Author: gyongmaman

Torpedo Mast is First Class

Grey steps up while KRA wants Punters to clean up – literally
Torpedo Mast pulled off a surprise win in this evening’s feature race at Seoul Race Park. A win at class 2 last month had qualified the grey for the top level of Korean racing and at his first class 1 attempt, he comfortably held off favourite Bulpaegisang for a two length win. As usual, Gamadongja made all the running and stayed on for third place.

Four year old Torpedo Mast (USA) [Mizzen Mast – Valid Deduction (Bet Big)] has finished in the money in all but three of his twenty outings. He’s never been earmarked as a potential star but after a commanding performance over a field including not only Bulpaegisang and Gamadongja but also such luminaries as Baekjeonmupae, Angus Empire and Seoul Teukgeup, it’s unlikely he’ll be sent off at odds of 25/1 again.

In other news on a sticky afternoon and evening at Seoul, young jockey Park Sang Woo scored his first ever winner landing race 7 on Black Cat. On the way to post for that race Choi Beom Hyun was violently thrown from his mount in front of the grandstand. Although motionless on the track for several minutes, Choi emerged unhurt and, to punters’ amazement, reappeared to win race 10 on Nice Good.

A larger than usual Saturday crowd were in attendance after the blank weekend last week. To welcome everybody back, the KRA gave away a gift set to each and every one of the 50,000 in attendance. A nice touch – and quite an impressive logistical operation. However, given that the contents of the gift set comprised of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, a razor, shower gel and various similar items, punters could be forgiven for thinking the racing authority was trying to tell them something.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Busan Friday Review

Overseas jocks ride / Captain Sir debuts / Sinheung Gangja wins
Seven of the overseas jockeys in Busan for Sunday’s International Invitation Race were in action at Busan Race Park this afternoon. None troubled the placings and the highest finishers were New Zealand’s Laura Cheshire on Fresh Dancer in race 3 and Japan’s Hitomi Miyashita on Tamna Kwaegeol in race 7, both of whom guided their 40/1 shots to fourth place.

None could really have been expected to do any better on mounts that were a warm up for Sunday’s main event. Here’s how they all got on:

Mai Beppu: Race 2, Seondu Jeongsang – 11th of 12 – win odds: 75.8
Laura Cheshire: Race 3, Fresh Dancer – 4/10 – 48.2
Nadine Rapson: Race 5, Queen Of Moonstone – 7/11 – 43.3
Hitomi Miyashita: Race 7, Tamna Kwaegeol – 4/13 – 43.8
Jennifer Stisted: Race 8, Shingwang Cheonji – 9/13 – 20.0
Chiaki Iwanaga: Race 9, Raon Champion – 8/13 – 7.9
Linda Meech: Race 9, Gold Love – 11/13 – 73.2

In other news at Busan, it was a good day for jockey Stephan Swanepoel. The South African landed his second win at the track taking race 1 on hot favourite Raon Cat.

Another hot favourite made his debut today. Two year old US import Captain Sir [Trippi – Fine Wine (Hooched)] comfortably took race 2, easing to a four length win in a fast time over 1000 metres.

Meanwhile, favourite Sinheung Gangja came through with a late run to win the feature race. Under Jo Sung Gon, the four year old overhauled second favourite Hangang Jeil in the final furlong to take victory by a length and a half. It’s a sixth career victory for Sinheung Gangja who was second in the Busan Owners’ Cup last year.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Oaks Weekend Preview

Korean Oaks / Invitation Race / Namdo Jeap
After a week off, racing is back on the peninsula and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends of the year. The Korean Oaks at Busan on Sunday is the headline as Sangseung Ilro seeks to completethe Derby/Oaks double. She’ll have eleven other fillies to contend with and we’ll have a final preview of the race over the next couple of days.

Also on Sunday at Busan, the International Lady Jockey Invitation race will take place. See here for full preview.

While overshadowed for once by Busan, Seoul also has its fair share of the action. On Saturday, Baekjeonmupae, Angus Empire, Seoul Teukgeup and Gamadongja will renew hostilities, while prolific five year old mare Top Point is the biggest name on show on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday August 7: 10 races, first post 16:00; last: 21:00
Sunday August 9: 6 races, first post 16:20; last: 21:00

Seoul Race Park

Saturday August 8: 12 races, first post 14:30; last 21:00
Sunday August 9: 11 races, first post 14:30; last 21:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday August 8: 9 races, first post 16:30; last 21:20
Sunday August 9: 9 races, first post 16:30; last 21:20

It’s been a fine week weatherwise but rain is on the horizon.

Eleven Contest International Lady Jockey Race

Eight overseas visitors will join three local riders for the 2009 International Lady Jockey Invitiation Race which will be run on the undercard of the Korean Oaks this coming Sunday at Busan Race Park.

With Lee Ae Li, Park Jin Hee and Yoo Mi Ra representing Korea, riders from Japan, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa will also be in town to contest the reasonably tasty looking class 1 race. Additionally, most of the jockeys will also take one ride in a race on Busan’s Friday evening card.

The International riders are:

Jennifer Stisted (USA) – Maryland based and often riding for trainer husband Scott Lake, Stisted has landed over 250 winners in her career.
Rides: Friday R8: Shingwang Cheonji; Sunday R3: Florida Native

Catherine Gannon (Ireland) – Rides mainly in the UK and is having her best season ever with 26 winners so far in 2009.
Rides: Sunday R3: Gangcheol Nabi

Laura Cheshire (New Zealand) – Currently based on Australia’s Gold Coast, she’s ridden 22 winners over the past year.
Rides: Friday R3: Fresh Dancer; Sunday R3: Miss Ecton

Nadine Rapson (South Africa) – The Eastern Cape rider has over 150 wins to date.
Rides: Friday R5: Queen Of Moonstone; Sunday R3: Yongwonhanhaengbok

Linda Meech (Australia) – Anther having her best ever season, Meech has already reached a century of winners in 2009 riding mainly in Victoria.
Rides: Friday R9: Gold Love; Sunday R3: Max Is Cruisin

Mai Beppu (Japan) – Kochi based Beppu shared the NAR Grand Prix Best Female jockey award of 2008
Rides: Friday R2: Seondu Jeongsang, Sunday R3: Dongbang Geona

Hitomi Miyashita (Japan) – Riding out of Aichi, Miyashita shared the NAR award with Beppu.
Rides: Friday R7: Tamna Kwaegeol; Sunday R3: Ima Firecracker

Chiaki Iwanaga (Japan) – Winner of over one 100 races in Japan.
Rides: Friday R9: Raon Champion; Sunday R3: Oreumak

And the Koreans…

Lee Ae Li – Based at Seoul. Riding in pink silks and boots has earned her the nickname “Ae Li Gongju” (Princess Ae Li). Former winner of Seoul Race Park’s “MVP” award, while not a prolific winner, Ae Li is one of the track’s reliable performers.

Yoo Mi Ra – Only debuted in 2008 and only recently scored her first win. Mi Ra has been steadily improving.

Park Jin Hee – On current form the most successful female thoroughbred jockey in Korea.

Sunday’s Invitation race is race 3 on the card and is off at 18:10. The plumb ride of Namdo Jeap, currently rated Korea’s top three year old colt, went the way of Park Jin Hee. Stablemate and top danger Miss Ecton will be ridden by Laura Cheshire. Here’s a run down of the runners and riders, with pedigree, race records, sex and age:

Class 1 (Foreign bred) Invitation Race – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Aug 9, 2009

1. Namdo Jeap (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] C3 (9/4/3/1) – Park Jin Hee
Runner up in the KRA Cup Mile and the Derby he took on and beat foreign bred horses last month and there’s no reason why he can’t do so again.

2. Florida Native (USA) [Kissin Kris – Bindiana (Jose Binn)] H5 (29/7/5/3) – Jennifer Stisted
Struggled of late but may appreciate dropping back to a mile.

3. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] F4 (16/5/2/6) – Laura Cheshire
A consistent performer. A mile is her best distance and last year’s Busan Ilbo winner should be in contention. She’ll carry top weight.

4. Yeongwonhanhangbok (USA) [El Corredor – Media Power (Red Ransom)] F4 (19/3/3/3) – Nadine Rapson
Some good performances over the winter put her into the top tier of Korean racing. Struggled last time out at the same distance.

5. Dongbang Geona (JPN) [Paradise Creek – Hanashinju (Leo Castelli)] G5 (29/9/4/3) – Mai Beppu
A prolific winner as a two year old, and has consistently been in the money since. Won three consecutive class 1 races last autumn.

6. Oreumak (AUS) [Favorite Trick – Vigne Vierge (Diesis)] H7 (55/6/5/10) – Chiaki Iwanaga
The oldest horse in the race, Oreumak hasn’t monied for five races, but every now and then springs a surprise.

7. Gangcheol Labi (AUS) [Fusaichi Pegasus – Beffy (Danehill)] F4 (14/5/1/0) – Catherine Gannon
Made a promising step up to class 1 last month finishing fourth behind Namdo Jeap. Still improving.

8. Winter Invitation (USA) [Take Me Out – Winter Crown (Cox’s Ridge)] H6 (39/3/7/8) – Lee Ae Li
A consistant placer who scored a very good third in the Busan Mayor’s Trophy last October. Wins are few and far between and there’s no reason for that to change on Sunday

9. D M Merch (USA) [Langfuhr – Personally Yours (Personal Flag)] G7 (49/5/7/9) – Yoo Mi Ra
Win in June for the first time in two years, the seven year old has had a good 2009 placing in all but one of his five other outings.

10. Max Is Cruisin (USA) [Max’s Pal – Starlite Cruisin (Star De Naskra)] C4 (23/4/2/1) – Linda Meech
A sprint victory took him up to class 1 in June. Well beaten by Miss Ecton and Dongbang Geona last time out

11. Ima Firecracker (USA) [Hold That Tiger – It’s Destiny (Red Ransom)] F4 (20/4/4/2) – Hitomi Miyashita
Third place last time behind Namdo Jeap was an improvement. Will need to improve again to trouble the placings.

The Korean Oaks

This year was to be the “Year of the Filly”. It has been so far. While in the US they have their filly, in Korea, it is Sangseung Ilro who has been the year’s stand-out achiever so far. On Sunday, she will look to become the second filly to complete the Derby/Oaks double when she lines up for the tenth running of the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park.

At the start of the year, the KRA decided to put more emphasis on the filly and mare division. The limit owners could spend on buying overseas bred fillies for racing was doubled and 10% of races were designated as being for fillies and mares only. The long-term aim of these policy initiatives would seem to be to lessen the amount that needs to be spent on importing broodmares by having more capable fillies running, then retiring to the farms.

Like most races on the calendar, the Korean Oaks is a relatively new event. With the advent of private ownership of racehorses – and therefore prize money – in the 1990s, Korea began the long process of bringing its racing in line with international standards. It’s very much an ongoing process but one part of that has been organising the season. The Derby began in 1998 and the Oaks two years later.

With the Derby taking place in May and the Oaks in August, it is possible for a filly to win both. Haeam Janggun managed that feat in 2002 and went on to land the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup. She didn’t compete in the first leg (which was then the Ttukseom Cup) so missed out on the opportunity to win all four. Sangseung Ilro did take part, however, and won the KRA Cup Mile. In Classic terms she is two down with two to go. While there is still much running to do, if she can go on to win the lot, the “Year of the Filly” will be the year of Sangseung Ilro.

The first eight editions of the Oaks were run at Seoul Race Park before being moved to Busan last year. Here is a run down of the winners of each race so far:

2008: Jeolho Chance [Didyme – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Previously finished third in the KRA Cup Mile but after failing to make an impact in the Derby, won the Oaks in impressive fashion before going on to run a close second in the Minister’s Cup back at Seoul. Has been off the track injured all year and it is looking increasingly unlikely we will see her again.

2007: Baekpa [Revere – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] – Chun Chang Ki – Chun landed his third Oaks on the grey Baekpa. She remains, along with big brother Baekgwang, one of the country’s most popular horses although of late she has been running in the US in the KRA’s Internationalization program.

2006: Seohae Beontcheok [Revere – Linear Mark (Miner’s Mark)] – Kim Hyo Seob – She wired the field and won by ten lengths but the filly didn’t step up after and only won once more. Sent for broodmare duties, she recently gave birth to her first colt, by Concept Win.

2005: Gamun Nyeonggwang [Concept Win – Pebble Beach (Metfield)] – Lim Dae Gyu – Her win was a minor suprise but she went on to land the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup in October that year. Late jockey Lim Dae Gyu scored his last big race win on her.

2004: Singgeureoun [Mr. Adorable – Rambollina (Rambo Dancer)] – Chun Chang Ki – She came through with a late run to win by a commanding five lengths and went on to run for a further two seasons. Her only future success came in the 2006 Sports Seoul. Began broodmare duties in 2008.

2003: Amaranth [Future Quest – Shernadeed (Shernazar)] – Chun Chang Ki – The first of jockey Chun’s three Oaks wins came on the 8/1 shot who edged out a small field by a length. Ran on for a further two seasons but couldn’t repeat her Oaks form.

2002: Haeam Janggun [Didyme – Ronde (Toast The Champ)] – Bang Choon Sik – The one that Sangseung Ilro will be looking to emulate. Earlier in the year she won the Korean Derby and, after the taking the Oaks, she went on to win the Minister’s Cup. Two out of her three foals to hit the track so far have been winners.

2001: Espass [Psychobabble – Moment In May (L’Enjoleur)] – Kim Hey Sung – A four length winner, she went on to win the Ttkukseom Cup the following year.

2000: Seonbong Taegam [Road Of War – Jae-Saek-Keom-Bi (Elusive Quest)] – Kim Hyo Seob – The first Oaks winner won by a narrow margin ahead of an odds-on favourite. The race was run over seven furlongs. From the following year, it would be run over its current distance of nine furlongs.

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance

In January this year, this site was delighted to join the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA). Recently the TBA redesigned its homepage which can now be found here.

Also, at the start of this month, four new members joined the TBA: They are The Virginia Thoroughbred Blog, The Brock Talk, They Are Off and Perfect Peace Farm.

TBA

Check the right hand side of this page for the full list of TBA blogs.

While most focus on US racing, there is coverage from every imaginable angle from owners, trainers, bettors, more bettors and fans, fans, fans and more fans of our wonderful sport.

Sangseung Ilro Heads Oaks Entries

There are twelve remaining entrants with a week to go before the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park. The remarkable Sangseung Ilro, winner of the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby already this season, heads the field and it will be a brave punter who bets against her come next Sunday.

Rose Cat is the only entrant from Seoul – the capital track seemingly accepting that it is going to be a sixth straight Classic win for a Busan horse.

Oaks day is set to be one of the biggest days of racing held at Busan since the track’s opening in 2005. Also on the card is the International Lady Jockey’s Invitation Race and we’ll have a full preview of both that and the Oaks this coming Wednesday. In the meantime here is the current Oaks line up with pedigree and race records:

Korean Oaks (G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 9, 2009

Lady In Gala [Didyme – Phlox (Just Like Jo)] – (10/2/1/)
Naechingu [Creek Cat – Roberto’s Flame (Green Dancer)] – (7/1/1/4)
Rose Cat [Creek Cat – Rose Bouton (Somethingdifferent)] – (9/2/2/1)
Leading Velocity [Fiercely – Barefoot Runaway (Strike Gold)] – (11/3/2/1)
Suryeohan [Commendable – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – (9/2/2/2)
Hanmoe [Tahamkke – Wolmunsabang (Didyme)] – (12/1/2/3)
Solar City [Ft. Stockton – Taeyangsan (Mujaazif)] – (9/0/1/4)
Haneul Gisang [Duality – Birrali (Rutland)] – (7/2/3/0)
Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – (7/5/1/1)
Hero Age [Buster’s Daydream – No Dle Seum (Brave Regent)] – (10/0/2/0)
Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – (15/3/1/1)
Hwangjeui Seonmul [Social Charter – She’s A Bridesmaid (Chromite)] – (13/2/2/0)

Whatever happens next Sunday, Sangseung Ilro will remain on course to follow J.S. Hold in completing the Triple Crown when, all being well, she returns to Seoul in October for the Minister’s Cup. Here is her win in the KRA Cup Mile:

And the Korean Derby:

Second in both those race, Namdo Jeap, will be the plumb ride in the International Lady Jockey’s Challenge race on the Oaks undercard.

Nozi Bows Out

Nozomu Tomizawa has left Korea. The Japanese jockey recently brought to an end his two year stint at Seoul Race Park and is returning to Australia where his family lives and where he rode previously.

Initially arriving for six months in August 2007, Tomizawa started a month after fellow Japanese rider Ikuyasu Kurakane. While Ikuyasu was quick to become reasonably well established, it took Nozomu a little while to build up rides and eventually, winners. Once he did, however, his obvious talent came through as he notched up a decent winning record despite not generally getting the better horses.

Six months became a year and then one year became two. Slowly overcoming the traditional huge disadvantages faced by foreign riders in Korea, not least by learning a little Korean, Tomizawa finshed with figures of 730 rides with 48 winners, 56 seconds and 71 thirds. Top rides always remained hard to come by – being the regular jockey on Gamadongja, a top sprinter, the notable exception.

There was talk of Nozomu following in the footsteps of Ikuyasu and going to Busan for a final few months in Korea but it was not to be. Instead he leaves as a jockey who has advanced the reputation of foreign riders at Seoul no end and the track – and punters – will miss him.

www.horseman.co.kr followed Tomizawa during his last weeks in Korea and produced a short video about him. This, as well as a couple of his race videos can be seen at the Enjoy Racing blog.

Get Katoh: Nozi’s departure leaves Toshiyuki Katoh as the only overseas jockey at Seoul and he must have felt the horses were out to get him on Sunday. In race 6, Dublin Gypsy bolted wildly from the gate and tried for a full furlong to throw him off. Katoh eventually managed to bring the filly under control and get her home only for Money Pokpung to promptly dump him over the outside rail on the home turn in the very next race. Fortunately he escaped injury and was able to ride the rest of the card.

* In other jockey news, it’s been confirmed that Kim Ok Sung’s season is over. The veteran rider suffered a broken ankle during track work last Wednesday and will be sidelined for at least six months.

Nice Choice Takes the Munhwa Ilbo

Three year olds dominate / Afternoon Dove steps up
Nice Choice continued his post-Derby rehabilitation by coming through late to get the best of a three way battle for the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul Race Park this evening.

As expected, it was the three year olds who dominated proceedings. Nice Choice was sent off the odds on favourite ahead of Baengnyeonbong and Khanui Jeguk. However, it was the other three year old in the race, Event, who made the early running under Moon Se Young and led the eleven strong field going into the home straight.

Choi Beom Hyun on Khanui Jeguk was the first of the big guns to make his move and, as Event faltered, the three favourites locked horns. It was a battle that Nice Choice and Cho Kyoung Ho would win by a neck on the line, with just a further head sealing second place for Khanui Jeguk ahead of Baengnyeonbong, who was finishing fastest of all.

With the win, Nice Choice goes onto six wins from nine starts and, with his Derby disappointment well and truly behind him, puts himself back among the main contenders to prevent Sangseung Ilro from completing the Triple Crown in October. With three year olds sweeping the placings, that particular division is looking a little brighter for the capital track tonight than it did when we filed out of Gwacheon on Derby day.

Things weren’t done after the Munhwa. Once the ceremonies were complete, Afternoon Dove recorded his first class 1 victory in a shock victory over a field containing Seungyu Sinhwa and Fly Queen. Old stagers Serendipper and Crocap rounded out an unlikely first three. Afternoon Dove shot to prominance by finishing second in the JRA Trophy on Derby day but was brought back to Earth by running ninth n the Owners’ Cup last month. Meanwhile Fly Queen, winner of last year’s KRA Cup Classic was sent immediately to the KRA’s Veterinary hospital after the race. Thoughts are with her this evening.

Khanui Jeguk wasn’t the only one of the “Khanuis” in form today. Khanui Huye, another also-ran in the Derby, took victory in a competitve race 7 ahead of fellow three year old Bulsechul. Highly rated Power Of Money sat down in the gate as they loaded and was deemed unfit to race.

At Busan, Oneurui Bobae and Admiral Reigart punished punters by taking first and second in the feature race – the four year old holding off the venerable Admiral by a length. Dongbang Geona completed a top three of outsiders.

Racing takes a break next weekend, but will be back the week after when Sangseung Ilro will be make her first appearance since winning the Derby in May. Currently the hottest property in Korea, the filly will be the one to beat in the Korean Oaks at Busan on August 9. On a big day at the Southern track, the undercard sees the International Lady Jockey Challenge race. We’ll start the build up over the next few days.

Munhwa Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – July 26, 2009

1. Nice Choice (KOR) [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.4, 1.0
2. Khanui Jeguk (KOR) [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.9
3. Baengnyeonbong (KOR) [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol – 1.3
Distances: Neck/Head
Also ran: 4. Grandzif; 5. Super Jet; 6. Nanjeongseo; 7. Hallasinbi; 8. Challanhanbit; 9. Event; 10. Lhotse Shar; 11. Taeguk Musa

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN