Month: April 2016

Sunday Review: Welcome Home For Dubai Two While Dynamic Dash Scores Upset At Busan

Cheongu and Success Story, Korea’s first ever representatives at the Dubai World Cup Carnival were welcomed back to Korea with special ceremonies at their home tracks of Seoul and Busan today.

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Cheongu at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon

The pair could very well clash soon as both are entered in what looks a high quality Busan Ilbo Cup two weeks today. For now though it was about acknowledging their contribution to the development of Korean racing. While Cheongu didn’t race very well in Dubai, he has now taken three overseas trips. Connections could have stayed home and had him pick up plenty of prize money – the standard of Class 1 racing at Seoul right now means a horse of his ability would win plenty – but instead took the sporting option and they are deservedly recognized.

On the track the pick of the action was, at it usually is, at Busan. Doraon Hyeonpyo was sent off as the odds-on favourite for the 1800M class 1 event following three straight wins but after early leader Cowboy Son had to be eased after seemingly going lame rounding the final turn, Dynamic Dash (Pleasantly Perfect) took things up under jockey Lim Sung Sil. While Doraon Hyeonpyo (Colors Flying) would close purposefully in the closing stages, he was left wanting by just under a length on the line.

Dynamic Dash, a four-year-old American bred colt, was winning for the eighth time on what was his seventeenth start. Bathsheba Park was back in 3rd with old favourite Gamdonguibada a solid 4th.

Earlier at Busan there had been an eye-catching win for another US import. A $47,000 purchase from Ocala last June, First Magical (First Dude) finally made his debut in race 3. And he was in cruise control throughout as he made all to score by a full ten lengths. He’s one to watch. Another to watch is filly Hoseungjibyeok (Didyme). She slipped tamely to her first defeat in an Oaks trial last month but found her way back to the winner’s circle with dismissive ease in race 4. She has four wins from five starts.

At Seoul, where the annual cherry blossom festival was in full swing amidst a filthy dust-storm that has been raging for three days now, what the class 1 feature lacked in quality it made up for in in its tight finish. In the end though, favourite Space Port (Pleasant Tap) just did enough to get home by a head with the first four within less than a length of each other. Space Port was ridden by Park Tae Jong who now needs just six more to become the first Korean jockey ever to reach 2000 career wins.

Besides, there were other things to worry about at Seoul:

Stakes racing returns to Seoul next week in the shape of the Herald Business Cup.

Busan Friday Review: Buho Is Back!

Buho, winner of five races from eight as a three-year-old in 2014, strode back into the winner’s circle as a five-year-old at Busan Racecourse this afternoon.

Buho (Vicar), a half-brother of 2008 KRA Cup Mile winner Rainmaker, last won under Joe Fujii on December 21, 2014. That was his fifth win of that year. Unfortunately he would then suffer an injury and 2015 was spent in surgery and rehabilitation. He finally returned to action on January 2nd this year over 1800M. It was too much too soon.

Today was different. Back at 1200M, Buho practically made all to beat favourite Pureun Ace by a length in the class 2 race 10. It was another winner for the Kim Young Kwan/Kim Young Kwan trainer and jockey combination who won the KRA Cup Mile with Power Blade last Sunday.  Buho moves on to six wins from ten career starts.

Also winning for the first time since 2014 was Ready When You Are (In Summation), who claimed race 9 back from a six-month at odds of 22/1. Up and comer World Champion (Didyme) stepped up in class and distance to stroll race 8. Any doubts that the half-brother to last year’s Korean Oaks winner Jangpung Parang would get two turns were dispelled as the ever so modestly named colt landed his fifth win from seven starts. Where he is pointed next could be very interesting indeed.

Speaking of Oaks winners, today’s race 3 winner Power Champ (Menifee) is out of the 2008 winner Jeolho Chance. 3rd in today’s race was Noble Warrior (Biwa Shinseiki). Noble Warrior is owned by Joe Dallao and the American finds himself a prize-money winning owner for the first time. It looked for a moment as though the three-year-old gelding might just get home in front but it wasn’t to be. Even so, it was a very creditable performance by Noble Warrior – who was well prepared and entered by trainer Bart Rice – and whose jockey was sporting Dallao’s colours for the first time:

Busan Friday: Race By Race Preview

The weekend racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a ten-race card from 12:40 to 19:00.

English racecards can be found here. Notes on races 2-10 are below:

Race 2: Class 6 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 13:25 (KST) 

(11) CHOEGANG DREAM was sent off an odds-on favourite for his debut in January. He didn’t start well but finished creditably enough to make 3rd. He’s had a couple more months off since and comes in here looking to have a chance. (1) BEOLMAUI SIN has also just started once, that was only two weeks ago when he ran 5th of 14 over this distance. He can improve today. (10) BUGYEONG DOLPUNG has been coming closer with a 4th and a 3rd from his last two attempts. A big danger though will be (8) DANCING STAR. A much improved 4th on what was her 2nd start last month, she will set the pace here and can go well. (2) DORAON GANGJA is another who has shown glimpses of talent in two starts to date and can improve.

Favourites: (11) Choegang Dream (1) Beolmaui Sin (8) Dancing Star (10) Bugyeong Dolpung
Next Best: 2, 5,
Outsiders: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12
Fast Starters: 8, 10

Race 3: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 14:10 (KST)

A host of perennial non-winners here so it is perhaps best to look at those that have done the least wrong so far. (11) DANGCHAN JILJU fits the bill in that regard, finishing an improved 5th last time, four lengths ahead of (4) WINNING OFFICER, and can be in contention today. (7) GOLD RUSH has a 5th and three 6th place finishes in stronger company than this while (1) NOBLE WARRIOR was 7th of 14 on his second run in March, six months after his first. He didn’t quicken in the closing stages that day but should have come on for the run and is in weaker company today. Among the more experienced ones, (6) KWAEHAN EUTTEUM can be looking to match the 3rd place over this distance she achieved last month while (5) FOREST TAEYANG, the only one of these to have a 2nd place to his name, should go forward early and can be considered. (9) POWER CHAMP showed some promise in four runs last summer and returns today following seven months out.

Selections: (11) Dangchan Jilju (7) Gold Rush (1) Noble Warrior (6) Kwaehan Eutteum
Next Best: 5, 9, 3, 2
Outsiders: 4, 8, 10
Fast Starters: 2, 5, 11

Race 4: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:00 (KST)

A competitive even that brings together a number of up and comers. (4) ROCKET BLADE was a winner on debut in January and has performed creditably in three starts at this class since, beating three of these when finishing 3rd at 1300M last time. He will look to come from just off the pace and looks the one to beat here. (2) WORLD FLASH and (7) GOLDEN LEO are both up in class following maiden victories last start. The former was more eye-catching when scoring a five-length victory at this distance and will be better fancied to repeat. Having said that, Golden Leo finished very strongly to get the better of (11) SAEBYEOK STAR at the minimum distance. Saebyeok Star is yet to win but has two 3rds and that 2nd to his name and should be competitive here too. (6) UNFLAGGING HEART, a five-length winner at the distance on Christmas Day, will be fancied to overturn the form on (12) SEUNGNI ICON, who she finished behind last time.

Selections: (4) Rocket Blade (2) World Flash (7) Golden Leo (6) Unflagging Heart
Next Best: 11, 12, 10
Outsiders: 1, 3, 5, 8, 9
Fast Starters: 2, 5, 11, 12

Race 5: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 15:50 (KST)

(4) THE QUEEN disappointed on her first try at this class on March 11th, only managing 6th when sent off as favourite. She gets another chance in weaker company today. (3) KKEUTPAN DAEJANG has shown signs of being ready to get back in the winner’s circle and drops down to the minimum distance for the first time in a long time follow a 2nd place last start over 1200M and is the main danger. (6) CLEAN GONGJU never really got going over 1200M last month but can be given another chance here. All the others will need to find plenty but somebody has to take the minor money and (1) LONG STRIDE is perhaps best of the rest.

Selections: (4) The Queen (3) Kkeutpan Daejang (6) Clean Gongju (1) Long Stride
Next Best: 5, 7, 2
Outsiders:
Fast Starters: 3, 4

Race 6: Class 5 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 16:40 (KST)

Plenty of up and comers here. (12) SAEROUN STEALTH was a winner on debut over 1000M at the end of December and comes in following a 2nd and a 3rd place in his last two starts. Although well beaten by good winners in both, he is favoured to get his second win here trying the distance for the first time. (10) MR. SPENDING got his maiden victory the same day Saeroun Stealth did and with a 3rd and two 4ths in three subsequent starts must be strongly considered. He’s twice beaten (1) DOCHI, himself a winner in January and another who looks to have more improvement in him despite letting punters down when well backed both times since. Likely pace-setter is (2) ONLY BLUE, another who tries the distance for the first time and if he stays on, can go well. (9) MINE is the other one to look out for. An impressive winner at 1200M in February, she was 4th at 1300M a month ago and should enjoy the extra half furlong today.

Selections: (12) Saeroun Stealth (10) Mr. Spending (2) Only Blue (9) Mine
Next Best: 1, 11, 6, 3, 5
Outsiders: 4, 7, 8
Fast Starters: 2, 6, 8

Race 7: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 17:20 (KST)

(10) HAEUNDAE GISANG got her second win in four starts last month and is sent out against imported opposition for her first try at class 4. It looks a shrewd entry as she should have too much for this limited field. She will be strong favourite and will likely look to lead the whole way. (9) CHEONMA CHUPUNGO is yet to win in fourteen outings but was a useful 3rd last start and in this company should at least match that. Also 3rd last start was Japanese import (12) GOLD BLUE. It was the filly’s debut and she showed enough to suggest she should be much shorter than the almost 50/1 she was that day. (4) JAYU DAERO was 5th in a very similar race at 1200M on March 11th and can match or better that here while (5) ARION METAL made his first appearance of the year behind Cheonma Chupungo last month and should have come on for it.

Selections: (10) Haeundae Gisang (12) Gold Blue (9) Cheonma Chupungo (5) Arion Metal
Next Best: 4, 6, 8
Outsiders: 1, 2, 3, 7, 11
Fast Starters: 3, 8, 10

Race 8: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:00 (KST)

(8) WORLD CHAMPION is up in class and distance today having won four of his six starts to date and finishing 2nd in the other two. Half-brother to an Oaks winner, the distance shouldn’t be a problem. Trainer Kim Young Kwan shuffles his jockeys and Choi Si Dae rides for the first time but the colt should looks capable here. Main danger is (7) DONGNAM CHEONHA, 3rd behind KRA Cup Mile winner Power Blade a couple of starts ago and a good 2nd at this distance last month. This two are a significant cut above the rest. (1) BEOLMA SONYEON and the down in class today (5) YANKEE DREAM are perhaps best placed for the minor money.

Selections: (8) World Champion (7) Dongnam Cheonha (1) Beolma Sonyeon (5) Yankee Dream
Next Best: 3, 4
Outsiders: 2, 6
Fast Starters: 8

Race 9: Class 3 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 18:30 (KST)

(8) B.K. PHIL won his first two races at the turn of the year and was 3rd at class and distance last start. He likes to lead and if he can get forward early, he will be tough to get past. (7) BAEKDU was disappointing on his first start of 2016 over 1800M just two weeks ago but should go much better dropped down to 1200M today. (4) AJU CHOEGANG has shown plenty in three outings so far and is another who will look to get forward early while (6) YOU’RE HILARIOUS makes his first start of the year and looked sharp when winning a recent trial. (5) HANBANDO JEONGBOK returns after a couple of months spelled and can improve.

Selections: (8) B.K Phil (7) Baekdu (4) Aju Choegang (6) You’re Hilarious
Next Best: 5, 11
Outsiders: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Fast Starters: 3, 4, 5, 8

Race 10: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 19:00 (KST)

(2) PUREUN ACE beat six of these when racing 2nd over a mile on March 11th and as such must be strongly considered to go one better this time. (12) GYEOUL WANGGUK was one of those beaten but came back out just two weeks ago, also over a mile and was a 15/1 winner and therefore must be respected. (7) SEMPER FI has won just three of twenty-one outings but very rarely misses the money and there’s no reason why he should today. The wildcard is (9) BUHO. The winner of five from eight as a three-year-old in 2014, he missed all of last year. He returned indifferently over 1800M last month but mustn’t be overlooked here. (4) UBAKI and (6) SANGSEUNG MODE, 4th in that race behind Pureun Ace, are the others to look out for. (3) NAMHAE SINHWA returns for the first time since last year’s KRA Cup Mile – he was talented but it may be best to take a watching brief first up.

Selections: (2) Pureun Ace (7) Semper Fi (9) Buho (12) Gyeoul Wangguk
Next Best: 4, 6, 11
Outsiders: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10
Fast Starters: 4, 7, 9

Power Blade The Sharpest In KRA Cup Mile

Power Blade once more defeated stablemate Ottug Ottugi to claim the first leg of the 2016 Korean Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile, at Busan Racecourse on Sunday.

Last year’s champion juvenile, Power Blade was sent off as the odds-on favourite and was always very handy as Ottug Ottugi and outsider Gasok Engine set the early pace. Banjiui Jewang, expected to be prominent, sat just behind but failed to make a run in the home straight and would trail home in 7th place.

Instead it was left to the Kim Young Kwan pair to battle it out and just over a furlong out, Power Blade did look under pressure for a time. Ottug Ottugi, the only filly in the race and trying the distance for the first time would crack though and Power Blade ran on for a four-length win with the filly a brave second.

Stealth, a 25/1 shot, ran a huge race in 3rd  under Ikuyasu Kurakane, getting up from the back along with Zettabyte who came home 4th. Ever In Ever came a solid 5th, leading home Seoul’s top finisher. the 120/1 outsider Theme Deunggeuk. Behind them, the field was strung out.

Power Blade has now won five of his seven starts and is likely to head back to Seoul as favourite for the Korean Derby on May 15th. Already a winner at the Derby-distance of 1800M, he is going to be tough to stop. Ottug Ottugi showed that she has developed and a mile is within her capabilities. She’ll also need to get 1800M the Oaks in June.

The Kim Young Kwan training dominance of the top races continues. Today’s Cup Mile was his 28th Grade race winner – by far a Korean record. Kim rotates his jockeys – partly as he believes it benefits his horses although many suspect ensuring none of the top ones commit to another trainer also plays its role. Today’s rider Kim Yong Geun can’t complain too much though; today was his 9th Graded win – all of them coming on Kim Young Kwan-trained horses.

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – April 3, 2016

1. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong] – YK Kim – Kim Yong Geun – 1.7, 1.1
2. Ottug Ottugi (KOR) [Forest Camp – Main Objective] – YK Kim – Choi Si Dae – 2.1
3. Stealth (KOR) [Colors Flying – Missed The Tower] – SY Lee – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 4.7
Distances: 4 lengths / 2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Zettabyte 5. Ever In Ever 6. Theme Deunggeuk 7. Banjiui Jewang 8. Gongryong 9. Gasok Engine 10. Dyna’s Dream 11. Smart Gentleman 12. Argo Flying

Triple Crown R1 – KRA Cup Mile: Runner-By-Runner Preview

A field of twelve – eleven colts and one filly – will line up at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon for the the first leg of the 2016 Korean Triple Crown. 

Power Blade Banjiui

Power Blade beat Banjiui Jewang at Seoul in the Breeders’ Cup in November (Pic: Ilgan Sports/KRA)

Three are from Seoul and nine from the host track. Power Blade, champion juvenile of 2015 is likely to be sent off as the favourite. The race is race 6 on a 7-race card at Busan which gets underway at 12:20pm. There are also 10 races at Seoul from 10:50. The race will be shown live in Australia on Sky Racing 2 along with another couple of races (preview of those here).

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – Sunday April 3, 2016 (16:40)

1. Gongryong [Revere – Parisilton (Woodman)] (7/4/1/0) DS Bae – Moon Se Young
Likely to be Seoul’s best hope, Moon Se Young coming to ride is a plus. Gongryong (which means “Dinosaur”) come sin having won hislast three including last time at 1700M by a full four lengths. Unique among the field, he will want to be right at the back from the start and he could find the money

2. Ever In Ever [Sharp Humor – Habidongju (Silent Warrior)] (6/3/2/1) KY Baik – Seo Seung Un
This one has slipped a little under the radar having begun his career a little too late to run in the big juvenile races last autumn. He’s won three of six and last time was just beaten a head in a quick race at a mile having led for most of the way. He goes forward and a place is possible.

3. Stealth [Colors Flying – Missed The Tower (Woodman)] (8/4/0/1) SY Lee – Ikuyasu Kurakane
A winner at a mile on Boxing Day by a full five lengths inindifferent company, he won a solid race over 1400M last time. Should be content to let others lead here as any involvement in an early pace battle would be to his detriment, he has a very good jockey on board but is an outsider.

4. Theme Deunggeuk [Menifee – Pilseung Giwon (Silent Warior)] (7/2/3/1) JK Park – Park Eul Woon
He’s won two of his last three at Seoul, making all last time to win by six lengths at 1400M. Big step up today though. Likely to one of the very many looking to get forward early.

5. Smart Gentleman [Menifee – Hennesy N Lime (Limehouse)] (8/4/1/2) JS Kim – Makoto Okabe
Distance is a question mark with this one. He is competent at sprints but has only tried further than 1200M on one occasion and came 4th. Temptation would be to go out as fast as possible and try to cling on for as long as possible, but he does have a smart jockey on board.

6. Dyna’s Dream [Meiner Select – Dyna’s Gold Legend (Gold Legend)] (7/3/2/0) SB Han – Jo Chang Wook
He comes in following three consecutive victories but he really hasn’t beaten very much along the way and with the exception of last time, has been allowed to dictate. That won’t happen today. Never tried at further than 1300M, distance will also be a doubt. He may well leave the early speedsters to get on with it and try to come from just behind.

7. Argo Flying [Colors Flying – Proper Prospector (Crafty Prospector)] (3/1/1/1) JY Heo – Kim Dong Soo
He hasn’t done anything wrong but this is surely too much too soon. Got his maiden win last start at class 6 over 1000M. At least connections are having a go which is more than can be said for plenty at Seoul but success is unlikely.

8. Banjiui Jewang [Ecton Park – Sweetoil (Broken Vow)] (5/4/1/0) PM Wolsley – Pasquale Borelli
Big chance. He was 2nd to Power Blade in the Juvenile Championship race at Soeul last Noveber and has won his two starts since with an eight-length stroll last time out over a few decent older horses. Tried at the distance for the first time but hell get that and further. Good speed too. Goes forward and he is a big threat to the favourite.

9. Gasok Engine [Forest Camp – Cat Lea (Cat Thief)] (6/4/1/0) JS Kim – Lim Sung Sil
A winner of four of six but he didn’t go well at 1400M last time. Another who needs to go forward and it may just be too competitive here. He has a lot to find

10.Power Blade [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] (6/4/2/0) YK Kim- Kim Yong Geun
The champion juvenile will be the favourite and likely a strong one. Has beaten the next two in the betting, Banjiui Jewang and Ottug Ottugi and and won really well at 1800M against older horses last time out. He doesn’t need to get involved in any early speed battle and will look to ease to the front on the long turn for home. He is beatable but hard to bet against.

11. Ottug Ottugi [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] (7/5/1/0) YK Kim – Choi Si Dae
Power Blade’s stablemate, she just held on to beat him in Busan’s top juvenile race at 1200M before failing to stay on at 1400M in Seoul a month later. She’s won a couple since though including an Oaks trial last start. Beating a few fillies at 1400M is different to beating Power Blade at a mile but she is developing and there is a feeling she can get this distance. She’s fast and even from gate 11, can get forward.

12. Zettabyte [Menifee – Fight Back (Sakura Seeking)] (7/3/2/1) KM Lim – You Hyun Myung
Beaten by Power Blade and Ottug Ottugi in December shes won two since very handily indeedincluding at a mile last time out. She does have plenty to find here and she goes best when she leads early which will be hard here but she has a chance.

Dean Holland Off The Mark At Seoul

Aussie jockey Dean Holland rode his first Korean winner at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon. It arrived on his tenth mount in the country and his first well fancied one. 

The first week can often be somewhat of an ordeal for foreign jockeys in Korea and while Holland got a decent number of rides last weekend, none of the six he was legged up onto had anything remotely resembling a chance. Observers noted, however, that he put each of them into the spot they needed to be before their limitations prevented them from going any further.

Today, Holland rode six more horses. Four of them had no chance, one of them an outside chance of some minor prize money and one of them a good chance. The good chance was Seungjahwanhui (Exploit), sent off as second-favourite in race 9. Having drawn the inside gate, the 27-year-old rider took Seungjahwanhui straight to the front and never looked like being headed as they made all to win by over two lengths on the line.

Hopefully that will be the first of many. Holland has six more rides on the Sunday card at Seoul.

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Busan Sunday Sky Racing Notes

Sunday sees the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile – or “Korean 2000 Guineas”, as it’s sometimes known, at Busan. It’s one of three races which will be available to Australian punters and will be shown on Sky Racing 2.

English racecards for both Seoul and Busan are available here. Comments on the three simulcast races below (an additional runner by runner guide to the Cup Mile will be posted later):

Race 4: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:55 (KST)

(3) MIRACLE BOLT will be the strong favourite here. She comes in here looking for her fourth straight victory having practically made all in each of her last three. The one concern is that all three of those have been at 1000M; her first three winless starts were all at today’s distance, however, she should have come on enough to overcome that. If she is to be beaten, the best candidate is (5) DAEHOYEOJANGGUN. She’s finished no worse than 3rd in any of her last eight races and will join Miracle Bolt in going forward. She may well have to settle for her seventh 2nd place though. Racing in 4th behind Daehoyeojanggun last start was (7) PICO AEGIS and she can go close again while (9) MASTER KEY beat a couple of these when running 3rd at this distance a month ago. (8) KWAEHAN JILJU is up in class and makes his first appearance since a narrow victory over 1400M on Christmas Day. The very experienced (1) COUPLE is the wildcard; down in class today after a lengthy campaign at class 3.

Selections: (3) Miracle Bolt (5) Daehoyeojanggun (9) Master Key (8) Kwaehan Jilju
Next Best: 7, 1, 4
Outsiders: 2, 6
Fast Starters: 3, 5, 6

Race 5: Class 4 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:45 (KST)

(8) SISEON POCHAK debuted with a win all the way back on his debut last July and while he has come close time and again since – he’s only once finished worse than 3rd – he hasn’t quite been able to follow up. That can change here. Busan’s champion trainer Kim Young Kwan partners with Seoul’s champion jockey Moon Se Young, Siseon Pochak can get forward here and can make all. Australian trainer Peter Wolsley’s (7) COTTINPICKINGOOD has shown glimpses of talent in two starts to date and the greater distance may be exactly what he needs. (3) DEVIL KING dead-heated for 2nd place at class and distance a month ago and will be shorter than the 26/1 he was that day while (2) ROYAL VICTOR and (5) WONDERFUL CAPTAIN look the best of the rest.

Selections: (8) Siseon Pochak (7) Cottinpickingood (3) Devil King (2) Royal Victor
Next Best: 5, 1, 4
Outsiders: 6, 9
Fast Starters: 8, 9

Race 6: Class Open / 1600M / The KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Allowance / KRW 500 Million / 16:40 (KST)

The first leg of the 2016 Korean Triple Crown series for three-year-olds will likely see last year’s champion juvenile (10) POWER BLADE sent off as strong favourite. Already a winner at 1800M, the mile will be no problem – he’s going to get much further – and he has beaten his two main rivals here. There are a lot of fast starters in this race but Power Blade should be able to sit handy early on and will be very difficult to beat. Power Blade’s stablemate (11) OTTUG OTTUGI is the only filly involved and comes in having dominated an Oaks trial last month at 1400M. She has shown the best speed of any in the race but at this stage the distance is an issue; while she was fine at 1400M against those fillies, taking on Power Blade at a mile is different prospect.

One that can combine has shown both speed and a strong likelihood to get the distance is (8) BANJIUI JEWANG. Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley has saddled one Classic winner before and this could be his second. He was 2nd to Power Blade in the Juvenile Championship race in Seoul last November and was a facile winner over 1400M in respectable company last start. A big chance.

Seoul sends three representatives and by far the most likely looking is (1) GONGRYONG. That champion jockey Moon Se Young has given up a weekend of winners in the capital to partner him could be seen as a tip in itself but Gongryong will need to find more than he has shown before when defeating average Seoul-based horses. That said, he was an impressive four-length winner over 1700M last start and can be respected. He will go right back at the start which could be to his benefit if others over-race early.

(2) EVER IN EVER has come up somewhat under the radar, starting too late to race in the big juvenile races last autumn but was only beaten a head at a mile last time. (12) ZETTABYTE is a winner at the distance and looks to have more improvement in him.

Selections: (8) Banjiui Jewang (10) Power Blade (11) Ottug Ottugi (1) Gongryong
Next Best: 12, 2, 5, 6, 9
Outsiders: 3, 4, 7
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

Busan Friday Review

With only a couple of exceptions, the betting favourites had things their way on a warm Spring afternoon at Busan on Friday. It was a good day too for trainer Bart Rice.

Standout performance came from Indian Star (Adcat) in the closing race 10. The filly had won seven of her ten previous starts but was up to class 1 for the first time.Perhaps benefiting from the absence of the scratched Miracle Line, the four-year-old was able to go off to an easy lead in the 1400M handicap; a lead she would never give up as she raced on to win by three lengths.

Also performing well was Tongil Sidae (Munnings). He and fellow US import Wonderful Today (also by Munnings) both came into race 8 looking for a hat-trick of wins but it was Tongil Sidae who prevailed in the 1800M class 2 contest. He’s now won four of six starts.

Finishing in 3rd place in that race was Bart Rice’s Choegangiji. And it was a solid day’s work for the South African trainer and jockey Chae Sang Hyun with the pair reaming up to good effect on three occasions.

Rice’s filly Blue Cat (One Cool Cat) may be a little frustrating in terms of her results but she is certainly gutsy. Up in class despite being yet to win – she scored two 2nd places at class 6 – she put in a solid effort in race 4 to get her third consecutive 2nd place. One race later, Rice and Chae went one better with 23/1 outsider Yaksokui Sigan (Exploit) getting the best of one of the tightest three-way photo finishes possible. Showing that there’s plenty of hope for Blue Cat, Yaksokui Sigan was landing his maiden win at the 18th time of asking.

In other races, there was a rare pairing of Busan’s champion trainer Kim Young Kwan with Seoul’s champion jockey Moon Se Young. Moon is down south to ride in the KRA Cup Mile on Sunday and he partnered Kim’s Evangeline (Menifee), a half-sister of Stakes winner Magic Dancer, to victory in race 9.

Speaking of the KRA Cup Mile, we’ll have a full runner by runner preview of the first leg of the 2016 Korean Triple Crown up tomorrow.