Day: September 24, 2017

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…)