Nice Choice steps up / Free Woody drifts to victory
Gaeseon Janggun went a long way to showing that his dismal performance in December’s Owner’s Cup was a one off by beginning his four year old season in style at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Last year’s champion three year old who followed up close seconds in the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby by taking the final Triple Crown race, the Minister’s Cup at Seoul in October was sent off at surprisingly generous odds and made his usual come from behind charge as the field entered the home straight, going away from the field to win by five lengths.

Second favourite Yeongung Manse, who was among six horses who finished ahead of Gaeseon Janggun in the Owner’s Cup took second. Relatively lightly raced, the win was Gaeseon Janggun’s fifth from twelve starts and raises the prospect of future showdown with Areumdaun Jilju, the horse one year his senior and currently recognised as Busan’s best domestically bred runner.

Up at a chilly Seoul Race Park there were no class 1 races but nevertheless an interesting day’s action. Nice Choice, winner of December’s Herald Business and 2008’s top two year old made his three year old debut and confirmed his status as a Triple Crown front runner by successfully stepping up to the Derby distance of 1800 metres with a business like victory in race 9.

With Cho Kyoung Ho replacing the suspended Moon Se Young on board, Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] sat in the middle of the field throughout before outclassing his rivals in a strong final furlong to take a third consecutive win. Closest to him on the line was three year old filly Crown Carla who will also be one to watch later in the year.

The day’s most valuable race at Seoul saw Free Woody drift all over the track on the run in but the favourite still managed to secure a one length victory from Wig. Sitting out for the final day of his suspension, Moon Se Young will have a satisfied observer as none of his rivals for the Champion Jockey title managed to land a winner. Indeed Choi Beom Hyun will now sit out next week after he picked up a two day ban.

Class 1 (Korean Bred) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Feb 15, 2009

1. Gaeseon Janggun [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 2.7
2. Yeongung Manse [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] – Jo Chang Wook – 3.7
3. Gangjaui Beopchik [Fortitude – Crispy (Tax Collection)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 8.2
Distances: 5 lengths/1 length – 11 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Gangho takes it easy / Aria wins again
Ugildongja made the most of Namchonuijijon’s recalcitrance to land the feature at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Making his first appearance as a five year old, Namchonuijijon was backed into favourite but reared up in the stalls and then sat down. On being backed out of the gate, although there was no visible sign of injury, the vet ruled him out of the race as a precaution. With Namchonuijijon’s withdrawal, it was left to the horse who took turns with him playing second fiddle to J.S. Hold in 2007, Hwangnyongsaji, who took over as favourite.

When they finally got underway, Lucky Seven under Lee Sang Hyuk bolted into a five length lead and he would remain in front until deep into the home straight. Hwangnyongsaji had been well placed but failed to kick on when asked and it was Ugildongja under Ham Wan Sik who came down the rail to hit the front in the final furlong. He would hold on comfortably with Saebyeok Dongja and Natural Nine following in second and third. After three races out of the money, it’s a return to form for Ugildongja who takes his seventh career victory.

Earlier, Gangho made a walkover of race 5. The official margin of victory was eleven lengths but jockey Boo Min Ho never picked up his stick and began easing the colt around the furlong marker. Gangho [Peace Rules – Honor Delilah (Honor Grades)] goes two for two since his debut in January with a combined margin of twenty lengths. Although he has been in distinctly average company so far the American import looks to be a horse who could brighten up 2009.

Three year old filly Aria also took her second consecutive win but she had to battle to just edge out Guard Blue by a nose in race 7. Taking on and beating male horses, even at this stage of the season, has Aria as an Oaks possible come August. In other races, there was an rare dead heat as the judges failed to separate Haetbit Jangsa and Jebe at the end of race 8. Meanwhile, Baram Queen, fourth in last year’s Oaks landed race 9.

With Moon Se Young serving the first of a two day ban, Park Tae Jong revelled in champion’s absence, the veteran landing a treble. Cho Kyoung Ho also picked up two winners but Choi Beom Hyun only managed to take the last. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow. There are also cards at both Busan and Jeju.

Class 1 (Korean Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Feb 14, 2009

1. Ugildongja [Dixie Dot Com – May Roses (Incinderator)] – Ham Wan Sik – 9.5
2. Saebyeok Dongja [Fiercely – Cheongpa (The Rogers Four)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol – 7.0
3. Natural Nine [Revere – C. Bop (Alydar)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 2.8
Distances: 1 length/1.25 lengths – 11 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Hardride was back in the Winners circle for the first time since the Busan Metropolitan last November with a win over a host of well known names at a wet and blustery Busan Race Park this afternoon. Starting third favourite, the four year old sat just behind the leaders from the gate before outsprinting long time leader Florida Native in the final furlong to claim victory by a length. Outsider D M Merch snatched an unlikely third place on a day which was both by far the warmest, wettest and windiest of the the year so far.

Joint Favourites Dangdae Star and Crafty Louis both failed to feature at the business end of the race. King Kephalos and Angle Slam, both of them Stakes winners in 2008, finished fourth and fifth. For Hardride it was a sixth career win and his third over ten furlongs.

Racing returns to Busan on Sunday as the action moves to Seoul tomorrow.

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Feb 9, 2009

1. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] – Lim Sung Sil – 6.3
2. Florida Native (USA) [Kissin Kris – Bindianna (Jose Binn)] – Yoo Hyun Myoung – 6.8
3. D M Merch (USA) [Langfuhr – Personally Yours (Personal Flag)] – Han Sang Gyu – 118.8

Distances: 1 length/Neck – 13 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Areumdaun Jilju scratched / Mighty Runner makes it five from five
Carrying a light weight and with his main rival and perhaps Busan’s best domestic bred horse, Areumdaun Jilju, a late scratching, the scene seemed to be set for Procyon to end his recent barren spell at Busan Race Park this afternoon. However, just like for Bally Brae at Seoul yesterday, it was not to be. Chae Gyu Jun took Procyon into the lead straight out of the gate and maintained pole position turning into the home straight, looking ready to kick on.

When asked for a final effort though, there was nothing left in the tank and it was Yeonhap Jakjeon who came through to take his first win at class 1 level ahead of Boryeong Bulbit. Procyon is now nine months and seven races without a win. Looking good for all but the final furlong, he may be taken down in distance next time, where the vast majority of his wins have come.

Areumdaun Jilju’s late withdrawal due to a slight ligament injury meant that Ikuyasu Kurakane was denied the opportunity to complete a treble having earlier won on Yeokjeonui Champ in race 3 and Haste in race 5. An Oaks possible, Haste [Snow Ridge – Fresh Strike (Smart Strike)] wrapped up her third victory in four outings hitting the front two furlongs out and holding on comfortably for a two length win.

At Seoul Race Park, Mighty Runner overhauled Hongji in the final furlong to land a class 1 race at the first attempt and in doing so, take his unbeaten streak to five. A late developer, Mighty Runner was sixth in the Derby in 2007 but was then out for almost a whole year through injury. On his return he showed an aptitude for the longer distances and began his winning streak last September. In much better company today, he was sent off fourth in the betting. Favourite Taebaek Janggun looked well placed heading into the straight but then commenced to give jockey Moon Se Young, stepping in for Choi Beom Hyun who was injured in an earlier fall, a torrrid time as he fell from first to last. Shin Hyoung Cheol on Mighty Runner took advantage and just got the better of Hongji and a fast finishing Bandoui Byeol on the line.

Moon Se Young and Cho Kyoung Ho both landed doubles and American Santos Chavez managed his first placing passing eight horses in the final furlong to take third favourite Skibbereen from last to third in race 11. It was Chavez’s best finish in four rides over the weekend but he has looked comfortable and his light riding weight may give him more opportunities than previous overseas jockeys have been given.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Bally Brae beaten / Bop’s Punch wins / Chavez debuts
Punters kept faith with Bally Brae, but it was Vicar Love who got back to winning ways in the big race at a foggy Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Bally Brae may not have won since last March, but his second place in the Grand Prix indicated that the big gelding was ready to win again and he went off favourite ahead of Seoul Teukgeup who had the beating of him throughout last autumn.

As the field broke, Bally Brae took up his customary position just off the lead, but as they turned into the back straight, Cho Kyoung Ho gave up trying to restrain the fractious Pocketful of Money, and the mare shot away from the pack, stringing out the field behind her. Only Bally Brae, Seoul Teukgeup and Vicar Love remained in touch with the rest out of sight.

Turning for home, inevitably Pocketful of Money was spent and it was Vicar Love, with Oh Kyoung Hoan at the controls for the first time, who was first to pass and take up the lead a furlong out. Bally Brae bore down the centre of the track, while Seoul Teukgeup was finishing the fastest of all three. The line came soon enough, however, for Vicar Love to take the honours by a length and a half with just a Neck seperating Bally Brae and Seoul Teukgeup. Saerounbisul put in a fast final furlong to almost bridge the gap with the rest well beaten.

Despite the fog, it was a dry and mild day and earlier, promising US import Bop’s Punch [Bop – French Punch (Two Punch)] continued his progress in landing race 5 by an impressive five lengths. Kim Dong Min took the colt into the lead straight out of the gate and there they stayed for a comfortable wire to wire win. Also finally tasting victory was the Ft. Stockton colt Love For Ever, who justified his odds on status by taking race 6 by four lengths.

Moon Se Young took the jockey honours completing a treble by the end of race four. Moon later tarnished his day somewhat by picking up a 2 day ban for careless riding while guiding favourite Pop’s Slew to defeat in race 8. American jockey Santos Chavez debuted this afternoon finishing well out of the money on both his mounts. Chavez will have two more rides tomorrow, including one in the feature race.

Racing returns tomorrow with cards at Seoul (11:10), Busan (12:30) and Jeju (12:30).

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Feb 7, 2009

1. Vicar Love (USA) [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 5.1
2. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7
3. Seoul Teukgeup (USA) [Safely’s Mark – Bemmalou (Waquoit)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 3.0
Distances – 1.5 lengths/Neck – 8 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

After injury and then indifference, Miss Ecton demonstrated that she has regained her form of early last year in taking a three length win in the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. After winning the Busan Ilbo Cup last March, the filly was sidelined until August and out in disappointing performances for the rest of the year. Today, with four kilos on favourite Dongbang Geona and eight kilos over Golding, she took full advantage.

Third favourite Sinsapung made the early running and was still in front as they entered the home straight of the 1600 metre race. Dongbang Geona, who had been sitting just off the lead, looked poised to strike, but it was Miss Ecton who came out of the pack to hit the front in the final furlong under Ikuyasu Kurakane. Golding went with her but the seven year old never looked likely to make up enough ground to challenge.

Racing tomorrow is at Seoul and Jeju, with all three tracks hosting cards on Sunday.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Feb 6, 2009

1. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] – I Kurakane – 12.4
2. Golding (USA) [Gold Alert – Ritzy Lady (Kissin Kris)] – Gu, YJ – 3.0
3. Dongbang Geona (JPN) [Paradise Creek – Hanashinju (Leo Castelli)] – Kim, ES – 2.3
Distances: 3 lengths/0.5 lengths – 13 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Grand Prix winner opens 2009 account in style / Myeongmun Gamun regresses
Dongbanui Gangja started 2009 as he ended 2008, cruising to victory in this afternoon’s feature at Seoul Race Park. Starting long odds-on favourite, the Grand Prix winner left it late to come round the field in the home straight to claim a six length win from Angus Empire and Obaek Yechan. While third favourite Gamadongja set the early pace before fading, Brilliant Knight, stepping up to class 1 for the first time, was never a threat eventually finishing in ninth.

Yesterday at Seoul, Myeongmun Gamun was back up to his old tricks, proving a headache for handlers to get into the stalls. Seoul’s top earner was eventually cajoled into racing but, despite a late rally that propelled him to third place, never looked likely to take top honours. Instead it was the mare Top Point who finished the strongest, overhauling Secret Weapon in the final furlong for a two length win.

* Pick Me Up’s return to racing on Korean soil ended in defeat at Busan on Friday as Sinheung Gangja scored an impressive four length win in the feature race. Ebony Storm came in second with Pick Me Up, who had been front running for most of the race, dropping to fourth on the line.

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Feb 1, 2009
1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.3
2. Angus Empire (USA) [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] – Yang Hee Jin – 7.3
3. Obaek Yechan (AUS) [High Yield – Kanaka Creek (Thunder Gulch)] – Kim Ok Sung – 33.5
Distances: 6 lengths/2.5 lengths – 12 ran

Class 1 (Domestic Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Jan 31, 2009
1. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser – Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – Moon Se Young – 3.7
2. Secret Weapon (KOR) [Native regent – Aheadofthetimes (Gold Alert)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.6
3. Myeongmun Gamun (KOR) [Future Quest – Guided Dancer (Incinderator)] – Cho, KH – 1.7
Distances: 2 lengths/1 length – 10 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN