Racing
Cup Mile winner Oasis Blue heads full Korean Derby Field
A full field of sixteen will go to the post for the twenty-eighth edition of the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, when OASIS BLUE will be bidding to become the first horse since Power Blade in 2016 to follow up victory in the KRA Cup Mile by winning the Derby.
Power Blade of course famously went on to sweep all three jewels in the crown that year. But while Hit Yegam in 2021 and Success Baekpa last year were able to bounce back and win the final leg, the Minister's Cup, the Derby has eluded all Cup Mile winners in the past decade. Oasis Blue will be hot favourite to change that.
Oasis Blue is trained by Baik Kwang-yeol, who has won the Derby twice already, with Yeongcheon Ace in 2015 and Winner Star in 2022. A winner of five from eight (with one disqualification too) Oasis Blue was a facile winner of both the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun, Busan's Classic Trial over 1400M and the Cup Mile.
Jin Kyum stays aboard and while they do have the challenge of a wide gate as well as tackling Seoul for the first time, Oasis Blue may be too good.
Moon Se-young has also won the race twice before, on Jigeum I Sungan in 2012 and Wonderful Fly in 2019. He partners ECLIPSE THE KING, who skipped both Seoul's Classic Trial and the Cup Mile but has been assembling an impressive body of work.
Eclipse The King followed up an 1800M win at class 4 level in March with 2nd place in the HKJC Trophy, again over the Derby distance, on April 13th when he led for most of the way, only being passed late by Final K. Like his fellow import Wonpyeong Storm, Final K is ineligible for the Derby but now has a rating twenty-three points in excess of that of Oasis Blue.
Others in the frame include MY DREAM DAY. Thomas Gillespie's colt is by the 2020 Derby winner Save The World and while he has only won once, he was 2nd in both the Gyeongnam Shinmun and the Cup Mile. Thirty-four years after Generous, Alan Munro is aboard bidding for another Derby success.
Also in the top line of favourites just below Oasis Blue will be his stablemate OASIS RED, along with YONGBI PAEWANG, who ran 2nd in the Gyeongnam Shinmun and 3rd in the Cup Mile and whose running style hints that the additional trip can suit.
Each-way interest may be had with YOUNG SKYWALKER, representing the Kim Young-kwan stable that has won the race a record five times. The I'm Your Father colt was a winner over 1800M at class 4 level at the end of March and is partnered by Kim Hye-sun, the only female rider to have a Derby to her name, having won on Global Hit two years ago.
The Korean Derby is race 7 on the 11-race Sunday card at Seoul with a local post time of 15:15. Here is a run down of the whole field:
1. CHAN FAMOUS – Won the Listed Sports Seoul at 1400M from well off the pace but was well back in the Cup Mile having drawn wide. Outsider, but drawn much better for an easier run and should be much closer.
2. KHAN MAX – 3rd in last November's G2 Breeders' Cup Rookie but midfield in first two starts this year before running a solid 6th in the Cup Mile. Others favoured but step up in trip may suit.
3. ECLIPSE THE KING – All the way winner at class 4 over this distance in March before being taken down late by the excellent prospect Final K in a big Trophy race last month, also at 1800M. Drawn beautifully to lead and could go all the way. Second favourite.
4. OASIS RED – Stablemate of the favourite but a good winner at class 4 over 1800M last time out in February racing on pace. Don't rule out.
5. CHEONGSAN JILJU – Winner of two from nine up to class 5 and 1400M. Last time out 3rd over 1700M at class 4. Likes to race on pace but plenty to find here.
6. WONDERFUL NORTHERN – Stablemate of Chan Famous . Strong 4th in the Cup Mile finishing very well and the step up to 1800M can be right in his favour. Place chance.
7. UNJU GUY – Winner at class 4 over this distance to round out his two-year-old campaign but 5th in the Gyeongnam Shinmun and 9th in the Cup Mile suggests there is plenty to find.
8. DAESEONG STAR – A class 4 winner over 1700M and while he was only 8th in the Sports Seoul, two turns seems much better as he was then 3rd at class 3 level at this distance on March. Only two in the race have a higher rating and may make some each way appeal.
9. BEST RACE – A winner up to class 4 level and 1400M he was 3rd in the Sports Seoul and 5th in the Cup Mile, the latter from a wide draw. Two turns for the first time but can challenge.
10. STORM FIGHTER – Hasn't won at better than class 5 but has a 3rd at class 4 over this distance and was 5th in a Trophy race, again at 1800M in April. Needs to find more here.
11. LONG RUN BULPAE – Ran 2nd in the Sports Seoul but having led the Cup Mile weakened late on and finished 13th. Plenty of ability but may be suited to shorter and Moon Se-young gets off.
12. YONGBI PAEWANG – 2nd in the Gyeongnam Shinmun and 3rd in the Cup Mile, coming from off the pace both times. Extra trip should suit, and he is a strong place chance again.
13. OASIS BLUE – Easy winner of both the Gyeongnam Shinmun and the Cup Mile and is also a two-time winner at this distance. Wide gate and wet track the question but his resume to date is far superior to the rest and is a worthy favourite.
14. MY DREAM DAY – Won just the once but was 3rd in the Gyeognam Shinmun and 2nd in the Cup Mile. Sire won the 2020 Derby so distance no concern and not impossible.
15. YOUNG SKYWALKER – Has been under the radar but gets his chance having won at 1800M at class 4 level. Still rated somewhat low but never rule out this stable.
16. ELDORADO NONGBU – Well back in the Cup Mile but was 2nd to Eclipse The King at this distance at class 4 in March. Form to overturn and has the challenge of the widest gate.
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