Fantastic Value hot favorite to complete Tiara Sweep Sunday

3 minute read

Next weekend all eyes will be on Oasis Blue’s attempt to become the first three-year-old since Power Blade almost a decade ago to sweep all three-legs of the Triple Crown.

This Sunday at Seoul Racecourse, Fantastic Value has the opportunity to become the third filly in four years to claim the Triple Tiara as she starts the hot favourite for the Gyeonggi Governor's Cup (2000M KOR-G3).

After winning the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks in 2022, Golden Power successfully completed the set with victory in the Gyeonggi while a year later Jeulgeounyeojeong did the same. Having pulled off dominant victories in both the Luna and the Oaks, Fantastic Value  should be joining them.

All of the top five in the Oaks return with runner-up ONEULDO SMILE the probable second-favourite. Having skipped the Luna, she entered the Oaks with a perfect four from four record but while she led for much of the way, she was powerless to stop Fantastic Value from sweeping by and was five-lengths in arrears on the line.

CC Wong will be aboard Oneuldo Smile once more and it will be interesting to see whether they employ the same tactics and lead again.

Boryeonglightqueen  was 3rd in both the Oaks and the Luna and should be in at least the placing mix again, while a newcomer to the Series is ROCK CANDY. The Bart Rice trainee gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile and her running style suggests that she could be a filly who can make the step up in trip.

The Gyeonggi Governor's Cup is race 7 on the 9-race Sunday card at Seoul.

1. FLASH RUN – Only win came in maiden company at 1300M but she was a good 5th in the Oaks as the longest shot on the board and from the widest gate. Further improvement is possible.

2. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – 3rd in both the Luna and Oaks but she has won over 1800M. Hard to see her overturning the form on Fantastic Value but shapes as a place chance and the additional trip can suit.

3. LIME TREE – Class 4 winner over a mile and 4th in both the Luna and the Oaks, eight-lengths behind Fantastic Value in the later. Will race handy and can match or better that 4th.

4. RISING MO – 2nd in the Luna Stakes coming from well off the pace but only beat one him in the Oaks. Has run better when coming from a long way back but too inconsistent to confidently recommend for a place

5. ONEULDO SMILE – Won her first four up to Class 4 and 1200M and then led the Oaks before being passed by Fantastic Value. She has five-lengths to make up but will probably be on pace again and will be 2nd favourite.

6. ECLIPSE THE QUEEN – Enters off her maiden win over 1400M on April 5th when coming from midfield. Fresh after nine weeks off, but big step up here.

7. FANTASTIC VALUE – Comfortable winner of the first two legs of the series and no reason to suggest that the step up in trip, or the new environment at Seoul, will be a problem. She will be the strong favourite.

8. ROCK CANDY – Gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile, coming from off the pace. Extended trip may suit and may offer some each-way interest.

9. ALPHA FEMALE – The only maiden in the race, she hasn't even finished in the top three. Seirene won this race as a maiden for the same owners last year but surely lightning does not strike twice.