Race Reviews

GANGPUNGMA TASTES GROUP GLORY AT LAST IN KRA CUP CLASSIC

He’s an enigma no longer. Gangpungma, the horse who always has an excuse, finally needed none as he roared clear of Global Hit, Success Baekpa and Speed Young, to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Gangpungma (Pic: KRA)

As the eleven-strong field entered the home straight, the four big guns of Korean racing – in the absence anyway of the clearly better but scarcely raced Clean One – fanned across the track having seen off the seven lesser lights. Defending champion Success Baekpa led, but it seemed set up for Global Hit, ominously showing signs of his best form, to take advantage, Speed Young meanwhile was close and dangerous.

Instead, the day finally belonged to Gangpungma. Back with trainer Kim Dong-chul, his trainer license restored, back with the pounds piled on and weighing in at 572kg, this time starting well and being much closer to the speed and avoiding traffic, Gangpungma broke his Group race duck at last.

“I’ve been riding him for three years now and for the last two I have thought he surely has a big race win in him, but something always seems to happen” winning jockey Jo Jae-ro, who has partnered him in all but one of his races, told KRBC. “Be it the race pace or bad luck, nothing seems to go right, but it has never been about ability with this horse.”

“Well done to the stable, they got him physically at his best, with the weight back on but in very good condition with it. The start was good this time, and we were able to get all the way to the third corner without using too much energy.”

“I thought just stay close to those three Busan horses (Success Baekpa, Global Hit and Speed Young) and then see what happens. 90% of the race went how we planned (and) Gangpungma did the rest at the end.”

Looking forward to the future, and September’s Korea Cup, the jockey was under no illusions that it would be as straightforward: “The Korea Cup will absolutely not unfold in the same way as today’s race.” said Jo. “The pace will be much stronger, and it will be all about choosing when to try to catch up to that pace. But I trust the stable to prepare well and we will give it a good go.”

After five months on the sidelines, Kim Dong-chul is training again and has Gangpuungma back as his stable star: “I always felt just a few percent had been lacking with him” Kim Dong-chul told KRBC. “2nd, 3rd, always just missing out. I think that today, he was where he should have been in the previous races, on the outside and close instead of stuck inside, and the jockey was quite firm about what he wanted to do this time.”

Gangpungma and Jo Jae-ro (Pic: KRA)

As for what’s next. “We’ll check how he is and then go for the Korea Cup or if not, the President’s Cup.”

A six-year-old, Gangpungma is by Peace Rules and out of Wonder Dreamer (by Hawk Wing). The victory moved him on to ten wins from twenty-eight starts.

Racing now takes a short summer break with all three tracks dark next weekend. Racing returns to Korea at Busan on Friday August 7th.

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (July 25)

There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10.35 to 17.55. Here are the previews:

Derby winner Hwang Geom Eo Jjang is back on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

(5) MIGHTY HUNKY is a Seo Hong-soo trained debutante by Happy Saver that trialled twice in April for a second and a victory. The score was by four-lengths and considering the second placed horse in that trial Major Fury has subsequently had two races for two wins this colt should be extremely hard to beat indeed. (8) MAHO was an odds-on chance on his debut and was a seven-length second behind a smart looking type. He may very well be able to go one better. (3) SAUDI SOCKS has six-and-three-quarter lengths to find with Maho from that race but rates next over Jung Ho-ik prepared Caracaro newcomer (4) GARAKAI with (7) MIGHTY HUSH and (2) SUPREME DIA best of the rest.

Selections(5) Mighty Hunky (8) Maho (3) Saudi Socks (4) Garakai
Next Best7, 2
Fast Start3, 5, 8

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

(8) BREEDO GALAXY comes off a last start second where he was only beaten a half-length and had been just behind the placegetters at his previous two runs so he will go close again. (10) ROAD TO PERFECT has only missed the top five on one occasion from seven starts so with that sort of record rates as a chance. (1) ILGEUP BISUL has almost seven-lengths to find with Breedo Galaxy from their last runs a month ago but rates next whilst (11) DONGBAEK has been consistent enough to be given a hope. (3) LOVELY JACKPOT is best of the rest over (7) SEOBU KING.

Selections(8) Breedo Galaxy (10) Road To Perfect (1) Ilgeup Bisul (11) Dongbaek
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

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

(4) LAVITA has been close-up in three of her five runs whilst being well out the back in the other two. If putting her best foot forward she can prove hard to beat. (5) QUEENS TIGER has been beaten five-lengths into third and fifth in two runs so that form is more than good enough and Seo Seung-un is on board. (3) DREAM DIA has been a beaten favourite in each of her last three starts but will be around the mark if on song whilst (7) SONGDANG JILJU rates next over (9) ANGEL TIME and (10) P N S ME.

Selections(4) Lavita (5) Queens Tiger (3) Dream Dia (7) Songdang Jilju
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 8

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

(8) FLYING SMART was a bit of an enigma in her first three starts getting out of her ground as favourite on each occasion and subsequently was not sent off favourite last time and duly got the cash. She showed early pace to lead last start, unlike any of her previous runs, and that win should have done her confidence the world of good. She has ability and can go on with the job. (11) GANGHAN GAMMA was behind a couple of nice winners at maiden level but after three minor placings at that grade to be promoted to one win company she only beat three home when running at this class for the first time. She can be given another chance, however. (3) MIGHTY SHINE comes off a last start second and rates as one of the each-way chances as does (4) X-TEN with (7) CUPID K and (10) GRAY GO next best.

Selections(8) Flying Smart (11) Ganghan Gamma (3) Mighty Shine (4) X-Ten
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

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

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KOREA RACING REPORT: JULY 10-12

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY TWO 1400M CLASS 3 RACES WERE THE MAIN EVENTS ON THE CARD AND THE CONCLUDING RACE OF THE PAIR WAS WON BY GREAT STORM, who despite being the outsider of the field bar one got the prize by one-and-a-quarter lengths (writes Luke Humphreys).

Great Storm (Overanalyze) was an important winner for both jockey Jo Seong-hwan and trainer Lee Kang-seo with his one-and-a-quarter length victory proving enough to beat the 3.9 favourite Cheongryongui Cal. Great Storm was down in class but will presumably find himself straight back to class 2.

Latin American riders had a race-to-race double on the card with Luis Quiroz riding 23.2 chance THUNDER A ONE (Thunder Moccasin) to victory in Race 8 (1600M Class 4) whilst fifty minutes earlier Andre da Silva recorded his second Korean victory on his eighth ride with BLUE PIORA (Take Charge Indy) who landed Race 7 (1400M Class 3) by an impressive eleven-lengths in a time that was 2.2 seconds faster than standard for the class and grade.

The last victory for jockey Kim Hyo-jung before a trackwork injury in early June wason THE SUN STORY (Shackleford) on May 30. As it turned out her first weekend back of riding saw The Sun Story take his place in Race 5 (1700M Class 5) and they duly scored by three-lengths. The Sun Story had no issues with the extra 300M in distance and will now be up to Class 4 grade after completing this hat-trick of wins.

Kim Hyo-jung completed a double when riding HIGH FOLLY (The King) to an upset victory in Race 9 (1800M Class 4). That race saw 2.1 favourite Musket Cleaver, who had run a great 6th in the Derby in May in what was the final ride for Moon Se-young, run a disappointing 5th.

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Korea Racing Report: July 3-5

SUNDAY AT SEOUL SAW A 1200M CLASS 1 AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND AND THE POSSIBLE LAST RUN FOR SOME OF SEOUL’S BEST SPRINTERS BEFORE SEPTEMBER’S INTERNATIONAL KOREA SPRINT AND IT SAW KOREA’S BEST SPRINTER BOMB OUT WHILST THE ENIGMATIC NICE FORCE showed that on his day, he can really match it with the best of them as he produced a win from the top under Ruan Maia (writes Luke Humphreys).

Nice Force (Mor Spirit), 9.6 fourth favourite, had gone into the inaugural running of the KRA Sprint on Grand Prix Day last year as an odds-on favourite but bombed out and had been inconsistent in five runs since. On Sunday he showed his best form and it was good enough to run the legs off his rivals and score by three-quarters of a length. Haksan Speed, who had run very well in the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports Sprints, put his poor SROA Chairman’s Sprint run behind him with a 2nd place finish as the 4.3 second choice with Something Lost in 3rd. The 4.9 third favourite Crown Hamseong has been up and down in form this year and was only 6th after receiving every chance in the run.

However, the talking point out of the race is the performance of Korea’s best sprinter Vincero Cavallo who was never closer than midfield and ultimately finished 9th of ten. He got himself out of a tricky rearward position on the rail in the run to finish a never nearer 3rd in the SROA Sprint and was in a similar position in this race, but there appeared to be fewer excuses this time. Vets found no abnormalities.

SU BU TAI (Concord Point) came from off the pace to score in Race 6 (1400M Class 5). The 7.4 chance provided the first Korean winner for former Selangor Turf Club champion jockey Andre Luis Da Silva, the pair overturning the favourite and long-time leader Pasa Queen in the last half-furlong. The Brazilian rider landed 72 winners in Malaysia in 2025, a full twenty-seven clear of his nearest rival. It had been a lengthy visa and insurance process for Da Silva who has now hit the ground running in a license that initially runs to the end of this year.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: JUNE 19-21

IT WAS A STAKELESS SUNDAY IN KOREA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR MONTHS BUT THERE WAS A NAMED FEATURE ON THE CARD IN SEOUL AND THE 15TH SPORTS DONG-A CUP WAS WON BY ROYAL SOCKS under apprentice Kwon Jung-seok (writes Luke Humphreys).

However, the main talking point of the race was the late scratching of Di Ne, one of the country’s top three-year-old’s, his subsequent stand down from racing for twelve months. He did not look right on the way down to the start and was eventually withdrawn and a post-race physical examination found him to have a bowed tendon.

Whilst this year’s Korean three-year-old crop has produced some fine performances from the likes of Roshe, Hwang Geum Eo Jang, Funny Wild and Clearly Winner it has lost plenty of spark. Supex Winner sadly had to be put down after suffering a ligament and sesamoid injury in the week leading up to the KRA Cup Mile, whilst Geudaemaniddamyeon fractured a cannon bone whilst preparing for the YTN Cup. Di Ne, like Geudaemaniddamyeon, will no longer be seen in his three-year-old campaign.

This left Royal Socks (Hansen) to run the 2.0 favourite and he led for most of the way to score by four-lengths. He recorded his sixth career victory at start eleven and will now be up to Class 2 grade. Baro Danaeun was the other favourite, 2.7, but just like she did when last seen in the G2 Ttukseom Cup she finished 7th.

Royal Socks completed a riding double for Kwon Jung-seok after landing Race 2 (1700M Class 6) on the 3.8 favourite THE SUN COMING (Cowboy Cal) which after racing on pace won by four-lengths and was breaking through at the eighth time of asking. It also was part of a treble for trainer Kang Sung-o after success with BLACK SIDAE (Chrysolite) who won Race 6 (1800M Class 4) by an extending eight-lengths as the 5.2 second favourite before FEDAYKIN (Audible) proved too strong in Race 10 (1200M Class 4) running away late to score by one-and-a-half lengths as the 3.5 favourite.

Black Sidae was beating the 1.8 odds-on chance Ghost Chrysol into 2nd place in what was a slowly run race. Jockey Jo Jae-ro and Black Sidae put some pace into the race when taking off at the end of the back straight and they were never caught. Fedaykin broke through at the third time of asking after a 6th on debut in April before a 3rd in May.

Race 9 (1600M Class 2) was the highest graded race on the day, and SUPREME SOCKS (Flameaway) got the prize by a neck for Johan Victoire and Luigi Riccardi. The race was primarily dominated by the favourites with Tap Tier, 3.1, coming from a long last to run 2nd over Jeongsang Ace, 8.7, in 3rd with Useung Concord, 4.2, in 4th. Ace K, 5.8, was disappointing for the third consecutive time at Class 2 grade as he ran a long last of the nine runners.

Race 8 (1400M Class 3) was one of the more competitive races on the card and it saw TOHOMARKET (Revolutionary) get up late on to score by a half-length at odds of 29.6 over 15.5 chance Nano Masin with 7.1 fourth choice Cheonmahoryeong at her second 1400M attempt once again just getting caught in the closing stages finishing 3rd after leading. The other favourites were Magic Strong, 7.7, who was 6th, Navy Captain, 6.2, who finished 7th whilst the main two in the market Teukgeup Party, 4.1, and Free The One, 5.2, were 8th and 10th in the eleven strong field. The consistent Teukgeup Party produced the worst run of her career whilst Free The One, whose best form has seen him place behind Roshe at black type level, was disappointing for the second straight start.

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SUNRISE SHINES OVER CATCH RACE IN TIARA FINALE

For the first time in five years, a different filly has won each individual jewel of the Triple Tiara as Sunrise got the better of Korean Oaks winner Catch Race in a final furlong duel, to win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Sunrise bests Catch Race (Pic: KRA)

With Luna Stakes victor Clearly Winner skipping the race, Catch Race, who had got the better of her in a desperately close finish to the Oaks, was sent off as the 1.7 odds-on favourite for the final and longest test of the Tiara.

After early pacesetters Chief Star, Daebi Mama and Wild Magic gave way, Catch Race and jockey Seo Seung-un assumed the lead inside the home straight and looked set to go on score. But Under Jung Do-yun, Sunrise, who at 8.9 hadn’t exactly been missed by the market following her Oaks 4th place, loomed up from midfield and went by late to win by half a length on the line. A full six-lengths behind the first pair, Tiger Roar closed for 3rd.

It was a redemption of sorts for jockey Jung, who just a week ago had been demoted from 2nd to 3rd on Breedo Sol in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the colts’ Triple Crown. Not that he dwelt on that:

“It was the first time I had ridden (Sunrise) in a race” Jung Do-yun told KRBC. “But I rode her in training a few times and while there are always going to be a lot of variables in the final leg of the Tiara, I did think we had a good chance.”

“When she ran in the Oaks, she hadn’t previously gone any further than 1300M but as this was the second time, I thought she would come on for it and with only ten runners the positioning would be easier. It went exactly as planned and I felt the further we went, the stronger she got.”

(Pic: KRA)

Sunrise is trained at Busan by Ha Mu-seon and runs in the colours of owner Kim Geun-young. By Gemologist, she is out of Sun Crest (by Arch), who also did her racing in Korea, winning one of twenty-three starts.

“I felt really good coming in” winning trainer Ha Mu-seon said. “Sunrise really has no weaknesses, and I expected it to come down to her and Catch Race with our filly having a very good chance of winning.”

“As a stable, we won our first big race in the Breeders’ Cup Queen (with Ace High) last November so it’s good to carry that momentum forward and win today.”

Seo In-seok, trainer of Catch Race, wasn’t too downbeat. “I was hopeful for today, I don’t think she ran badly but Sunrise just ran a little bit harder. Running in these (Triple Tiara) races in three consecutive months isn’t easy so she will have a rest, and I think we will see her in some big races again.”

With a win and two placings from the three races, Catch Race is the comfortable winner of the Series in terms of points with Sunrise and Clearly Winner tied for 2nd. They will probably now move on to face their elders when the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter begins on September 20th with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3).

(Pic: KRA)

There is no Stakes action in Korea next weekend but there are still full programs at both Seoul and Busan. Group level racing returns with the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the first instalment of the Premier Series, at Busan on Sunday June 28.

NICE BUDDY DISRUPTS THE ELITE WITH ALL THE WAY KNN CUP VICTORY

Nice Buddy made light work of the widest gate to cruise to the front and stay on to win the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the final leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer for fillies and mares at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Nice Buddy (Pic: KRA)

Having finished as runner-up in both prior legs of the series, Boryeonglightqueen was sent off as the favourite, with defending champion and Donga Ilbo winner Raon Forest and Ttukseom Cup winner Fantastic Value the only other two in single digits in the market. Nice Buddy wasn’t exactly missed by punters, but having drawn the widest gate, she started as the sixth choice.

Just as with Born Dia in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint two weeks ago, the wide draw proved to problem for Nice Buddy as she followed Oneuldo Smile across and into a remarkably easy lead. From then on, jockey Lee Hyo-sik was able to control the tempo and still have plenty left for the home straight, where they saw off the late challenge of Gladius, with Yeosu Super Star coming home in 3rd.

Boryeonglightqueen launched her usual late run but could only manage 4th. Fantastic Value was 6th while with no pace to run at, Raon Forest was back in 8th. In terms of the overall Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer series, Boryeonglightqueen and Fantastic Value topped the table with 600 points apiece.

“I thought Oneuldo Smile would be quick away so I wanted to go with her and then the pace was a bit slower than expected so I decided it would be ok to take over the lead” winning jockey Lee Hyo-sik told KRBC.

“Even though she’s a filly, she has the strength of the colts but while I was happy to be with her for the KNN Cup, I didn’t put our winning chnaces at higher than twenty or thirty percent as there were so many other contenders and this was (Nice Buddy’s) first time in a Graded race.”

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Clean One Sets Down Korea Cup Marker in Busan Mayor’s

Clean One emphatically confirmed his status as the best horse in Korea as he dominated the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on Sunday afternoon, leaving his supposed rivals trailing far behind him in the Busan sand in the final leg of the Stayer Series. In doing so, he had onlookers wondering just what might happen on the first Sunday in September.

Clean One (Pic: KRA)

Having rounded out his three-year-old season by winning the Grand Prix Stakes by the biggest margin in three decades, Clean One kicked off 2026 with a dismissive score in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3), the first leg of the Stayer Series at Seoul in March. With bigger targets and workload management in mind, he was kept out of last month’s YTN Cup. That was won by Succes Baekpa, and instead, Clean One came straight to the Busan Mayor’s Cup over the Korea Cup distance of 1800M.

Clean One was sent off as the 1.4 favourite. That price seemed generous as as under Seo Seung-un, Clean One cruised into the lead setting a pace that, as in the Grand Prix and Herald Business, his rivals were soon uncomfortable with. Seo meanwhile sat motionless before asking for a brief effort in the home straight that saw the pair  kick on and win by six-lengths from Global Hit.

A month ago, when a resurgent Global Hit ran 2nd to Success Baekpa in the YTN, many observers opined that a prime Global Hit would have easily gone past the winner. Nobody even entertained any thought that he would have gone past Clean One. Even in 2nd, Global Hit ran the quickest time he ever has for the 1800M. The figures suggested that this may even have been the old Global Hit.

Ever the enigma, Gangpungma, on a day when many had written him off, ran a fine 3rd, with Success Baekpa in 4th. Yeonggwanguifirst was 5th with Speed Young an uncharacteristic 6th.

“From about the 4th corner, I was confident he would win” trainer Moon Hyeon-cheol, very unconvincingly, given it was obvious to all other observers that from the first corner Clean One would win, told KRBC. “I am so proud of Clean One” he said, with a little more conviction. “It’s the greatest success for our stable so far and so good to do it in front of so many fans who have turned out at Busan.”

Moon also paid tribute to runner-up Global Hit, a horse he revealed he worked with during a brief spell as assistant to Bang Dong-suk, just before striking out on his own. “I helped prepare Global Hit a couple of times and was really happy to see him run well today. I want to help Clean One achieve as much as Global Hit.”

As for what’s next for Clean One: “Nothing has changed from before, we will next go to the KRA Cup Classic and then to the Korea Cup. The only factor we consider is the horse’s health.”

Winning jockey Seo Seung-un wasn’t quite as reticent as his trainer. “The plan was to lead, and while I had a couple of ideas what to do if we were unable to do that, we got to the front quite easily and really, 100 metres into the race, I was pretty sure we would win.”

“I only care about the chemistry between me and the horse. My job is to help him flow freely and not get in his way. To be honest, this race was a race he should win; a really light test for him, don’t give us any plaudits for today, the race I am focused on is the Korea Cup.”

Further down the field, Tuhonui Banseok signed off from a long career that saw him win this race twice in 2023 and 2024 in 12th place. The eight-year-old will return to the races safe and sound one last time for his well-earned retirement ceremony next Sunday.

Clean One is by Bernardini and is out of No Fault (by Blame). He was purchased by K.O.I.D. out of the Keeneland 2023 Yearling Sale for $22,000. In Korea he is campaigned by the Healing Farm Union organization.

The KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) is at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday July 26th. The Korea Cup is on Sunday September 9th.

Next week, the main race of the weekend is also at Busan as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer concludes with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3)

Born Dia Denies Vincero Cavallo Double Sprint Series Sweep

Vincero Cavallo was denied a second consecutive clean sweep of the Korean Sprint Series and ultimately had to settle for 3rd as Born Dia led all the way to win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Born DIa holds off Winner Clear (Pic: KRA)

After sending him off as the second favourite in both the first two legs of the series, punters this time finally had full faith in Vincero Cavallo, making him the 1.4 marker elect. Born Dia meanwhile was the joint second-longest shot on the board at 82.7.

From gate ten, Seo Gang-ju had a surprisingly easy time taking Born Dia across to the lead where they settled and made steady progress. Vincero Cavallo meanwhile settled midfield among a crowd of jostling horses and was quickly hemmed in on the fence.

With plenty of energy left in the home straight, Born Dia was able to keep lifting and held off the fast finishing Winner Clear by half a length, with Vincero Cavallo, who at no point in the race looked a winning chance, two lengths back in 3rd.  

“I’ve worked hard since debuting, and it is nice to get the chance in a major race and to win” jockey Seo Gang-ju told KRBC after claiming his first Graded winner.

“I couldn’t be sure of the win until the very end, I knew that Vincero Cavallo and Winner Clear would be coming and that we had to stand our ground.  Born Dia did that very well.”

(Pic: KRA)

Winning trainer Kwon Sung-ju told KRBC that the win made amends for a disappointing showing in the SBS Sports. “There is probably no faster starter (than Born Dia) at Seoul or Busan, but when she’s challenged, she has problems as happened in the previous race….Seo Gang-ju had his instructions and he carried them out perfectly and I’m really grateful to him.”

Winner Clear couldn’t quite get there although trainer Baik Kwang-yeol thought for a moment that he might. “I thought we’d won” he conceded to KRBC. “We finished strongly but the finish line came just too early. No regrets, we did our best”  

As for Jo Jae-ro, beaten on Vincero Cavallo, he said his opposition’s game plan worked very well: “They broke away well, secured the lead as planned and then they managed their energy very effectively. There were a few collisions in there, a lot of bumping and I think ultimately (Vincero Cavallo) didn’t have enough left after that to show his usual sprinting performance. There were no other problems but sometimes the race doesn’t go as planned.”

Born Dia is a five-year-old mare by With Distinction and out of T P Mc G (by Flatter). T P Mc G was unraced but has also foaled multiple Korean winners such as Seungbusa and Black Mamba. The five-year-old is owned by Son Byeong-hyeon and moves on to seven wins from twenty-four starts.

Korea Racing Report: May 15-17

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BORN DIA LED THROUGHOUT TO WIN THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST LOCAL SPRINT RACE BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF GOOD ACTION ON THE UNDERCARD. MUSKET DAY was the winner of the supporting Sports Chosun Trophy (KOR-LR) over 2000M by five-lengths in a race dominated by the backmarkers (writes Luke Humphreys).

Musket Cleaver won the Listed Sprots Chosun (Pic: KRA)

Musket Day (Musket Man) came into the race with very consistent form and won easily under Jang Chu-youl as the 4.3 second favourite over Wonderful Northern who was best of the group of six that broke away up in front, ridden the most conservatively of them, finishing 2nd. Taepyeong Hero was 3rd with Zetta Master from his standard rearward position making late ground for 4th. Daeseong Star, 2.9 favourite, could only manage 5th after racing on the pace with the 2024 Derby winner Eunpa Sarang blowing his chance at the start with a horrible beginning and was a never nearer 6th. No Problem could only run 7th after being one of those that was prominent whilst Mandaero was 8th in the final ride in Korea before returning to Malaysia for Harry Kasim.

The victory of Musket Day completed a training double for Moon Byeong-ki after PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) landed Race 4 (1200M Class 5) by three-lengths and in doing so broke his maiden at the sixth time of asking.

Elsewhere on the card the concluding 1400M Class 3 was landed by the admirable seven-furlong specialist CLUB Q (Revolutionary) who made it six wins from ten starts with a one-and-a-quarter length victory as the 3.1 favourite over Orion Alpha with the up in trip Cheonmahoryeong finishing 3rd                                                                                                                     

GLOBAL CHAMP (Gaon Champ) continued his progression in Race 6 (1600M Class 4) following up his late closing win on April 18 with an eight-length romp under CC Wong at generous odds of 2.2. He has now won four races from six starts and the locally bred Jeon Seung-gyu prepared gelding is one to keep watching.

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