THREE-YEAR-OLD REPUTATIONS IN THE FIELD IN CLASSICAL TRIALS ON SUNDAY

FOR A FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES IN SEOUL AND BUSAN, SEE HERE

(Lucas Humphreys) On Sunday, from both Seoul and Busan, we’ll see the first two Stakes races of the season for three-year-olds in the Sports Seoul Trophy (1400M-KOR-Listed) at 3:40 PM Korean time, followed by the Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy (1400M-KOR-Listed) at 4:05 PM.

Although these races are traditionally considered ‘classic trials’, foreign-bred horses – which are not eligible for the actual classics – will be allowed to participate for the first time this year. Accordingly, seven of the nine participants in the Seoul trial are foreign-bred, one Australian and six American. However, five locally bred horses will have to put their Triple Crown/Tiara reputations on the line during the Busan trial.

The Seoul trial seems to be the more exciting of the two, as three very impressive types race against each other for the first time in Roshe, My Empire and Di Ne.

PINK is unbeaten from three starts with a two and a half length win on debut, followed by a soft 10 length win and then a one and three quarter length win on the final start, but it could have been much more.

MY EMPIRE was a late third behind Geudaemaniddamyeon in the listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy before winning his next two starts at class three level by six and five lengths respectively.

FROM NE is the most impressive since a sixth-place finish in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy with wins of 11, 10 and eight lengths.

GAMSAUI HIM was also impressive on the last start, winning by seven lengths.

1. PINK – The only undefeated horse in the line-up after three wins by two and a half lengths, 10 lengths and a very soft one and three quarter lengths. This is clearly his toughest test yet, but there’s no reason why he can’t handle it.

2. FREE THE ONE – Last start winner over the course and distance on January 24 by one and a half lengths while racing at pace. This is clearly the toughest race he has run, but he comes from the stables of Moon Byeong-ki.

3. MY EMPIRE – The second highest rated three-year-old in the country and he has been very impressive of late with two recent wins in class three by six and five lengths, the latter after making a mess at the start. He made up a lot of ground in his only run in black type to date when he finished third in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy behind Geudaemaniddamyeon and Wonpyeong Sket. There are big wraps around him, and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

4. CAROL CHAT – Trailed My Empire in three of his last four with a second four runs back, followed by a late fifth-place finish in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy before finishing behind My Empire again. Last time he achieved a winnable class four and made the most of it by leading most of the race and scoring by four lengths. He still has some ground to make up on some of these, but at least got a confidence boost last time.

5. BEST PITCH – The first of the two Korean-bred runners to be undefeated except for one. The last time was his biggest win to date when he scored by four lengths at class four level over 1200 metres. It could be the forgotten horse.

6. SAMJOGO – Finished in midfield on debut but came out to win impressively from the front on attempt two when he scored by six lengths. It is clearly his most difficult task today, but he is clearly making progress.

7. GAMSAUI HIM – It took him a few runs to break through but he was impressive in his last start when he scored seven lengths from the front over a distance of 1700 metres. He’s staying, of course, so it will be interesting to see how he goes back 300 meters, having trailed My Empire and Carolchat in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy last November.

8. ROOF – He beat Geudaemaniddamyeon at odds of 20/1 on his debut, but then got caught in his next three runs. However, he recovered last time to win a four-by-four length class in the 1200 meters when Kazuya Asano rode for the first time, so he should have his confidence back.

9. VAN NE – He was beaten in his first two runs but has since come out and absolutely smashed with a maiden win by 11 lengths, a class five win by 10 lengths and a class four win by eight lengths. It was a strong class four win from a subsequent winner last time, and it could have been so much further. The locally bred top three-year-old can get a nice tune up for the Guineas and Derby.

The Busan trial features a star filly CLEAR WINNER who defeated subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Supex Winner on his debut prior to a victory in September before being crippled. She resumed in good fashion a few weeks ago when she won comfortably and will be a major Triple Tiara contender. CLUTCH WINNER has won two of his three starts and is a good front runner. CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU is progressive and has won each of his last three matches Mr. FINE And Hey BROTHER are also in the winning groove. Unlike the “trial” in Seoul, most of the runners in this race are Korean bred, namely Cheongchuneunjayu, clear winner, Donnaeko, Hey Brother and Muhan Naneusha.

1. Mr. FINE – Unbeaten from two starts with wins over two and a half lengths and a half length over 1200 meters at class four level each time from a forward role. Biggest test today, but you can’t do more than win.

2. CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU – He was beaten in his first two runs over 1000m, but has done well in his next three with a six-length win in the 1200m class six in November, a further six lengths over 1400m in a class five in December and a victory in the 1400m class four by half-length in January. It will be interesting to see if he is up to the task.

3. CLEAR WINNER – One of the country’s better fillies with a win over subsequent Group Two conqueror Supex Winner on her debut before completing a five-length win in September before going lame and missing the rest of her junior campaign. She resumed another five-length victory over the 1600 meters on February 8 and will have the opportunity to demonstrate her skills ahead of the Triple Tiara.

4. CLUTCH WINNER – A winner on his debut from the front, before missing the start in his second race and unable to cope with the bribe. He recovered when leading to win on Boxing Day, scoring by two and a half lengths. A nice guy who should lead, but will be hard to pass if he does.

5. CLUTCH CANDY – One starts for an eighth over 1200 meters on January 9 in a class four. Was at odds of 57.7 in that race and will be even higher here.

6. FROM DONNAE – She wasn’t far off when she finished fourth in her debut in a girl, but this is much harder.

7. HEY BROTHER – Comes into this race on the back of a hat-trick of wins, all after being five lengths ahead with two of them. He was at the track in October in his only black race, but it appears he has continued on since then. Only time will tell whether that improvement is enough.

8. MUHAN NAREUSHA – Came from a long way back when he took his first win in October and has been on the right track ever since. However, they were in Class Five matches, so he is outclassed here.