It’s Dokki Day in Seoul! Cheongdam Dokki roared back into form winning the Herald Business Cup a month ago. On Sunday afternoon he faces familiar rivals in the G3 YTN Cup. The YTN is the feature on a 14-race Sunday program which runs from 10:25 to 18:00, There is also a 5-race card at Busan. Here are the previews:
Cheingdam Dokki beat Tiz Plan, Shamrocker (hidden) and Rock Hard Seven in the Herald Business. All four return in the YTN (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
Twelve juvenile maidens go around in the opener with all but one racing for the very first time. This is one of those occasions, however, when we need to side with experience because (10) OXFORD KING put in an extremely encouraging debut on June 21st, finishing in 2nd place at this distance. The Summer Front colt previously posted trial times that were quicker than any of the first-timers here have managed and despite the wide draw, he should win. As for those first-timers, (3) BRIGHT VICTOR won her trial leading all the way and can be expected to push for the early lead here from a favourable draw. (1) K N TEUKGEUP looked comfortable in his heat when recording a useful time and the trainer/jockey combination will ensure he has plenty of support first up. (9) THE KING BLADE and (11) ROYAL YEONGGWANG are others to keep an eye on.
| Selections | (10) Oxford King (1) K N Teukgeup (3) Bright Victor (9) The King Blade |
| Next Best | 11, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The Korean-bred three-year-old gallopers line up in the second event. (5) ROCK BEAT looks hard to beat after finishing second on debut last start behind Wonderful Storm, when clocking a quick time. The filly sat on speed last start, barrier five will allow rider Ha Jung-hun to let his mount roll forward and ask her for an effort at the top of the straight. (8) AFLEET MARINE finished just behind Rock Beat last start finishing third in the same event. The filly settled further back however before making up ground in the second half of the race. (4) SPRING COME resumes after finishing second back in February before the hiatus. The chestnut trialed up in fair style, with a good draw he should get an economic run and is capable of filling a place. (6) LEGEND WIN drops back to the five furlongs after finishing third behind Yaho Golden Cat last start. He tried to lead throughout last start, we imagine the tactics here will be to work forward early and try and hold off the late runs of his opposition.
| Selections | (5) Rock Beat (8) Afleet Marine (4) Spring Come (6) Legend Win |
| Next Best | 7, 3 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Competitive maiden for three-year-olds here. (3) GRACE QUEEN ran a good 3rd on debut on June 20th at this distance and although well back behind a good winner, showed progress from her trials and she looks like she’ll be in the winner’s circle before too long. She’ll be aiming to get on pace from the start and she can win. (1) K.N. POWER ran 5th in the same race and also has scope for improvement. Across her trials and debut she’s looked like she may want further but will be competitive again in this company. (4) BEST FAMILY was slightly slower in her debut on June 21st but rallied well for 4th and can build on that today. Draw a line through the performance of (9) EAST ONE three weeks ago as he stumbled at the start and never really recovered. He has found the minor placings a couple of times already though and should go close here. (11) MAY BLUE looks to be figuring things out and ran a strong 3rd at this distance two weeks ago. The draw does her no favours but if she overcome that to get a forward position, she has more than a chance. (2) POTENTIAL ENERGY caught the eye when winning a June trial and looks set to improve.
| Selections | (3) Grace Queen (1) K. N. Power (11) May Blue (9) East One |
| Next Best | 2, 4, 12 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Another bunch of three-year-old gallopers line up in the fourth, this time going over the 1400m. (3) OLD BLADE looks the one to beat after showing a good turn of foot last time out to finish second behind Blue K. She should appreciate the services of Moon Se-young combined with the minor step up to the 1400m. (12) THE DREAM looks next best after sitting on speed when resuming and finishing second to Top Seed. The chestnut will have to overcome the outside gate early to be given a winning chance. (2) POWER MUSIC hit the line well last start when fifth in the event that Old Blade lined up in. If the filly can settle closer she can run into the money. (6) THUNDER WIND looks next best after finishing second behind Meotjin Seungbu. The time was not overly quick but he appears and each way commodity in the race.
| Selections | (3) Old Blade (12) The Dream (2) Power Music (6) Thunder Wind |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 12 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(4) BALBATU steps up in class having secured his maiden win at the third time of asking over 1200M on June 20th. He actually started poorly that day, spotting his rivals a few lengths with a lazy start but went on to run them down pleasingly and that suggests the increase in trip won’t trouble him unduly today. (7) SPEED HEUKRYONG drops back in trip having run 2nd to Milky Sherry over 1700M on June 20th. He put in a strong front-running performance in that race and can be expected to be on speed again with solid claims to be involved at the business end of the race. (5) LUXURY CAPTAIN has a track record of being a bit of a pain to deal with as he proved two weeks ago when starting badly and then racing ungenerously throughout. He does have a bit of talent about him though and with improved manners can be a danger. (1) GOD OF SOCKS resumes for the first time since the restart and is another with ability in this company. (8) BARAMUI MISO and (9) FLYING JOY others in the placing frame. There is very little early speed engaged here so the latter of that pair may find it easy to get to the front.
| Selections | (4) Balbatu (7) Speed Heukryong (1) God Of Socks (8) Baramui Miso |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
The three-year-old imports line up in the second event as they all look for their maiden victory. (2) ARA ROSE resumed in good style last time out when clocking a quick time to finish second behind Geuma Mystic. She positioned behind the speed last time out before hitting the line strong, a similar performance from a handy draw should see her go close. (4) WORLD TOP resumes after a good trial in April. At his last start he finished third behind Babel Hit over the 1200m, back in February. He sat closer to the speed at his second start which he should be able to do so once again with a good draw. (7) HWANHUIUI BANSEOK lines up for his first race start after a couple of trials. They clocked a fair time in his most recent trial suggesting he can run into the money. (1) ROYAL PENNANT comes out of the same race as Ara Rose where the chestnut finished fifth, yielding some ground in the straight. If he can show some improvement, he can collect a cheque.
| Selections | (2) Ara Rose (4) World Top (7) Hwahuiui Banseok (1) Royal Pennant |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4 |
Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
The fillies and mares will line up against each other in the sixth where there is plenty of speed engaged. (5) JEONGSEONG STAR resumes after an encouraging first preparation. The filly placed on numerous occasions before being promoted to this grade, where she broke maiden status last start over the 1200m. She trialed up in fast time in April and looks ready to put her best foot forward fresh. (11) GOOD WONDER looks one that will take some improvement out of her first up effort. The Hawk Wing filly tried to lead when first up last start before the gauge read empty at the furlong pole. She is a very speedy type out of the gates and with some improvement should be treated as an each way chance. (1) LION YEOJE was one paced when resuming four weeks back. The filly performed well at her first two starts prior to the racing hiatus. Connections have elected to go over the 1300m once again. Keep her safe in your selections, but she will need to improve to win. (8) BAEKSAN THUNDER looks next best with the two minor placings next to her name from five starts. She should be able to park behind the speed and hit the line late.
| Selections | (5) Jeongseong Star (11) Good Wonder (1) Lion Yeoje (8) Baeksan Thunder |
| Next Best | 6, 12 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 11, 12 |
Busan Race 3: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) RISING BOY beat three of these on July 5th on his way to a five-length victory at class and distance. That win did not escape the attention of the handicapper and he goes up a full 4kg today. It is a slight concern as he struggled under 57.5kg two weeks previously but that was first-up and he could well have come on fitness wise. (1) JET DIA ran a good 3rd in that race but he has almost eight-lengths to make up and despite the weight swing, he may be hard pushed to achieve that. A greater danger may be (4) ULTRA POWER. The Eurosilver colt also enters a class and distance winner having scored over Choegang Touch on June 21st. He too gets a working over from the handicapper but has solid claims nonetheless under Djordje Perovic. Jo In-kwen rode Ultra Power to that win but today rides (7) DRAGON NINE, who ran 3rd in that same race. He will aim to lead and has at least placing chances again. (3) TANGENT is a solid competitor and shouldn’t be far away.
| Selections | (5) Rising Boy (4) Ultra Power (3) Tangent (1) Jet Dia |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 7, 10, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
An evenly matched race here with plenty in with a live chance. We’re going to go with the up and comers though. (3) ROAD RAN won on debut all the way back last October before finishing 5th on her first try at this class over 1300M in February having shown prominently until the closing stages. She looked well when making all in a June trial and can return to winning ways today. (4) TIZ CITY won a trial too during the shutdown and returned to racing action on June 20th running well for 3rd at this distance, coming from well off the pace. He has a nice turn of foot and will likely be ridden closer to the pace today. He has solid claims. (8) PRETTY JOY also ran creditably upon resumption three weeks ago, finishing 4th in an all-filly race at this distance. She’ll need to improve here but has demonstrated good speed in the past. (7) BOMNALUI GIEOK and (11) JANGSU NABOM are both very consistent money winners and both should be involved here with the latter having impressed more in trials during the hiatus.
| Selections | (3) Road Ran (4) Tiz City (8) Pretty Joy (11) Jangsu Nabom |
| Next Best | 7, 9, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 12 |
Busan Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
A handy bunch of gallopers go over the seven furlongs in the fourth, where many look capable of progressing further through the grades. (6) MIGHTY POWER goes on top after a solid return finishing third behind the impressive Socks Go. The filly performed admirable in some open class events last year before being away from the track for quite some time. Her performance last start was all the more impressive given her last start was more than twelve months prior. In restricted grade she gets a good chance to notch her third victory. (4) YEONGGWANGUI SIDAE is another that resumed in good style when finishing second behind Wonderful Morning. With just the 52kg on her back she looks capable of positioning in the leading division and finishing off strong. (7) RAPIDO MAN dug in deep last start to hold off Change Back in the run to the line. Returning Serbian rider Djordje Perovic gets a good opportunity on the Testa Matta gelding at his first weekend back in South Korea. (8) SUCCESS PARTY has built an impressive record of three wins from five starts. He lines up for his first start since January as he tackles this class for the first time.
| Selections | (6) Mighty Power (4) Yeonggwangui Sidae (7) Rapido Man (8) Success Party |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A mixture of imports and Korean-bred gallopers will face the starter over the seven furlongs in the eighth. (8) MIGHTY NEW was impressive on debut winning over the 1200m. The Red Giant gelding will step up to the 1400m at start two, with the racing style shown last time out the 1400m looks ideal today. Park Tae-jong is the beneficiary of an injured Alan Munro, picking up the ride on the three-year-old. (1) WHITE COMET is next best after a midfield performance in a pretty slick field when resuming. We will bank on some improvement from the Tiz Wonderful colt, who hold a good place strike rate. (4) DAEGUN PHOENIX is first up after a win in this grade last start back in February. The four-year-old trialed fairly and is capable of running a place in this event. (5) HAENGBOK WANGJA is next best after finishing second behind Shu Leub last start.
| Selections | (8) Mighty New (1) White Comet (4) Daegun Phoenix (5) Haengbok Wangja |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 1 (1900M) Handicap / KRW 150 Million
Super little race to wrap up the card at Busan. (8) WORLD POWER bounced back from a chastening experience in the Herald Business Cup at Seoul a month ago to run 2nd over 1800M on July 3rd. He made all until being taken down by Good Casting close to the line but despite the additional half furlong, has strong claims today. (5) STAR ROAD is on the up and comer having won five on the spin to take his place in class 1 for the first time. He has run the kind of times that will see him win at this level and he could very well keep his win streak intact here. (1) MAJOR ALPHA ran 3rd behind World Power last start and can run a good race again while the evergreen (7) DONGBANG DAERO has never been a prolific winner but is more than capable of going close in this company.
| Selections | (5) Star Road (8) World Power (7) Dongbang Daero (1) Major Alpha |
| Next Best | 2, 4 |
| Fast Start | 8 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A bunch of imports go round here, all but one of them looking for their maiden career win. (10) D K ARIA returned to action to make his fourth career start on June 28th and despite starting poorly, he ran on well to record a career-best 3rd over 1300M. The slight step up in trip should only benefit and he has a winning chance today. Running 4th in that race was (9) INCHEON CAPTAIN, who similarly gave away a couple of lengths at the start but ran on well and looks to have more progress in him. (8) ROYAL ELVIS beat a couple of these on his way to 5th place at class and distance on June 20th. He’s got a nice long stride about him but gives every impression of needing further. Still, he should continue to make progress here. One of those beaten by Royal Elvis in that race was (4) MOONHAK EMPIRE. He is the only one here who has tasted victory before and we will draw a line through that June run and give him another chance. (5) EUNEO CHUKJE the best of the rest.
| Selections | (10) D K Aria (8) Royal Elvis (9) Incheon Captain (4) Moonhak Empire |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3 |
Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
The tenth looks an interesting affair with four New Zealand bred gallopers to line up against eight US imports. (9) AUCKLAND SOCKS produced an eye-catching trial when coasting through the line clocking a good time on a slow track. We are very excited to see what the Swiss Ace gelding can do on debut, the best in Moon Se-young has been booked to ride the debutant suggesting a forward performance is forthcoming. (5) LEGEND DAY was another very good trial performer when clocking an even faster time than Auckland Socks, but under more pressure. He has drawn ideally to park in the leading division before showing his strong finish as per her his trial. (2) GEOMISON was a solid performer on debut when finishing second behind Mighty New. The son of Helmet showed plenty of early speed before being run down late. He should be considered an each way chance. (1) TOP PLAY looks next best after finishing fourth on debut behind Final Star. He won’t be able to match the speed of Geomison who is drawn alongside him, expect him to flood late.
| Selections | (9) Auckland Socks (5) Legend Day (2) Geomison (1) Top Play |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) SAENAE SPURT stepped up to this class on resumption on June 21st and also tackled today’s distance for the first time. Despite racing keenly when crossed by another horse in the early stages, he got himself together very well finishing 3rd behind Looking Good, He has every chance of coming on more for that run and looks a to have a very good chance here. It won’t be easy though. (2) DELTA BROTHER is a winner at this class already, having scored over 1300M last November. He also resumed well in June, finishing 3rd in a useful race over 1300M. He came from well back and could well appreciate the additional distance to get stuck into today. It’s a similar story with (6) DAEGUN POWER, who was in good form before the layoff and picked up from where he left off with a solid 3rd at 1300M on July 5th. He’ll be firmly in the hunt as well. The experienced (10) YEOWOORI doesn’t win out of turn but he’s now with Tony Castenheira who trained him to a solid 3rd place last start and under Song Jae-chul, he can aim to at least match that today. (3) MAMMA ROMA among a number of others with placing chances.
| Selections | (1) Saenae Spurt (2) Delta Brother (6) Daegun Power (10) Yeowoori |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 9 |
Race 12: Class Open – YTN Cup (2000M) Allowance / KRW 350 Million
The feature on the card is the 20th running of the Korean Group 3 YTN Cup over 2000m. The race is very similar to the Herald Business Cup on the 21st June where Cheongdam Dokki returned to his best, defeating Tiz Plan (2nd) and Shamrocker (3rd). This was the race where Moonhak Chief stamped himself as a topliner last year, winning the race with a massive twelve lengths between first and second.
With Moonhak Chief currently out injured, (8) CHEONGDAM DOKKI looks hardest to beat once again after his brilliant win in the first leg of the Stayers Series. He is looking for his second win in the race after winning the 2018 version of the staying feature. Park Tae-Jong used minimal urging to get the six-year-old to take up running early at his last start, setting a solid pace giving the rest of the field something to catch. He proved far too strong, suggesting the racing hiatus has done him the world of good. Park Tae-jong will partner Korea’s favourite chestnut again, he looks mighty hard to beat at set weights.
(5) TIZ PLAN lines up for his second attempt in the feature after finishing sixth in last year’s running of the race. He has won nine of his seventeen races and comes off a four length defeat in the Herald Business. To stamp himself as a topliner in the Korean ranks, he needs to take out one of the Stayers Series events. He gets a good barrier and may be able to sit slightly closer to the speed which will aid his chances. He needs to be in touch with the likely pacemaker Cheongdam Dokki at the top of the straight otherwise the task will be too great.
The ever reliable (3) SHAMROCKER must be considered in your numbers. The seven-year-old won his last race in 2017, but unbelievably since then has lined up in eleven open class events, placing in six of them. At set weights he is one of the most consistent horses you will see in Korea. As always, he lacks speed out of the gates so the good draw does not mean he will kick up and hold a position. He is a horse that is best ridden by letting him find his own rhythm, before being asked for over the last five furlongs.
(6) ROCK HARD SEVEN handed in a solid performance to finish fourth in the Herald Business Cup. He is a horse that has traditionally been campaigned over shorter distances, but towards the end of last preparation connections tried him over the two turns where he performed well in Class One company. He hit the line in good fashion in the staying feature last start when the race was all but over. One of his strengths is the ability to sustain a long run home, suggesting he can run into the money once again.
(4) SAMSEONG BULPAE and (7) BUHWARUI BANSEOK are the only runners that did not line up in the Herald Business last time out. Samseong Bulpae looks to have a hard task coming off some much weaker assignments in Class 1 company whilst Buhwarui Banseok resumed in brilliant style last time out demolishing a Class 1 field at Busan. There is a query with his liking to Seoul, with the seven-year-old making the trip North three times and finishing fifth at best. One interesting factor is he is the only likely runner to take on Cheongdam Dokki for the lead, which may change the complexion of the race potentially helping the likes of Tiz Plan and Shamrocker.
| Selections | (8) Cheongdam Dokki (5) Tiz Plan (3) Shamrocker (6) Rock Hard Seven |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 13: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
A small field compete in this class 2 event and none come in having finished any better than 5th in their respective latest outings. (2) DAEGUN CHEONHA did win at this class over 1400M on a muddy track back in January though. He returned to action two weeks ago but jumped out of the gate awkwardly and lost ground. Although he got himself back in position, he paid for it late on, finishing 5th. He drops back in trip today and with a better start has solid claims. (7) DAEBAK HAENGJIN ran on late for 6th over this distance on June 28th. He has shown good speed in the past and can improve here. (1) HANSEN GLORY too has a good turn of foot and the engagement of Seo Seung-un intrigues as presumably he doesn’t need the riding fee. (4) WANG BEOTKKOT is a super talent who has a lot of bad luck as can be seen from the fact that this four-year-old has only ever raced six times. He was well back behind Daegun Cheonha in January but looked promising in a trial during the shutdown and he could spring a surprise.
| Selections | (2) Daegun Cheonha (4) Wang Beotkkot (1) Hansen Glory (7) Daebak Haengjin |
| Next Best | 8 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8 |
Race 14: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
The Class 3 gallopers will see us out on YTN Cup day as they line up over 1400m. (10) UNCLE OH resumed in good style when finishing third behind Charlie Style three weeks back over the six furlongs. The colt is a former class and distance winner who does his best work when sitting on speed. Moon Se-young has been booked for his first ride on the JP’s Gusto four-year-old which is a good sign. (3) CALL WIN looks capable in an even field with the exemption of the on top selection. The four-year-old has won in this grade previously but over 1900m. He is first up and with fresh legs is capable of running into the money. (5) SHU LEUB was a surprise last start winner in Class 4 company. This does not appear to be the strongest Class 3 race and for that reason she can collect a cheque once again. (12) DORAON NALRI looks one that can add some value to the exotics, with plenty of handy performances over the 1400m previously.
| Selections | (10) Uncle Oh (3) Call Win (5) Shu Leub (12) Doraon Nalri |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 5, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 