Author: gyongmaman

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 27)

Both Seoul & Busan will hold their Championship Juvenile races this weekend but first of all their is a full 11-race card at Busan on Friday. First race is 11:30 and the last is 18:00.

Doraonpogyeongseon

Doraonpogyeongseon ran a big race in the Korea Sprint and can return to winning ways at Busan on Friday (Pic: Ross Holburt)

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

 Solid form at a premium here so (3) NINA gets the verdict following a creditable enough 5th place on debut last month. It was nothing special but showed promise and she can go on to win here. (6) EDGE OF WINNER showed improvement on her second start a month ago and can continue to develop here while (5) EURO SHINHWA was by no means disgraceful on debut either. (8) BAEKDU BAEKHO certainly didn’t impress on his own debut back in August but has been back trialling since and has looked much better. Debut-maker (7) SAEROUN BARAM is another to consider.

Selections (3) Nina (6) Edge Of Winner (7) Saeroun Baram (8) Baekdu Baekho
Next Best 5, 4
Fast Start 2, 3, 4, 8

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

Juveniles only here and five of the twelve have raced before. Among those, (4) PYEONGCHANG HORANGI recorded the best finishing position but the performance of (1) TRINITY, landing a quicker time in a better race, suggests that he is the pick of the experienced ones. (2) YEONGGWANGUI CHAMP did ok on debut too but it’s to the debut-makers that we’ll turn to find the other contenders. (11) HIDDEN CHAMP and (10) DAMYANG GONGJU trialled up together and the former looks to have decent claims first up.

Selections (11) Hidden Champ (1) Trinity (10) Damyang Gongju (2) Yeonggwangui Champ
Next Best 12, 8
Fast Start 1, 2, 3, 11

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

(2) FIRST SHINHWA just fell short last time, beaten a length in a good race over this distance, well ahead of a couple of his rivals here and he looks very much the one to bet in what should be another lively contest. (3) BOLD RULES has been 3rd in both her outings so far and can at least match today while (4) JANGHAN JILJU has similarly been finding the money and can maintain that record here. (7) ROCK HARD SEVEN has had an (more…)

Perovic Achieves A Double-Ton

Djordje Perovic has become just the second overseas rider to reach 200 winners in Korea. The Serbian jockey passed the milestone at Seoul Racecourse this past Sunday when he notched the second of three winners across the weekend.

Djordje1

200-up for Perovic (Pic: Ross Holburt)

That win, on hot favourite P.K. Time in race 1 and then a later one aboard 4/1 chance Yes You Can in race 8 took Perovic’s 2017 tally to 82, three shy of Premiership leader Kim Yong Geun.

Licensed in Italy but a native of Serbia, the “Best Sportsman of the City of Kragujevac” arrived in Seoul in May of 2015. It took 35 rides for him to partner his first winner, Gold Mountain on June 7th of that year, as Perovic struggled with the usual issue facing foreign jockeys at Seoul – getting competitive mounts. The floodgates soon opened though. He rode a double the following week and despite some minor setbacks, never hasn’t stopped riding winners since.

100 winners arrived in October of 2016 and 150 in March of this year. In both years, Perovic has had to take time out in Europe for licensing reasons making his achievements – and to be in with a realistic chance of being Champion jockey this season – all the more admirable. In June this year, he won his first Korean Group race, guiding Silver Wolf to victory in the Ttukseom Cup.

Djordje Perovic now has 201 winners in Korea, still some way shy of Ikuyasu Kurakane’s final tally of 285. If he stays on though, few doubt that figure will be overcome.

Cheongdam Dokki Downs Clean Up Joy To Cruise To Seoul’s Summit

There is a new force in Korean racing. His name is Cheongdam Dokki.

Even though he was going up against Clean Up Joy, last year’s winner and top-rated at Seoul, and New Citadel, who had already beaten him, nobody really thought he would lose. And he didn’t. However, the ease with which Cheongdam Dokki won the KRA Cup Classic served notice that this really is a potential star.

KRA Cup Classic (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – October 22, 2017

1. Cheongdam Dokki (USA) [To Honor And Serve – Elusive Gold (Strike The Gold)] – Moon Se Young – 1.6, 1.1
2. New Citadel (USA) [With Distinction – Ree Ensign (Proud And True)] – Jo Jae Ro – 1.1
3. Clean Up Joy (USA) [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeux Danseur)] – Djordje Perovic – 1.2
Distances: 4 lengths / 9 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Clean Up Cheonha (USA) 5. Shamrocker (USA) 6. Suseong Captain (KOR) 7. Muhudaeje (USA) 8. Cheonjeok (USA)

It was over by the first corner, champion jockey Moon Se Young taking Cheongdam Dokki into an early lead from the gate and while Clean Up Joy and New Citadel closed the gap and then went with him rounding the far turn, it was clear they were under pressure a long way out.

In the straight there was only ever going to be one winner. The margin on the line was 4-lengths from New Citadel (who may provide some interest over the 2300M of the Grand Prix Stakes) with Clean Up Joy a further 9 lengths back in 3rd. To give some context to it, Clean Up Joy today ran his quickest ever time at 2000M – and he had tackled the distance on no fewer than eight prior occasions, winning on seven of them. Yet he was over two seconds slower than Cheongdam Dokki today.

Cheongdam Dokki, a gelding, was a $20,000 purchase from the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Despite the obvious talent, he hasn’t always been the easiest to handle but has now won four races in a row by margins of his choosing. There are still others he needs to beat; Dolkong at Seoul and of course Triple Nine and Power Blade, but on today’s performance, few would bet against him against any of those. Hopefully, they will meet. While a trip to the Dubai World Cup Carnival unfortunately doesn’t appear to be on his agenda, the next few months could be very interesting.

KRA Cup Classic: Clean Up Joy vs Cheongdam Dokki (Race-By-Race Preview – October 22)

It’s the showdown that we’ve been waiting for. At least for the past three months anyway. It was disappointing that both Clean Up Joy and Cheongdam Dokki swerved the Korea Cup last month but they finally do meet at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday, taking top billing in the local Group 2 KRA Cup Classic. There are 11 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10. 

Clean Up Joy YTN Shamrocker

Clean Up Joy beat Shamrocker in the YTN Cup earlier this year – he’ll have more than just his stablemate to deal with today (Pic: Alex Cairns)

Here are today’s Seoul notes:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Twelve fillies to kick things off and this looks a slightly softer ask for (3) P.K. TIME than when she could only manage 3rd place when favourite over 1000M on September 9th. This is her first try at the distance but she should be at the front early and can go all the way. (5) FOR J.K and (10) FIORE finished 3rd and 4th when racing each other over 1200M a month ago and both should be competitive here with Fiore fancied to overturn that form while the more experienced (12) DONGSEO GADEUK should be getting close in this company too. Similarly experienced, (7) STORMY PASSION is another to take into consideration.

Selections (3) P.K. Time (10) Fiore (5) For J.K (12) Dongseo Gadeuk
Next Best 7, 11
Fast Start 3, 6, 9

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

Juvenile race with enhanced prize money sees seven of the twelve racing for the first time. However, it’s from those with experience that we draw our top picks. Both (2) GLOBAL BANK and (3) THE JIJON came home in 2nd place on their respective debuts in September and it’s The Jijon, who led until the closing stages over 1200M, who is favoured to score here with Global Bank having to settle for 2nd once more. They’re both (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 21)

There are 12 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00:

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

(11) BROWN BOMBER ran a solid race in 2nd place at this distance on what was just his second outing on September 16th. He ran on nicely, finishing strongly and while he may probably want a little bit further in the long term, this race looks eminently winnable for him. Not much else catches the eye, to be honest. (2) MORAN DONGBEAK has shown improvement across her three starts so far and looks to be second best but all of the others are going to need to show something they haven’t looked like doing so far. Something has to fill the places though with (3) BIG AURORA, (5) JI SEONI and (10) CULLINAN perhaps most likely.

Selections (11) Brown Bomber (2) Moran Dongbeak  (5) Ji Seoni (3) Big Aurora
Next Best 10, 12
Fast Start 1, 3, 7, 10

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

(4) FIRST RUNNER enters having been 3rd on each of his latest two, although both were at 1700M and he gets dropped back in trip today. He should still get close but there are a couple of others who also look to have claims on a maiden win here. (6) CAPTAIN POWER was much improved on his third outing a month ago, beating (1) SHARP KAYLAN, who also showed progress that day with both in the prize money hunt here. (3) CLEAN UP SECRET has come home in 5th place on both of his outings so far but he was beaten by decent ones last time at this distance and can get closer here. (11) FIRST QUEEN is another who has come close in the past and who can’t be ruled out today.

Selections (6) Captain Power (3) Clean Up Secret (4) First Runner (1) Sharp Kaylan
Next Best 11, 2
Fast Start 3, 4, 10, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Only three of the twelve have raced before but all of those three did quite well and are likely to be well backed here. (2) SIMPLE RULES led for much of her debut and while she ended a well-beaten 3rd, it was a strong showing for a debut she has solid claims today. (11) PRIMO was 4th in a similarly competitive race on September 9th while (12) SEUNGJAUI MISO finished in the same position over 1200M a week later. Both should join Simple Rules on the early speed and can go well again. Among the first-time starters (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 20)

One of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the year will take place at Seoul this coming Sunday when Grand Prix Stakes winner Clean Up Joy returns to action to face the up and coming pair of Cheongdam Dokki and New Citadel in the KRA Cup Classic. Before that, however, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) BUSAN BOLT beat (1) DYNAMIC RUN as the pair ran 2nd and 4th over this distance on September 22nd and one or other of them should really be stepping up to claim their maiden win here with Busan Bolt slightly favoured. (8) HANEOLUI GISANG has shown promise across two starts so far and looks another who is ultimately bound for the winner’s circle with it possibly being here while (6) BAENGNYEON SIDAE has also been getting closer and could well lead early here. (5) HAEDONG YEOGEOL another in the placing frame.

Selections (2) Busan Bolt (8) Haneolui Gisang (1) Dynamic Run (6) Baengnyeon Sidae
Next Best 5, 12
Fast Start 3, 6, 7, 10

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

Five of the twelve have raced before and it’s one of those, (6) KOREAN ANGEL, who will be the favourite. She was 2nd, just beaten half a length, on debut on September 1st and looks nicely into score today. Of the others with experience, (1) DORAON SAEGANGJA and (8) MAJOR ALPHA look to have most chance of improving – the latter was very (more…)

Silver Wolf Maintains Outstanding 2017 Record in Munhwa Ilbo

Silver Wolf may only have run five times in 2017 but it’s been a golden year for the Aussie import. Last Sunday at Seoul, she took home yet another big prize, scoring in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup over six furlongs.

Having won the Ttukseom Cup over 1400M and the KNN Cup at a mile, Silver Wolf has essentially already won the “Queens’ Tour” series for fillies & mares even before the final leg – the 2000M Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup in November. She has spent the early autumn sprinting, running a very creditable 5th in the Korea Sprint in September and then picking up Sunday’s Munhwa.

The strong early pace suited Silver Wolf’s style and under a patient ride from Djordje Perovic, Silver Wolf turned on the accelerator just as the early leaders started to fade. She went away to win by just under two lengths from two other fast finishers, Daisyan and Parang Juuibo.

Munhwa Ilbo Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1200M – October 15, 2017

1. Silver Wolf (AUS) [Oratorio – Ready For More (More Than Ready)] Djrodje Perovic – 1.5, 1.0
2. Daisyan (USA) [Rock Hard Ten – My Catriona (Tactical Cat)] – Shinji Hatanaka – 2.5
3. Parang Juuibo (USA) [With Distinction – Spicy Souffle (French Deputy)] – Lim Gi Won – 1.8
Distances: 1.75 lengths / 0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Wonder Bolt (USA) 5. Choegangja USA) 6. Cheonjiga (USA) 7. Always Winner (KOR) 8. Zentenary (USA) 9. Clean Up Bingo (KOR) 10. Cheonma (USA)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview

Big race action returns to Seoul today (Sunday) with the running of the Munhwa Ilbo Cup. The Sprint is the feature of an 11-race program in the capital which runs from 10:45 to 18:00. At Busan, there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05.

Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf goes in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

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

(6) MASK is ready to win. He almost slipped over turning into the home straight on debut in July but still managed to finish 3rd before running 2nd on his return in August. He’ll be on the early speed here and really should be winning. (3) LUCKY BONGHWA was 3rd, two and a half lengths behind Mask in that August race, continuing the progression that he’s shown in each of his three outings so far and he looks to be the main danger although (5) ROYAL ACE has come close once or twice and could be in the hunt too. (2) M.J. CAPTAIN comes in off a 2nd place finish last start and will likely join Mask on the early speed while (10) DAECHEON ACE was a creditable enough 5th of 9 on debut a month ago and the jockey booking will attract some.

Selections (6) Mask (3) Lucky Bonghwa (2) M.J. Captain (5) Royal Ace
Next Best 10, 12
Fast Start 2, 6

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Enhanced prize money for this juvenile contest and it sees six first-timers taking on six others who have each started once before. And a number of those experienced ones did well on debut and are likely to be favoured over the newcomers here. (3) KING POSE is the pick, running on fluently for 3rd on debut over 1000M on September 10th and the extra furlong should suit just fine today. (5) EMERALD KING and (12) BAEKSAN GUNJU (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 14)

Seoul is back from the long holiday and on what is a set to be a cool but fine day in the capital there are 12 races from 10:45 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

We begin with a filly-only contest and a nice competitive one at that. (6) AMENDA wasn’t far off 3rd place on debut in August, coming home 5th but then improved to 2nd on her re-appearance on September 3rd. She’s not the quickest of starters but is up slightly in trip today and has as good a chance as any here. (3) RUBY BEOLKIN returned from a lengthy absence to record a sound 3rd place at this distance last month. She looks a much better filly now and can continue to progress here while (2) JEGUKUI HUYE was favourite when stepped up to 1700M a month ago but didn’t see out the trip. She should be much happier back at 1300M where she scored her best finish to date. (5) SAUVIGNON and (8) CHEONGUN ILHO, both at this distance for the first time, are others with scope to go well.

Selections (6) Amenda (3) Ruby Beolkin (2) Jegukui Huye (5) Sauvignon
Next Best 8, 1, 4
Fast Start 3, 9, 11, 12

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

Seven of the twelve are racing for the first time but it’s among the five who have each raced once previously where we find out pick. That’s (12) GEUMA THUNDER, who may have been ten lengths behind the winner on debut at this distance on September 9th but that was no disgrace. He led for much of the race and ran on for a comfortable 2nd place (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 13)

It’s back! After a week’s break for this year’s rather lengthy “Chuseok” holiday, racing returns to Korea this weekend. Things get underway at Friday for an 11-race card with the first at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. Time to get stuck in:

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

Competitive opener. (1) CHANG GONG and (2) BELLAMY GONGJU raced 5th and 6th at 1200M a month ago. It was Chang Gong’s debut and he showed enough to suggest he has some promise, leading early. There were no expectations on (3) DONE IT MY on his debut the same day but he managed a very creditable 3rd and won’t be overlooked this time. (4) SEOGANG JILJU didn’t enjoy the extra furlong last time and may be better dropped back in trip today while the Bart Rice pair of (5) CHRISTIANO and (8) CLOVER QUEEN may also have a say.

 

Selections (1) Chang Gong (4) Seogang Jilju (8) Clover Queen (3) Done It My
Next Best 5, 2
Fast Start 1, 6, 2

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

Half the field have raced before while the other half make their debuts here. We’ll go with experience and a number of them raced each other last time. (8) SMART DANCER, (9) YEONGGWANGUI BOSS and (5) DIVIDE WIND ran 3rd, 4th and 5th on their own debuts on September 15th. Punters will likely make Kim Young Kwan’s Divide Wind favourite to overturn that today, especially given the draw should allow him to get on speed early but (more…)