Race Reviews

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 17)

There are 11 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

CC Wong (right) has a very good book of rides across Saturday and Sunday (Pic: KRA)

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

Three-year-old maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. (12) FLYING HONOR qualified in November but went through another trial on December 18th running a close 2nd in a quick time. He has the challenge of the widest gate but if he brings that form to the races, he is a winning chance. The experience is quite good though. (4) ECLIPSE BOSS ran 3rd on debut over this distance on November 29th, settling midfield from the widest gate and running on. He should have come on for the experience. So too should (6) HAKSAN HENNY and (5) ONNURI BIT, who finished 4th and 5th in their respective first outings and can build on that here. Returning to the first timers (1) PEGASUS KING went through a couple of trials, improving significantly in the second of them on December 18th and he should be nice and fit for this.

Selections(12) Flying Honor (4) Eclipse Boss (6) Haksan Henny (5) Onnuri Bit
Next Best1, 11
Fast Start3, 5, 11, 12

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

Not the greatest of maidens. After winning a trial, (3) MAEUM HANA was sent off as favourite on debut over this distance on December 14th but while he showed close to the pace he ran out of steam and finished 6th. He should have derived benefit from that and can stay on this time. (11) YONGBIGYO was similarly a beaten favourite when 6th over this distance two weeks ago. She has a 3rd and a 4th on her resume already and that’s enough to make her the danger here. Solitary debut maker (1) DRAGON MIJIN trialed up fairly, showing on pace and running 4th. He can lead here and be in things a long way. (10) SUNGANUI FIGHTER and (8) AESUNI others who can improve.  

Selections(3) Maeum Hana (11) Yongbigyo (1) Dragon Mijin (10) Sunganui Fighter
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 8

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

(6) GLOBAL LAND was 5th on debut and then 3rd at start number two over 1200M on December 14th. Both times she has run on well from a long way back so the step up in trip can suit, and she is the one to beat here. (10) EUNPA BOOSTER enters off his best to date when 2nd at 1300M on December 20th when leading for much of the way and only being narrowly beaten. He steps up to 1400M for the first time and should be on pace. (7) BEST JOY was 6th behind Eunpa Booster in that December 20th race. That was his first start since running 4th back in June and he should strip fitter for the run. (3) K SIMON and (9) GRAY PHANTOM other place chances.

Selections(6) Global Land (10) Eunpa Booster (7) Best Joy (3) K Simon
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 10

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

(5) HWANG GEUM EO JANG was a winner on debut over 1200M on December 6th, settling midfield and proving too strong. Je comes up in class and in trip, but he is down in weight and he can win again. (8) NUNI OLKKAYO won at start two over 1200M in November and then almost repeated the trick when leading for much of the way on his first try at this class and distance on December 13th, ultimately finishing 2nd. He only comes up 1kg in weight, can lead again, and he could go one better. (9) MIRACLE SOCKS couldn’t quite provide the fairytale ending to jockey Park Tae-jong’s career on December 21st when he got caught late on. That made for his fourth consecutive runner-up finish, and he can be in the finish again. (4) ROAD TO STAR and (2) TAEGISAN KING are the other chances.

Selections(5) Hwang Geum Eo Jang (8) Nuni Olkkayo (9) Miracle Socks (4) Road To Star
Next Best2, 7
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 9

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

(4) APATEU had a poor day at the office on second favourite over 1300M on December 21st, finding a handy but wide position from a wide draw and not running on. She comes into a better gate today and is back at the distance at which she got her sole win so far, and she can be given another chance. (10) WIDAEHAN HAMSEONG is still a maiden after five starts but ran 2nd to Apateu at class 6 two starts back and was then 4th on his first try at this class over 1300M. He is the main danger here. (8) UJU JEONJAENG comes back to this trip for the first time in a while and that can bring him into contention. (1) SAEROUN GUY and (9) ROAD TO A SPUR, the latter having trialed well since his latest start, are among others to consider on a place line.

Selections(4) Apateu (10) Widaehan Hamseong (8) Uju Jeonjaeng (1) Saeroun Guy
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 9, 10

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (October 26)

Two Group 3 races at Busan highlight Sunday’s action with the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3), for fillies and mares followed by the Kookje Shinmun Cup (1400M KOR-G3), which has attracted the nation’s top sprinters. There are 6 races at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30 and 11 at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Boryeonglightqueen will be favourite for the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with three of the twelve racing for the first time. (7) GEOLJAK TIARA is the one to beat though having followed up a 5th place on debut over 1000M in August with 2nd when stepped up to this distance on September 21st. She will be expected to lead here and go all the way. (11) MIGHTY BEAT has also raced twice and was an improved 4th at start two on September 27th. His time was quicker than that achieved by Geoljak Tiara for the same distance and he will be the second favourite. (2) SUPERDAY and (3) BROWN MAMMA came home 3rd and 5th respectively when they debuted together over 1000M on September 13th and both should have come on for the run. Of the three first timers, (8) RAON BLITZ was the best in trials.

Selections(7) Geoljak Tiara (11) Mighty Beat (2) Superday (3) Brown Mamma
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 7

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (6) RAON SNIPER was an improved 2nd at start two over this distance on September 7th, having raced on pace throughout. She can lead again here and third-up she can be peaking. She will dispute favourite status with (2) CLUTCH LOVE, who debuted in a quick filly race over 1000M on September 20th when she settled midfield and finished off pleasingly. She should have benefited from the experience, and the additional furlong can suit. One of only two three-year-olds in the race, (7) DAJEONGHAN debuted all the way back in February, running 3rd at this distance. She looked very well when winning a trial in late September and can be in the mix first-up. (4) MIGHTY SHINE and (5) MACHEON WORLD other chances.

Selections(6) Raon Sniper (2) Clutch Love (7) Dajeonghan (4) Mighty Shine
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) AWESOME QUEEN has never finished outside the top four and comes in having led at this class for much of the way around on what was her first try at 1800M on September 21st. She actually carries 1kg less today, Moon Se-young climbs up for the first time, and she is very much the one to beat. (6) DRAGON FANTASY has won his latest two, both at 1400M. He comes up in class today, as well as up to two turns for the first time, but he can measure up. (5) BLACK SATANG was a class and distance winner on September 27th, settling midfield and running on. She stays under the same light weight and can be in the finish again. Apprentice claims bring both (7) K POWERFUL and (8) GOMANARU into the placing picture.

Selections(9) Awesome Queen (6) Dragon Fantasy (5) Black Satang (7) K Powerful
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) BURUI SINJEON has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place on his first try at this distance on September 21st when emerging from midfield and beating a couple of today’s rivals. Munro stays on and the pair can go one better. (10) STAY COOL didn’t do much in her first two appearances, but she was a much-improved 2nd when sent up to this distance for start three on September 28th when she led until the furlong pole. She is drawn a touch wider than ideal, but in the absence of much speed on her inside, she should be able to find her way to the front, and she can be in this a long way. (12) MUJEOKYI has also made progress over three starts and with a 2nd place last time out can be in this. (7) BEAT BOY and (4) SERYEONDOENWISUN are others in the frame.

Selections(5) Burui Sinjeon (10) Stay Cool (12) Mujeokyi (7) Beat Boy
Next Best4, 9
Fast Start1, 9, 10, 12

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

(3) ALPHA FEMALE got a spin around in the final leg of the Triple Tiara, finishing a cool eight-seconds behind the winner. She does though have a 3rd and a 5th in two starts since then both in similar maidens to this at 1700M. Her draw, which means she should lead again and, to be lazy about this, the booking of Moon Se-young for the first time, put her on top. (5) MR.CARA enters off a best to date 3rd place at 1400M on September 20th. He comes up to two turns for the first time and in this company, it can suit. (8) TTOSUNI SEOUL returned from three months off to run 4th over 1400M at the end of September. He has placed at this distance and stripping fitter for that run, can get closer. (2) MAX MAN and (11) YEOMYEONGUI SUNGAN others to consider on a place line.

Selections(3) Alpha Female (5) Mr.Cara (8) Ttosuni Seoul (2) Max Man
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) here. (2) ALL THE BEST got her maiden win at start number three over 1400M on September 14th when leading from gate to wire and stopping the clock in a good time, a full nine-lengths to the good. She comes up in class here but draws well and the manner of that victory means she will be a short price to repeat. (12) QUEENS DRAGON was a winner at this class over 1200M on September 19th. She comes up 3kg in weight and has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can be competitive again. (10) STRAWBERRY QUEEN is up in class after scoring by sic-lengths over 1200M on September 19th. She and fellow up in class last start winner (11) GRAND TREE can measure up in this company. (9) WIND ROSE another to look out for on a place line.

Selections(2) All The Best (12) Queens Dragon (10) Strawberry Queen (11) Grand Tree
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start2, 8, 11, 12

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

(more…)

Chief Star, Super Aero Claim Juvenile Series Scores With Finale Just a Month Away

With a month to go, the G2 Breeders’ Cup at Busan on November 23rd is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing renewals of recent times after Seoul and Busan hosted their respective 2nd legs of the Juvenile Series this past weekend.

Super Aero (far side) gets the better of Wild Park (Pic: KRA)

At Seoul, all the attention was on a filly. Chief Star hadn’t raced since a facile victory in August’s Rookie Stakes took her to two wins from two starts but she had looked very well in a September trial and was accordingly sent off as the prohibitive 1.4 favourite in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).

There was a brief scare for favourite backers and Chief Star fly jumped as the gates opened, enabling another filly, Wonpyeong Sket, 2nd in both the Rookie Stakes and the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (the latter missed by Chief Star) to get to the lead.

Jockey Choi Bum-hyun didn’t panic and Chief Star tracked Wonpyeong Sket closely before asserting her superiority in the home straight and running on to win by three-lengths.

“She didn’t settle in the gate and was moving forwards and backwards and then she jumped as the gate opened” winning jockey Choi explained to KRBC. “I think the pleasing thing is that even with (this adversity) she still won well.”

“She is a young filly and so long as she is healthy and free from injuries then I think we will see a lot of good things from her.”

Chief Star is by Shackleford and out of Halla Chukje (by the Coronando’s Quest stallion Gottcha Gold). She is owned by Kim Gil-ri and trained by Moon Byeong-ki.

Chief Star (Pic: KRA)

At Busan, things were much closer. After narrow wins in both the Busan Rookie Stakes and in last month’s Gangse-gu Mayor’s Trophy, Wild Park was sent off as the odds-on favourite to complete a hat-trick in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).

Once more it was close, and it looked as though Wild Park would prevail again as under Seo Seung-un, he struck the front with a furlong to run in a seesaw stretch battle with Super Aero, who he had defeated in the Rookie Stakes.

That would be to discount the heart of Super Aero, however, as with Masa Tanaka aboard, the Bart Rice trainee rallied on the inside to once more come level with Wild Park and ultimately get the decision in the photo-finish by a nose. The pair finished two-lengths ahead of Wild Park’s stablemate Funny Wild, who was making just his second appearance and also looks a prospect.

A colt by Mischievously and out of Kkeutpan Aero (by Archarcharch), the dam also having been campaigned by owner Kang Bong-han and trainer Rice, Super Aero moves on to three wins from four starts.

“He has high cruising speed, and we used the barrier to full advantage today” winning jockey Tanaka said of Super Aero. “(Wild Park) went in front a half neck at one stage but (Super Aero) fought so hard to get his nose back in front.”

“He’s gained 40kg since his first trial, so he’s growing well. Today’s Seoul winner looked pretty impressive but at 1400M (in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie), it can be a very competitive race.”

Tanaka was of course talking about Chief Star but there is another Seoul juvenile who is three for three. Mujehan Geup has kept out of the way of the filly but in her absence, he was a very impressive winner of the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy in September, with Wonpyeong Sket again 2nd. He came back into training two weeks ago and can add another layer of intrigue in Busan next month.

Not Nearly Anymore! Speed Young Races To Group 1 Glory in President’s Cup

Speed Young, Korean racing’s nearly horse, finally tasted Group 1 glory with victory in the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The five-year-old held out Gangpungma by just under a length with Success Baekpa and the defending champion Global Hit 3rd and 4th. The top four in the market dominated and beat home the rest of the field by a full nine-lengths.

Speed Young is Group 1 (Pic: KRA)

Despite having missed the Korea Cup through lameness discovered after being beaten by Success Baekpa in August’s KRA Cup Classic, Global Hit was sent off as the slight odds-on favourite for the richest open age race in the country that is restricted to local bred horses.

While settling fairly under Kim Hye-sun and taking up a good position coming into the home straight, Global Hit never threatened to win and was beaten a long way from home.

Instead, it was Speed Young who, having raced handy throughout with Jung Do-yun on board, took things up with just over a furlong to go and ran on to hold off the fast-finishing Gangpungma with plenty to spare.

“I think we won because we rode a confident race plan today. I wanted to get forward and not to have to worry about what any other horse was doing” winning jockey Jung Do-yun told in-house broadcaster KRBC.

It was the jockey’s first Group 1 win. “When you choose to be a jockey as your profession, winning Group 1 races is your ultimate goal and now I have done that I am so happy I can’t express it in words…I really want to thank the owner for trusting me with the ride, the trainer for his guidance and the fans in Seoul for their support whenever I come here.”

Speed Young won three of his first five races and was champion juvenile in 2022 but won only another three in his next twenty-one starts with the biggest coming in last year’s G3 Owners’ Cup at Busan.

Always running in Graded Stakes company though he had amassed a slew of top four finishes at distances between 1200M and 2300M. Demonstrating his versatility and reliability – “Swiss army knife” is one of his many nicknames – Speed Young was the best locally trained finisher in the 2024 Korea Sprint and the 2025 Korea Cup.

“I am very happy.” Park Nam-sung, who owns Speed Young through his D R M City group and also, under his own name, Gangpungma and therefore had a very good day, smiled to KRBC. “Of course, the victory had absolutely nothing to do with me but all the staff who made it happen.”

“Finally, it’s a victory. I bought Speed Young for 100 Million Won and since then he has lots of top two and three and four finishes, the occasional win, but always in the best races. He was 4th in the Korea Cup and now he makes a statement by winning the President’s Cup.”

As for what is next, Park didn’t mention the  Dubai Carnival but instead said “Let’s try and win the Korea Cup next year.”

Trainer Bang Dong-suk saddled both the winner and the beaten defending champion and he admitted to KRBC that it was an unfamiliar sensation. “Global Hit was below my expectation, which was disappointing, but Speed Young winning is a new feeling.”

“I was so disappointed with the last race (KRA Cup Classic), not to take anything away from Success Baekpa who beat us, but today Speed Young looked much more loosened up and Jung Do-yun said he wanted to go for it.”

“With Global Hit, I will review the race again, talk to (jockey) Kim Hye-sun, and obviously have the horse checked for his condition and hopefully we can go again.”

Later in the evening, the stewards reported that the post-race vet examination noted the same conditions Global Hit was diagnosed with in August – desmitis of the suspensory ligament and synovitis of the fetlock joint, both chronic if manageable ailments. He will need to be cleared by the vets before being permitted to race again.

The President’s Cup is part of the Korea Premier Series and while it was restricted to Korean bred horses, the final leg, the Grand Prix Stakes (2000M KOR-G1) on November 30th is open not only to foreign bred, but also foreign trained horses and Japan’s Yumeno Honoo, 3rd behind Global Hit and Speed Young in May’s YTN Cup, is expected to return to Korea for another go.

Speed Young and Gangpungma may now have the best chance of preserving honour for the home side.

Mujehan Geup, Wild Park Claim Juvenile Series Openers

The 2025 Juvenile Series got underway at Seoul and Busan on Sunday. In the capital, Mujehan Geup saw off a field of twelve rivals to keep his unbeaten record intact in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, while on the South Coast, Wild Park only had to contend with seven rivals but was pushed all the way by Supex Winner to add the Busan Gangseo-gu Mayor’s Cup to the Rookie Stakes he secured a month ago.

Mujehan Geup and Johan Victoire (Pic: KRA)

Mujehan Geup entered the Munhwa Ilbo (1200M KOR-L) as the only one in the field to have already won twice and despite being drawn in the widest gate, the Old Fashioned colt was sent off as the 2.9 favourite.Under Johan Victoire, he settled right at the back of the field in the early stages as Ruan Maia bustled second favourite, the filly Wonpyeong Sket, to the lead.

Wonpyeong Sket would lead into the final furlong but Victoire produced Mujehan Geup at the right time to leave to pass his rival in the final furlong and go on to win by three-lengths, pulling away. Wonpyeong Sket was 2nd with Tony Castanheira’s filly Unica, a fast finishing 3rd.

For jockey Johan Victoire it was a welcome return to the Stakes race winner’s circle after a couple of years absence.

Winning trainer Moon Byeong-ki had a decades long career as one of the most sought after Assistant Trainers at Seoul Racecourse. He was finally licensed in his own right in 2022 and sheer winners wise, has quickly established himself as the top trainer at the track, leading this year’s Premiership. Yet to break through at Group level, he now has three Listed wins.

At Busan, Wild Park was sent off as the 1.6 favourite following his Rookie Stakes success. He led from the gate under Seo Seung-un and seemed poised for a comfortable score until it became clear that Supex Winner, wasn’t going to be shaken off easily.

Supex Winner had only raced once before when 2nd to Clearly Winner in August. Clearly Winner had gone on to win by a big margin at a higher level this past Friday and punters had seen enough to make Supex Winner the second favourite here.

Undr Franco Da Silva, Supex Winner briefly touched the front approaching the furlong pole but Wild Park rallied and lifted the better of the pair, ultimately prevailing by a neck on the line. Doctor Centum “won” a completely separate race for 3rd, a full seven-lengths back.

Wild Park is a colt by Bayern and is trained by Choi Ki-hong, of Winner’s Man fame.

The next legs of the Juvenile Series take place at Seoul and Busan on October 19th before the best from the tracks come together on the South Coast on November 23rd to contest the Breeders Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) to decide the nation’s champion juvenile.

INTERNATIONALS, LOCALS READY FOR WHAT COULD BE A FASTER THAN EVER KOREA CUP & SPRINT

SEE HERE FOR SUNDAY’S FULL RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW

SEE HERE FOR KOREA SPRINT FORM COMMENTS

SEE HERE FOR KOREA CUP FORM COMMENTS

The eve of the international OBS Korea Cup and Korea Sprint (1200m) saw torrential rain showers drench Seoul Racecourse and while the forecast for Sunday is good, the wet track could make for some lightning-fast times on Seoul’s big day.

London Town is the track record holder at 1800M (Pic Ross Holburt/KRA)

If Remake’s 1200M record is to fall in the Korea Sprint (G3 1200M), CHIKAPPA is set to be the favourite to break it, and legendary jockey Yutaka Take is flying in to partner the four-year-old. The Japanese challenger will have to deal with the widest gate, but connections say that’s not a problem.

“I think it is better for us” said assistant trainer Ueno Takaya. “It’s far better than risking getting stuck inside. He’s got a fast start, and he can get himself in a good position and the rest we will leave for Yutaka Take to decide his strategy.”

Veteran TAGANO BEAUTY has had a storied career but remarkably has never tackled 1200M before. “He’s eight-years-old now, but he has the playfulness of a foal” remarked Assistant trainer Koji Yamamoto.

“Sometimes he thinks he’s at a rodeo but at race time with a jockey on his back, he knows his job. We know we’re not the favourites but that’s ok for us, he has great late speed, and we know he will be strong at the end.”

SUNRISE HAWK could be well suited to Seoul, according to Assistant Trainer Takuya Saito. “We feel this track is tougher than the ones in Japan but he is a strong horse so this could work to his advantage. He is an intelligent and careful horse, and it is important to follow his rhythm. Yes, Chikappa is fast, but I think Sunrise Hawk is just as good.”

Hong Kong’s SELF IMPROVEMENT may be the lowest rated international runner in the race by a significant margin, but the team behind him are adamant he is not just there to make up the numbers and according to Assistant Wang Ip, they have a clear strategy for jockey Jerry Chau.

“Gate seven is fine, we will just worry about the three or four horses immediately inside us,” said Wang. “His gate speed is good; he can lead or track the pace. We think this race can suit him and that’s why he is here.”

The top local contender is VINCERO CAVALLO and make no mistake, he is a live chance if he brings his best. He is racing for the first time since sweeping the Sprint Series in May and trainer Seo In-seok says he is ready.

“We were going to race him in the summer but decided not to because it was too hot, so we put him through two trials instead. We have him at 90% and with the intention to be at 100% on race day.”

There are thirteen in the Korea Sprint with a local post time of 15:25. The race offers qualification for the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar.

The Korea Cup (G3 1800M), which offers automatic qualification for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, is headlined by US-bred Hong Kong Group race mainstay CHANCHENG GLORY.

The “Pride of Iowa” is racing on a surface other than turf for the first time, but Assistant trainer Vincent Sit, representing Francis Lui in Korea, good-naturedly batted away the obvious question for possibly the one-hundredth time this week, insisting that yes, Chancheng Glory can handle the sand.

“He is American bred; he has experienced dirt when he was young. This horse likes a fast pace so he will be happy if the speed is on. I know the racing pattern in Korea, and I think this horse can like it.”

Sit knows what he is talking about far more than us asking the questions, as in his jockey days, he completed a short-term license at Busan.

(more…)

SUCCESS BAEKPA SOUNDLY DEFEATS GLOBAL HIT IN KOREA CUP PREP

Global Hit suffered his first defeat on home sand since last year’s Korea Cup when handily defeated by Success Baekpa in the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Success Baekpa and Jin Kyum triumph in the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)

Just five weeks out from this year’s international races, Global Hit was sent off as the odds-on favourite to successfully defend the Cup Classic, which he won a year ago on his route to 3rd place, the best of the locals, in the Korea Cup.

In a race with no obvious early speed, jockey Kim Hye-sun opted to take Global Hit to the front from the widest gate. Challenged in the back straight by Money Crown, they quickly regained the lead but once the field hit the straight and Jin Kyum on Success Baekpa, who had been stalking the favourite the whole time, made his move, Global Hit had no response.

The margin was four-lengths on the line with Speed Young a further four back in 3rd.

“In training this week I had been thinking, why not race (on pace)?” winning jockey Jin Kyum, who was winning his third Group race of the year – and of his career – following victories on Oasis Blue in the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby, told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Global Hit drew wide and then went forward so I thought, if I just stick with him, I won’t go too wrong. I wasn’t really expecting Success Baekpa to finish as well as he did though.”

“If you look at how Success Baekpa ran today, even if Global Hit had been at his very best, I am not sure the result would have been different.”

“We had a really bad run in the Owners’ Cup last time” winning trainer Min Jang-gi told KRBC. “I was hoping for this to be somewhat of a recovery race, so obviously it is very good to win. I am hoping for even more from him in future.”

A four-year-old, Success Baekpa [Purge – Baekpa (by Revere) is a winner of seven of his seventeen starts, four of them now having come at Group level, having won the KRA Cup Mile and Minister’s Cup in the Triple Crown last year and the Herald Business earlier this.

Success Baekpa is off and gone from Global Hit and Speed Young (Pic: KRA)

Global Hit’s rider would would probably like this one back. “I am upset” Kim Hye-sun told the camera crew that was following her around. “I knew there was going to be no pace in the race, and we know he can lead like he did in Dubai. But it went wrong (in the back straight) when he was challenged by horses both sides of him. It took a long time to settle him again after that.”

As for the Korea Cup, Kim said that the performance changed little. “As far as I am concerned, he is fine for the Korea Cup, that’s always been the target. The Japanese (horses) will be there, and we know how fast they are so if anything, it may suit him more than this did.”

HANGANG CLASS DEMOLISHES OWNERS’ CUP FIELD IN TRACK RECORD EFFORT

Hangang Class smashed his own track record for the mile in the process of demolishing a strong field on a lightning quick track in the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Hangang Class goes clear of Clean One in the Owners’ Cup (Pic: KRA)

Two months ago, on a similarly fast day, Hangang Class had broken Blue Chipper’s track record for the mile, set in this race in 2019. On Sunday, under Kim Hye-sun, he took a further second off it, to set a new mark of 1:34.8.

It was a day of front running records. In race 3, the track record for 1300 was lowered while a class 6 race over 1200M was completed in a Korea Sprint winning time and a class 5 at 1400M was significantly faster than the vast majority of class 1 races over that distance.

That boded badly for Speed Young, a come from behind horse who likes to work his way into the race, regardless of the distance. Yet punters still sent the defending champion off as the 1.6 odds-on favourite. He was never a factor and finished in 9th.

Clean One showed the way early with Black Mamba being ridden hard from a wide draw to be on the pace too. Meanwhile, Hye-sun kept 15/1 chance Hangang Class handy to the leading two and ready to launch. Once they took off in the home straight, none could match them. Despite Win came up for 2nd place, while Clean One held on for 3rd.

Hangang Class is a four-year-old colt by Musket Man and out of Daehan Cheonwang (by Forest Camp). He is owned by Kim Jo-eun and trained at Busan by Gu Min-sung. Hangang Class was champion juvenile in 2023 when he won four of his five starts, including the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie in December of that year. After some setbacks and layoffs, he didn’t win again until winning that Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy in track record fashion in April. He moves on to six wins from fifteeen starts.

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (June 22)

No Listed or Graded races this weekend but still plenty to get stuck into on Sunday with 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

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

(6) GEOSEN JIJON took a couple of goes to figure things out but has a 4th and a 3rd from her last two outings at 1200M and 1300M. (10) P N S JU has a 3rd and a 2nd from her latest two since returning from a three-month absence. She is not a quick starter so the wide draw shouldn’t be important and at start twenty it isn’t impossible that she could finally make her breakthrough. (4) JUHWA has made progress across three starts so far with 4th on his latest being his best. He draws well here and can continue to get closer. (1) GIDAEHARA and (9) K SIMON are others who can potentially improve in what is not an especially strong opener.

Selections(6) Geosen Jijon (10) P N S Ju (4) Juhwa (1) Gidaehara
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 9

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

(1) SAINT WINNER has a 3rd and a couple of 4th places from his latest three, most recently at this distance on May 24th when handy throughout. From the inside gate, he should be on pace, and he has every chance of going all the way. (7) CHEONGRYONG GIUN has a best of 3rd from three positive starts so far. He too should be on the early speed in this company and with Moon Se-young staying aboard, he is sure to have plenty of backers. (3) HERO CHOICE has four finishes between 3rd and 5th from his six outings to date. He ran 3rd on his sole previous try at this trip, and that should be a minimum aim here. (9) TIGER K and (6) STEP BY STEP are among others who can have placing aspirations.

Selections(1) Saint Winner (7) Cheongryong Giun (3) Hero Choice (9) Tiger K
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 5, 7, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) SLING STAR was 2nd on debut before winning at start number two over 1200M on May 24th, leading all the way and scoring with ease. He comes up in class and slightly in trip, but he overcame an even wider gate last time out, and he can win again. (2) LALA GIRL is yet wo win but she enters off three consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance on May 18th when leading for much of the way and with three of today’s rivals behind here. She carries a light weight, she draws well, and she can be in this a long way again. (11) BILLION BOY was a solid maiden winner at start five over this distance on May 10th and he is another who can measure up at this level. (1) RAON SILENCE and (9) RAIN STAR are the other place chances.

Selections(10) Sling Star (2) Lala Girl (11) Billion Boy (1) Raon Silence
Next Best9, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 10

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

Maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (11) HEUIMANG TAEYO ran 2nd on debut over this distance on May 23rd, leading for most of the way before being passed late by a good winner. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he should have come on for that run, and he will be a short-priced favourite to go one better here. Seo Seung-in rode Heuimang Taeyo in that race but today he rides debut-maker (1) WILD PARK. The Bayern colt was a trial winner at the end of May and if he brings that form to the races, he can be a threat.  (2) MOTHER WONDERFUL races for the first time since last September. She looked well winning a trial in May and can be a factor first-up. (10) DEFENSE PLAY and (3) K ROYAL others in the hunt.

Selections(11) Heuimang Taeyo (1) Wild Park (2) Mother Wonderful (10) Defense Play
Next Best3, 9
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 10

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (8) LADY FOX returned from four months out to get her maiden win over this distance on May 24th, coming from well off the pace. She is up in class but down in weight and second up she can strip even fitter. (4) BEOLGYO LAVA has been consistent in three tries at this class since her maiden win back in February. She is drawn very nicely to be on pace here and she can be in this a long way. (7) KYLIE remains a maiden but came desperately close to breaking through last time when 2nd at this class and distance on May 18th. In this company, she should be firmly in the finish again (3) POETIC NUBI and (9) YES MADAM other place chances.

Selections(8) Lady Fox (4) Beolgyo Lava (7) Kylie (3) Poetic Nubi
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

Boryeonglightqueen Denies Fantastic Value Triple Tiara Sweep

There is no Triple Tiara winner in 2025 as Boryeonglightqueen swept by Fantastic Value to win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Boryeonglightqueen and Jung Do-yun (Pic: KRA)

Having won both the the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks in facile fashion, Fantastic Value was sent off as the odds-on  favourite to emulate Golden Power and Jeulgeounyeojeong in being a Tiara winner.

As in the Oaks, Oneuldo Smile led for most of the way around what was an unchartered 2000M for all nine fillies. Fantastic Value loomed up in the home straight and briefly took the lead but was powerless to resist the challenge of Boryeonglightqueen, 3rd in both the Luna and the Oaks, who flashed home to score comfortably under Jung Do-yun.

Boryeonglightqueen is by the 2015 Minister’s Cup winner Rock Band and is out of Yaho Prez (by Menifee). Rock Band’s Rock Candy was 4th. The winner is owned by Choi Won-gil and is trained at Busan by Kim Gil-jung. She moves on tothree wins from eleven starts.

Next week it is the big one. The Triple Crown is on the line on Sunday afternoon in the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) when KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Oasis Blue will make his run for glory.