BUSAN Oasis Blue produced a performance of consummate control and maturity to dominate the 700 million Korean won (S$645,000) Group 2 KRA Cup Mile (1,600m), the first leg of the 2025 Korean Triple Crown, at Busan Racecourse on April 6.
Fully justifying his $12 (on Singapore Pools tote) favourite status, Oasis Blue was ridden patiently in the early stages by jockey Jin Kyum, before letting down in the home straight.
The Busan Classic Trial winner pulled away for a comfortable four-length victory in the opening jewel of the crown staged by the Korea Racing Authority (KRA).
"I didn't really have to do much. He is so straightforward," said Jin to in-house broadcaster KRBC.
"The stable prepared him really well, I am grateful for the opportunity and happy to repay their trust in me."
Getting the closest was Thomas Gillespie's My Dream Day, a long shot who ran on under veteran English jockey Alan Munro, an old Kranji acquaintance.
Another outsider, Yongbi Paewang, ridden by ex-Macau-based Japanese jockey Masa Tanaka, ran third.
However, pre-race fancies Long Run Bulpae and Gangnaru, who had another former Singapore-based jockey in the saddle, Malaysian A'Isisuhairi Kasim, as well as Oasis Blue's stablemate Beolmaui Ace, made little impact.
A'Isisuhairi, who rides in Seoul, had Gangnaru in the firing line from the get-go, but the three-time winner wilted badly in the home straight to beat one home.
On the other hand, Seoul's second Kranji expat and fellow Malaysian, Wong Chin Chuen, fared a lot better when producing Wonderful Northern with a late kick, but had to settle for fourth place, 5½ lengths off the winner.
The Korean Triple Crown is a famed series reserved for domestically-bred three-year-olds in South Korea.
"These are three-year-olds, the other horses will continue to make progress, but I think Oasis Blue has potential for more too," said Jin.
"The next race (Korean Derby) we know the increased distance (1,800m) is no problem. So if he remains well, then he has a big chance of winning again."
While the 30-year-old jockey was notching up a first Graded Stakes win in his riding career, trainer Baik Kwang-yeol was not in unfamiliar territory.
The Busan-based handler was saddling his eighth Graded winner and second in this race after Betelgeuse scored two years ago for the same owner as Oasis Blue, Lee Jong-hun.
According to the trainer, it was one of his simplest.
"Although (Oasis Blue) is only three, he is a very relaxed horse, he can settle into a rhythm and pace that is very mature for his age," said Baik.
"He is a gentle horse in the stable, so he is easy to manage and train and he is an easy ride. If he continues to make the progress he has so far, then he has a very big future.
"The owner is very good; he trusts us completely and I have complete trust in the jockey, so I am in a very lucky position as trainer.
"The next race is the Derby, we'll prepare well and see what happens."
With Oasis Blue having already won over the Derby distance, he is set to be a hot favourite when the division reconvenes in Seoul on May 11 for the Group 1 event.
Oasis Blue is by KRA stallion Uncaptured and is out of Saena (by Peace Rules). He was bred by Lee Nam-il at Pyeongdae Farm and was purchased by Lee for 69 million Korean won at the November 2023 Korea Breeders' Association Sale.
The win moves him on to five wins from eight starts - he also crossed the line first in the Listed Gimhae Mayor's Trophy (1,200m) last October only to be disqualified for an incident early in the race.
Next week, the focus shifts to the Road to September's International Korea Sprint and the second leg of the Sprint Series, the Group 3 SBS Sports Sprint (1,200m) in Seoul on April 13. SKY RACING WORLD
