Speed Young has spent most of his career playing second-fiddle to stablemate Global Hit but that wasn’t the case in last year’s Busan Owners’ Cup, and it won’t be this time either as the defending champion will be favourite when he takes on fifteen rivals on Sunday afternoon (1600M KOR-G3)

A successful defence for Speed Young will require him to overcome some very promising younger horses. WONPYEONG STORM won his first five races before being well beaten when sent in against the elite in the first leg of the Stayer Series over 2000M in March. That proved to be too much too soon but after a couple of months rest, he returned to win at this distance in May, and he should be a different prospect here.

Fellow three-year-old FINAL K has won five from six and is also an exciting prospect while DESPITE WIN, a year older, has won five from nine and bog things are expected.

Among the more established rivals, SUCCESS BAEKPA and BLACK MAMBA are done no favours by the draw but their quality can see them in the mix, while BLACK MUSK is the wildcard. He can blow hot or cold but on his day is as good as any.

The Busan Owners' Cup (1600M KOR-G3) is the concluding race 6 on Sunday's card at Busan with a local post time of 16:30. There are also 11 Sunday races at Seoul.

1. DESPITE WIN – Winner of five from nine in total including twice at this distance. Comes off a class 1 (rating capped at 95) win at 2000M on May 30th and while this is a big step up in quality, can be competitive. Seo Seung-un rides.

2. FINAL K – Only defeat came behind Wonpyeong Storm over 1200M last November. Most recently won a Trophy race for three-year-olds in April over 1800M, settling handy and running on. Big step up in grade but loads of potential.

3. WONPYEONG STORM – The Herald Business proved too much too soon in March but after a couple of months off, he returned to winning ways at a mile at Class 1. High ceiling and a big chance.

4. BYEOLNARA JILJU – Lowest rated in the race, he only beat one home in last month's Busan Mayor's Cup, and he will be one of the longest shots on the board again.

5. BOLT MAN – A multiple winner at class 1 including over this distance. He was well back in the first two legs of the Stayer Series though and this isn't much easier.

6. NAOL SNIPER – Always runs in top class company and was 6th of fourteen here in last month's Busan Mayor's Cup. Form to overturn here but at his best can be a place chance.

7. BLACK MUSK – Graded race winner who mixes his form. He was huge 2nd in SBS Sports Sprint in April before struggling in the SROA Chairman's Sprint last month. First go at a mile since running midfield in this race three years ago. Third-up so may be peaking.

8. MIGHTY GO – Hasn't raced at further than 1400M since he was a three-year-old in 2020. An excellent 2nd in the Busan Ilbo Sprint here over 1200M in March but well back in two subsequent Sprint efforts. Others favoured.

9. CLEAN ONE – Won a valuable Trophy race for three-year-olds in April over 1800M by seven-lengths but well back over 2000M at class 1 a month ago. Distance may suit and only six starts in, has plenty of potential for more development. Races on pace and Franco on is a plus.

10. SPEED YOUNG – The defending champion and in stablemate Global Hit's absence, will be well-backed to win again. 2nd to that horse and to Success Baekpa in his latest three, he can come from off the pace to go one better here.

11. HANGANG CLASS – Won a Trophy race over this distance with a rating cap of 80 in April but was well back in the SROA Chairman's Sprint at Seoul last month. Has run fairly in elite company so while maybe not a winning chance can aim for some minor money.

12. LUCKY WORLD – Hasn't won at higher than class 2 level though has a class 1 3rd at this distance. Untried in elite company and an outsider here.

13. DAEJI CHOICE – Multiple Class 1 winner but has been found wanting on the rare occasions he's been tried at Group level including in Seoul last month at a sprint distance.

14. JEONGMUN COBIT – Enters off three consecutive class 1 placings between 1400M and 2000M and has won over a mile. Will need to lift in this company though.

15. BLACK MAMBA – Comes out of the Sprint Series where he recorded two 3rd places and a 5th. Comes back up to a distance at which he has won all three attempts at and while he has to contend with a wide draw, is a danger.

16. SUCCESS BAEKPA – Won the Herald Business in March before running 4th in the YTN Cup and then 3rd in the Busan Mayor's Cup. Two for two over the mile including the first leg of last year's Triple Crown and while the widest gate is not ideal, he is one of the top chances.