Eclipse Berry enters the second leg of the Triple Tiara as hot favourite to take out the most prestigious jewel in the series, the Korean Oaks (1 1/8M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
The top-nine placegetters from the Luna Stakes (1M KOR-L) on March 31st all return, but with ECLIPSE BERRY having won that race by a cool seven-lengths, making all the running, she is going to be hard to oppose. She has already won over 1 1/8M, the only one in the race to have done so, and that was on a wet track. Rain is forecast for Busan on Sunday afternoon. Moon Se-young returns to Busan to partner the Seo Hong-soo trained Shackleford filly.
GLOBAL TAEYANG was 2nd in the Luna Stakes and from a much better draw this time can get closer, while last year's champion juvenile BAEKDUUI KKUM is not to be dismissed. WONPYEONG LIST had plenty of excuses in the Luna and is a class 3 winner already while BANG BANG BANG was a revelatory 3rd in the opening jewel of the Tiara and only four races into her career, still has plenty of scope for further development.
The Korean Oaks is race 6 on the 7-race Sunday card at Busan with a local post time of 16:05. There is also a 10-race Sunday card at Seoul.
1. STAR CHANGER – Maiden winner at start seven at class 5 level over 1 1/16M on March 30th making all. Well drawn but a big ask here.
2. GLOBAL TAEYANG – A winner up to a mile and class 4 level and 2nd in the Luna Stakes. Has seven-lengths to make up on Eclipse Berry but draws better this time and can get closer. Second favourite.
3. PERFECT ACTION – Won three of nine up to a mile and class 4 but was 8th in the Luna Stakes so plenty of form to overturn. Will race handy and may offer each-way value.
4. LOVE MUNMAK – Only win came at class 6 level but was a smart 2nd over 1 1/16M at class 5 last time out when on pace. Plenty to find in this company but has a strong finish.
5. FLYING STAR – 5th in the Luna and was found to be slightly lame. Returned to work on April 19th. Has won at class 4 over a mile but a few too many question marks to recommend.
6. WONPYEONG LIST – Stumbled at the start of the Luna and jockey temporarily lost an iron before running on for 9th. Has won at class 3 level over 7f so not to be dismissed with better luck.
7. ECLIPSE BERRY – Easy winner of the Luna Stakes to go three for three this year. The only one to already have won at this distance, which she did at class 3 level in filly and mare company in February, making all – and on a wet track. The hot favourite and she should win.
8. BAEKDUUI KKUM – The best juvenile filly last year. She began this season with 6th in a quick race at a mile at class 3 before running 4th in the Luna Stakes. Two turns may suit so don't rule out.
9. WILD SERVE – Lightly raced with two wins from four. Comes in off 4th over 7f at class 4 level on April 7th. Times have been fair, but this is a big step up.
10. AJANTA – Won up to class 5 level and 7f but has a 2nd place at class 4 over this distance in a faster time than Eclipse Berry won at. It was at a different track so direct comparisons don't apply but it makes her a money chance.
11. FLYING RACER – Win came on debut but ran fairly in the Luna Stakes for 6th place after copping a bump coming out of the gate and while not among the favourites, she has scope for more progress.
12. HI WINNER – Won at class 6 level over 7f but has failed to fire in three starts at class 5. Top jockey booking but big outsider.
13. BANG BANG BANG – Won her first two starts before struggling over a mile at class 4 but bounced back for an excellent 3rd in the Luna Stakes. She drew even wider that day, so the gate is no problem. A chance.
14. STARTER – Three wins from five with only defeats coming in the Gwacheon Mayor's Trophy and Luna Stakes but those races were against the calibre of filly she faces today suggesting she has a lot to find. Fast start but unfavourable draw.
15. AMAZING BOSS – A bit of a wildcard, she has won her latest two up to class 5 level and 7f to take her chance here. Top jockey aboard but a hard ask.
Selections (7) Eclipse Berry (2) Global Taeyang (6) Wonpyeong List (8) Baekduui Kkum
Next Best 13, 3
Fast Start 1, 5, 7, 8, 14
