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KRA Cup Mile: Preview & Form Comments for Triple Crown 2026 1st Leg

Sixteen colts will set out at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, bidding to be the first since Power Blade a decade ago to win the Triple Crown. The series gets underway with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2), the “Korean 2000 Guineas”.

Eight of the sixteen have travelled down from Seoul, but capital visitors do not have a good record in the race, registering only three victories since the race began in its current form in 2008 and none at all since Global Chukje scored in 2019. This time though a formidable line-up travels.

LIVE STAR has won his last three starts by a combined thirty-eight lengths, including a full eighteen last time out at class 4 over 1800M. While the robustness of the opposition he faced is debatable, he has been nothing if not impressive.

DI NE was well beaten behind Roshe in the Listed Sports Seoul Trophy on March 1st but prior to that was going very nicely and will be firmly in the market while FLUTTER and HWANG GEOM EO JJANG also travel down with solid credentials.

Don’t rule out the home team though. HEY BROTHER enters with the highest rating. He was 2nd behind Clutch Winner in the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy but prior to that was an excellent winner over a mile at class 4 level in January. Jockey Choi Si-dae won the race on Betelgeuse in 2023.

Seo Seung-un won the Cup Mile on Cheongnyong Bisang, one of those three Seoul horses to triumph in the race. Now firmly Busan-based, this year he partners FUNNY WILD, who while he lost his way late on when 2nd over 1800M last time out, was very strong prior to that and from a great draw, will be on the speed.

There is sadness over the race. Champion Juvenile Supex Winner began the week set to be favourite but suffered a catastrophic ligament and sesamoid injury on Monday morning which he ultimately succumbed to on Wednesday.

The KRA Cup Mile is race 6 on the 7-race program at Busan with a 16:05 post time:

1. HEY BROTHER – The highest rated in the field and one of the most experienced with nine starts. He’s won four times up to class 4 and a mile. His most recent start saw him 2nd to Clutch Winner in the Classic Trial at 1400M on March 1st. A front-runner, the mile suits and the draw suits, and he is among the favourites.

2. BREEDO SOL – Only beat two home in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie but has begun his three-year-old campaign well with a win over 1800M at class 5 level and then 2nd at class 4 over the same distance on February 15th, beating Legend Hit. Likes to come from off the pace and can aim for some minor money.

3. FUNNY WILD – A strong winner over 1800M at class 4 level in February, he led when trying to repeat at class 3 on March 1st but ultimately weakened late on and was caught. He is one for one at the mile, he has a great draw to get on pace and with Seo Seung-un riding him from potentially several options, he will probably be the betting favourite.

4. LIVE STAR – Took a few goes to fully figure things out, but he has won his latest three, most recently at class 4 level over 1800M on February 7th when leading all the way and scoring by a full eighteen-lengths in a time that would win the Korean Derby most years. On that evidence, he has to considered a real threat here.

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Raon Forest Beats The Upstarts In Queens’ Tour 1st Leg

Changing of the guard in the filly and mare division? Not just yet, there isn’t as Raon Forest to take out the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed), the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.  

Raon Forest in the Donga Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

The only six-year-old in the race and therefore the only one who came out of what proved to be a vintage Triple Tiara class in 2023, Raon Forest, a Queens’ Tour veteran, entered the race fourth in the market behind Breeders’ Cup Queen winner Ace High with Boryeonglightqueen and Oneuldo Smile also well supported. 

There was unfortunate drama as the gates opened with Indy Ghost going up on hind legs and the going over. Fortunately, neither she nor jockey Masa Tanaka were seriously hurt.

Oneuldo Smile did lead while defending champion Gladius was also on pace, but both were beaten early as Raon Forest, under a patient ride from Jo Jae-ro, consistently made ground on the rail, striking the front a furlong out and lengthening away to win by a full six-lengths.

Boryeonglightqueen and Satang Sonyeo appeared from the back of the field with late runs for 2nd and 3rd. Pre-race favourite Ace High never landed a blow and ended in 7th.

“I had some high hopes” winning trainer Park Jong-kon told KRBC. “Not necessarily that we would win but I had some expectations. The draw was good and while Choi Bum-hyun couldn’t ride (due to suspension), Jo Jae-ro came in and did well.”

“Raon Forest has had so many near-misses, she ran well against the males last time and today she was really good. She’ll go to the Ttukseom Cup next, in the past with her start I don’t think the 1400M would suit but she is different now.”

Raon Forest [Hansen – Raon Nari (by Ecton Park)] moved onto seven wins from thirty-one starts.

The Queens’ Tour will return on April 26th with the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) also at Seoul. Next weekend, it’s the turn of the three-year-olds as the Triple Crown kicks off with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) – informally known as the Korean 2000 Guineas – on Sunday afternoon at Busan.

Korea Racing Report: May 20-22

THE EVER CONSISTENT RAON FOREST WAS THE WINNER OF THE DONG-A ILBO TROPHY AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THE UNDERCARD WAS HEADED UP BY THE TWO CLOSING CLASS 3 CONTESTS AND ROOFTOP was an impressive winner of the second of those class 3 races over the 1200M.

Rooftop (Instagrand) completed a double on the program for jockey Kozzi Asano when knuckling down in the last 200 metres to score by one-length. Rooftop beat Geudaemaniddamyeon back on debut and is now starting to show similar form to the start of his career.

The other victory for Asano came in the opening 1300M class 6 on board VINCENT ALEX (Power Blade).

The first of the class 3 events was the second last on the program and it produced a good finish and the 1400M stoush was won by MORNING WONDER (Concord Point) who won by a neck over the late closing Sure Win with long time leader Gold Catcher a nose away third. Seobu Champ was one-length away in fourth whilst the 2.6 favourite Baro Danaeun who was resuming from 11 months away from the races could only manage fifth a further half-length away.

There were a trio of three-year-old colts on the card that produced smart performances and they included MAEUM HANA (Gaon Champ) who led throughout to win race 8 (1200M Class 4) by seven-lengths and looks yet another good classic aged horse for the trio of CC Wong, Choi Yong-geon and Woo Tae-yul.

YOUNG FIGHTER (Hansen) was a smart winner of race 5 (1300M Class 5) leading throughout to win softly by four-lengths whilst VALID YOUNG (Shackleford) was a good winner of race 4 (1700M Class 5) for Johan Victoire and Moon Byeong-ki as a 2.5 favourite. He was the only horse in the finish that was on-pace in the run in a quickly run race which saw the 2.8 second favourite The Classic falter to finish a long last.

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Donga Ilbo – Queens’ Tour 1st Leg: Form Comments

SEE HERE FOR FULL RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN

There is something of a changing of the guard in the filly and mare ranks as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series kicks off with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Gladius (Pic: KRA)

While defending champion GLADIUS returns, the likes of Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew, who have dominated the top of the division over the past couple of years, are not here and a new set of up and comers could be set to take over.

ACE HIGH is set to be the favourite.  She rounded out her three-year-old campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Queen and then began this year with a strong class 1 win at this distance and the Ha Mu-seon trained Busan raider can take some beating.

She isn’t the only four-year-old taking her chance. ONEULDO SMILE was 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks while BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was the fast-finishing winner of both the final leg of the Triple Tiara and also the Jeju Governor’s Cup. Meanwhile FANTASTIC VALUE won both the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks and hinted at a return to form with a 2nd place in her latest start at class 2 level.

A host of other up and coming four-year-old fillies also step up and with many of them front-runners, the pace could be hot.

Aside from Gladius, RAON FOREST represents the older generation. While the only six-year-old in the race is only a winner of six of her thirty starts, three of those victories have come at class 1 level against the boys and she has been a Queens’ Tour mainstay, winning the final leg of this series last June.

The Donga Ilbo is race 7 on the card at Seoul with a local post time of 15:40.

1. SATANG SONYEO –A winner of five from twelve, including twice at this distance, she has lost her way a little of late, albeit in very tough company – 10th of sixteen in the Grand Prix as a three-year-old filly isn’t bad. Interesting outsider, who can lead or come from behind.

2. RAON FOREST – 4th in this race last year, she recorded 5th, 3rd and 4th in the three legs of the Queens’ Tour Fall-Winter, so has form to overturn on a few of these. Enters off a class 1 3rd over 2000M when closer to the pace than usual. Nicely drawn and can be in the finish.

3. CLAIR BIG BANG – Five wins from eight including two at this distance. She is though yet to win at higher than class 4 with her latest outing being 2nd place at class 3 over 1800M when on pace. This is a big step up, but she has potential.

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Korea Racing Report: March 13-15

THE REIGNING GRAND PRIX CHAMPION CLEAN ONE WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THERE WERE NINE OTHER RACES RUN AND WON ON THE CARD.

K N LIGHT (Testa Matta), as is his racing pattern, came right from the back of the field but unlike recent runs passed all of his rivals under Jeong Woo-ju landing the day at odds of 41.7 and in doing so became the second horse of the weekend at Seoul to win as the rank outsider.

The other class 3 contest on the card was the last and WE GO HIGH (Musket Man) returned from three months out to register his fifth win from eight starts by a comfortable five-lengths under Jang Chu-youl.

MUSKET CLEAVER (Musket Man) was an impressive eight-length winner of race 5 (1600M Class 4) and looks to have scope for more improvement going on the way he very easily accounted for his rivals.

The same can be said about CONCORD BLUE (Concord Point) who landed race 4 (1300M Class 5) by five-lengths under CC Wong for trainer Lee Shin-woo.

WHILST DOWN AT BUSAN ON SUNDAY UNJU GUY (Freedom Child) was an incredibly impressive winner of the concluding 1800M class 2 by an ever-extending nine-lengths. 

Unju Guy, who was second to Oasis Blue in last year’s Derby, had run into the likes of Young Skywalker and Oasis Red in recent starts, and was also sent up to Seoul for a crack at the President’s Cup in October, but appreciated not running into horses of that ability with what was visually the most impressive win of the day across the country and the style of his win surely wouldn’t have dented his confidence levels going forward.

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Herald Business – Stayer Series 1st Leg: Preview & Form Comments

SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN

The Stayer Series gets underway at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with a who’s who of the distance ranks lining up in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3).

Clean One easily won the Grand Prix (Pic: KRA)

Defending champion SUCCESS BAEKPA is back, but he is going to have his work cut out if he is to retain his title. A two-time Classic winner at three, Success Baekpa makes his five-year-old debut racing for the first time since finishing down the field in the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1) at the end of November. Prior to that though, he was 3rd in the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) and while that kind of form mixing has been a feature throughout his career, on his day he can mix it with the best. Jin Kyum is aboard for trainer Min Jang-gi.

The Grand Prix saw a display of domination by CLEAN ONE. The then three-year-old led early and had most of the field off the bridle, including Japanese raider Yumeno Honoo, with almost four furlongs left to run, ultimately winning by nine-lengths, the biggest margin in the race in three decades.  He hasn’t raced since but he trialed well a month ago and if he gets to the lead, could run away from them again. Clean One will be partnered for the first time by Seo Seung-un.

SPEED YOUNG is the reigning Horse of the Year and won the President’s Cup. The “Swiss Army Knife” returns to the racing around two turns having taken time out to win the Listed Segye Ilbo (1200M KOR-Listed) last month and will surely be in the finish again.

Runner-up in both the President’s Cup and the Grand Prix was GANGPUNGMA, and he is the best chance among horses trained in the capital. He hasn’t been the most fluent coming out of the gates recently which has put him on the backfoot but he was a smart winner at class 1 handicap level to round out the year and he will have plenty of backers. He starts for the first time having moved to the stable of Choi Bong-ju.

The Herald Business is race 7 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul with a local post time of 16.05:

1. GLOBAL SOCKS – Well back behind Gangpungma over this trip on December 28th and then midfield over 1800M in February. A long time since he last placed and a big outsider here.

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Korea Racing Report: March 6th – March 8th

IT WAS A LONG WAIT FOR THE FEATURE AT SEOUL RACECOURSE ON SUNDAY A class 1 affair over the 1200M for those who didn’t make the privilege of going to the G3 at Busan to get beaten by Vincero Cavallo, was the last on the card, but it didn’t disappoint as MAGIC POTION (Competitive Edge), the winner of last November’s KRA Sprint at Seoul, beat favourite Best Race by a length and a half in a fast time. 

The US-bred five-year-old, who was ridden by Lee Yong-ho, moved on to eight wins from fourteen starts and could be under consideration for a start in the next leg of the Sprint Series on April 12th. 

STUNNING MONEY (Gyeongbudaero) completed a riding treble on the program for Panamanian jockey Luiz Quiroz when winning the preceding ninth race (1800M Class 3) by two lengths.

It was a third victory over the Seoul 1800M for Stunning Money who accounted for Dragon Gate and Ultra Dragon whilst the three favourites in Tanseongui Banseok, BS Storm and Pasa Spurt were the next trio home.

The other victories on the program for Quiroz were ONEMO TIME (Peace Rules) who was the most impressive winner of the three maiden contests at the start of the card when justifying 2.3 favoritism by nine-lengths from the front, and in race 7 with a pick-up ride on STAY BIG (Stay Thirsty) who was the rank outsider at 60/1.

SHINING ROAD (Midshipman) was considered the danger to the 1.4 popular pick Pas de Cheval in race 8 (1700M Class 4) and he duly got first run on the favourite and held him off by a half-length. Pas de Cheval, who had won his previous two starts very softly, didn’t respond when first asked for the effort but eventually picked up in the straight; however, the line came up too quickly for his backers.

RAON FLORENCE (Musket Man) continued his consistent run of form when impressively winning by six lengths at even money under apprentice Woo In-cheol in race 6 (1200M Class 4).

GWANAKSAN SKY (Concord Point) followed up his debut victory with a four-length score in race 4 (1400M Class 5) and looks like potentially a nice type going forward.

GRACE DAY (Race Day) followed up her front-running nine-length maiden victory with another front-running win, this time only by a half-length. It is likely it would have been by a bit further however if she wasn’t so green in the home straight as she hung out with 200 metres to travel before then ducking back in towards the running rail in the final 50 metres. Her victory completed a riding double for Jeong Jeong-hee who rode the opening winner FLASH JUDE (Flashback).

VINCERO CAVALLO WAS THE STAR DOWN AT BUSAN but there was plenty on the undercard too.

UNJU CHALLENGE (Revolutionary) came home two and a half lengths clear in the following 1800M Class 4. He dipped coming out of the gates but balanced up, found the lead and proved too good for Lime Tree whilst the 2.4 favourite Amazing One was a further five lengths away only managing third and never looking like getting near his two co-favourites. Son Gyeong-min was the winning rider and that apprentice completed a double after success in race 3 on board NICE GIRL (Afleet Express).

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VINCERO CAVALLO REASSERTS AUTHORITY IN SPRINT SERIES OPENER

VINCERO CAVALLO pulled off a successful and emotional defense of the first leg of the 2026 Sprint Series, winning the Busan Ilbo (1200M KOR-G3) on Sunday afternoon. The five-year-old was racing for the first time in the colours of Kim Hyun-kang, son of late owner Kim In-gyu, who passed away last month.

Two in a row for Vincero Cavallo (Pic: KRA)

Despite sweeping all three legs of the series a year ago, Vincero Cavallo didn’t get a huge amount of support form the assorted racing media prior to the race. After missing a summer prep race, he ran 6th in September’s Korea Sprint and was down the field in his only subsequent start of 2025. Punters kept faith though, sending off the defending champion a 4.8 second favourite to return to form

Return to form he did and in some style. Settling just behind the early speed, which was set by the fancied trio of Born Dia, Fantastic Kingdom and Yeonggwangui World, Vincero Cavallo was never too far away. In the straight, under Jo Jae-ro, he produced that familiar burst of speed that had been missing in the latter half of last year, to burst through the middle and go on to score by two-lengths.

Pre-race favourite Winner Clear was 2nd with Fantastic Kingdom in 3rd.

“When he won the Sprint Series last year, (Vincero Cavallo) was running once a month, and it was difficult to maintain that. I had really been looking forward to the Korea Sprint, but he wasn’t able to show his ability – he was basically telling us he needed a holiday” winning trainer Seo In-seok told KRBC.

“Today he was back to himself, and I think he has a good chance of matching his achievement (of sweeping the Sprint Series) from last year.”

“Born Dia bolted from the gate. If the race had been at Seoul, I might have hurried up to go with her but the Busan track is a little different and I knew I could be patient and just trust Vincero Cavallo” jockey Jo Jae-ro explained.

“I’ve been a jockey for about ten years now and I always dreamed of riding a horse like Vincero Cavallo. I think I need to work to improve my own ability to be worthy of riding horses like him.”

“Last year I came onto that podium for the first time and (owner) Kim In-gyu was there. This time when I went up there, I felt sad. I am sure that somehow he knows that we won again.”

Vincero Cavallo [Cowboy Cal – City Lass (by City Zip)] was purchased by Kim In-gyu for 30 Million Won at the December Yearling Sale on Jeju in 2022. With his latest victory, he moves on to eleven wins from twenty-four starts and prize money in excess of 1.7 Billion Won.

The Sprint Series moves on to Seoul on Sunday April 12th with the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3). Next weekend, attention shifts to the first leg of the Stayer Series and the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Emphatic Grand Prix winner Clean One makes his first appearance as a four-year-old and is set to face off with Horse of the Year Speed Young.

Sprint Series 1st Leg: Busan Ilbo Preview & Form Comments

SEE HERE FOR RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN

Not since Success Story in 2017 has a Busan-trained horse provided a home winner for its leg of the Sprint Series as Seoul has dominated the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3). In that time visitors such as Silver Wolf, Eoma Eoma, Raon The Fighter and most recently Vincero Cavallo have been the most notable winners.  This year may be different though as the home track provides most of the probable favourites among the twelve-strong field.

Vincero Cavallo swept all three legs of last year’s Sprint Series (Pic: KRA)

The defending champion is back though. VINCERO CAVALLO swept all three legs of the Sprint Series last year, but he didn’t hold his form for the rest of the year, missing a summer prep before running 6th in the Korea Sprint (1200M IG3) but was well back in the Kookje Shinmun Trophy (1400M KOR-G3) in October, and hasn’t raced since. He did though win a February trial.

Busan is dangerous this year. WINNER CLEAR and YEONGGWANGUI WORLD enter as the in-form horses. The former won the KRA Sprint Yeongnam in November and edged out BORN DIA at class 1 level in January. Yeonggwangui World meanwhile looked set to won the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) at Seoul three weeks ago before Speed Young, who skips this race in order to go to the opening leg of the Stayer Series next week, ran him down late on.

GANGSEO GIANT is another Busan trained horse who will be firmly in the market while FANTASTIC KINGDOM and veteran BLACK MUSK are others who may play a role in the finish. The Busan Ilbo Sprint, kicking off the Sprint Series, gets underway at 16:05 local time on Sunday:

1. BORN DIA – Class 2 winner at this distance in October and then led on January 11th only to be denied by Winner Clear in the final strides by a neck. Good draw and a 2kg mare allowance which brings her right in contention. Chance.

2. GANGSEO GIANT – Won the G3 Kookje Shinmun over 1400M in 2024 and was 3rd in the same race in 2025. Won at class 1 over 1200M in November and hasn’t raced since but looked well in a February trial. Likes to come from off the pace, Seo Seung-un is on, and she will be among the favourites.

3. WINNER CLEAR – Dueled with Clean One as a juvenile but has found his niche at 1200M where all seven of his wins have come. He won the KRA Sprint Yeongnam on Grand Prix weekend in emphatic fashion before just getting up to beat Born Dia on January. Comes from off the pace and has a fiendish turn of foot. He will be favourite.

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Korea Racing Report: February 13-15 – Speed Young Sprints To Segye Success

SPEED YOUNG (Menifee) showed why he was recently crowned Korean Horse of the Year for 2025 when overcoming many obstacles to become the first Busan prepared horse to take out the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), the first black type race of 2026. at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

On a day where six of the ten races were won by leaders, Speed Young came from the second half of the field to storm down the outside to deny a game YEONGGWANGUI WORLD, who led all bar the last fifty metres.

Speed Young, who had never won over 1200M prior, was outpaced and under pressure in the early stages but, on a front running dominated track, proved to be by far the best under a brilliant first ride on the horse for Jo In-kwon.

ZIGGURAT was a further five-lengths away in 3rd, also coming from well back, ahead of HAKSAN SPEED in 4th.

Korea Sprint 3rd SUPER FINISH and BEST RACE, who drew either side of the stalls, were the next pair home followed by last year’s winner CROWN HAMSEONG.

The major disappointment was the 3.5 favourite MUNHAK BOY who came into the race on a streak of six victories but was effectively beaten from the start, proving unable to get onto the early speed and ultimately, ended eight and three quarters lengths in 10th.

“(Speed Young) hadn’t raced over the distance for a year so there was always that concern,” winning jockey Jo In-kwon told KRBC. “But as soon as I saw Munhak Boy hadn’t managed to get on to the speed, I was more at ease and thought we could win. If Munhak Boy had been in front of me, I would have been anxious, but from then on I just left it to Speed Young.”

Speed Young doesn’t currently hold an entry to the first leg of the Sprint Series next month and trainer Bang Dong-suk was non-committal about where his charge would next run: “The first priority is the health of the horse, but we will consider going back to the Stayer Series. For now, I am happy to start 2026 with a win.”

Earlier, THE CLASSIC (Concord Point) was an impressive eased down twelve-length winner of the opening race. He is a “full” brother to the 2023 KRA Cup Mile (2000 Guineas) winner Betelgeuse and looks to have similar ability based on his debut. Betelgeuse didn’t run again after that Cup Mile win but does stand at Stud and just this month his first foals have been reported to be on the ground.

GENERAL WIND (Yeonseung Daero) justified 2.9 favouritism to impressively lead throughout in race 4 under Kim Yong-geun (1400M Class 5) scoring by four-lengths over 3.3 second pick VALID YOUNG who lost no admirers in second.

The American bred MOVING VOLCANO (Stay Thirsty) was a good one-length winner from the top in race 8 (1200M Class 4). The three-year-old colt was the last of the two winners on the program for both Kim Yong-geun and Hong Dae You in a race which saw fancies MUNHAK DAESE and RAON SPILETTA never land a blow.

CIRCLE A (Higher Power) was yet another front running winner on the program scoring in race 9 (1700M Class 4) by four-lengths and in doing so brought up a riding double for Turkish jockey Furkan Yuksel who earlier scored in race 2 with X-TEN (Mischievously). CC Wong was also among the winners on CHRYSOL STONE (Chrysolite).

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