Queens Tour

KNN Cup Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 31)

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer comes to a conclusion on Sunday with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) attracting a full field of sixteen fillies and mares to the south coast. The big race is race 6 on the 7-race card at Busan which runs from 11,25 to 16.55. There are also 10 races at Seoul with a class 1 test over 2300M as the feature. Seoul’s card runs from 10.35 to 17.55. Here are the previews:

Raon Forest will seek to defend her KNN Cup crown (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Northern hemisphere two-year-olds and southern three-year-olds with all but one of the eight racing for the first time. The experienced one is (3) SOUTH CARNIVAL, who has raced twice for a 3rd and a 2nd, both at 1200M. He was on pace in his latest on March 28th and should have a fitness edge on these. (4) HOPE K was an all the way trial winner in a quick time just two weeks ago, crossing the line ten-lengths to the good. If he brings that form to the races, he can prove hard to beat. (7) GRAND PAS CLASSIC was also a commanding trial winner, leading all the way to score by four. He too can be a danger first-up. (2) SAUDI SOCKS and (6) MIGHTY SAVER others who hinted at ability in their heats.

Selections(3) South Carnival (4) Hope K (7) Grand Pas Classic (2) Saudi Socks
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start1, 2, 3 , 4

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

Maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience though and while (2) FLYING SMART has been a beaten favourite in both her starts so far at 1300M and 1400M when settling right back and running on, the fitness edge can be crucial. At the shorter distance, she can be further forward from a better gate, and she can win. (11) BEAUTIFULLY beat a couple of today’s rivals on her debut on April 25th, racing handy over this distance. She has the challenge of the widest gate, but she should have come on for that run and she can be close. Among the debut makers, (9) WHITE JACKPOT ran 2nd in a decent time in a May 14th trial and can put in a bold showing first up. (5) MASK GIRL was 5th behind Beautifull on debut and from a better gate and second up, can improve. (6) PNS BEAUTY another first-timer who can be competitive.

Selections(2) Flying Smart (11) Beautifully (9) White Jackpot (5) Mask Girl
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start5, 6, 8, 11

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

Eight fillies and one gelding in the south coast opener. (4) WIDAEHAN HEART debuted all the way back in October of last year, running a strong 2nd over 1000M. She then went lame but has been back in work since March and looked well when 2nd in a trial on May 7th. She is the one to beat here. (6) NORTHERN QUEEN has mixed her form a little over her six starts but going on her 2nd place two outings back when leading close to home, she has to rate as a chance in this company. (5) DIA X is an eighteen-race maiden but has two placings and no fewer than ten finishes in either 4th or 5th and he can be close today. (7) MAGIC TREE was a nondescript 7th on debut all the way back in July last year. She hasn’t raced since but returned to regular work at the start of April and has trialed well. Debut-maker (1) WONDERFUL PAS went through two trials and should be nice and fit on debut.

Selections(4) Widaehan Heart (6) Northern Queen (5) Dia X (7) Magic Tree
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) SAENAE RANIA has thrived since being stepped up to this trip, recording back-to-back 3rd place finishes, both times racing on pace. From a good draw, she will be on the speed again, and she can win. (11) JECHUK SANJIRO ran 3rd at start number two over this distance in April. He leaned in heavily when 5th over 1700M on May 9th to the extent that he was sent back to trial and having come through that in fine fashion, he is a chance today. (6) SEOPOKCHAT has a 3rd and three 4th places to his name. He has settled back and run on strongly each time. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time and there is every chance that it can suit. (10) UMARU and (3) TRIPLE S are other place chances.

Selections(5) Saenae Rania (11) Jechuk Sanjiro (6) Seopokchat (10) Umaru
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5

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

(5) STEALTH KINGMAN was an on pace 2nd in a decent time over 1300M on April 17th. He should have come on for the run and from a good draw he can be on pace again and this time he can go one better. (4) PILSEUNG WINNER returned from over three months off in April and has since run 3rd and 4th at 1400M and at this distance, settling in midfield and running on. Third-up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness wise, and she can be close. (3) MORE QUICKLY enters off a best to date 4th place on May 17th and should be aiming to match or better that in this company. (7) WONDERFUL WIND and (8) WORLD TRIPLE CAT are others in contention for the minors.

Selections(5) Stealth Kingman (4) Pilseung Winner (3) More Quickly (7) Wonderful Wind
Next Best8, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 8

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

(10) NINJA TIGER is yet to win, though she is far from alone here. She comes up in class following two 3rd places and most recently a 2nd at 1300M on May 2nd and under a light weight, she has as good a chance as any. (5) HAKSAN PRINCE is a twenty-one-race maiden but has placed on eight occasions, including last time out when 3rd at this class over 1700M. Four of his five runner-up finishes have come at 1400M and while he has his fair share of weight, he can be a danger. (7) WONPYEONG GANGJA has come from off the pace to run 3rd in both his latest two at this class and distance and he can do similar today. (2) GOLD SPINNING has at least won at this distance and along with (8) HANGANG FANTASTIC, can be considered on a place line.

Selections(10) Ninja Tiger (5) Haksan Prince (7) Wonpyeong Gangja (2) Gold Spinning
Next Best8, 3
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

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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.

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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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.

Queens’ Tour Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 21)

The Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series kicks off on Sunday when fifteen fillies and mares take their chance at Seoul in the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3). There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Jeulgeounyeojeong seeks to defend her Jeju Govenor’s Cup title on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

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

After running 5th on debut, (1) JIJON BULPAE was an improved 3rd at start number two on August 23rd when handy throughout. He comes into a better gate today and can be expected to be on pace and to go all the way. (9) GEOLJAK TIARA was 5th on debut over 1000M on August 23rd, running on well. She should have come on for the run and the step up in trip can suit. Similarly (11) GEOMEUN SUP was a fair 4th on debut on August 16th, also at 1000M. She too should have derived benefit from that and can be a danger here. (2) CLUTCH MAN and (4) AMOS STAR are others who can improve.

Selections(1) Jijon Bulpae (9) Geoljak Tiara (11) Geomeun Sup (2) Clutch Man
Next Best4, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) GLOBAL TIME returned from seven months off to run 2nd at this class and distance on August 24th, showing on pace throughout. He should strip fitter for that run and has every chance of going one better today. (1) NAOL PASS was a winner on debut over 1000M in July before finishing 5th of ten in the Rookie Stakes on August 17th. She drops back into more amenable company here and with Moon Se-young staying on, she will have plenty of backers to win here. (2) WONDERFUL DONGCHON has two 2nd places and a 4th in three tries at this level since getting his maiden win at this trip back in January. He comes in fresh after a three-month absence, but an apprentice keeps his carried weight down and he draws well. (5) P N S OHOH and (3) MUNHAK FIGHTER others in the hunt.

Selections(7) Global Time (1) Naol Pass (2) Wonderful Dongchun (5) P N S Ohoh
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6

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

Fillies only here and there are three standouts. (9) GHOST GALE enters off a close runner-up finish at this distance on August 24th when she was on pace throughout. For what it’s worth, she has the fastest time among these for the distance and with a good start, she can go all the way. (4) RAON PARANOMA has improved across her outings, culminating in 2nd at this trip on July 13th when she led for most of the way. She has had ten weeks out so comes in fresh but can be a big player. (10) FOX TROT rounds out the main trio of chances. She too enters off a runner-up finish in her latest, over 1400M on August 17th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can be challenging late. (11) ROAD TO SPEAR and (3) OUTSTANDING GIRL others in the frame.

Selections(9) Ghost Gale (4) Raon Paranoma (10) Fox Trot (11) Road To Spear
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 9

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll side with a debut-maker and (10) FUNNY WILD. The Bayern colt was an eye-catching trial winner in July, settling midfield before pulling away to score in a quick time. It’s taken him a while to get to the races. but he doesn’t appear to have missed much work since the trial, and he can win first-up. (4) PORT MORE was a trial winner in late June and then debuted in the Rookie Stakes in August. That proved a hard ask and he only beat three but should have come on for the experience and this is more suitable. (7) WORLD GOAT and (5) QUEEN PERFECT both ran on late on their respective debuts and should prefer the extended trip today. (12) BULBIT GANGJA is another debut maker who hinted at ability in a trial.

Selections(10) Funny Wild (4) Port More (7) World Goat (5) Queen Perfect
Next Best12, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) HIT FLY returned from more than three months out and ran 2nd in a quick race at this class and distance on August 24th, coming from well off the pace. She should strip fitter for that run and will be strongly favoured to go one better today. (3) MORNING WONDER was a maiden winner at 1200M on April 4th and then ran a very close 2nd on her first try at this class and distance at the start of June. She has had sixteen weeks off since then but has been back in work since late August and can go well first up. (1) STEEPLE was a winner at start two over 1000M on August 23rd, showing on pace throughout. She is up in class and in trip but can measure up. (6) WONDERFUL N.B. and (8) WONDERFUL SEEKING among other place chances.

Selections(4) Hit Fly (3) Morning Wonder (1) Steeple (6) Wonderful N B
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 9

Busan Race 2: Class (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) SERYEONDOENWISUN took a couple of goes to figure thing sou tut has a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two at 1200M and 1300M, coming from off the pace both times. The slight step up in trip can be just what he needs to make his maiden breakthrough. (2) HOLY NIKE has made steady progress across three starts so far with his latest his best when 2nd at 1200M on August 31st, overcoming the widest gate, albeit it to be well beaten by a good winner. He comes into a better gate today and going one better isn’t impossible. (8) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG returns to action for the first time in more than a year and having looked well in a trial in August, can be considered on an each-way basis. (4) RACE MARINE and (5) DELEKOOMDA others in the placing frame.

Selections(9) Seryeondoenwisun (2) Holy Nike (8) Neverstop Heemang (4) Race Marine
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 10

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

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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.

Ttukseom Cup 2025 Preview & Form Comments

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer headlines on Sunday with its second leg, the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) attracting a full field of sixteen fillies and mares at Seoul Racecourse. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed) winner GLADIUS returns, and she is likely to be a warm favourite, but she will have to account for the speedy Segye Ilbo winner Crown Hamseong as well as last year’s big rivals JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG and WONDERFUL SLEW.

The Ttukseom Cup is race 8 on an 11-race Sunday program at Seoul. Here is a rundown of the field in full:

1. GLOBAL TAEYANG – 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks but hasn’t really kicked on. Solid at class 2 but has been found wanting in this company in the Breeders’ Cup Queen and most recently the Donga Ilbo. Has won at the distance.

2. GLADIUS – Winner of her latest three, two at class 2 level and then the Donga Ilbo when handy throughout. Two-time winner at this distance, beautifully drawn to sit handy and is a big chance. She will start as favourite.

3. SAENAE QUEEN – More renowned at 1200M though she did struggle in the Segye Ilbo at that distance behind Crown Hamseong. She does have a class 1 3rd place at 1400M, and she will be on pace.

4. QUEEN TOP – 4th at big odds in the Breeders’ Cup Queen and 3rd at big odds in the Donga Ilbo, both times from well off the pace. She has won at this distance and while not a top-line favourite, she warrants respect here.

5. WONDERFUL SLEW – Twice a Group winner in similar company last season rounding it off with 3rd place in the Breeders’ Cup Queen. Only appearance this year was when well back behind the boys in the Herald Business last month. Prefers further but big chance in this company.

6. PERFECT ACTION – An also-ran in the first two legs of last year’s Tiara, she gets her chance with a smart class 2 win over this distance on April 4th, racing on pace. Could challenge for a place.

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Queens’ Tour Opener Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 23)

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon when a field of fourteen fillies and mares take their chance in the Dong-a Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed). Neither of last year’s divisional standouts Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong are taking part and it looks set to be a fascinating affair. There are 11 races at Seoul on Sunday between 10:35 and 18:00, while there are 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Jeulgeounyeojeong is back in training but she skips the Donga Ilbo (Pic: KRA)

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

(5) ROAD TO A SPUR has been getting closer over the course of his four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over this distance on February 16th when he led until the closing stages. He draws nicely to lead again here, and he will be a short price favourite to go one better. (6) HANEUL GAMDONG was an improved 4th at start number two at the start of January, coming from off the pace. He comes in fresh following eleven weeks off and he shapes as the main danger. Those two will fill out most quinella tickets. (7) BREEDO KING STAR has been a touch disappointing in two starts back from a lengthy absence. He had previously shown ability though and third-up, he may be fitter. (2) DOUBLE NINE and (10) LASER RUN others in the hunt for the minors.

Selections(5) Road To A Spur (6) Haneul Gamdong (7) Breedo King Star (2) Double Nine
Next Best10, 8
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 10

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

(2) KOTAP enters off a best to date 2nd place at 1200M on February 22nd when she led for much of the way around. She has placed at this distance too and from a good draw and with Maia staying on, she can go one better today. The main danger is (3) DONGJIN THUNDER. She too enters off a runner-up finish at her latest appearance, in her case over this distance in a filly-only maiden on February 16th. She can settle handy and can run on. (10) BISANG BELL was an improved 3rd at start number two on February 23rd when ridden much further forward than on debut. She has the challenge of the widest gate but can build on that here. (6) HYEWONYONGMA and (7) CHEONJI LADY others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(2) Kotap (3) Dongjin Thunder (10) Bisang Bell (6) Hyewonyongma
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) GIANT BOSS got his maiden win at the third time of asking over this distance on February 9th when handy all the way. He is up in class but down in weight and he has every chance of measuring up in this company. (9) CHOWON DOLPUNG was a winner at this class over 1200M on February 15th in filly company. She is up 2kg in weight but that made it two from her latest three and she is not to be dismissed here. (10) ECLIPSE EDGE has a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both of them at this class and distance. His sole win came from off the pace so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he shapes as a potential danger late on. The up in class last start winners (3) ECLIPSE LUCKY and (5) NAMSAN SONYEO may have a bit more to find but can be competitive.

Selections(6) Giant Boss (9) Chowon Dolpung (10) Eclipse Edge (3) Eclipse Lucky
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start2, 3,4, 9

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

(5) DONGNAM DOLPUNG has made steady progress across his four starts so far, with his best being his latest when 2nd over this distance on February 21st when, as has been his pattern, he settled back and came from off the pace. Expect similar here and he will be hot favourite to come out on top this time. (9) GLOBAL HEROINE has two 3rd places from four starts, including her last start over 1200M on February 23rd. In this company she can be on pace, and she can be in this a long way. (11) GOLDEN SPOT has been poor in his latest two but does have the fastest time among these for the distance and under a light weight could provide some each-way interest. (10) BEOLGYOUI BOM and (2) TIP TAP, the latter making his return eight months on from his debut and who trialed well, are others to consider.

Selections(5) Dongnam Dolpung (9) Global Heroine (11) Golden Spot (10) Beolgyoui Bom
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 9

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

(2) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win from six attempts, but he has never been worse than 5th and comes in having run a very close 2nd at this class over 1300M on February 9th. His other runner-up finish came on his only previous try at this trip, and he looks to be the one to beat here. (9) GANDAGO comes in having run on from a long way back for 3rd place at 1300M on February 22nd. She is one for one at this distance and under a light weight, she is the main danger here. (11) LUCKY SUNNY could only manage midfield when tried at 1700M for his first go at this class on February 16th. At the start before he was a good maiden winner over 1300M and can appreciate the drop back to one turn. (3) B.K. BELLE and (6) YES MADAM are the other main placing chances.

Selections(2) Geuma Foremost (9) Gandago (11) Lucky Sunny (3) B.K. Belle
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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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.

Jeulgeounyeojeong Bests Wonderful Slew in Queens’ Tour Curtain Raiser

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.