Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 15)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

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

(5) WHITE THUNDER was not far away on debut when sent off in the market and this Choi Yong-geon prepared Hansen filly can go close under Kozzi Asano. (7) QUEENS IMPACT was ridden by Asano in each of her two trials and her race debut which yielded a third to a subsequent winner and a subsequent runner-up. Franco da Silva picks up the mount and this Knicks Go filly looks the other key runner. (2) RAON POLIS has trialled once for a fifth beaten twelve-and-a-half-lengths and the Musket Man filly out of a Japanese mare with Lee Kang-seo rates next over (1) LOOM CHUKJE and (9) BLUE HORIZON who are best of the rest over (4) CITY OF DREAM.

Selections(5) White Thunder (7) Queens Impact (2) Raon Polis (1) Loom Chukje
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7, 9

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

(3) CLAIR FREEDOM was out the back in each of her first three runs but looks to be knocking on the door with a second, third and fourth in each of her last trio of starts so under the in-form Kim Hyo-jung she can go close. (10) SAMJEONG BLUE is another that has continued to get better with more racing and has been just behind the placegetters of late. He gets a four-kilogram apprentice claim in this so that can help achieve an even better result here. (4) PERFECT GAME was second three back and finished fourth last start and Seo Seung-un rides whilst (5) THE QUEEN ROSE comes from the Luigi Riccardi stable and has been third at her latest two. Recent runner-up (1) ECLAIR WIND rates next over (6) WONDERFUL DARSHAAN.

Selections(3) Clair Freedom (10) Samjeong Blue (4) Perfect Game (5) The Queen Rose
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11

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

(1) MR. KAI draws to hold a forward role and with Seo Seung-un to ride he will be one of the main fancies. (5) VICAR DELLA dropped out after leading last start but at her prior two career starts had finished in third after being on pace and can be given another chance. (2) BIBA CHARM can go close on his third place three runs ago whilst (7) DANAEUN RUBY was third at her most recent run. (11) SAHARA ROSE and last start runner-up (10) RISING WIND rate next.

Selections(1) Mr. Kai (5) Vicar Della (2) Biba Charm (7) Danaeun Ruby
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10

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

(11) POINT I has been consistent without winning and despite coming up to one win grade for the first time as a maiden can go close with a light weight. (9) CHEONGGANG YEOREUM comes off back-to-back wins over 100M further and shorter and despite rising seven pounds and two-and-a-half kilograms on last start can complete the hat-trick. (6) POWER MAGIC comes off a course and distance maiden win and rates as one of the chances along with (1) POMADE on his effort three back. (3) TRIPLE S won her maiden over (2) SAENAE RANIA two back whilst the latter has been behind the former as well as Power Magic at her last two but drops two kilograms by coming up in class.

Selections(11) Point I (9) Cheonggang Yeoreum (6) Power Magic (1) Pomade
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11

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

(7) CHAOS led throughout to break her maiden when resuming on July 26 following a second to the subsequent impressive debut winner Clutch Derby, who we see on Monday, in a trial on July 2. That form should stack up well as she comes up to Class 5 and she can make it two for two this preparation. (8) SEVEN KAISER is still a maiden and comes off a career worst performance, but he had been consistent prior and rates as an each-way hope. (2) NINE SPEAR was a two-and-a-half length course and distance maiden winner last month and rates as the other main player with (10) TURBO CHARGE, (6) QUEEN ABIGAIL, and (9) MIGHTY AMI best of the rest.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 14)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 12:50 to 19:25. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with nine of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) ACE CROW was a solid 2nd in her trial, stopping the clock in a good time. She draws well to get forward early here and she has every chance first-up. (6) WILD D’ORO recorded the quickest trial time among the newcomers. She was helped in that by being in the same heat as champion mare Jeulgeounyeojeong, who she finished six-lengths in arrears of, but it was a good showing, nonetheless. In terms of the experienced pair, (11) DOCTOR ATLANTIC was a fair 4th on debut over this distance on July 10th and with some natural improvement, she can get close. (9) GOLDEN CODE was only 6th on her debut but previously ran well in trials and Seo Seung-un staying on will tempt plenty. (8) BREEDO GREEN is another debut-maker who hinted at ability in trials.

Selections(2) Ace Crow (6) Wild D’Oro (11) Doctor Atlantic (9) Golden Code
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) PILSEUNG WINNER took a few goes to figure things out but has finished inside the top four in each of her latest four with her best a close 2nd two starts back over 1300M when racing on pace. She came from off the pace to run 4th at that same trip on June 28th and the step up to a mile can suit. (3) SO FAST was disappointing when 6th having been well-backed over this distance on July 26th. She got a bit far back that day and didn’t make ground (her jockey that day described her as one-paced and doesn’t ride today) but was going well prior to that and is worth another chance in this company where there is nothing in the way of speed. (9) MORE QUICKLY needs to take his own name’s advice a bit more literally when it comes to finishing off his races but enters off 3rd last time and should be there or thereabouts again. (11) NICE POWER and (4) MACH DASH others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Pilseung Winner (3) So Fast (9) More Quickly (11) Nice Power
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 8

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

(9) JOY OF QUEEN is still a maiden but was 2nd two starts back over this class and distance before running 4th having led in a race of upsets on July 19th. In this field, she should be on pace again and can win. The favourite will be (6) ROAD TO NUMBER ONE. Having scored on debut, she took a couple of goes to get used to this class but has run 3rd in her latest two, both at this distance and both times having led. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way and will be favoured market wise despite being beaten by Joy Of Queen two starts back. (7) THE POINT hinted at a return to form with a 4th place at this class and distance on July 24th. He is yet another who should be close to the speed. (11) BORYEONG ONE ROAD and (2) GLOBAL ONE PICK may offer some each-way interest.

Selections(9) Joy Of Queen (6) Road To Number One (7) The Point (11) Boryeong One Road
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 9

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (3) YEOUN weakened when stepped up to a mile at the end of June, but she previously ran 2nd at this class over 1400M in May. She has her fair share of weight to carry, but she draws well to be on pace, and this time she should stay on. (11) GLOBAL HEROINE is yet to win in twenty-five appearances but has no fewer than sixteen top five finishes including her latest two and this is the kind of race she can find the money in. (7) BACK TO THE DREAM was a maiden winner over 1400M two starts back but struggled with the pace when beaten by two of these on her hirst try at this class on July 19th. Nevertheless, with only four runs to her name, she is worth another chance here. (10) NICE MYEONGGA and (8) NORTHERN QUEEN are others in the hunt.

Selections(3) Yeoun (11) Global Heroine (7) Back To The Dream (10) Nice Myeongga
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 8

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

(2) JADE PALACE ran three times last autumn, getting his maiden win in the last of them over 1200M before suffering a setback that kept him off the track until this July 5th when e was 3rd at 1300M. He clearly has some echoes of his early talent and stripping fitter; he can add another win to his bow here. (6) WINNING TREE returned from a similarly lengthy absence on July 19th and made all to score over 1200M. He is only up 2kg in weight and he has every chance of a repeat. (1) SUCCESS GOLD was 2nd in an all-filly race at this class and distance on July 12th and under the same apprentice claim, she can go very close again. (3) NOBLE WIND and (8) WORLD FIGHTER MAN are the other main ones in the market.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: AUGUST 7-9

THE MAIN RACE THIS WEEKEND IN KOREA WAS THE CONCLUDING CONTEST AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY IN THE SHAPE OF A 1200M CLASS 1 HANDICAP AND WITH LESS THAN THREE-LENGTHS COVERING THE FIRST EIGHT HOME IN THE ELEVEN-RUNNER FIELD IT WAS KING HONOR who landed the prize completing a treble on the day for rider Kim Yong-geun (writes Luke Humphreys).

The consistent King Honor (To Honor And Serve) came from midfield to score at his very first attempt at the grade over 2.6 favourite Hansen Bracing with the ever-consistent Ziggurat in 3rd. One of the roughies in the field in Geosen Bangyeok looked the winner for most of the way down the straight before peaking on the run in the final 100M with Daehan Jilju, Mighty Look, Yongam Sesang, and J S Road, 4.0 second favourite, filling the next four places in an outstanding finale to the weekend.

The Oaks winner CATCH RACE (Afleet Express) bounced back to winning ways in Race 9 (1600M Class 3) with an effortless five-length victory as the 1.3 favourite. She had put the writing on the wall in the Luna Stakes (Korean 1000 Guineas) prior to her last gasp Oaks victory before being beaten in similar fashion to the way she defeated Clearly Winner in The Oaks when 2nd to Sunrise in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She never looked like losing and defeated co-favourites Namsan Belt, 7.7, and longtime leader Baro Danaeun, 9.2.

MUJEOK HAMDAE (Mischieviously) scored for Furkan Yuksel as the 3.1 favourite in Race 7 (1800M Class 4), one of multiple wins across the weekend for trainer Lee Shin-woo. Mujeok Hamdae was first up since the beginning of April when chasing home Gwanaksan Sky and came from midfield to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

TIGER BULPAE (Power Blade) broke through at the ninth time of asking in Race 6 (1400M Class 5) and justified punters confidence winning by two-and-a-half lengths as the 1.7 favourite. The three-year-old filly had finished either 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th in each of her eight previous runs but finally was able to better all those results and did it well. Kim Yong-geun was the winning jockey and that was the first of his three wins on the day.

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Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (August 9)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55 and at Busan with 7 races from 11.25 to 16:55. Here are the prviews:

Oaks winner Catch Race is back on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported maidens with three of the nine racing for the first time. The only southern hemisphere runner is (2) VICTORY LIFE. He looked good when 2nd in her trial in a decent time having been handy throughout. A concern is that was at the end of the April, and he has been lame since, but he has been back in work since the end of June and is worth a chance in this company. (5) A.K JUN looks the best of the experience. He raced handy on debut over 1000M on June 28th, ultimately running on for 4th place, albeit a long way behind a good winner. He beat two of today’s rivals in the proves and he will probably start as the betting faovurite. (8) ESSENTIAL FORCE is another debut-maker who looked well when an on pace 2nd in his trial and can go well first up while (4) NAREUSYA LUCKY went through two heats improving in the second and should be nice and fit for this. (1) BULTAOREUNE was a fair 6th of nine on debut and is the best of the rest.

Selections(2) Victory Life (5) A.K Jun (8) Essential Force (4) Nareusya Lucky
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 8

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

(9) STAR PLAY was sent off as the longest shot on the board on debut over 1000M on July 4th but made a mockery of that by coming from well off the pace to run a close 2nd. The additional furlong can suit and with some natural improvement, he can go one better. After an eye-catching trial, (4) BEAT STAR was sent off as the long odds-on favourite on debut on June 27th but while he led, he knocked up quickly and finished 4th. He should have learned a bit from that and can be given another chance here. Sole debut-maker (7) MAGIC TOUCH went through two trials and was much improved in the second of them (be aware that as a “voluntary” trial, it won’t appear in all race cards, but it was on July 9th) leading all the way and stopping the clock in 62.2 seconds. If he brings that form to the races, he is a big chance first-up. (8) BLITZ CARA was 5th on debut and then 3rd behind Star Play on July 4th. Third-up he can be peaking and he can be close. (2) K SOCKS can improve on an ordinary debut.

Selections(9) Star Play (4) Beat Star (7) Magic Touch (8) Blitz Cara
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the nine racing for the first time, but it’s the experienced ones who most will go for. (6) OASIS HEUIMANG has raced twice before, finishing 3rd on debut at the end of May and then 2nd when starting the odds-on favourite over 1200M on July 17th. He’ll be on pace here and will be an even shorter price to make it third time lucky. (8) HERO HIT came home in 4th place on debut over 1000M on June 26th, having shown on the speed. She previously won a trial, and she is the main danger here. (9) MORNING ARIA completes the trio wit prior experience. She too ran well on debut for 3rd place over 1000M on July 3rd and with some natural improvement, she can be in the mix again. Of the first timers, (2) ACE LOVE and (7) TWOTWO SPACE showed the most in trials.

Selections(6) Oasis Heuimang (8) Hero Hit (9) Morning Aria (2) Ace Love
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start3, 6, 8, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BREEDO EPIC didn’t do much on debut on May but was a much-improved 3rd at start number two over 1300M on June 21st. She comes up significantly in trip here but third-up she can be nice and fit, and she can make her breakthrough here.  (7) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been ordinary across seven starts so far but she returns to the distance at which she registered her best result to date at when 2nd – well beaten by a good winner – in May. She can settle midfield and will see out the trip. (10) CLUB MAN has almost identical form with his best also being 2nd over this distance two outings back. He can overcome the wide draw to be handy and can be competitive. (5) GWANAKSAN WISH ME and (4) SINCHEON HEART both picked up in their respective latest outings and can continue to make progress.

Selections(3) Breedo Epic (7) Powerful Arctic (10) Club Man (5) Gwanaksan Wish Me
Next Best4, 1
Fast Start3, 4, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) MAGIC TREE was anonymous on debut all the way back last July and then didn’t reappear until this May wen a fair 6th of nine over this 1300M. She returned on June 28th to run 2nd over this same trip when handy throughout and she’s favoured to go one better today. There is one debut-maker. (9) HEAR WE GO originally trialed last October but didn’t make it to the races. She looked a much better prospect when winning a heat in early July, showing on pace throughout and if she can bring that form to the races, this is a nice even to debut in. (2) SPEED BUMP was 2nd over 1200M two starts back and would have run better than 4th in her latest outing on July 5th were it not for a bad start and then laying in, as is her habit. She has been back to trial since and with better manners today, she can be a danger. (6) MAGIC OF ART and (8) MISS COCO are the other place chances.

Selections(3) Magic Tree (9) Hear We Go (2) Speed Bump (6) Magic Of Art
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 11

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

(8) ROYAL HOPE K was a winner on debut over 1000M on June 27th, settling handy before taking things up late on and winning comfortably. He comes up in class and in trip today, but neither should be a problem, and he is favoured to repeat. It’s not a strong race for the level so (7) COMPLETE FUTURE can measure up too. After a 3rd place in March, he got his maiden win in at the end over April over 1300M when on pace throughout. He hasn’t raced since but he has been in consistent work since mid-July and under a light weight, he can measure up. (4) AFLEET RUN is yet to win in nine but has been knocking at the door and looks a strong place chance in this company. (1) P N S NALA and (6) YEONGGWANGUI SKY are others who can trouble the scorers.

Selections(8) Royal Hope K (7) Complete Future (4) Afleet Run (1) P N S Nala
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 8)

There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

Twilight racing starts on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

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

(6) HWANSANGUI LUNA was a trial winner on June 4 which led her to be sent off as an odds-on favourite on debut sixteen days later. She got terribly upset in the gate and delayed the start that day but was passed fit to run and finished third which was not a bad effort under the circumstances. Seo Seung-un rides and if she behaves better and does not use up all her energy before the gates crash, she can do better at attempt two. (1) GWANAKSAN WINDY has trialled once for a half-length second to (4) TONGKWAEHANSEUNGJA on June 11. The former gets a weight swing whilst the latter has had a race since but could only manage seventh. (4) POWERFUL MR. was third in a trial before a fifth on debut and is best of the rest over (10) NAMGYEONG SPINNING and (3) FULL STRIKE.

Selections(6) Hwansangui Luna (1) Gwanaksan Windy (8) Tongkwaehanseungja (4) Powerful Mr.
Next Best10, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6, 10

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

(9) MIGHTY CHAMP was last throughout in his first trial on May 14 but won a trial on July 2 beating a subsequent winner and that form clearly looks the best on offer in what looks a winnable maiden for this three-year-old colt by Girolamo on debut. (4) DAREURI YEOWANG has been in consistent in four runs and has been getting closer so on that basis he looks the best of the raced brigade. (2) KATARINARA was beaten seventeen-lengths into sixth when a 3.0 favourite on debut. She had run second in a trial prior however and rates next over (7) GUNJU MINSU, a debutante by Peace Rules with Seong Sang-hyun, (3) YEONDONG STAR and (5) GOSANBONG.

Selections(9) Mighty Champ (4) Dareuri Yeowang (2) Katarinara (7) Gunju Minsu
Next Best3, 5
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / August 15 Liberation Day Commemoration / KRW 30 Million

(4) DUSON LIFE came the closest he has come to winning last start with a second place although he did not actually come close to winning at all in the scheme of things as he was beaten sixteen-lengths behind an impressive winner. However, that rates as good form and with Ruan Maia riding once again he can go one better. (1) CHEONMA NUBI has been getting closer and from a low draw rates as an each-way chance whilst from the opposite barrier (11) PNS WORK has been just behind the placegetters in two of her past three. (8) LOVING PURPLE is the only other hope with (6) AREUMDAUN BIT and (9) GOD SPEED best of the roughies.

Selections(4) Duson Life (1) Cheonma Nubi (11) PNS Work (8) Loving Purple
Next Best6, 9
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10

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

(11) CHALLENGE SOCKS has been much improved at her last two starts and is worth an each-way investment at value in an extremely competitive race. She has a half-length to find with (3) BANK LINE from June 6 but a slight weight swing goes in her favour. The latter has raced subsequently finishing third behind the unbeaten Major Fury on July 5. (6) FLASH JUDE won her maiden three back and has been close in two runs at this grade whilst (7) ECLIPSE SUNNY broke her duck on June 14 before only managing fourth as an odds-on chance when running at this class for the first time. (8) TIGER REVENGER and (10) MIGHTY CAP are other chances along with (5) GLOBAL LAND, (1) NASCA BULCHUNGGAEK and (9) MUNHAK FIGHTER.

Selections(11) Challenge Socks (3) Bank Line (6) Flash Jude (7) Eclipse Sunny)
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10

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

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 7)

There are 8-races this Friday at Busan starting from the later time of 12:50 and finishing at 19.25. Here are the previews:

Into NiGHTS into Dreams (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on a debut-maker.  (8) SUNNY WILD is a “full” brother to this year’s KRA Cup Mile winner Funny Wild, he looked very good in his trial, cruising around under a hold and crossing the line with an experienced racehorse who was asked for more. He can win first up. (3) GAME MAKER came from well back in his trial and again on debut over 1000M on July 24th when he finished 4th. He should have come on for that run, the additional furlong should suit, and he will probably start as favourite. (11) OASIS ANGEL was 3rd behind Seraph on debut in a quick race over 1000M on June 26th. He too should have come on and is another who may appreciate the step up in trip. (1) LAVENDER CROWN ran on pleasingly in his trial despite getting kickback and can go well first-up. (5) GEORGE PRINCE another with experience who can improve.

Selections(8) Sunny Wild (3) Game Maker (11) Oasis Angel (1) Lavender Crown
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) LOGIST QUEEN did nothing on debut but was much better when a very close 2nd on July 5th having led for most of the way over 1200M. Third-up, she can be peaking and from on pace again, could go one better in what looks a race of many chances. (10) ART TREE was 3rd on debut last October and didn’t run again until this July 17th when as the 1.3 market-elect, he got a long way back before finishing 5th getting a warning for laying out and the jockey commenting that the slow start and kickback were to blame. He can strip fitter for that run and is worth another chance. (3) OASIS KINGDOM also has a runner-up finish on his record over 1200M in June. That was sandwiched between 5th placings and from a good draw he can be on pace again and be in this a long way and will certainly be a short price. (4) HUIMANG SPEED and (8) FANTASTIC ONE are the main others in the placing frame.

Selections(9) Logist Queen (10) Art Tree (3) Oasis Kingdom (4) Huimang Speed
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start3, 7, 9, 11

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

(11) GIROL SIDAE was very ordinary in her first three starts but since being sent up to a mile, she has figured things out with a 2nd and a 3rd from her two tries at the distance, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals on July 10th when leading. Her draw is wider than ideal, but she had gate ten when 2nd two starts back so it shouldn’t be a problem, and she can win. (6) YEONGGWANGUI GREEN was 4th in that July 10th race when ridden further forward earlier than in previous efforts. That continued a consistent run of form, and he should be aiming for best-to-date finish today. (2) STRONG WINNER has a best of 4th from six starts so far but he has finished off his races well enough and the step up in trip can suit. (9) LUXURY CHOICE and (8) FANTASTIC HONEY others who can be in the mix.

Selections(11) Girol Sidae (6) Yeonggwangui Green (2) Strong Winner (9) Luxury Choice
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 11

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

(7) AEGIS CROWN was a second-up winner at this class and distance on July 10th, racing handy to the speed throughout. He only comes up 1kg in weight today, Seo Seung-un stays on, and he will have plenty of supporters to go back-to-back and will be one of the shortest-priced favourites of the day. (6) HUIMANG TAYO returned from eight months out at the end of May and has since run 2nd and 5th in two tries at this class. He races best on pace so he comes into a much better gate today and third-up he can be peaking. (9) REIGN QUEEN was 3rd behind Aegis Crown when the latter got his maiden win in May and then beat a couple of today’s rivals when 4th on his first try at this class on June 28th and that makes him the logical third pick here. (3) SEONGSIL WORLD and (8) SAENAE HILL perhaps the best of a less than intimidating rest.

Selections(7) Aegis Crown (6) Huimang Tayo (9) Reign Queen (3) Seongsil World
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 10

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

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GANGPUNGMA TASTES GROUP GLORY AT LAST IN KRA CUP CLASSIC

He’s an enigma no longer. Gangpungma, the horse who always has an excuse, finally needed none as he roared clear of Global Hit, Success Baekpa and Speed Young, to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Gangpungma (Pic: KRA)

As the eleven-strong field entered the home straight, the four big guns of Korean racing – in the absence anyway of the clearly better but scarcely raced Clean One – fanned across the track having seen off the seven lesser lights. Defending champion Success Baekpa led, but it seemed set up for Global Hit, ominously showing signs of his best form, to take advantage, Speed Young meanwhile was close and dangerous.

Instead, the day finally belonged to Gangpungma. Back with trainer Kim Dong-chul, his trainer license restored, back with the pounds piled on and weighing in at 572kg, this time starting well and being much closer to the speed and avoiding traffic, Gangpungma broke his Group race duck at last.

“I’ve been riding him for three years now and for the last two I have thought he surely has a big race win in him, but something always seems to happen” winning jockey Jo Jae-ro, who has partnered him in all but one of his races, told KRBC. “Be it the race pace or bad luck, nothing seems to go right, but it has never been about ability with this horse.”

“Well done to the stable, they got him physically at his best, with the weight back on but in very good condition with it. The start was good this time, and we were able to get all the way to the third corner without using too much energy.”

“I thought just stay close to those three Busan horses (Success Baekpa, Global Hit and Speed Young) and then see what happens. 90% of the race went how we planned (and) Gangpungma did the rest at the end.”

Looking forward to the future, and September’s Korea Cup, the jockey was under no illusions that it would be as straightforward: “The Korea Cup will absolutely not unfold in the same way as today’s race.” said Jo. “The pace will be much stronger, and it will be all about choosing when to try to catch up to that pace. But I trust the stable to prepare well and we will give it a good go.”

After five months on the sidelines, Kim Dong-chul is training again and has Gangpuungma back as his stable star: “I always felt just a few percent had been lacking with him” Kim Dong-chul told KRBC. “2nd, 3rd, always just missing out. I think that today, he was where he should have been in the previous races, on the outside and close instead of stuck inside, and the jockey was quite firm about what he wanted to do this time.”

Gangpungma and Jo Jae-ro (Pic: KRA)

As for what’s next. “We’ll check how he is and then go for the Korea Cup or if not, the President’s Cup.”

A six-year-old, Gangpungma is by Peace Rules and out of Wonder Dreamer (by Hawk Wing). The victory moved him on to ten wins from twenty-eight starts.

Racing now takes a short summer break with all three tracks dark next weekend. Racing returns to Korea at Busan on Friday August 7th.

KOREA RACING REPORT – JULY 24-26: KOZZI TREBLES, DERBY WINNER BEATEN, SUPER AERO MAKES WINNING RETURN

ON SUNDAY AT SEOUL GANGPUNGMA FINALLY BROKE HIS BLACK TYPE DUCK WITH A BRILLIANT VICTORY IN THE PRINCIPAL LOCAL PREPARATION RACE FOR THE KOREA CUP.  ON THE UNDERCARD JAPANESE JOCKEY KOZZI ASANO rode A TREBLE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE HERO CHEETAH his main winner in the concluding 1200M Class 3 (writes Luke Humphreys).

Gangpungma beat Global Hit in the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)

The Tony Castanheira trained Hero Cheetah (Yaupon) MADE it three wins from five starts and that one loss aside. he has looked very smart. He was the 4.6 second favourite and scored by one-and-a-quarter lengths over the 2.8 favourite Korean Dream who attempted to lead throughout and lost no admirers in 2nd.

The other two victories for Asano came with CHAOS (To Honor And Serve) who won Race 2 (1200M Class 6) before MUNHAK CHUKJE (Blame) made it back-to-back course, distance, and grade victories in Race 7 (1600M Class 4). After finishing 3rd at his previous two attempts Chaos broke through at the fourth time of asking, leading throughout to score by three-quarters of a length as the 3.6 second choice over the 1.9 favourite Pieonari whilst Munhak Chukje scored by one-and-a-quarter lengths over the resuming 2.4 favourite JD Gangja.  Other favourites included KRA Cup Mile 3rd placegetter Chocolate, who was a never nearer 7th.

The other jockey with multiple success on the day was apprentice Woo In-cheol who led for most of the way to score by four-lengths on 3.7 favourite ISIMNYEON SEWOL (Mischieviously) in Race 5 (1400M Class 5) before landing Race 8 (1800M Class 4) on GLOBAL COMPUTING (Cloud Computing) who was recording his first win at start nine. That was the upset of the day with Global Computing returning 24.4. He defeated the hat-trick seeking 5.4 second favourite Pasa Spark by a half-length with 7.5 third favourite Shining Road in 3rd. The two pacesetters in the race were the 2.0 favourite Gwanaksan Sky, who was previously unbeaten bar his 9th place in the Derby, and 7.6 fourth market choice Parisui Bulkkot and they burned their petrol too early and were beaten a long way from home ending up in 7th and 10th places in the full field of eleven.

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KRA Cup Classic 2026: Preview & Form Comments

With just six weeks to go until the international Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, the leading Korean contenders will contest their main prep race, the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and with a Clean One-shaped hole in the field, it’s set to be a showdown between familiar foes. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

Global Hit and Success Baekpa face off again (Pic: KRA)

That’s because the main local hope for the first weekend of September, Clean One, is skipping the race and will head straight to the international race. Meanwhile the exciting up-and-comer Roshe isn’t expected to run at all until October as part of a conservative three-year-old campaign.

Moon Hyeon-cheol, trainer of Clean One, confirmed earlier this week that while the KRA Cup Classic had initially been on Clean One’s agenda, the intention was now to take him straight to international weekend. Interestingly, throughout the short interview with KRBC, trainer Moon continually referred to Korea Cup/Sprint rather than just Korea Cup, an indication perhaps they haven’t quite settled on which race to run their stable star in.

That leaves the “troika” of Global Hit, Success Baekpa and Speed Young at the top of the market for the Cup Classic. Global Hit won the race two years ago while Success Baekpa is the defending champion. While Success Baekpa won the YTN Cup, Global Hit was 2nd in all three legs of the Stayer Series, and his consistency will make him the favourite here.

Gangpungma is back with trainer Kim Dong-chul after a few months of enforced moves and that can be a plus for a horse who is very much the nearly-but-not-quite of racing right now. He scarcely runs a bad race, and he will be finishing strongly but it may well be that there are just one or two too quick again.

Fillies are represented in the shape of Boryeonglightqueen and Satang Sonyeo while the each-way wildcards look set to be Jeongmun Cobit and Pepper X.

The KRA Cup Classic is race 8 on Seoul’s 10-race Sunday card with a local post time of 16:30.

1. GLOBAL HIT – Won this race two years ago and while he did suffer injury and a downturn in form, he looks to be back. After a close 2nd to Yeonggwanguifirst in February, he was 2nd to Success Baekpa in the YTN Cup, beaten just three-quarters of a length, then six-lengths 2nd to Clean One in the Busan Mayor’s. He has a winning chance here.

2. EAST WEST – Joint lowest-rated in the race, he enters off back-to-back placings at class 1 level over 2300M and 2000M both times behind Pepper X and once behind Satang Sonyeo. Only previous try in elite company was 14th in the Grand Prix, and he has plenty to find.

3. SUCCESS BAEKPA – The defending champion and the winner of the YTN Cup in April when on pace throughout. He was 2nd in the Herald Business, four-lengths behind Clean One, and 4th in the Busan Mayor’s. At his best he has every chance of winning again, but inconsistency has also been a feature of his career.

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KRA Cup Classic Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (July 26)

There is no racing next week what with the short summer break, but we go out with a bang with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) headlining a 10-race (10.35 to 17.55) card at Seoul. There are also 7 races at Busan from 11.25 to 16.55. Here are the previews:

Success Baekpa won the KRA Cup Classic a year ago (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time, but the experience is good. (4) YONGBI SINSEONG was 2nd on debut, coming from off the pace after a very slow start over this distance on June 20th. He should have come on for that run and with a better start, he can go one better. (2) LEGEND MONSTER was a solid 3rd on debut over this distance on June 27th, settling midfield and running on. He comes into a much better gate, and he too should have derived benefit from that debut experience. As for the first timers, (10) SAMJEONG CHEF went through two trials, finishing 2nd in both. He should be nice and fit first-up and can have a say. (8) MYEONG POWERFUL and (11) POWER RACER others who hinted at ability in trials.

Selections(4) Yongbi Sinseong (2) Legend Monster (10) Samjeong Chef (8) Myeong Powerful
Next Best11, 9
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 9

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

(5) PIEONARI has raced three times and has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this distance. He was the beaten favourite last time out on June 20th when he just got a bit further back early than in his prior two runs, but if he can be a bit handier today, he can win. (8) CHAOS registered back-to-back 3rd place finishes at the start of the year, leading both times. She hasn’t raced since March, but she looked well when running 2nd in a trial earlier this month in a good time, and she can be a danger first-up. (1) JEONGMUN KINGDOM was a much-improved 3rd at start number two when leading on June 14th over this distance. He can be on pace again and in this a long way. (10) NURI DOLPUNG and debut-maker (11) ILSAN SNIPER are others in the frame.

Selections(5) Pieonari (8) Chaos (1) Jeongmun Kingdom (10) Nuri Dolpung
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 8, 9

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

(8) THUNDER WAVE was an improved 5th at start number two over 1000M on June 26th coming from off the pace in a race where everything was blown away by debut-maker Seraph. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and the step up in trip could suit very well. (10) RUBY GONGJU has a 5th and a 6th from two starts so far with the second of those coming in the June 26th race when beaten just a neck by Thunder Wave. Third-up she can be peaking and she can go much closer today. (7) OASIS ROSE debuted fairly enough in midfield on June 19th over 1000M. He should have come on for that, and he is another who may like the extra furlong. Debut-maker (1) SEOBULINA, along with (2) WILD CHAMP, the latter another out of that June 26th race, are others to consider.

Selections(8) Thunder Wave (10) Ruby Gongju (7) Oasis Rose (1) Seobulina
Next Best2, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 10, 11

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

(6) DELTA EAGLE didn’t do much in her first two outings, but she comes in here having run 3rd at the end of May over 1300M, and then 2nd on June 28th at 1400M, both times coming from off the pace. She beat a couple of today’s rivals last time and she can beat them all here. (4) BEST A ONE similarly enters having run 3rd and 2nd in her latest two appearances, both at this distance and both times having been ridden much closer to the pace than in her previous outings. Expect similar tactics today from a good draw, and she can be in the finish again. (5) PNS GUNS completes a trio of last start runners-up, in her case over this distance on July 5th when on pace. Maia stays on and she can be close again. (10) BULGEUN YEOJEONSA and (1) GRAND COURAGE others in the hunt.

Selections(6) Delta Eagle (4) Best A One (5) PNS Guns (10) Bulgeun Yeojeonsa
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start1, 7, 9, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) GOLD ROGER has never finished outside of the top six with her best being a 2nd place over 1400M three starts back when handy throughout. She was a beaten favourite on her latest, which was her first try at a mile on June 19th when she was awkwardly away and much further back than usual. Seo Seung-un is on and with a better start here this time, she can make her breakthrough. (6) BEOLMAUI GEOIN did absolutely nothing in his first seven starts but patience appears to be paying off as he has a 3rd, a 2nd and a 4th from his latest three with the 2nd at this distance in that June 19th race, and he can be close here. (3) SO FAST was 4th on her first try at this distance on June 26th and can match or better that here. (10) MORE QUICKLY and (9) HAENGBOK TREE other place chances.

Selections(2) Gold Roger (6) Beolmaui Geoin (3) So Fast (10) More Quickly
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start1, 6, 8, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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