Author: gyongmaman

Donga Ilbo Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 24)

Sunday sees the start of the Queens Tour Spring & Summer Series with the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed) for fillies and mares at Seoul. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10.35 to 18.00, plus 6 at Busan from 11.25 to 16.05. Here are the previews:

Can Wonderful Slew defeat Jeulgeounyeojeong in the Donga Ilbo? (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Two standouts in this maiden and their form is almost identical. (4) BEST WHIZ has steadily improved across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over this distance on January 7th when racing on pace. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks out and from a good draw, should be on the speed again and can win. (10) SPINNING BOOM has steadily improved across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over this distance on February 3rd when racing handy throughout. The draw isn’t ideal, but he has a strong finish and should be a big danger. (5) LOVE O MINE ran 3rd on debut in an all-filly maiden at this trip on January 27th, settling back but running on well. She should have derived benefit from that experience and can go well again. (3) BEAUTYWONDERFUL along with debut-maker (7) SONGDANGMANGCHI are others in the hunt.

Selections(4) Best Whiz (10) Spinning Boom (5) Love O Mine (3) Beautywonderful
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It’s hard to go past (1) RAON THE CLIPPER here. After an inauspicious debut last September, he didn’t race again until January when, freshly gelded, he proceeded to post a 3rd and a 2nd, most recently on February 25th over this distance when racing on pace. He draws very well here and third-up this preparation, it should be his day. It isn’t a strong set of opponents. (11) BEAUTIFUL HWASEONG is the only other one for whom a winning case can be made and that’s based on his last start 4th over 1300M when coming from well back. CC in the saddle is a plus. (2) MONEY TOUCH does have a 3rd place to his name and that is enough to get him into the numbers here. (7) SINUI BLUE and (9) HAKSAN DAESE other possibles for the minors.

Selections(1) Raon The Clipper (11) Beautiful Hwaseong (2) Money Touch (7) Sinui Blue
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(12) BUSAN TODAY sounds like the title of a provincial newspaper, and she could make the headlines here. There was six months between her first start and her second start, that latter one coming on February 18th over 1200M when she showed on pace before finishing in 4th.  She should strip fitter here and can overcome the wide draw. The main danger is drawn only one gate inside. (11) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST was 2nd on debut over 1000M last September and then followed up with a pair of 4th places, both over 1300M. He doesn’t need to lead so the draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he has a strong finish. (5) DREAM TREE is the solitary debut-maker, and this is a nice race to start off in. She came from off the pace to run 5th in her trial in a fair time and the 1300M may suit first up. (2) OAK RIDGE and (7) PUREUN YEOLJEONG other minor chances.

Selections(12) Busan Today (11) Yeonggwanguifirst (5) Dream Tree (2) Oak Ridge
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) THE GIANT comes in off a much-improved 2nd place at start number five over 1300M when for the first time, he led, and only got narrowly taken down in the final strides. From a good draw, expect similar tactics today and while he is slightly up in trip, he can go one better. (4) BREEDO KING STAR is the main danger. He debuted fairly but without distinction last June and then didn’t reappear again until February 24th. Newly gelded, he made a positive return, finishing 3rd over this trip and he should strip fitter here and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was sent off as the betting favourite. (8) TRES VITE is yet to finish in the top-three in eighteen starts but he has picked up plenty of minor money – seven times in 4th or 5th – and in this company, he can aim for a to-date best. (2) LONDON GOLD and (7) JECHUK ILHO are the other placing chances.

Selections(5) The Giant (4) Breedo King Star (8) Tres Vite (2) London Gold
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) MORPHEUS will be a strong favourite here. He has mixed his form a little across his five outings but comes in off a strong 4th place over 1400M when overcoming a wide draw to lead for much of the way. The step up to a mile can suit, he comes into a better gate, and he may take some beating. (1) NANGMAN DAERO too dealt well with a wide draw when 4th over this distance on February 23rd. He comes up 2kg in the weights, but that’s balanced by the inside this time and he can go close. (7) UNJU LEGEND came from off the pace to run 3rd at a mile, also on February 23rd. She makes just her fourth start here and looks to have scope for more progress. (6) LUCKY HIT and (2) BABEL DREAMY are others in the placing hunt.

Selections(4) Morpheus (1) Nangman Daero (7) Unju Legend (6) Lucky Hit
Next Best2, 8
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(11) GIANT M took a couple of goes to figure things out but he got his maiden win at the fourth time of asking over this distance on March 2nd when making all. He come sup in class here and has the challenge of the outside gate, but he looks to have more progress in him, and he has a chance here. (4) ACRO MARINE was a winner two starts back at 1300M before running 2nd over that same trip on his first try at this level on February 24th. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights as well as coming up slightly in trip but he should be equal to both challenges. (1) STORM GUY will need a line drawn through his latest when favourite at class and distance on February 24th bit fading badly late. His previous form was good though and Moon Se-young stays loyal so we shall too. (5) HANGANG GLORY and (10) MUJANG among other placing hopes.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 23)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. It is the last daytime Saturday meeting until late April as for the next four weeks, Saturday (as well as Fridays) will run on an afternoon and evening schedule. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maidens in the opener and there’s not much reason to go past (1) BREEDO THUNDER. After a decent trial, she ran a close 2nd on debut over 1200M on December 30th, settling handy and running on pleasingly. She has had twelve weeks off since then so comes in fresh and won’t need to improve much to win this. The one concern would be (6) SOFT POWER. She was an improved 3rd at start number two on February 17th coming from off the pace over 1200M. Her times haven’t been quick but the step up in trip may well suit. (7) AMAZING STAR debuted in that February 17th race and ran a fair 4th. She is the only one in this field to have shown anything resembling gate speed so should get an easy lead. The three first timers don’t make for much appeal so (3) ECO FORE and (9) SEGWANG JILJU are others who may improve.

Selections(1) Breedo Thunder (6) Soft Power (7) Amazing Star (3) Eco Fore
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and this time we will go with a debut-maker. (3) UASEN trialled up competently at the end of last month, showing handily and running through the line well. She draws nicely and if she brings that form to the races, she can win first-up. (5) ROYAL PLUS has improved across three starts so far most recently when 3rd at this distance on February 3rd. She should be on pace here and can be in it a long way. (2) MODERN DANCE was slow away on debut on Christmas Day but ran on well for 4th place over this distance. She finally comes back for another go here and from a good gate and with a better start, she can go close.  (11) YEONGWON POTEN and (7) BIG BRIDGE the other placing chances.

Selections(3) Uasen (5) Royal Plus (2) Modern Dance (11) Yeongwon Poten
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Not a very strong maiden. (8) SUNSHINE QUEEN will be favourite, based purely on her last start when she was a much-improved 2nd over this distance having done nothing in her first three runs. She raced handy and ran on well and won’t need to be much better to win this. (6) YEJIMONG comes in off back-to-back 4th place finishes over 1300M. She settles back and works home well and should be in the mix again in this limited company. (3) TOJONG GLORY has the fastest time among these for the distance, recorded when 3rd two starts back. She can leave herself too much to do but can be threat at the business end of the race again. (7) ANYANG TSUNAMI and (11) NONSTOP YEOLCHA other placing hopes.

Selections(8) Sunshine Queen (6) Yejimong (3) Tojong Glory (7) Anyang Tsunami
Next Best11, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 7, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

With a 3rd and then a very close 2nd in two starts so far, both at this distance, and both times coming from off the pace and finishing strongly, (9) STUNNING FLATTER will be hot favourite to make the breakthrough here. The widest gate shouldn’t be a problem and the step up in trip should suit. (5) CRAZE CHANG comes in off back-to-back 3rd place finishes at 1300M and at this distance. He can get a bit far back, but he should be a danger late on. (2) BAEKRYONG mixes his form but has a 2nd and a 3rd among his most recent three outings and from a good draw he can be on pace and be in the finish. (6) DAEMUL SOCKS and (7) YONGBISU are other placing candidates.

Selections(9) Stunning Flatter (5) Craze Chang (2) Baekryong (6) Daemul Socks
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 8

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) BEOLGYO VERITAS was a winner on debut in December and has since run 4th and 2nd in two starts at this level, most recently when almost leading the whole way around over 1300M. He likes to be on pace, so he draws well, and he will be a short price to go one better this time. The main danger is in the adjoining gate. (2) CHEONGRYANGSAN is yet to win but has finished no worse than 4th in five starts. Most recently he dead heated for 2nd at this class and distance on February 25th when settling midfield and running on and he can go close again. The horse he dead heated with that day was none other than (7) NAOL DAEWANG. He too is yet to win but has proven competitive at this level and should be in the finish again. (8) AUSTIN LEADER and (4) HANGGU STAR are among plenty of others who can have placing aspirations.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 22)

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden with four racing for the first time but it’s hard to look past (5) HAEUNDAE SUNSHINE. After a green debut last August, she didn’t race again until December and has since posted a 3rd and a 4th in two starts at 1200M and 1300M. She’ll be on pace in this company, and she should have too much. (10) DAESUNG DOLPUNG has made progress over three starts to date, most recently when 4th at this distance on March 1st when settling behind the speed and running on. Similar to Haeundae Sunshine, in this race she can be expected to be further forward and can go close. The form falls off after those two but (8) RUN TO QUEEN should have come on for her debut on February 25th when on the speed but weakening. She previously trialled well and can stick around a bit longer this time. Of the debut-makers, (11) JAZZ STAR looks comfortably the best while (2) GOLDEN NICE could be a long shot for improvement. 

Selections(5) Haeundae Sunshine (10) Daesung Dolpung (8) Run To Queen (11) Jazz Star
Next Best2, 7
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Two standouts here. (8) CHEONHA SARANG scored a 3rd and a 2nd in his first two outings at 1200M and 1400M before running a fair 5th when stepped up to a mile on February 23rd. He likes to race on pace, the drop back in trip should suit, and while any top-three finish will see him in class 5 next time, he can exit the basement level with a win. The danger is (4) GWANGYAEUIHAMSUNG, and not just for tongue-tied race-callers. He has come close over his five starts, with his best being a 3rd place at 1300M in December. There isn’t much early speed in this race so he can be on pace or handy and Choi Si-dae climbing up is a plus. It’s hard to go past those two, but (2) DAESEUNGNIJA has a pair of 3rd places on her record so long as she is a bit better away than she was last time, can be a threat. (3) STAR PARK and (9) BLAZING MAN others to consider.

Selections(8) Cheonha Sarang (4) Gwangyaeuihamsung (2) Daeseungnija (3) Star Park
Next Best9, 6
Fast Start4, 8, 9, 12

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Not a strong maiden here. (5) BLISS MARINE improved to 3rd place at start number two over 1400M on February 2nd when on pace throughout. She gets a much better draw here and third-up can be peaking fitness-wise. She will contest favourite status with (12) NONSTOP DUTY. She has no fewer than five top-four finishes from six starts so far and while she is yet to finish in the top two, she has posted solid times and should be a threat here. (4) POMPEII was a fair 5th on debut behind Bliss Marine on February 2nd, racing handy before running out of energy late on. He should have come on for that run and can get closer here. (10) GWANGSOKMA and (11) TODAY QUEEN among others with placing chances.

Selections(5) Bliss Marine (12) Nonstop Duty (4) Pompeii (10) Gwangsokma
Next Best11, 1
Fast Start3, 7, 10, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million 

(2) OVER THE TRIPLE got his maiden win at start number two over 1400M in January before running a close 2nd on his first try at this class on February 16th. He comes up to the mile for the first time but there is no reason why it can’t suit, and he will be a warm favourite to score again. (11) WONDERFUL KAYLAN comes in off back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1400M – behind Over The Triple – and then at a mile. That brings her up in class here, but she comes down in the weights and she should be competitive. (6) SUPER CRACK and (4) TOP FRIEND come in having finished 4th and 5th respectively when racing one another over 1800M on March 1st and both can be competing here. (8) HAMA another in the frame.

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Global Hit Takes Stayer Series Opener

Global Hit made his debut as an older horse and last year’s champion three-year-old stepped up to win the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the first leg of the 2024 Stayer Series at a sunny Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Global Hit makes his decisive move in the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)

Sent off as the 1.7 odds-on favourite locally, Global Hit overcame Tuhonui Banseok and then saw off a late challenge from Nut Play to score by three-quarters of a length in the 500 Million Won race. With 4-year-olds coming home in 1st and 2nd, a week after Raon The Point and Something Lost did the same in the Sprint Series, younger horses are coming to the fore at the longer distances too.

It was a fourth Group winner for jockey Kim Hye-sun, and her third on Global Hit. Going into the race, Kim had expressed confidence that Global Hit had trained on over the winter and that belief was shown in the ride, where from a wide draw, she was happy to be patient early (a telling off from stewards for shifting in too soon after the start notwithstanding) before steadily improving and making her move in the home straight, only striking the front in the last half-furlong, running on to win by three-quarters of a length from Nut Play with Tuhonui Banseok in 3rd.

“I was a bit concerned about the draw, but Global Hit’s racing habit is that if he exerts too much energy early in the race, he won’t run well, so I was able to take him back at the start” Kim explained to in-house broadcaster KRBC.

Global Hit and Kim Hye-sun return to scale (Pic: KRA)

Global Hit was racing for the first time in three months and jockey Kim admitted that this had also been a source of anxiety for her. “The owner and the trainer wanted to give him a proper rest after what he did last year but as a jockey I wondered if he might be better (to have a prep race). But looking back now and seeing how some other horses have picked up injuries, I realise that they were absolutely right.”

Still lightly raced, Global Hit [To Honour And Serve – Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor)] is a winner of six from eleven and 1.8 Billion Korean Won in prize money. He skipped the first leg of the Triple Crown last year but went on to comfortably score in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup before running 2nd to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and then, by just a nose in the season ending Grand Prix Stakes. He has won six of eleven starts.

Pic: KRA

The second leg of the Stayer Series is the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul on April 21st before the series concludes on May 26th with the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on the south coast. The KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) has been moved forward two months to August 4th this year in order to serve as a final stepping stone to the international Korea Cup in early September. As for the two final G1 races of the year, the President’s Cup is in October this year with the Grand Prix on the very first day of December.

Owner Kim Joon-hyun confirmed that Global Hit will be pointed to the remaining races in the Stayer Series but didn’t mention the Korea Cup, in which he finished a creditable midfield last year, telling KRBC “I am considering letting him rest for a bit and then sending him to the President’s Cup and Grand Prix.” He then added: “He truly is a great horse.”

Herald Business Cup – Stayer Series 1st Leg Form Comments

Last weekend the Sprinting division was shaken up by the new generation as Raon The Point and Something Lost came home 1st and 2nd in the Busan Ilbo Sprint with Eoma Eoma trailing home in 5th. This Sunday, the four-year-olds will bid to ascend to the top of the Staying ranks as last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit heads the field in the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse, the first leg of the 2024 Stayer Series and first step along the road to September’s international Korea Cup. (SEE HERE FOR PREVIEWS OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL & BUSAN).

Stablemates Global Hit and Speed Young will face off again (Pic: KRA)

The established old guard, for the most part, won’t be there.  Raon The Fighter has been on the long-term injured list since last summer while Winner’s Man joined him after his successful Grand Prix defence, and both are doubtful to appear on a racecourse again. Success Macho underwent arthroscopic surgery for a chip fracture last month while earlier this week, Haengbok Wangja suffered a trackwork injury that has his future career in doubt too.

GLOBAL HIT was the standout three-year-old of last season, skipping the first leg of the Triple Crown, but then running out the dominant winner of both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup, to claim the final two jewels under jockey Kim Hye-sun, who returns to Seoul to ride him again. He then finished an in no way disgraced 8th in the international Korea Cup, before rounding out the year with runner-up finishes to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and the Grand Prix Stakes, in the latter of those, pushing the defending champion all the way to the line, going down by just a nose.

That Grand Prix run was a standout performance by Global Hit and marked out the To Honor And Serve colt, who is slight in stature but full of speed as the heir-apparent to the Raon The Fighter and Winner’s Man generation. While it now transpires that he may not need to actually beat them in order to replace them, the standard of opposition that remains, means he will still need to earn it.

VICS GO comes in off a stand-out performance to win the Listed Segye Ilbro Trophy over 1200M a month ago. He is a class 1 winner over 2000M though and only looks to be getting better with every run. Meanwhile TUHONUI BANSEOK was runner-up in this race last year and went on the win the second leg of the Stayer Series, the YTN Cup, last May.

SPEED YOUNG is a stablemate of Global Hit and was champion Juvenile in 2022. Although an also-ran in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, he ran 2nd to Global Hit in the Minister’s Cup and was then 3rd in the President’s Cup. Although beaten when a short-price favourite at class 1 over 2000M at Busan at the end of January, this race was clearly the target, and he may still have more improvement in him.

NUT PLAY and NAOL SNIPER are other four-year-olds who can still have more upside, while the veteran SIMJANGUI GODONG returns from an unsuccessful trip to the Dubai Carnival and should be much more at home on the Seoul sand.

The Herald Business Cup is race 7 on the 11-race program at Seoul with a local post time of 15:40.

1. THE GUMPU – Well back on only start of 2024 in January but trialled nicely alongside Eoma Eoma last month.

2. CHIEF INDY – Strong class 1 winner over 2300M in February. Tends to come unstuck among the elite though.

3. NAOL SNIPER – Runner-up in last year’s Derby, he has won his latest three up to Class 2 level. Moon Se-young aboard and a big run is not impossible.

4. FANTASTIC MAN – Also-ran in the Grand Prix and 4th behind Crazy Conti over 2000M in January. Trialled well since but outsider here.

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Herald Business Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 17)

The Stayer Series gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon with last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit set to be sent off as the favourite for the Group 3 test over 2000M. We’ll have a full preview of the big race here soon. In the meantime, here are all the previews for Sunday at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 11:25 to 16:05):

Global Hit won last year’s Derby (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (1) PINK WIND will be the warm favourite. She has made steady progress across four starts to date, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on January 27th when settling midfield and running on. She draws nicely here, the slight raise in trip can suit, and she can win. The main danger is (4) JERAQUEEN. She too has raced four times with her best being a 3rd place in a similar race to this last October. She races for the first time since a front-running 4th at the end of December and should be on pace here and in the mix for a long way. (3) TAP DIA was an improved 2nd at start number two on February 4th. It wasn’t a quick race but with some more natural improvement here, she can go close. (7) GEUMSEONG REVERE and (5) CLAIR GOLD among other placing chances.

Selections(1) Pink Wind (4) Jeraqueen (3) Tap Dia (7) Geumseong Revere
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2:  Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Not the strongest of maidens. (1) MO CHUISLE is the only one of these to have a top-three finish on her resume, which she did at start number three last September. She then didn’t race again until February 24th when she was on pace before weakening back through the field. She should strip fitter here and from the inside gate, must have a chance. (9) DANGCHAN NANGBO was a much-improved 4th at start number ten on March 3rd when settling midfield and finishing well. Moon Se-young climbing on today means she probably starts as the betting favourite. (7) BLUE RACER has recorded the fastest time among these for the distance and that’s enough for him to go in the numbers. (3) STUNNING QUEEN and (5) BUGANGJILJU, the latter a well beaten favourite on debut who previously trialled well, others who could improve.

Selections(1) Mo Chuisle (9) Dangchan Nangbo (7) Blue Racer (3) Stunning Queen
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Franco Da Silva had a very solid book of rides – and plenty of winners – on Friday, and he continues here on probably hot-favourite (5) EUNSEONG CHAMPION. He has shown steady improvement across his six starts and most recently beat a couple of these on his way to 2nd place when stepped up to this trip on February 16th. He’ll race on pace and won’t need to be much better to win this. (6) LOLLY is the logical second choice. She was well back behind Eunseong Champion on that February 16th race but at the start before she ran 2nd over this distance so she warrants another chance. (2) AMZAING CURLIN beat a couple of these when an improved 4th at this distance on March 3rd and comes into a better gate in this small field. (3) SEOBU CAPTAIN and (7) BLUE POINT others who could dispute the minors.

Selections(5) Eunseong Champion (6) Lolly (2) Amazing Curlin (3) Seobu Captain
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

After running a fair 5th on debut, (1) DRAGON BULPAE beat four of these in a similar race to this over 1400M on February 25th when overcoming gate ten to get on pace. He draws much better here and will be a short price to come out on top this time. (5) SARANG WANGJA also overcame a wide draw in that race to come home strongly and finish in 4th. The followed a 3rd place on debut at this distance in a decent time and he shapes as the main danger here. (2) SOUL BEAT was 6th in the same race, showing on pace before dropping back and then running on. That was his debut having previously won a trial and he should have derived benefit from the experience. (4) DREAM RIDGE and (3) BONGHWA STAY, the latter a trial winner last month, are others to consider for the minors.

Selections(1) Dragon Bulpae (5) Sarang Wangja (2) Soul Beat (4) Dream Ridge
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Another short price favourite here and it’s Franco again. This time he is on (8) MONSTER DRAGON, who was a winner on debut over 1200M in January before following up with a smart 3rd place when stepped up to this class and distance on February 16th when he was on pace and beat a couple of these in the process. The Shackleford colt can lead again and this time they may not get past. (1) SEOGWI CHUKJE is yet to win in twenty-two starts but she has no fewer than nine top-three finishes. That includes her latest at class and distance on February 23rd when coming from well off the pace. She will probably find at least one too quick here, but this is the kind of race she places in. (11) BIG WILD remains a maiden but comes up in class here following two 3rd places and a 2nd, the latter being at this distance on February 25th. He comes down 3kg in the weights and his times have been quick enough to be more than competitive at this level. (5) SKY JILJU and (4) CAPTAIN CHARLIE other sin the placing frame.

Selections(8) Monster Dragon (1) Seogwi Chukje (11) Big Wild (5) Sky Jilju
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) STUNNING SKY remains a maiden, but he has three runner-up finishes from his four starts so far, including his latest which came at this class over 1200M on February 4th, when handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in the weights, but he can settle behind the speed again and the additional half-furlong could be exactly what he needs to see him home on top. (5) CHEONGUCHAT similarly remains winless but comes up in class here following too many near-misses. They include a 2nd place at this latest start over this distance on February 24th and down in the weights here, he can measure up. (6) SUNGANUI CHANCE also comes up in class, in her case having won over this distance on February 18th. She carries a light weight and can be competitive. (7) SSING SSING SSING and (4) MEOTJIN GIROK are others to keep safe.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 16)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seo Seung-un is among a number of Busan jockeys in Seoul this weekend (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Challenging opener with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (11) BAZOOKA BOY has raced twice and improved in the second of those to run 2nd over this distance on February 17th, coming from well off the pace. He has to contend with the widest gate but that 1400M experience can stand him in good stead and third-up he can be peaking. (3) APPLE QUEEN ran once last June and put in a decent performance over 1000M. She hasn’t been seen since, but she looked very well when racing on pace in a trial last month and can put in a bold showing first-up here. Moon Se-young partnering a first-time starter is always going to catch the eye, and (8) AMAZING ROCK is no exception. The Indie Band filly went through two trials, improving to win the second, and she should be in this a long way. (1) BEAT YEONGUNG and (2) AWESOME BRAIN are among the other contenders.

Selections(11) Bazooka Boy (3) Apple Queen (8) Amazing Rock (1) Beat Yeongung
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) SHARKTEN has shown steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in a very close runner-up finish over this distance on February 25th when as has been his style, he settled in midfield before finishing off well. He comes in under the same weight and draws the same gate and has every chance of going one better. (7) MIGHTY BOM has a 2nda and a 3rd from his latest two, most recently when tried at this distance for the first time on February 17th. Moon Se-young climbs aboard and he is sure to have plenty of support here. (11) SHADOW HUNTER came from well off the pace run 5th over 1300M at start number two on January 20th. With a better start and with the slight step up in trip, he should be going closer here. (6) SINUI UNMYEONG and (1) E.H. COCO among other placing chances.

Selections(4) Sharkten (7) Mighty Bom (11) Shadow Hunter (6) Sinui Unmyeong
Next Best1, 10
Fast Start1, 6, 9, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Two standouts here. (10) FLYING KING has made solid progress across five starts so far with his latest being his best when 2nd over 1500M on February 18th having led almost the entire way around. The draw here is not ideal but with a bit of luck he can be on pace again and this time can go one better. (7) SOLAIRE has a 3rd and two 4th place finishes from his latest three, coming from off the pace each time. He has the fastest final furlong average time among these, and shapes as the main danger. (8) INFINITE HONOR was an improved 5th at start number two over this distance on January 28th. He is another who likes to race on pace and can continue to get closer here. (11) SEOUL DOLPUNG and (2) MARUBYEOL are among others in the minor money hunt.

Selections(10) Flying King (7) Solaire (8) Infinite Honor (11) Seoul Dolpung
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start1, 6, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) WONDERFUL WELLS was beaten into 2nd place when favourite over 1400M on January 13th, settling midfield and running on but not quite being able to get there. She comes up to two turns for the first time, she draws nicely, and today can be her day. (8) NEXTLEVEL was 3rd in that January 13th race and has since raced twice more, beating a couple of these over 1400M on her latest on February 25th. She does have experience of two-turn racing and she has every chance of going close here, probably from on the pace. (11) BLOOD MOUNTAIN looks to have the right profile for the step up in trip, having been doing his best work late in his races. He can run into some money here. (9) QUEEN ABIGAIL and (10) EVER THE CROWN are other minor money hopes.

Selections(1) Wonderful Wells (8) Nextlevel (11) Blood Mountain (9) Queen Abigail
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) MR. TROT ran out a narrow all the way winner on debut over 1200M on February 18th. He comes up in class here as well as in trip, but he is down in the weights and has every chance of maintaining his 100% record. The main danger is (1) HANGANG POWER. He enters after a smart 2nd place at this class and distance on February 17th when settling just behind the speed and running on well. He comes into a much better gate this time and can be close once more. (10) YONGBI POWER took a couple of tries to get accustomed to this level but enters off a solid 3rd and 2nd from her latest two. She is versatile as well as they were over 1200M and 1700M, and she should be handy to the speed and in this a long way. The up in class (9) SUNNY ROAD, along with (6) THEME TANSAENG are others who can be considered.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 15)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Franco Da Silva looks set to be the jockey to follow at Busan on Friday: (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Wide open maiden to start, with four of the twelve racing for the first time. Debut-maker (8) KING DRAGON looks to have as good a chance as any. He won a trial all the way back in June last year but didn’t make it to the races. He trialled again, fairly, in January and this is a good race to start in. Of those with prior experience, (5) TOP LINE is the pick. Fater a positive trial, he ran 5th of eleven on debut over this distance on January 14th, showing on pace. He should have come on for that run and can get closer this time. (1) MAJESTIC DANCER has raced five times with a pair of 3rd places at this distance and at 1300M His latest couple over 1400M have been indifferent, but he comes back in trip here and draws well. (2) STORM GRIT and (7) GIANT MARINE others who can improve.

Selections(8) King Dragon (5) Top Line (1) Majestic Dancer (2) Storm Grit
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start3, 5, 9, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) GRAY BOSS is the one to beat there. He has been a model of consistency across six starts so far, always finishing between 3rd and 5th. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and today really should be his day. (10) DREAM WAY is the only other one in the field to have a top-three finish to his name and that’s enough to put him into contention here. He goes best when on pace and despite the wide draw, in this company, he should be able to get a forward position and he can be in this a long way. (5) TAP BOLT is yet to finish in the top-three in fifteen starts but has had a few near-misses and with an apprentice claim, he can get close this time. (3) CHOEGANG CHONGAL and (8) POSTMAN others who could improve.

Selections(4) Gray Boss (10) Dream Way (5) Tap Bolt (3) Choegang Chongal
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) WIN WIN will need a line drawn through his latest. Instead, we’ll go on his effort two starts back on February 22nd when he settled midfield and then ran on strongly for 3rd place, again over this distance. He draws nicely here and is the one to beat. (9) RAON STROKE is another who needs her latest effort disregarded when slow away over 1200M. She has tended to do that but two starts back she overcame gate eleven to run on for 2nd place over this distance and with Tanaka climbing on, she can go close here. (10) BORAM enters off back-to-back 4th place finishes in all-filly races over this distance. She should be settling handy here and can run into some money again. (7) GREAT BOY and (4) STORMY DAY are the other place chances.

Selections(2) Win Win (9) Raon Stroke (10) Boram (7) Great Boy
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 10, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Small but competitive field. Several of these raced one another over 1200M on February 23rd. (6) WOLFS KING MAN was sent off as the favourite that day but put in a somewhat lacklustre run, laying inward and generally not performing. Prior to that he registered a runner-up finish on debut, beating a few of these in the process and is that effort, together with the step up in trip, that leads us to give him another chance here. (2) CRAZY ARMY debuted at this distance on February 18th, beginning slowly but growing into the race and finishing off well for a close 3rd in a decent time. She should have derived benefit from that experience and can be a danger here. (4) AKARAKA and (7) CHOWOLUI BANSEOK both beat Wolf’s King Man in that February 23rd race and can get close again. (9) CONNECT MARINE another in the hunt.

Selections(6) Wolfs King Man (2) Crazy Army (4) Akaraka (7) Chowolui Banseok
Next Best9, 3
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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RAON THE POINT LEADS NEW GENERATION TAKEOVER IN SPRINT SERIES OVERTURE

Raon The Point led home fellow four-year-old Something Lost as the new generation of sprinters thoroughly vanquished the old in the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. 2022 winner and pre-race favourite Eoma Eoma, briefly touched the front with a furlong to run, but succumbed to the youngsters and could only manage 5th.

30/1 chance Doctor Caesar took full advantage of drawing gate one and set the early pace with Raon The Point, Eoma Eoma, Something Lost and Ssonsal all in close attendance. The five of them would fan across the track as they entered the home straight and with 300M to go it was anyone’s race with Black Musk and Daemangui Gil also looming withing striking distance.

Just as Eoma Eoma looked set to go on, the younger horses struck. Raon The Point and Something Lost came surging down the outside to pull clear and would dispute the finish all the way to the line, Raon The Point ultimately prevailing by an official margin of a neck – a very small neck.

Something Lost was strong in 2nd place while there was only a length-and-a half back to the very game Doctor Caesar in 3rd place, who at five-years-old, falls into the younger category by age, if not by experience – he has only raced two times fewer than Eoma Eoma. Daemangui Gil closed for 4th ahead of Eoma Eoma.

Choi Bum-hyun rode Raon The Point, who is trained by Park Jong-kon and is owned by Raon Land.

Raon The Point is by I’m Your Father (by Tiznow), who did his racing in Korea and won the 2017 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G3) for New Zealand trainer David Miller. Raon The Point is from his first crop to hit the track and his first Group level winner. He stands at Cheongma Farm. Raon The Point’s dam is Australian bred Raffiner (by Bel Danoro). She won one of eight starts in Korea and is also the dam of Choegang Ssonsal, a winner of eight.

As for Eoma Eoma, despite winning a trial in fast fashion just over a week ago, he looked slightly flat when it mattered. All being well, he will be back for a rematch with the younder sprinters in the remaining legs of the series where they are likely to be joined by last year’s Korea Sprint runner-up Beolmaui Star, who has returned from a poor showing in Dubai.

The Sprint Series moves to Seoul for its concluding two legs. They are the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) on April 14th and the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) on May 19th. Both races have recently been awarded International Part 2 Listed status for the first time.

2024 SPRINT SERIES KICKS OFF SUNDAY BUT EOMA EOMA STILL THE ONE TO BEAT

The road to the Korea Sprint begins on Sunday afternoon as Busan plays host to the first leg of the 2024 Sprint Series, the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3). But while it may be a new year, it’s a familiar name heading the field as Eoma Eoma, who won this race in 2022 before going on to claim the Korea Sprint itself, remains the leader of the division. Click here for full race-by-race guide to Sunday’s meetings at both Busan and Seoul.

Eoma Eoma races for the first time since winning last November’s Kookje Shinmun Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Now seven-years-old, EOMA EOMA came of age in the Covid-affected seasons of 2020 and 2021 but it was in 2022 when the son of Algorithms got his reward, scoring by three-lengths in the Busan Ilbo Sprint, before passing Japan-trained Raptus, to win the International Korea Sprint in September. He then rounded out the year by returning to Busan to take a last gaps victory in the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy over 1400M.

2023 would prove a more challenging year for Eoma Eoma, with Raon The Fighter winning the Busan Ilbo and the SBS Sports Sprint while Ssonsal took out the final leg of the regular series, the SROA Chairman’s Sprint. Eoma Eoma would then run 5th when defending his Korea Sprint crown under a very conservative ride. He did though round out the year with a repeat in the Kookje Shinmun at Busan in November.

With Raon The Fighter on the long-term injured list and Korea Cup runner-up Beolmaui Star having only just returned from Dubai, Eoma Eoma kicks off the 2024 Sprint Series as one to beat again. He hasn’t raced since November’s Kookje Shinmun but the Song Moon-gil trainee went through a trial at Seoul on February 29th, and looked in imperious form, cracking one minute for the five-furlongs without breaking a sweat (although fellow class 1 horse The Gumpu went with him every stride and looked even less fussed.

Song Jae-chul, who rode Eoma Eoma in his very first races before losing the ride first to Moon Se-young and then to Yoo Seung-wan and finally Antonio Davielson, is restored to the mount for the first time since September 2021 and from an excellent draw in gate five, they can win.

SOMETHING LOST is the new hope. He made it four wins from four when winning the Sports Seoul Trophy, the capital’s Classic trial, last April but came up short in all three of the Triple Crown races themselves. He then didn’t race again until this February 3rd, but his return was sensational, blitzing a class 2 field over 1400M. Now a winner of five from eight, a statement run will be expected although jockey Lee Hyeok will have to contend with a wide draw on the Hong Dae-you trained galloper.

Another up and comer is RAON THE POINT. A winner of six from eight, he has posted some super times at distances up to a mile although he came up short both times when tested by strong opposition, first in the Gold Circle last September, and then on his first try at class 1 at the end of January.

Then there are the usual suspects. DAEMANGUI GIL and SSONSAL shouldn’t be too far away while multiple Stakes winner MORFHIS kicks of his nine-year-old campaign. Eoma Eoma remains very much the one to beat though.

The Busan Ilbo Sprint is race 5 on the 6 race Sunday card at Busan with a post time of 15:15 Korean Standard Time.

Selections(5) Eoma Eoma (12) Something Lost (4) Ssonsal (14) Daemangui Gil
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 9, 12