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How Will Those Foreigners Get On?

International Jockey Challenge: Day 1 Preview

Saturday sees the first two races of the Sixth Seoul International Jockeys’ Challenge. Their mounts were randomly drawn so let’s take a look at the prospects for the six visiting riders:

Race 6 (17:00): Domestic bred Class 4 (Allowance III-B) – 1400M

Moon Se Young - On the favourite?

They picked this race well as it is unusually open with at least seven of the thirteen starters having valid claims for consideration (although only twelve jockeys are involved in the challenge, the races are open to up to fourteen entrants). Gangho Tansaeng (Yoo Sang Wan) has won two of his six starts but was disappointing at both class and distance last time. Meanwhile Wonder Heart (Moon Se Young) is a persistant placer but hasn’t won any of his fifteen races. Both will attract serious money though. Let’s run down the rides of the visitors:

Scott Seamer (Australia) – Yongho Yakjin (18starts/1win/2seconds) – Has had three races at this level without impressing but drops back to seven furlongs and has a chance of moneying.

Oliver Castillo (USA) – Tachys (14/2/0) – Dropping back to seven furlongs for the first time since joining this division. Well worth a place bet.

Niall McCullogh (Ireland) – Super Taepung (12/1/2) – Perhaps a half furlong too far for this colt who struggled at the distance last time However, connections seem to think he can cope and an outside punt must be considered.

Akin Sozen (Turkey) – Chowonui Hyanggi (19/1/2) – Second at the distance last time means she will be a short price this time. Not that she’s done anything to suggest she’s a winner, but the filly will have a lot of supporters.

Muzi Yeni (South Africa) – Golden Cat (19/1/1) – Finally broke his maiden last time but is in better company now. Will struggle to make an impression.

Syu Ishibashi (Japan) – Perfect Line (19/1/0) – Has nothing in her form that suggests she can make an impression here.

Race 10 (20:00) : Domestic bred Class 2 (Handicap) – 1400M

Potentially there’s one outstanding horse here. Big Easy, a three-year old gelding has won five of his six starts. Korean Jung Ki Yong picked him in the draw. Unproven at this level though, Big Easy won’t necessarily find it er…easy. Jaemi Best (Choi Bum Hyun) also looks dangerous and a few of the visitors are not without a chance either.

Scott Seamer (Australia) – Gancheorwang (32/3/4) – Third placed last time out and like a number of others, is dropping significantly in distance. Being placed would be a tremendous result.

Oliver Castillo (USA) – Red Sky (31/4/1) – Worth an outside bet. A decent sprinter who has been running at far too long distances recently. Will relish the drop back to seven furlongs.

Niall McCullogh (Ireland) – Jayeongwang (20/4/1) – Won an all fillies race in May to put her in this class. Should be outgunned tomorrow.

Akin Sozen (Turkey) – Happy Hero (32/1/7) – This persistant placer has trouble winning. Neither look likely.

Muzi Yeni (South Africa) – Battle Commander (24/4/3) – Another who should enjoy the drop down in distance. Accustomed to racing in this class, he has a chance.

Syu Ishibashi (Japan) – Smart Galloper (36/4/0) – Unfortunately for Ishibashi, again it’s difficult to see how this one has any chance at all.

Gyongmaman’s verdict: In both races, a Korean is likely to be on the favourite; It’s time for Wonder Heart to finally win in race 6 and Big Easy has done nothing to suggest he shouldn’t claim race 10. However, neither is nailed on and it’s not impossible that a visitor could claim both races.

We’ll have a round up of Day 1 of the challenge plus a preview of Sunday’s conclusion tomorrow.

Other than Muzi Yeni and Oliver Castillo getting mounts in Sunday’s race 10, none of the visiting jockeys – despite being granted a regular short-term racing license – will ride in any but the challenge races. Naturally, Gyongmaman would never suggest that this rather surprising state of affairs has absolutely anything at all to do with the Seoul Racecourse Jockeys’ Union. No, never would he make such a statement, because it er…obviously…couldn’t be true…could it…?

Second Chance

2008 Oaks Winner Set For Shock Return This Sunday

Well this came out of nowhere. After nearly two years away, 2008 Oaks winner Jeolho Chance will return to racing this Sunday in the feature event at Busan Race Park.

The outstanding filly of her year, Jeolho Chance was able to blunder badly on the first corner of the Oaks but still recover in order to win without breaking into a gallop. She went on to finish second in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup up at Seoul, beaten by Gaeseon Janggun, who had previously finished second in both the KRA Cup Mile and the monsoon-afflicted Korean Derby and went on to have a successful season as a four-year old before being retired to stud last winter.

It looked like Jeolho Chance’s future lay in the breeding shed too. She only had one more outing after that Minister’s Cup race before she suffered a seemingly career-ending injury. Intensive therapy and recuperation has, like Baekgwang at Seoul before her, brought about a remarkable recovery and she will line up in race 5 at Busan on Sunday evening.

It’s a tough ask for her. Up against her will be the horse with perhaps the most boring name – but arguably the most exciting prospects – at the track. Mister Park, a three-year old gelding, made a creditable but hardly noteworthy debut last November finishing third of twelve in a maiden race. Since then he’s run six more times and has been untouchable.

All is set for a massive weekend of racing on the peninsula. Up at Seoul it is not only YTN Cup weekend but also the International Jockey Challenge. Scott Seamer of Australia and Oliver Castillo of the United States are among six overseas riders in town to take on the Koreans in the annual event. We’ll have a full preview of the challenge tomorrow.

Cho Kyoung Ho Does It Again

Geumgangi Wins The Munhwa Ilbo

It was another big race win for Cho Kyoung Ho as Geumgangi swept to victory in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul Race Park this evening. And the jockey followed it up by guiding long-shot Victory Town to an unlikely victory in the Seoul Kyeongje Sinmun Cup just thirty minutes later.

Back in the Winner's Circle: Geumgangi won the Munhwa Ilbo

Geumgangi was sent off fourth in the betting in a race which was marred by chaos at the start after Blooming reared in the gate bringing down Daehanbobae in the neigbouring stall. Both were ruled unfit to start after being checked by the vet. When the remaining twelve did get underway, there were further distressing scenes as Mr. Swing broke down rounding the final turn. Meanwhile, at the front of the race Cho and Geumgangi got their act together in the home straight to get the better of a pair of outsiders, Choedaepungseok and Tamnaseontaek who filled out the placings.

It was a third consecutive win for the improving Geumgangi. Once the ceremonies were complete, Cho re-emerged for the Seoul Kyeongje Sinmun and pulled off an unexpected win when the appropriately named Victory Town comfortably got the better of odds-on favourite Angus Empire by three lengths.

Jung Ki Yong, far side, allows himself a wry glance as Lee Shin Young (No.5) comes through to land race 5

That completed a treble for Cho, who is now closing in on Moon Se Young at the top of the jockeys’ championship, after he also won on favourite Balhaemyeongjang in race 6. Lady rider and trainer-in-waiting Lee Shin Young scored a battling victory on Nike Seven in race 5 while four-year-old gelding Bichui Adeul finally broke his maiden at the twenty-sixth time of asking in race 8.

Racing on the peninsula now takes a (very) short summer break and actress Kim Tae Hee was on hand once more to see punters off on their holidays. Kim and actor Yang Dong Geun were filming the final race-day scenes for their movie “Grand Prix”.

Actress Kim Tae Hee was also in attendance

Grand Prix Movie Poster Revealed

The official promotional poster for racing movie “Grand Prix” starring Kim Tae Hee and Yang Dong Geun was released last week. And here it is:

Grand Prix Publicity Poster

Interestingly, while Kim Tae Hee has her own specially designed green, white and pink racing silks, the leading lady also wears all time leading jockey Park Tae Jong’s silks and leading man Yang wears those of young jockey Choi Won Joon – to whom he bears a passing resemblence. More official stills from the movie can be seen here.

Gyongmaman is disappointed to see himself blurred out in the paddock shot, but if you want to see his exclusive behind the scenes pictures click here!.

Grand Prix is scheduled for an autumn release.

Head To Head

Tough Examination Ahead For Dongbanui Gangja

Dongbanui Gangja (right) and Tough Win - Pic:KRA

Korean racing’s unstoppable force collides with its immovable object at Busan Race Park this evening as Dongbanui Gangja, double Grand Prix winner and unbeaten in twelve races, meets Tough Win, two years his junior and victorious in all seven of his starts.

The Race: Busan City Mayor’s Cup (G.III Stakes Listed) – Busan Race Park – 2000M, 19:10

The Headliners

Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] Five-year old horse. 24 starts, 17 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds. Winner Grand Prix 2008, 2009; Owner’s Cup 2009. Jockey: Moon Se Young (58 kilos)

Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] Three-year old gelding. 7 starts, 7 wins. Jockey: Cho Kyoung Ho (55 kilos)

This could be the first of a series of meetings between the pair and, all things being equal, Dongbanui Gangja should win. This time. Nevertheless, he’s only raced twice this year and last time out drifted so far wide in the home straight that he was very lucky to beat the unheralded Big Sox. Jockey Moon Se Young, stepping in for the injured Choi Bum Hyun will need to make sure there’s no repeat of that against a much classier field on Busan’s punishing and unfamiliar track.

The Others: Don’t rule out a surprise. Neither of the two favourites have run at Busan before and Seoul horses have a less than stellar record at the track. Seonnyang Yongsa is in top form while the seven-year old Crafty Louis looks back to his best. Meanwhile two domestic bred horses will take their chances. Yeonseung Daero and Yeongung Manse have both successfully mixed it with the foreigners before. Whether they can take on the likes of Dongbanui Gangja and Tough Win though is another matter.

The Busan City Mayor’s Cup is race 4 of a six race card at Busan today which runs from 4:30pm to 9pm. The big race is off at 7:10pm and will be simulcasted live at Seoul Race Park.

Baekpa Returns To Her Greatest Race

Baekpa will step out onto a sodden Seoul Race Park on Sunday evening returning to the race which saw arguably her greatest triumph, as she bids to regain the SBS Cup. As a four-year old in 2008, the grey came up against two-time President’s Cup winner Myeongmun Gamun, then at his zenith. She never gave him a look-in as she led from gate-to-wire.

Baekpa can land the SBS Cup

What followed for Baekpa was unfortunate. Sent to the USA as part of the KRA’s ill-judged experiment with sending domestic bred horses to the US. She looked uncomfortable and was humiliated in all her races. Lame on her return home, she was sidelined for nearly a year but, like her older brother Baekgwang a year ago, she made a remarkable return this Spring. After finishing fourth in the Ttukseom Cup, she would go on to win a big Allowance race in June which has now set her up for the SBS.

Top Ranked: Triple Seven

Winning the Ttukseom Cup that day in April was Triple Seven. Currently ranked the top domestic-bred horse on the peninsula, he will be out to stop Baekpa tomorrow. Baekpa should be favourite though. The mare has a seven kilo weight advantage and loves the dirty conditions. It is by no means a two-horse race, however. Last year’s shock winner Hallyu Star returns while Wangson, Bengnyeonbong and Khanui Jeguk are all dangers.

However, both the smart and sentimental money will be on Baekpa.

The SBS Cup is race 9 at Seoul Race Park and is off at 7:40pm. There are eleven races at Seoul on Sunday with the first at 2:30pm and the last at 9:10pm

Something’s Got To Give As Dongbanui Gangja Faces Tough Win

This really is the big one. Double Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja, unbeaten in two years, puts everything on the line against the young challenger Tough Win, yet to be tested in seven starts. Alongside them, the supporting cast contains a number of horses rightly considered stars in their own right.

The Busan Mayor’s Cup is at Busan Race Park under the lights this coming Sunday evening and it is unquestionably, the biggest race in recent Korean history. We’ll have plenty more on it before Sunday. For now, here is the line-up in full (Name/Record/Jockey):

Busan Mayor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – July 18, 19:10

1. Purely Spontaneus (USA) (19/8/1/1) – Yang Young Nam
2. Captain Sir (USA) (10/5/3/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
3. Vicar Love (USA) (23/10/1/4) – Jung Ki Yong
4. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) (24/17/4/2) – Moon Se Young
5. Geumbittuhon (USA) (37/3/5/3) – Jung Pyeong Soo
6. Tiffanyuikkum (AUS) (25/5/1/2) – Shin Dae Jun
7. Kahnui Jeonseol (NZ) (21/2/5/4) – Choi Won Joon
8. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) (22/10/3/3) – Park Geum Man
9. Larrycat (USA) (10/4/3/2) – Bang Choon Sik
10. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) (23/9/5/4) – Jo Sung Gon
11. Yeongung Manse (KOR) (23/10/4/3) – Hitomi Miyashita
12. Tough Win (USA) (7/7/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
13. Crafty Louis (USA) (39/15/5/3) – Jo Chang Wook
14. Cheonjidolpung (USA) (22/5/0/3) – Boo Min Ho

Post-Race: Jockeys Face Punters at Seoul

Seoul Race Park took a very rare visible step in bringing itself in line with international racing recently as now for the first time, punters are able to see horses and jockeys returning to scale after each race.

Cho Kyoung Ho unsaddles

Up until now, on conclusion of a race, runners and riders would disappear back into their subterranean lair, with only Stakes winners re-emerging for the crowd. Several months ago, construction began on a new enclosure just beyond the winning post for horses to return to immediately after each race, along with a building for jockeys to weigh-in before taking elevators back underground. Now, win or lose, every jockey has to unsaddle in front of whoever wants to watch with all the associated celebrations, recriminations and confrontations open for all to see.

Shin Hyoung Chul returns a winner

It’s given punters an opportunity to show their appreciation (or otherwise) to the jockey who has just made them temporarily rich (or otherwise) and allows the curious a close up glimpse of exactly how shattered both runner and rider are after a race.

Most of all though, it has allowed a special window into the camaraderie that exists between the jockeys. Choice exchange of the weekend came after race 9 on Sunday – forgive Gyongmaman’s approximate translation:

Yoon Tae Hyoug: “Sang Woo. You’re a f*****g a******e”
Park Sang Woo: (mumbled) “Go f**k yourself”

Fun for all the family.

Moon Se Young stalks moodily away after a rare setback

Wepner Bows Out But There’s a King Shark in the Busan Tank

Four New Jockeys for Seoul while Jo In Kwen and Lee Sang Hyeok Go Free

South African Martin Wepner has left Korea and has been replaced in the Busan jockey ranks by Japanese rider Katsuya Sameshima. The 47 year-old has a professional record of 3,839 wins from 18,337 rides over a career spanning thirty years. Nicknamed “King Shark”, Sameshima arrives with a formidable reputation, with Japanese “twitter” commenter Mitochunagon describing him as “…(riding) horses better than Mr Pink”. That of course being a reference to Toshio “Mr Pink” Uchida who in six dominant months at the track, was loved by punters and loathed by his rivals in equal measure.

Ketsuya Sameshima

Although slightly less prolific, Martin Wepner was similar. In a sixteen month stint at Busan, he recorded 49 winners from 483 mounts, landing some major prizes along the way. Things were never simple with Wepner though. After a breakdown in communication over a pre-Derby dinner he walked away from the ride of Namdo Jeap in the Derby the next day. Shin Hyoung Chul would step in to guide Namdo Jeap to second place while it seemed Wepner was on the way to the airport.

Feeling he had been treated unfairly and possibly recognizing talent, trainer Kim Young Kwan stepped in and offered Wepner the role of stable-jockey which the South African accepted and the two formed a formidable partnership throughout the summer of 2009 culminating in victory for Namdo Jeap in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Korean Triple Crown at Seoul Race Park in October. Their relationship would break down later in the year though and although Wepner kept riding winners both men would, for different reasons, go on to have a sobering time in 2010.

Wepner is expected to return to Malaysia where he rode successfully for a number of years before coming to Korea. Ultimately his time here must be judged a success and proof that jockeys with talent and perseverance can make it in the undoubtedly harsh environment of the Korean weighing room. Here is that win on Namdo Jeap:

With Sameshima joining Hitomi Miyashita at Busan, Kunihisa Hirase has made the unenviable trip up the Gyeongbu Expressway to Seoul. He’s not the only new-boy at the capital track as four graduates from the KRA Jockey academy are making their debuts this month. Lee Kang Seo, Kim Jung Jun, Jang Chu Yeol and Park Jong Mi will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jo In Kwen and Lee Sang Hyeok, both of whom have recently turned freelance after riding out their apprenticeships.

The quality of newly licensed riders has increased greatly in recent years and hopefully this year’s new recruits will go on to have long, successful and safe careers.

From left: Lee Kang Seo, Kim Jung Jun, Park Jong Mi, Jang Chu Yeol (Picture: KRA)