Subsidy stormed to victory in today’s feature at Seoul Race Park, while similar odds-on shot Procyon had it just as easy in the feature at Busan. Subsidy (1.4), carrying a monstrous 61.5 kilos hit the front as they exited the back straight, Moon Se Young pushing him on in the final three furlongs for a five length victory over Pocketful of Money (13.2) and the nine year old Value Play (33.2). Second favourite Obaek Yechan (5.1) featured prominantly until they entered the final two furlongs before fading badly to finish in last place. It was Subsidy’s 18th win from 28 races.

In other races, Nokhaji (2.3) landed a seventeen length victory for Lee Shin Young in the second feature, Luxury Queen and Eoullimgangja the distant second and third placed horses. Moon Se Young was the only jockey to record more than one winner, Subsidy adding to an earlier victory on Na Meon Jeo (2.3) in race 3. Moon had disappointment, however, on Hammer Punch in race 5. Dropping back down to 1400 metres after a bad run in the KRA Cup Mile earlier this month, Hammer Punch led early on but as the pace quickened off the final turn dropped back eventually finishing seventh behind Bulkkot Juja (14.7).

At Busan Race Park, Procyon (1.7) comfortably won the KRW 42Million race 6 by six lengths from second favourite Boryeong Bulbit (6.5). Australian jockey Danny Craven partnered Taehwa Janggun to third in the race, his first placed finish since relocating from Seoul to Busan. Earlier in the afternoon there was a fourth victory in seven races for the improving three year old Raon King (2.3).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Gayasanseong got the better of favourite Galsaem in the final few strides of the KRW 42Million main event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Ridden by Moon Se Young, Galsaem (1.8 ) hit the first corner of the 2000 metre handicap first and set the pace throughout. Woo Chang Gu kept Gayasanseong (2.0) in third place until making his move as they entered the home straight. Galsaem opened up a three length lead by Gayasanseong kept the pressure on and hit the front within metres of the line. Galsaem despite once more starting favourite, has now gone four races without victory. Gayasanseong, meanwhile, has won three in a row and moves onto over KRW 1Billion in career prize money.

Outsider Tamna Bibari won the day’s second richest race giving Lee Ae Li her second win in as many weeks. The 30.9 shot sat just behind long time leader Arrow Choice before hitting the front with two furlongs to go and holding off the challenge of Cheon Byeong and Jujang Jeonha for a two length victory, Lee – back in form after a dismal year – punching the air as they crossed the line.

Highly rated Kkumcheoreom – aiming for three consecutive wins – just missed out in race 7 after starting the 2.8 favourite. Stepping up to 1400 metres for the first time, Kkumcheoreom made a poor start and by the time Lee Shin Young had found room in the straight it was too late to make up the lost ground, rank-outsider Jungmuncheonjae (139.5) pulling off a shock win for Hwang Soon Do. Kkumcheoreom finished a very close second, the fast finish suggesting that with a better start, 1400 metres will be no problem next time. Jockeys of the day were the Japanese duo of Ikuyasu Kurakane and Nozomu Tomizawa who both recorded doubles. Nozomu scoring with strong favourite Feel It Now (1.3) in race 5 and again with Cheonjidolpung (4.0) in a tight finish in race 8 with Magic Bouquet (14.8), ridden by Ikuyasu, whose own wins came in race 9 on Sesemanse (5.3) and race 12 on Viva Slew (23.6).

Despite thunder continuing to roll around nearby Gwanak Mountain and leaden skies, the racing escaped the predicted rain. Although during the early races there was plenty of standing water on the track from the overnight thunderstorms, the strong wind throughout the afternoon gradually dried things up. On what is turning out to be a very weird weather weekend in Seoul, the forecast is for tomorrow to be fine and dry. Racing gets underway at Seoul tomorrow at 11:20, at Jeju at 12:20 and at Busan at 12:40.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Hangye Geukbok proved the handicappers correct in the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Under Cho Seung Gon, the six year old top weight scored a half length victory over Seonbaljein (7.7). Hangye Geukbok went off favourite but at a generous 2.5, and sat at the back of the field until making his move in the final furlong and a half. The favourite also won in the day’s second most valuable race as Yeongung Manse (2.7) made it three wins from six starts with a comfortable three length victory over Bulpae Yeoksa (3.6) over 1600 metres. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Second favourite Good Day (3.5) took home the feature handicap at Seoul Race Park today with a close victory over Sirius (5.6). With Cho Kyoung Ho on board, Good Day took the win on the nod after he and Sirius (Lee Dong Kuk) overtook Gi Ra Seong, who had led for much of the KRW 42Million, 2000 metre race, in the final furlong. Secret Weapon went off the strong 1.7 favourite but never featured, eventually finishing eleventh of the twelve runners as Good Day made it ten wins from fourteen outings.

It was very much Cho Kyoung Ho’s day as he took full advantage of the absences of both Moon Se Young and Park Tae Jong to record four winners, Good Day adding to earlier victories on Sinmyeong (2.3) in race 3, U Seung Man Se (1.6) in race 4 and Gyoengcheonyeowang (2.2) in race 8. There was also a long overdue win for Lee Ae Li who landed race 7 on 5.6 third favourite, Song Gan San.

At Busan, there was a shock in the main event as 1.3 favourite Pick Me Up was beaten by three lengths by Haeil (15.3). Haeil, ridden by Ahn Sun Ho took the lead right from the start of the 2000 metre handicap and although Pick Me Up, steadily made up ground, the top weight didn’t haven’t enough to get back on terms with Haeil, who secured the KRW 42Million first prize.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Shaving Points made his second racecourse appearance at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and secured a comfortable win over 1300 metres. Having made his debut in the rain and mud four weeks ago, today it was glorious sunshine as punters decided Shaving Points was such a certainty, he started at an extraordinary 1.0 – that is, there was no profit to be made from backing him to win. As in his previous race, Ikuyasu Kurakane took Shaving Points into the lead out of the stalls and stayed there the entire race to win by four lengths.

The most valuable race of the day saw an upset as the Shin Dae Jeon ridden Holeinonefive (36.4,) took an early lead in the KRW 36Million 1800 metre handicap and held off the late challenge of 1.6 favourite Mugabo to land a one and a half length victory.

There were trebles each for Moon Jung Kyun and Ikuyasu Kurakane with Nozomu Tomizawa landing one to take the Japanese haul for the day to four. It was the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures touching 26C in the middle of the afternoon. Racing is back tomorrow with the first of 11 races underway at 11:20. There are also cards at Busan (12:40) and Jeju Island (12:20).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL