Racing Review – Sunday 9 March
There were no surprises in the big race at Seoul this afternoon as Secret Weapon dominated the 42Million won 1900 metre handicap leading from start to finish. Going off at a not so secret 1.2, Chun Chang Ki took the top weight five year old to the front coming out of the stalls and stayed there all race to ein by four lengths from Seonju Jangsu (9.8) in a race of just seven runners.

Earlier, impressive three year-old Shining Two (2.0) made it three wins from three starts with a two length win over Ice Man (15.6) in race 7. Longest priced winner of the day came in a very open race 1, won by 55.6 shot Cheonjasan. another winner for Chun Chang Ki. No surprises in race 4, however, as highly rated Estar came home by two lengths at 1.2. With Moon Se Young absent there were doubles not only for Chun Chang Ki but also Woo Chang Gu, Yoo Seung Wan and Park Tae Jong.

In contrast to Seoul, Busan’s feature handicap was a very open affair with 13 runners and it was a very impressive performance by the slight favourite Bugyeong Choegang (3.7) scoring a two and a half length win over Geumui Hwanhyang (4.6).

The warmest day of the year so far meant the biggest crowd of the year at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Unfortunately the card was perhaps the lowest quality of the year so far.  Second favourite Uncatchable (4.8)  lived up to its name in the feature race 11. Ridden by Lee Jeong Sup, the 7 year old held off a strong final furlong challenge from favourite Dashing Champ (Nozomu Tomizawa) to win by a neck.

With championship leader Moon Se Young missing through suspension, this weekend provides nearest – and perhaps only – rival, Cho Kyoung Ho to make up some ground and he scored two winners, first in race 2 on the odds-on Jewanguijari (1.8) and then in race 4 on outsider Euolimbada (15.7). Chun Chang Ki also scored a double with Dongbang Mujeok (6.7) in race 9 and Keomeun Pokpung (21.6) in race 12.

Race 7 saw a bad fall for Heo Jae Young.  Coming out of stall three, Heo found himself boxed in on either side causing his horse, outsider Triple Queen, to stumble throwing Heo off sideways. Heo landed heavily on his back and was knocked unconscious. The ambulance was on the scene within seconds and Heo was moved to hospital. There’s no word from the KRA or other sources on his condition as yet.  Mukyang, ridden by Han Chang Min was disqualified after eventually finishing fifth, for its part in the incident.  The race was won by Super Family (9.6) ridden by Jung Ki Young.

Racing starts again at 11:20 tomorrow with 11 races. There is also racing at Busan with the first of 6 races off at 13:00.

Friday’s feature race at Busan was the richest of the year so far and was won by second favourite Procyon (4.7) taking the Chae Gyu Joon ridden horse to 8 wins from 13 starts.  Yeongwonhari (4.8) was second with favourite Pick Me Up (2.1) six lengths behind the winner in third.

Weekend Racing Review
Myeongmun Gamun (1.8) justified its odds-on status by taking the feature handicap at Seoul Race Park this afternoon ahead of second favourite Good Day (3.0). Best Condition (6.7) was third in a race which also featured Neocheon and Totoro. Neocheon led for most of the 1800 metre race but Myeongmun Gamun, partnered as usual by Cho Kyoung Ho, came through with a fast final furlong to win by half a length. The day’s second most valuable race also went to form with Happy Go (2.3) giving Moon Se Young his third win of the day ahead of second favourite Mr Syndrome (4.0). There were upsets, however, particularly in race 3 where the unfancied Beongae Yeoje (20.9) gave Cho Kyoung Ho his first winner of the day with odds-one favorite Thunder Hill finishing in fourth. The morning’s races were subject to difficult conditions with the overnight “yellow dust” storm still lingering in the air as well as sporadic snow showers.

Busan also hosted 6 races, the feature, the most valuable race at any track today at 42Million won, being won by hot favourite Crafty Louis (1.6). Earlier in race 4, The Bee Keeper maintained his 100% career record with a comfortable four-length victory. On Friday, there were nine races at Busan with an upset in the feature. Mirae Cheonsa went off favourite but finished a disappointing fourth as outsider Yeoin Cheonguk (46.1) took the honours by three lengths from Million Dollar (3.1).

Seoul’s Saturday card was contested on the most spring-like day of the year so far. Angus Empire (3.8) gained his second win of 2008 in the feature race ahead of Dirt King (7.5). Earlier, three-year-old Arcane (1.6) made it three wins from five outings in race 1 and Eagle (6.5) won a very competitive race 10 ahead of Trust Sun (5.5) and Hwanggeumnara (13.2).