News

Winner’s Man Back to Brilliant Best in Cup Classic

Winner’s Man may not have been able to retain the Korea Cup he won in 2022 when faced with the might of Japan’s Crown Pride and Gloria Mundi a month ago, but this year’s international race 3rd placegetter franked the form as he defeated his principle local rivals to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Seo Seung-un and Winner’s Man draw clear of Success Macho and Franco Da Silva (Pic: KRA)

Six of the local contenders who lined up for the Korea Cup on September 10th returned for the KRA Cup Classic, a key pointer towards December’s season-ending Grand Prix Stakes. They included Tuhunui Banseok, who had defeated Winner’s Man to win both the YTN Cup and Busan’s Mayor’s Cups in the summer. Success Macho and Haengbok Wangja, 4th and 5th respectively in the Cup, also lined-up again.

In the end, none could get near Winner’s Man. With Seo Seung-un on board, he sat alongside Tuhonui Banseok throughout the early half of the race as outsiders The Gumpu and Vics Go set the pace ahead of Success Macho who stalked in 3rd under Franco Da Silva.

As the field turned into the straight, the outsiders would fall away leaving Success Macho briefly in front, but he was no match for Winner’s Man, who cruised past to take an unassailable lead with a furlong to run. Ultimately, he would lead home Success Macho by three-lengths with Haengbok Wangja emerging from the back to claim 3rd ahead of Simjangui Godong. Tuhonui Banseok was 5th.  

Pic: KRA

Winner’s Man [Musket Man – Winner’s Marine (by Volponi)] moved on to sixteen wins from twenty-six starts and in the process claimed his seventh victory at Group level.  Likewise, it was a seventh Group win for trainer Choi Ki-hong – all with Winner’s Man.

For jockey Seo Seung-un, the victory also brought up a personal milestone as it marked his 700th career winner. “I am really happy I could share this moment with Winner’s Man” Seo told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Every winner is important but this one does mean more than most. He (Winner’s Man) is a different horse to what he was when he was four years old, he doesn’t necessarily want to dictate pace, so we did what we did in the Korea Cup. We’ll go back to Busan and see how he comes out of this and then all being well prepare ultimately for the Grand Prix.”

For Success Macho, it was confirmation, as if further was needed, that he belongs in the elite level and jockey Franco Da Silva was pleased. “The race wasn’t as I expected because the number 6 (Vics Go) went forward and the horse who I expected to lead (Tuhonui Banseok) jumped out slow, so it was a little bit confusing early, and I just had to wait a little bit more to challenge coming into the straight. I expected to run a good race because the last time he got very close to Winner’s Man but today Winners’ Man looks like he is back to his normal self, his condition was very good. Success Macho has improved a lot but still not 100% (at Winner’s Man level) yet so I’m very pleased with the results today.”

As Korean-breds, both Winner’s Man and Success Macho are eligible to run in the next race in the Korea Premier Series, the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1). Winner’s Man did precisely that last year and was beaten, running 3rd behind Raon First and Simjangui Godong (who won the race in 2021). It remains the only Group 1 in the country (Korea Sprint aside) that eludes him. This year’s edition is at Seoul on Sunday November 19th and the 1 Billion Korean Won purse may prove very tempting. Trainer Choi Ki-hong confirmed as much: “We’re aiming for Winner’s Man to get a career Gland Slam of Korean Group 1’, so we will think about the President’s Cup.”

The season-ending Grand Prix Stakes (2300M KOR-G1) is a month later on Sunday December 17th. 

Winner’s Man and Tuhonhui Banseok Face Off Again in KRA Cup Classic

The top-four local placegetters from September’s International Korea Cup will meet again at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as the race towards the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes picks up full steam with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2).

Tuhonui Banseok holds two wins over Winner’s Man this year (Pic: KRA)

While Japan’s Crown Pride may have emphatically ended the chances of WINNER’S MAN retaining the Korea Cup that he won in 2022, the five-year-old led home the Korean challenge with a smart and fast finishing 3rd place, banishing any pre-race question marks over his fitness. Winner’s Man won the Herald Business Trophy over the same 2000M at Seoul in April and while he then suffered two setbacks, his Cup performance showed he is still to be taken seriously. He will probably start as favourite on Sunday.

The setbacks that Winner’s Man endured came in May and July in the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) both times at the hands of TUHUNUI BANSEOK. The Verrazano five-year-old entire made all for an emphatic win in the YTN before being passed late on by Winner’s Man in the Busan Mayor’s only to rouse himself again and fight back and win. He led the Korea Cup until the Japanese pair of Crown Pride and Gloria Mundi went past and ultimately finished in 6th place. The Bart Rice-trainee is not to be ruled out of overhauling Winner’s Man again.

SUCCESS MACHO won nine out of his first ten races but appeared to have been found out at the elite level. A ten-month layoff between last October and this June appeared to do him the world of good though as just second-up on his return, he won the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) to claim his first Group success and then ran a strong 4th in the Korea Cup, just half a length behind Winner’s Man. With Franco Da Silva aboard, he will drop back and run on late.

The Korea Cup also marked a return to form for HAENGBOK WANGJA. The 2021 Grand Prix Stakes winner never really kicked on from that success and endured a challenging and fruitless trip to the Dubai World Cup Carnival earlier this year. He shrugged that off though with a strong 5th place in the Korea Cup, just a length off 3rd and almost two-lengths in front of Tuhonui Banseok, marking a welcome return to form.

SIMJANGUI GODONG and THE GUMPU were further back in the Korea Cup but back in just local company, both are entitled to have a say on Sunday.

The KRA Cup Classic is race 8 on an 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

Selections: (7) Winner’s Man (1) Tuhonui Banseok (3) Success Macho (10) Simjangui Godong

JUVENILE SERIES: LALA K ROLLED AS NICE TIME CLAIMS MUNHWA / BAEKDUUI KKUM SCORES AT BUSAN

A precocious, slightly uncontrollable, and still unbeaten grey two-year-old made his way into the winner’s circle as expected following the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, the first leg of the Juvenile Series at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But it wasn’t Lala K, whose exploits in August’s Rookie Stakes went around the world. Instead, Nice Time was the grey who emerged with his reputation enhanced and unbeaten record intact.

Lala K can only manage 3rd as Nice Time defeats Eclipse Berry in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Last to first Rookie Stakes winner Lala K was sent off as favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo (1200M KOR-L). There was never any likelihood of the same kind of fireworks as in the Rookie Stakes, a situation that came about because of an unfortunate start leaving him a long way behind. This time, Lala K began well but from gate nine was quickly caught in no-man’s land four-wide. It was not a promising platform from which to launch any kind of challenge.

Outsider Gana Power led from the gate with Eclipse Berry joining him. Gana Power gave way at the top of the straight leaving the Rookie Stakes 3rd placegetter along with Vincero Cavallo out in front. The latter was quickly beaten and with Lala K struggling to go through the gears, it seemed Eclipse Berry was set to win.

Nice Time is another…eccentric…grey (Pic: KRA)

That was to reckon without Nice Time. Like Lala K, he came into the race two for two and was sent off as second favourite. Under Kim Dong-soo, he tracked Lala K in the early stages, also racing wide, before coming past on the turn and launching a late charge, catching, and passing Eclipse Berry in the shadow of the post.

Nice Time is by Overanalayze and is out of the Tenpins mare Country Club Sue. He was a KRW 105 Million purchase by his owner, Park Nam-sung, at last year’s KTBA October Sale. He is trained by Moon Byeong-ki, who only gained his license last year and was winning his first Listed race. For jockey Kim Dong-soo, it was a second big race win having won the Busan Ilbo Sprint on Silver Wolf in 2018.

As for Lala K, while he won’t be going viral this time, he may benefit from the experience of having been in the kickback for the first time. He still finished strongly for 3rd place and there is plenty more racing to come.

Busan also hosted its first leg of the Juvenile Series, the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (1200M KOR-L). On the south coast the Rookie Stakes winner did oblige as filly Baekduui Kkum, sauntered to an easy victory.   

Sent off as the odds-on favourite following her four-length score in August’s Rookie, this time it was even more straightforward for Baekduui Kkum. Franco Da Silva, who is enjoying a golden year in the saddle, stalked the early leader before briefly giving Badauui Kkum her head in the home straight and she didn’t need long to establish her superiority, cruising across the line five-lengths to the good of Doctor Kingdom, who also chased her home in the Rookie.

Baekduui Kkum and Franco Da Silva win the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Baekduui Kkum is by Uncaptured and is out of the Discreet Cat mare Baekdu Cat. She was a KRW 30 Million purchase from the KTBA November 2022 sale by owner Hong Kyung-pyo, who is best known for top sprinter Ssonsal. She is trained by Lee Sang-young, also the current trainer of Ssonsal.

Seoul and Busan will also hold separate races for the second leg of the Juvenile Series on November 5th, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul and the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy at Busan, both over 1200M. The best of the two track’s two-year-olds will then come together at Busan on December 10th for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) and a huge KRW 700 Million purse. Nice Time and Baekduui Kkum will surely be there, but will Lala K?

Next week the there is Stakes race action at Seoul on Sunday afternoon with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) with rivals Winner’s Man and Tuhonui Banseok set to clash once more.

Lala K To Defend 100% Record as Juvenile Series Starts Sunday

Lala K, the striking grey two-year-old who shocked the world with his scarcely believable last to first run to win the Seoul Rookie Stakes in August, returns to action at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as he seeks to maintain his 100% start to his career in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), the capital track’s first leg of the Juvenile Series.

Lala K (Pic: KRA)

Although the overall race time was not especially quick, Lala K’s figures as he went from out of sight at the back to out of sight at the front in the Rookie Stakes certainly held up to scrutiny. He may have been running at tiring and inexperienced young horses, but his final furlong time was one-tenth of a second quicker than that clocked by Remake when the Japanese star set a new track record in the International Group 3 Korea Sprint two weeks later.

Don’t necessarily expect a repeat of those come from behind antics on Sunday though as Lala K’s extraordinary finish was only rendered necessary after he received a big bump coming out of the gate which put him a long way back. On his debut appearance over 1000M in July, he broke cleanly and sat in 2nd place before pulling away from the field to win comfortably and jockey Yoo Seung-wan will probably have little appetite to do things the hard way again as Lala K seeks to go three for three.

LALA K will be sent off as hot favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo with Rookie Stakes 3rd ECLIPSE BERRY perhaps the main danger. She overcame the same wide gate as today to get on pace and ran on well. Aside from Lala K the only other unbeaten horse in the race is NICE TIME. The Overanalyze colt won on debut over 1000M in August before following up with a victory at class 5 level at today’s distance when settling midfield and running on. He has shown a decent final furlong turn of speed – not Lala K speed – but he looks to have scope to get better.

HANGANG CROWN was sent off as favourite for the Rookie Stakes but after showing prominently early endured a dismal final furlong to ultimately finish last. She had previously shown good speed and will be given another chance by plenty. VINCERO CAVALLO ran out a seven-length winner at this distance to get his maiden win on September 16th and is another who has potential.

While only two come back to face Lala K from that Rookie Stakes, some pointers to how that form is holding up will come on Saturday. Runner-up Dalbitjogaksa, who led all the way under Lala K cleaned her up, goes in Saturday’s class 4 race 7 over 1400M. while 4th place Flying Star runs in race 6 also at 1300M at class 5. One race earlier on Saturday, 5th place Geosen Bangyeok goes in race 5, also at class 5 over 1300M. All three are likely to be sent off as favourite.

For all the attention lavished on Lala K, Busan’s equivalent Rookie Stakes was probably the better race although only three who come out of it are among the eight who will contest Sunday’s Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (1200M KOR-Listed), Busan’s equivalent race to the Munhwa Ilbo (the two tracks’ juveniles only come together for the final race of the series, the Breeders’ Cup at Busan in December). They are headed by the impressive winner, BAEKDUUI KKUM, who having been handy throughout, eased away from his rivals to score by four-lengths.

Baekduui Kkum will be a strong favourite to score again. That day’s runner-up DOCTOR KINGDOM returns for another crack while the Bart Rice trainee CONTROLLER, with a win and two placings from three outings so far, is given his chance. The potential main danger though is Thomas Gillespie’s YEONGGWANGUI GLORY, a winner of both his starts so far at 1000M and 1200M and who draws very nicely on the inside to get to the lead again.

The Munhwa Ilbo Trophy is race 8 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul and will be broadcast live on the KRA’s KRBC International YouTube channel.

The Areumdaun Jilju Stakes is race 6 on the 7-race Sunday card at Busan.

Munhwa Ilbo Trophy Selections: (9) Lala K (11) Eclipse Berry (10) Nice Time (2) Vincero Cavallo

Areumdaun Jilju Stakes Selections: (2) Baekduui Kkum (1) Yeonggwangui Glory (3) Controller (6) Doctor Kingdom

JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG DISPATCHES FILLY AND MARE ELITE IN JEJU GOVERNOR’S CUP

Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong took on her elder filly and mare compatriots at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and proceeded to dismantle them to win the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3), the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter series.

Jeulgeounyeojeong has plenty in hand in the Jeju Govenor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Having not only won all three jewels in the Tiara series with increasing ease, Jeulgeounyeojeong came into the race having dismissively swept aside a competent set of older male class 1 horses at Busan over the Jeju Governor’s distance of 1400M at the end of August. Accordingly, she was sent off as a prohibitive favourite ahead of the Park Jong-kon trained pair of Raon First and Raon The Spurt.

The odds were correct. While Raon The Spurt set the pace under Lim Gi-won, Franco Da Silva guided Jeulgeounyeojeong smoothly out of gate twelve to sit just outside the leaders and from then on it was a formality. Both “Raons” gave way early and Jeulgeounyeojeong ended up being chased home by outsiders Yeonhui Ilchul and Wonderful Kitty, crossing the line three-lengths to the good and with seemingly plenty in hand.

“After the first three-hundred metres, I was in a very good position, and I knew she was going to win” winning jockey Franco Da Silva told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “She’s very strong at the end so I wasn’t afraid of the draw.  She’s proved that she’s a champion, coming back from the longer distance.”

Jeulgeounyeojeong and Franco Da Silva (Pic: KRA)

Quizzed on just how good Jeulgeounyeojeong is, with many comparing her favourably with leading three-year-old colt Global Hit (they haven’t raced), as well as on what is in her immediate future, Da Silva was non-committal: “She’s a horse that I just don’t know how good she is because she keeps improving. I don’t know what is next for the horse, I will talk with the trainer, and he will decide. If there is a longer distance race for the fillies only, it would be nice to take them on again.”

She still needs to figure out her best trip, although Da Silva was clear that needn’t be an issue for Jeulgeounyeojeong. “From 1000M to 2400M, she can win at any of them.”

If Jeulgeounyeojeong does indeed stick to racing against fillies and mares for the rest of this season, the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter Series is the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan on October 29th. The concluding race in the series is the newly established “Breeders’ Cup Queen” also at Busan on December 10th although with only Listed status and prize money to match, there may be other targets.

Racing now takes a one-week break in Korea for the Chuseok Thanksgiving holiday. It will return on Friday October 6th at Busan with Sunday October 8th seeing the first legs of the Juvenile Series at both Seoul and Busan – and the probable return of viral sensation, Lala K in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy. There is also a rare Monday card scheduled for Seoul on October 9th.

TIARA WINNER JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG FACES RAON FIRST IN QUEENS’ TOUR SUNDAY

The Queens’ Tour returns for it’s Fall and Winter series and while the top-two from the Spring and Summer, Raon The Spurt and Raon First return, the Park Jong-kon trained pair will have to contend with a newcomer as Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong will join them in the starting gate in the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Jeulgeounyeojeong easily won the Triple Tiara (Pic: KRA)

JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG won the Luna Stakes (1600M) by just a nose, but she dominated both the Korean Oaks (1800M) and the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M) to sweep all three jewels of the Tiara. Even more impressive perhaps was her return to Busan on August 27th when she crushed a field of solid older male class 1 horses over the same 1400M that she will face on Sunday. Back in restricted filly and mare company and with a three-year-old weight allowance, she may prove hard to beat.

Franco Da Silva will partner Jeulgeounyeojeong, just as he did in all three-legs of the Triple Tiara after stepping in as a late replacement for Seo Seung-un in the Luna Stakes and subsequently keeping the ride. It’s been a golden year for Da Silva, who is in second place in the Busan Jockey Premiership (behind Seo Seung-un) and he is closing in on Djordje Perovic’s all time record of winners for foreign jockeys in Korea.

Although she will start a strong favourite, Jeulgeounyeojeong may not have everything all her own way. RAON FIRST is the highest rated filly or mare in the country courtesy of her superb win in the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) last November. She hasn’t won a race since, but she finished 2nd in the opening two legs of the Queens’ Tour Spring and Summer before beating Eoma Eoma on her way to 2nd behind Ssonsal in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint. It is this consistency that has her favoured over stablemate RAON THE SPURT, despite the latter beating her by six-lengths in May’s Ttukseom Cup over the same course and distance. That win was enough to see Raon The Spurt to enough points the claim the overall Spring and Summer series title, but she can mix her form.

The Raon pair are likely to be second and third in the betting market. They will be followed by a duo that have gone somewhat under the radar. YELLOW CAT is a lightly raced five-year-old, who defied big odds to run a solid 4th in the KNN Cup, the final leg of the Spring and Summer Series in June over a mile at Busan.  She rarely runs a bad race and can be close. ILBEONJI steps into this company for the first time. She has won six of thirteen, most recently over 1400M at class 2 level in August, making all. She could step up.

EODIGANA, who won the first race of the Spring and Summer Series, the Donga Ilbo Trophy, returns but is racing for the first time since her 5th place in the Ttukseom Cup and faces a big ask first-up.  Aside from Jeulgeounyeojeong, there is just one other three-year-old in the race. That’s RANUT, a winner of five from ten, runs in Graded Stakes company for the first time and has Moon Se-young aboard.  She has been done no favours by the draw.

The Jeju Governor’s Cup is race 8 on an 11-race program at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

Selections: (12) Jeulgeounyeojeong (6) Raon First (9) Raon The Spurt (15) Yellow Cat

Korea Cup & Sprint Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 10)

It’s Korea Cup and Korea Sprint Day. The big features are races 7 and 8 on a 10-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:50 to 17:00. Here are the previews:

Eoma Eoma will attempt to defend the Korea Sprint (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with six of the ten racing for the first time. The exposed form isn’t great, so we’ll side with first timers. (4) SPALTA was much improved in the second of two trials, crossing the line in front having led all the way. The time wasn’t quick, but he did what he needed to and if he brings that form to the races, he has an excellent chance first-up. It’s a similar story with (7) DANCING GANGJA, who failed to qualify first time around but led all the way at his second attempt. He too didn’t post a fast time but won’t need to improve much to be competitive here. (10) HAMPYEONG JANGMI has raced twice, finishing 7th on both occasions. They were both at 1000M and he can improve third-up here. (8) GEUMAK STAR and (1) LADY CODI others with potential to get better.

Selections(4) Spalta (7) Dancing Gangja (10) Hampyeong Jangmi (8) Geumak Star
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies. (8) SPECIAL FORCE will be a hot favourite, having only gone down narrowly on debut in a quick race over 1000M on August 12th when she was handy throughout. She previously made all in a trial and the step up in trip can suit. She is favoured to lead all the way this time. (6) ANYANG CHEONDUNG only really started to run on when the race was gone on debut over 1000M on August 13th. She should have come on for the run and may appreciate and extra furlong to get stuck into. (4) LOVE MUNMAK trialled up behind Special Force and then debuted behind Special Force, running 7th of eleven on August 12th. She began slowly but did find some late speed and with some more maturity and an additional furlong, she may go better. (5) HAPPY ICTUS and (3) WONDERFUL PAGO others who may improve.

Selections(8) Special Force (6) Anyang Cheondung (4) Love Munmak (5) Happy Ictus
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Wide open maiden. (3) COLITAS has mixed his form across six starts so far. He has a bit of a tendency to get too far back in his races, but he does run on. He draws well here and if Kim Yong-geun can have him in contention at the top of the straight, he has as much chance as any. (1) DINSI CHAMP and (8) EFFEL TAP came home 2nd and 4th respectively when they raced one another at this distance on August 12th. For Dinsi Champ that was a sharp improvement while Effel Tap is generally consistent, and both should be among the main chances here. (10) SHARP SUNSHINE is another who is unspectacular but consistent. She steps up to 1400M for the first time and can run into some money. (4) GRAND SILVER among others in the frame.

Selections(3) Colitas (1) Dinsi Champ (8) Effel Tap (10) Sharp Sunshine
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start6, 8, 9, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Two standouts in this maiden. (6) SKY JILJU will probably be favourite. He has raced twice so far, both at 1000M, improving in the second of them in terms of both time and finishing position. Both times he did his best work late suggesting that the step up in trip can suit. (5) MADE HEEMANG has also raced twice but in his case, over this distance. He too improved in the second of them, running 3rd and why Sky Jilju may have a little more potential for improvement at this stage, he can be a danger again. What form there is, drops off after this two but (4) LIGHT BROWN ran well enough on debut behind Sky Jilju over 1000M. She was slow away but ran on well and there could be some progress in the tank. (7) GREAT INDY and (9) DREAM BIGGER others who have hinted at ability.

Selections(6) Sky Jilju (5) Made Heemang (4) Light Brown (7) Great Indy
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race. (8) FLYING LIGHT is a form-mixer but based on his latest, when a strong 2nd at class and distance on July 23rd having overcome gate ten to settle midfield and run on well, he must be given a very good chance here. He can sit behind the speed again and run on. (4) SILVER BOOSTER beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class over 1300M on August 12th. He comes up slightly in the weights, but draws well, and can be considered again. (10) GEUMSEONG SIDAE is yet to win in eleven starts but has finished in the top-four on no fewer than eight occasions including an on-pace 2nd over a mile last time out. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but with a little luck at the start can get to the front and should be in this a very long way. (1) STAR RUSH and (3) ARGO GONGJU among others in the hunt.

Selections(8) Flying Light (4) Silver Booster (10) Geumseong Sidae (1) Star Rush
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(3) COLONEL FLYING shapes as a warm favourite here. That’s based on his latest effort on August 20th when he came from well off the pace to run a very close 2nd at this distance, in the process recording a quicker time than any of the others here have done for the 1400M. He draws well and in this modest company, can win. (6) EONJENA YEONGUNG mixes his form, but he has also posted a quick time for the distance and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he can go close today. (8) UNMATCHED was slow away last time before running 6th behind Colonel Flying. There is little in the way of early speed here so if she can get a better start, she may be able to get on pace and if she does, she has a chance. (9) BLUE CAVIAR and (4) MIRACULUM the best of a limited rest.

Selections(3) Colonel Flying (6) Eonjena Yeongung (8) Unmatched (9) Blue Caviar
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start1, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Tricky one. (7) BIG BLED may not have the most attractive of names for a racehorse (with the greatest respect to Slovenian lakeside resort towns) but she has shown ability. She was a good winner in a quick time at 1200M at class 6 level two starts back before finishing midfield on her first try at this level on July 23rd. She likes to sit on or close to the pace and she can win here. (4) BEST CLONE is yet to score in eight but has a 4th and a 2nd in two tries at this class, both at 1200M. She’ll be on the speed here and she steps up to 1300M looking set to be close again. (11) TANGJA has plenty of experience at this class and has been a model of consistency of late, positing quick times at this distance. While he has the challenge of the widest gate and he may once more find one or two too quick, he will be there or thereabouts again.  (1) V QUEEN and the up in class (5) SAEBYEOK ANGAE others in the hunt.

(more…)

Derby Winner Global Hit Lands Minister’s Cup

Global Hit sealed his status as the nation’s top three-year-old as the Korean Derby winner produced another late surge up the inside to win the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday evening.

Global Hit beats stablemate Speed Young in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Sent off as third favourite in a full field of sixteen, Global Hit was unable to get to a forward position coming out of the gate when Uptown Whiz drifted in front of him. Instead, jockey Kim Hye-sun had to be patient and settle the Derby winner in midfield as Dokki Bulpae and betting favourite Naol Sniper set the pace.

Global Hit steadily improved as the field made their way down the backstraight and joined the leaders as they turned for home. Once in the straight, Global Hit quickly accounted for Naol Sniper and Dokki Bulpae and was left with only stablemate Speed Young to see off. This he did with a final furlong burst of speed that saw him cross the line two-lengths to the good. As ever late on the scene, Nut Play came home 3rd a full seven-lengths further in arrears.

“I am really happy. Global Hit is a very good horse and he proved that the Derby wasn’t just luck” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “I don’t really think I gave him due credit in my interview after the Derby, but I expected him to win this time. He has so much talent, and while his legs are not the strongest, the stable staff did such a good job in managing him and allowing him to show his ability.”

Asked about the start when Uptown Whiz crossed, impeding Global Hit from getting their desired position and whether it forced her to change tactics, Kim said she noted it. “As we came out the gap narrowed, I hesitated a little but decided not chase it, so we settled back a little bit further than planned, but ultimately it didn’t matter.”

Pic: KRA

For trainer Bang Dong-suk, it was a remarkable one-two with last year’s champion juvenile Speed Young running a redemptive race following lacklustre showings in both the Cup Mile and the Derby.

“I have to praise my jockeys.” Bang told KRBC. “They were great, but this is a whole team effort by everyone back at the stable. They worked hard to prepare this.” As for the future, the trainer was non-committal: “Global Hit has been through a lot with his legs, but they are both young and I am looking forward to what’s next.”

Jockey You Hyun-myung rode Speed Young to win the Breeders’ Cup and following a lengthy spell out after a bad injury in a race fall, was reunited with him in the Minister’s Cup. “The staff had told me he was back in form, and they were right. Global Hit was just too strong in the last 200M.”

Global Hit is by To Honor And Serve and is out of Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor). With the win he moved on to five wins from seven starts.

Jeulgeounyeojeong Completes Triple Tiara Sweep

For the second year in a row the Triple Tiara series has been swept as Jeulgeounyeojeong emulated Golden Power by adding to her Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks successes with a resounding victory in the final jewel, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) under the lights at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday evening.

Jeulgeounyeojeong and Franco Da Silva win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)/

Sent off the odds-on favourite in a thirteen-strong field, Jeulgeounyeojeong was kept handy in the early stages by jockey Franco Da Silva as Raon Giant and Doctor Oscar set the early pace over a distance at which all were tackling for the first time. At the top of the home straight, those leaders started to tire and with minimal urging, Jeulgeounyeojeong cruised by and put the race to bed a long way out.

The margin on the line was four-lengths with Wonderful Slew, a revelation when 3rd in the Oaks at just her fourth career start, getting the closest to Jeulgeounyeojeong. Raon Forest, 2nd in both the Luna and the Oaks, completed a hat-trick of Tiara placings, coming home in 3rd place.

“Anywhere internationally for a horse to be a Triple Tiara winner, it takes a good one.” Winning jockey Franco Da Silva told KRBC immediately after the race. “Thanks to the owner and the trainer for giving me a chance and now the pressure is all off because we are done. We proved that she is the best and everything is perfect.”

“This horse is just getting better and better.” Da Silva continued. “Today the only things I was worried about were the track condition and that we had travelled from Busan (for the first time). But she never lost weight, she was happy, and she was very professional. I was just a passenger; I just had to sit and wait for the straight.”

(Pic: KRA)

Trainer Kim Young-kwan also noted the challenge of winning a Triple Tiara series. “In a Triple Crown or a Triple Tiara, the races come very quickly with short intervals between them. So, health and fitness are just as important as ability if you want to win all three.” Kim, who is Korea’s all-time leading trainer in terms of both career wins and Group race wins, told KRBC.

“At the Breeders’ Cup (Korea’s Champion Juvenile race, where Jeulgeounyeojeong was a short price but finished 9th), she had some respiratory issues, so we took great care to fix that, and she has stayed healthy and sound since.”

(Pic: KRA)

Although he recently passed the compulsory retirement age for trainers, Kim has been granted an extension in recognition of his record over the years which includes the Triple Crown with Power Blade in 2016. “It is great to add a Triple Tiara to Power Blade’s Triple Crown. I would like to thank the racing fans for accepting my extension.”

Jeulgeounyeojeong is by Colors Flying and is out of Says Ms Elizabeth (by Giacomo) and was bred by owners Nasca, of Eoma Eoma fame, at their farm. She moves onto six wins from twelve starts.    

The big question now is what is next for Jeulgeounyeojeong and just how good is she? Winning trainer Kim noted that after sweeping last year’s Triple Tiara, Golden Power endured a scoreless end to 2022, being outclassed in two Queens’ Tour races. She finally returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since her Gyeonggi victory, this past Friday evening. In the meantime, Raon The Spurt, who Golden Power vanquished comfortably in the Tiara, is a Group 2 winner this year and firmly ensconced at the elite level.

(Pic: KRA)

Jeulgeounyeojeong is not necessarily Golden Power, but the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series would be the logical next item on her agenda.

Next Saturday at Seoul, there is another floodlight big race engagement with the final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2). There is no Triple Crown on the line, but Korean Derby winner Global Hit is expected to head a full field of sixteen in the final three-year-old Classic.

SUCCESS MACHO TAKES OWNERS’ CUP GLORY

Success Macho finally delivered on his early promise and got a Stakes win on the board as he came through late to beat Yes Perfect by a head to win the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Success Macho (left) beats Yes Perfect in the Busan Owners’ Cup (Pic: KRA)

In a race devoid of big-name headliners, Daehan Jilju was sent off as favourite, somewhat surprisingly at odds-on among the sixteen-strong field. He would attempt to lead from gate to wire but favourite, who has shown his best at shorter distances, was quickly beaten once they reached the home straight. Success Macho meanwhile was ridden patiently and wide by jockey You Hyun-myun, who was returning to action after a four-month injury absence and the pair stormed through late to beat fellow fast-finisher Yes Perfect, with Heunghaeng Jilju in 3rd.

“(Success Macho) doesn’t like kickback and over the 1600M there are two very long straights” winning jockey You Hyun-myung told KRBC.  “During the race, I wanted to go nearer to the fence, but I followed the trainer’s instructions to stay out of the kickback.”

Success Macho, a five-year-old gelding by Macho Uno, who was imported in-utero, made an electrifying start to his career, winning nine of his first ten starts with his only defeat in that period coming in this race in 2021. But while he ran 6th in last year’s Korea Cup, he suffered an injury that kept him off the track from last October to this June when he returned underwhelmingly, only beating two home over the same mile distance at class 1 level.

“His last race was his first back after a long break and while I didn’t have high expectations that day, he was even worse than I expected but he needed that” trainer Min Jang-gi told KRBC. “He is small, but he is robust, and he doesn’t want to give in. The jockey knows him very well and he knew what to do, and it all came off.”

That You Hyun-myung was returning to action following a shattered collarbone in a fall earlier this year. He had already been on the scoresheet on Friday winning race 1 on his first ride back. He had ridden Success Macho in eight of his nine previous wins.

“The horse wasn’t doing terrific during trackwork, but the owner had so much faith in him, so we are happy to win” You continued. And on his own situation: “To my fans, I am back now, and I pledge to do my best.”

Trainer Min was non-committal about Success Macho’s next assignment. “I am not really keen to run him in handicaps because after this his rating will go up so I will see if I can find some more suitable feature races.”

With defending champion. Winner’s Man seemingly joining Raon The Fighter on the absentee list for the Korea Cup, another trip to Seoul on international weekend could therefore be on the cards for Success Macho as while he is unlikely to trouble the Japanese visitors, he would have a real shot at some lucrative minor prize money.

Next weekend the Triple Tiara (filly Triple Crown) concludes with the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) which, unusually for Korean Stakes races, will be run at Seoul on Saturday as part of the first weekend of twilight racing when the card will run from 2pm to 9pm.