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

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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

(more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 17)

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

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) BLUE ROSE has a 2nd and a 3rd from two starts so far, both over this distance and both times settling handy and running on. Third-up he can be peaking and he can win here. (10) PARKA RACER came from well off the pace to run 3rd on debut over 1300M on September 19th. He can have come on for that run, the wide draw should be no problem, and he can be a danger today. (11) GEOLJAK RUBY’s best performance to date was on debut when she finished 2nd of nine over 1000M. She has raced fairly for 6th and 5th in her latest two and should be aiming to go better today. (3) CITY OF DREAM and (5) BOLSTER are others who can have at least placing claims.

Selections(8) Blue Rose (10) Parka Racer (11) Geoljak Ruby (3) City Of Dream
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start3, 4, 8, 9

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

(1) AREUMDAUN BIT has been knocking on the door for a while and has a 2nd and a 4th place from her latest two, both over this distance and both times coming from off the pace. There isn’t much speed in this race so she can be a little further forward earlier today and she has as good a chance as any. (11) CHEONSANGGEOMNYONG has got a long way back in both his starts so far but has run on pleasingly enough for 4th and 5th. Maia gets on for the first time and third-up he can be nice and fit. (6) TONNERRE DOS was 3rd over the minimum distance two starts back but has been finishing off his races well and may appreciate the step up in trip today. (5) SONGDANG JILJU and (8) YEONGWONHAN LUCEA among other chances.

Selections(1) Areumdaun Bit (11) Cheongsanggeomnyong (6) Tonerre Dos (5) Songdang Jilju
Next Best8, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the ten racing for the first time. The exposed form isn’t great, so we’ll take a chance on a newcomer and (6) FOREVER RUN. He settled midfield in his trial, running on to finish 4th in a fair time and he may not need to improve too much from that to win here. Among the aforementioned exposed form, (8) CUPID CHEONGUNG has the best. After an ordinary trial, he didn’t do much wrong when 5th of eleven on debut over 1200M on September 19th and can make some progress here. (7) GETTYSBURG was slow away on debut over this distance but finished off well enough. He previously led his trial and if he can address that start, he can get much closer today. (2) GOLDEN RISING and newcomer (5) ARIRANG STAR are the others to consider.

Selections(6) Forever Run (8) Cupid Cheongung (7) Gettysburg (2) Golden Rising
Next Best5, 3
Fast Start2, 5, 7, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) CRUSH GIRL has two 4th places and a 2nd from three starts so far, up to 1400M. Luis rode her to her best finish, and he returns to the ride today and the step up to two turns may well suit. (4) LEADERS PARTNER took a few goes to figure things out, but he has definitely taken to two turns with a 3rd and a 2nd in his two tries over this trip so far. He likes to settle back and run on and he can be a danger late here. (5) NURI EUTTEUM led for most of the way around on his way to a best to date 2nd place over this distance on September 20th and he can lead again here in a race where there is no obvious speed. (2) SMART GRAND and (9) ÉCLAIR WIND are among others who can compete for at least the places.

Selections(6) Crush Girl (4) Leaders Partner (5) Nuri Eutteum (2) Smart Grand
Next Best9, 3
Fast Start2, 5, 6

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

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 16)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9-races from 11:15 to 17:55. The juvenile series continues as Lavender Crown heads a full field of fourteen in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy, race 6 on the card. Here are the previews:

Lavender Crown will bid to take out the second leg of the Juvenile Series (Pic: KRA)

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

Maiden juvenile fillies with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) DUBAI TIME was a trial winner, leading all the way and stopping the clock in a fair time. She draws nicely to lead again and has every chance first up. Among the experienced ones, (1) DANALDA is the only one who has raced twice and she has finished 3rd on both occasions, both at 1200M and both times racing handy to the speed. She should have a fitness edge on her rivals here and can win. (8) WILD MAY was the quickest in trials, running 3rd behind the experienced World Top Tier and if she brings that form to the races, she can be in the finish and that time may make her the betting favourite. (3) GLOBAL LUNA and (10) MIRACLE PACE ran 5th and 7th respectively when facing one another on debut over this distance on September 18th, and both can improve second-up.

Selections(2) Dubai Time (1) Danalda (8) Wild May (3) Global Luna
Next Best10, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 7, 8

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (5) SPECIAL FIRST trialed well and was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on August 21st when he ran an on-pace 2nd. He should have come on for that run Seo Seung-un gets on, and he will be favourite to go one better here. (11) B.K RICH debuted over this distance on September 18th, showing close to the pace throughout and while beaten a full nine-lengths by winner Royal Pride, showing plenty of promise. He too can have come on for the run and be close despite the challenge of the widest gate. (10) UHANRYUNG and (4) CLUTCH POTTER both caught the eye in their respective trials and can be considered. (2) BUHWARUI SEOMAK was four-lengths behind B.K. Rich on debut on September 18th and can aim to get closer.

Selections(5) Special First (11) B.K Rich (4) Clutch Potter (10) Uhanryung
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Decent maiden. (1) BRAVO YOUNG was 5th on debut in August and then an improved 2nd at start number two over 1200M on September 11th when coming from off the pace. He was well beaten by a good winner, but he was doing his best work late and the slight step up in trip can see him home on top here although there may not be much speed to run at. The modestly named (3) INVINCIBLE debuted in June, finishing 3rd over 1000M in a race where the runner-up subsequently won and the winner has finished 2nd at class 5. He won a trial last week in a quick time and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, he is a chance. (10) COWBOY LOOK returned from ten months off to beat three of today’s rivals over this distance on September 4th, and stripping fitter for that run, he can be a danger. (7) GYEONGBOK ARAMIS and (8) OASIS YEONGCHEON among plenty of others with placing chances.

Selections(1) Bravo Young (3) Invincible (10) Cowboy Look (7) Gyeongbok Aramis
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 10

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) HEAR WE GO was 3rd on debut in August and then 4th at start two over 1300M on September 11th when handy throughout. She draws well and third-up, she can be peaking. So can (5) MISS FALCON. She did nothing on debut over 1200M but came from a long way back to run 3rd over 1000M on August 28th in what was a very quick race. She steps up significantly in trip and it may suit. (7) GEORGE PRINCE seems to be figuring things out with a pair of 5th places from his first two, followed by a 4th over 1300M on September 4th and he can continue to make progress in this company. (2) DOCTOR PRINCE and (10) GEUMBIT SPRING others who may improve in a race were there is quite a big drop off in form after the first couple of favourites.

Selections(3) Hear We Go (5) Miss Falcon (7) George Prince (2) Doctor Prince
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

GANGPUNGMA SOARS TO PRESIDENT’S CUP GLORY

Gangpungma backed up his July KRA Cup Classic victory with an even more commanding performance to win the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The “Big Four” who all skipped last month’s Korea Cup, filled out the first four positions with 2024 winner Global Hit in 2nd, 2025 winner Speed Young 3rd, and Success Baekpa 4th.

(Pic: KRA)

Ridden for the first time by Jang Chu-youl in the absence of the injured Jo Jae-ro, who had been his jockey in all but one of his previous twenty-nine starts, Gangpungma was sent off as the 2.3 market elect for the season’s penultimate Group 1 test.

Having settled right at the back of the field, Gangpungma eased into contention on the home turn and then cruised away seemingly effortlessly for a six-length win on the line. 

It was a first Group 1 success not only for Gangpungma but also for jockey Jang, trainer Kim Dong-chul and owner Park Nam-sung. At six-years-old, Gangpungma is the oldest President’s Cup winner since Triple Nine won his fourth in 2018.

“I felt very comfortable right from the start” winning jockey Jang told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Really not a single moment of unease, (Gangpungma) traveled so well that I thought he was going to take off and start flying. The start was good and the pace was perfect so I could afford to take it easy. It was a lot of fun.”

(Pic: KRA)

Three-year-old Funny Wild was well supported as fourth favourite in the market but while the double Classic winner did set the early pace, he was among the first beaten when the established stars started to press, ultimately finishing in 9th place.

For Global Hit it was a 5th runner-up finish in as many starts in 2026, while Speed Young and Success Baekpa ran their usual solid races.

The seven-lengths between Success Baekpa and Giant Step, who led home the rest in 5th, was perhaps indicative of the gulf in quality that exists in the longer distance races at the moment. With no Clean One, there is little reason to believe that any others besides the big four (assuming that up and coming imported star Roshe does not run) have any serious winning chance the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1), the final Group 1 race of the season on December 6.

Korea Racing Report: October 9-11

GANGPUNGMA RULED THE SHOW GAINING GROUP ONE GLORY IN THE PRESIDENT’S CUP IN SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT ON THE UNDERCARD AN 1800M CLASS 3 FOR DOMESTIC REARED HORSES WAS THE MAIN HANDICAP AND THE EVER-CONSISTENT FLYING HONOR proved he is only getting better and better with an outstanding runaway seven-length victory over two other smart three-year-old’s in Live Star and Concord Codie.

Flying Honor (To Honor And Serve) scored by seven-lengths, and it could have been further if jockey Johan Victoire wanted it to be, as the 4.1 second choice with Live Star who was the 5.8 third favourite finishing one-and-a-half lengths ahead of the 2.4 favourite Concord Codie in 2nd and 3rd places. Johan Victoire is the regular partner of Flying Honor and he was completing a double after a similarly easy victory on GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA (Union Rags) who lived up to her name in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) running away from her rivals like an express train in the home straight to score by six-lengths and in doing so the American bred filly was recording her first win at start twelve following multiple minor placings.

Race 11 (1400M Class 3) was the concluding contest and JJARITHAN HAENGBOK (Maximus Mischief) was another winner for the combination of jockey Kozzi Asano, trainer Choi Yong-geon and owner Woo Tae-yul which have a winning strike of almost 40% across the past couple of months. Jjarithan Haengbok was a winner at odds of 30.6 when ridden for the first time by Asano in August before a 2nd last month, where he attempted to bite the rival that kicked back to beat him as they crossed the line, but made no mistake here scoring by two-and-a-half lengths at odds of 4.6 over the Australian bred three-year-old South Carnival which was the 2.5 favourite. Cheongung Storm, who was the horse that Jjarithan Haengbok went to bite last month, was the 9.0 third choice and finished 6th after leading.

TIGER MANGCHI (Old Fashioned) was stepping right up in trip when running in Race 9 (1700M Class 4) and was also ridden very differently by Kim Yong-geun with front-running tactics applied but that did not stop the three-year-old gelding from bouncing back into the winners list by four-lengths as the 2.1 favourite. He only made his debut in June and is now the winner of three races from four starts.

(more…)

President’s Cup Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 11)

The penultimate local Group 1 of the season takes place on Sunday with the President’s Cup at Seoul. The big race is the 8th on an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 17:55. There are also 6 races at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Speed Young won the President’s Cup a year ago (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (11) CYBER TIGER settled handy in his trial, before running on for 2nd behind a nice-looking winner. The draw shouldn’t be a problem, Maia stays on, and he has every chance of winning first up. (6) VERY LUCKY was a close 2nd in his trial, showing on pace throughout. From a central draw, he can aim to lead here and could go all the way. (7) LUCKY EUNPA won her trial, leading all the way around and stopping the clock in a fair time. If she brings that form to the races, then she can be a big chance here. (4) RUN TO WIN trialed up fairly, seven-lengths behind G B Queen, who was a debut-winner last week. Seo Seung-un’s booking means he will have backers. (2) GHOST PLASH another who hinted at ability in his heat.

Selections(11) Cyber Tiger (6) Very Lucky (7) Lucky Eunpa (4) Run To Win
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7

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

Fillies only in this maiden with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) RAON POLIS has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, at 1000M and most recently at this distance on September 12th, coming from off the pace. Third-up she can be peaking and she has as good a chance as any here. (3) FOREVER HIT raced twice last autumn for a 3rd and a 4th but then didn’t re-appear until this September 5th when she ran a solid 4th place over 1300M in a similar maiden to this. She should have come on for the run, and she can get closer today. (7) MIGHTY MULAN was an improved 3rd at start number two in a very quick race over 1000M on August 29th, showing on the speed. She comes up in trip for the first time and can be in the finish. Those are the three main chances, with (9) TAKE CHARM looking the best of the first timers, while from a good draw, fellow debut-maker (2) CHEONGUN BISANG could also challenge.

Selections(10) Raon Polis (3) Forever Hit (7) Mighty Mulan (9) Take Charm
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

After a couple of solid trials, (7) WORLD OF DREAM was a good winner on debut over this distance on September 13th, racing handy throughout and running on well. He comes up in class here but is down in weight, draws fairly, and he can maintain his 100% record. (6) MYEONGSEONG PARTY was similarly a winner on debut, in her case over 1000M on September 6th when close to the speed and taking things up late. She is up in class and in trip and while she can’t get a weight break, she can measure up. (8) SEVEN KAISER broke through at this class and distance on August 15th, racing on pace throughout. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but Andre stays on and is not to be dismissed. (1) SUNGLASS and last start winner (4) B.K. DEVIL are others in the frame.

Selections(7) World Of Dream (6) Myeongseong Party (8) Seven Kaiser (1) Sunglass
Next Best4, 3
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) COSMO LONG went around in all three legs of the Triple Tiara and while she was well back in all of them, she returned to shallower waters and ran 5th on August 15th. She has placed at this distance and with Franco on for the first time, this looks winnable. (5) HAKSAN SWORD is a bit of a form mixer, but he got his solitary win to date over this trip, and he enters following a close 2nd at class and distance on September 13th. He has his fair share of weight but can sit behind the speed and be a danger. (3) SONGDANGMANGCHI races for the first time since winning at this class and distance on January of 2025.  Caution must be applied to any horse returning from an eighty-nine-week lay-off, but he certainly looked well enough when 2nd in a summer trial to suggest that in this company he can go well first-up. (2) SAMJEONG YEOJE and (7) INSPIRE others in the hunt.

Selections(1) Cosmo Long (5) Haksan Sword (3) Songdangmangchi (2) Samjeong Yeoje
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 7, 10, 11

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) DUBAI DREAM can have a line drawn through his latest on September 18th when the reins broke with five furlongs left to travel. He had won his two races leading up to that over 1400M and a mile and he heads to Yeongcheon for the first time and looks nicely in ere to recoup and then some the 3 Million Won fine Lim Sung-sil copped for the faulty gear. It’s not a strong race. (3) OVER RAINBOW was a winner over this distance two starts back and then ran 5th from a wide gate at big odds on his first try at tis class on September 11th. He draws better today and can be close. (5) SINCHEON FREEDOM should be on pace and this is the kind of race were she can pick up some prize money. (1) CHOEGANG LOUIS and (4) BEOLGYO MABEOPSA other place chances.

(more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 10)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55. The Autumn Festival will continue after racing until 9pm. Here are the previews:

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

(11) DAON HUNTER was best of the rest on debut behind a smart winner on Korean Cup Day and on that form alone looks hard to beat despite the tough draw. (5) CRAZY BLUE was not far away on debut when finishing fourth and can be expected to go close once more. (9) YEONGWONHAN BOSS has had the one trial for one score and although the time was slow you cannot do anymore than win. (3) MR. BULLS and (4) POINT WIND, from the stables of Lee Shin-woo and Kim Dong-chul respectively, are two of the other debutantes and rate next with (7) NAREUSYA VICTOR, which has trialled once for a second, and (8) MAGIC TOUCH.

Selections(11) Daon Hunter (5) Crazy Blue (9) Yeongwonhan Boss (3) Mr. Bulls
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11

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

(6) MY CITY has trialled twice for two front-running victories, and the form does not look at all bad out of those two heats so this Park Byeong-il trained colt by Improbable with Andre da Silva on board looks as if he will be very hard to stop. (7) MIGHTY HUNKY and (9) SINGSING MORNING came home third and fourth separated by one-length in the feature juvenile race over international weekend and both have to be given outstanding chances as does (3) SPEARS who was third on debut prior to making up ground from last to run fourth in the Rookie Stakes. (10) GWANAKSAN BIGSTONE was third in the most recent of his pair of trials and rates next over (4) EAST WINNER in an enthralling race for the foreign bred, they are all Americans, juveniles.

Selections(6) My City (7) Mighty Hunky (9) Singsing Morning (3) Spears
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) ECO BOLT was best of the rest behind Clutch Derby on debut which led him to be sent off a 2.1 favourite for his second race where he made a mess of the start and subsequently did too much work to find a position. If he begins with them today, he can make up for last time. (4) BLITZ CARA comes off a fourth in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy four weeks ago so naturally rates as a strong chance as does (7) STAR PLAY who had been in front of Blitz Cara in his first two starts before racing very greenly in that Listed race and subsequently finishing last. They do the look the main three with (10) SEMYEONG FAKER perhaps next best over (5) DU UM and (6) MASK GIRL.

Selections(9) Eco Bolt (4) Blitz Cara (7) Star Play (10) Semyeong Faker
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) YONGBI SINSEONG is a two-year-old that has had three runs for a second and a fourth with a tenth sandwiched in-between. This is a winnable maiden and despite the draw he can make his presence felt. (8) LOVING PURPLE was going to go close to winning two starts ago before dumping her pilot and was stood down to trial on two occasions prior to resuming at the races with a fifth. (10) WALLSTREET has some inconsistent form but the form of her two third place finishes gives her a chance with (1) PASA ACE, (2) DREAM DIA and (3) NIGHT CAPTAIN not hopeless and neither are (7) ROAD TO SPEAR, (4) CHRYSOL TEN and (5) WONDERFUL CATHY.

Selections(11) Yongbi Sinseong (8) Loving Purple (10) Wallstreet (1) Pasa Ace
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 9)

President’s Cup weekend gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(7) INDIAN CATCHER is a Race Day filly with Thomas Gillespie that has trialled twice with the best of those being her most recent heat on September 17 when a finishing a one-length second and she can go close on debut under Seo Seung-un. (10) ALL OKAY is a Hansen colt with Kim Do-hyun that has also trialled twice with the most recent of those being a front-running two-and-a-half length win. He finished a head in advance of Indian Catcher when they competed in a trial on August 13, Indian Catcher gets a weight swing here, and must be respected. (9) BODY AND SOUL was fourth in a trial on August 27 whilst (8) BREATHLESS has one-and-a-half lengths to find with Indian Catcher from her one and only trial on September 17. (1) MODERN BOY is arguably the best of the quartet of raced runners going on his fifth on debut with (2) MALIKA next best.

Selections(7) Indian Catcher (10) All Okay (9) Body And Soul (8) Breathless
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10

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

(2) DAESEONG SKY has trialled once and raced once for a second on each occasion and if he does not race as greenly as what he did on his debut, he can go one better with Seo Seung-un riding. (1) PEGASUS YEOWANG has also trialled once and raced once and in her case, she has finished in third on each occasion and rates as a chance. (8) PERFECT NORTHERN made up some ground in the second of her trials behind a subsequent impressive winner so should not be denied a chance with the Franco da Silva ridden Thomas Gillespie trained debutante (9) BLACK QUEENS, an Old Fashioned filly that has trialled once for a seventh, rating next over Baik Kwang-yeol prepared newcomer (7) DOCTOR SPICY, which has also trialled once for a seventh, and (5) B.K BIG AIR, who has raced once for a fifth.

Selections(2) Daeseong Sky (1) Pegasus Yeowang (8) Perfect Northern (9) Black Queens
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) RUSH WILD bounced back to her best last start with a brilliant eight-length victory from the front following a couple of below par performances. Her confidence should be sky-high following that win and from the inside draw she is a good chance of leading throughout once more despite coming up in class. (8) DAISY TIARA remains a maiden but continues to finish close to the mark and can do so again. (3) SUN LIGHT has proven to be a non-winner to date but from a place perspective always has to be considered whilst (5) P.D SPECIAL and (9) PACHOUI KKUM finished second and fourth at feature level last time and have as good a chances as any and (2) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE is far from hopeless in an excellent race.

Selections(1) Rush Wild (8) Daisy Tiara (3) Sun Light (5) P.D Special
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 9

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

(6) TIGER BLUE has raced twice for a seventh and a fifth and did win a trial back in June and that form is good enough to go close in this for Franco da Silva and Bart Rice. (9) CAPTAIN WARRIOR is first-up since January when he pulled up lame in the near fore but was well fancied in a few of the races he contested in his first campaign and was a narrow runner-up in a trial at the end of August. Masa Tanaka rides (7) FLYING SKY which was second three weeks ago when having his first run for six months and on that run will likely start as the popular pick. (2) OASIS TIME is only a juvenile but has the most consistent form so is not to be denied with (1) FANTASTIC BEACH the other main runner over (3) HANGANG BRAVO.

Selections(6) Tiger Blue (9) Captain Warrior (7) Flying Sky (2) Oasis Time
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start4, 8, 9, 10, 11

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(more…)