Race Reviews

Seven-Timer Satoshi Shines & Holland Returns With A Double

The 2016 season wrapped-up at Busan on Saturday and it was a great end to the year for much of the foreign contingent at the south coast track. The returning Darryll Holland landed a double for Peter Wolsley and Bart Rice while Thomas Gillespie trained a double and Francisco Da Silva rode a winner. Star of the show though was Japanese rider Yonekura Satoshi who ended up in the winner’s circle on no fewer than 7 occasions on the 15 race card.

Holland, who resumed regular riding at Busan on Friday following a two and a half year absence, got off the mark on Sunday in race 4, guiding Peter Wolsley’s Secret Marine (Sea Of Secrets), a 5/1 chance, to a seven length win. Holland would go on to win the day’s feature race, a valuable test for three-year-olds, on Bart Rice’s Buhwarui Banseok (Tizway), who beat Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi by two-lengths. The victory – and a later one for Wonil Gangja (Cowboy Cal) in race 15, the final race of the year – capped a superb year for the Rice stable which has seen him finish in 5th place in the Trainer Premiership. Only Kim Young Kwan and Peter Wolsley had a better strike-rate and a top-three finish is surely on the agenda in 2017 for the South African handler.

Da Silva’s win was on the promising Shunsuke Yoshida owned colt Wonder Wall (Chapel Royal) in race 8 while the Gillespie-trained winner of race 7, Party Again (Singing Saint), was one of four victories on the day that took jockey Seo Seung Un to joint-1st in the Jockey Premiership on 104 wins for the year, level with You Hyun Myung. The weighing room is about to become a lot more competitive with Seoul jockeys Ham Wan Sik, Jo In Kwen and former Busan champion jockey, Jo Sung Gon, all set to ride full time at the track from January with only Kim Yong Geun headed in the opposite direction to the capital.

No-one finished the year in better form though than Yonekura Satoshi, who put on a sparkling display on Saturday. The highlight of his seven wins in the valuable 2-year-old race when he guided US import Drop The Beat (Mad Flatter) to a comfortable win over five rivals. He also teamed up with Thomas Gillespie to get 7/1 chance Great Song (Songangaprayer) home in race 14.

His closing day heroics meant Satoshi ended the year on 39 winners for 5th place in the standings. With a top line-up of overseas jockeys and now, possibly for the first time at Busan, some real depth in the domestic jockey ranks too, the first few months of 2017 are set to be an exciting time.

Clean Up Joy Wins The 2016 Grand Prix Stakes

Clean Up Joy downed Triple Nine and Power Blade to win the 2016 Korea Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

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Clean Up Joy & Ham Wan Sik win the 35th Grand Prix Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Two-time President’s Cup winner Triple Nine was sent off as the odds-on favourite with Clean Up Joy splitting him and his stablemate, Triple Crown winner Power Blade, in the betting market.

And while Beolmaui Kkum set the early pace he was surprisingly joined at the front right away by Clean Up Joy – generally a bad starter but here away very keenly from the outside gate. This was bad news for the field with the most proven stayer in the race already at the front.

Clean Up Joy looked strong all the way around. Just as in the Korea Cup, Beolmaui Kkum’s race was over early and it was left to Triple Nine and Power Blade to give chase in the home straight. However, Clean Up Joy was away. His five-length advantage at the top of the stretch was down to under two on the line but jockey Ham Wan Sik had time to ease up and pose for the cameras as they passed the line.

Triple Nine was 2nd, besting Power Blade for the third time in a row before they both head to Dubai later this week. Goliath Marine ran a huge race in 4th while the ever honest Heba came home an excellent 5th.

Clean Up Joy (Purge) is a 5-year-old gelding. He was  $14,000 purchase from the OBS June 2013 Two-Year-Old sales. The Grand Prix was his 11th win on his 21st career start and took him to career earnings of over US$1.25Million. It was a career highlught win for both trainer Song Moon Gil and jockey Ham Wan Sik.

It also saw the Grand Prix being won by a horse trained at Seoul for the first time since Tough Win’s triumph in 2011 and means that whatever happens, the traditional season-ending finale will be run in the capital once more next year.

Grand Prix (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2300M – Dec 18, 2016

1. Clean Up Joy (USA) [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeaux Danseur)] – Ham Wan Sik – 5.5. 1.7
2. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.0
3. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] – Kim Yong Geun – 2.1
Distances: 1.25 lengths / 5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Goliath Marine (KOR) 5. Heba (USA) 6. CLean Up Cheonha (USA) 7. Success Story (KOR) 8. Dongbang Daero (USA) 9. Unbeatable (USA) 10. Speace Port (USA) 11. Gumpo Sky (KOR) 12. Halla Chukje (USA) 13. Cheonjeok (USA) 14. Winner Red (USA) 15. Muhudaeje (USA) 16. Beolmaui Kkum (USA)

Tough Night In Tokyo

It was another chastening night in the dirt for Korean runners in Tokyo as Bichui Wangja and Ubaki were unable to make an impact in the 4th running of the Interaction Cup at Ohi Racecourse on Tuesday evening.

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The parade ring was about as good as it got (Pic: KRA)

Since Watts Village won the inaugural running of the race in 2013, things haven’t been easy for the Korean contingent in Tokyo each autumn in the same way that it has been tough for the NAR runners who travel to Seoul for the Korean-based leg of the challenge each year.

This time around, Korean hopes took an early blow when Oreuse, the top-rated among the three who travelled, pulled up lame at trackwork on Monday morning and had to be scratched. That left Ubaki and Bichui Wangja flying the flag and Japanese punters sent them off as 8th and 10th in the betting respectively for the 1200M test over Ohi’s right-handed course.

After a long delay while Satono Diplomat was scratched, market-leader Looks That Kill (Wildcat Heir) set the early pace and along with Gaudy (Precious Cafe) put several lengths into the field in the early stages as the Korean pair, having drawn outside gates, struggled to get into the early prominent positions required.

Those two on the early speed would lead all the way but it would be Gaudy, under veteran jockey Fumio Matoba who would get up eight on the line to snatch victory.  Bichui Wangja and Ubaki  trailed home towards the rear of the field.

Gaudy, an 8-year-old horse, was 5th in the betting and was winning for the 9th time on his 58th career start. As for Matoba, the “Emperor of Ohi” was winning a 2nd Japan/Korea race, having claimed the very first one, the 2013 SBS Goodwill Cup at Seoul aboard Tosen Archer. Now pushing 60-years-old, Matoba’s style is not one that gets taught in the world’s jockey academies these but once in full flight, it can be very effective at Ohi.

There’s no disgrace on the ones who went and gave it a go and while the results over the past couple of years have been a touch disappointing, the exchange remains a valuable one, giving trainers and grooms (although this year not jockeys) experience of taking horses overseas to race, something that is vital to the long term development of Korean racing.

The Interaction Cup concludes overseas racing for Korean horses this year. Next up is the Dubai World Cup Carnival in the New Year. Success Story, who did so well at the Carnival last year, won’t be returning but a number of top names have applied for stable allocation.

 

Triple Nine Bests Power Blade To Retain President’s Cup

Triple Nine pulled clear of stablemate and Triple Crown Power Blade to convincingly retain his President’s Cup title at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

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Triple Nine wins the President’s Cup (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

Triple Nine had previously got the best of Power Blade by four lengths as the pair ran 3rd and 4th behind Japan’s Chrysolite in September’s Billion Won Korea Cup and while the circumstances of that race were rather unusual, punters sent the older colt, who convincingly beat Rock Band in last year’s race, as the slight favourite with Success Story the only other one of the ten-strong field to be backed to any extent.

Success Story would, as ever, show the way in the 2000M race, Korea’s equal-richest, along with the Derby, that is restricted to locally bred horses. Racing for the first time since being gelded, the 5-year-old brought the field along with Power Blade right on pace beside him while Triple Nine, under Seo Seung Un for the first time, settled in his usual midfield position.

Jockey Seo asked Triple Nine to improve as they rounded the final turn and the 4-year-old effortlessly glided up alongside the leaders. Into the home straight and Success Story was the first to fall out of contention leaving the stablemates to go stride for stride until the furling pole. Entering the closing stages, however, Power Blade’s challenge wilted and Triple Nine pulled clear to win by a commanding five lengths on the line. Success Story was a further four back in 3rd.

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Triple Nine waiting to be brought out for the post-race presentation (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

In yet another assertion of the southern-track’s superiority when it comes to quality,  Busan horses accounted for the first five place-getters with Baedari Bobae running 4th and Zettabyte, 2nd in both of the final two legs of the Triple Crown coming home in 5th.

The victory was Triple Nine’s 11th in 19 career starts to date. He has never finished any worse than 4th. Neither has Power Blade and the pair of them are both potential entries for the Dubai World Cup Carnival in the New Year although it is possible the Grand Prix Stakes next month could be the agenda for one or both of them. For jockey Seo Seung Un it was a first Korean Group 1 winner. For trainer Kim Young Kwan, it was a 10th.

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – November 13, 2016

1. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.8, 1.0
2. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.1
3. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – You Hyun Myung – 1.7
Distances: 5 lengths / 4 lenghs
Also Ran: 4. Baedari Bobae 5. Zettabyte 6. Cheonji Storm 7 .Sotong Sidae 8. Pinot Noir 9. Top Fighter 10. Impetus NR: Brig

Because You’re Goreous!

I’m still trying to work out if it was deliberate or simply a mistake when its name was added to the English registry. One tends to think it is the latter as it is very clearly written as “Gorgeous Dream” in Korean. And his dam is called Hey Gorgeous. Goreous or Gorgeous, the colt was simply too good in the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul on Sunday afternoon.

It’s certainly not the first time there have been some slight mis-translations. While some are deliberate such as Diferent Dimension (something to do with Katy Perry, according to his breeder) plenty aren’t. 2010 Derby hopeful Northern Ace ran as “Nothern Ace” for his first few outings (unbeaten heading into the Derby he suffered a career-ending injury in the race) while Raon Rouis, who also ran yesterday, suffers a case of the common r&l confusion.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter but we could be seeing a lot more of Goreous Dream in the coming months. Sent off as the heavy favourite for yesterday’s Trophy, he grabbed the early initiative under champion jockey Moon Se Young and never looked like relinquishing it as he cruised to a four-length win in the 1200M sprint.

Goreous Dream [Sharp Humor – Hey Gorgeous (Cherokee Run)] is a three-year old colt. He missed out on getting into the Korea Sprint in September with others selected ahead of him but came out that day and won in a different race and yesterday recorded his eight win in nine starts. He looks to have good potential and while he hasn’t yet been tested, he surely will shortly as he is now established at class 1.

However, he is also exactly the kind of front-running sprinter that the KRA will be looking to enter in the Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting early next year. He is probably the most serious contender from Seoul and he has enterprising connections. It could happen.

Most of the Dubai contenders are likely to come from Busan and Sunday’s feature race on the South coast was won by Dongbang Daero (Curlin). The four-year-old US import beat Beolmaui Kkum and Heba by three lengths for his first class 1 success.

Power Blade Pushed But Prevails On Busan Homecoming

Down in Australia on Saturday, only two showed up to face the phenom that is Winx. Korean Triple Crown winner Power Blade didn’t quite command that amount of respect on his return to his home track of Busan on Sunday but he came close with only four rivals venturing out against him – one of them a stablemate – in the Kookje Sinmun Cup.

In fairness, this has never been hugely supported race, despite its hefty prize money – boosted even further this year – but the whole day was very much billed as the Power Blade celebration day. This would be the first time the Busan-trained colt had races at his home track since winning the first jewel of the Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile, all the way back in April.

Since then, Power Blade has gone on to romp both the Derby and the Minister’s Cup, becoming the first horse to sweep the K-Triple Crown in its current format and then, despite looking as flat as a pancake in the build-up, registered a hugely creditable 4th place in the Korea Cup at Seoul last month.

A jaunt around seven furlongs at Busan was never going to be too taxing but Power Blade’s neighbour from a few boxes down in Kim Young Kwan’s barn is an interesting talent himself. As a juvenile, Seoul Bullet was part of the KRA’s “maybe the horse isn’t the problem” program, which involved sending Korean-bred horses overseas for early training and racing. He went to Florida where he actually managed to get claimed out of a race at Gulfstream Park (the KRA claimed him back the next time he was entered) and recorded one 3rd from 4 outings.

On his return from Korea Seoul Bullet joined some of the other returnees in proving that no, the Korean-bred horse isn’t the problem, winning 6 out 6 starts, including the 2015 Gold Circle Trophy ahead of a young Macheon Bolt, before injury intervened. He would be off for more than a year and finally returned in inauspicious fashion in August.

Today was expected to be better for Seoul Bullet. It was. Under Seo Seung Un, he hot the front three furlongs out to get first run in the straight. Kim Yong Geun quickly brought Power Blade alongside and for a moment the battle was joined. Power Blade quickly got the best of it and Kim’s whip use was sparing, the Triple Crown winner always in command but only winning by half a length on the line.

So Seoul Bullet is back as a force in the Busan ranks but Power Blade retains his star status.  A good day all round. A journey back to Seoul for the President’s Cup next month is possible but his stable has an embarrassment of riches for that race including Triple Nine, who bested Power Blade to finish 3rd in the Korea Cup. By virtue of their in-the-money finishes in the Cup, both Power Blade and Triple Nine can receive international ratings enabling them to be considered for the Dubai World Cup Carnival and there is no denying it would be wonderful to see a fit Korean Triple Crown winner lining up at Meydan in the New Year.

For now though, Power Blade is back home.

Horses Return Home Following Korea Cup & Sprint

On Wednesday, the final overseas-trained horses left Seoul Racecourse to return to their respective homes across the globe, bringing the final curtain down on the inaugural running of the Keeneland Korea Cup & Sprint. 

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Super Jockey & Karis Teeton ease to victory in the Sprint (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

It’s been a welcome novelty for Korean racing to be so widely reported elsewhere so we’ll not run through the results again. Super Jockey’s effortless win in the Sprint was the highlight with a real international quality horse putting in an international quality performance in a race which would have pleased the Hong Kong punters who made him favourite in the Jockey Club pools despite him gong off the $8.50 third choice in Korea.

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Teeton & Super Jockey return to scale (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

There was a huge performance too in the Sprint by Macheon Bolt. The Peter Wolsley trained gelding flew home for 2nd under Lee Hee Cheon and should connections so desire, has to be a strong candidate for Korea’s representative in the Japan-Korea Sprint at Ohi in November or for the Dubai World Cup Carnival early next year. Wild Dude and Super Winner, favourite and 2nd-favourite respectively, struggled but Korea’a pre-race big hope, Perdido Pomeroy, came home a decent 4th having been on speed most of the way around.

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Team Hong Kong

The Cup was a slightly strange affair. After early pace-setter Beolmaui Kkum faded even earlier than expected, the two Japanese horses simply ran away from the field. Chrysolite, a quality horse, was the easy winner ahead of Kurino Star O. Three seconds and 16-lengths behind the winner, Triple Nine got up for 3rd ahead of stablemate and Korean Triple Crown winner Power Blade. Despite the margin of victory, the time was still outside Power Blade’s track record on a wet track in the Korean Derby earlier this year.

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Chrysolite & Joe Fujii returning to scale (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

Famous Mark, for France, got up for an excellent 5th place but the UK’s Solar Deity was slow out of the gate and came home in 10th place.

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The Korea Cup held aloft 

Overall, it was an excellent weekend and we’ll have more on the follow-up over the next couple of weeks.

International Meeting Day 1: Lee Shin Young Trains STC and HKJC Trophy winners

Saturday saw day 1 of the Korea Cup meeting and there were several Trophy Exchange races throughout the day:

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Raon Amos won the Singapore Turf Club Trophy (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

Trainer Lee Shin Young sent out the winners of both the Singapore Turf Club Trophy and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy. Raon Amos took the STC while Gray Socks was the winner of a messy event for 2-year-olds in the HKJC.

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Gray Socks and Moon Se Young return to scale having won the inaugural HKJC Trophy (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

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HKJC Trophy ceremony (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

Moon Se Young also won a race in a mini-jockey challenge that was held involving some of the  jockeys who will ride in Sunday’s Korea Cup & Sprint. Abderahim Faddoul, representing France was the best visitors although he has to wear the British silk after the French one went missing:

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Abderahim Faddoul received his trophy from Yangtae Park (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

Earlier the Macau Jockey Club Trophy had been won by Ham Wan Sik on Dixie Ploit while later on, the Horse Racing Ireland Trophy ended with an easy win for Kim Hye Sun on Cheonji Storm:

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A slightly awkward looking HRI Trophy presentation party (Pic: Ross Holburt for KRA)

On Sunday it’s the main events, the Keeneland Korea Cup & Korea Sprint.

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 4)

Plenty going on at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday. In the capital there are 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00 while down on the South coast there are 6 from 13:00 to 17:00. English race-cards are here. Notes on most races below:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 60 Million / 10:50 (KST)

Half the field make their debuts but it’s to one with experience we turn. (7) REBECCA was 3rd on debut and should have too much here. She’ll be strong favourite. (8) NHA TRANG has raced twice and was an improved 3rd on August 13th and looks to be the main danger while (2) BLUE LADY can also improve on debut when she was 6th in the same race as Rebecca. Among the debut-makers, (5) KING MESSENGER looked the best in trials.

Selections (7) Rebecca (8) Nha Trang (5) King Messenger (2) Blue Lady
Next Best 1, 3, 4, 6
Fast Starters 2, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 11:15 (KST)

Not a strong lot here but we’ll go for (8) CHEONHA JAEPAE, the only one who comes in following a respectable result in his last start to make the breakthrough here. He was 3rd at class and distance last time and should have too much here. (1) NEULPUREUN JUMBO has a 2nd place to his name, achieved at this distance in June and looks clear 2nd best. Less said about the rest the better with (4) GEUMSU, (5) BYEOLJUNGUIBYEOL and (9) WHITE TIME perhaps with the most chance of improvement.

Selections (8) Cheonha Jaepae (1) Neulpureun Jumbo (4) Geumsu (9) White Time
Next Best 5, 7
Outsiders 2, 3, 6
Fast Starters 4, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 11:40 (KST)

(2) EONJE EODISEONA was a solid 2nd on her first try at this class on August 14th. He was prominent throughout and although well beaten by a good winner, can push on today. He’ll be on the early speed and should win this all-filly affair. (5) BEST QUEEN has come back into form of late with a 2nd and a 3rd from her last two. A strong finisher, she should be competitive again. (3) MONSTER QUEEN is up in class following her maiden win and has little to fear here while (6) SHINE QUEEN and (8) MARI look best of the rest.

Selections (2) Eonje Eodiseona (5) Best Queen (3) Monster Queen (8) Mari
Next Best 6, 7, 1, 4
Fast Starters 1, 2, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 12:20 (KST)

(4) SUN EAST was a shock 85/1 winner on a sloppy track at this class over 1400M in July and still an outsider, followed it up with a creditable 4th at this distance last month. He needs more respect today and could very well return to the winner’s circle. Newly licensed at Seoul, Italian jockey Marcello Belli debuts at Seoul this weekend and he has a chance here on (10) GEUMBIT ULLIM. Yet to win in ten outings, the colt has had several near misses recently and Belli could be the difference today. Likely early pace will come from (3) SPECIAL SHINE, who returns following almost five months out and looked in decent shape in a trial last week while (1) SUPER MOON and (8) NEW DOLPUNG look best of the rest.

Selections (10) Geumbit Ullim (4) Sun East (3) Special Shine (8) New Dolpung
Next Best 1, 9
Outsiders 2, 5, 6, 7
Fast Starters 3

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 13:25 (KST)

Competitive sprint this and we’ll look to three ones up in class to battle it out here. Gate 10 isn’t ideal but if he can get away well, (10) GANGHO CHEONNYEON can edge out (1) LA FENICE and (2) ARGO FLYING. The latter has only raced twice since coming last in the KRA Cup Mile (the opening leg of the Triple Crown) in April but was a good winner last time. Djordje Perovic is back in town having spent the last few months fulfilling licensing requirements overseas and will be eager to start riding winners again and (9) CIGAR ACE won’t be favourite but can be competitive. (4) PERFECT CLONE is another to consider, at least for the places.

Selections (10) Gangho Cheonnyeon (2) Argo Flying (1) La Fenice (9) Cigar Ace
Next Best 4, 5, 11
Outsiders 3, 6, 7, 8
Fast Starters 1, 2, 9, 11

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:10 (KST)

(5) EOJJUGARI, winner of back to back races at domestic class 5 in May and June looks craftily entered here among relatively soft imported opposition and has every chance of returning to winning ways. The other Korean-bred runner in the race (8) SPECIAL ROAD HILL looks to have been entered for similar reasons and will also be expected to show improvement form her last start and is likely to be the main danger. Among the six imports few stand out so we’ll give trial winner (4) BANYA DONGHAENG a chance on his racecourse debut with (3) DALLYEORA BEONGAE the other to consider.

Selections (5) Eojjugari (8) Special Road Hill (4) Banya Donghaeng (3) Dallyeora Beongae
Next Best 7, 1
Outsiders 2, 6
Fast Starters 5, 7

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:55 (KST)

Big field but big favourite too. (4) CITY STAR has two wins and two 2nd place finishes from four outings to date and should be superior here. He will likely lead all the way. (9) SIDAEUIYEOWANG was 4th to City Star’s 2nd over 1400M at this class on July 23rd and could be the one to get closest to him once more although (11) MAJUNGMUL, 4th on her first try at this level following back to back wins, can also be considered. Plenty more vying for places with (1) PRETTY BOY, (3) KKUMUI CLUB and (8) CHEONJI TAP chief among them.

Selections (4) City Star (9) Sidaeuiyeowang (11) Majungmul (1) Pretty Boy
Next Best 7, 3, 5, 8, 12, 6, 2
Outsiders 10, 13, 14
Fast Starters 2, 4, 8

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 15:45 (KST)

Another big field and another where many have claims. (8) KODIAK LOVE is slightly favoured following two 2nds and a 3rd at this level. He’ll look to come from just off the early pace. There will be plenty on speed early including (5) SHARK MANSE. The two-year-old was a 4-length winner on debut on August 13th and should be fine up in class and distance today. Also on speed will be (1) SMOKEN JOE, a solid 2nd on a wet track at the end of July and likely to benefit from gate 1 here. (3) GOOD TYPE will also be away quickly and go well while attempting to come from off the pace will be (13) HUGHES ROAD. He’s back after eight months out and looked fast and competitive in an August trial.

Selections (8) Kodiak Love (5) Shark Manse (1) Smoken Joe (13) Hughes Road
Next Best 3, 11, 10, 12, 14
Outsiders 2, 4, 6, 7, 9
Fast Starters 1,2, 3, 5, 7

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 16:35 (KST)

Up in class after back to back wins and five for seven in total, (7) MIDAS ROAD tries further than the minimum distance for just the second time. There are few opportunities at his preferred distance at this class so it will be interesting to see if he can stay on today. He will sit handy. Main danger is (10) MENI MUSIC, who comes in following back to back 2n places at lass and distance and will be on the early speed. She’ll be tough to pass as will (3) SANGGAM MAMA and (5) KATIE STAR, both of whom have claims. (4) DARK LADY, 5th behind Meni Music and Katie Star last time looks best of the rest.

Selections (7) Midas Road (10) Meni Music (5) Katie Star (3) Sanggam Mama
Next Best 4, 8, 11, 1
Outsiders 2, 6, 9
Fast Starters 1, 3, 5, 10

Seoul Race 10: Class 1 / 2000M / Handicap / KRW 110 Million / 17:30 (KST)

(4) GWANGBOK CHILSIP looked good when making all for a 7-length win over 1900M at class 2 on July 31st. He is up in class here but carries little weight and can win. Also nicely in here is (8) PINOT NOIR. She’s won a Listed race and a Stakes race already this year and was 2nd coming back from four-month absence last time out. Top weight – and top-rated – is (3) BICHUI WANGJA. He won a similar race at class and distance in July carrying even more than he is today and must be respected. He will look to lead all the way so the early dynamic between him and Gwangbok Chilsip, coming out of neighbouring gates, will be interesting. Plenty of other decent ones here as well with (5) MAGIC TAP, up at class one for the first time, and (6) HWANGGEUM TAP, looking the most promising.

Selections (4) Gwangbok Chilsip (3) Bichui Wangja (8) Pinot Noir (5) Magic Tap
Next Best 6, 10, 2, 11
Outsiders 1, 7, 9
Fast Starters 3, 4

Seoul Race 11: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 90 Million / 18:00 (KST)

Another competitive event to finish with. (3) SPECIAL HARBOR beat three of his rivals here on his way to victory at class and distance three weeks ago. The same apprentice jockey who rode him that day keeps his carried weight down once more and he looks the one to beat. (7) DONGCHON ARTIST returned from eight months out to win first-up on a wet track in July and will be well backed as well while (9) CLEAN UP STAR may have only won once in thirty outings but he got his sixth 2nd place finish last time out and can repeat today. (1) THUNDER STEP and (6) S ROSE, look best of the rest.

Selections (3) Special Harbor (7) Dongchon Artist (1) Thunder Step (9) Clean Up Star
Next Best 6, 4
Outsiders 2, 5, 8
Fast Starters 1, 4, 7

Triple Nine Bests Success Story & Rock Band

Triple Nine returned to the winner’s circle in some style as he defeated Success Story and stablemate Rock Band to win a strong renewal of the Owners’ Cup at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Despite having suffered reverses to Diferent Dimension and Beolmaui Kkum in his last two outings, Triple Nine was sent off the slight odds-on favourite for the mile long race which was dominated by the favourites for the duration.

Success Story and Rock Band started quickly as expected but under Kim Yong Geun, Triple Nine was always handy and comfortably got the best of them in the home straight, running on to win by a length from Success Story with Rock Band a further half back in 3rd.

Success Story keeps his run of solid performances going since returning from Dubai. He is yet to win but has two 3rds and now a 2nd racing in very tough company. Rock Band, three races into a comeback following a lengthy spell out through injury also showed he is back to near his best.

Triple Nine and Success Story were both among preliminary nominations for September’s Korea Cup at Seoul. Given the strength of some of the overseas nominations, they are going to be very much up against it. Success Story was up against it in Dubai too though and he exceeded expectations. Hopefully they can both exceed expectations next month.