The Queens’ Tour reaches its conclusion at Busan on Sunday afternoon with the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and while the leader of the series and the nation’s top filly or mare, Raon First, isn’t in attendance following her President’s Cup heroics two weeks ago, a solid field of sixteen will take their chance. Golden Power and Raon The Spurt bring their Triple Tiara rivalry on to the senior stage while Group winner Calm Strong and Wish Me return.

It’s been a long series, kicking off all the way back in March, when Raon First won the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M Listed). She then followed up in the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) in June but put in an uncharacteristically poor run in the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan the following month. Following a four-month hiatus, the series returns with Raon First still atop the standings and even in her absence, only Wish Me, runner-up in the Ttukseom and KNN Cups, is able to catch her.

Wish Me won the non-series Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR G3) in track record setting time in October. Both distance and her wide draw will be a question mark here, but she is sure to be among the favourites.

The KNN Cup was won by Calm Strong, another who is done no favours by the draw. She followed up that victory with another at class 2 level over 1800M in August and can’t be ruled out.

When the first leg took place, Golden Power and Raon The Spurt were simply a pair of promising three-year-old fillies.  Since then, Golden Power has won all three legs of the Triple Tiara series while Raon The Spurt ran 3^rd in the opening leg and then 2^nd in the remaining two. They take on their elders here and Raon The Spurt is the one who may just find more improvement.

The Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup is the concluding event on a six-race program at Busan on Sunday with a local post time of 16:40. There are also eleven races on Sunday at Seoul. Here is a full run-down of all the runners:

1. ECOPIA – A winner up to 1800M at class 3 level when on pace but well back behind Calm Strong and Wish Me in her latest two. Drawn well to lead but an outsider.

2. GREEN DARC – Winner over 1800M at class 3 at Seoul two starts ago but well back when slowly away on latest outing. Can sit handy and run on but others favoured.

3. RAON THE SPURT – Never out of the top four and runner-up to Golden Power in the Oaks and Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup and to Wish Me in the Jeju. Great draw, the distance should suit, and she is a real chance.

4. BURNING PARTY – Won a trophy race at 1800M in a fast time in April but races here for the first time since May. Trialed very nicely, she is a wildcard here. Goes best on pace.

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