Dashing Champ wins handicap / Baengnokgunji lands Jeju Ilbo Cup
Saerounbisul’s win in a closely fought Seoul Owner’s Cup (full report) was the highlight of an eleven race card at Seoul Race Park. It was jockey Park Tae Jong’s second win in the race, having been successful on Port Omen in 2001 and it was his second of the day having guided Taehwangseong (3.7) home in race 8. The feature handicap was won by Dashing Champ (10.0), the Ham Wan Sik ridden five year old finishing a length ahead of top weight and favourite Hongji (2.3) with Balhaejanggun (2.8 ) a close third. Shin Hyoung Chul also scored a double with a win on hot favourite Steve’s Purple Rose (1.3) in race 4 followed up immediately by another favourite Yeopungchunha (1.4) in race 5. Outsider of the day was Biseungbisul, a 60.8 winner of race 6.

After yesterday’s abandonment, it was a big day at Jeju Race Park and the weather had improved for the Jeju Ilbo Cup, one of the biggest pony races of the year and a clash between the pair of unbeaten two year olds Baengnokgunji and favourite Hanrasan. It was Baengnokgunji (2.7) who moved onto eight races without defeat scoring a one and a half length victory in the 1200 metre race. Hanrasan (2.0) looked to be in a winning position throughout most of the race but fell away badly in the final furlong, finishing a disappointing ninth of the ten runners.

There were six races at Busan Race Park, the highlight being a category two handicap won by Jullyakjuk Seungbu (16.4), three lengths ahead of favourite Gaya Gongju (2.9).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Subsidy & Bally Brae unplaced as three year olds dominate
Saerounbisul (8.6) won this afternoon’s Seoul Owner’s Cup at Seoul Race Park with late run to score a one and a quarter length victory over Seoul Teukgeup (17.7) in what was otherwise a blanket finish. Gamadongja (36.1) made the early running under Nozomu Tomizawa with Bally Brae (3.9) on his shoulder. Second favourite Subsidy (2.7) under Oh Kyoung Hoan moved up the field during the back straight and as they turned for home it looked like the battle was going to be between Subsidy and Bally Brae yet again and they passed the weakening Gamadongja with a furlong to go. However, the younger horses behind were closing in and, carrying significantly less weight, had a faster finish. Park Tae Jong guided Saerounbisul down the outside and he hit the front with 50 metres remaining to take the KRW 106Million first prize. On the line, Seoul Teukgeup, Dongbanui Gangka (17.7) and rank outsider Obaek Yechan (81.1) also swept by the older horses leaving Subsidy and Bally Brae in fifth and sixth respectively.

For the New Zealand bred Saerounbisul it was a sixth career victory from seventeen outings:

Seoul Owner’s Cup (G.III), 2000M – Seoul – Sunday June 22, 2008, 17:00

1. Sarounbisul (NZ) – 52.5 – Park Tae Jong (8.6)
2. Seoul Teukgeup (USA) – 52 – Moon Jung Kyun – (17.7)
3. Donbanui Gangja (USA) – Choi Beom Hyun – (18.7)
Distances: 1.25 lengths / 0.75 lengths

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Daecheong Maru wins / Playing Politics canters home / Jeju abandoned
Playing Politics put in the performance of the day to make it two wins out of two with a sixteen length victory at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The three year old gelding, made his debut last month with a shock four length win over Last Dance Buddy and punters were wiser to him this afternoon as he went off the 1.2 hot favourite. Choi Beom Hyun took Playing Politics into the lead straight out of the stalls and as they rounded the final turn began to stretch the lead, Ecton Cat (12.5) a distant second.

Last Dance Buddy was himself in action and back in the winner’s enclosure this afternoon taking the honours in race 4 after starting the strong 1.2 favourite. Daecheong Maru (3.7) won the afternoon’s most valuable race with a narrow victory over Eoullimnyeongung (7.1) and favourite Jachuk (3.6) in a 1900 metre handicap. It was the second leg of a double for the in-form Park Tae Jong following victory on Huimang Achim in race 2. Choi Beom Hyun also doubled, with his canter on Playing Politics followed by a surprise win on Donghae Star (22.0) in the last. Bonny Bee (5.9) took her second consecutive win, landing race 10 by a head in a tight finish from Taebaek Janggun (4.8).

There was a mixed day at Jeju Race Park. In a dramatic race 3 over 1200 metres, Salmosa (8.6) produced a blistering final furlong to come from last to first in the space of 150 metres, completing the last furlong a full second and a half quicker than the rest for a half length victory. A quite stunning performance which left many racegoers gasping even at the second viewing. However, Jeju had to be abandoned following race 4 after fog descended from Mt Halla severely limiting visibility. The monsoon had been forecasted to hit Seoul too, a contributing factor in a low turn-out. Evidently it stayed in Jeju but could hit Seoul tomorrow when the first race is under orders at 11:20 with the Seoul Owner’s Cup at 17:00. There is also a card at Busan beginning at 12:40 and Jeju is scheduled for 12:20 – The Jeju Ilbo Cup is set for 15:55 where two unbeaten horses Baengnokgunji (7/7) and Hanrasan (5/5) will face off.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

After disappointment in last month’s Derby, three-year old Jeolho Chance (3.7) was back in form in the second of co-feature races at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The filly, who started the derby as second favourite only to finish back in ninth, landed an impressive five length victory over 2000 metres. Bouncing out of the start gate, Yoo Hyun Myoung took Jeolho Chance straight to the front of the eleven strong field and she would stay there throughout, winning going away from Choegang Jangseong (7.1) in second. Five year old Scramble (25.0) was third under Toshio Uchida, with favourite Yeongwon Hari (2.1) a well-beaten fifth.

In the feature for foreign-bred runners, four year old Cali Power (18.5) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time for nearly a year scoring a two length win from Sinsapung (5.9) and Oreumak (39.4) over 1600 metres. Further back in the field were favourite Seneca Light (2.9) and Keep It Quick (7.1). Racing returns to Busan on Sunday with six races underwat at 12:40.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Annika Queen (13.7) produced a late run to upset the favourites and land this afternoon’s KRW 74Million KNN Cup at Busan Race Park. Pre-race favourite Procyon (2.4) set the pace early on as Kim Tae Kyung kept Annika Queen at the back of the field for the first half of the 1400 metre race. Perhaps feeling the effects of his top-weight status, Procyon slipped back as they entered the home straight with Magic Moment (12.3) taking the lead along with second favourite Areumdaun Jilju (2.9) who looked to have the faster finish. However, Annika Queen powered through the field and hit the front in the last 50 metres to take a one length win. Areumdaun Jilju finished second and Magic Moment third. Procyon finished back in fifth.

The KNN Cup was the highlight of a six race program at Busan. The day’s secong most valuable race was a KRW 34Million handicap for foreign bred horses and it saw a second Busan win for veteran Japanese jockey Toshio Uchida, guiding the three year old Australian bred colt Power Captain (4.4) to a one length victory from Heavy Metal (12.7).

At Seoul Race Park, the feature was a category 2 handicap which saw Poetic Runner (9.9) upset strong favourite Jigusangwiryeok (1.8 ) by a head with Jeokdaejeok (8.7) in third. Jigusangwiryeok, under Park Tae Jong, had set the pace throughout but just fell short as Oh Kyung Hoan timed Poetic Runner’s run perfectly. Park did, however, manage to land a second treble of the weekend with victory on Robby Tiger (2.6) in race 2, Hanhyeolwangbong (6.3) in race 6 and the three year old Derby also-ran Arcane (2.0) who scored a fourth career victory from nine runs with a length’s victory over Tongilmunhwa (6.4). There was also a double for Nozomu Tomizawa who took race 7 on Big Choice (7.7) and followed it up with a win in race 11 on Cheonjidolpung (2.5), the son of Tactical Cat looking ready to move up in class following his second straight win in category 3 races.

It was another hot and humid day although there was enough of a breeze to take the edge of the conditions at both Seoul and Busan and both tracks saw a reasonable turn out. Next weekend the focus will be on Seoul with the Owners Cup next Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Seoul Review – Three winners for Park TJ / Double Buckshot suffers first defeat
Korean Oaks winner and one of the stars of 2007, Baekpa made a stunning return to form in the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon with a two length win over horse of 2008 so far, Namchonuijijon. The Ttukseom Cup winner started strong favourite at 1.6 and Shin Hyoung Cheol took Namchonuijijon to the front out of the gate in the 2000 metre category 1 handicap. He was still setting the pace alongside Lee Ae Li on Heukjo Bisang (30.5) as they entered the home straight, but as it looked like Namchonuijijon was going to accelerate away from the field, Baekpa (6.2), ridden by Park Tae Jong came round the outside. Park hit the front at the furlong pole and Namchonuijijon had nothing in reply. Heukjo Bisang held on for a battling third place just a neck behind. It’s a welcome return to form for Baekpa, who took seven races to break her maiden but then won six of her next eight in 2007, including the Oaks and Sports Seoul Cup before making an indifferent start to 2008. As for Namchonuijijon, after emerging from J.S. Hold’s shadow, it looked like 2008 was going to be his year. It may still be but the next meeting between these two will be eagerly awaited.

Double Buckshot (3.0), unbeaten in three outings suffered his first reverse in race 10, albeit narrowly, the New Zealand bred gelding just edged out in a tight finish with favourite Ganghan Gunju (2.4) ridden by Ikuyasu Kurakane. It was Ikuyasu’s second win of the day after victory on Fly Captain (7.9) in race 2. Park Tae Jong was jockey of the day, however, Baekpa’s win adding to success on Royal Missile (1.1) who cantered up in a mis-match in race 4 and also on Daehanbobae (2.1), the improving three year old scoring a narrow win over Bulkkot Juja (4.1). Park didn’t have a flawless day, however, suffering defeat on hot favourite Lucky Mountain (1.4) in race 7. Nozomu Tomizawa won the race on Cheonchun Bisang (22.1) but the race was marred by a nasty fall suffered coming out of the stalls by jockey Kim Dong Kyun from third favourite Gwacheonuibit.

A hot, sticky afternoon with a lower than average Saturday crowd but some good racing. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first race at 11:20. Feature race of the day is at Busan Race Park where the KNN Cup is off at 15:35.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL