Mare upsets younger rivals / Nice Choice strolls Herald Juvenile
In an amazing final furlong twist, Luna was the shock winner of the Busan Owners’ Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The seven year old mare came through the star-studded field to secure victory and the KRW 74Million first prize at odds of 53.9. As the field broke from the gate, it was Jeolho Chance who took up her usual position at the front with Ebony Storm just behind and favourite Gaeseon Janggun a menacing presence just a little further back.

Derby winner Ebony Storm was quick to fall out of contention but, in a re-run of the Minister’s Cup, Jeolho Chance continued to set the pace as they turned for home with Gaeseon Janggun looking the main danger. No-one was looking at Luna, but as Park Seung Kwang got to work, the mare, who had been steadily moving through the bunch, responded with a bust of speed. Jeolho Chance faltered but Gaeseon Janggun had nothing to give and Luna led the bunch through to win from fellow outsiders Sinheung Gangja and Boryeong Bulbit.

Of the pre-race favourites, in what was a tight finish, Jeolho Chance finished fifth, one place behind Yeongung Manse. Gaeseon Janggun could only manage seventh. For Luna, KRA Cup Mile winner in 2007, it was a 12th career victory in 27 starts dating back to 2004, but only her second of this year.

Up at Seoul Race Park, an early morning dusting of snow had made the setting suitably festive for the Herald Economic Juvenile, the top two year old race at the track. Unlike at Busan, there were no surprises as hot favourite Nice Choice made short work of a field of just five rivals, winning by five lengths from the previously unbeaten Clever Money. The filly Mipung was a further six behind in third.

Temperatures were a little more bearable than yesterday but still failed to make it above freezing point as strong favourite Baekjeonmupae took the feature handicap five lengths ahead of Pocketful of Money. Earlier in the afternoon, exciting two year old import Bulpae Gisang made it three from three with a two length win in race 5.

Owners’ Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M (Hdcp) – Dec 7, 2008

1. Luna [Concept Win – Wu Su Hae (Exactly Sharp)] – Park Seung Kwang – 53.9
2. Sinheung Gangja [Archer City Slew – Recondite (Silver Deputy)] – Han Sang Kyu – 17.5
3. Boryeong Bulbit [Revere – Windy Ruki (Wind And Wuthering)] – Jo Sung Gon – 20.3
Distances – 0.75 lengths/Head – 14 ran

Herald Economic Cup (2YO) – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – Dec 7, 2008

1. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] – Moon Se Young – 1.4
2. Clever Money [Lethal Instrument – Hotline (Desert Sun)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.5
3. Mipung [Revere – T’aep’ungjeonya (Cache of Gold)] – Jun Duk Young – 30.7
Distances: 5 lengths/6 lengths – 6 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Seoul freezes in sub-zero conditions / Serendipper upset / Cheongha Eutteum returns with win
Machine Gun continued his strong run of late season form in the feature race at an almost unbearably cold Seoul Race Park this afternoon. With the “highest” temperature reading of the afternoon at -4 and a breeze worsening the conditions, it was a day for punters to stay in the warmth of the grandstands and pity the jockeys outside.

Machine Gun, a six year old gelding, has had an indifferent career since reaching the top level back in early 2006. It took over two years for him to take a category 1 race, finally achieving it in August this year. Today, he racked up his third in four outings. Starting the 1.7 favourite and top weight, Moon Se Young kept Machine Gun just behind the leaders for much of the 2000 metre race. He asked for an effort as the hit the home straight and they pulled away for a four length win from second favourite and early pace-setter Sound Hawk. Machine Gun still only has a record of eight victories from 35 starts but the late bloomer has confirmed himself as one of the top handicappers in Korea right now.

Thirty minutes earlier, Mupae Jilju caused an upset in the big race for foreign bred horses. Serendipper was sent off the 1.4 favourite of an underwhelming field but, in a final furlong battle, New Zealand bred Mupae Jilju held off the Australian filly to score a half length victory.

Much earlier in the day, there had been an impressive win for Cheongha Eutteum. The two year old made his debut with a win way back in May but has been injured ever since. Stepping up in class on his return, the colt went off at an unfancied 14.0 with Suseong Equus the 1.3 favourite in the 1200 metre race 2. There wasn’t much of a race, however, as Cheongha Eutteum bolted out of the gate and never came close to being caught, eventually winning by seven lengths on the line. He’s going to be another one to watch carefully over the next few months.

On a day where it was impossible not to have both sympathy and respect for the jockeys, Moon Se Young – certain to be 2008 champion – landed a treble and Park Tae Jong a double. Mercifully, it will be slightly warmer tomorrow with temperatures set to be slightly the right side of freezing for the Herald 2YO race. However, that will bring its own hazards as there is an outside chance of snow. Meanwhile, it’s Owners’ Cup day at Busan. As usual, the southern city was much warmer than Seoul today and temperatures should be a comfortable 6 above tomorrow.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Power Boy storms home / Areumdaun back in form / Good Day loses
Power Boy established himself as the top juvenile at Busan Race Park with victory in the Busan Breeders’ Cup this afternoon. Third favourite Noseon Jilju set the pace in the 1200 metre sprint but Toshio Uchida on Power Boy was always close and the colt kicked on in the stretch to gain a three length win over Best Partner, who has now finished second in all of his four starts. Noseon Jilju ran on for third.

In the following handicap, Areumdaun Jilju got the better of Sinjin Gangja as the two fought a private battle way ahead of the eleven others in the field. With both horses carrying 62 kilos, Sinjin Gangja was the pace-setter throughout the 2000 metres but when it mattered, Areumdaun Jilju had the quicker sprint to take victory by just over a length. Earlier, there was an impressive debut for Impeccable, who was exactly that when trotting up by ten lengths in race 3.

Up at Seoul Race Park, there was an upset in the feature race as Good Day went down to a surprise defeat. Starting 1.6 favourite, the four year old with 13 wins from 19 previous starts was always well placed but never got into top gear as third favourite Balhaejanggun emereged from the field to take a half length win from outsider Gang Gwon. Good Day at least managed third but second favourite Namchonuijijon never figured and eventually finished eighth.

In other races at Seoul, K J Khan was back in the winner’s enclosure for the first time since June. The Japanese bred gelding had struggled since moving up to category 2 but comfortably saw off a field including Mexicali Blues and Samson’s Echo.

Breeders’ Cup – Busan Race Park – 1200M – Nov. 30, 2008

1. Power Boy (KOR) [Lost Mountain – Keon-Gon-Ch’eonggi (Pro For Sure)] – Toshio Uchida – 2.1
2. Best Partner (KOR) [Horse Chestnut – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 2.7
3. Noseon Jilju (KOR) [Creek Cat – Daehanui Ttal (Psychobabble)] – Yoo Hyun Myoung – 7.8
Distances: 3 lengths/0.5 lengths – 8 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

New Heart debuts strongly / Wangsan takes it easy
Angus Empire relished the cold conditions to sweep to victory in the feature at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The four year old, who only seems to win in winter, came wide round the field off the final turn to to take the win under Shim Seung Tae. Gamadongja, with Nozomu Tomizawa on board had, as usual, roared out of the gate and set a brisk pace in the back straight. However, the sprint specialist locked up in the straight and the field came by. Seungnyu Sinhwa also came with a late run to finish second with Seongpacheonha in third.

The US bred Angus Empire [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] now has seven career wins since his 2006 debut – all coming between 27 October and 1 March.

With temperatures down to 3C, a number of jockeys opted to wear jackets on their way down to post. The clear skies and biting wind made conditions feel even cooler on what was already the coldest day of this winter season so far. As usual for this time of year, two year olds were the focus of the early races. There was an impressive debut for the grey filly New Heart, who landed race 2 by eight lengths. Race 3 saw a first win for Nuri Wangja, the American import leaving it late to get to the front over 1200 metres.

In other races, Wangsan cruised to his third win from his last four outings. The gelding sat in mid field for much of the 1700 metres, before making light work of his rivals in the stretch. The four length win gave jockey Kim Young Jin his first win since returning from more than a year away. Being the only jockey to record more than one win, Choi Beom Hyun was once more jockey of the day. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow at 11am with eleven live races plus four simulcast from Busan where it is Breeders’ Cup Day for the two year olds. Busan’s card begins at 12:20.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL