. 5th of ten at class 3 level in his only start this year back in January, he does at least come in here fresh, and the mile could be to his liking.
The Triple Crown season is upon us with the first jewel being contested at Busan on Sunday afternoon in the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2). The big race is number 5 on a 6-race card at Busan which runs from 11:25 to 16:05. There is also an 11-race card at Seoul – where the cherry blossom festival continues – from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Wonderful Lear beat Hangang Class in the Busan Classic Trial (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) TAENGGEURI has five top-five finishes and comes back in trip after a couple of spins at 1700M and one at 1400M, not without some success. He has a 3rd place over this distance and has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K. BELLE is the main danger. She has mixed her form across five starts so far but her running style suggests that the slight step up in trip can suit and she should be running on late. There isn’t much early speed in the race though. (8) HAYAN TAEYANG returns to action for the first time since last November. She has trialled up well on two occasions and should be in the mix first up here. The form falls off a bit after those three so it may be worth taking note of the debut making pair of (11) WONDERFUL LORD and (2) MAGIC PRINCE, both of whom hinted at ability in trials.
Selections
(7) Taenggeuri (1) B.K. Belle (8) Hayan Taeyang (11) Wonderful Lord
Next Best
2, 6
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
A small field of maiden fillies. (2) MAGIC IMPACT won a February trial and then finished midfield on debut over 1200M later that month. She should have derived benefit from that experience, she draws much better today, and she has every chance here. (4) BAEDARI HYANGGI has been getting closer in recent outings, culminating in a 3rd place over this distance on March 2nd. In this company, she should be on pace, and she can get even closer today. (7) GENERAL POWER may sound like an energy company and she has mixed her output across her four starts, but going on her 3rd place at 1200M in a good time two starts back, she is a chance here. (1) FLYING LION and (8) NEXTLEVEL are other placing chances.
Selections
(2) Magic Impact (4) Baedari Hyanggi (7) General Power (1) Flying Lion
Next Best
8, 6
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) BLACK JILJU led for much of the way around over this distance on March 1st and was only narrowly beaten into 2nd place. She is yet to finish any worse than 5th and she looks very much the one to beat here. (1) NAEPYEON ran an improved 4th at start number two over this distance on February 23rd. From the inside gate he should be on pace and with Seo Seung-un booked to ride, more improvement seems probable. (10) SEOGWI STAR has been solid if unspectacular across her four appearances to date. She generally finishes off well and can run into some money again here. (8) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE and (6) DANCING BOY are others in the frame.
Selections
(4) Black Jilju (1) Naepyeon (10) Seogwi Star (8) Yeonggwangui Rose
Next Best
6, 7
Fast Start
1, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) STUNNING CHAMP enters off a close 2nd place over 1300M on February 24th when settling midfield and running on well. She has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin, and she can win here. (1) SPALTA is clear second pick. He was an improved 2nd at start number four over this distance on March 3rd when racing handy throughout. From a good draw, he should get a relatively easy run to the lead and is the one the favourite will have to get past. There are a couple of debut-makers. Both (9) SPARKLING and (8) MAX PARTY went through plenty of trials, and both are capable of a bold first-up showing. (4) PERFECT TIARA the best of the rest.
Selections
(6) Stunning Champ (1) Spalta (9) Sparkling (8) Max Party
Next Best
4, 10
Fast Start
1, 4, 5, 8
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (1) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA is yet to win in six attempts but is also yet to finish outside of the top four. She comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes, the most recent of which was ahead of a couple of today’s rivals at this class and distance on March 3rd. She comes up a couple of kilograms in the weights but today should really be her day. If she manages to find one too quick again, it could be (2) FLYING DANU, who was sent off as favourite on debut over 1200M on March 8th and duly obliged, racing on pace throughout. She is up in class here but carries a light weight, draws well, and can measure up. (7) SKY GRIT is up in class after a maiden win in a good time at 1200M on March 3rd. She’ll be on pace here and can be in this a long way. (6) GRAY QUEEN and (8) DONGNAM WINNER other placing chances.
We’re heading into peak cherry blossoms as the festival continues for Saturday’s action at Seoul where there is an afternoon/evening card of 11 races from 14:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews.
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive opener with two standouts. (4) WONDERFUL PASS has shown steady improvement across four starts to date, culminating in a 2nd place over 1300M on March 3rd when only breaking fairly but getting onto the lead and in being in front for most of the way. She draws nicely here and can go one better today. The danger is (6) SAMAEBEONJJEOK. She too has been showing progress with her latest being her best when 3rd over this distance on February 25th. She’ll be on pace here and will be a big threat. (1) FINAL GO enters off an improved 2nd place on February 17th when coming from midfield over this distance. He was well beaten by a good winner, but a similar run should see him not far away. (7) MAX MA will be on pace and may be an each-way chance while (3) HAMPYEONG JANGMI is another in minor money contention.
Selections
(4) Wonderful Pass (6) Samaebeonjjeok (1) Final Go (7) Max Ma
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
2, 3, 6, 7
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
It’s hard to go too far past (1) DREAM CARD. He’s finished no worse than 5th in four starts to date with his best being a runner-up finish over 1300M in January. He came up to this distance last time out on March 2nd and ran a fair 4th, coming from off the pace, and he should prove too strong for this small field. (5) DRAGON SQUARE has a tendency to run ungenerously, something he has done on three of fours starts. He has shown ability though and looked well in a mid-March trial. Harry Kasim may be able to straighten him (literally) out here. (7) NAOL JEONGSANG returned from a more than five-month absence to run 2nd over 1700M at the start of February. That was a tough ask first-up, but he has since had a further nine weeks off and is a place chance again here. (8) E.H. COCO and (4) SHOUT KURO others to consider.
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) CAPTAIN TIME ran out an emphatic winner at start number three over 1300M when racing handy before pulling well clear in the final furlong in an all-filly maiden. She comes up class here, but the manner of that win suggests there is more to come, and she can win again here. (7) MOMO K has been ultra-consistent over his five outings. He got his maiden win just before Christmas at 1300M and has since run 4th and 3rd at this class, most recently over this distance on March 3rd, when he led for much of the way. He can go close again. That will mean overturning the form on (5) WORLD KING MAN, who won that March 3rd race at odds of nearly 30/1. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights but warrants more resect this time. (11) SHOOTING REVERSE was 2nd in that same race and shouldn’t be far away, although once more must contend with the widest gate. (4) HIGH BORN ME another to consider for the places.
Selections
(2) Captain Time (7) Momo K (5) World King Man (11) Shooting Reverse
Next Best
4, 9
Fast Start
2, 7, 9, 10
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (10) BELOTERO was a maiden winner two starts back over 1300M before weakening and finishing back in the pack over 1400M on her first try at this class on March 3rd. She comes back slightly in trip today, the in-form CC Wong climbs in, and she can return to winning ways. (9) MYEONGJINBULLPAI got her maiden win in the snow just before the turn of the year and enters having run a solid 3rd place over 1400M on March 10th. She likes to settle back and run on and can be a danger late here. (5) SPECIAL HILL comes up in class having won handsomely over 1200M on March 3rd, making all. He is nicely drawn and while he may not get such a soft run to the front this time, he can measure up. (4) EXCELLENT TAN and (6) WONDERFUL SEEKING other possibles.
Selections
(10) Belotero (9) Myeongjinbullpai (5) Special Hill (4) Excellent Tan
Next Best
6, 1
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Tricky race for fillies and mares. (11) BAEDARI KWAEGEOM enters off a 2nd place at this class over 1300M on March 2nd when he led for much of the way around. He comes back to the distance at which he registered his sole win, and while he comes up 3.5kg in the weights, he has strong claims here. (1) SAENAE VIVA got her maiden win two starts back before finishing midfield on her first try at this class at the end of January. She comes in here off ten weeks out and from a good draw, can be on pace and in this a long way. (8) JEONGSEONGTIGER remains a maiden after six outings but comes up in class after a few too many near-misses, including as runner-up to Saena Viva. She is lightly weighted and shouldn’t be out of her depth here. (3) FINE DAY and (7) ICE CREAM are others who can enter the calculations.
It’s Triple Crown opening weekend and the cherry blossom racing festival continues, this week with actual cherry blossoms having appeared. The action starts at Busan on Friday with and afternoon/evening card of 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:
Busan nights
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Weak maiden to begin with but something has to win. Moon Se-young is in town to attempt to complete a Triple Tiara-Triple Crown 1st leg double on Sunday and his conveyance here, (5) FLYING BABY, has as good a chance as any. We need to overlook her second appearance when she weakened badly, but if we go on her debut effort in December when running on for 5th in a decent time at 1200M, she can go on top. There are plenty of runs we need to overlook here. (10) WEST POINT managed a 4th place two starts back over 1400M. It was a slow race but that’s enough to put him in the mix here. (1) BIG BOY raced four times last year with a best of 5th over 1400M. He returns for the first time since November and looked well enough in a March trial. (8) DIVINE KINGDOM and (11) SEOBU HOLIDAY other potential improvers.
Selections
(5) Flying Baby (10) West Point (1) Big Boy (8) Divine Kingdom
Next Best
11, 2
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 9
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden and Moon Se-young will be on the favourite again. That’s (7) SAVAGE GIRL, who has been getting closer across her recent outings, and enters off her first 2nd place finish on March 10th when handy throughout. That came at start number fourteen, but she should finally shed the maiden tag here. (3) GEUMA REJOICE has hinted at ability across four outings so far with the best of them a 3rd place at 1200M last November. She didn’t race again until a midfield finish on March 1st and should strip fitter here. (6) SUNCHEON YEOWANG was a much-improved 2nd at start number two at 1200M at the end of January. Se comes in fresh after ten weeks out and can go close. (9) SKY ARCH and (4) HARVEST MOON among other placing chances.
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) ILNYEOM SINHWA has raced three times over the mile already and comes in having run 3rd on March 10th, racing close throughout and beating a few of today’s rivals. He draws well to be on pace here and today can be his day. (12) WORLD WINNERS MAN has been knocking on the door over his five appearances to date with his best being a 3rd at 1200M. He has been doing his best work late so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and the step up to 1600M can suit. (9) FUERTE stepped up to this trip at start number two on March 3rd and came form off the pace to run 2nd. She was ell beaten by a good winner but won’t need to improve much to be close again. (6) BLISS MARINE and (3) SEOBU CAPTAIN others to consider.
Selections
(1) Ilnyeom Sinhwa (12) World Winners Man (9) Fuerte (6) Bliss Marine
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 11
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Plenty of winning chances here. (4) SEUNGNI PARTY got her maiden in at this distance in January and has since run twice at this level for 3rd and 4th place finishes, most recently at 1400M on March 15th when leading for much of the way. The drop back in trip can suit and she should be leading again here and can go all the way. (9) SANGIM BOLT remains a maiden but got promoted to this class following back-to-back runner-up finishes. He showed on the speed on his first try at this class on March 1st ultimately finishing in 4th place ahead of a couple of today’s rivals and can be competitive again. (11) BREEDO WIZARD and (12) LAND BANK are similarly maidens, but both have already placed at this class and can be dangers. (1) MADE HEEMANG is the other logical place chance.
Selections
(4) Seungni Party (9) Sangim Bolt (11) Breedo Wizard (12) Land Bank
Next Best
1, 6
Fast Start
2, 4, 9, 10
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Eclipse Berry ran out the dominant winner of the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed), leading every step of the way to effortlessly secure the first jewel in this year’s Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies.
Eclipse Berry wins the Luna Stakes (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as the 2.4 favourite locally among the sixteen-strong field, Moon Se-young guided Eclipse Berry across from gate eleven to assume the early lead and she was never close to being headed, streaking away to win by seven-lengths on the line. Global Taeyang was 2nd and surprise package Bang Bang Bang 3rd. Baekduui Kkum, the top juvenile filly at Busan last year, was 4th.
Winning trainer Seo Hong-soo noted that things had gone as well as they possibly could. “We had a plan, and Moon Se-young carried it out perfectly” he told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “The dam and sire (of Eclipse Berry) are very compatible, so I have always had high hopes for her” he continued. Eclipse Berry is by Shackleford and out of the Speightstown mare Silkberry.
(Pic: KRA)
“Our plan as a stable for this year was to raise our win rate by one or two percentage points and also to win a big race or two, so we are making good progress. We’ll take Eclipse Berry to the Korean Oaks in May and then go up to 2000M to finish the series.”
Moon Se-young told KRBC that it had been a good week. “Eclipse Berry trained really well in the days leading up to the race. Sometimes it can be complicated when traveling young fillies, but she was very relaxed, and I fully trusted her in the race.”
“I’ve ridden winners at Busan before, of course, but this was the first time up on the podium surrounded by fans”. His previous big race wins at the track were in 2022 with one presentation out on a deserted track front and the second held indoors. “It was great that so many fans came out and I was really happy when they were calling my name.”
“What was especially pleasing for me, was how many MZ racing fans travelled to be here today” he said, referring to a term currently used in South Korea to describe a combination of “millennials” and “Generation Z”.
Eclipse Berry and Moon Se-young (Pic: KRA)
“They are the future of this sport and with them I am confident that horse racing will be in a strong place long after I retire.”
Next week it’s the turn of the colts with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2), the first leg of the Triple Crown, at Busan on Sunday afternoon.
Geoljak One won the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy in December (Pic: KRA)
Both of the last two years have seen fillies sweep all three jewels in the Tiara, with Golden Power’s 2022 exploits being matched by Jeulgeounyeojeong in 2023. The latter confirmed her status as the top filly or mare in the nation with her win in the opening leg of the Queens’ Tour, the Donga Ilbo Trophy. After Sunday’s Luna, a race named after Busan’s first champion filly, the second leg of the series is the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan on May 5th, before moving to Seoul for the finale, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) on June 9th.
The home track and the capital have equal representation in the Luna with right Seoul-trained fillies traveling down to contend with eight based at Busan. Among the raiders, GEOLJAK ONE and ECLIPSE BERRY look the best, having come home 1st and 2nd in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) in early December. The latter went on to win very easily over 1800M at class 3 level last month and under Moon Se-young, is set to start favourite.
Busan’s champion juvenile filly last term was BAEKDUUI KKUM, who comfortably scored in the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo (1200M KOR-Listed). Her only appearance of 2024 so far was a somewhat underwhelming 6th of eleven over this distance at class 3 level but it was a strong and quick race, and she can be better today. Franco Da Silva, who enjoyed a golden 2023 and on Friday reached the milestone of 400 winners in Korea, rides.
Others expected to feature prominently in the market are GLOBAL TAEYANG and PERFECT ACTION from Busan, along with another Seoul raider, WONPYEONG LIST.
The Luna Stakes is race 5 on the 6-race Sunday card at Busan. There is also an 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday:
1. SEONGSIL DAERO – Made all to win over 1300M at class 5 level on February 18th. Draws well so expect to be on pace but this is much tougher.
2. HUIMANG CANDY – One of just four to have won at this distance which she did at class 5 level on February 18th.
3. PERFECT ACTION – Two-time winner at class 4 including at this distance and runner-up to Baekduui Kkum in in the DoMin Ilbo. Not impossible.
4. FLYING STAR – Midfield finishes in Seoul’s juvenile Listed races last autumn, but she enters having won at a mile at class 4 level on February 17th. Minor money chance.
March wraps up with the first leg of the Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies in the shape of the Listed Luna Stakes over a mile at Busan. There are 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05 while in Seoul there are 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Baekduui Kkkum is among the fillies going for the Luna Stakes (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time and one of those four can go on top. (1) BLACK SPECTER took two goes to qualify but did so in style on February 22nd, settling handy and running on to cross the line in front in a decent time. He draws nicely and if he can bring that form to the races, he can win. The exposed form isn’t impressive with only (9) EUNPA PARTNER having pocketed any prize money. That came at his latest start on February 24th when a much-improved 3rd over 1200M. A repeat of that performance will see him closer in this company. It is very to make a case for any of the others. (2) SONE SONJABGO has raced just once, finishing 7th behind Eunpa Partner. She should have come on for that run and can improve. (11) SEMYEONG GHOST and (8) GEUMSEONG YEOJE could be other improvers but without much confidence.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) EUNPA JOY looks the one to beat here. That’s based on his last start effort when 2nd over 1300M having settled midfield and finished off well. The slight step up in trip can suit and he can go one better today. (4) STUNNING MONEY has finished in the top-five on five of six occasions with a 2nd and a 3rd in the mix over 1300M. He has been doing his best work late in his races so for him too, the additional half furlong can help, and he should be there or thereabouts again. (2) P N S NALA was 5th behind Eunpa Partner last time out but it was only his second start and he showed improvement from his first. He draws nicely again to be on pace, and he should get closer. (11) HEUNGHAENG BULPAE and (7) MARUBYEOL among other placing chances.
Selections
(1) Eunpa Joy (4) Stunning Money (2) P N S Nala (11) Heunghaeng Bulpae
Next Best
7, 9
Fast Start
2, 6, 9, 11
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) BEOLGYO FRANCHE has shown slow but steady improvement across four starts so far with his 5th place on March 3rd over this distance being his best. He also looked sharp when winning a trial prior to that and in this company, he shapes as the winner. (11) BURUI TONGCHI ran 3rd on debut last October but hasn’t raced since. He didn’t offer many clues when trialling up at the start of this month but if he can deliver a similar first-up run here, he won’t be far away. (10) DRIVING FORCE offered little in two outings around the turn of the year. She went back to trial at the end of February and looked much more competent running on pace and finishing in a good time. Expect improvement here. (1) GOLDMASK and (3) SWEET BEOMHAN others to consider for the minors.
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) GEUMAK DIA is yet to win, having been promoted to this class with back-to-back 2nd places in his opening two runs. He has run fairly in two starts at this class, both over 1300M, finishing 5th and 6th with the margins not having been huge. The slight step back in trip can be in his favour and he has as good a chance as any here. (4) ARCH CLASS got his maiden win at this distance last September and has been gradually getting closer at this level, culminating in 2nd place last time out on February 18th. He draws well to be on the speed here and he has potential winning claims. (6) VELVETY returned from three months out to run fairly over 1400M on March 10th. She comes down in the weights and should strip fitter this time. (2) GANA POWER and (10) GEUMBIT GANGHO others in the hunt.
Selections
(8) Geumak Dia (4) Arch Class (6) Velvety (2) Gana Power
Next Best
10, 9
Fast Start
1, 4, 5, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(12) BLACK FALCON has a 2nd and a 3rd among his last three starts most recently coming from well off the pace over 1200M. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem as he has a strong finish on him, and today can be his day. (1) WORLD MAID CAT was disappointing on his second outing last month but if we go on his January debut when he came from off the pace to run 2nd, he is worth another chance here and Moon Se-young climbs on. (2) ALICE MARINE was a significantly improved 2nd on March 1st racing handy and running on over this distance. She draws nicely again and can match or better that here. (8) HAERANG YOUNGUNG and (10) WE LIKE MONEY are others to consider for the places.
Selections
(12) Black Falcon (1) World Maid Cat (2) Alice Marine (8) Haerang Youngung
Next Best
10, 3
Fast Start
2, 4, 7, 10
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (4) FIJI BLADE remains winless after ten attempts but has no fewer than eight top-five finishes. That includes her latest on February 24th when after settling at the back, she ran on for a close 3rd over 1200M. She comes up 2.5kg in the weights but that’s balanced by a much better gate, and she can make her breakthrough here. (7) DIANA and (6) TIZ MORNING both come up in class having registered their maiden wins on their respective third career starts, the former over 1200M and the later at this trip. They both like to race on pace, and both can measure up in this company. (2) ARCH RUNNER is another non-winner but has a 2nd and a 4th at this class and distance from her latest two and she should be close again. (1) LADY CODI another in the hunt.
The blossoms may not be quite out yet but racing has moved to its Cherry Blossom Festival schedule for Saturdays. There will be 11 races at Seoul from 14:45 to 21:00. Here are the previews:
Chances are that Malma will be making an appearance over the weekend (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden and it’s one of the two debut-makers who is set to be the warm favourite. (9) KKUMUI HYANGGI went through a couple of trials last summer without making it to the races but came back into training this year and went through a quick trial in February, settling back and working home well. This is a very soft race to start in and if she brings the trial form, she should win. The other first-timer is (5) KOTAP. She went through three trials getting it right in the 3rd of them in a fair time (albeit a full three seconds behind Eoma Eoma). Again, that should be enough to put her in the places here. The exposed form is lacking. (8) THUNDER STORM ran 4th on debut and while she was well back on her reappearance on February 17th, she still beat a couple of these. (11) CUPID DREAM and (10) P N S ME others who may improve.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Another weak maiden. (3) GALSAEK DOJEONJA is one of only two here with a top-three finish to his name, recorded over 1200M last October. He has raced fairly in three subsequent appearances and from a good draw and among weak company, he may be further forward today. He has as good a chance as any. (5) GLOBAL CODIE will also be on pace. His best so far is a 4th place on debut and comes in following a 5th and a 6th from his latest two. CC climbing up today will probably give him favourite status. (8) ARNOLD QUEEN has hinted at ability across her three starts so far and has trialled up fairly since her latest appearance in January. (1) CROQUIS is the other to have achieved a to-three and that’s enough to put her in the hunt here. (2) THUNDER YEOGEOL another in the hunt for the minors.
Selections
(3) Galsaek Dojeonja (5) Global Codie (8) Arnold Queen (1) Croquis
Next Best
2, 6
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) BEST DAERO ran 4th on debut over 1200M in January and followed up with a 2nd place at this distance on March 2nd when racing prominently throughout from a wide gate. He draws nicely to lead this time and he will be a short price favourite to go one better. (6) SAHARAMONG ran an improved 3rd place at start number three over 1200M in January. She comes in after eleven weeks out here and given her running style so far, the slight step up in trip can suit. (4) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER is yet to finish in the top-two in twenty-two starts but he has finished between 3rd and 5th on no fewer than ten occasions. He should be in the prize-money mix again here. (2) GLORY CHARM and debut-maker (7) MK STAR others who can compete for the minors.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) THE PLAYER was thought of highly enough to be given his chance in the G2 Breeders’ Cup for juveniles last December. He only beat one home, but he returned to form when 2nd on his first try at this distance on February 25th. He comes up 2kg in the weights, and he draws a touch wider than ideal, but he’ll be a strong favourite. (7) DONGHAENG FIRST is yet to win in twelve attempts but has no fewer than ten top-five finishes. That includes her latest just two weeks ago when 4th over 1400M. She remains under a light weight and stretches out to two-turns for the first time. (2) STAR CHANGER is also winless but comes up to this class for the first time following three consecutive 3rd place finishes. She comes up significantly in trip too, but she draws well, carries a light weight, and she can be competitive. (3) PLAN B and (6) HAENGUN BARAM others in the frame.
Selections
(10) The Player (7) Donghaeng First (2) Star Changer (3) Plan B
Next Best
6, 9
Fast Start
2, 5, 10, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
For the next three-weeks, to try and coincide with the cherry blossom season, racing on Fridays and Saturdays moves to a late afternoon and evening schedule (Sundays will follow the normal daytime race times). It begins at Busan on Friday where there is an 8-race card from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews
Busan nights
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maiden fillies in the opener. (7) CHEONHAJIYU came from off the pace to run a good 2nd on debut over 1200M on February 22nd. She should have come on for that run, the additional half furlong can suit, and jockey Franco Da Silva can notch his 400th Korean winner here. Speaking of jockeys, “The Moon” is working Busan Friday! Seoul’s eight-time champion rider Moon Se-young is in town to ride in Sunday’s Luna Stakes and climbs up on (2) SUPREME QUEEN here. She has a 2nd place to her name at this distance two starts back and from a great draw, she should be on pace and in this a long way. (12) B.K. DOMINER enters off two 3rd place finishes, both at this distance. She drew wide in both of those and ran in well and should be a danger late again. (4) DREAMMA and (5) HYPER FORCE are others on the right trajectory.
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) ONEULISUNGAN ran 3rd on debut over 1200M on January 21st, settling midfield and running on. He should have derived benefit from that experience, the step up in trip can suit, and he has every chance here. (1) BRUG KINGMAN race twice at the turn of the year, putting in a creditable 2nd and 4th at 1200M and 1400M, the latter rime leading into the closing stages. He comes in fresh following twelve weeks off and from the inside gate, he can go close. (9) BARADEON BADA was an on-pace 3rd over 1300M on February 16h. With not a huge amount of obvious early speed in this race, she should get an easy run towards the front again and can be competitive. (11) STORMY DAY and (4) GOOD KING MAN others with very solid placing claims.
Selections
(2) Oneulisungan (1) Brug Kingman (9) Baradeon Bada (11) Stormy Day
Next Best
4, 6
Fast Start
2, 4, 9, 12
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) LEMON DRAGON was an improved 4th when stepped up to this distance for the first time on February 23rd, having settled midfield and run on well. That was just his third start so there can still be some more improvement to come and against this limited opposition, he can make the breakthrough. (1) CLOUD LOVE looks as though he is finally figuring it out and comes in off a best finish of 3rd – at start number eighteen – on March 3rd. That was over this distance, as were his two prior outings which both resulted in 4th place finishes. He is clearly in the form of his modest career and Seo Seung-un remains aboard. It’s not impossible. The form drops off after those two. Third favourite will be (2) NUNBUSINGIL. That’s based on his last start when only 6th but it was at this distance, and he beat a couple of today’s rivals. (10) CHEONGMAUI JILJU and (5) THE ONE may be potential improvers among an ordinary bunch.
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
After running 3rd on debut, (5) RUBY STONE got her maiden win at the second time of asking on February 23rd, racing on pace throughout and winning comfortably in a good time over 1200M. She comes up in class here, but the manner of that win suggests that there can be more to come, and she will be a short-price favourite to win again. (8) GUKDAE HERO got his win in a quick race over 1300M back in December. He took a couple of goes to adjust to this class but ran a good 2nd over this distance on March 1st when settling midfield from a wide draw and running on. He comes up slightly in the weights but can aim for at least another runner-up finish here. (4) FLYING ACE got her maiden win over this trip in December and enters off a smart 3rd place over 1300M on March 3rd when she led for much of the way around. Moon Se-young climbs up and she draws nicely. (9) BRAVE CAPTAIN and (11) SANGIM STAR others in the hunt.
Jeulgeounyeojeong picked up from where she left off at the end of last year as she took the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring & Summer, the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed), with an assured performance at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Jeulgeounyeojeong holds off Wonderful Slew in the Donga Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as the prohibitive 1.5 favourite locally on a warm Spring afternoon, Jeulgeounyeojeong tracked early leader Raon The Spurt throughout the early and middle stages of the race, before jockey Seo Seung-un took things up early in the straight and then comfortably held off Wonderful Slew by three-quarters of a length on the line. 60/1 chance Yellow Cat was 3rd although essentially in a different race to the first two once they hit the home straight.
Jeulgeounyeojeong was the winner of all three legs of the Triple Tiara last year and while it seemed a gruelling season had caught up with her – she ran eleven times in total in 2023 – after a couple of late season reverses, including at the hands of Wonderful Slew, the Kim Young-kwan-trained filly returned to form with victory in December’s Breeders’ Cup Queen at Busan. She then got a very welcome three-month break.
(Pic: KRA)
For a first up performance, Jeulgeounyeojeong looked formidable and will surely get better for the run. Winning jockey Seo Seung-un agreed, telling in-house broadcaster KRBC: “It was a good run after three months off. There wasn’t really a suitable class 1 race for her in Busan in the lead up, so we came straight here. I had trust in the horse, and I am pleased we were able to come through for the fans.”
Winning trainer Kim admitted there were some nervous moments watching: “Even though (Jeulgeounyeojeong) was first-up after three months and Wonderful Slew had a race in her, I actually thought we would win comfortably” he told KRBC. “But we were almost in trouble in the end there and I think Wonderful Slew has improved a lot since the last time we met.”
Indeed, the way that Wonderful Slew finished off suggests that the Luigi Riccardi-trained galloper may yet have a say in the big ones as the season progresses. The runner-up’s jockey Moon Se-young said he expected some early speed and that he had a key decision imposed on him with 800 metres to run:
“The likes of Gangseo Giant, Chamjoeun Chingu and Raon The Spurt can be fast, so I was mindful of that. The key moment was around the 3rd corner when (Yellow Cat) came up on the outside and, well…you can review it for yourself later…I had to decide whether to go then or to hold back and I decided I couldn’t hold it any longer. Would it have been a different result if I had? I don’t know. But, anyway, I think at 2000M, we will win.”
(Pic: KRA)
That is something that will have to wait. The Queens’ Tour Spring & Summer moves on to the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul on April 28th, before concluding with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan on June 2nd. As Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew did last year, the best fillies from the three-year-old ranks will then be expected to join the Queens Tour Fall & Winter Series that begins in September.
We’ll get a closer look at just who those fillies might be when the Triple Tiara kicks off next Sunday at Busan with the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed), the first leg of the 2024 Triple Tiara.
Horse Racing in Korea 