Month: September 2017

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 30)

Saturday racing at Seoul: 12 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Not exactly thrilling fare to begin with today but that means it’s very open and we’re looking for something to improve. (7) DIA RUNNER did ok in a couple of starts in Spring and while her latest effort was nothing special, she drops back to 1000M today and looks in the frame. Likewise (1) MORAN DONGBEAK improved on what was just his second start last time out and could develop today. (2) ARGO UNIQUE, (8) DORAON PACHYAI and (10) CHEON NOK are the only ones in the field to have previously recorded 3rd place finishes with the former of those perhaps most likely to repeat or go better. It’s a great race to debut in and as such (12) SEONGUNG, a very late-starter who looked ok in a trial just last week, has to be given a chance.

Selections (1) Moran Dongbeak (2) Argo Unique (12) Seongung (7) Dia Runner
Next Best 8, 10, 3
Fast Start 3, 4, 6, 10

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Katsumi Yoshida-owned (2) BRANDON showed a bit of promise in three outings in late spring and early summer culminating in a 2nd place at this distance. He’s been off since then but returns here as favourite. (7) WIND POWER beat (6) HONEY RUSH as the pair ran 3rd and 4th over the distance on September 2nd and Wind Power looks to be the primary danger here. Honey Rush was six-lengths back that day when sent off as favourite following a good effort the time before and could get back into form. (1) NAEGA JAL NAGA was 4th, his best finish so far, three weeks ago at this distance and can match that here while (5) SUPER COBRA, making just his third start today, steps up in trip for the first time and could benefit.

Selections (2) Brandon (7) Wind Power (6) Honey Rush (5) Super Cobra
Next Best 1, 4
Fast Start 6, 7, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Another race that’s not exactly loaded with talent and therefore, (3) K.N. BLUE, an encouraging 4th on debut at the end of August in a race that was arguably tougher than this, has to be favourite to score under champion jockey Moon Se Young. (2) GASOK SHINHWA showed a bit of talent when 3rd of 7 at this distance on September 2nd on what was just her second outing. She can get on the early speed today from a good draw and can go all the way to get close. Also needing to get on that speed early is (8) BLACK MUSIC, He did that on September 3rd and recorded a 2nd place at this distance, his best finish to date. (1) GIDONG DAEJANG and (10) KWAEDO YEOWANG are others in with a shout of improvement.

Selections (3) K.N. Blue (2) Gasok Shinhwa (8) Black Music (1) Gidong Daejang
Next Best 10, 5
Fast Start 2, 6, 8, 9

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Restricted to two-year-olds and therefore with enhanced prize money but just nine runners. Five of them go for the very first time and it’s to one of those we turn for the pick. It’s generally wise to treat trial times with caution but the manner in which (7) NIKE STREET won her trial two weeks ago suggests she needs to be taken seriously. It was a performance that would have seen her win many actual races and if she brings that to the track today, she’ll win this gate-to-wire. Of the other debut-makers, (6) TAMNA YEOSIN was the one that caught the eye, winning her trial handily. As for the ones who have raced before, (4) BISUL GONGJU finished off well for 4th on debut at the beginning of the month and has to be considered. We’ll expect her to be ridden forward earlier today. (1) JIGONG JEIL was also 4th on her debut a week later although was a bit further back and a little less impressive.

Selections (7) Nike Street (4) Bisul Gongju (1) Jigong Jeil (6) Tanma Yeosin
Next Best 8, 3
Fast Start 4, 7

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(2) MENI TURBO is in danger of contracting a severe case of “second-it is” A pair of runner-up finishes in her first two races saw her up in class and she was then 2nd once more on her first attempt at this level on September 2nd. In fairness, all three who have beaten her so far look decent types and she was only a half-length back last time. She has a good draw today to get away well and we shall give her another chance. Should she end up beaten again, (1) DALLYEORA PACHYAI, who is putting together a fine run of near misses himself and is accordingly up in class today, could be one to take advantage. (8) JILPUNG DOKJU has proven capable of winning money at this class already and should be close again as should (5) HWANSANGUI DOYAK who was 4th behind Meni (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 29)

It’s the final weekend of racing before the “Chuseok” holiday one-week break and that means it’s big fields all round! Twelve runners in every race at Busan on Friday. 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

We get underway with twelve first-timers here. (8) BLUE FLAG is a “full” sister to Gyeongbudaero, one of the best Korea-bred horses in recent years. Her other three-half-siblings have all been winners as well and she could well kick-off her career with victory today having trialed up well. Main danger looks set to be (4) CHEONYEONUITAEYANG who went through a second trial earlier this month and looked to have come on considerably since originally qualifying in August. Others to catch the eye prior to debut are (12) MAJOR ALPHA and (7) APPLE GOLD, both of whom put in decent times in their heats.

Selections (8) Blue Flag (4) Cheonyeonuitaeyang (12) Major Alpha (7) Apple Gold
Next Best 2, 10, 11
Fast Start 4, 7, 8, 12

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tricky maiden this but a few of them have started to show some signs of improvement. (9) BLESS YOU comes in following three solid performances in slightly tougher company than this and the step up in distance for the first time could be exactly what she needs to make the breakthrough. (4) GHOST WARRIOR has already shown ability at this distance with a 2nd and a 3rd place. He’s not a quick starter but should get up to come close again. (12) DAEHO MYEONGGA was a much improved 2nd on his own first try at the distance last start while (6) SEDA and (10) QUEEN STEALTH are among others who could find some more today.

Selections (9) Bless You (4) Ghost Warrior (12) Daeho Myeongga (10) Queen Stealth
Next Best 6, 11
Fast Start 2, 9, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Only one of these has raced before and he did ok. (7) THUNDER STRUCK was 3rd of 12 on September 1st having previously impressed in trials and that’s enough for him to be favoured to get the job done here. Pick of the first-timers is (1) SUMMIT TODAY. She won her trial by nine lengths despite a steady start and 1200M looks the ideal debut distance for her. Distant 2nd in that heat was (5) WHINNY WING and he too could go ok first up although (12) DORAON SAEGANGJA, who beat a couple of these when winning a trial at the start of the month, is likely to be a little more favoured. Also winning a trial was Thomas Gillespie’s (8) HANEOL GONGJU and she is another to keep an eye on.

Selections (7) Thunder Struck (1) Summit Today (8) Haneol Gongju (12) Doraon Saegangja
Next Best 5, 11
Fast Start 3, 7, 12

Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(7) ADELE HERO returned from almost six months off at the start of September to put in his best performance to date, running 3rd on what was his first try at a mile. He’s the slight pick to go two better this time. (6) CAPTAIN GUY is the least experienced in the race with just the one outing behind him. He was slowly away but flew home over 1000M on September 1st to finish 4th, albeit some way behind the first three. He gets to stretch out in distance today and may get much closer. (8) GOOD PARK hasn’t been too far away and is another who may benefit from the step up in trip while the same applies to (10) MANSUN. One who does have experience at this distance is (11) ROYAL TRIPLE and she too may be considered here.

Selections (7) Adele Hero (6) Captain Guy (8) Good Park (11) Royal Triple
Next Best 10, 12
Fast Start 1, 6, 8

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

She has been a touch inconsistent over her seven outings so far but (3) PERFECT DIVA comes in having landed her second runner-up finish on September 1st and looks set to finally get her maiden win here. She won’t lead from the gate but so long as she is handy early, she can win. (6) GABO QUEENS has lost her way slightly in two outings since she beat three of these on her way to her maiden victory in May but she can return to some (more…)

World Sun, Choinma Land Juvenile Series Prizes

World Sun and Choinma set themselves up as front-runners for this year’s Juvenile Honours with the pair claiming big prizes at Busan and Seoul this afternoon. Both came from behind to respectively win the Gold Circle and Gyeonggi Governor’s Trophy.

Neither were favourite but both ran out convincing winners. In the Gold Circle at Busan, Kim Young Kwan’s Classic Match was punter’s overwhelming first choice having impressed on his debut and for much of the race, it looked as though the Hansen colt was going to dominate from gate-to-wire. In the final furlong, however, he began to start tying-up and World Sun, the 6/1 second-favourite, having come from last place easily swept by to win win by an ever-increasing four-lengths. Captain Force, stablemate of Classic Match and half-brother to 2016 Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi, was 3rd.

Gold Circle Trophy – Busan Racecourse – 1200M – September 24, 2017

1. World Sun (KOR) [Officer – Dancing Desire (Mr. Greeley)] – Lim Sung Sil – 6.6, 1.5
2. Classic Match (KOR) [Hansen – Intouchable (Elusive Quality)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.0
3. Captain Force (KOR) [Peace Rules – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] – Jo In Kwen – 2.1
Distances: 4 lengths / 1.5 lengths – 9 ran

At Seoul, Icheon Ssal was sent of as favourite in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. He arrived two for two although much of that was down to the excellence of Johan Victoire’s ride on a soaking wet track last time. It was always going to be harder to get up today.

As it was, Icheon Ssal never came close as Hoeng Un Gol set the early place only to be ground down in the closing stages by second-favourite Choinma who ran on to win by just over a length.

Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1200M – September 24, 2017

1. Choinma (KOR) [Menifee – Kkumaeul (Curia Regis)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.3, 1.4
2. Hoeng Un Gol (KOR) [Forest Camp – Miss Travelin (Lycius)] – Moon Se Young – 2.0
3. Wonderful Jackpot (KOR) [Ingrandire – Endless Heroine (Oath)] – Jang Chu Youl – 2.4
Distances: 1.25 lengths / 3 lengths – 11 ran

Sunday at Seoul also saw another impressive performance by Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor And Serve). The three-year-old was absolutely effortless in winning a class 1 Championship Series race over 1800M by 14-lengths. He moves on to six wins from ten starts and is by far the hottest property at the track right now.

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 24)

Two big Juvenile races take centre-stage Sunday, with both Seoul & Busan staging preps for the Breeders’ Cup Championship race. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 from 12:40 to 17:05.

Busan’s race is the Gold Circle Trophy and has attracted nine runners. Bart Rice’s unbeaten Task Force looks in with a shout although Kim Young Kwan’s Classic Match is likely to begin as favourite. In Seoul it’s the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup and Icheon Ssal is set to be at the head of the market. Also at Seoul, the exciting Cheongdam Dokki goes in race 10. Here’s the race-by-race preview for Seoul:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

3rd on debut all the way back in June, (8) SKY CAMP finally returns to action today and looks to be the one to beat in the opening maiden. (2) CLEAN FLOWER beat (11) BLACK WIND as the pair ran 4th on 5th on what for both of them was their first time on August 26th. There was just a half-length between them and while they were several lengths behind the winner, both were encouraging enough to suggest they can improve. Already showing some improvement is (3) BABY STAR, 4th on her second outing after a lacklustre debut. (7) HESEDEU and (10) GOLDEN RUNNER others who look like having some potential.

Selections (8) Sky Camp (2) Clean Flower (3) Baby Star (11) Black Wind
Next Best 7, 10
Fast Start 7, 8, 10, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

There were seven months between (5) STAR SINBI’s debut and his reappearance but both efforts showed promise and having briefly led close to home over this distance on August 26th, he just got bested by a neck on the line. He is one of three standouts here and has every chance. (8) SHAR NAO was an improved 2nd over this distance three weeks ago and is in the hunt again while the front-running (1) HWANAE JANGSEONG could well get a soft early lead here and can go all the way. The winner should be one of those three but (10) JUNGDONG JIJON and (11) GOLD SEUTAK are not without claims either, at least of a place.

Selections (5) Star Sinbi (8) Shar Nao (1) Hwanae Jangseong (11) Gold Seutak
Next Best 10, 4
Fast Start 1

Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) MUCH MONEY faded a little late on when stepped up to 1700M last month but was still not too far away and should be much happier dropped back in trip today. He may have a habit of finishing 2nd – five times in ten starts – but he is a slight favourite here, ahead of (10) GEUM BONGHWANG, who also steps back in trip today. (4) HUIMANG POINT consistently comes close and should do so again while (12) IN BORN CHAMP comes in following 2nd place at class and distance on August 27th and carries a very light weight under an apprentice jockey. (3) KING PLUCKY is another who had a hard time around two turns last start but should be better today.

Selections (5) Much Money (10) Geum Bonghwang (12) In Born Champ (4) Huimang Point
Next Best 3, 9
Fast Start 1, 3, 6, 9

Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Only two of these have raced before and neither of them (them being (2) FLYING CAR and (7) GAL PYOBEOM) impressed. That leaves us with ten debut-making imports to consider. (4) JEONGSANG BULPAE almost made it to the starting gate back in June but was scratched. He was forced to requalify as a result and he did that with aplomb three weeks ago, running a fast time. Accordingly, we’ll make him favourite here. (1) MYEONGGA JEWANG and (6) BULMYEORUI JEWANG also went well in their heats and (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 23)

It’s an overcast but dry Saturday morning in Seoul. There are 12 races from 10L45 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

3rd on debut on August 12th, (2) PALDO DAERO returns to action here with a good draw and excellent chance of making the breakthrough. He should be on the early speed with (3) SHARP KAYLAN, a little less impressive but still competent enough on his own debut three weeks ago. Sharp Kaylan finished 6th that day, one place behind (1) SPECIAL DREAM and that one too looks likely to make progress here under Antonio Da Silva. (5) BEST MAID is a little more experienced and comes in following back to back 4th place finishes.

Selections (2) Paldo Daero (1) Special Dream (3) Sharp Kaylan (5) Best Maid
Next Best 12, 4
Fast Start 2, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Twelve unraced two-year-olds go round for the first time here and impressive trial winner (6) CALLIOPE is set to start the favourite. The gelding looked good when making all in his heat and if he brings anything like that to the track, he’ll be hard to beat. The only others that really stood out in trials are (7) MUSA and (11) ALL OF ME, both of whom were quick. Moon Se Young’s presence aboard (9) CHEONGDAM QUEENS is also likely to be of interest to some punters.

Selections (6) Calliope (7) Musa (11) All Of Me (9) Cheongdam Queens
Next Best 1, 3, 12
Fast Start 6, 7, 9, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(10) SISPUMA WINNER has come up short when well backed before but if it’s ever going to be his day, it’s today. His 2nd place last start when beaten five lengths over 1700M means that any type of placing today will result in him being put up in class and he’s more likely than not, to bow out of the bottom level a winner. The others will need an uptick in form to beat him. (8) JIGONG JILJU was 3rd in a similarly average contest last time and can repeat while (3) CHAMPION GOLD hasn’t done much in his latest couple but showed good promise in his first two. (5) HAPPY HONEY and (7) BEAUTIFUL ASIA others who could improve.

Selections (10) Sispuma Winner (7) Beautiful Asia (3) Champion Gold (8) Jigong Jilju
Next Best 5, 4
Fast Start 3, 7, 9, 12

Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Only four of these have raced at the distance before but handily for us, they all went in the same race on August 26th. (1) FIRST RUNNER came out the best of them that day, coming 3rd and there’s no reason why he can’t be the first runner home today, likely from on the early speed. (6) DONGSEO GADEUK was 5th that day, just under three lengths back and she could well prove to be the main danger here. The other two who went that day, (3) UJU BADA and (12) SOKBO ONGJU didn’t impress so we’ll look to the ones coming up in trip to find more challengers. (5) MORE RICH could help the champion jockey (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 22)

The weekend’s racing gets underway on Friday with 10 races at Busan from 11:30 to 18:00. Let’s take a look at them:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Bart Rice’s (8) THUNDER DOME has put in a couple of encouraging performances so far and was superior to a couple of these when running 3rd last start on September 1st. He is very much the one to beat here. One of those behind him last time was (3) HAEDONG YEOGEOL. That was a slightly disappointing showing from one who has shown ability and she can get closer today as indeed could the other one, (4) CHOEGOREULHYANGHAE. However, it may be that (7) B.K. MASTER, who has had an interrupted career so far but did ok on his return from a length absence a month ago, turns out to be the main threat.

Selections (8) Thunder Dome (7) B.K. Master (3) Haedong Yeogeol (4) Choegoreulhyanghae
Next Best 9, 12
Fast Start 4, 5, 12

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Nice and competitive race here and the three main contenders actually raced each other last time on September 1st. (10) PINK BLUE came out on top that day, an improved 4th on what was just his second career start and we’ll side with him. He’s started slowly in both races so far so that is a slight concern but so long as he doesn’t leave too much to do, he can win this. (8) BEONKWAE JANGGUN was 6th that day but has already recorded 2nd (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 17)

It’s Sunday! It’s Soeul & Busan! The capital has 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Three debut-makers but it’s the most experienced among the others, (8) FANTASTIC QUEEN, who gets the nod. She was 2nd over this distance on August 20th and should have too much. (3) CHOWON YEOJEONSA and (6) JEONSIN MUKYANG haven’t shown much yet but may be a little more progressed at this stage than the rest although (4) CONKER did show improvement last time. The debut-makers can’t really be backed first-up but at a push, you’d take (7) MACH SEUNGNI as being most likely to run well. 

Selections (8) Fantastic Queen (4) Conker (3) Chowon Yeojeonsa (6) Jeonsin Mukyang
Next Best 2, 7
Fast Start 3, 4, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tricky one here but (6) SIMON RICH perhaps has the edge. He wasn’t too far away when running 4th of eight over this distance two weeks ago and turns around quickly here. He should be on the early pace. (2) MAGGIEUI CHUEOG also improved last time albeit in weak company and can go well once more while (4) SHUMA and (1) C.K. QUEEN should also be in the hunt.

Selections (6) Simon Rich (2) Maggieui Chueog (4) Shuma (1) C.K. Queen
Next Best 5, 7
Fast Start 5, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Big field and any number of prospective winners. (3) YEOKJEONUI SUNGAN was beaten six-lengths by a good winner over this distance on August 20th and just about gets the nod here. She’ll need a good start though. (2) NAMWON QUEEN and (7) RAON MAKER are also likely to be away quickly and can go close while an intriguing entry is (12) BARIME CAMP. She got her maiden win at 1300M at the end of July and steps back in trip (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 16)

There are 12 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. It’s a beauiful sunny morning in the Korean capital so come racing! Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) CHEONGUN ILHO was a decent 5th on her first start back following six months out in August and she can get her maiden breakthrough here. (8) PYEONGCHON CROWN was a solid 4th on debut on July 30th and can build on that today while (3) WONDERFUL LUCKY and (5) ACE TROPHY both look to have scope for improvement.

Selections (1) Cheongun Ilho (8) Pyeongchon Crwon (3) Wonderful Lucky (5) Ace Trophy
Next Best 6
Fast Start 1, 5, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Interesting contest here. (3) REBECCA and (10) MR. KING have both had a few near misses but remain maidens after plenty of starts. They should both be close but of the two, it’s Rebecca who looks to have the stronger claims of getting one in the win column today. They may, however, both find themselves beaten by (9) BROWN BOMBER. He showed promise on debut, finishing 6th of 12 at this distance four weeks ago and should have come for it. (6) FIRST QUEEN and (7) BIG AURORA are others in the frame.

Selections (9) Brown Bomber (3) Rebecca (10) Mr. King (6) First Queen
Next Best 7, 2
Fast Start 3, 5, 7

 Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

 (7) FIORE was just beaten a nose on what was her second career start over 1300M on August 19th. She’ll be strong favourite to score here in this all-juvenile race. Her main threat may come from a first-time starter. (4) THE JIJON was a smart trial winner in August and looks nicely in here first-up.  (3) WILD DRAGON also looked promising in trials and looks an interesting first-timer while (2) OPI WINTER has every chance of building on a reasonably encouraging debut in a valuable race at this distance on August 20th.

Selections (7) Fiore (2) Opi Winter (3) Wild Dragon (4) The Jijon
Next Best 1, 5
Fast Start 3, 4

Race 4: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million 

Stepped back to the minimum trip today, (8) BAEKSAN YEOWANG can get on the early speed and stay on to get her maiden win here over distinctly average opposition. (6) HIGH STAR was 2nd in an even weaker race than this last time and could get close while (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 15)

After last week’s excitement it’s back to more mundane matters this weekend. Racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here’s the race-by-race summary:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tricky little opener and (9) BOLD RULES showed enough in her 3rd place on her debut to suggest that she won’t be sticking around at the bottom level for very long. She can get to the front from the outside gate here and can win. (6) STAR LINE was an improved 2nd on what was his third outing a month ago and can match that today while (1) QUEEN OF CAPTAIN and (5) SILVER LINE can also build on by no means poor debuts. 

Selections (9) Bold Rules (6) Star Line (1) Queen Of Captain (5) Silver Line
Next Best 3, 2
Fast Start 1, 5, 9 


Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Six of the eleven race for the first time here and it’s one of them, (1) CHRISTIANO who is the pick to score on debut. He was quick in trials and could well have too much today. Also impressive in trials was (5) DIVIDE WIND. He’s trained by Kim Young Kwan and is therefore sure to be well-backed first-up. Of the experienced ones, both (10) SMART DANCER and (11) ISLE CAT put in promising runs on their debuts and can build on them here.

Selections (1) Christiano (5) Divide Wind (11) Isle Cat (10) Smart Dancer
Next Best 6, 3
Fast Start 1, 4, 5, 7

 Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

 He’s not been too far off in his latest three and (1) HAENGUN STORY is very much the one to beat here. He should be on the early speed and can go all the way. (7) TONGHAP BULPAE and (3) JANGHAN JILJU ran 3rd and 4th when they raced together at this distance (more…)

Korea Cup & Sprint 2017 – The Review

The 2nd Korea Autumn Racing Carnival took place at Seoul Racecourse over the weekend. There’s no need to re-tell what happened here as pleasingly, the race has received plenty of international coverage, save to say that Yutaka Take guided Graceful Leap to victory in the Sprint while in the Cup, London Town downed last year’s winner Chrysolite to make it a Japanese one-two.

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London Town and Chrysolite dominated for Japan in the Korea Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

On the track, London Town was simply sensational. He came in having broken the 1700M track record at Sapporo less than a month ago and absolutely dominated the Cup, taking well over a second off the Seoul 1800M track record in the process. Last year’s winner Chrysolite had absolutely no answer. That said, the Japanese pair finished a full 17-lengths clear of Papa Shot in 3rd and demonstrated just how good JRA horses, even those not quite at the very top, really are.

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London Town in the Korea Cup Parade Ring (Pic: KRA)

Graceful Leap’s Sprint win was naturally less emphatic but it was still convincing. Korean Triple Crown winner Power Blade ran a huge race in 2nd place and while he was never likely to be as inconvenienced as some others by the wide draw, one can’t help but wonder whether he would have got much closer had he been able to begin from a more favourable gate. Doraonpogyeongseon ran on very nicely too proving himself a real racehorse. In the Cup for Korea, while Champ Line put in a good run, ultimately it was all about Triple Nine as it so often is. He and Power Blade have turned into such good ambassadors for Korean racing that how to replace them when their powers begin to wane is starting to be an issue. But of course, that’s part of what makes racing so fascinating.

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Graceful Leap and Yutaka Take cross the line in the Sprint (Pic: KRA)

The performances of the two American-trained horses was one of the Carnical’s highlights. In the Sprint, The Truth Or Else was drawn in gate 1 but jockey Dylan Davis was forced off the rail and went wide to find a run. He closed very strongly for 4th place and a tidy prize that fully vindicated the decision of his enterprising connections to bring him. Trainer Kenny McPeek was a boisterous presence throughout the week and led his charge in the parade ring himself prior to the race. Picking up an even tidier prize was Papa Shot, 3rd in the Cup despite having to recover from some interference four furlongs out.

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Take returns to scale (Pic: Ross Holburt)

McPeek estimated that The Truth Or Else would be ranked around 20th in terms of sprinters in the United States and one wonders what one ranked even higher could achieve especially as the nature of the Sprint makes it by no means a race that JRA horses will automatically dominate. As for Papa Shot, he’s a very solid horse but no superstar but looks the kind of horse you’d love to own. Bill Nader, representing the man who does own him, Barry K. Schwartz, made the point before the race that Papa Shot had run at all sorts of tracks in the US and almost always gave a good account of himself. Those tough and grinding types can find their reward on the Seoul sand and while at 1800M, it would take something special to beat a JRA horse or a Hong Kong galloper that gets on with the track, a really top American horse might just be able to do it.

One disappointing note was the performances of the Hong Kong horses. With the races being beamed live to a busy Sha Tin, it was a pity that neither Lucky Year nor Circuit Land made any impact in the Sprint and Cup respectively. Circuit Land perhaps had some excuses having been prominent early but was then forced to check with four furlongs to go as a result of a poorly judged manouevre by Lee Chan Ho on Dynamic Jilju. However, Papa Shot was also disadvantaged by that incident and overcame it and jockey Nash Rawiller admitted his mount never really looked to be in the hunt. Meanwhile, Lucky Year didn’t get the start he needed and once the sand started flying, his race was over.

However, Super Jockey won the Sprint last year and both Circuit Land and Lucky Year appeared to pull up fine so hopefully the races will still prove attractive to Hong Kong connections in 2018.

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Graceful Leap (Pic: Ross Holburt)

It was tough too for the French contingent. City Money unfortunately was scratched from the Sprint after picking up an injury between the airport and the racecourse on his way in. Meanwhile Skiperia and Nimr found life difficult in the Cup although Nimr’s 6th was by no means a bad performance. The enthusiasm that all connected with the horses brought, as well as the always jovial presence of “France Sire” providing coverage was a big enhancement to the weekthe always jovial presence of “France Sire” providing coverage was a big enhancement to the week and hopefully more French challengers will return in future.

Promising young Singapore-based trainer James Peters brought across Wimbledon for the China Horse Club. After showing prominently early on under Daniel Moor, he faded in the closing stages but reportedly pulled up fine.

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One thing that is evident is that despite being in just its second year, the Carnival is already establishing itself as an event in its own right to the extent that what happens in the actual races becomes almost secondary. Everyone knows about the track surface by now – it is what it is – and the atmosphere surrounding the whole week was extremely positive.  The travelling international press corps was larger than last year and within Korea, cable network KBS N Sports broadcast highlights of the races in a 75 minute show at 10pm on the day of the race and then repeated it in primetime at 8:20pm on Monday night. There is a feelgood environment about the event that is perhaps only possible with a relatively young race, enthusiastic connections and still a sense of the huge potential that could be realised in future years. That Keeneland go out on a limb to sponsor the race right on the very eve of one of their biggest and most important sales of the year, perhaps demonstrates this.

On to attendance and turnover.  Attendance was actually down on last year but there is a good reason for that. In 2016, the Korean “Chuseok” Thanksgiving holiday – one of only two weekends of the year with no racing – immediately followed the Carnival. Attendance always shows a spike prior to dark weeks as there is no opportunity for a legal punt for the next 12 days. As it was 39,910 paid ($2 each) to come through the gates at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday compared with in excess of 44,000 last year.

Wagering turnover on the day was also down but interestingly, both Cup and Sprint showed slight increases. The Sprint handled 4.37 Billion Won in 2016 to 4.39 Billion Won this time while the Cup went from 4.8 Billion Won last year to 5.12 Billion Won in 2017 and followed the regular pattern of turnover getting bigger as the day progresses (for obvious reasons, turnover on the final race of the day is always the biggest). Local punters find it very hard to handicap international races due to the form being hard to assess but with more familiarity, it appears Korean racegoers are now prepared to have a go.

Internationally, both races were simulcasted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and by Sky Racing in Australia. The Singapore Turf Club took the Sprint as did Malaysia while the entire day was available for betting at the Macau Jockey Club. In the USA, Sky Racing World distributed every race to  ADW’s. TVG Network broadcast both Sprint and Cup. Overall international turnover slightly exceeded domestic turnover (Hong Kong obviously accounting for the vast majority). Dubai Racing TV also screened both big races live.

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Laboum in the winner’s circle (Pic: Ross Holburt)

This is Korea. There needs to be progress year on year. Local assessments will probably focus on the dominance of the Japanese runners and that one fewer country was represented than in its inaugural year (the USA joined but the UK and Dubai didn’t send any runners this time). However, that should be countered by the sheer quality of London Town’s performance and also by the positive showing by the US runners. There’s a year to go until the next Carnival. The Korea Cup & Sprint have not yet come of age, but they are very much on the right course.