Korea Racing – Intriguing – and wet – renewal of Korean Derby set for Seoul Sunday

June 9, 2023

A full field of sixteen presents a fascinating puzzle for the twenty-sixth Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. And with rain forecast throughout the weekend, a wet track looks likely to add to the intrigue in the second led of the Triple Crown.

There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year as KRA Cup Mile victor Betelgeuse emerged following the race with an injury and while he briefly returned to work in mid-May, it always seemed fanciful that he would make the Derby and he has duly been spelled to the Jangsu Stud Farm for recovery.

Eight of those who did go in the Cup Mile return. They include the runner-up SOMETHING LOST, who also won Seoul’s Classic Trial in March. Ordinarily that might be enough to make him favourite but having drawn the widest gate, he may need some luck at the start. DRAGON STAR, NUT PLAY and WORLD LEGEND, who filled out 3^rd to 5^th also come back and each will have their backers.

The probable favourite is NAOL SNIPER. He ran 2^nd to Something Lost in the Sports Seoul Trophy – the capita’s Classic Trial in March, but a right hind leg injury kept him out of the Cup Mile, a race in which he would have been well supported. He has been back in work since mid-May with jockey Moon Se-young partnering him most mornings and having already won at this distance, he is set to have big claims.

With just a week between the Oaks and the Derby and horses required to have at least two weeks between races, it is rare now for a filly to take her chance in the big race. There is one this year though as RAON GIANT lines up with the colts. She was 4^th in the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the filly Triple Crown, and has the highest rating among the sixteen with a 2^nd place at class 2 on her resume.

Last year’s Champion Juvenile SPEED YOUNG is also in a Derby field that is set to be one of the most competitive for many years.

1. GLOBAL HIT – An also-ran in Busan’s Classic Trial, he skipped the Cup Mile but won by twelve-lengths at class 4 level over 1400M on May 5^th. He carried a light weight that day and the distance is a question at this stage, but he has undoubted speed.

2. SAENAE TOWN – A class 4 win at this distance on March 26^th means he must be taken seriously. He hasn’t raced since, but he gets a good draw, and could make for some each-way interest.

3. BARAMBARAM – Yet to win higher than class 5 but was a smart 2^nd over a mile at class 4 level on May 12^th when handy throughout. Nice draw here and while a previous try at this distance didn’t go well, don’t rule out a good run.

4. LUCKY SUN – A winner at this distance at class 4 level in February he has been beaten by plenty of these in both the Breeders’ Cup and the Cup Mile so there is form to overturn. He can settle back and pass a few late.

5. YEOSU FIGHTER – Didn’t run in the Busan Classic Trial or the Cup Mile but gets his chance after a quick win at this distance on a wet track at class 4 level in May when he settled handy and proved too strong. A repeat of that run sees him in the finish.

6. DRAGON STAR – 3^rd in Seoul’s Classic Trial and then 3^rd in the Cup Mile, two -lengths behind Something Lost. He has the fastest final furlong average time among the field and the additional trip can suit. A place chance again.

7. NANOMETA – The only maiden in the race, he ran 2^nd to Speed Young in the Breeders’ Cup last December but has been well back in his only two starts of 2023, including the Cup Mile. Outsider.

8. DOKKI BULPAE – Used up plenty of energy to get to the lead from a wide gate in the Cup Mile only to weaken and only beat two home. He has won at this distance at class 3 level though, making all, and from a better gate, can’t be ruled out.

9. NAOL SNIPER – Races for the first time since finishing 2^nd to Something lost in the Seoul Classic Trial so comes in fresh. He was a comfortable winner when making all over this distance at class 4 in February. Should be on pace and rates as a big chance.

10. NUT PLAY – A two-time winner over a mile and 4^th in the Cup Mile, running on right from the back. The 1800M looks set to suit and he can be a big danger in the closing stages. A chance.

11. BLACK MAMBA – A winner of three from four up to a mile and class 4. His only defeat was a 3^rd place over this distance when he ran a good time. Top jockey on and trainer Kim Young-kwan has won the Derby five times.

12. RAON GIANT – The only filly in the race ran 4^th in the Luna Stakes but skipped last week’s Oaks to take her chance here. A winner of five from eight, she has a 2^nd place at this distance at class 2 level and is the highest rated horse in the race. She has every chance but goes best on the pace.

13. SPEED YOUNG – Last year’s Champion Juvenile failed to fire in the Cup Mile but has won up to a mile at class 3 level. He won the Breeders’ Cup over 1400M from a wider gate and a return to form can’t be ruled out.

14. CHANGCHANG DAERO – Settled back and finished midfield in the Cup Mile having previously run 4^th over this distance at class 4. Only Yeosu Fighter has a quicker time for this distance and that was on a much wetter track. Minor money chance here.

15. WORLD LEGEND – 2^nd in the Busan Classic Trial and then a strong 5^th in the Cup Mile when he had to overcome gate sixteen and settled back before running on. The gate is a challenge again, but he has run well at this distance at class 4 level and this isn’t impossible.

16. SOMETHING LOST – Made all to win Seoul’s Classic Trial over 1400M in March and then led the Cup Mile in the home straight before being passed by Betelgeuse for his first defeat. Another step up in trip but he should be able to handle that with the only concern being the widest gate. A big chance.

Selections: (9) Naol Sniper (15) World Legend (10) Nut Play (16) Something Lost

Author: Melissa