Fantastic Value returned to the scene of where she fell agonizingly short of completing a clean sweep in last year’s Triple Tiara and this time held firm to deny the filly who came part her that day, and win the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Fantasic Value holds off Boryeonglightqueen and Raon Forest (Pic: KRA)
A five-length winner of both the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks a year ago, Fantastic Value was sent off a 1.3 favourite to claim the final jewel, but she ultimately ran 2nd as Boryeonglightqueen swept past at the end of the 2000M Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup.
Fantastic Value hadn’t won a race since and having run down the field in the Donga Ilbo over 1800M, the first leg of this series last month, she was accordingly sent off as a 72.2 outsider in the Ttukseom. But if her heart had been broken in the Seoul sand last June, it was fixed on Sunday.
Oneuldo Smile, runner-up to Fantastic Value in last year’s Oaks, set the pace along with Crown Hamseong, but it turned out to be a hot one and ultimately unsustainable. As expected Boryeonglightqueen and Dong Ilbo winner Raon Forest launched their runs from the back but it would be Fantastic Value, starting her challenge from a little further forward in midfield, who would beat them all. The ever-dependable Gladius was 4th.
“I’ve actually never won a race in Seoul before” winning jockey Song Kyeong-yun told KRBC. “So, it is very meaningful to do it in such an important race.”
“I felt more confident going into the Donga Ilbo, but that race didn’t plan out as I had hoped, today I didn’t force it too hard, we found a good position and she finished off well. I actually think the 1600M will be better for her” he said referencing the KNN Cup, the final leg of the series next month over the Busan mile.
Trainer Lim Keum-man was naturally pleased with how his charge rebounded. “It’s a 1400M sprint so I thought first of all, the start was important. There were several horses who could go ahead, (Fantastic Value) wasn’t one of them so I was just hoping she could be tacked on somewhere, and the jockey did a great job” he said to KRBC.
“She had a bit of trouble with her hooves last year, and I think that held her back a lot, but the hoof disease is now completely gone. In the previous race at 1800M (Donga Ilbo) we were disappointed, but she had shown a very good performance in the regular race before at 1400M before that, so I thought the Ttukseom would be a bit different, and she lived up to our hopes.”
The beaten riders didn’t offer many excuses. “The pace of the race was a bit faster than I expected” Jung Do-yun, jockey of runner-up Boryeonglightqueen explained to KRBC.
“But Boryeonglightqueen is a horse with a fast finish and one who needs the fast pace to then collapse. I felt had we been a bit smoother around the bend and just a little closer then we might have got there.”
Jo Jae-ro, partner of Raon Forest said similar: “They went fast and catching up was a little harder than I expected. But I wasn’t worried because I knew they would come back and we were able to find a good position on the inside but maybe we were just a bit too far back. (Raon Forest) hasn’t achieved great results at 1400M, so I am still really proud of her for making it up into 3rd.”
The final leg of the Queens’ Tour, the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) is at Busan on Sunday May 31st. Next week it’s the big one, the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul.
The phrase “time-honoured” isn’t one that can often be used unironically in Korean racing, but it applies at least in name to the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer which will be run at Seoul Racecourse this Sunday with a full field of sixteen to take their chance.SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY.
Raon Forest won the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer (Pic: KRA)
Ttukseom was the home of Seoul Racecourse from 1954 until the move to the present location in 1989 when the race, named in honour of the old course, was run for the first time. That old racecourse has never been built on, although it is now the location of one of Seoul’s best downtown parks and this week the bronze statues of a driving finish located at the park’s entrance were adorned with saddlecloths and caps marking this year’s race.
The conditions have changed numerous times over the years and some of the nation’s biggest stars have won the race, including Kwaedo Nanma (2002), J.S. Hold (2007) and Dangdae Bulpae (2011).
However, since 2012 it has been for fillies and mares only. Appearing in the “international blue book” in 2015 it was won by Japanese raider Esmeraldina although she is to date, the only internationl visitor to compete. There are none this year either, but there will be a new name on the trophy this time around as Jeulgeounyeojeong, who won the last two editions, is not sent out in pursuit of a third.
RAON FOREST won the first leg of the series, the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-L) in March and she will be among the favourites to prevail again. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN and ONEULDO SMILE are among others with strong chances while SATANG SONYEO and GLADIUS are also very capable performers.
The Ttukseom Cup is race 7 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul: Here’s how they line up:
1. TIARA SUA – Since figuring things out, she has at least placed in each of her last eight starts and comes in off a win over this distance at class 3 level on March 29th when she led. Much tougher company today but can lead and be in this a long way.
2. CATCH THE DREAM – Races for the first time since last October when well beaten by plenty of these but she is a winner of five from eleven and was an on-pace winner in a very quick time in a March trial. Draws nicely to put in a big effort first-up. Place chance.
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.
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.
Sunday sees the 2nd leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer when sixteen fillies and mares will line up for the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul. The big race is number eight on the 11-race card that runs from 10:35 to 18:00, while at Busan there are 6 races from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Juelgeounyeojeong returns to the Ttukseom Cup on Sunday (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
After two ordinary outings, (10) NURI JILJU led at start number three on March 22nd, ultimately finishing 2nd. Despite the wide draw, she will almost certainly lead again here, and she won’t need to improve much, if at all, to beat this limited set of opponents and her odds will reflect that. (3) HYEWONYONGMA is the only other one to have placed. She mixes her form but the 2nd and 3rd on her record, combined with a draw that should see her on the early speed, will be enough to make her the clear second pick. (8) SAINT WINNER may be on the right trajectory with a 4th place at start number three on March 29th and she should be aiming to better that here. Debut-maker (1) SLING STAR along with (9) SSAK DANAEUN, who has been back to trial since a poor debut, are others in the minor money hunt.
Selections
(10) Nuri Jilju (3) Hyewonyongma (8) Saint Winner (1) Sling Star
Next Best
9, 4
Fast Start
1, 3, 8, 10
Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) GIANT BOSS enters looking to complete a hat-trick of wins having scored twice at 1300M, most recently at this class on March 23rd when racing handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in weight but got his maiden win carrying just 1kg less and he can score again here. (8) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win in seven attempts but has never finished outside the top five. He has a 2nd and a 3rd from his two tries at this distance, the latter at this class last time out, and he should be there or thereabouts again, coming from off the pace. (11) NURI CHEONWANG was a winner at this class over 1300M at big odds two starts back before running 4th on his latest. He does his best work late so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be a danger. (7) TURBO CHARGE and (2) CANVASEN GO others to consider.
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) GEUMSEONG BOSS stepped up to this trip for the first time on March 30th and beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 4th place, coming from off the pace. He can have come on for that experience and has every chance of winning here. (6) HEEMANGBAND enters off three consecutive 4th place finishes. She has never finished any better than that, but she steps up to two turns for the first time and the way she has finished off her races suggest that the increased trip can suit. (10) GWANAKSAN GLOBAL has similarly finished no better than 4th. He enters having been 5th behind Geumseong Boss on March 30th and while he doesn’t get an apprentice claim this time, he does get Moon Se-young and he can be a danger. (4) X FACTOR and (9) BEST SHARK the other chances.
Selections
(8) Geumseong Boss (6) Heemangband (10) Gwanaksan Global (4) X Factor
Next Best
9, 5
Fast Start
1, 4, 9, 10
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Two standouts here and they have drawn the inside two gates. (1) STARTMAN has a 3rd and a 4th from his two starts so far, showing close to the pace both times. From the inside he will be on pace and can go all the way. The danger is (2) TIP TAP. After an inauspicious debut last summer, he didn’t appear again until March 23rd, but he ran well, settling midfield and finishing off in 4th place over this distance. He can strip fitter for that run and can go closer today. (8) SKY BOY too should be fitter for his debut on March 7th when he was a fair 4th over 1200M. He was doing his best work late, and the slight step up in trip can suit. (9) HIGH LEVEL and (10) WONDERFUL TEAM, the latter racing for the first time since last August but who looked well enough in a trial, are other placing hopes.
Selections
(1) Startman (2) Tip Tap (8) Sky Boy (9) High Level
Next Best
10, 12
Fast Start
1, 5, 6, 12
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) CHOEGANG GOLD was a very rare debut maker over 1700M on March 30th, but the plan came together when he led all the way to win. He comes up in class here and slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem and down in weight and well-drawn, he can lead all the way again. (8) FASHION STAR is up in class following two 3rd places and a 2nd at class 6 level. She hasn’t tackled further than 1300M, but she has been finishing off her races very well so the step up in trip can be exactly what she needs and under a light weight she can be competitive. (5) MIGHTY BOM has a 2nd and a 3rd in two tries at this class and distance, most recently beating three of these on March 29th. He comes in under the same weight and can beat plenty again. (1) TAEPYEONGMU and (6) PLAN B others in the frame.
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) B.K DANCING GIRL got her maiden win at this distance in January and then, following a challenging introduction to this class in February when weakening over 1400M, she returned to this trip on March 23rd and finished a close 4th having led for much of the way. Franco climbs on for the first time, she should lead again, and she can go all the way. (8) ROAD TO ACE led all the way at start two to get his maiden win and then ran a decent 4th when coming from midfield at this class over 1300M) on February 7th. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and back at 1200M, he can be a danger. (11) GRAND DREAM enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on April 4th. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but a similar effort should see him close. (1) DONGBANG JEONSA and the up in class (4) GREAT MARU are others to consider for the minors.
Selections
(9) B.K Dancing Girl (8) Road To Ace (11) Grand Dream (1) Dongbang Jeonsa
Next Best
4, 6
Fast Start
1, 4, 9, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (11) PURGE STEP got her maiden win on debut over 1300M in January and has since run 4th and 2nd in two efforts at this class and distance, most recently on March 29th. The wide draw shouldn’t matter as she can settle behind the pace and run on and she looks the one to beat. (9) RED DRAGON had an abysmal performance all around when favourite at class and distance on March 16th, parting company with her jockey in the parade ring and then being restive at the start before proceeding to run very badly. She had looked very good in her two prior efforts though with a win and a 2nd so she gets another chance here. (8) KARA K is yet to win but is up in class following a few near misses and she can be competitive under a light weight. Up in class last start winners (7) SUHYANG MIIN and (4) ALL NUT others to consider.
Selections
(11) Purge Step (9) Red Dragon (8) Kara K (7) Suhyang Miin
Next Best
4, 1
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 7
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Jeulgeounyeojeong will start an odds-on favourite to confirm her position as the nation’s top filly or mare in the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer, at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.SEE HERE FOR FULL RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES AT SEOUL & BUSAN.
Jeulgeounyeojeong won the Donga Ilbo (Pic: KRA)
Having swept all three legs of the Triple Tiara Series last year, Jeulgeounyeojeong went on to make inroads into the big filly and mare late season races too, culminating in victory in the brand-new Breeders’ Cup Queen race at Busan in December. She then had a welcome three-months of rest before tackling the first leg of the Queens’s Tour S/S, the Donga Ilbo Trophy over 1800M in March.
Sent off as the 1.5 favourite, Jeulgeounyeojeong came through that test although she was pushed hard by Wonderful Slew, who beat her in the Gyeongnam Governors’ Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan last October and got within a length of her in the Donga. However, with the distance dropping to one-turn, Wonderful Slew doesn’t take part this time, instead being sent out against the boys in last week’s YTN Cup over her favoured 2000M when she finished a creditable 5th behind Global Hit.
The second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer is Sunday’s feature and is race 7 on the 11 race program at Seoul that runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:
Raon The Spurt is the defending Ttukseom Cup Champion but will have to hold out Jeulgeounyeojeong is she is to repeat (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) SPINNING BOOM will be a warm favourite for the opener. After a middling debut when he was slowly away, he has recorded, a 4th, a 2nd and a 3rd in three subsequent starts, all at 1200M. In this company and from a good draw, he will be racing on pace and with Moon Se-young climbing up for the first time, today should be the day. (6) GEUMAK MYEONGJANG has hinted at ability across three starts so far, running better times than most of those over 1200M. He can be further forward today and the very slight step up in trip can suit. (3) YEONGWON POTEN enters off an improved 3rd place over 1200M in a filly only maiden a month ago. She draws nicely and should be close. (5) AMAZING STAR and (1) BREEDO MAGICIAN are others to consider.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) TONNERRE has shown signs of figuring things out and while he did get sent back to trial having continuously lain out in his latest outing when 4th over this distance on March 23rd, he won his subsequent morning heat by leading all the way. He draws nicely here and can win. (6) CHEONMA BULPAE has two 3rd place finishes among his latest three starts, both at this distance. He can sit behind the speed here and can run into some money again. (4) AMAZING ROCK ran fairly on debut with a midfield finish over this distance. He should have come on for that run and can get closer second-up. (10) KNIGHT CHARM and (7) SOFT POWER among others with at least placing chances.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (5) SWEET BEOMHAN debuted inauspiciously last November but having been put away for four months, looked much better when returning on March 31st over 1200M and beating three of today’s rivals on her way to 2nd place having raced handy. She won’t need to improve very much to win this. (10) RUN TO QUEEN similarly improved to 2nd at start number two, in her case over 1200M on March 22nd. Her times haven’t been quick, and she has the challenge of a wide draw, but she still shapes as the testing material here. (1) SIMON STAR debuted in that March 31st race and ran a fair 5th behind Sweet Beomhan. With some natural improvement as a result of that experience, she can get closer today. (3) WORLD MAID CAT and (4) MY HIT are others in the hunt.
Selections
(5) Sweet Beomhan (10) Run To Queen (1) Simon Star (3) World Maid Cat
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
2, 6, 9, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only. (3) BEOLGYOWISU will be the one to beat. After getting her maiden win over 1200M in December, he had an off day when tried at this class for the first time in January, sent off as favourite and showing close to the pace, but weakening badly. She came back into form with a 2nd place, again back at 1200M on March 2nd and coming in fresh from eight weeks off, she can win. The danger is (6) SHACKLE POINT. She too got her maiden win three starts back before running midfield on her first try at this class in February. That was followed by a good 3rd place at this distance on March 23rd when she almost led the entire way around and she should be a big player here. (8) SMART BYEOL has two 3rd places and a 4th from her latest three and should be there or thereabouts again. (4) SINUI YEOIN and (10) WONDERFUL SHADOW may provide some each-way value.
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) SEOBU VISION is yet to win in six outings but has been no worse than 4th in each of his last four starts, including when beaten into a close 3rd as favourite over this distance on March 31st. He comes up slightly in weight today but is in a good gate and this time can get the win. (4) DRAGON FIRE broke though at start two over 1300M on January 28th, settling right back and finishing very well. He comes up in class here and has had thirteen weeks off, but the step up in trip should suit and he can be competitive. (10) KOHINOOR has been consistent across nine starts to date and enters having beaten a few of these, including Seobu Vision, at class and distance on March 31st. He comes up 2kg in the weights and has the challenge of a wider gate but should be close again. (5) GUKDAE HERO and (1) BARADEON BADA among plenty of others with placing hopes.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) GIANT M got his maiden win at 1400M two starts back before running nowhere on his first try at this class over the same trip on March 24th when drawn wide and using up plenty to get a forward position. He comes up to two turns for the first time, but it can suit and from the inside gate, Jeong Jeong-hee can pick his spot. (2) DONGHAENG FIRST is yet to win in fourteen attempts but has been getting closer, culminating in a runner-up finish at class and distance on April 13th when on pace all the way. One of only three here with prior experience of two-turns, he has every chance of breaking through. (7) EUNPA JOY come sup in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1300M and 1400M. The step up in trip can suit and he is down in the weights. (11) NARAOLA and (8) PLAN B are the other logical placing chances.
Selections
(1) Giant M (2) Donghaeng First (7) Eunpa Joy (11) Naraola
Next Best
8, 6
Fast Start
3, 6, 9, 11
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) EUNSEONG CHAMPION got his maiden win at start number seven with a front-running score over a mile on March 17th. He comes up in class here but us down in the weights, Franco remains aboard, and he can win again. (3) MAX THE CAT shapes as the main danger. He too comes up in class and down in the weights following a maiden win over a mile last time out, in his case in February. In contrast to Eunseong Champion, he came from well off the pace so just who starts as favourite may depend on how the track has been playing in the first couple of races. (5) LEMON DRAGON completes a trio of up in class last start winners over this distance. His winning time was slow, but he has plenty more scope for progress and can be competitive. (12) WONDERFUL KAYLAN and (2) UNJU WINNER, who has been through a quick trial with Beolmaui Star since his last race, are others to consider.
Selections
(8) Eunseong Champion (3) Max The Cat (5) Lemon Dragon (12) Wonderful Kaylan
Next Best
2, 9
Fast Start
2, 7, 9, 10
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s Ttukseom Cup and SBS Sports Sprint day at Seoul on Sunday. See here for full preview of the two races. There are also six reciprocal Trophy Exchange races. Busan hosts Trophies for OSAF (South America), the Jockey Club of Turkey and the Selangor Turf Club. At Seoul there are Trophies in honour of the Royal Western India Turf Club, the China Horse Industry Association and Tokyo City Keiba. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:50 to 16:35. Here are the Previews:
Raon First and Choi Bum-hyun will aim to defend the Ttukseom Cup on Sunday (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Competitive maiden to open with. (10) DAEHEUNG CLASS enters in off his two best performances so far, a 2nd and a 3rd both over this distance when settling back and running on. His style is such that he doesn’t need to lead so the wide draw isn’t a problem and he should be finishing off well. (2) ARGO MUJEOK also comes in following his best performance to date, when 2nd at 1200M on April 16th when handy throughout. He steps up to this distance for the first time and from a good draw, it may well suit. (1) MIGHTY ANN returned from almost six months out to run 3rd over 1200M on April 8th. She should strip fitter for that run and can match or better it here. (9) WONPYEONG SKY and (11) LAST PITCH are among plenty of others with minor money hopes.
Selections
(10) Daeheung Class (2) Argo Mujeok (1) Mighty Ann (9) Wonpyeong Sky
Next Best
11, 4
Fast Start
1, 2, 8, 11
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maidens and not an especially strong race. Despite the wide draw, we’ll side with (11) HAENGUN BARAM, who after a return to trial after an inauspicious February debut, was much better on April 8h when running 2nd at this distance and with a couple of today’s rivals behind her. She settled midfield and finished well and while the time wasn’t quick, it was faster than any of the others here have managed. (3) NAOL DAEWANG likewise wasn’t exactly a speedster when 3rd on debut over this distance on April 9th. He was slowly away but finished well and with some natural improvement, can be in this. (10) DAMJAENGI ARGO was 4th behind Haeungun Baram on April 8th, her second 4th place in a row. She draws wide but with a bit of luck can get a forward or handy position which will put her in the hunt. (5) MILLION PARTY and (2) HEART K are others to consider.
Selections
(11) Haengun Baram (3) Naol Daewang (10) Damjaengi Argo (5) Million Party
Next Best
2, 6
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Another maiden and (7) LEGEND SOCKS will be favourite. Since returning from eleven months off, he has two 3rd places and a 2nd from three starts back, all at this class and distance and each time racing handy. He’ll be close to the speed again and this time should be going one better. (5) GRAND POWER remains a maiden after fifteen attempts but has four runner-up finishes, including at this class over 1400M two starts back. The drop back in trip may suit here and he should be on pace and in this a long way. (8) MAGLE DAY got his maiden win three starts back at 1300M and has since finished 5th in two tries at this class. He too comes back slightly in trip and should be a factor. (11) FINAL JILJU comes up in class after a maiden win at this distance on April 15th. The time was good, and he can measure up in this company. (3) LEGEND K was never a factor in his latest but has won at the distance and can be given another chance.
Selections
(7) Legend Socks (5) Grand Power (8) Magle Day (11) Final Jilju
Next Best
3, 1
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 10
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(7) GIJEOGUI GEUMBIT shapes as a warm favourite here. That’s based on her latest outing which was also her best when 3rd over 1200M on April 23rd. She has raced at this distance before too, posting a time quicker than any of the others have achieved and she won’t need to improve very much to win here. (1) DIA SPIRIT has left himself far too much to do in his races so far but rattled home well for 3rd over 1200M on April 7th. He gets his best draw since his debut; an apprentice keeps the weight down and the extra half furlong can work in his favour. (10) ECTON POWER is yet to finish in the top two in twenty-eight starts. He has though picked up plenty of minor checks including a 4th place last time out when finishing well at 1200M. He should be matching or bettering that here. (6) KELLY QUEEN and (3) RUNNING FASHION others to keep safe.
Selections
(7) Gijeogui Geumbit (1) Dia Spirit (10) Ecton Power (6) Kelly Queen
Next Best
3, 4
Fast Start
4, 6, 7, 9
Seoul Race 4: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy / KRW 150 Million
The first of a lot of trophy races today, this one equivalent to class 3. It’s a tricky puzzle. (7) WOLF PLAY has won two of his latest three with defeat sandwiched between those wins being in the Sports Seoul Classic Trial. His latest was at this distance at class 4 level in a quick time on April 15th and while this is undoubtedly harder, he comes down in the weights and can measure up. (5) YELLOW CAT has eight top-three finishes from ten starts. Most recently she was 2nd over 1400M at class 3 level coming from off the pace but she has won at this distance and from a good draw should be very dangerous. (1) TAP QUALITY carries his fair share of weight here but he is a front runner who is coming back in trip and into a very good gate. Ultra-consistent, he won’t be far away. (8) FARCIARZ and (3) SAENAE QUEEN among plenty of others who enter in good form and who can have a say.
Selections
(7) Wolf Play (5) Yellow Cat (1) Tap Quality (8) Farciarz
Next Best
3, 12
Fast Start
1, 3, 6, 7
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1600M) Special Weight B / KRW 40 Million
(8) TOP FRIEND beat four of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at class and distance on April 7th when overcoming the widest gate to settle back in the field and then finish strongly. He carries the same weight today but comes into a slightly better barrier, and after three runner-up finishes, he can make the breakthrough at start number eight. (9) HWANGWOO MONEY was 3rd in that race, a length-and-a-half behind Top Friend having led for much of the way. His draw isn’t as good today, but he still looks to be the main danger. (4) ETTEUMI was 5th that day having been slowly away from a wide draw and finding it hard to get a good position. His draw is better today, and he should get closer. (10) WONDERFUL BOBCAT and (2) NOBLE COWBOY are other possibles.
Seoul Race 5: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / China Horse Industry Association Trophy / KRW 150 Million
This Trophy race is at class 2 level and has attracted the maximum safe field size of ten for the mile start. (6) SPOT FLATTER ran out a very good winner over this distance at class 2 on March 19th with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. That was his first start back following an eight-month absence and he was at a big price. He will be much shorter today but can win again. (2) BEST LUCKY was 3rd in that race having settled midfield and run on. Like Spot Flatter, the set weight scale does him no favours, but he won under 56kg at class 3 level over this distance two starts back and from a nice draw can go close. (4) RAON BEAT came home 4th in that March 19th race having been slow away and settling right back. He has the fastest time in the field for the distance. The ultra consistent (9) YONGAM BOSS, as well as (7) ACE HAMSEONG are among those who didn’t go in the March 19th race who can enter the calculations.
Raon First asserted her authority atop the filly and mare ranks at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday with a dismissively easy win in the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) and in doing so, moved closer to what seems an inevitable victory in the Queens’ Tour. A potential new foe has appeared, however, as a day earlier on the same track Golden Power completed a clean sweep of the filly Triple Crown with a similarly comprehensive triumph in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3).
Golden Power and Choi Si-dae return to scale (Pic: KRA)
Returned to its early spot on the calendar, the filly Triple Crown – or “Triple Tiara” as it is known locally – was a three-way affair throughout the series between the only fillies who really looked up to the task at this stage; Golden Power, who secured narrow wins in the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-L) and the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G3), and rivals Raon The Spurt and Chamjoeun Chingu, who filled out the placings in both those races.
Mindful of the extended trip, punters couldn’t split Golden Power and Raon The Spurt, the latter having finished off very well in the Oaks and sent them off as practically co-favourites in Saturday afternoon’s Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup.
Outsider Lunar Silver bounded out of the gate and led for most of the way around but as they got down to business in what was unchartered territory distance-wise for the entire field in the home straight, the usual suspects amassed at the front.
Then Golden Power took control. She struck the front just inside the final furlong and eased clear to score by four-lengths on the line from Raon The Spurt in 2nd with the fast finishing Eunseong Winner edging out Chamjoeun Chingu for 3rd.
Golden Power is by Afleet Express and is out of Cherokee Sheikh (by Cherokee Run). Owned and bred by Song Boing-chul, she is trained by Kwon Sung-ju at Busan and was ridden in all three legs of the filly Triple Crown, by Choi Si-dae. She now has five wins from ten starts.
A likely target next year for Golden Power is the Queens’ Tour and potential meeting, with Raon First, who on Sunday all but wrapped up victory in this year’s series with two races to spare by winning the Ttukseom Cup as easy as her triumph in the Segye Ilbo.
Raon First was an easy winner of the Ttukseom Cup (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as an almost un-bettable favourite in the local market, Raon First settled in 2nd place early with jockey Choi Si-dae content to allow second-favourite Wish Me, who was drawn much better, to set the pace. That’s how it remained until the home straight and once Choi asked for an effort, Raon First’s superior acceleration took her to the lead and away from the field.
Wish Me held on for a battling 2nd place four-lengths behind the winner, while Lady Kelly also stayed on well for 3rd.
Raon First is by Musket Man and is out of Pink Candy (by Southern Image). She was bred by her owner Son Chun-soo and is trained by Park Jong-kon at Seoul, who trains the majority of the “Raon” horses. The Ttukseom Cup was Raon First’s eleventh win from eighteen starts.
The third leg of the Queens’ Tour is the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) which will be run at Busan on Sunday July 17th. The series then goes on hiatus for four months before the concluding race, the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) on Sunday November 27th, also at Busan. Next weekend the focus returns to the three-year-old colts and the final leg of their Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2). The winners of the first two-legs, Captain Yankee (KRA Cup Mile) and Winner Star (Korean Derby) are both expected to be in the starting gate at Seoul Racecourse this coming Sunday.
Dia Road firmly established herself at the top of the filly and mare division by taking out the Ttukseom Cup (KOR G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and in doing so, beat perennial champion Silver Wolf for the second consecutive time. One race later, British jockey Alan Munro recorded his first Korean Stakes race victory when guiding East Jet to a smart victory in the Seoul Racehorse Owners’ Association (KOR G3).
Dia Road is the new Queen of Korean racing! The four-year-old has beaten Korea's best fillies and mares at set weights in the Ttukseom Cup (Korea Group 2). Re-watch the race here. @korearacing@SkyRacingWorldpic.twitter.com/URHBTyLjvU
Coming into the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour, Dia Road [Captain Coltish – Gieongnal Geunal (Menifee)] had won seven of her eight prior races, including that meeting with stablemate Silver Wolf in the Donga Ilbo Cup prior to the shutdown earlier this year when she had a 5kg weight advantage.
At level weights this time, Dia Road was slowly out of the gates but by the end of the back straight, jockey Kim Yong-geun had threaded a way through the field and was up just behind the leaders. She struck the front at the top of the home straight and powered away from the rest to record a six-length win from early pacesetter Raon First and closer Ice Marine. Silver Wolf, who took a long time to find space for a run, came home 5th.
If all goes to plan – and that is a big “if” with Korean racing in an uncertain position due to the recent COVID-19 resurgence, the four-year-old Dia Road and the eight-year-old Silver Wolf will most likely meet again in the final two legs of the Queens’ Tour – of which Silver Wolf is already a two-time winner – in the autumn.
The SROA Trophy (KOR G3) brought back together some of the nation’s top sprinters including the first five home in last month’s SBS Sports Sprint. Most pre-race attention focused on the young up and comer Eoma Eoma who after three straight wins, had suffered her first career defeat when a gutsy 3rd in the SBS Sports Sprint a month ago.
The 3YO's quinella the Owner's Cup! East Jet (Strike Again – Lend) proved too strong for Eoma Eoma (Algorithms – Lignite) who had every chance. Morfhis finished off strong to run into third. East Jet ridden by Alan Munro and trained by Seo In-seok pic.twitter.com/XUWF3lmYkR
Despite a much better draw, this time Eoma Eoma had to settle for 2nd place as East Jet [Strike Again – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)], the only other three-year-old in the race, made short work of a wide draw to get right on pace with the leaders and then proved too strong in the straight, holding off Eoma Eoma by just under a length. SBS Sports Sprint winner Morfhis produced his customary late charge but had to settle for 3rd.
First Korean Stakes winner for Alan Munro (Pic:KRA)
East Jet was ridden by Alan Munro, who was recording his first Koream Stakes race victory. Munro, who only returned earlier this month from a broken wrist suffered prior to the KRA Cup Mile has now ridden 67 winners from 570 rides in the country since debuting in February 2019.
Horse Racing in Korea 