Friday is nominations day for the 2017 Korea Cup & Sprint which will be run at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday September 10th. Horses from almost all corners of the globe are likely to be among the accepted entries. In the meantime though, we have racing to attent to, principally in the form of a 14-race Friday card at Busan which will run from 14:30 to 21:00. Busan Mayor’s Cup winner I’m Your Father is in action in the feature race:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
| 1. TRUMPET MAJOR – Improved 6th last time. Still more to find. |
| 2. GIPPEUM SARANG – 6th behind Haneolui Gisang last start. Can improve here. |
| 3. MAKGANG BOLT – Best of 4th in six outings so far. Not shown much in the way of speed. Might not need to place here. |
| 4. HANEOLUI GISANG – Encouraging 5th on debut albeit in slow race. big chance here. |
| 5. SILLAUI SIDAE – Exceptionally slow in all five outings so far. Steer clear. |
| 6. HWARYEOHAN TAEYANG – Ha a couple of 3rd places among 13 prior efforts. Steps back in trip for first time in a long time and is a contender in this company. |
| 7. YUKWAEHAN JILJU – Not beaten many in three starts so far. |
| 8. CHOEGANG SEONBONG – Last of seven on debut. |
Verdict: Not a strong race but something’s got to win and purely on the grounds of having done the least amount wrong so far, we arrive at (4) HANEOLUI GISANG, 5th on debut last month and ready to push on here. He finished just a head in front of (2) GIPPEUM SARANG and that one looks to be the main danger here although we could also see improvement from (1) TRUMPET MAJOR and (3) MAKGANG BOLT.
| Selections | (4) Haneolui Gisang (2) Gippeum Sarang (1) Trumpet Major (3) Makgang Bolt |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
| 1. MISWICK MYEONGUN – Stepped back to this trip last time and ran well in 3rd. Repeat is possible. |
| 2. SARANG MISO – 2nd on debut in quick race on July 14th. Big chance here. |
| 3. EVER GOOD TIME – Offered little in four prior efforts. |
| 4. CHEONGPUNG YEOGEOL – First time starter. Few clues from trials so watching brief first up. |
| 5. DEPENDING CHAMP – First-timer. Slow in trials but top trainer and jockey combination and will get some backing. |
| 6. CHOEGANG BOLT – Best of 6th so far. Could improve on that here. |
| 7. DESTINY – Started her career promisingly last year but has gone very cold since. |
| 8. BOUND TODAY – There were eight months between debut and second start and while neither were especially impressive, improvement is possible here. |
Verdict: (2) SARANG MISO looked the part on debut when 2nd in a quick race at the distance last month and should really be making the breakthrough here. Not many will choose to oppose but those that do will probably opt for (1) MISWICK MYEONGUN. Not much else jumps out so perhaps we’ll give a chance to (8) BOUND TODAY who may be good if she can string a few runs together and also the debut-maker (4) CHEONGPUNG YEOGEOL.
| Selections | (2) Sarang Miso (1) Miswick Myeongun (8) Bound Today (4) Cheongpung Yeogeol |
| Next Best | 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 8 |
Race 3: Class (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
| 1. HWANGGEUMBITYEONGU – Never better than 5th but could match that in weak company. |
| 2. MIO – 2nd on second start last time, beaten less than a length at this distance having led almost all the way. Looks the winner here. |
| 3. GOLD STAR – Not done much in five so far. Interesting jockey booking. |
| 4. HANEULUI TTEUT – Offered little in first three tries but much improved on reappearance last month, running 2nd. Chance today. |
| 5. MUST LADY – No better than 8th in four attempts. |
| 6. ACE WOMAN – Well back on debut behind Haneului Tteut. |
| 7. GOLD QUEEN –Not beaten many in seven starts so far.. |
| 8. YES QUEEN – Eighteen runs without a win but getting closer lately with three 5ths and a 4th in her latest four. Should get close again. |
| 9. CAPTAIN KOREA – First start for more than a year. Trialed up in average fashion. A wildcard. |
| 10. SANDEUL – Beat Haneului Tteut a couple of starts ago but hasn’t looked like making a breakthrough. |
Verdict: Bart Rice’s (2) MIO was much improved on his second start and looks good to make all here and get his maiden win. (4) HANEULUI TTEUT was also much improved last time and should join Mio on the early speed and compete until the line. Those two look superior to the rest among who the experienced plodder (8) YES QUEEN can find some minor money.
| Selections | (2) Mio (4) Haneului Tteut (8) Yes Queen (10) Sandeul |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4 |
Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million
| 1. SAEROUN JILJU – Trialed up in average fashion. Not recommended first-up. |
| 2. CHEONNYEONDONGANDO – Had to go through a couple of trials and looked ok in the latest. Not favoured but could go reasonably well. |
| 3. SIN STEALTH – 3rd in a rather pedestrian trial. |
| 4. QUEEN OF CAPTAIN – 2nd in trials. Slow time but seemed to know what she’s meant to do. |
| 5. BAEKDU BAEKHO – One of the better ones in trials. |
| 6. SEONHO – Took a few goes to qualify but looked capable enough on managing it. |
| 7. THUNDER ALLEY – 3rd on debut over 1300M having briefly led late on. Should at least match that today. |
| 8. INTERCEPTOR – Didn’t impress in trials but from a top stable. |
| 9. APRIL STAR – Trialed up behind Baekdu Baekho. |
| 10. WORLD SUN – 2nd on debut over 1000M, running on nicely. Extra furlong should suit and he’ll be favourite. |
| 11. TESTA MAGIC – Sent off the odds-on favourite on debut a month ago but could only manage 3rd. Worth another chance here to improve on that. |
| 12. BELLAMY GONGJU – 4th, a length behind Testa Magic on debut last month. Can repeat here. |
Verdict: There are eight debut-makers here but the market leaders will be the four who have raced before. (10) WORLD SUN looks the most likely winner having run on strongly for 2nd on debut on June 30th. The additional furlong today should be to his benefit. (11) TESTA MAGIC and (12) BELLAMY GONGJU came home 3rd and 4th when they debuted together on July 7th and both are in the frame again while the other with experience, (7) THUNDER ALLEY was 3rd over 1300M and also looks to have every chance.
| Selections | (10) World Sun (7) Thunder Alley (11) Testa Magic (12) Bellamy Gongju |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 11 |
Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
| 1. LA JOLLA – Average in four efforts so far. 6th behind Queen Stealth on latest. |
| 2. YEOWANGUI JEONGWON – First try at further than 1000M today. A little one-paced so far but could improve. |
| 3. QUEEN STEALTH – Raced six times last year before missing seven months. Not shown much in two starts back. |
| 4. VIVA VICTORY – Two 3rds and two 4ths in four outings to date. Can win this. |
| 5. MANSUN – Improved 3rd last time with this apprentice jockey on. A chance. |
| 6. GASOK TRIPLE – 6th behind Mansun last time so a bit to find. |
| 7. BONA GIRL – Close in latest three. Favourite last time at 1600M but only managed 4th. Worth another try here. |
| 8. GOOD PARK – Comes in off back to back 4ths both at this distance. Top jockey on today and should at least match those 4th places. |
| 9. ADAMARIS – Wasn’t right on debut. Look for improvement today. |
Verdict: Just fillies here and it looks a nice open contest. We’ll give another chance to (7) BONA GIRL who steps back in trip after running 4th when favourite at a mile last time and looks to have as good a chance as any. She’ll likely try to come from behind a pace that could be set by (4) VIVA VICTORY, who has been close in all four efforts so far and should be again while (5) MANSUN and (8) GOOD PARK look best of a competitive rest.
| Selections | (7) Bona Girl (4) Viva Victory (5) Mansun (8) Good Park |
| Next Best | 2, 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6 |
Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
| 1. BULMYEORUIMARIPGAN – Will plod away and should pass a few late on – didn’t come off last time but could today. |
| 2. GOLDEN TROPHY – 6th and 8th in two starts back from a four-month absence. Can improve today. |
| 3. JUNE MORNING – 6th last time behind Ghost Warrior. A bit to find on that one but should have the beating of plenty of these. |
| 4. GAO – Not impressed in eight starts so far. Only beat two home on latest. |
| 5. URI GIPPEUM – 4th in weak company over 1000M last time. Would struggle to repeat here. |
| 6. SUPER MAGIC – Getting closer. 2nd ahead of Brama Chance last start and steps up to a mile for the first time. Should suit. |
| 7. BRAMA CHANCE – Done ok in two starts so far. 5th behind Super Magic last time. Up to a mile for the first time today. |
| 8. GHOST WARRIOR – Much improved 2nd when stepped up to 1300M on July 7th. In the frame here. |
| 9. WORLD KOREAN – Stable and jockey combination ensures that he will be favourite. 3rd and 2nd in two starts so far and does indeed look the one to beat. |
Verdict: Only four of these have raced at a mile before and it’s from the ones stepping up where we find the likely favourites. (9) WORLD KOREAN, from the track’s top stable, has looked good in both efforts so far and while he came up short at odds-on last time can get it right today. (6) SUPER MAGIC and (8) GHOST WARRIOR also both come in following 2nd places last time out and with the feeling that the extra distance may suit. (3) JUNE MORNING looks best of the rest.
| Selections | (9) World Korean (8) Ghost Warrior (6) Super Magic (3) June Morning |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7 |
Race 7: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. KEUN MABEOP – 3rd at class and distance last time and given a fast start, is in the frame again. |
| 2. DAEJIUI HUIMANG – 7th behind Keun Mabeop last time when well backed. Top jockey booking today and could improve. |
| 3. HANNAM ROOKIE – Seems to have found her level. Yet to win in nineteen but generally beats a few and likely will again. |
| 4. FIRST WINNING – Still awaiting her “first winning”. Only beat a couple home last time and not among the favoured ones today. |
| 5. PEACE BERY – Still yet to win after 32 outings and probably won’t here either. Close in all recent starts though and every chance of the money again. |
| 6. MARION COUNTY – Gone cold of late. |
| 7. PERFECT SINHWA – First start since maiden victory in February. Up in class here but trialed up nicely and will be the one they need to beat. |
| 8. NAMYANG YEOGEOL – Up in class following maiden win at the eighth time of asking on July 14th. A bit to find but can be competitive. |
| 9. YUKRYONGI – Winner on debut all the way back last December and is competitive at this level. In the placing frame. |
| 10. HAPPY LADY – Won on debut in March but hasn’t looked like following up despite being well backed each time. |
Verdict: (7) PERFECT SINHWA looked to have plenty of promise in the two starts he made at the beginning of the year. He’s had setbacks since but looked in good shape when trialing last month and could make a winning return today. (1) KEUN MABEOP looks best placed to stop him but we could also see good efforts from (2) DAEJIUI HUIMANG and (9) YUKRYONGI.
| Selections | (7) Perfect Sinhwa (1) Keun Mabeop (2) Daejiui Huimang (9) Yukryongi |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8 10 |
Race 8: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. RECHAE – Managed a 3rd place over 1300M in April but offered little in three starts since. |
| 2. OH DAEBAK – Last of 12 on latest. |
| 3. POWERFUL FORCE – Recent form is cold. |
| 4. YOUARE THE CAPTAIN – Has won at this class and distance but that was ten months ago now. Occasionally sneaks some minor money. |
| 5. CHEONJI CHAMP – Enters in good shape following a 2nd and a 3rd in latest two and should look to repeat here. |
| 6. PANGPANG LEGEND – Slow starter who can pass a few on her day. |
| 7. EORIN YEOWANG – Yet to win in thirteen but has three 2nd places, all of them at 1000M. Interesting outsider. |
| 8. TASK FORCE – Comfortable winner on debut over 1000M. Up in class and distance today but should have the beating of this lot. |
| 9. S PARIS – Returned from nine months off to land his maiden win three weeks ago, beating Mio, who we saw earlier. A bit to find but in the frame again. |
| 10. CHODONG TEUKGEUP – Got promoted to this level without a win but has proven competitive at it, at least over 1000M. Could get close. |
Verdict: The manner in which (8) TASK FORCE won on debut over 1000M on June 30th suggests that he should be able to handle the step up in both class and distance and make all to score once again today. He’ll be joined on the early speed by (10) CHODONG TEUKGEUP. That one’s best work has been done at the minimum distance but he looks good for at least a place here. (5) CHEONJI CHAMP and the up in class (9) S PARIS are others in the frame in a competitive race.
| Selections | (8) Task Force (9) S Paris (10) Chodong Teukgeup (5) Cheonji Champ |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 8, 10 |
Race 9: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. QUEEN’S BULLET – Improved 3rd at class and distance last time and she looks to have a fair shot here. Not a fast starter but should run on well. |
| 2. AGNES – Returned from five months off to run 3rd at class and distance last time. Not the most fashionable jockey on which may mean some value as she has a chance here. |
| 3. MINE – Back to back 4th places finishes in March and April but cold since. |
| 4. FRENCH GIRL – Inconsistent at this class. Always well backed and will be again but a bit of a risk nonetheless – she could win, she could be last. |
| 5. KING STORM – Solid 5th behind Queen’s Bullet on return from four months out in July. Matching that today would be a good effort. |
| 6. TEXAS QUEEN – Struggled in two tries at this class so far. |
| 7. MAJESTIC POWER – 67th start today, she’s not offered a lot lately. |
| 8. ALECTO – Up in class following maiden win at the end of June. It was at this distance and she’ll be competitive again. |
| 9. BARONESS – Up in class having come too close too many times at class 6. She surely has a win in her eventually and it could even be here. Top jockey booking. |
| 10. ARENA – Looked promising at the start of the year but has been getting further away recently. |
| 11. DANCING BLAZE – Occasionally sneaks some money but an outsider here. |
Verdict: Just fillies and mares here and it is an interesting race. (1) QUEEN’S BULLET was an improved 3rd in a similar event last month and could well get it right this time. She’ll have tough competitive from (2) AGNES, a strong 3rd on return last time out and looking nicely in today. (9) BARONESS looks to have plenty of talent but just keeps missing out – it will come off for her eventually and it could be today under Jo Sung Gon – while the up in class (8) ALECTO should also be competitive. (4) FRENCH GIRL is up and down but on her day, can be very dangerous.
| Selections | (9) Baroness (1) Queen’s Bullet (2) Agnes (8) Alecto |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 9, 10 |
Race 10: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. KIRK MINISTER – Slightly disappointing 5th of 11 last time but plenty of talent and among the favourites here. |
| 2. PARTY TONIGHT – Managed a 2nd place at class and distance back in January. Possible glimpse last time of return to some semblance of form |
| 3. NOBLE WARRIOR – Finished last when well backed at class and distance in early June. Comes in after a couple of months off and can be better this time. Should be on pace. |
| 4. MAJOR SUN – 4th at class and distance last time. Looks to be coming right and can win this. |
| 5. HAENGBOKAN JILJU – Really struggled at first at this class but has been figuring things out in latest two. |
| 6. RISING PRINCE – Not too far away in recent starts but a bit to find to trouble the placings. |
| 7. SINBIHAN JILJU – Maiden win came at the ninth attempt last start, coming from well back to win handily over 1300M. A mile should suit but he’ll have to find a bit here. |
| 8. THE BEE GOLD – A pair of 4ths and a 6th in three efforts at class and distance. He won over a mile at class 6 and can be taken seriously today. |
| 9. DAMYANG YEONGUNG – 7th but not disgraced in tough race over 1300M on what was his first try at this level last time. Improvement possible. |
Verdict: (1) KIRK MINISTER won what looked a soft race at this distance at class 6 back at the end of June but the horse who came 2nd that day has gone on to in since and Kirk Minister himself ran ok when 5th on his first try at this level last time. We’ll put him on top here. (4) MAJOR SUN seems to be coming into form and David Miller seems likely to have him ready to win soon if not today while (8) THE BEE GOLD and (9) DAMYANG YEONGUNG are among others in the frame.
| Selections | (1) Kirk Minister (4) Major Sun (8) The Bee Gold (9) Damyang Yeongung |
| Next Best | 7, 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3 |
Horse Racing in Korea 