STC, AJC and HRI Trophies up for grabs
Not only is the Korean Derby being run on Sunday, it’s also International Weekend at Seoul Race Park. Across the two days, there are four trophy races sponsored by overseas racing authorities. While the biggest of the four is the JRA Trophy on Sunday, the race immediately preceding the Derby, the three on Saturday offer plenty of interest.

Selengor Turf Club (STC) Trophy – Class 3 (Foreign bred) Fillies & Mares – 1300M – Race 7

Two jockeys from Malaysia will guest in this race which has attracted a full field of fourteen. Likely favourite will be Soseono, half sister to Subsidy, Korea’s horse of the year in 2005. Also in contention should be Sky Center, Nandanara and Rose Cat. The race is off at 3pm.

Australian Jockey Club (AJC) Trophy – Class 3 (Korean bred) Fillies & Mares – 1400M – Race 9

Another full field of fourteen for the AJC Trophy. It’s an open race with no stand-out favoruite although there will be plenty of support for Bandoui Kkum. Yeonjikkot and Hera have both won at this level before and must also be considered.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Trophy – Class 3 (Korean bred) – 1800M – Race 10

The only trophy race on Saturday open to mae horses, the HRI Trophy is perhaps the most interesting of the three as Symphony Sonata, the well bred and highly rated four year old seeks to gain a fourth win from six races. Hacing been beaten narrowly by Derby contender Triple Canon last time out, he’ll be the likely favourite. He’ll be up against Super Jet, who last time out beat another Derby contender, Seokcheong over the same distance as the trophy race. Also in the mix should be Luxury Jewang, Excacta Runner and Haedong Jewang.

There are twelve races in total on Saturday at Seoul, with the first getting underway at 11:20. There is also racing at Jeju Race Park with the first at 12:10. Sadly, just like Derby weekend last year, the weather forecast is not good with umbrellas likely to be necessary throughout the day.

Check back tomorrow for full reports on Saturday’s trophy races plus final previews of The JRA Trophy and, of course, the Korean Derby.

* Areumdaun Jilju returned to action after a five month lay-off in this afternoon’s feature race at Busan Race Park. Although punters failed to send him off as favourite for the first time in many outings, it was as if the five year old – who has never finished worse than fourth and before his lay-off was arguably Busan’s most feared horse – had never been away. Under Jo Chan Hoon, the gelding came through late to stretch away from the field for a five length win. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN