Success Macho finally delivered on his early promise and got a Stakes win on the board as he came through late to beat Yes Perfect by a head to win the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Success Macho (left) beats Yes Perfect in the Busan Owners’ Cup (Pic: KRA)
In a race devoid of big-name headliners, Daehan Jilju was sent off as favourite, somewhat surprisingly at odds-on among the sixteen-strong field. He would attempt to lead from gate to wire but favourite, who has shown his best at shorter distances, was quickly beaten once they reached the home straight. Success Macho meanwhile was ridden patiently and wide by jockey You Hyun-myun, who was returning to action after a four-month injury absence and the pair stormed through late to beat fellow fast-finisher Yes Perfect, with Heunghaeng Jilju in 3rd.
“(Success Macho) doesn’t like kickback and over the 1600M there are two very long straights” winning jockey You Hyun-myung told KRBC. “During the race, I wanted to go nearer to the fence, but I followed the trainer’s instructions to stay out of the kickback.”
Success Macho, a five-year-old gelding by Macho Uno, who was imported in-utero, made an electrifying start to his career, winning nine of his first ten starts with his only defeat in that period coming in this race in 2021. But while he ran 6th in last year’s Korea Cup, he suffered an injury that kept him off the track from last October to this June when he returned underwhelmingly, only beating two home over the same mile distance at class 1 level.
“His last race was his first back after a long break and while I didn’t have high expectations that day, he was even worse than I expected but he needed that” trainer Min Jang-gi told KRBC. “He is small, but he is robust, and he doesn’t want to give in. The jockey knows him very well and he knew what to do, and it all came off.”
That You Hyun-myung was returning to action following a shattered collarbone in a fall earlier this year. He had already been on the scoresheet on Friday winning race 1 on his first ride back. He had ridden Success Macho in eight of his nine previous wins.
“The horse wasn’t doing terrific during trackwork, but the owner had so much faith in him, so we are happy to win” You continued. And on his own situation: “To my fans, I am back now, and I pledge to do my best.”
Trainer Min was non-committal about Success Macho’s next assignment. “I am not really keen to run him in handicaps because after this his rating will go up so I will see if I can find some more suitable feature races.”
With defending champion. Winner’s Man seemingly joining Raon The Fighter on the absentee list for the Korea Cup, another trip to Seoul on international weekend could therefore be on the cards for Success Macho as while he is unlikely to trouble the Japanese visitors, he would have a real shot at some lucrative minor prize money.
Next weekend the Triple Tiara (filly Triple Crown) concludes with the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) which, unusually for Korean Stakes races, will be run at Seoul on Saturday as part of the first weekend of twilight racing when the card will run from 2pm to 9pm.
The Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) takes centre stage this Sunday when a full field of sixteen face off on the south coast. The big race is race 6 of seven on the card which runs from 11:25 to 17:00. At Seoul there is a 10-race card from 10:35 to 18:00.
Daehan Jilju is the probable favourite for the Busan Owners’ Cup (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Maiden juvenile fillies only with six of the eleven racing for the first time. The only one of the remaining five to have raced twice is the favourite and that’s (6) GEOLJAK ONE. She debuted in 4th place in a quick race on a wet track on May 28th and then followed it up with a 2nd place, going down very narrowly, on June 10th having raced close to the pace both times. It should be third-time lucky here. (1) PERFECT TIARA debuted in that June 10th race having shown little in trials but ran a good 3rd, coming from the middle of the pace. She has three-lengths to make up on Geoljak One but should have come on for the experience. (5) ECLIPSE BERRY debuted in the May 28th race and overcame the widest gate to run 6th. She too should be going closer this time. As for the first timers, (7) HAMPYEONG JANGMI and (10) SEIRENE were perhaps the best in trials.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(11) KING GO TAEYANG has shown steady improvement across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over 1200M on June 11th, albeit well beaten by the winner. He has the challenge of the wide gate here but the step up to 1300M can suit and he is the one to beat. (1) MENI SHARK showed signs of figuring things out when stepped up to this distance on June 11th and running a best to fate 4th. Her time that day was quicker than any of the others who have tackled this distance have managed and from a good gate, she can go closer today. (6) GOLDEN SNIPER also comes in off a best to date finish when 2nd on June 4th at this trip. He can sit behind the early speed here and can be in the finish. (4) BRAVO HANSEN and (5) SAEROUN BITKKAL among others who can dispute the minors.
Selections
(11) King Go Taeyang (1) Meni Shark (6) Golden Sniper (4) Bravo Hansen
Next Best
5, 8
Fast Start
1, 4, 8, 11
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(1) RAON THE AGAIN will be one of the banker favourites of the day. After a quick trial, she ran 2nd on debut over 1200M on June 2nd having settled back and run on strongly to only go down narrowly. She draws well, the slight step up in trip can suit, and she won’t need to improve very much to win this. (6) KALJABI is the obvious second pick. After running 4th on debut, he led for much of the way around second-up on May 28th, again over 1200M, ultimately coming home in 2nd. He should lead again here and can hold off the favourite for a long time. It would be a big surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but the final place is up for grabs. (8) CHEONGMAUI JILJU ran an improved 4th last time out at 1200M and can maintain her positive momentum again here. (3) ILCHUL GOLD and (2) UNMATCHED are others who can compete.
Selections
(1) Raon The Again (6) Kaljabi (8) Cheongmaui Jilju (3) Ilchul Gold
Next Best
2, 4
Fast Start
1, 3, 4, 6
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) LONDON MYEONGGA had seemingly lost his way a little but came back into form with a strong 3rd over this class and distance on June 4th when on pace throughout. He draws well here to be on or close to the pace again and has every chance. (5) GLORY K remains winless but enters with recent form reading well with two 3rd place finishes from her latest three, most recently when leading most of the way around over 1400M on June 10th. She is under a very light weight, she draws well to lead again, and it would be no surprise if she made the breakthrough here. (4) CHALLANHAN POKPUNG comes up in class after three consecutive 3rd place finishes, the most recent two over this distance. His times have been competitive enough and he comes down significantly in the weights. (7) LEGEND K and (9) KKANGDORI others to consider.
Selections
(3) London Myeongga (5) Glory K (4) Challanhan Pokpung (7) Legend K
Next Best
9, 1
Fast Start
3, 5, 8, 9
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Competitive maiden. (11) ACE A MOCA has improved across three starts so far, most recently an on-pace 3rd over this distance on June 16th. She may need a touch of luck at the start from the widest gate here but she as good a chance as any. (9) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL comes in off a much-improved 3rd on May 19th when settling handy and running on. In this company she can be on the pace and while in the absence of an apprentice claim she comes up in weight, Choi Si-dae climbs aboard and she shouldn’t be far away. (4) HERO J has only raced twice and was an improved 3rd in the second of them when she came from well off the pace. She draws better today and comes into contention. (5) YONG GUN and (8) WONDERFUL ONE are others in the hunt.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(8) SUNGAN TOUCH had a slightly disappointing day at the office when well supported over 1300M on June 3rd but finishing 6th of ten. He was going very well at this distance prior to that though with a 2nd and a 3rd at this class, and he will be a warm favourite to score here. (2) FIRST USER remains a maiden but comes up in class after two runner-up finishes at class 6. She likes to run on pace so she is drawn very nicely and the 2kg drop in carried weight can help her be competitive here. (3) JAEWOO SIDAE comes in having run 3rd at a big price at class and distance on June 16th when slowly away but running on really well. She will warrant more respect this time around. (7) LONDON QUEEN and the up in class (5) SEOUL SPURT among others to consider.
Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time. The hot favourite will be (3) TRAUM KING. The To Honor And Serve colt led every step of the way in his trial on June 2nd, crossing the line four-lengths clear of anything else in a decent time. From a good draw, if he brings that form to the races, he will be hard to beat. (4) JANGGUN GARAM is one of the two who have already races. He came home 7th of eleven in a quick race on a very wet track. He should have derived benefit from the experience and can get closer today. That applies too to (11) MULLEBANGA who ran fairly on his debut and with some natural improvement, can be in the placing hunt. Returning to the first-time starters, (2) RAON THE MAN led his trial, ultimately crossing the line 3rd. It wasn’t quick but he showed enough to suggest he can go well first-up. (10) ILINX was a trial winner and while done no favours by the draw, can’t be ruled out either.
Selections
(3) Traum King (4) Janggun Garam (11) Mullebanga (2) Raon The Man
Next Best
10, 8
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 10
Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / 75 Million
Eleven young imports with ten of the eleven racing for the first time. The one who we have seen before, (9) SPURT BIT, was impressive. Having won a May trial, he debuted on June 10th and sat on the heels of the leader before taking things up in the straight and running on to win by four-lengths. He won’t need to improve much on that to win again. (8) KLIMT WORLD trialled up in that same May heat behind Spurt Bit and he came home just half a length in arrears. It’s taken him a while to get to the races, but based on that trial, he can be a danger first-up. (11) GOOD HAPPY went through two trials, first to qualify in which he was slow away and underwhelming, and then a voluntary trial (which may not appear in all race cards) two weeks later at the end of May. He was a big improver in that one and can be considered here. It’s a similar story with (2) SINUI EREUM, whose official qualifying trial in April didn’t catch the eye but he has subsequently been through two more (again, these may not be on all race cards so do be aware) and improved in both, from wide gates. He draws nicely here and should go well. (10) NANO MASIN won his solitary heat and that’s enough to put him in the frame.
Selections
(9) Spurt Bit (8) Klimt World (11) Good Happy (2) Sinui Ereum
Next Best
10, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 9
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Standard maiden here. (5) BANFF probably warrants favourite status with a 3rd, a 2nd and a 5th from his three starts so far, all at this distance and all in fair times. In this company he should be on or close to the pace, and he can win here. (3) BAEKDU MEOTJAENGI raced three times last summer and autumn, improving each time with a 3rd the best of them over this distance. She hasn’t raced since but looked well when trialling up on June 23rd and from a good draw should be on the speed and in this a long way. (9) TIZ ROCKET has the fastest time among these for the distance, recorded when 4th last time out on what was admittedly a very fat track. He can aim to match or better that 4th here. (8) MOON DUST and (1) TESTA BLUE others in the placing frame.
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
It’s hard to go too far past (10) GEOSEN CHAMP here. He’s been knocking at the door across his six starts so far and comes in off his best finish so far when 2nd over 1200M on June 18th when he overcame the same gate, he has today to race handy. Like all but two of these, he comes up to the 1400M for the first time and it may well suit. (8) SATURDAY finished off pleasingly enough over 1300M last timeout for a best to date finish of 5th. He is another who may appreciate the slight step up in trip today and can go closer. (3) PURPLE SHINHWA has three 5th place finishes from three starts so far, all over 1200M. He has been a touch one-paced but in this company and from this gate he should be on the lead early and “one-pace” could be enough pace to at least place here. (4) BEST PLAN and (5) RED TAEPUNG the best of an ordinary rest.
Selections
(10) Geosen Champ (8) Saturday (3) Purple Shinhwa (4) Best Plan
Next Best
5, 11
Fast Start
3, 4, 5, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(2) MORNING PEARL remains a maiden but has no fewer than four placings at this class, most recently when 2nd over 1300M back in February. She hasn’t raced since then but she looked well in a trial just last week when she wasn’t asked to do too much and while she will evidently need this, she has a chance and should be available at an each-way price. (8) DALGEUM is also a maiden, in her case after eight attempts. She comes in off a very narrow defeat at this class and distance on May 27th and shouldn’t be far away again. (9) BEST JEONSA and (3) STAND BY ME came home 4th and 7th respectively when they raced each other at class and distance on June 10th, the latter performing below expectations but had been going well previously. Both should be aiming to improve here. (1) SMART BLUE comes in off a class and distance 3rd and is another in the hunt in a small but competitive field.
The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 7-race program from 12:30 to 18:00. Jockey You Hyun-myung is back following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury while Lim Sung-sil has transitioned from the weighing room to the trainer’s room and he sends out his first runner in the concluding race. Here are the previews:
Jockey You Hyun-myung is back in action (Pic: KRA)
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Eleven previously unraced juveniles in the opener. (2) SINCHEON FIRST made all to win his trial on June 10th stopping the clock in a fair time on a dry track. That’s enough to make him favourite here from a good gate. (11) CORNER ONE was 2nd in that same June 10th trial, just half a length in arrears having settled just behind the pace. He is done fewer favours by the draw, but a repeat of that effort should put him in the frame. (3) SKY JILJU is another trial winner, coming from midfield to cross the line in front back in May and he shapes as the clear third favourite here. Another heat-winner is (6) NUMBERONEPICK who was a little slowly away on June 3rd but then went quickly to the lead and ran on. He may not be the number one pick, but he can put in a bold showing first up. (8) PERFECT ACTION among others who could go well.
Selections
(2) Sincheon First (11) Corner One (3) Sky Jilju (6) Numberonepick
Next Best
8, 1
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 11
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(5) DOCTOR KINGDOM will be a warm favourite here having run 2nd on debut on May 26th when settling behind the speed and running on over 1000M. He should have come on for that run, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he may take some beating. (3) LEMON BULPAE offered little in two appearances in December and February. After a spell he returned to trial on June 17th and blitzed his heat crossing the line six-lengths to the good in a quick time. He will be expected to be close here. (9) UNJU GLOBAL has mixed her form so far, but she does have a 2nd and a 4th to her name at this distance as well as the fastest time among these and she looks promising at a probable each-way price. (10) BORIS MARINE and (1) FIRST MENI others in the hunt.
Selections
(5) Doctor Kingdom (3) Lemon Bulpae (9) Unju Global (10) Boris Marine
Next Best
1, 2
Fast Start
3, 5, 7, 8
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Competitive race. (4) HAENGBOKHAN GIL enters with his recent form reading well with a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both over today’s trip when he has been ridden much further forward than in previous starts. He draws well to do similar today and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he comes down in he weights. Today can be his day. (1) POWER RIDE didn’t do much in three starts across the turn of the year but after almost four months off, he returned to action with a much-improved 2nd over this distance on June 9th when on pace throughout. He should have derived benefit from that run and can be a danger here. (2) SOLEDAD comes in off a best finish of 2nd over this distance on June 2nd and from a much better draw can go close again. (10) RUN TO KING and (6) WONDERFUL IMPACT are the other placing contenders.
Selections
(4) Haengbokhan Gil (1) Power Ride (2) Soledad (10) Run To King
Next Best
6, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 4, 11
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(7) HONOR LORD got his maiden win over 1200M at class 6 level two starts back before leading on his first try at this class on June 16th over 1400M, ultimately being passed in the closing stages and finishing 3rd. He only comes up slightly in the weights but the drop back in trip can be in his favour and he can lead all the way this time. (11) BABEL HEART ran 4th in that that June 16th race, her best finish at this level. She has more than two lengths to make up on Honor Lord but comes in nicely weighted and she has a good finish on her so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem. (3) FIRST STAR is very experienced, and this is the kind of race where she can pick up some prize money, as she did when 2nd over 1200M last time out coming from off the pace. (8) PILGRIM and (1) SANGSANGGEUISANG others in the hunt.
Kim Gui-bae, one of very few jockeys around the world to have ridden winners in six different decades, has retired. The veteran rider reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 last December and accordingly was unable to extend when his license expired at the end of June.
Kim Gui-bae at his retirement ceremony (Pic: KRA)
“I always said I would go on until 60.” Kim said at his retirement ceremony at Seoul Racecourse last week. “I could do 65 or 70 were it not for the limit.”
Kim Gui-bae debuted as a sixteen-year-old in April 1979 at the old Ttukseom Racecourse. It was at that track where he enjoyed the most successful part of his career, especially when guiding Pogyeongseon to win the Grand Prix Stakes in 1986 – “he was so easy to ride” Kim recalled. That would be the only Graded winner of Kim’s 44-year career. He assumed the mantle of oldest jockey in Korea more than twenty years ago.
Kim’s overall figures reflect the era in which he qualified. Up until the 2000s, jockeys were restricted to a small number of race rides each week (as few as five), and while that system changed, Kim did not, riding sparingly but doing plenty of trackwork. Over the 44-years he rode 328 winners from 4568 rides. His final winner came on June 4th on four-year-old filly Complete Time in a class 3 handicap. HIs final ride was 4th place on Star Princess in a class 5 handicap on June 25th.
“I’ve worked hard to keep up with the younger riders and they are always very considerate to towards me. I started out 44 years ago knowing nothing but I have picked up a few things along the way and have grown to love being a jockey. I will stay around horses.” Kim said. As for the question as to if he could go back to 1979 and do it all over again, would he? Kim thought for a while, smiled, and said “No.”
Kim Gui-bae presented with a bouquet from punters after his last ride on June 25th (Pic: KRA)
Tuhonui Banseok got back up from off the canvas to deliver a second knockout on Winner’s Man as the YTN Cup winner followed up in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Tuhonui Banseok and Jung Do-yun (Pic: KRA)
Following Raon The Fighter’s injury earlier in the week, the Mayor’s Cup was expected to be a match-race between Tuhonui Banseok and Winner’s Man. Despite Tuhonui Banseok’s eleven-length demolition job on him in May, local punters sided marginally with Winner’s Man, sending him off as the 1.8 favourite with Tuhonui Banseok at 2.1.
Under jockey Jung Do-yun, standing in for the suspended Park Jae-I, Tuhonui Banseok got a great start from the inside gate and was quickly into the lead. Winner’s Man meanwhile was on the end of a slight bump exiting the gate but was quickly up on the pace with Seo Seung-un aboard and the two rivals quickly set about living up to match-race expectations.
Tuhonui Banseok led into the straight but unlike in Seoul in May, this time he didn’t pull away. Instead, Winner’s Man nosed into the lead with two furlongs remaining and by the time they reached the furlong pole, had put a length and a half between them. Tuhonui Banseok didn’t give up though and with Winner’s Man wavering a little in the last one-hundred metres, Jund was able to launch a counterattack up the inside and Tuhonui Banseok recaptured the lead at exactly the right time.
The winning margin was half a length while Simjangui Godong got surprisingly close in 3rd, less than two-lengths behind Winner’s Man.
Jockey Jung Do-yun, speaking to KBS N Sports, paid tribute to his mount’s resilience. “The start was good, I wanted to sit in front, but Winner’s Man was better than I expected. But Tuhonui Banseok was persistent and while we were struggling in the home straight, he didn’t give up.”
“It was such an exciting race, I always wish to do better, and I want to give my special thanks to jockey Park Jae-I, who has helped me a lot.”
It was a second Group win for jockey Jung following his victory on Touch Star Man in the 2020 KRA Cup Mile. For trainer Bart Rice it was also a second Group win following Tuhonui Banseok’s YTN win.
“The strategy was for the jockey to dictate the pace at the front. We knew that Winner’s Man was the danger and he hit the front in the home straight, but we were able to beat him in the end.” Rice told KBS Sports. “It was the first time (Jung Do-yun) had ridden the horse but he’s a very talented jockey and he rode a fantastic race.”
“I have to say thank you to the owner and their loyal support to our stable and also thank you to my staff. They do a good job.”
Quizzed by KBS on his own situation, Rice was unequivocal. “I have settled down in Korea now, it’s my second home – or even my first home now. I can’t complain about anything, it’s nice to work here and it’s nice to train horses here.”
Tuhonui Banseok is a five-year-old American bred entire by Verrazano and out of the Street Sense mare Sense Of Beauty. He was a $13,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He and Winner’s Man are expected to renew hostilities in the 1.6 Billion Won international Korea Cup at Seoul on September 10th.
Meanwhile Raon The Fighter’s injury was confirmed as a sesamoid fracture. The five-year-old will undergo surgery this week and then faces a minimum ten-month recovery and rehabilitation period.
Winner’s Man will seek to go back-to-back in the feature race of the weekend, the Busan Mayor’s Cup on Sunday afternoon. There are 7 races at Busan from 11:25 to 17:00 and 10 at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews.
Winner’s Man seeks to defend the Busan Mayor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener with four of the eight racing for the first time but a couple of the ones with experience showed well on their respective debuts and they will head the market. (3) MORNING BOLD did little in his trial but ran a solid 2nd on debut at this distance in a good time on June 3rd having been close to the pace throughout. From a good draw, he can be on the speed again and has every chance. (5) SMART CLAIR was 4th on debut in that same June 3rd race, settling back and running on. He too should have derived benefit from the experience and can get closer. Among the first timers, (1) LALA K posted a decent time in his trial and has the benefit of the inside gate. (6) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG won the second of his two trials and while the time wasn’t especially fast, that is enough to make him a first-up contender. (7) MIRACLE HANGANG another who hinted at ability in his heat and can be considered.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
A standard maiden but it’s very open, mainly because nothing comes in with consistent form. With that in mind, we’ll take a chance on the one that’s done the least wrong so far, the only debut-maker, (8) WINNER JERIN. He was on pace in his trial, crossing the line 2nd in a fair time. Kim Yong-geun rides, and if he can bring that form to the races, he shouldn’t be far away. (6) MADE STAR was an improved 4th at start number four on June 11th, having started slowly and coming from a long way back. If he can give himself more of a chance with a better start, then he can be finishing strongly here. (7) MAGIC K enters after a 4th place over this distance on June 4th when handy throughout. She can sit behind the speed again and press late. (3) SINUI YEOIN and (1) WONDERFUL DEPUTY others in contention for the minors.
Selections
(8) Winner Jerin (6) Made Star (7) Magic K (3) Sinui Yeoin
Next Best
1, 4
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(5) TAURUS KING raced in November and then again in early February without troubling the judges. That earned him a gelding, and he has looked much better since returning, first when 2nd in a quick trial in May and then on June 11th when finishing 3rd on his comeback race over 1200M. He should strip fitter here and won’t need to improve much to win. (11) MAGIC SWEETIE achieved a 3rd place over this distance two starts back before running fairly at 1300M last time out. She may need a touch of luck from the outside gate, but she has enough early speed to find a forward early position and she can be a danger. (3) BRAVE CAPTAIN has two 4th places from three starts so far, most recently on May 26th when he led for part of the way around. He’ll be on pace here and can be in contention a long way. (6) ANY SINGS and (10) HAERANG YOUNGUNG perhaps the best of the rest.
Selections
(5) Taurus King (11) Magic Sweetie (3) Brave Captain (6) Any Sings
Next Best
10, 7
Fast Start
3, 4, 8, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Fillies only here and another very competitive maiden although this time it is because quite a few look ready to win. One of those is (9) SEUNGNI GONGJU. After an indifferent debut, she has a 4th and back-to-back 3rd places in three attempts, most recently over 1300M on June 3rd. Despite drawing a touch wide, she can be on pace here and has as good a chance as any. (8) MUNHAK EAGLE was an improved 2nd at just her second start on May 13th, coming from off the pace and running on well. It was a fair time, and she can settle handy and threaten late again here. (4) NAOL SKY and (5) NEW POINT came home 3rd and 7th when they raced each other at this distance on June 4th. For Naol Sky it was a second consecutive 3rd place finish while for New Point it was something of a disappointment following a runner-up finish at her previous start in May. Both can be competitive here. (2) MENI CHARM another in the frame.
Selections
(9) Seungni Gongju (8) Munhak Eagle (4) Naol Sky (5) New Point
Next Best
2, 10
Fast Start
2, 4, 9, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Another tough race. (5) UNJU OREUM is perhaps the one to beat. She has four top-four finishes from six starts so far and has the fastest time among these for the distance. She should be on the pace from the start and has every chance. (6) HAERANG ISEUL has a 2nd and a 4th from her two starts to date, both at 1200M. She has the quickest start among this field and from a central gate can challenge Unju Oreum for the lead and can be in this a long way. (9) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG has picked up in his latest two efforts, running 2nd and 3rd, both over this distance in fair times. Without the benefit of an apprentice claim, he is up in the weights, but he can be competitive again. (1) GLOBAL WEEK and (4) CHEONSU SIDAE are among others in the placing frame.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(7) HANGANG CROWN was a winner on debut in a double-quick time over 1000M on May 28th (a day when the track was very fast), racing on pace early and taking things up turning into the straight. She is up in class and in distance here but comes in under a light weight and while she is the only juvenile in the race, she can beat her elders here. (8) YESULIYA has led both his latest two, ultimately coming home 2nd and 3rd, both at this distance. He carries his fair share of weight here but should be on pace again and can be in things a long way once more. (4) FIJI BLADE got promoted to this level with back-to-back runner-up finishes from her first two starts. She weakened when tried at 1300M for her first attempt at this class but slightly back in trip, can be given another chance today. (2) RAON HOLIDAY and (5) CHANCELLOR others in the hunt.
Horse Racing in Korea 