Japanese jockey Kanichiro Fujii debuted at Busan today and landed a winner with his very first ride – a four length victory on Areumdaun Sinhwa (Volponi) in race 7:
Fujii’s fellow countryman Narazaki Kosuke was also amongst the winners, taking race 5 on Raon Birdie (Al Naba), was was South African Gerrit Schlechter who rode the Peter Wolsley trained gelding Cheongchun Bulpae (Milwaukee Brew) to a very comfortable win in race 8.
Saturday June 30
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday July 1
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Punters will need to stump up an extra 200 won to get into the track from this weekend as the Korea Racing Authority raises the admission fee to the three racecourses for the first time in ten years. The new fee of 1000 won will also apply to all off-track betting facilities.
KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero goes on Sunday (Pic: KRA)
More on that less than Earth-shattering news in a little while but given that it’s still cheaper than a basic subway fare, it is perhaps safe to assume that most punters won’t notice – especially as most use their subway card to get in.
KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee) makes his first appearance at Busan since running third in the Korean Derby just over a month ago. The colt goes in the second of co-feature races at the southern track on Sunday afternoon against a field of eminently beatable older horses over 2000 metres.
Among them is Peter Wolsley’s old warhorse Khaosan (Sunday Well) and Wolsley saddles another fancy in the earlier co-feature as Secret Whisper (Sea Of Secrets) takes on a very competitive field over 1400 metres.
Up at Seoul there aren’t any stars on show altough both Saturday and Sunday’s feature races are competitive class 1 handicaps.
There’s a chance the monsoon season will begin at some point this weekend so it may be best to pack a raincoat just in case. Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 29
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 30
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday July 1
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40
There’s another new Japanese jockey on the South Coast. Kanichiro Fujii will have his first rides at Busan Race Park this coming weekend.
Kanichiro “Joe” Fujii debuts at Busan this weekend
Fujii – who goes by Joe – was born in Nara, Japan but went to Australia at the age of 15 to train as a jockey. He debuted in 2001 and spent the next five years riding mainly in New South Wales, finishing 2nd in the State’s Apprentice Jockey race in 2006.
In 2007, Fujii spent nine months in Singapore where he won the Listed Chairman’s Trophy and rode third-placed finisher Jade in the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby.
After Singapore, Fujii went to Europe where he rode work in France for, amongst others, Criquitte Head before returning to Australia in 2008.
In 2009 he went to the USA and rode work at Belmont Park before relocating once more to Australia, this time to Queensland where he has been riding until recently. To date, he has ridden just shy of 300 winners.
Fujii is married and became a father for the first time earlier this month.
Riding on an initial four-month license and joins fellow Japanese riders Narazaki Kosuke and Yukio Abe as well as South African Gerrit Schlechter in making up the foreign jockey contingent at Busan. He will make his racing debut this Friday in race 7.
He told Korea Racing that he became interested in riding in Korea after speaking with Japanese riders Nozomu Tomizawa, Yoshi Aoki, Hiro Hamada and Akane Yamamoto – all of whom rode in Korea and have strong Australian connections, as well as Aussie jockey Garry Baker who rode at Busan from 2005 until 2007.
The most expensive imported racehorse in Korean history has arrived at Seoul Racecourse. The filly, by Henny Hughes and out of the Cape Town mare Cape Discovery, was purchased by owner Oh Ho Kuk at the OBS Spring Sale of Two-year Olds in Training in Florida this April. Having cleared quarantine, she arrived at the track earlier this month.
The Henny Hughes filly, with trainer Choi Bong Ju (left) and owner Oh Ho Kuk (right), who has become the most expensive imported racehorse in Korean history
The filly, who remains unnamed, was the fastest under-tack in the lead-up to the sale, posting a time of 9.8 seconds for 1 furlong – considerably faster than anything has ever run in Korea. According to The Bloodhorse, family members include G2 winners Unbridled Energy and Heart Of Joy and G3 winners Inexplicable, Midnight Cry and White Mischief.
The filly is by far the most expensive purchase made by a Korean buyer since the price cap for imported fillies was removed on a trial basis earlier this year. The cap, which existed to promote the local breeding industry, had been increased in recent years from $20,000 all the way up to $70,000 before being removed completely in order to provide not only a better standard of racehorse but also to improve the breeding stock. Great news for OBS and others who already see the lower end of their sales propped up by Korean buyers but also, the Korea Racing Authority hopes, for the nation’s own breeders.
The cap remains on colts and geldings, however, with the breeding industry here now sufficiently developed in terms of facilities and well stocked with an ever-improving standard of stallion, the KRA believed that the time was right to remove the cap for fillies for racing (mares imported solely for breeding purposes had never been subject to the cap). To encourage the import of quality fillies, the “Queens’ Tour” of valuable Stakes races was introduced this year.
The KRA wants Korea’s breeding industry to develop to such an extent that ultimately the country becomes a net exporter of racehorses. Last year, several horses were sold to Malaysia and ultimately Korea, like every other country in the region (and most of the world) has its eye on China as an export market if and when they begin importing horses.
Of course, on the track the challenge remains for these expensive fillies to be able to live up to their potential as Korean training remains significantly below international standards. The Henny Hughes filly has been sent to the barn of Choi Bong Ju who, although 49, has only been training since 2007 after retiring as a jockey. Choi told the media that he “doesn’t feel a burden” in being put in charge of the star newcomer. Likewise owner Oh has insisted – publicly anyway – that his trainer is under no pressure. We will see.
Powerful Miss G Wins Seoul Oaks Trial / Dangdae Bulpae Downs Dongteuja
Less than two months away from the Korean Oaks, we’re no clearer to finding a winner if today’s disappointing renewal of the Sports Seoul Stakes was anything to go by.
Although the winner, 11/1 chance Powerful Miss G, can hardly be blamed, there were few other positive performances.
As a filly who finished seventh in the Derby in her last start, Powerful Miss G perhaps should have been given more respect by punters. Instead they opted to make the undoubtedly talented but frustratingly inconsistent Cheoneun close to even-money favourite.
Unfortunately for those punters, while she and Jjak Kkung looked great sprinting for the first corner, the pair of them looked less great when they inevitably paid for their exertions in the home straight, weakening badly as Powerful Miss G led home a train of fillies down the outside.
It was short train though. All In Win was eased out of the race in the last furlong while Recent High lost interest in the back straight. There was nothing wrong with her as when Cho Kyoung Ho finally got her moving in the right direction she recorded the fastest final furlong time. Probably due to being well-rested. Both All In Win and Recent High will receive a ban and neither will feature in the Oaks.
Trailing Powerful Miss G by 7 lengths was Dolpung Jilju, a return to form of sorts for a filly who was great as a 2-year-old but has been dreadful this term. Speedus, who has at least been consistent, albeit in being consistently average, grabbed third.
While a match-up between Powerful Miss G and Busan’s Grand Teukgeup will be worth watching, this year’s Oaks, which will be run at Busan in August, is not yet setting the pulse racing.
Sports Seoul Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – June 24, 2012
1. Powerful Miss G (KOR) [Revere – Miss Geology (Jade Hunter)] 0 Shin Hyoung Chul – 11.7, 2.0 2. Dolpung Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Alder Gulch (Gulch)] – Ham Wan Sik – 3.9 3. Speedus (KOR) [Menifee – Tourney’s Gold (Ten Gold Pots)] – Jo In Kwen – 1.5
Distances: 7 lengths/1 length Also Ran: 4. Dodo Gongju 5. Cheoneun 6. Jjak Kkung 7. I Love You DQ. All In Win (beaten 100 lengths) DQ. Recent High (beaten 100 lengths)
There was disappointment for another filly at Busan today as Dongteuja (Montbrook) saw her unbeaten record end at 6 in emphatic style. Not that it was any surprise or disgrace for the 3-year-old half-sister of double Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja.
Back to his best: Dangdae Bulpae ended Dongteuja’s unbeaten record
Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) looked back to his devastating best as he strolled to a 9 length victory with Dongteuja a well beaten fourth. Dongteuja has time on her side though and was up against a classy field of older horses.
Having been born in Korea but sired overseas, Dongteuja can’t run in the Oaks. If she could, tonight she would be the overwhelming favourite
We’re still nearly two months away from the Korean Oaks but Seoul’s top three-year old fillies will face off against each other this coming Saturdayin the Sports Seoul Cup, the capital’s top trial for the filly Classic.
Cheoneun winning earlier this year – can she find her form again in the Sports Seoul?
Just nine will run in the race, which will be contested over the Oaks distance of nine furlongs. Cheoneun and Dolpung Jilju are the best known having first made an impact as two-year olds last season. Both were well-beaten in the Derby as were Powerful Miss G and Jjak Kkung.
Improving filly – and commentator’s nightmare – I Love You, will have claims as will Recent High and Dodo Gongju, who’s won four of her six starts. See below for a full run-down of runners and riders.
Down at Busan another three-year old filly headlines the main event. ALthough born in Korea, Dongteuja (Montbrook) was sired overseas and therefore isn’t eligible for the Oaks. If she were, she’d be hot favourite and on Sunday afternoon her unbeaten record of six wins from six starts is on the line against class 1 opposition for the first time.
And she’s going to run slap-bang into two-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) in what is going to be by far her toughest test to date. Japanese jockey Narazaki Kosuke gets the ride on the filly.
Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 22
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 23
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday June 24
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Here’s the full list of runners and riders for the Sports Seoul Cup along with pedigree and race records (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd):
Sports Seoul Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sunday June 24, 16:15
1. Jjak Kkung (KOR) [Forest Camp – Fab Four (Yes It’s True)] (7/3/0/3) – Lee Sang Hyeok 2. Cheoneun (KOR) [Forest Camp – Naha (Silver Buck)] (11/6/1/0) – Moon Se Young 3. All In Win (KOR) [Pico Central – Better Daze (Glitterman)] (5/3/1/0) – Moon Jung Kyun 4. Recent High (KOR) [Exploit – Charon (Jade Robbery)] (7/3/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho 5. Dodo Gongju (KOR) [Sunday Well – Speed Supreme (Formal Gold)] (6/4/0/0) – Kim Jeong Jun 6. I Love You (KOR) [Chief Pete – Make Believe (Defensive Play)] (5/3/0/0) – Park Tae Jong 7. Dolpung Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Alder Gulch (Gulch)] (10/3/1/1) – Ham Wan Sik 8. Powerful Miss G (KOR) [Revere – Miss Geology (Jade Hunter)] (8/1/3/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul 9. Speedus (KOR) [Menifee – Tourney’s Gold (Ten Gold Pots)] (9/3/2/1) – Jo In Kwen
Impressive Win By US Colt Some Feel Could Challenge Smarty Moonhak
Haedongcheonwang announced his arrival among the elite at Seoul Race Park today as he cruised to a six-length win in the MBN Cup.
One of the most highly rated three-year old imports in Korea, Haedongcheonwang was surprisingly beaten in the JRA Trophy last month. However, he made no mistake today as he left the rest of the class 1 MBN Cup field trailing with a sharp burst of acceleration at the top of the home-straight.
Filly Kkochyeoul, who had set the early pace, was second while old-stager and outsider Mr. Loving Life finished third.
Haedongcheonwang moves on to five wins from seven starts and is looked on by some as a possible challenger to Smarty Moonhak, currently the most exciting horse at Seoul, later in the year. That is a little way off and at the moment Smarty Moonhak would definitely have the edge. However, on today’s form, if Haedongcheonwang continues to improve, he is going to be very dangerous.
MBN Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – June 17, 2012
1. Haedongcheonwang (USA) [West Acre – Sienna’s Honor (Honor Grades)] – Lee Joon Chel – 1.6, 1.0 2. Kkochyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – A Star Has Rosen (Rock Band)] – Park Sang Woo – 2.1 3. Mr. Loving Life (USA) [Full Mandate – Indeed Yes (Shadeed)] – Lee Hyeok – 3.1
Distances: 6 lengths/2.5 lengths – 8 ran
Down at Busan where it was just as hot as the sweltering capital, there were co-features races. The first of those saw an eye-catching win by Pokpung Jilju (Greatness). The US bred four-year old led from gate to wire in the 2000 metre handicap to score a twelve length win.
The second co-feature was a 1300 metre sprint and it was a slightly closer affair as filly Haengunui Mannam (Creek Cat) landed victory by just under a length from Money Hunter (Golden Missile).
It was a surprisingly quiet day on the foreign jockey front with only Yukio Abe recording a winner. Gerrit Schlechter had recovered from the sickness that ruled him out of all but the first of his rides on Friday, however, the South African didn’t come close to a winner today.
Next week, Stakes action returns to Seoul in the shape of the Sports Seoul Cup, the track’s primary trial for the Korean Oaks which will be run at Busan in August.
It’s low-key stuff in the greater scheme of the season but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty for punters to get stuck into this weekend.
The MBN Cup, a non-Stakes and non-Listed feature race on Sunday is the headline at Seoul, although it’s a disappointingly small and star-less field of eight who will go to post for the 1900 metre handicap. Of more interest, perhaps, is Saturday’s feature which sees Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal), with 16 wins from 25 starts, giving a six kilogram advantage to what looks like a competitive field in a seven furlong sprint.
Down at Busan there are double features on Sunday. Yeonseung Daero and Dongseo Jeongbeol are sent out against foreign-bred opposition in the first of these with both looking to have good chances. The second is an ultra-competitive sprint. Peter Wolsley’s Pnata Rhei (Stormy Atlantic) scored a shock win last time out and, with in-form Gerrit Schlechter on board, will have plenty of backers.
Down on Jeju there’s Stakes action for the ponies on Saturday in the form of the Jeju Ilbo Cup. Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 15
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 16
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:15
Sunday June 17
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40
9/1 Chance Takes Second-Leg of Queens Tour / Five Wins For South African Jockey This Weekend
June had already been an especially good month in the saddle for Gerrit Schlechter. Today it got better. The South African jockey landed a treble last weekend and repeated that feat on Friday. This afternoon, Schlechter topped that by recording by far his biggest win since arriving in Busan in March by winning the KNN Cup on 9/1 chance Sangseung Geotap.
Sangseung Geotap and Gerrit Schlechter get down to business in the KNN Cup
The second leg of the “Queens’ Tour”, the KNN Cup brought together the top fillies and mares from both Busan and Seoul. Royale Embrace (Chapel Royal), winner of the Ttukseom Cup and first leg of the Tour, wasn’t given much chance of repeating her success in this mile-long race, however, there were high hopes of young imports Gamdonguibada (Werblin) and Dangdae Jeonseung (Put It Back).
Royale Embrace set the early pace with the two favourites travelling ominously well as they entered the home straight. Sangseung Geotap meanwhile sat towards the back of the field in the long back straight, before improving wide around the home turn. In the straight, Schlechter had to battle to find a clear run and the pair entered the final furlong with four horses still in front of them.
One after another they reeled them in though, multiple-stakes winner Kkakjaengi (Put It Back) being the last to succomb as Sangseung Geotap scored a length and a half win, Schlechter producing a Barzalona-esque celebration just before the line.
Sangseung Geotap, a four-year old filly, moves onto seven wins from eighteen starts. Schlechter meanwhile, is the man in form on the South coast. In the past two weeks he has ridden as many winners and racked up more prize-money than most foreign jockeys can expect to achieve in a year up at Seoul. Owners want him riding their horses so there should be plenty more to come.
KNN Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday June 10, 2012
1. Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charlie – Mirta (Theatrical)] – Gerrit Schlechter – 9.3, 2.3 2. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – Shin Hyung Chul – 2.2 3. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.2
After what has been a difficult week for Korean racing, Stakes racing returns this weekend and it’s fillies and mares who will take centre stage as Busan plays host to the KNN Cup, the second leg of the “Queens’ Tour”.
Royale Embrace and You Hyun Myung win the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour (Pic: Ilgan Sports)
There’s a full field of 14, including 7 challengers from Seoul. Kkakjaengi, Geumbi, Imperial Star and the young filly Gamdonguibada all look set to pose a threat to Ttukseom Cup winner Royale Embrace.
Here’s a full run down of the runners and riders with pedigree, race records and jockey (and it’s the only place you’ll see it in English as the KRA’s English site can’t handle races which involve runners from both Seoul and Busan in the same race!
KNN Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – June 10, 15:50
1. Malibu Sky (USA) [Malibu Moon – Music Box Dancer (Woodman)] (16/3/2/1) – Narazaki Kosuke (Busan) 2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] (6/4/2/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan) 3. Dehere Queen (USA) [Dehere – Connamon Girl (Meadowlake)] (16/3/4/2) – Yukio Abe (Busan) 4. Darani (USA) [Saarland – Dusty’s Legacy (Golden Missile)] (20/3/3/5) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan) 5. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – (14/6/3/3) – Shin Hyung Chul (Seoul) 6. Royale Embrace (USA) [Chapel Royal – Embracing Krissy (Kissin Kris)] (15/6/3/1) – Yoo Hyun Myung (Busan) 7. Geumbi (USA)[Ecton Park – Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] (17/5/5/3) – Han Sung Youl (Seoul) 8. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) [Put It Back – Diamond Heirloom (Pembroke)] (7/3/1/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul) 9. Imperial Star (KOR) [Nihon Pillow Neil – Psychic Girl (Generous)] (15/5/5/3) – Won Jung Il (Seoul) 10. Teukbyeolhwanhui (JPN) [White Muzzle – Western Edge (Woodman)] (26/3/1/6) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul) 11. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadow Bryte (Meadow Lake)] (18/2/4/1) – Kim Dong Kyun (Seoul) 12. Gippeumnuri (USA) [Eurosilver – Regatta Queen (Danzig Connection)] (25/4/2/1) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul) 13. Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charlie – Mirta (Theatrical)] (18/6/2/1) – Gerrit Schlechter (Busan) 14. Yeah Strike (KOR) [Yes It’s True – Whisper Bay (Smart Strike)] (28/6/4/2) – Park Si Cheon (Seoul)
And here’s what’s happening when and where on the peninsula:
Friday June 8
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 9
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday June 10
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Horse Racing in Korea 