Korea Racing – Full field of sixteen to contest Korean Oaks Sunday

June 2, 2023

A full field of sixteen fillies will face the starter at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon as they vie for glory in the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2). They include all the top-three placegetters from the first jewel in the Tiara, April’s Luna Stakes.

Jeulgeounyeojeong came out on top that day under a perfectly timed ride by Franco Da Silva, as they held off the late charge of Raon Forest and Lim Gi-won by a nose on the line at the end of the Mile long test. Plenty will fancy the additional furlong to be in the grey Raon Forest’s favour, but local media still predicts Jeolgeounyeojeong to start as favourite.

Magic Class was 3^rd in the Luna Stakes, and she takes her chance again while Good Magic will be the last Oaks runner by Menifee. She has finished no worse than 2^nd in five starts so far and will have her own supporters to claim a sixth Filly Classic win for her late sire. The Peter Wolsley-trained Happy Jazz is another of the leading contenders:

4. RAON FOREST – Was finishing by far the quickest in the Luna Stakes, coming from the back to just be denied by a nose on the line by Jeulgeounyeojoeng. She posted the fastest final furlong time in the race by almost a second and the additional furlong should suit. A big chance of overturning that result.
5. DUBAI PYEONGJEONG – Comes in off a promising 4^th place over 1800M in a good time at class 4 level on May 5^th, coming from off the pace. A similar performance wouldn’t see her win but could find her in the money.
6. MAGIC CLASS – 3^rd behind Jeulgeounyeojeong and Raon Forest in the Luna Stakes when she overcame gate twelve to get on the pace. She has five lengths to make up on that pair, but the additional furlong shouldn’t be a problem and the draw is much more in her favour this time. A chance.
7. META BLADE – Her win came at class 6 level, but she did lead for most of the way around before finishing a close 2^nd over 1700M at class 5 on April 23^rd. This is a big step up though.
8. FALL IN LOVE – Ran 3^rd when stepped up to two turns and to class 4 on April 16^th leading until close to the finish. Should be on or close to the early pace but others favoured.
9. GOOD MAGIC – Yet to finish worse than 2^nd from five starts with three wins most recently over a mile at class 4 level. Up in trip but likes to race on pace and is drawn well and looks a money chance.
10. JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG – The Luna Stakes winner when sitting handy and fending off Raon Forest late. Prior to that she was 3^rd behind Doctor Oscar over this trip at class 3 level in March in a quick time. She will be favourite and she has every chance again.
11. GREEN SPARK – Won at a mile at class 4 level last December but hasn’t raced since well back over 1300M in March. Trialed adequately at the end of that month but it is hard to know what to expect here. Others favoured.
12. JEOMSUNI GO – Defied big odds to run 6^th in the Luna Stakes but has eleven-lengths to find on the winner. Only Raon Forest was quicker in the final furlong though so the extended trip could suit, and she may get closer.
13. HAPPY JAZZ – The only one in the field to have won at this distance and she’s done it twice, most recently at class 4 level in March. Ran 4^th in a competitive Trophy race on May 14^th and warrants consideration here.
14. TAURUS QUEEN – In great form having won her latest three, most recent over 1400M at class 4 level on April 30^th when on pace throughout. Up in distance here but looks to have plenty of scope for more development.
15. SUCCESS TIME – A second and a 3^rd in two class 5 outings since getting her maiden win. The latter 3^rd was over this distance and from a wide gate but will need to find plenty here.
16. RAON THE QUALITY – First start since running last in Seoul’s Classic Trial in March. Entered there off three consecutive wins up to a mile and class 4 level. Has won from on pace so draw not ideal and this is a tough ask first up.
17. WONDERFUL SLEW – Won her first two before running 2^nd over 1700M at class 4 level. Finished off her races well so far so the 1800M may suit and while she is still inexperienced, Antonio aboard is a plus. Trainer and jockey won this race in 2021.
18. DOCTOR OSCAR – She won a juvenile Listed race over 1200M last November but was back in the field in the Luna Stakes. She did run 2^nd at this distance at class 3 level in March, beating Jeulgeounyeojeong, so despite that Luna effort and the wide draw, can’t be ruled out.
19. VEREUDA – Hasn’t won beyond class 6 and was 6^th behind Good Magic and Success Time two starts back. Useful 2^nd over 1400M in a quick time last start but at class 5 level. Sei Seung-un aboard will tempt some at an each-way price.

Selections: (1) Raon Forest (7) Jeulgoeunyeojeong (10) Happy Jazz (3) Magic Class

Author: Melissa