Racing Reviews

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (June 5)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (1) HOLIDAY QUEEN was a much-improved 2nd at start number two in a very similar race over this distance on May 2nd when unlike in her debut, she raced on pace. She only went down narrowly in a quick time, and she won’t have to improve much to win this. The next two both come off long layoffs. (9) BREEDO QUEEN STAR raced twice last spring with a 2nd among them. She is now four so evidently is believed worth persevering with and she looked well in a trial a couple of weeks ago. (5) NICE BUDDY was 2nd on debut last September, well beaten by a good winner but showing promise. She then had some setbacks, but she also trialed satisfactorily in May and can go well again first-up. (4) TUHONUI ACE and debut maker (10) SAILING others to look out for.

Selections(1) Holiday Queen (9) Breedo Queen Star (5) Nice Buddy (4) Tuhonui Ace
Next Best10, 3
Fast Start1, 5, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive maiden. (8) APDOJEOK NUMBERONE ran a close 2nd at this distance at start number two over this distance in March before beating a couple of these on his way to 4th place on April 18th. Franco gets on for the first time, he can be on pace, and he can win this. (5) BLACK SQUALL was one of those beaten that day, but he has a couple of placings on his record including a 3rd place at 1400M on May 16th, when on leading for part of the way. He will be on the speed here and can be in this a long way.  (2) SEOBU DANCING was another behind Apdojeok Numberone in that April 18th race, but he had a wide draw that day and has since run 3rd at this distance. (4) SCYTHAI and (10) DIA X are other placing chances.

Selections(8) Apdojeok Numberone (5) Black Squall (2) Seobu Dancing (4) Scythai
Next Best10, 9
Fast Start5, 8, 9, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Another tricky one (11) THUNDER PASSION has the challenge of the widest gate, but he comes in off 2nd and 3rd places over 1200M both times doing by far his best work late. The step up in trip can suit and he has a big chance here. (2) REMENT beat a couple of these when running on for a best to date 3rd over this distance on May 18th. He comes into a much better gate this time and should be aiming to go even better. (9) EAGLE POWER was 4th in that May 18th race, coming from off the pace. He has a runner-up finish at this distance and can be in the mix again. (3) GLORY ALPHA and (5) FAST QUEEN among others in the placing frame.

Selections(11) Thunder Passion (2) Rement (9) Eagle Power (3) Glory Alpha
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) ASTIN MARINE has been only fair in three goes at this class, all at this distance, with a 3rd place the best of them. He has won over 1800M and Seo Seung-un, who rode him to his maiden victory, returns. He can settle back and run on and has as good a chance as any here. (7) BLUE POINT beat Astin Marine when 3rd at this class and distance two starts back. He too is a winner over this distance and with a strong finish, can be challenging late. Veteran (6) MILK DAY has both beaten and been beaten by plenty of these but on his last start 4th – ahead of Astin Marine – has to be considered a chance here. (1) SKY SHOT and (8) STORMY DAY among others to consider on a place line. 

Selections(5) Astin Marine (7) Blue Point (6) Milk Day (1) Sky Shot
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 9

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Lala K is Back. Seoul Saturday Race-By-Race Preview (May 10)

Forty-seven weeks after we last saw him, the viral sensation Lala K is back – and in much more amenable company. There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10.35 to 18.00. Here are the previews:

It’s him. Lala K (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After running a close 2nd in February. (4) DONGJIN THUNDER was sent off as favourite for his latest outing on March 23rd but while he raced handy, could only manage to finish 5th. In this small field he is well worth another chance. (2) ALIFER beat a couple of these on her way to a significantly improved 3rd at start number four on April 12th. From a good draw, she will be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (8) ROYAL SOCKS raced once all the way back last August for a fair 5th. In the intervening forty or so weeks he has been gelded and looked well enough when trialing in April to suggest that he can go well first up again. (6) AWESOME STEP and (7) DIA ROOK others to consider among a small but competitive field.

Selections(4) Dongjin Thunder (2) Alifer (8) Royal Socks (6) Awesome Step
Next Best7, 1
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 6

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

More maidens with two of the eight racing for the first time. We’ll start with experience and (6) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG who has four top four finishes from five attempts so far, including her latest at this distance on April 12th. In this small field, she can be on or close to the pace, and she can win. (2) MALSGO has mixed his form across his six starts so far with his best being a 3rd place two outings back at this distance when he led for much of the way. He should lead again from a great draw and can be in this a long way. Among the debut makers, (4) BLACK SATANG looked competent enough across two trials and from a central gate can go well first-up. (7) BILLION BOY and (3) YEOMYEONGUI SUNGAN others with experience who may improve.

Selections(6) Jeulgeoun Sangsang (2) Malsgo (4) Black Satang (7) Billion Boy
Next Best3, 8
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) ECLIPSE LUCKY got his maiden win at start number two in February with a front-running effort at this distance. He led in his first try at this class on March 23rd at 1300M ultimately finishing a fair 4th and with that experience under his belt combined with the slight drop back in trip, he is the one to beat here. (4) SONGAM SKY was a winner at this class two outings back and then ran 3rd on April 19th at 1300M. She is another who likes to be on pace, and if she can get to the lead, she will be a danger again. (5) NAEGILUI YEOJEONG won at class and distance in January before parting company with his rider coming out of the gate in February, earning himself a starting test and barrier trial. He returned to the races with a fair 5th on April 12th and assuming he gets round, will be in the finish. (8) SERGEANT LIGHT and (2) YES ANGEL other place chances.

Selections(1) Eclipse Lucky (4) Songam Sky (5) Naegilui Yeojeong (8) Sergeant Light
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) UPPERHAND had been working towards a maiden win and it arrived at the sixth time of asking on what was her first try at both this class and this distance on April 13th. She comes up 2kg in weight but given the aptitude she showed for the 1400M, she has to be favoured to prevail again. (4) FREE TIME won on debut and has registered a 6th and a 5th in two tries at this class. She comes into a much better gate this time, the slight step up in trip can suit, and she can be a danger. (3) WONDERFUL SPIRIT was the beaten favourite behind Upperhand in that April 13th race, showing handy, but ultimately finishing 4th. An apprentice claiming 2kg keeps her weight low and she should be there or thereabouts again. (10) EXCELLENT MATTA, 2nd to Upperhand last time out, along with (11) WANGCHOEGO, who has placed at this class and to who Moon Se-young stays loyal, are others to consider.

Selections(5) Upperhand (4) Free Time (3) Wonderful Spirit (10) Excellent Matta
Next Best11, 9
Fast Start4, 5, 9, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(11) SMILING PRINCE took a couple of goes to figure things out, but has run 2nd in both his latest two, most recently at this distance on April 19th. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but the son of Smiling Tiger has shown plenty of speed from the gate and with a long way to the corner, he can get to the front and go one better. (2) BICHUICA is a veteran Korean bred who came from well off the pace to beat a few of these on his way to a smart 2nd at big odds on April 5th. He comes up 1.5kg in weight but draws well and this is the kind of race he can find the money in. (8) TAEKHAN was 4th in that race. His win came over this distance and he can be in the mix again here. (6) HEART K and (5) HIGH RUNNER are the others in the hunt.

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No Surprises As Fantastic Value Strolls To Oaks Win

Even as an odds-on chance, FANTASTIC VALUE provided plenty as she eased to victory in the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, adding the second jewel of the Triple Tiara to the first that she scored in the Luna Stakes at the end of March.

The wildcard – and perhaps sole interest in the race given Fantastic Value’s Luna superiority – was ONEULDO SMILE, a hitherto unbeaten filly, who travelled down from Seoul with a perfect four-from-four albeit never having raced at further than 1200M.

As expected, Oneuldo Smile was sent to the lead by CC Wong while Seo Seung-un settled Fantastic Value handy and Oneul Smile ended up giving a very good account of herself leading until just over a furlong to go when the favourite came by.

Just as in the Luna, Fantastic Value’s winning margin was five-lengths with Oneuldo Smile managing to hold off Boryeonglightqueen and Lime Tree for an excellent 2nd, the latter pair repeating their Luna finishes of 3rd and 4th respectively.

Fantastic Value [Afleet Express – Union Belle (by Dixie Union)] moves on to five wins from ten starts. Owned by Moojigae Rentcar, she is trained at Busan by Lim Keum-man. She will be the hot favourite to emulate Golden Power in 2022 and Jeulgeounyeojeong in 2023 in claiming all three jewels in the Tiara. The final leg, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) is at Seoul on Sunday June 8th.

A more interesting prospect as to whether she completes the Tiara, may be the prospect of Fantastic Value facing the likes of Jeulgeounyeojeong in the Queens’ Tour Winter/Fall in the latter part of the year.

Next Sunday it is the turn of the three-year-old colts with KRA Cup Mile winner Oasis Blue the favourite to win the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul.

JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG RETURNS AND RECLAIMS QUEENS’ TOUR THRONE

The Princess will have to wait a little longer as the Queen has no intention of relinquishing her throne. Crown Hamseong led the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), but defending champion Jeulgeounyeojeong, racing for the first time since last November, was too strong, grinding her foe down in the closing stages, and taking victory in the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Jeulgeounyeojeong edges out Crown Hamseong (Pic: KRA)

Gladius, winner of the first leg of the series, the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed) a month ago was sent off as the 2.2 favourite among a crowded field of sixteen ahead of Donga runner-up Crown Hamseong with Jeulgeounyeojeong, who was making her seasonal debut, third in the market.

The favourite was never in it, Gladius taking up a handy position but not at any point looking like threatening. However, Moon Se-young on Crown Hamseong, took the initiative and went straight to the lead while Seo Seung-un and Jeulgeonyeojeong stalked.

They came together in the home straight and Jeulgeounyeojeong ultimately ground down her younger rival, beating Crown Hamseong by a length on the line. Wonderful Slew, Jeulgeounyeojeong’s biggest rival over the last two years, emerged from the pack to claim 3rd. Raon Forest was 4th and favourite Gladius a meek 5th.

Jeulgeounyeojeong was racing for the first time since last November’s Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M KOR-Listed) when she suffered the worst result of her career and was found to have bled. That resulted in an automatic suspension and the need to complete two trials prior to being able to compete again.

“She is the Queen, right? And that means there is pressure.” Seo Seung-un told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “She bled last time and had five months off. We gave up on the idea of running in the Donga Ilbo last month and as a stable worked to prepare her for 1400M. The gate was wider than we wanted (gate 14) so we had to adjust our plan, but (the plan) came off. She should be in even better shape for (Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer 3rd leg) the KNN Cup.”

Winning trainer Kim Young-kwan – whose very presence on track in Seoul should have been a clue – said he had been confident. “It’s true that I expected to win” he confirmed to KRBC “but there was the layoff, and I was aware that there are some good horses among the newcomers (to the filly and mare ranks). The draw wasn’t good and Seo Seung-un was worried about that.”

Pic: KRA

“The spell at the farm did her good, not just recovering from the bleeding but a chance to fully rest and recover her health and I want to thank the farm (Nasca Farm, belonging to her owners) because she was looked after very well there. My stable staff put in a lot of work too and Seo Seung-un, as always, was very good.”

Moon Se-young, partner of runner-up Crown Hamseong, felt that fatigue and the draw had taken its toll. “I’m disappointed” he told KRBC. “Obviously she had some hard races and then with the draw, it’s the kind of thing you can’t replicate in training, the effort to get across to lead. She got there and she ran well, but ultimately, we just came up short.”

Ruan Maia rode Luigi Riccardi’s Wonderful Slew for the first time and after finishing well back behind the boys in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) on her only previous start this year, she ran a smart 3rd.

“I was worried about the distance because it is too short for (Wonderful Slew) but I trusted in her ability, so I did my best to keep her as close as possible to the pace and she finished very well” Maia explained to KRBC. “Hopefully the next race (KNN Cup) it will be the right distance, and she will have a good chance to win.”

Jeulgeounyeojeong [Colors Flying – Says Ms Elizabeth (by Giacomo)] moves on to thirteen wins from twenty-five starts. The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series concludes at Busan on June 1st with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3). Meanwhile the younger generation of fillies will have their chance to shine next weekend with the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan next Sunday.

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 1)

March gets underway with a 10-race card at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Global Hit goes around at Meydan on Saturday evening/Sunday morning (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maidens with all but two racing for the first time. (8) WE GO HIGH looked very assured in his trial, crossing the line 1st on the bridle and without much encouragement in what was a quick time compared with most trials recently. If he brings that form to the races, he wins. (4) THUNDER FIRE drew the widest gate on debut and after going forward early got shuffled right back before running on. He should have derived some benefit from the experience and with a much better draw today, can improve. (10) ACE MATCH was slowly away on his debut but ran on pleasingly enough for 5th place and he too can have come on for the run. Returning to the first-time starters, (1) WHIZ GOLD and (6) TOUCH THE SKY looked the best in trials.

Selections(8) We Go High (4) Thunder Fire (10) Ace Match (1) Whiz Gold
Next Best6, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (11) GWANAKSAN JOY has finished between 2nd and 4th in each of her four starts so far, including last time out on December 28th when she was a beaten odds-on favourite in 3rd. She likes to race on pace, so she does have the challenge of the wide draw here, but she is worth another chance. (2) INDIAN TAPIT has a 5th and a 4th from her two outings to date, both at this distance and most recently racing handy. Kozzi rode her both times and third up she can be peaking. (3) HYEOKMYEONGUIJILJU didn’t do much from a wide draw on debut but has raced on pace in her latest two and has finished 3rd and 4th. She draws well to get forward again and can match or better those finishes. (4) WONPYEONG NURI and (8) CUPID WORLD are the other place chances.  

Selections(11) Gwanaksan Joy (2) Indian Tapit (3) Hyeokmyeongjilju (4) Wonpyeong Nuri
Next Best8, 9
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) SEOBU SKY ran a solid 3rd on debut over 1200M on January 26th, settling just behind the speed and running on well. He should have come on for the run, Ruan Maia climbs on, and he can win this. (3) ARCH DAY is the main danger. He has two 3rd places among his six starts to date, one at this distance and today comes into a better gate than last time. That should allow him a soft run to the speed, and he will be in this a long way. It would be a surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but (1) SEOHAE BADA does have a 3rd on her record and enters off a useful enough 5th over 1400M and from the inside gate may make for some interest on a place line. (2) DIA ROOK and (10) BLACK RUSSIAN others in the frame.

Selections(7) Seobu Sky (3) Arch Day (1) Seohae Bada (2) Dia Rook
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) PURGE STEP was a winner on debut over 1300M on January 25th, overcoming a wide draw to jump out fairly and then be ridden up to the pace. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but neither should be an issue, and she can measure up. (4) CHEONGSAN JILJU got his maiden win two starts back but had a slightly disappointing day at the office on his first try at this class and distance on January 25th. That was the first time he had missed the top five and he is well worth another chance here. (1) SUNSHINE QUEEN is winless in eleven, but she came close two starts back and ran a fair 5th on her first try at this class on January 18th. She’s nicely in at the weights and from the inside gate can be in the finish. (5) LOTUSMIREU and (7) CHEONJI SKY are others who can contest at least the minors.

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Chan Famous & Oasis Blue Win Classic Trials as CC Wong Claims Another Listed Victory

CC Wong rode his second Listed winner in a week as Chan Famous came from a long way back to stake his claim for a spot in the starting gate when the Triple Crown kicks off in April by winning the Sports Seoul Trophy (1400M KOR-L) on Sunday afternoon. At Busan, Oasis Blue did the same, with a comfortable score in the Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy (1400M KOR-L), the pair of races the respective main Classic trials of the two tracks.

Jockey CC Wong and Trainer Kenny Seo share…a moment (Pic: KRA)

Having debuted nondescriptly last November, Chan Famous won his next two before kicking off his three-year-old campaign with a 4th place at class 4 over this distance. That adequate but by no means amazing record led him to be sent off at 38.1 on the local tote as One Punch Dragon, entering the race on a three-race winning streak, jumped as the favourite.

Another outsider, Silver Rain, set the pace along with the fancied Long Run Bulpae, who entered as the only horse to have raced at class 3 level. Silver Rain would fade in the straight leaving Long Run Bulpae and Lee Dong-ha alone out in front and seemingly home and hosed.

Chan Famous downs Long Run Bulpae (Pic: KRA)

That would be to reckon with Chan Famous as having sat towards the rear of midfield, CC launched his mount and he relentlessly eroded a big deficit in the final furlong, reeling in and passing a tiring Long Run Bulpae to win by just under a length. Best Race was 3rd and Captain P.K., Seoul’s best juvenile of 2024, was 4th.

Chan Famous is by Hansen and out of Intouchable (by Elusive Quality). Trained by Seo Bum-seok, he was a 94 Million Won purchase as a two-year-old by his owner, Hong Kong based Shum Ho Chun.

It was a first big race win in Korea for the owner while for trainer Seo, generally known as “Kenny”, it was another big price success with a young horse – stablemate Aqua Line, won last November’s G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie at Busan at 80/1, although has been on the sidelines since. For CC Wong, it was a second Korean Listed win in as many weeks with the jockey having taken out the Segye Ilbo Trophy on Crown Hamseong last Sunday.

At Busan, Oasis Blue crossed the line in front for the second time in Listed company, having previously done so in last Octobers Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy. That day he was deemed to have been at fault for an incident early in the race that resulted in a jockey being unseated and under the local rules of racing, he got thrown out.

Since then, he had registered a 3rd place and a win at class 4 level over the Korean Derby distance, but Oasis Blue was dropped back to 1400M to scratch that Listed itch on Sunday. Close all the way under jockey Jin Kyum, taking the lead turning into the straight and once he got in front set about his task well, opening up a big lead and taking the line a full three-lengths to the good over Yongbi Paewang, with My Dream Day in 3rd.

Oasis Blue is by Uncaptured and is out of Saena (by Peace Rules). He is trained by Baik Kwang-yeol and owned by Lee Jong-hun, who has owned the likes of Success Story, Beolmaui Kkum and Beolmaui Star.

The first leg of the 2025 Triple Crown is the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday April 6.

CROWN HAMSEONG FRONTS UP FOR CC WONG IN SEGYE ILBO TROPHY

Crown Hamseong wired the field to walk off with the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The four-year-old filly scored a first Stakes win for herself and in the process a maiden Korean Principal race win for jockey CC Wong.

Crown Hamseong and CC Wong have plenty in hand on Daemnagui Gil on the line (Pic: KRA)

It had been a day for pacesetters with all prior winners on the card having led practically from gate to wire and there was accordingly a cavalry charge to get the coveted leading position after the short run heading into the turn from the six-furlong start. Vincero Cavallo, Naol Sniper, Something Lost, Yeonggwangui World and Saenae Town all tried, but coming out of gate two, CC and Crown Hamseong were too quick for them all.

Opening up a lead of three-lengths into the home straight, Crown Hamseong made the closing stages a procession as the other front-runners fell away. Daemangui Gil and Speed Young would eventually emerge from the rear to get closest, albeit a full two-lengths back on the line. Crown Hamseong returned as the 9.9 fifth favourite in the local win pool.

It was perhaps a race too far for Vincero Cavallo, who showed close to the pace early, but ran out of petrol equally quickly and finished well down the field. The pre-race favourite had run every month since his 6th place in the Korea Sprint and it showed.

As for Speed Young, giving the prevailing track conditions were evidently favouring front-runners, it was always going to be a hard ask given his racing style and widest gate. Under a sensible Kim Hye-sun ride, he perhaps did well to run 3rd.

Veteran Daemangui Gil ran a super race to run 2nd, Kim Tae-hui threading her way through the field late to get closest to the winner. It was a pick-up ride for Kim after scheduled jockey Jung Do-yun suffered a broken shoulder in a fall at Busan on Friday. Jung is expected to be out for several months.

Crown Hamseong [Freedom Child – Choegoya Choego (by Menifee)] is a four-year-old filly who was purchased by her owner Hwang Eui-young for 30 Million Won as a yearling in 2022. Trained by Lee Gwan-ho, she came into the race boasting seven wins from ten starts, up to class 1 level and a mile. She skipped all three legs of the Triple Tiara series last year. She could be very interesting in this year’s Queens’ Tour.

For jockey CC “Jimmy” Wong, it was a 43rd win in Korea and his first in a Listed or Graded Stakes. After an initial very successful stint in the country early in 2024, he returned to Singapore to see out the final days of racing in the Lion City but returned in late autumn and is gradually picking up from where he left off.

CC Wong is part of a very strong visiting jockey group at Seoul that also includes Ruan Maia, Kozzi Asano and Harry Kasim, as well as long-time Korea based multiple Group winner Johan Victoire and former Champion Apprentice in Turkey, Furkan Yuksel.

Next weekend, attention turns to the three-year-old crop with Triple Crown Classic trials at both Seoul and Busan.

Riccardi’s Wonderful Slew Retains Gyeongnam Crown, Captain P.K. & Wonderful Groom – Eventually – Take Juvenile Honours

Wonderful Slew claimed the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter by successfully defending the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile in the Juvenile Division, Captain P.K. scored in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) at Seoul, while Wonderful Groom was handed Busan’s Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) in the Stewards’ Room.

Wonderful Slew and Moon Se-young (Pic: KRA)

A maestro with the fillies, trainer Luigi Riccardi scored his first Korean Group race win with Choego Black in the Korean Oaks at Busan in 2021, but it is Wonderful Slew who has been his stable star, winning this race a year ago and then adding the KNN Cup, also at G3 level this June. The Italian handler has been operating at a win rate in of 18% and a top three rate of nearly 49% over the past year, the stable arriving on the south coast in peak form.

Sent off as the 1.7 favourite to overturn the defeat she was handed by Jeulgoeunyeojeong over 1400M in the Jeju Governor’s Cup at Seoul last month, jockey Moon Se-young sent Wonderful Slew out to track that filly, who herself had settled into 2nd early behind Flying Star.

They would remain in that order, Wonderful Slew glued to Jeugeounyeojeong’s tail, until the home straight when Moon asked for an effort from Wonderful Slew and the pair quickly zipped by their main rival, before dismissing Flying Star with similar disdain and ran on to win by two-and-a-half-lengths on the line. Flying Star held on for 2nd place while Jeulgeounyeojeong had to settle for 3rd.

“She was the defending champion, so I was confident” winning jockey Moon told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “It rained a lot on Friday, which wasn’t ideal, but I was thinking who would be the horses in front and assumed Jeulgeounyeojeong and Flying Star. The idea was to track them, and that’s how it turned out.”

“Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong have raced each other a lot, and at 1400M, 1600M, 1800M, we are the challenger and the underdog, but at 2000M, the expectations are on us, and (I am happy) we were able to do it.”

Moon also talked about his father, who passed away last week. “As I prepared for this race, I thought about it as one last gift I could give to my father, and I felt like he was watching me.”

With the victory, Wonderful Slew [Purge – Worldly Dude (by Volponi)] overtakes Jeulgeounyeojoeng at the top of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter Leaderboard with 650 points to 600. The final leg is the Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M KOR-L) at Busan on Sunday November 24th.

Also slated for Busan on November 24th, the top juveniles from Seoul and Busan will meet for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) and lead up races were held on Sunday at both Seoul and Busan.

At Seoul twelve lined up for the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) and just as he did in August’s Rookie Stakes, Captain P.K. emerged from the pack late to win by a length-and-a half. Blushing Rose was 2nd and Munhwa Ilbo Trophy winner Silver Rain 3rd, having set the early pace.

Capyain P.K. (Pic: KRA)

Trained by Song Moon-gil and ridden by Kim Jeong-jun, Captain P.K. [Race Day – P.K. Party (By Old Fashioned)] moved on to three wins from four starts and emulated his dam, P. K. Party, who won the very same race as a juvenile herself back in 2017 when it was open to overseas, as well as locally bred runners – P.K. Party that year was the only Korean-bred, beating eleven US-bred runners that included Moonhak Chief, who would go on to win both the Grand Prix Stakes and the Korea Cup in 2019.

In Busan, things were less straightforward in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup (1200M KOR-L). After running 3rd on debut, Winner Clear won his next two starts by a combined twenty-five lengths and was accordingly sent off as the 1.2 favourite. He was slow out of the gate though and while ridden up hard to take the lead, he wilted in the straight and crossed the line 3rd as his stablemate Oasis Blue romped home by five-lengths.

It was not to be for Oasis Blue, however. Around the 700M mark, he had shifted out slightly when not fully clear of My Dream Day and the resulting chain reaction of checking on heels ended with Mo Jun-ho being unseated from Union Champ.

Under rules of racing, there was no option but to disqualify Oasis Blue and Wonderful Groom [Testa Matta – Shesa Bud Girl (by Giant’s Causeway)] was promoted to 1st place. Winner Clear was awarded 2nd and quinella backers of the odds-on favourite rejoiced. Regardless of the disqualification, for which jockey Jung Do-yun copped a four-day ban, Oasis Blue will surely be a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie in December.

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (June 28)

The weekend’s racing kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Unusually we don’t start with a class 6 but instead have this competitive class 4 affair as the opener. (2) RAON VIBE MAN is a winner of two from six so far and enters off a good score over 1300M on May 26th. He comes up to both this class and distance, but he is down in the weights, he draws well, and he can win again. (6) DAYLIGHT KING did nothing on debut but was a good winner at the second time of asking when stepped up to this distance on June 14th and making most of the running. He carries a full 5kg more this time around, but the manner of that win suggests there can be more to come. (9) WITH SUN won two of four starts before a lengthy absence. He returned at the very end of last year and has shown well in three appearances, most recently a close 2nd at the end of March. CC climbs up and this could be his day, (3) HONORED KHAN and (7) TTANBONG QUEEN others in the frame.

Selections(2) Raon Vibe Man (6) Daylight King (9) With Sun (3) Honored Khan
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. It will though be that one with experience who will start as the hot favourite. (2) BREEDO KELLY debuted over 1300M on June 7th and showed on pace before ultimately finishing in 2nd place. She should have come on for that run and will be strongly favoured to go one better here. Among the first timers, (6) WINNER CLEAR came from off the pace in his trial to stop the clock in a fair time and the 1200M can suit first up. (5) MORNING DEW raced in midfield before finishing off well in a similar time in his heat and is the other one that catches the eye. (8) ARI DRAGON and (3) HEUIMANG YEOSIN are others who hinted at ability.

Selections(2) Breedo Kelly (6) Winner Clear (5) Morning Dew (8) Ari Dragon
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It’s hard to go past (1) THUNDER GUY here. Yet to finish worse than 4th in three starts, his best was a very close 2nd over 1300M in April. He likes to race on pace, so draws ideally here, Seo Seung-un remains on, and he will be a short price. After a couple of trials, (4) ARION TAEYANG ran well on debut over 1000M on May 31st, finishing 4th in a fair time. With some natural improvement out of that, he can go closer today. (6) RUN TO QUEEN has a best of 2nd from four starts. She has been back to trial since her latest effort and let every step of the way in a heat last Saturday stopping the clock in a fast time. So long as she didn’t leave her race there, she can be a contender. The somewhat ungraciously named (5) FAT BOY along with (11) BANGTANUI JEONSA are others who can improve.  

Selections(1) Thunder Guy (4) Arion Taeyang (6) Run To Queen (5) Fat Boy
Next Best11, 2
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Several of these raced one another over this distance on May 24th and (11) GOAT KING IJI came out on top among them, running a close 2nd having led for much of the closing stages. He had the challenge of the widest gate here but won’t need to find much on that latest effort to win this. (10) BABEL DREAMY ran 3rd in that May 24th race having been sent off as the favourite. He also has a 2nd place to his name over the distance and he shapes as the main danger. (5) OASIS RED debuted over this trip back on May 10th, running a fair 4th. He could well have come on for the experience and can go closer second up. (2) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (9) PINHOLE EYE are others to consider for the minors.

Selections(11) Goat King Iji (10) Babel Dreamy (5) Oasis Red (2) Ilnyeom Sinhwa
Next Best9, 3
Fast Start2, 5, 9, 11

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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SBS Sports Sprint – Sprint Series 2nd Leg: Preview & Form Comments

When the four-year-old pair of Raon The Point and Something Lost flashed to the front in the final furlong of the Busan Ilbo Sprint a month ago, it seemed to show a generational change was finally taking place among the one turn elite. At Seoul on Sunday, they have to opportunity to confirm it as a full field of sixteen line up for the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Sprint Series. SEE HERE FOR PREVIEWS OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL & BUSAN ON SUNDAY.

At this point it is fair to acknowledge that part of the reason for the generational change is because of the absence of the biggest older star. Raon The Fighter won this race last year before suffering an injury that was confirmed this past to week, to have ended his racing career. But the new set are exciting, nonetheless.

Raon The Point and Something Lost have raced just nine times apiece. The former has won seven and the latter five, but they won’t necessarily come home in the same order as in the Busan Ilbo, when Raon The Point got the better of their late duel by a neck. Something Lost comes into a much better gate this time around, and he will probably start as the market leader.

Don’t rule out the old order striking back. Chief among those of course, is Eoma Eoma, who won this race in 2021 and then went on to claim the big one, the international Korea Sprint in 2022. He had an ordinary 2023 for the most part but came back into form when winning the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy over 1400M at Busan last November and that provides some hope that he can bounce back from his 5th place in the Busan Ilbo last month.

The wildcard is Beolmaui Star. He temporarily shot to the top of the sprinting ranks by leading the 2023 Korea Sprint, only being passed by eventual winner, the world class Remake. It’s all gone a bit wrong since though. He missed the start in the Kookje Shinmun and then travelled to the Dubai Carnival where he scarcely featured in two disappointing efforts. He won a trial in fine fashion in March and if the Beolmaui Star of last year’s S   print shows up, he can win.

1. PREEMAX – Has long since lost his form. 9th over 1400M on season reappearance in February and is a big outsider here.

2. DOCTOR CAESAR – An excellent 3rd place in the Busan Ilbo having led from gate 1. Draws well again to be on pace and can be in this a long way, although others favoured.

3. SSONSAL – Won the G3 SROA Chairman’s Trophy at this distance here last June but has shown patchy form in three starts since. 6th in the Busan Ilbo and that would be par here. Regular jockey Da Silva staying in Busan may be a clue.

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