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Stalling For Korea

Gyongmaman generally gets excited about all things horse racing. Yet even he struggles to raise much enthusiasm about starting gates – or “stalls” as he was brought up to say. However, a strangely high number of googlers arriving at this site by way of the search term “Korean starting gates” this week did remind him that last weekend, the Korean racing media was gushing in its approval of the fact that Seoul and Busan Race Parks have acquired new starting gates which are, for the first-time ever, Korean made!

Threeway view: But only 12 could fit in the old nasty foreign-made gate

And how are they? Actually, Gyongmaman didn’t notice, but apparently the new ones can accommodate a full field of fourteen horses in a single unit. Fourteen is the maximum number of horses permitted to run in any race in Korea. The old ones had twelve and two had to be joined together for races which attracted a full entry. Unfortunately, the only picture Gyongmaman took of the gates last weekend was the one below – taken in a torrential downpour while the photographer had a substantial sum riding on the winner – but there are, indubitably fourteen stalls in the one unit. Bravo Korean technology!

It's wet and Lee Ae Li is in the foreground, but yes, you can see that 14 horses can fit into these gates!

Hiro’s Welcome

There’s another new Japanese jockey in town, bringing the total number of riders from across the sea to five.

Hirotaka Hamada debuted on Saturday and had six rides over the weekend. His best finish was second place on Aussie bred Seoului Gangja in Saturday’s race 10.

A wet Hiro Hamada returns to scale on Sunday

Hamada has been billed in Seoul as being the “new Nozi” after the popular Nozomu Tomizawa who rode at the track for nearly two years. Like Tomizawa, the thirty three year-old Hamada has done the bulk of his recent riding in Australia with over 100 wins from around 1000 rides in Queensland.

Hamada joins Toshiyuki Katoh and Kunihisa Hirase at Seoul, while Ketsuya Sameshima and Hitomi Miyashita are at Busan.

Like all foreign riders in Korea, Hamada will start out as a freelance jockey and will have to overcome passive hostility from the local jockeys’ union (who incidentally, have a new Chairman) as he seeks to establish himself. The weekend was a good start though and like all foreign riders, he’ll need to convert his opportunities into wins to make it as hard as possible for the local trainers to ignore him.

Best of luck to him.

Cheonun Can Take Korean Oaks Back To Seoul

The Korean Oaks has only been run at Busan for two years but in that time, the southern track has taken something of a stranglehold over both it and the other three-year old Classics. On Sunday, fourteen fillies will line up for the 2010 edition of the race. And in Cheonun, Seoul has an excellent chance of taking the crown back to the capital. Here are the runners and riders:

Korean Oaks (KOR.GII) – Busan Race Park – 1800M Aug 29, 2010 – 15:45

1. Crown Flag (13/1/2/3) – Kim Myoung Sin (Busan)
Despite an encouraging second last time out, it would be a major surprise if she was to trouble the placings.
2. Heukgun Jilju (9/3/1/2) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
Has two wins from her last four starts. If the visitors from Seoul don’t enjoy the Busan track, she has an outside placing chance.
3. Kanui Byeol (9/3/1/2) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
Finished well behind Cheonun and Dongbang Rose in the Sports Seoul but may benefit from the slightly longer distance and she will appear in many punters’ quinellas.
4. Saeroun Gongju (9/2/1/2) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Has really struggled since moving up to class 2. Not completely without hope, but an outsider nonetheless.
5. Sanbang Plus (12/2/2/1) – Mun Jung Won (Busan)
Won last time out to break a string of disappointing performances but not expected to challenge here.
6. Euro Fighter (9/3/2/1) – Moon Jung Kyun (Seoul)
Not many give her a chance but she was third in the Sports Seoul and is one of very few in the race to have won a two-turn race.
7. Cheonun (8/4/3/1) – Choi Bum Hyun
The favorite. Never finished worse than third, she was a 5-length winner of the Sports Seoul Cup. If she’s on form, she will win.
8. Selah (11/4/1/1) – Yoo Sang Wan
In great form with two wins and a second in her last three outings which has made a run here possible. If she keeps that form going, she must be considered for a place.
9. Dongbang Rose (7/4/1/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul
One of the stars of her year group so far, she’s finished behind Cheonun in each of her last three starts. It would be no surprise if they were to be first and second here.
10. Saeroungangja (9/3/2/0) – Lee Dong Kug
Another who didn’t look a Classic prospect until good recent form changed things. She’ll have supporters but a place looks the extent of her ambitions.
11. Shining Champion (13/1/0/7) – Hitomi Miyashita
Likes finishing third. She’ll have the only lady jockey in the race on board but there’s little suggest she’ll be anything other than an also-ran.
12. Harue (6/2/2/2) – Park Tae Jong
An intriguing entrant. Won convincingly at 1700 metres last time and is worth taking a plunge on at what should be generous prices.
13. Namgang (10/2/2/2) – Kim Yong Geun
If a Busan filly is going to win, this one has as much chance as any. She’ll have to improve a lot though to beat Cheonun.
14. Hushtilled (13/3/3/1) – Jung Ki Yong
Hasn’t really live up to her early promise to date but she’s the only filly in the race to hae won over the distance and a surprise is possible.

Choi Leads Korea To Challenge Victory

Syu Ishibashi Lands YTN on Tanmahwanhui while Muzi Yeni Also a Winner

Choi Bum Hyun ended up victorious, but there was plenty to cheer too for Japan’s Syu Ishibashi and South Africa’s Muzi Yeni as the 2010 International Jockey Invitational drew to a close in front of 50,000 people under the floodlights at Seoul Race Park this evening.

Choi Bum Hyun returns to scale on Jisang Mujeok after taking a winning lead in the Jockey's Invitational

In only the second week of his comeback from injury, Choi landed race 7 – the third leg of the Invitational – with a four-length win on Jisang Mujeok, to effectively wrap things up in favour of the home team. However, there was still the main event to come, the tenth running of the YTN Cup. Always a big event, due to its sponsorship by Korea’s 24 hour news channel – who broadcast the race and subsequent ceremony live (the only horse race you’ll see on Korean TV all year) – the all filly and mare race was where the visitors finally came into their own.

The winner was something of a surprise though. Tamnahwanhui was sent off at 20/1 but, under Syu Ishibashi boucned out of the gate and into a lead that she would never relinquish. Those who came closest to catching her were Baengnakgo, under Akin Sozen and Sky Center – Scott Seamer adding a third place finish to his second yesterday.

Syu Ishibashi and Tamnahwanhui pose

Four-year old Tamnahwanhui was recording her third straight win and fifth in total from twelve starts.

After the contest was over, Muzi Yeni and Oliver Castillo got back out on regular rides in race 10 and it ended in glory for the young South African. Yeni guided the 12/1 shot Bogideongguljae to a commanding five-length win. Always showing towards the front of the thirteen strong field, Bogideongguljae hit the front in mid-stretch and never looked like being caught.

Winner - Muzi Yeni

Overall, the Korean team won the contest by 112 points to 78. However, Ishibashi, Yeni, Seamer and Sozen will all go away with plenty of earned prize money. As in previous years, it was an enjoyable event to watch and punters took warmly to the visitors – espeically the tiny Yeni who built up quite a following trackside in his five rides.

YTN Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – August 22, 2010

1. Tamnahwanhui (KOR) [Al Naba – Bulbijihye (Pro For Sure)] – Syu Ishibashi – 21.1, 5.3
2. Baengnakgo (KOR) [Fiercely – Sobaeksu (Mr. Adorable)] – Akin Sozen – 2.7
3. Sky Center (USA) [Anziyan – Busy Chick (Numerous)] – Scott Seamer – 2.7
Distances: 0.75 lengths/0.75 lengths

Also Ran: 4. Gwangsokcheoreom (Oh Kyoung Hoan) 5. Hwansanguimulgyeol (Cho Kyoung Ho – KOR) 6. Fly Top (Oliver Castillo – USA) 7. Devilish Speed (Yoo Sang Wan – KOR) 8. Fortunata (Nisall McCullogh – IRE) 9. Chongalcheoreom (Moon Se Young – KOR) 10. Gangha Speed (Park Tae Jong – KOR) 11. Raon Chamber (Muzi Yeni – SA) 12. D Day (Choi Bum Hyun – KOR) 13. Yeopungjudo (Jung Ki Yong – KOR) 14. Gwacheon Geojang (Lee Sang Hyeok)

YTN brought their cameras to their race

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.