Aurora landed the title of Champion Juvenile filly in a hard fought Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Under Hwang Soon Do, the Tahamkke filly beat off Hushtilled by four lengths to take Seoul’s top two year old filly race.
Pre-race favourites Oh My Sun and Saeroungamun finished last and second last respectively as Choegouisungan made the early running before Aurora came by with a furlong and a half remaining. The previously unbeaten Choegouisungan held on for third.
Two year olds were the stars of the day. Another filly, Thunder Woman, came through a little late to be in the running for the Gwacheon race, but she had little difficulty in dispatching a predominantly older field in race 5 for her second straight win.
If Ace Galloper hadn’t come up against Nothern Ace when the latter broke the track record at five furlongs,he would almost certainly be talked about as a possible Derby horse for next year. Today he put in his third routine win in a row, moving up in class and continuing his preparation for a likely shot at Nothern Ace and Seonbongbulpae in the Herald Media Cup in December.
Ten lengths was the margin on the line but it could have been whatever distance jockey Shim Seung Tae cared to make it. His more illustrious two year old counterparts have yet to try their luck against class 4 opposition – Ace Galloper has already demolished them.
Also on an eventful day, Japanese jockey Yoshiyuki Aoki made his Korean debut. And it was a winning one for the 33 year old – the first former JRA rider to take up a licence in Korea. After failing to palce with his early mounts, Aoki took the moderately fancied Namchonui Yeowang to victory in race 9.
Aurora Takes 2 y/o filly title
Gwacheon Citizens’ Day Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – Oct 24, 2009
1. Aurora (KOR) [Tahamkke – Southern Splendour (Southern Halo)] – Hwang Soon Do – 7.1, 2.1
2. Hushtilled (KOR) [Distiiled – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] – Jo In Kwen – 2.8
3. Choegouisungan (KOR) [Creek Cat – Right Out Ro (Grand Slam)] – Shin, HC) 2.9
Distances: 4 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Secret Woman; 5. Cheongsando; 6. White Volpony; 7. Bigsister; 8. Khanuiyeowang; 9. Oh My Sun; 10. Saeroungamun
Horse Racing in Korea 