ROSHE RETURNS: KOOKJE SHINMUN PREVIEW AND FORM COMMENTS

Friday sees the Korea Premier Series return and with it the more eagerly awaited reappearance of the unbeaten Roshe, who heads a full field of sixteen in the Kookje Shinmun Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Busan. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 9 FRIDAY RACES AT BUSAN.

Roshe (Pic: KRA)

ROSHE is a perfect six from six and the three-year-old American import is yet to be troubled in any of his outings to date, including when he stepped up to Group company for the first time in the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) in June when he recorded a facile ten-length win.

He hasn’t raced since, and while the Seong Sang-hyun trained Roshe did miss a scheduled trial a week ago, he had already come through one earlier in October and under regular jockey Jang Chu-youl, he should have too much for this field.

Several come out of creditable efforts in the international Korea Sprint over 1200M last month. They include MUNHAK BOY, who won this race last year before losing form completely. That slide may well have been arrested by a big 4th place in the international race, and he has Seoul Premiership leader Kozzi Asano aboard.

WINNER CLEAR, SILVER RAIN and HAKSAN SPEED also come out of the Korea Sprint while SUPER FINISH was 3rd in the international race last year and was a strong class 1 winner over this trip at the end of August. All will be backed on a place line.

GANGSEO GIANT and BIWOL are set to be the next bests. Here is a full run down of the field:

1. SUPER FINISH – Four-time winner over the distance most recently at the end of August at class 1 level. Beaten late on a very wet track when seemingly about to win but somehow finishing 4th two weeks ago. Good draw to lead and to be in this a long way. Place chance.

2. SINUI EREUM – Four-time winner whose recent form has been cold and whose rating as just dropped back to class 2. Big outsider here.

3. SILVER RAIN – More a 1200M horse, he was a fair 8th of sixteen in the Korea Sprint in September, prior to which he was 2nd in very quick race at class 2 level. Well-drawn to sit handy and while not favoured, he can beat plenty.

4. MAENGNYONG – A bit of a wildcard. He jumped up from class 3 to class 1 in May and won at this distance before finishing a decent 6th behind Roshe in the Owners’ Cup. Hasn’t raced since but won a trial in fine fashion on October 15th and 1400M is his go. Each-way chance.

5. SUNNY ROAD – Has been racing in Listed or equivalent company recently and has been well down the field. As won over this distance but on current form it is hard to see him making an impact in this company.

6. WINNER CLEAR – Second in two legs of the Sprint Series before running 6th in the Korea Sprint itself, each time settling well back and running on. He hasn’t ad much joy at 1400M but the way he has finished off recently suggests he is ready for another go. Second favourite.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 30)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday and it’s a bug one with the Kookje Shinmun Cup (1400M KOR-G3) the feature with the unbeaten Roshe seeking to go seven-from-seven. That’s race 6 on the 9-race card which runs from 11:10 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Munhak Boy won last year’s Kookje Shinmun (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with eight of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) OASIS CELEB came from off the pace on debut over 1000M at the end of August. Nine weeks down the line, she can strip fitter, and the step up in trip can suit. Of the debut-makers, (1) POWERFUL BRIDGE was the best in trials. She went through two of them, first in September and then on October 8th when she improved to 3rd in a quick time having led. With a good start today, she should be in this a long way. (8) SECRET FOG was 3rd on debut over 1000M on September 18th when settling midfield and running on. Like Oasis Celeb, she too should appreciate the step up in distance and can match or better that today. (2) GOSOK QUEEN and (6) QUEEN CLEAVER are the other first-timers who will be supported.

Selections(4) Oasis Celeb (1) Powerful Bridge (8) Secret Fog (2) Gosok Queen
Next Best6, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. There are three standouts and they all finished 4th on their respective debuts. (4) TO WIN came out of gate ten on debut over 1000M before settling handy and running on for a solid 4th place. She finished off very well, the big step up in trip can suit, and she has as good a chance as any. (9) FLEX TEUKGEUP beat To Win in their trial and then came from off the pace to run 4th on debut on October 2nd. He too should have come on for that run and is a danger here. (7) SUPEX MAGIC debuted over 1200M on September 18th, beating two of today’s rivals on his way to 4th. He was doing his best work late and he is another who can benefit from the additional distance. By virtue of the jockey booking, (1) MILLION TREE will be the best backed of the debut-makers. (3) BULPAEJILJU was a fair 5th on debut and can improve.

Selections(4) To Win (9) Flex Teukgeup (7) Supex Magic (1) Million Tree
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

A regular maiden but there are four debut-makers. (6) MAX LEVEL will be a strong favourite. He didn’t do much on debut in July, but subsequently went back to trial, which he won, and he was a very close 2nd on his return to racing on September 4th when he led for much of the way, ultimately only going down by a nose. He can lead again here and this time he shouldn’t be denied. (11) GOING TO WIN probably isn’t, at least not just yet, but he was the best of the newcomers in trials and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, if he can bring that form to the races, he can be close. (2) OASIS WANGJA has been through several trials and while none were especially quick, he did lead his latest and that’s enough to give him a chance of going well first-up against this very modest opposition. (1) FOR THE VICTORY and (3) BRAVO QUEEN look the most likely of the experienced ones to improve.

Selections(6) Max Level (11) Going To Win (2) Oasis Wangja (1) For The Victory
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 6

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) BLUE TREE was 2nd on debut over 1300M at the end of August before running 3rd at start number two on October 9th, both times racing close to the speed. He should be on pace again here, Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time, and today can be the day. (3) SKY WON was a fair 5th of eleven on debut over 1200M on September 6th, coming from off the pace. She should have come on for that run, she comes into a better gate, and the slight step up in trip can suit. (4) GREY WIND was 5th behind Blue Tree in that October 9th race. She also has a 2nd place to her name over 1000M, and she can be in the mix again here. (11) SIERRA GOLD and (5) OASIS SHACKLE among plenty of others in the placing frame.

Selections(8) Blue Tree (3) Sky Won (4) Grey Wind (11) Sierra Gold
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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RAON FOREST SEES OFF PRETENDERS IN GYEONGNAM GLORY

Raon Forest put the youngsters firmly in their place as the only six-year-old in the race trounced fourteen younger rivals to emphatically win the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Friday afternoon, in the process taking over at the top of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter leaderboard.

Raon Forest and Choi Bum-hyun (Pic: KRA)

Under Choi Bum-hyun, Raon Forest, sent off as the 6.5 third-favourite, was one of the last out of the gate but quickly settled in midfield on the heels of odds-on market-elect Fantastic Value. Second-favourite Boryeonglightqueen took up her customary position right at the rear as outsiders Excellent Matta and Wonderful Kaylan, along with the more fancied Yeosu Super Star, set the early pace.

It was all change on the home turn though as two of the three leaders faded and while Fantastic Value couldn’t take her opportunity, Raon Forest came quickly to the lead and put the race to bed early in the home straight. Three-year-old Clearly Winner emerged for 2nd place, a full ten-lengths in arrears, while Yeosu Superstar registered her third Queens’ Tour 3rd place of the year.

Boryeonglightqueen as usual ran on too late and ended in 5th while Fantastic Value offered little in the home straight and ended a disappointing 7th.

“It got smoother as the race went on and we were able to quickly move up into contention on the outside. I think that was the key moment” winning jockey Choi told KRBC. “To win, lots of things have to come together, good training, the ability or otherwise of the opposition and then good fortune” said Choi, before adding “I always say that in these interviews; I guess I’m a lucky guy.”

Winning trainer Lee Kang-seo is only three months into being licensed but he is operating at a win rate of 18% with more than half of his seventy-odd runners to date finishing in the top three. Having a significant number of the Raon owned horses come to him after the retirement of Park Jong-kon has undoubtedly helped his cause.

“I’m very grateful to all the owners who are trusting in me, as well as the senior trainers who have helped me” Lee told KRBC. “I’ve prepared – or perhaps endured is a better word – for a long time to be a trainer and now it’s working out, I am so glad.”

Raon Forest’s win takes her to the top of the Queens’ Tour Fall-Winter standings with 680 points. With Fantastic Value unplaced, she is joined on 400 points in joint-2nd place by Yeosu Superstar.

Lee Kang-seo and Raon Forest (Pic: KRA)

Raon Forest [Hansen – Raon Nari (by Ecton Park)] was only winning for the eighth time on what was her thirty-fifth start but she has spent her entire career facing elite company, coming up in the same 2023 Triple Tiara group as Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew, fillies she would then face in the Queens’ Tour races. Her previous big race wins came in the G3 KNN Cup in 2025 and the Listed Donga Ilbo Trophy, earlier this year.

There is some cause for optimism among the younger cohort though as in addition to Clearly Winner running 2nd, Sunrise, who won the final leg of the Triple Tiara, was 4th, just a neck behind Yeosu Super Star. The final leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter is the Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M KOR-Listed) at Busan on Friday November 27. Next week it’s another Graded Stakes Friday at Busan with the Kookje Shinmun (1400M KOR-G3). While he skipped a planned trial on Thursday, the unbeaten Roshe is working and expected to travel from Seoul to Busan for a race in which he will be an odds-on favourite.

KOREA RACING REPORT: OCTOBER 23-25: BREEDO SOL BESTS DOCTOR CHRIS AGAIN / 100-UP AS KOZZI ASANO PULLS CLEAR AT SEOUL

THE WEEKEND’S FEATURES CAME EARLY AS BUSAN PLAYED HOST ON FRIDAY NOT ONLY TO RAON FOREST’S DOMINANT G3 GYEONGNAM GOVERNOR’S CUP VICTORY, BUT ALSO HELD ITS CLASS 1 TRIAL FOR DECEMBER’S GRAND PRIX.

That Grand Prix trial came over the track’s longest used distance in race 8 (2200M Class 1). BREEDO SOL (Hansen) saw off fellow three-year-old Doctor Chris by a nose with the odds-on favourite Prime Secret a length away in 3rd. It’s the third time that Breedo Sol has got the better of Doctor Chris, although this was by the narrowest margin yet. Seoul will hold its trial for the Grand Prix next Sunday with the big race itself, the final G1 of the year, to take place in the capital on December 6th.

Breedo Sol is trained by Moon Hyun-cheol and it was his second of three on the day. Having earlier sent out CHAMPUI SIDAE (Champ Line) to win race 5 (1600M Class 5), Moon saddled the progressive looking juvenile SUPEXNIKKE (To Honor And Serve) to lead all the way and score by four-lengths over ten older horses in the concluding race 9 (1600M Class 5) under Jung Do-yun. It was Supexnikke’s second win in three starts.

Race 1 (1200M Class 4) saw debut-making US-bred MISTER BEYOND (Idol) record an easy win over nine fellow imported maidens. The two-year-old skipped away for a nine-length score under Jin Kyum and looks to have plenty of potential for the longer distances. His sire won the Santa Anita Handicap in 2021. Jockey Jin would complete a double with a front-running effort on TWOTWO SPACE (Gemologist) in race 4 (1600M Class 6)

At 1.2, OASIS SONG (Hansen) was short enough in race 2 (1200M Class 6) and he took some time to see off a game Green Storm. See him off he did though for a maiden win at start number four under Seo Seung-un.

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Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 25)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 17:55, and at Yeongcheon where there are 6 races from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) GEOLJAK MARU was 3rd at start two over 1200M in August and was then given a run in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy where, as the longest shot on the board, he ran a creditable 5th of nine. That form is far superior to anything else here. (7) METAL INVADER hasn’t raced since finishing 4th over 1200M back in March. He’s been back in work a long time though and has been gelded since we last saw him. He showed at the front in a trial at the start of this month and while he did weaken, he couldn’t have a softer race to return in. (11) DANAEUN RUBY has a 3rd and a 4th to her name and that’s enough to put her in line for a place here. (1) INDIE MINISTER and (3) LOOM CHUKJE other contenders for the minors.

Selections(10) Geoljak Maru (7) Metal Invader (11) Danaeun Ruby (1) Indie Minister
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start1, 23, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After running 4th on debut in July, (4) GOLD X has finished 3rd in two subsequent tries, both of them over this distance and both times coming from off the pace. Expect similar tactics today and he should be too good late on. (10) PNS LEAF comes in off a much-improved 3rd over 1300M on October 5thh when slow out and running on. The time was slow, but he steps up to 1400M for the first time today and it may well suit. (11) CHEONGGANG GYEOUL similarly was an improved 3rd last time when ridden forward much earlier than in previous efforts. She has the challenge of the widest gate this time but with a touch of luck at the start, she can be in this. (5) THUNDER RUN and (7) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG are the other main contenders.

Selections(4) Gold X (10) PNS Leaf (11) Cheonggang Gyeoul (5) Thunder Run
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start2, 5, 7, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It took (1) GEOLJAK TIARA a couple of goes following her maiden win to get accustomed to this level, but she has been very consistent since, with two 2nd places and two 4th places from her latest two. In this company and from the inside gate, she can be on pace, and she can win. (6) SUNGANUI FIGHTER was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before running 3rd on September 12th, coming from off the pace. He is up 4kg from his win but can be challenging late again. (2) DONGBAEK comes up in class following and all the way win over this distance on September 19th. This is tougher, but the manner of that victory suggests that there can be more to come. (10) STORM CRUSH and (9) HOT FEVER are among plenty of other chances.

Selections(1) Geoljak Tiara (6) Sunganui Fighter (2) Dongbaek (10) Storm Crush
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 9, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(3) MAEUM HANA is a winner of five from eight so far, most recently at this class over 1200M in August. He weakened to 5th having led when tried at 1800M last time out on September but back down in trip he should be much more comfortable today and looks hard to beat. (11) RAON NIZHINSKII needs a line drawn through his latest but going on his 2nd place at this class and distance on August 29th, he is worth another chance here. (8) LUCKY FRANK was a beaten favourite last time out but is a multiple placer at this level and is also worth another chance. (5) DREAM HONOUR and (6) CHEONGRYONGUI CAL are others who can ave a say in the finish.

Selections(3) Maeum Hana (11) Raon Nizhinskii (8) Lucky Frank (5) Dream Honour
Next Best6, 7
Fast Start3, 6, 8, 10

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only. (1) RACE NINE was 2nd on debut before getting her maiden win in a lightning quick time over 1000M at start number two in August. She was then 3rd on her first try at this distance on September 18th. She comes to Yeongcheon for the first time, she can be on pace, and she can win. (2) FANTASTIC QUEENS was an on-pace winner over 1000M in an all-filly maiden on September 18th. She is up in class and in trip but there’s nothing to suggest that she can’t measure up. (9) YEONGGWANGUIROOKIE enters off a useful 3rd place at this class and distance on September 6th and can aim to match that here. (3) GOLDEN CODE, who got her maiden win last time out, is another contender. The form falls off after those four, with (5) BLACK WAVE probably the best of the rest.

Selections(1) Race Nine (2) Fantastic Queens (9) Yeonggwanguirookie (3) Golden Code
Next Best5, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 24)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10-races from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (3) NIGHT THUNDER was a trial winner in August before debuting over 1000M on September 19th and overcoming a slow start to motor home for 4th. The step up in trip should be very much in her favour and she will be a short price to win this. (2) GEOSEN BEONGAE similarly did his best work late on debut over the shortest trip on September 6th. He was the longest shot on the board that day after a couple of unimpressive trials, but he is another who can show more over a longer trip. (8) FLYING UNO looks the best of the first-time starters. He was an on pace 2nd in his trial and if he brings that form to the races, he should be firmly in this. (4) RISING KILLER beat a couple of these on debut and can improve while (6) VELOCE is a debut-maker who hinted at ability across two trials.

Selections(3) Night Thunder (2) Geosen Beongae (8) Flying Uno (4) Rising Killer
Next Best6, 7
Fast Start4, 6, 8, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile maiden although all but one have prior experience. (2) NAREUSYA GOAT was 5th on debut over 1000M in August before running 2nd at start number two over this trip on September 20th when he led for most of the way (before a very good winner cruised by) and beat several of today’s rivals. From the same gate he can lead again and this time he can go one better. (6) GRAND PAS CLASSIC has finished 2nd in both his starts so far, both over 1000M and both times showing on pace. He is up in trip and can be in the finish again. (3) ESSENTIAL FORCE was 3rd in that September 20th race. E only has a length to find on Nareusya Goat and comes into a much better gate. (7) FLASH BOLT and (1) CLASSIC AUTUMN are the other main contenders in a decent-looking race.

Selections(2) Nareusya Goat (6) Grand Pas Classic (3) Essential Force (7) Flash Bolt
Next Best1, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) INFERNO was a front-running 3rd on debut over 1000M on September 6th. He should ave come on for that run, Franco stays on, and he has every chance of going one better today. (3) BEAT STAR as a couple of 4th places and a 5th from three outings so far. From a good draw, he should be on the pace, and he should be aiming for a better finish today. (11) WONPYEONG DREAM looked good in trials and was then a close 3rd on debut over this distance in July when he came from well off the pace. He then went lame but has been back in full work for most of this month and can run well on return. (6) URIUI GIPPEUM was a much-improved 2nd on September 13th, with Beat Star back in 4th. He can build on tat here. Of the two debut-makers, (1) UNICORN PRINCE looked fair enough in trials.

Selections(7) Inferno (3) Beat Star (11) Wonpyeong Dream (6) Uriui Gippeum
Next Best1, 10
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) SEOUL BIHAENG is yet to win in seven attempts but has no fewer than four runner-up finishes, including his latest at this class and distance on August 29th when he raced handy throughout. He is up 2kg, but draws well and in this company, today could be the day. If he does find one too quick again, it might be (2) CRAZY CHAMP, who enters off a close 2nd place at this class and distance on October 11th when he led until the closing stages. He is up 3kg in weight but draws better to get an easier run to the front. (9) THUNDER MATA was an on-pace winner over 1000M on September 13th. He is up in class and in distance, but he can measure up. (7) HOLLY TIARA ran three times across the turn of the year, winning once at this distance. She hasn’t raced since January, but she looked well when winning a trial at the start of this month and she can be in this. (8) PARKA SHINE perhaps the best of the rest.

Selections(5) Seoul Bihaeng (2) Crazy Champ (9) Thunder Mata (7) Holly Tiara
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 7

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter 2nd Leg): Form Comments

The second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter is set for Busan on Friday afternoon when the three-year-old generation gets another crack at their elders in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3). SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 9 RACES AT BUSAN ON FRIDAY.

Fantastic Value is a two-time Queens’ Tour winner already this year (Pic: KRA)

It was the established fillies and mares who came out on top in the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3), the first leg of the series a month ago as four-year-old FANTASTIC VALUE added the race to the Ttukseom Cup she won earlier in the year. Last year’s Oaks winner is set to be a short-price favourite to prevail again on Friday and in the process seal the title of Champion filly/mare with a race to go.

At six-years-old, RAON FOREST is the oldest in the race. Last year’s KNN Cup winner was 2nd behind Fantastic Value in the Jeju Governor’s a month ago and beat plenty of repeating rivals when winning the Listed Donga Ilbo Trophy back in March. She has every chance of beating all her younger rivals again.

BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was 2nd in that Donga Ilbo. She has a habit of getting a long way back in her races and then taking too long to go through the gears in the home straight, but she is one of only two in the race to have won over the distance and her ability isn’t in question.

As for the three-year-olds, CLEARLY WINNER heads the crop. The Luna Stakes winner and Oaks runner-up was 4th in the Jeju Governor’s and looks to have scope to get better. Oaks winner CATCH RACE along with SUNRISE, who won the final leg of the Triple Tiara over the same 2000M distance as Friday’s race, are the other up and comers.

The race is the 6th on the 9-race Friday card with a local post time of 16.00. Here’s how they line up:

1. TIGER ROAR – 3rd in both the Korean Oaks and Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup, coming from off the pace both times. 7th in the Jeju Governor’s last time out. She has only won once and that probably won’t change today but she will stay on and can beat plenty.

2. EXCELLENT MATTA – Won five starts back and but has been bouncing around in midfield worse at class 3 and class 2 over 1800M and 1200M in four outings since. Outsider here.

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Queens’ Tour Friday Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (October 23)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter as the feature. There are 9 races at Busan from 11.15. to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Selections Summary

Race1st2nd3rd4th
Busan Race 110862
Busan Race 210478
Busan Race 398411
Busan Race 41526
Busan Race 51623
Busan Race 665139
Busan Race 771091
Busan Race 82968
Busan Race 92571

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Maiden for imported juveniles (and southern hemisphere three-year-olds) with three of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) SHOOT FOR THE SUN went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them (running 2nd in a time of 62.2 seconds showing on pace from gate eleven). It was back in August but Seo Seung-un being booked may be the deciding factor for plenty. (8) MISTER BEYOND won his trial, showing handy throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. If he brings that form to the races, he can be in the finish. (6) LUNA CROWN and (2) ALL CLEAR finished 3rd and 4th respectively when they raced each other over 1000M on September 11th. There was only half a length between them, and both can have come on. (5) HONOUR SPECIAL, 4th on debut, another who can improve.

Selections(10) Shoot For The Sun (8) Mister Beyond (6) Luna Crown (2) All Clear
Next Best5, 3
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) OASIS SONG has shown progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2nd place at this class and distance on October 2nd when on pace throughout. In the absence of an apprentice claim he comes up 4kg in weight, but that shouldn’t be a problem and he can win here. (4) GREEN STORM was 3rd in that October 2nd, much improved from her debut. She has three-lengths to find on Oasis Song and with a weight swing and the better of the draw, she can get closer today. (7) MR. SUNSHINE has a 5th and a 6th in two starts so far, both in fair times over this distance. Tanaka climbs on and third-up, he can be nice and fit. (8) RUN FOR ME didn’t do much on debut but has since been back to trial and may be better this time around. Debut-maker (3) POWERFUL WINNER another to consider.

Selections(10) Oasis Song (4) Green Storm (7) Mr. Sunshine (8) Run For Me
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start5, 7, 8, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) SHINY KOREA is yet to strike in ten attempts but has been knocking on the door in is latest three with a 2nd place at 1400M in July followed up with a 3rd, and most recently and 4th place over a mile on September 18th. In this company and from this gate he can settle back and run on and today can be his day. He will need to overturn the form on (8) MAGIC OF QUEEN, who finished 3rd in that September 18th race at big odds, settling midfield and running on. That was a big uptick in form, and with Seo Seung-un on, he will be much shorter this time around. (4) FANTASTIC ONE enters off a best to date 3rd when stepped up to this distance for the first time on September 6th. He is another who drops right back and can run on. (11) TIGER UPPERCUT and (2) SHINING CLUTCH among other chances.

Selections(9) Shiny Korea (8) Magic Of Queen (4) Fantastic One (11) Tiger Uppercut
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 10

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) MAGIC OF ART returned from six months out in August to beat three of today’s rivals on her way to 2nd place over 1300M. She has had eleven weeks off since, but she has been in regular work and stepping up to a mile for the first time, she can make her breakthrough. (5) MISS COCO was 4th in that August race and comes in having run a very close 2nd over 1300M on September 11th. She does her best work late and will be a danger. (2) RESPECTING GIRL was 2nd – well beaten by a good winner – two starts back over 1400M before finishing 5th on her first try at this distance on September 18th. From a good draw and with Tanaka on, she may be a bit closer a but earlier today and can challenge late. (6) TWOTWO SPACE and (9) CHAMPUI HYANGGI among others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(1) Magic Of Art (5) Miss Coco (2) Respecting Girl (6) Twotwo Space
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 7

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT: OCTOBER 16-18: VICTORY CHAMP, CLUTCH DERBY TAKE OUT JUVENILE SERIES SECOND LEGS / SEO SEUNG-UN REACHES 1000 WINNERS

Two-year-olds took centre-stage as both Busan and Seoul held their respective legs of the Juvenile Series. The south-coast kicked things off on Friday as VICTORY CHAMP won the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) at Busan while two days later in a rainstorm in the capital, CLUTCH DERBY took the honours in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).

Clutch Derby goes clear in the wet (Pic: KRA)

Victory Champ (by Old Fashioned) was sent off as the 3.1 favourite for Busan’s Friday leg on the strength of his ten-length win on debut. He justified that and then some as he dominated the rest of the fourteen-strong field to win by two-and-a-half lengths. Gangseo-gu Mayor’s Trophy runner-up Eclipse Vision was 2nd – for the fourth time – while another maiden, Doctor Atlantic was 3rd. Jin Kyum was aboard the winner for trainer Min Jang-gi in the colours of Korea’s most prolific owner Lee Jong-hun. Gangseo-gu winner Lavender Crown never got going and was a well-beaten 8th.

At Seoul the NACF Chairman’s Trophy was run in a torrential downpour on Sunday afternoon, and Clutch Derby (by Cairo Prince) began as a 2.1 favourite to overturn his defeat at the hands of Major Fury in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy a month ago. Overturn it he did, setting the early pace along with A.K Sun and the pair of them would go on to run 1st and 2nd, with Major Fury three lengths back in 3rd. Lee Dong-ha was aboard the winner for trainer Choi Yong-geon and owners Joa Contrutction.

Separate up until now, the Seoul and “Yeongnam” (Busan and Yeongcheon) branches of the Juvenile Series, will come together for the final leg, and Victory Champ and Clutch Derby will both be expected to be among those who face off in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul on December 6 to determine the champion juvenile of 2026.

Busan on Friday saw the other main story of the weekend as Seo Seung-un became just the fifth Korean jockey to pass 1000 career winners. The milestone occurred in the concluding race 9 (1200M Class 2) as Seo guided GEUMA ADPEPT (Complexity) to an all the way victory.  Seo debuted as a jockey in 2011, winning aboard his first race ride, and the “Little Giant” has scarcely looked back since with twenty-eight of those thousand victories coming at Group level.

Seo’s 1000 had been expected to be brought up in race 2 (1200M Class 6) with Seo aboard the 1.4 favourite Special First. However, they could only manage 3rd as B.K. RICH (Nitrous) took the win at odds of 18.8 under Jo In-kwon. Debut-maker Perfect Seogwi, a 66.4 outsider also beat the odds-on favourite with a smart 2nd place and may be worth a follow going forward.

Jin Kyum had a productive Friday as not only did he win on Victory Champ, he partnered BRAVO YOUNG (Race Day) to a six-length maiden win in race 3 (1300M Class 6) – also for trainer Min Jang-gi – and after winning the feature he wasn’t done, as he then rode 1.7 favourite GLOBAL PRINCE (Shackleford) to an all the way score in race 8 (1800M Class 3). Global Prince was the first of a late double for trainer Lee Sang-young, who also trains Geuma Adept.

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Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 17)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11-races from 10:35 to 17:55) and at Yeongcheon (6-races from 12:45 to 16:30). The feature is at Seoul where the capital runs its second leg of the Juvenile Series, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), which is race 8 on the program:

Major Fury and Clutch Derby will clash again in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) SAVE QUEEN trialed up well before debuting on September 6th over 1200M and settling midfield before running on to finish 4th of eleven. She should have come on for that run and won’t need to improve much to beat this modest looking set of rivals. (5) HAKSAN SMARTY put in a fair effort on her debut on September 19th, starting slowly but quickening for 5th. She too should have derived benefit from that and can get closer. Turning to the debut-makers, (7) TIGER CHAMP was the best in trials, finishing a close 2nd in a decent time and if she brings that form to the races, she won’t be far away. (11) FLYING PARTY and (3) WONDER FLEX others who could make an impact.

Selections(10) Save Queen (5) Haksan Smarty (7) Tiger Champ (11) Flying Party
Next Best3, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with three of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) LUNA SOCKS has been a beaten favourite in both her starts to date, finishing 3rd on debut over 1000M in August and then 5th over this distance on October 5th when she used up a lot of energy to lead from a wide draw. She draws much better today, and she is well worth another chance. (7) BEST FRIEND only just scraped through a qualification trial but ran solidly on debut on August 29th for 3rd place over 1200M showing handy throughout. He should have come on for the run and can be in this. (5) PUREUNDOLPUNG was an improved 4th at start number two in an all-filly maiden over 1200M on September 12th. Like Luna Socks, third-up she can be peaking and should be a threat. (11) GEOSEN GIPPEUM and (10) SISLI could also improve from their respective debuts.

Selections(4) Luna Socks (7) Best Friend (5) Pureundolpung (11) Geosen Gippeum
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) DAREURI YEOWANG enters off a best to date 2nd place over 1300M when coming from the widest gate and running on. She comes into a much better gate this time around and she is faovured to go one better. (11) MIGHTY POINT debuted back in March and ran a fair 5th of eleven. He hasn’t raced since but looked well enough when not asked for much in a September trial and Franco’s booking suggests he may be worth an each-way chance in a race that the favourite aside, isn’t very deep. (2) COMPASS FORCE was a fair 3rd last time out in a slowly run race over 1300M. Her one previous try at this trip was her worst so far but in this company she can be close. (5) GOSANBONG and (4) CHEONDUNGUIBULKKOT look to be the other chances.

Selections(3) Dareuri Yeowang (11) Mighty Point (2) Compass Force (5) Gosanbong
Next Best4, 10
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) ANYANG LASER enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class both over 1800M and both times having led for much of the way. He cuts back in trip, an apprentice takes his weight down, and he could well win this. (10) ROYAL HOPE K was a winner on debut over 1000M in June and then followed up with a narrow score at this class and distance on August 9th. He was well back in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup on September 13th, but he returns to shallower waters today and will start as favourite. (3) WINNER NAMCHON is yet to win but is up in class following two consecutive 2nd place finishes, most recently over this distance on September 13th and under a very light weight, she can measure up. (4) NASCA BULCHUNGGAEK and (5) BEST A ONE others to consider.

Selections(9) Anyang Laser (10) Royal Hope K (3) Winner Namchon (4) Nasca Bulchunggaek
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 10

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

After an emphatic win on debut over 1000M, (7) SERAPH was sent off as favourite for the Rookie Stakes in August when, in bad weather, she led but got caught late, and then again in the Listed Gangseo-gu Mayor’s Trophy on September 11th when she did exacrly the same thing. She comes into much shallower waters here, the short home straight at Yeongcheon may suit, and she really should stay the 1200M this time. (9) ROAD TO NUMBER ONE enters off a class and distance 2nd at Busan on September 6th. She has been very consistent across seven starts to date, and she should be in the mix again. Veteran (11) GOLDEN POINT showed a liking for Yeongcheon when running 2nd at this class and distance on October 4th and while up 2kg in weight, he can be close again. (8) OASIS HEUIMANG and (5) GREAT STAR other place chances.

Selections(7) Seraph (9) Road To Number One (11) Golden Point (8) Oasis Heuimang
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start7, 8, 9, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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