3 minute read

There were plenty of doubters when Jeulgeounyeojeong returned to action five months after having bled and finished at the back of the field in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Queen.

Few remained after she made her return a winning one in the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul on April 24th, and she will be a hot favourite for the third and final leg of the Queens' Tour Spring/Summer, the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan on Sunday.

While Crown Hamseong, who was 2nd in both of the first two legs of the series (the first was the Donga Ilbo over 1800M in March while Jeulgeounyeojeong was still out) doesn't run, having finished 2nd to Vincero Cavallo in the SROA Chairman's Sprint two weeks ago, but plenty of other top fillies and mares do.

They include GLADIUS, who won March's Donga Ilbo Trophy before running 5th to Jeulgeounyeojeong in the Ttukseom when sent off as favourite. She has to contend with the challenge of the widest gate but can be a threat. Meanwhile, WONDERFUL SLEW, the defending champion having won this race a year ago, is also back having run 3rd in the Ttukseom.

The KNN Cup is the final race on the six-race card at Busan on Sunday with a local post time of 16:30. There are also eleven races at Seoul. Here is a full run-down of the field:

1. CARPE BABEL – Generally runs midfield at class 2 level, coming from off the pace. Unlikely to be a threat here

2. GEOLJAK ONE – Decent 6th in that Donga Ilbo after an uncharacteristic slow start and gets her chance having won at class 2 over 1800M. On pace and place chance.

3. EAST JUMP – Midfield in the Donga Ilbo then 2nd to Blue Lemon in a Trophy race at 1800M in April then 4th at class 2 over a mile. Will be on pace.

4. BLUE LEMON – Winner of a big Trophy race at 1800M in April but 9th in the Ttukseom Cup when further back than usual. Needs more to be in the frame here. Same owner as Jeulgeounyeojeong.

5. HAENGBOKAN MUNMAK – Not been in great from this year and has been beaten by a few of her fellow Seoul visitors. First time at a mile and an outsider.

6. RAON FOREST – Main stay in these types of races, she was 4th in both the Donga Ilbo and the Ttukseom, coming from off the pace. Place chance.

7. WONDERFUL SLEW – Last year's winner struggled against the boys in the Herald Business in March but was a good 3rd in the Ttukseom. This distance suits more than that and she is the main danger to the favourite

8. BEST TORCH – Well back in the Donga Ilbo followed by 4th over 1400M at class 2 level. 3rd on only try at a mile, she could be a minor money chance.

9. JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG – Returned from five months off to take a very good win in the Ttukseom Cup. She can race on pace or from behind and at her best, she wins this.

10. FLYING STAR – Winner of the Breeders' Cup Queen last November followed by a class 1 3rd at this distance on January. Midfield in both the Donga Ilbo and Ttukseom but don't rule out back at Busan and at a mile.

11. BANG BANG BANG – Has only won up to class 3 level but was a solid 5th place in the Donga Ilbo and coming in fresh can challenge for minor money again

12. MIGHTY LOOK – Solid class 1 campaigner and ran fairly for midfield in the Ttukseom. Little to suggest she can win this but can match or better that finish.

13. LADY VADER – A winner of five from ten but she makes her first start since last August. Looked very well in two trials but this is a hard ask first up.

14. GLADIUS – Three wins in a row between December and March culminating in her Donga Ilbo triumph. 5th in the Ttukseom and drawn wide here but can't be ruled out.