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Success Story struck the first blow in the race to the Korea Sprint, running out the winner of a keenly contested Busan Ilbo Cup, the 1st leg of the 2017 Sprint Series at Busan on Sunday afternoon.

A top line field had been attracted by the prize-money and the prospect of a ticket to Seoul Racecourse in September to take on the internationals and it was Peter Wolsley’s Macheon Bolt who was sent off as favourite ahead of the exciting – and previously unbeaten – three-year-old prospect King Of Ace.

It was Perdido Pomeroy who broke best, last year’s Korea/Japan race winner skipping into an early lead and taking Bart Rice’s Triple Five along with him. The pair quickly opened up a significant lead – up to three lengths at the half-way point and the question became about whether they could maintain it. They couldn’t.

As the front pair weakened in the straight, it was Success Story, always prominent in the chasing pack, who got first run at them. Macheon Bolt came after him on the rail side while Seoul Bullet, King Of Ace and Baedari Bobae gave chase on the stands-side but it would be to no avail. Success Story was too strong and prevailed by a length and a half with just a further half length separating his four pursuers.

Seoul Bullet got the closest to the winner on what was his first start since returning from Dubai – the place where Success Story made his name of course last year. King Of Ace ran home a strong 3rd and while his unbeaten record is gone, he proved he is already able to mix it with the country’s best and providing he stays sound, has every chance of getting better as an exciting career develops. Macheon Bolt didn’t have the run of the race but will surely be back while Baedari Bobae defied his outsider tag to fly home for 5th.

As for Success Story, it was an 12th win in 27 Korean starts. The next leg of the series is in Seoul on the first Sunday in June when the competition will be stern from Seoul’s best Sprinters (who opted not to show up here; the three that did, while as game as possible, never stood a chance) and also from visiting Japanese raiders with three visitors from Ohi invited for the race which doubles as the SBS Sports Korea v Japan Sprint.

Then the final leg is the Korea Sprint at Seoul Racecourse on September 10th. Success Story should be there.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Racecourse – 1200M – May 7, 2017

1. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – You Hyun Myung – 7.5, 2.5

2. Seoul Bullet (KOR) [Peace Rules – Wild Guess (Wild Rush)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.9

3. King Of Ace (USA) [Malibu Moon – Cintarosa (Grand Slam)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.1

Distances: 1.5 lengths / Head

Also Ran: 4. Macheon Bolt (KOR) 5. Baedari Bobae (KOR) 6. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) 7. Morning Daero (USA) 8. Triple Five (USA) 9. Wonil Gangja (KOR) 10. Naesarang Damyang (USA) 11. Perdido Pomeroy (USA) 12. Ace Cheonbok (AUS) 13. Smoken Joe (USA) 14. Special Sky (AUS) PU: Oreuse (USA)

Next weekend, it’s the big one for the three-year-olds: The Korean Derby is at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday May 14.