Author: gyongmaman

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 19)

12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:50 to 18:00. English race cards are here and notes on races 5-12 are below:

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:40  

Two stand-outs here. (4) WHIZ SPARK was all over the place last time out, finishing the race on the grandstand running rail yet still managed 3rd place. She was sent back to trial, which she came through comfortably and has to be fancied here. If she fails to run in a straight line again, (3) SAMJEONG MAGNUM looks most likely to take advantage. She was slightly disappointing on her first try at this class a month ago but wasn’t beaten by much and gets another chance here. The top two look superior but (5) GINNY ACE, 6th behind Whiz Spark last time, can improve while solid runs are capable from (6) SILVERGRAY CAT and (8) HAENURI.

Selections: (4) Whiz Spark (3) Samjeong Magnum (6) Silvergray Cat (8) Haenuri
Next Best: 6, 9
Rating: 4=6, 5, 9, 3
Fast Starters: 4, 5, 6
Start-200M: 6, 4, 5, 3, 2
200M-Finish: 9, 10, 5, 3, 2

Race 6: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:25

Competitive race and it’s about time (9) RAON ROUIS added to his two victories on what will be his tenth career start here. Last time out at 1200M he led until the closing stages before being well-beaten by a good winner and back at 1000M today, he can lead all the way. Also looking to lead will be (8) DAESEONG MALLI, who beat five of these when finishing 2nd on what was just her second career outing on October 22nd and she can continue her development here. (5) PICO TIME is up in class following a dominant four-length win over the distance last month. She has a strong finish and will one to watch out for in the closing stages. (3) NABOM CASTLE comes in looking for softer opposition after a couple of chastening outings at domestic class 4 and may improve while (6) APPALACHIA BOM perhaps hasn’t shown his best yet.

Selections: (9) Raon Rouis (8) Daeseong Malli (5) Pico Time (3) Nabom Castle
Next Best: 6, 1
Rating: 3, 4=8=9, 1
Fast Starters: 2, 6, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 9, 6, 3, 7
200M-Finish: 1, 4, 5, 12, 8

Click “more” to read on…

Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:10  (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 18)

It’s the final leg of the 2016 Queens’ Tour to determine this year’s champion filly or mare at Busan on Sunday, but before that there is a busy day of action on Friday. There are 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00

English race cards can be found here. See below for notes on races 4-11:

Key
Rating: Top five official rated
Fast Starters: Expected to lead the race early
Start-200M: Fastest average time for the first 200M (up to 6 most recent races)
200M-Finish: Fastest average time for the final 200M (up to 6 most recent races)

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35 

Two stand-outs here looking to get their maiden wins at what for both of them is the fourth time of asking. (9) NAMBANG JEONSEOL is favoured. He debuted all the way back last year before immediately suffering a setback and didn’t return until September. A 4th and 3rd in two starts since returning in reasonable company suggest he should be favourite to claim this (8) CAPI RUN is the main danger having shown promise in his own three outings and has an apprentice jockey taking a significant amount of weight off. They should account for the quinella with (1) WINNING ALL, (2) PUREUN GANGJA and (6) SONATILLED looking best of the rest.

Selections: (9) Nambang Jeonseol (8) Capi Run (2) Pureun Gangja (1) Winning All
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 4, 5
Start-200M: 5, 4, 9, 1, 8
200M-Finish: 6, 7, 9, 5, 2

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Jockey Woes: Lee Chan Ho Struck-Off / Pasquale Borelli Suspended For 12 Months

Lee Chan Ho, one of the most promising young jockeys at Seoul and who guided Choegang Schiller to victory in the 2015 Asia Challenge Cup, has had his license to ride in races cancelled. The sanction, announced last Friday, is due to off-track incidents and is not related to racing or integrity.

Born in 1992, Lee Chan Ho debuted as a 21-year-old in June 2013 and quickly made an impression, riding out his apprentice claim in double-quick time. He partnered Wonder Bolt to 2nd place behind El Padrino in the inaugural Asia Challenge Cup in 2014 and returned to win the race one year later on Choegang Schiller.

That would be his only Group race winner although he also had Listed success in the Herald Business and Nonghyup Chairman’s Cup races in 2015 as well as this year’s Seoul trial for the Jeju Governor’s Cup. In total, he rode 179 winners from 1343 rides.

Like a number of jurisdictions in Asia, Korea has strict policies relating to conduct away from the racecourse as well as on it and unfortunately, it seems Lee Chan Ho fell foul of these one time too many.

Meanwhile Pasquale Borelli’s time at Busan is at an end. The Italian jockey had been under investigation for his ride on Yeonggwanguihunter at Busan on October 28th. The 2-year-old colt was sent off as odds-on favourite but finished a tailed-off last with Borelli adjudged by stewards to have restrained the horse. Borelli maintained that he believed the horse to be feeling an injury but a post-race veterinary exam showed no sign of lameness.

Ultimately, Borelli was handed a 12-month suspension which almost certainly means he has ridden his last race in Korea.  Borelli debuted at Busan in October 2015 and in his year riding at the South Coast track, recorded 38 winners from 319 mounts.

Here’s the race in question, the horse is number 9:

Tough Night In Tokyo

It was another chastening night in the dirt for Korean runners in Tokyo as Bichui Wangja and Ubaki were unable to make an impact in the 4th running of the Interaction Cup at Ohi Racecourse on Tuesday evening.

ubaki

The parade ring was about as good as it got (Pic: KRA)

Since Watts Village won the inaugural running of the race in 2013, things haven’t been easy for the Korean contingent in Tokyo each autumn in the same way that it has been tough for the NAR runners who travel to Seoul for the Korean-based leg of the challenge each year.

This time around, Korean hopes took an early blow when Oreuse, the top-rated among the three who travelled, pulled up lame at trackwork on Monday morning and had to be scratched. That left Ubaki and Bichui Wangja flying the flag and Japanese punters sent them off as 8th and 10th in the betting respectively for the 1200M test over Ohi’s right-handed course.

After a long delay while Satono Diplomat was scratched, market-leader Looks That Kill (Wildcat Heir) set the early pace and along with Gaudy (Precious Cafe) put several lengths into the field in the early stages as the Korean pair, having drawn outside gates, struggled to get into the early prominent positions required.

Those two on the early speed would lead all the way but it would be Gaudy, under veteran jockey Fumio Matoba who would get up eight on the line to snatch victory.  Bichui Wangja and Ubaki  trailed home towards the rear of the field.

Gaudy, an 8-year-old horse, was 5th in the betting and was winning for the 9th time on his 58th career start. As for Matoba, the “Emperor of Ohi” was winning a 2nd Japan/Korea race, having claimed the very first one, the 2013 SBS Goodwill Cup at Seoul aboard Tosen Archer. Now pushing 60-years-old, Matoba’s style is not one that gets taught in the world’s jockey academies these but once in full flight, it can be very effective at Ohi.

There’s no disgrace on the ones who went and gave it a go and while the results over the past couple of years have been a touch disappointing, the exchange remains a valuable one, giving trainers and grooms (although this year not jockeys) experience of taking horses overseas to race, something that is vital to the long term development of Korean racing.

The Interaction Cup concludes overseas racing for Korean horses this year. Next up is the Dubai World Cup Carnival in the New Year. Success Story, who did so well at the Carnival last year, won’t be returning but a number of top names have applied for stable allocation.

 

Triple Nine Bests Power Blade To Retain President’s Cup

Triple Nine pulled clear of stablemate and Triple Crown Power Blade to convincingly retain his President’s Cup title at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

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Triple Nine wins the President’s Cup (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

Triple Nine had previously got the best of Power Blade by four lengths as the pair ran 3rd and 4th behind Japan’s Chrysolite in September’s Billion Won Korea Cup and while the circumstances of that race were rather unusual, punters sent the older colt, who convincingly beat Rock Band in last year’s race, as the slight favourite with Success Story the only other one of the ten-strong field to be backed to any extent.

Success Story would, as ever, show the way in the 2000M race, Korea’s equal-richest, along with the Derby, that is restricted to locally bred horses. Racing for the first time since being gelded, the 5-year-old brought the field along with Power Blade right on pace beside him while Triple Nine, under Seo Seung Un for the first time, settled in his usual midfield position.

Jockey Seo asked Triple Nine to improve as they rounded the final turn and the 4-year-old effortlessly glided up alongside the leaders. Into the home straight and Success Story was the first to fall out of contention leaving the stablemates to go stride for stride until the furling pole. Entering the closing stages, however, Power Blade’s challenge wilted and Triple Nine pulled clear to win by a commanding five lengths on the line. Success Story was a further four back in 3rd.

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Triple Nine waiting to be brought out for the post-race presentation (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

In yet another assertion of the southern-track’s superiority when it comes to quality,  Busan horses accounted for the first five place-getters with Baedari Bobae running 4th and Zettabyte, 2nd in both of the final two legs of the Triple Crown coming home in 5th.

The victory was Triple Nine’s 11th in 19 career starts to date. He has never finished any worse than 4th. Neither has Power Blade and the pair of them are both potential entries for the Dubai World Cup Carnival in the New Year although it is possible the Grand Prix Stakes next month could be the agenda for one or both of them. For jockey Seo Seung Un it was a first Korean Group 1 winner. For trainer Kim Young Kwan, it was a 10th.

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – November 13, 2016

1. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.8, 1.0
2. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.1
3. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – You Hyun Myung – 1.7
Distances: 5 lengths / 4 lenghs
Also Ran: 4. Baedari Bobae 5. Zettabyte 6. Cheonji Storm 7 .Sotong Sidae 8. Pinot Noir 9. Top Fighter 10. Impetus NR: Brig

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Full Race-By-Race Preview for President’s Cup Day (November 13)

Sunday is President’s Cup Day at Seoul. The big race is the highlight of 11 contests at Seoul from 10:40 to 18:00. Meanwhile at Busan there is a competitive 6-race card running from 12:50 to 17:05.

See here for a runner-by-runner preview of the President’s Cup. Full English race cards can be found here and see below for a race-by-race preview of the whole day (click continue reading):

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 60 Million / 10:40

Five first-timers and five with prior experience here and we’ll go with the experience. (7) K KING has shown improvement over his two outings to date and can keep that going here. He should lead from the gate and can win. (8) CHARMING GOOD was an encouraging 4th in a tight race on debut last month and also improve today while (4) RAON ROCKY also showed promise when racing 5th on debut on October 2nd. Among the debut makers, (2) BEST CAMP looked the pick in trials.

Selections: (7) K King (2) Best Camp (8) Charming Good (4) Raon Rocky
Next Best: 6, 10
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 7
Start-200M: 8, 7, 9, 4, 1
200M-Finish: 1, 7, 8, 9, 4

click “more” to continue…it’s too long to keep on the front!

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The President’s Cup: Power Blade vs Triple Nine (and 10 more) – Full Preview

Along with the Korean Derby, the President’s Cup is the richest race in Korea restricted to locally bred horses. That means it usually attrcts the best from Seoul and Busan and this year is no exception as Triple Crown winner Power Blade takes on his stablemate and winner of this race last year, Triple Nine over 2000M at Seoul Racecourse.

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Triple Nine was 3rd in the Korea Cup – he returns to Seoul as potential favourite for the President’s Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Here’s a full run-down of the field:

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – Sunday November 13, 2016 (16:40)

1. Success Story [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] 5 G (23/10/3/6) – You Hyun Myung
He was gelded last month and won’t be returning to the Dubai World Cup Carnival int he New Year. Two 3rds and most recently a strong 2nd behind Triple Nine in a Stakes race in August. He’ll be on pace early. Needs to be sensibly ridden to give him a chance of holding off Triple Nine late on.

2. Sotong Sidae [Gold Money – Myeonggauihuye (Black Minnaloushe)] 5 G (34/9/5/8) – Park Byeong Yun
Probably Seoul’s best he comes in having won back to back class 1’s over 1800M both in his familiar fast closing fashion. He will go back as usual and he can beat plenty in the closing stages.

3. Zettabyte [Menifee – Fight Back (Sakura Seeking)] 3 C (11/4/4/1)
4th in the Cup Mile and then 2nd to Power Blade in both the Derby and the Minister’s Cup, he makes a strong case for being the 2nd best of his his crop. Returned to winning ways with a facile five-length win at Busan in September, if he can be reasonably handy, we know he can finish strongly at this distance and a place is possible.

4. Pinot Noir [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] 6 M (29/7/8/2) – Park Hyun Woo
One of the best racemares in Korea, she began the year with a Listed and a Stakes win but has struggled a little of late. Beaten by Brig in September she could only manage 5th in the Jeju Governor’s Cup last month. Today’s distance is ideal but the competition may be a little stiff.

5. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake) 5 H (34/5/6/8) – Song Keong Yun
Ten lengths behind Power Blade in the Gukje Sinmun last month and that was only because the race was only over 1400M. Creditable 5th behind Triple Nine and Success Story in the Owners’ Cup but he has too much to find here. Most likely to settle at the rear of the field and hope to pick some off late on.

6. Triple Nine [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] 4 C (18/10/6/1) – Seo Seung Un
Bested Power Blade by four lengths in what was admittedly a rather crazy running of the Korea Cup. He is very good but has suffered surprising defeats to Diferent Dimension and Beolmaui Kkum this year. He finished very strongly in the Cup and the distance should be ideal. He has a big chance of successfully defending his title.

7. Brig [Menifee – Delicias (Deputy Minister)] 6 H (36/9/8/1) – Djordje Perovic
Returned to form recently with a pair of 2nd places in class 1 company, including at this distance. Narrowly beaten a neck last time, a further nose ahead of Impetus, who also goes here. HIs improvement in form has coincided with Djordje Perovic starting to ride him but even so, this will be challenging.

8. Power Blade [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] 3 C (11/8/2/0) – Kim Yong Geun
Many thought that the Korea Cup would be a race too far for the Triple Crown winning colt but he raced well and came home 4th. That’s his only defeat this year and he returned to Busan to win the Gukje Sinmun last month beating Seoul Bullet who burnished his own credentials with an easy win last week. Versatile but expected to be close to the early pace here, he can win.

9. Cheonji Storm [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] 3 C (10/5/2/1) – Ham Wan Sik
An exciting colt still on the way up. He was 6th in the Korean Derby but has two wins from three outings since including the HRI Trophy at this distance on international weekend. He’ll be on the speed early and shouldn’t be over-matched. He’s the wildcard choice for a place.

10. Baedari Bobae [Colors Flying – Geumgang Gongwon (Pacificbounty)] 3 C (15/3/6/3) – Lee Sung Jae
3rd in the Minister’s Cup, four lengths behind Zettabyte and eleven behind Power Blade, he has some catching up to do. A pair of indifferent performances since don’t inspire confidence in him doing it here. Usually settles in midfield.

11. Impetus [Exploit – Miss Stravinsky (Stravinsky)] 6 H (36/7/3/9) – Jo Jae Ro
Beaten a nose into 3rd place by Brig last start, less than half a length behind the winner. However, the last time he won was July of 2015 and that doesn’t look set to change here. Given his draw, he’s likely to be ridden patiently.

12. Top Fighter [Gaeseon Janggun – Escaped Love (Lost Soldier)] 5 G (26/3/4/4) – Kim Eu Soo
No real chance here, he is yet to win at a higher level than class 3. Most recently 3rd over 1200M, he may as well go as quick as possible out of the gate and see what happens.

Verdict: (8) Power Blade (6) Triple Nine (1) Success Story (9) Cheonji Storm

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 11)

It’s President’s Cup weekend. Twelve horses, including Triple Crown winner Power Blade will contend one of Korea’s richest races at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. Prior to that, however, there’s plenty going on across the peninsula on Friday and Saturday. Busan gets things underway with an 11-race card on Friday running from 11:30 to 18:00.

English race cards are here. Notes on simulcast races 4-11 are below:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35 

(9) MAPLE CLASSIC was a much improved 2nd behind a good winner last start, beating a couple of these in the process and while he’s yet to show much in the way of speed, can continue his progress in modest company here and he’s the pick to score from the front. (5) KING ICE is another who has showed glimpses of talent with a pair of 4th places among three prior tries. He should sit handy and can finish strongly. Those two look some way ahead of the rest although the more experienced (12) MAGIC WINNER comes in following a 3rd and a 4th at this distance, beating a number of the others who go here and he should beat plenty today. (1) HIGH SPEC improved behind Maple Classic last time out while (3) STYLISH too has scope for improvement.

Selections: (9) Maple Classic (5) King Ice (12) Magic Winner (3) Stylish
Next Best: 1, 2, 10
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 1, 3, 9
Start-200M: 1, 3, 8, 4, 9
200M-Finish: 5, 10, 12, 9, 7

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:20 

Bart Rice’s (7) MADEIN MYEONGSEONG is two starts into a comeback following nine months out and while he was a slightly disappointing 4th last time having made the running over 1000M before weakening late on. Francisco Da Silva takes the mount today and they should lead from gate to wire. (1) ACE MAN disappointed when well backed on October 2nd but was found to be lame afterwards. After six weeks off, he can go better today and should join Madein Myeongseong on the early speed. (6) NORTHERN TRACE and (4) VEGA KHAN were both beaten by Madein Myeongseong last time out and both can improve here.

Selections: (7) Madein Myeongseong (1) Ace Man (6) Northern Trace (4) Vega Khan
Next Best: 5, 8
Rating: 7, 1, 4, 3, 8
Fast Starters: 1, 7
Start-200M: 5, 7, 1, 2, 6
200M-Finish: 1, 7, 6, 2, 8

Race 6: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:05 

Up in class following his maiden win over this distance on October 21st Peter Wolsley’s (4) ROYAL RUBY will likely be favourite to follow up here. He does have a little bit to find though. Kim Young Kwan’s (10) ATHENS was 2nd at class and distance a month ago and should get an easy lead here so must be considered while (1) PARK MAN and (11) BLUE DANCER are both yet to win but can be competitive in this company. Also yet to win is (5) GANGHO IRON but she rarely misses at least the minor money and can repeat today.

Selections: (4) Royal Ruby (10) Athens (11) Blue Dancer (1) Park Man
Next Best: 5, 7, 6
Rating: 10, 4, 1=7, 5
Fast Starters: 10
Start-200M: 7, 1, 11, 9, 5
200M-Finish: 4, 1, 11, 5, 3

Race 7: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 15:50

There are five debut-makers. Stablemates (5) DROP THE BEAT and (8) GOOD CASTING both won their trials with the latter looking the slightly more impressive, finishing very strongly. Drop The Beat should be on speed early along with another debut maker (7) PURE DEIMOS, who also showed promise in two trials. Favourite, however, could well be Kim Young Kwan’s (12) CHALLANHAN ACE who comes in following a 3rd place in a similar race last month and while the outside gate isn’t ideal, should be dangerous in this company. Best of the rest is (3) PARTYINTHEDESERT.

Selections: (8) Good Casting (12) Challanhan Ace (7) Pure Deimos (5) Drop The Beat
Next Best: 3, 9
Rating: 12, 3, 11, 1=2
Fast Starters: 5, 7, 12
Start-200M: 12, 1, 10, 4, 6
200M-Finish: 3, 6, 12, 10, 4

Race 8: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 16:35

(2) YUSEONGCHEOREOM looks to be a banker favourite here. He’s won two from three so far and is up in class seven weeks on from a four-length triumph over 1000M. His one defeat did come at this distance but given a good start here, he should win. Also up in class is (8) SUPER JJANGJJANGI, who tries this distance for the first time. He has a little more to find but can be competitive as can (9) KOREA HUNTER, who beat a couple of these when running 3rd over 1200M last month. The experienced (7) WONDERFULCHEONGHAE enters in good form and can place as can (5) B.K. KING.

Selections: (2) Yuseongcheoreom (8) Super Jjangjjangi (7) Wonderfulcheonghae (9) Korea Hunter
Next Best: 5, 1
Rating: 5, 1, 6=7, 2
Fast Starters: 2, 8
Start-200M: 8, 2, 6, 1, 7
200M-Finish: 7, 5, 8, 2, 9

Race 9: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:00 

Another likely strong favourite here as (8) BEOLMAUI SIN tries two turns for the first time. He has a strong finish and should cope with the distance and while he only managed 3rd when favourite last start at 1400M, can return to winning ways today. (9) SISEON POCHAK was behind him that day and can be competitive but the main danger may be Peter Wolsley’s (5) WISH ME LUCK, already a class and distance winner, who unseated his jockey coming out of the gate last time out but should be given another chance today. (2) YANKEE DREAM and (7) KKEUTPANYEOWANG look best of the rest.

Selections: (8) Beolmaui Sin (5) Wish Me Luck (9) Siseon Pochak (7) Kkeutpanyeowang
Next Best: 2, 3
Rating: 8, 5, 1, 3, 7
Fast Starters: 3, 5
Start-200M: 3, 7, 9, 2, 5
200M-Finish: 8, 1, 5, 4, 7

Race 10: Class 3 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:30 

(5) LLANO ESTACADO got his act together after seven indifferent outings and promptly started winning. He enters here up in class following a two length win over this distance on October 9th. He has plenty to find here but must be respected. (2) GABO STAR and (4) GABOGAPJJANG have the same owner and while the former should set the early pace, it’s the latter who may benefit from that and may well start favourite. He beat (6) BIHOJA by four lengths when running a close 2nd over class and distance three weeks ago. (8) YEGEURINA is up in class following her 2nd win in her last three and while she has plenty to find, she is unbeaten when ridden by jockey Yonekura Satoshi.

Selections: (4) Gabogapjjang (8) Yegeurina (5) Llano Estacado (2) Gabo Star
Next Best: 6, 3
Rating: 4=8, 6, 5, 1
Fast Starters: 2
Start-200M: 2, 3, 6, 4, 5
200M-Finish: 8, 4, 1, 6, 3

Race 11: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 18:00 

Competitive affair to finish with. (6) SUPER CHEOLIN didn’t quite manage to get up over the distance last time in a good race on October 28th. It was a tight finish though and he gets another chance today. (2) SHARP GALE landed a very good 2nd in a trial for the Jeju Governor’s Cup at the end of August and while she found herself a little overmatched in the Cup itself at Seoul last month, she performed creditably enough and must be considered back in this company today. (10) ACME and (11) SOUL BLADE are both up in class, the latter returning for the first time since beating Super Cheolin in September. Also up in class having triumphed over a mile last time is (5) PANGPANG HERO and he is likely to provide the early speed while (3) NAGASINDA was a winner over 1900M last time out and should be dangerous.

Selections: (6) Super Cheolin (11) Soul Blade (2) Sharp Gale (10) Acme
Next Best: 3, 5, 1
Rating: 2, 8, 6, 1=3
Fast Starters: 1, 5
Start-200M: 8, 2, 5, 6, 10
200M-Finish: 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

Cheongdam Dokki, I’m Your Father Claim 2yo Prizes

Big prizes were on offer for imported two-year-olds at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday . 23/1 outsider Cheongdam Dokki took the honours in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul while at Busan, jockey Francisco Da Silva continued his recent run of form, guiding  well-backed I’m Your Father to victory in the Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo.

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Francisco Da Silva interviewed post-race

I’m Your Father (Tiznow) entered having won one of three starts so far with 2nd and 3rd places in the other two – all against older horses. Accordingly he was sent off as the slight favourite for the 1200M Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Cup, Busan’s most valuable race for imported juveniles. I’m Your Father, a $50,000 yearling purchase from the Fasig Tipton sale last autumn raced handy throughout, hitting the front early in the home straigth and running on to win by a dominant four lengths.

It was jockey Francisco Da Silva’s 11th Korean winner and he would quickly add another as he guided Main Stay to beat stablemate and Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi and highly rated sprinter Perdido Pomeroy in the class 1 feature.

Seoul too hosted its most valuable race for juvenile imports on Sunday and if Busan’s was practically a procession for the winner, in the capital it was anything but. Spirit Of Hansen (Hansen) was sent off as a vulnerable favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup but it was another 23/1 chance, Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor And Serve) who closed from 9th to 1st in the final furlong to snatch it on the line under Park Eul Woon.

Cheongdam Dokki cost just $20,000 at Keeneland’s yearling sale in 2015. The munhwa Ilbo was just his second lifetime start and he’s won both of them

Next week sees one of the biggest races of the season at Seoul in the shape of the President’s Cup. It’s Korea’s most valuable race of the season that’s restricted to domestic-bred horses.

Sunday Preview: Munhwa Ilbo, Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo (November 6)

Busy day of racing at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday with big prizes at both tracks for imported 2-year olds. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:40 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:50 to 17:00.

Ottug Ottugi

Oaks Winner Ottug Ottugi faces Perdido Pomeroy on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

At Seoul, It’s the Munhwa Ilbo Cup and Spirit Of Hansen looks set to be favourite for a race that has attracted a full field of fourteen runners. Fourteen go too in Busan’s equivalent, the Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Cup, a really open event in which the excellently named I’m Your Father, Sillaui Jeonseol, and Wonder Wall are likely to be among the favourites.

Also at Busan, there is an intriguing match-up in the finale as two of the track’s best sprinters, Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi and Korea/Japan Cup winner Perdido Pomeroy face off over six furlongs. Races 9-11 at Seoul will be shown in Australia on Sky Racing 2. English race cards are here. Notes on those three races below:

Race 9: Class Open – The Munhwa Ilbo Cup / 1200M / Allowance (2yo Only) / KRW 200 Million / 16:35

Following three 2nd place finishes, (5) SPIRIT OF HANSEN was perhaps a touch fortunate to get his maiden victory last time out when his main rival missed the break enabling him to comfortably make all. Nevertheless he has shown enough to suggest he should be favourite to take this valuable prize with champion jockey Moon Se Young on board for the first time. (14) NEW CITADEL made his own breakthrough last time with a visually impressive win over 1400M and while the draw is far from ideal, looks the main danger. There are plenty of unknowns in the race though. (7) CHEONGDAM DOKKI and (2) GRACE CITY have both won their only starts to date and will have backers while (8) DOLKONG may have only managed 2nd on debut behind one of his rivals at the end of August but clearly needed further and gets it today. (12) INGWANGDO has also shown promise in two outings so far and is to be considered.

Selections: (5) Spirit Of Hansen (14) New Citadel (7) Cheongdam Dokki (8) Dolkong
Next Best: 12, 2, 11
Rating: 5, 14, 4, 1=2
Fast Starters: 3, 4, 5, 12
Start-200M: 12, 4, 3, 14, 10
200M-Finish: 8, 11, 7, 13, 14

Race 10: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 90 Million / 17:30

Nice competitive race here and while (6) SMART TIME found herself overmatched in the Jeju Governor’s Cup last month, she should go much better here in more amenable company. She races best when she gets a forward position from the gate and can do that today. (2) GREY KAISER beat a couple of these when racing 3rd over 1200M a month ago and will also be on speed today while (3) BAEKSAN can improve on a 6th place in tough company last start. (4) CUPID POWER and (12) SUN SHOT look best of the rest.

Selections: (6) Smart Time (2) Grey Kaiser (3) Baeksan (4) Cupid Power
Next Best: 12, 5, 1, 8
Rating: 85=85, 83=83, 82
Fast Starters: 2, 5, 6, 12
Start-200M: 12, 5, 1, 10, 2
200M-Finish: 4, 8, 7, 12, 3

Race 11: Class 1 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 110 Million / 18:00

It took (10) WINNER RED six starts to get his maiden win but he’s now won four of his last five and tackles class 1 opposition for the first time here with every indication being that he can be equal to the task. Also up in class is (11) SAMBONG. He was a, eight-length winner over 1900M last month but is a very solid sprinter too and must be considered. (7) DIPLOMATIC MISSION was 2nd at class and distance three weeks ago and can match that today while (1) WORLD JJANG and (6) CITY HUNTER have proven competitive at this level, the latter having returned from seven months out with a solid 3rd last month. (4) SUN STRONG and (12) GUMANSEOK are longer shots who also can’t be ruled out.

Selections: (10) Winner Red (7) Diplomatic Mission (11) Sambong (4) Sun Strong
Next Best: 12, 1, 6
Rating: 12, 8, 10, 2=7
Fast Starters: 2, 7, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 9, 10, 2, 7
200M-Finish: 6, 11, 1, 2, 10