Jeju Govenor’s Cup

Queens’ Tour Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (September 20)

It’s the final weekend of racing before the short Chuseok break and the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter kicks off with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) the main event. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 6 at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Gladius will be favourite for the feature (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile maidens with three of the eleven racing for the first time and a couple of them look interesting. (6) THE ROAD led in his second trial, crossing the line alongside top sprinter Super Finish in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he wins. (3) ULTRA CROWN went through two trials, winning both of them, most recently last week when settling back and running on strong in a quick time. The 1200M should suit and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, he can win first-up. (8) BULTAOREUNE was 6th on debut and then an improved 3rd at start number two over 1000M on August 9th when he beat three of today’s rivals. Third-up he should have a fitness edge here, and the way he has finished off these races, suggests the step up in trip is in his favour too. (5) FLASH BOLT and (2) NAREUSYA GOAT finished 4th and 5th respectively on debut behind Singsing Nashe and both can improve here

Selections(6) The Road (3) Ultra Crown (8) Bultaoreune (5) Flash Bolt
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens, although all of them have raced at least once before. After running 4t on debut, (9) UNICORN ACE was a close 2nd at start number two on August 22nd in a quick time over 1000M. He is up significantly in trip, but he has been doing his best work late, and he has every chance here. (8) GOLD X stepped up to this distance at start number two on August 30th and came from off the pace to run a solid 3rd place. Luis climbs on for the first time, and he can be dangerous here. (4) ECLIPSE GOLDEN has run 3rd in both starts so far at 1200M. He as been back to trial since his lates, which he came trough well, and he can at least place again. (11) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG and (6) CHEONSANGGEOMNYONG among plenty of others who can step up.

Selections(9) Unicorn Ace (8) Gold X (4) Eclipse Golden (11) Cheonmaui Hanseong
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start1, 4, 10, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 25 Million

A “second chance” race for those yet to win any prize money from at least five starts. And none of them started their respective last race at odds shorter than 26/1, so it’s a case of good luck solving this one. (3) SEMYEONG HEIDI has done the least wrong in that she has only raced five times and does at least have a 6th place. She also hasn’t raced since May and crucially went through a trial in August that she won in a quick time, making all. If she brings that trial form to the races, she will win this. (1) PNS RUNNER does usually show on the early speed and if from the onside gate he gets off to a good start, most of these rivals might not be good enough to get past him. (6) VICTORY SECRET is another who can be on pace and in this a long way. Without any level of confidence, (7) DUKE SOCKS and (4) HAEMARU CHAT are others who could run into some money.

Selections(3) Semyeong Heidi (1) PNS Runner (6) Victory Secret (7) Duke Socks
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been knocking on the door in recent starts wit a 2nd place tree back and then a 3rd on his latest on August 9th. Both those were at this distance coming from off the pace and against this modest opposition, he won’t need to improve by much to win this. (10) SONGDANG JILJU has picked up in her latest two, both at 1400M, passing plenty late for back-to-back 4th places. Previous tries at 1700M were not successful, but she may be ready for another crack. (1) NURI EUTTEUM has never been better than 4th but managed to finish in that position last time out on September 6th and making a quick return here and drawn in a much better gate, she can match or better it. (8) GANGHAN PRINCESS and (7) GRAND COURAGE other place chances.

Selections(5) Powerful Arctic (10) Songdang Jilju (1) Nuri Eutteum (8) Ganghan Princess
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

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

(4) WIND MIREU is a winner of three from four and enters having run a close 2nd on his first try at this class over this distance on August 16th when coming from off the pace. He has his fair share of weight to carry again, but he can go one better. (9) SEOBU DANCING returns to racing for the first time since winning at class 5 level under an apprentice claim over a mile in May. He is up in class and bereft of a claim today, but he has Franco on and he looked well when winning a trial two weeks ago. (11) KEUTPAN YEOGEOL enters having finished in 3rd place over this class and distance on July 24th. She races best on pace so she has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can be competitive. (6) STRAWBERRY QUEEN and (7) SHACKLE LAUD among others in the frame.

Selections(4) Wind Mireu (9) Seobu Dancing (11) Kkeutpan Yeogeol (6) Strawberry Queen
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN LATE BURST OVERWHELMS OLDER RIVALS IN JEJU GOVERNOR’S CUP

She didn’t quite manage to out “Lala K” Lala K, but nevertheless, BOREYONGLIGHTQUEEN pulled off one of the more remarkable come from behind efforts to flash past the two-time defending champion Jeulgeounyeojeong – and everyone else in her way – to win the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Bryeonglighqueen leaves Jeulgeounyeojeong and Gladius in her wake (Pic: KRA)

The winner of the final leg of this year’s Triple Tiara, and the only three-year-old taking her chance, Boryeonglightqueen was sent off as 14/1 fifth choice in the market as she took on her filly and mare seniors in the Jeju Governor’s Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter. Jeulgeounyeojeong, bidding to win the race for the third year running, began as the 2.5 market favourite.

Second-favourite Crown Hamseong looped the field to take the early lead and as the field settled down was joined on the pace by Born Dia and then Jeulgeounyeojeong and Donga Ilbo Trophy winner Gladius, with the field being strung out behind and the ultimate winner at the back.

Turning into the straight, Born Dia was the first to be shaken off, followed by Crown Hamseong, and it looked as if it would be a straight fight between Gladius and Jeulgeounyeojeong.

That would be to reckon with Boryeonglightqueen who, having been let loose at the top of the straight, proceeded to complete the final three furlongs a full two seconds quicker than the two leaders, improving from 12th to 5th in the penultimate furlong and then sweeping past the rest, winning by two-lengths on the line.

Jeulgeounyeojeong, making her first start for trainer Lee Sang-young, following Kim Young-kwan’s retirement, was 2nd, with Gladius a further length back in 3rd.

“I was concerned about the early pace of the race” winning jockey Jung Do-yun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “The race got a bit stretched and I think that was how we were able to win.” Jung was bullish about Boryeonglightqueen’s prospects for the remainder of the Queens’ Tour. “She’s better at longer distances so we’ll be aiming to win the Series.”

Winning trainer Kim Gil-jung echoed Jung’s thoughts: “I had some expectations in my own mind but considering her best result had come at 2000M I did fear perhaps the 1400M might be a bit sharp with not enough time for her to come back at them in the straight.”

“We’ll go on to the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup in October. Everything is easier in October with the summer over and the horses peaking. She’ll have home advantage (at Busan) and back at 2000M, we will be looking forward to it.”

Jockey Kim Yong-geun, who finished 3rd on Gladius admitted that he had been focusing on his duel with Jeulgeounyeojeong when Boryeonglightqueen surprised them both.

“As expected, (Gladius) didn’t start very well but I gave her a bit of bridle, and we made our way forward. I was confident into the 4th corner when Jeulgeounyeojeong came alongside. She is a strong horse, and we had a good battle. I thought we were making progress back at her, so I was a bit confused when another horse came so fast down the outside.”

Boryeonglightqueen is by Rock Band (by Ecton Park) who was foaled and did his racing in Korea, winning the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup, in 2015. She is out of the Menifee mare, Yaho Prez, who also raced in Korea.

The next leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter is the Gyeongnam Govenor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan on October 26th.