Busan horses were in action at the Dubai World Cup Carnival overnight at Meydan with Main Stay a winner over 1200M and Triple Nine a valiant runner-up over 2000M. More on that to follow but back home the South Coast track hosts 11 races on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00.
Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35
(8) CAPI RUN beat (7) GOLDEN TROPHY as the pair raced 2nd and 3rd over this distance in a very similar race two weeks ago and they should be battling it out again, this time for the win. Golden Trophy has been favourite for both his last two starts and he’s favoured to get it right this time. Those two stand out but (6) TIME CASTLE comes in after a reasonably encouraging 3rd place last time while (1) HIGH SPEC and (4) K O BARAM may improve on recent outings.
Selections: (7) Golden Trophy (8) Capi Run (6) Time Castle (1) High Spec Next Best: 4, 11 Rating: – Fast Starters: 1, 9, 11 Start-200M: 12, 1, 8, 11, 7 200M-Home: 4, 6, 2, 7, 5
Race 5: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 14:20
(3) YEONGGWANGUICOUNTRY ran poorly over 1000M, beaten by a couple of the others here, a month ago but had shown talent before that and gets another chance today stepped up to 1300M for the first time. (5) NAMBANG JEONSEOL beat three of these at the distance three weeks ago and must be considered while the more experienced (2) KING CODE enters following back to back 4ths and can seek a career-best finish here. (7) MACH IMPACT and (8) EGSEU BAND also should not be ignored.
Selections: (3) Yeonggwanguicountry (5) Nambang Jeonseol (2) King Code (8) Egseu Band Next Best: 7, 11 Rating: – Fast Starters: 3, 7, 12 Start-200M: 12, 3, 5, 7, 8 200M-Home: 11, 3, 2, 6, 5 (more…)
It’s turned very cold over the peninsula the past few days. No better way to warm up though than getting on the punt! 11 races at Seoul from 10:50 to 18:00 including last year’s champion juvenile Final Boss making his first appearance as a 3-year-old. At Busan there are 6 races from 12:35 to 17:00.
Last year’s champion juvenile Final Boss races at Seoul on Sunday
English race cards are here. Notes on all Seoul races (which will be shown on Sky Racing in Australia) are below:
Key Fast Starters: Expected fastest starters today Start-200M: Fastest average time for Start-200M (most recent 6 starts) 200M-Finish: Fastest average time for 200M-Finish (most recent 6 starts)
Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 10:40
Nine of the twelve are first-time starters but it’s going to be hard to oppose (10) ARGO MELODY, one of the three with prior experience, who was 2nd on debut a month ago. (3) SUN PLAZA actually beat Argo Melody in trials and joins (2) LITTLE SOCIE and (7) JIBONG BULPAE as looking the best of the debut-makers. Aussie trainer Brian Dean saddles (4) UNKISS ME but a watching brief may be best for that one first-up.
Selections: (10) Argo Melody (3) Sun Plaza (2) Little Socie (7) Jibong Bulpae Next Best: 12, 1 Rating: – Start-200M: 1, 6, 10 200M-Finish: 10, 1, 6
Race 2: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 11:05
(2) MONEY TRACK was a seven-length winner on debut on November 26th and while up in class today, he’ll be odds-on to make it two out of two and should lead from gate to wire. If we must oppose him then (1) RAON KINGDOM looks most likely having been 2nd on his first try at this class last month and seems to have potential. (12) ROYAL ESSENCE is up in class following a smart maiden win at the distance on the same day as Money Track’s but has a bit more to find while (11) JEOMIPGASOK is more experienced and can comes in following back to back 3rd places in similar assignments to this.
Power Blade and Diferent Dimension ran overnight in the Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting at Meydan with the pair running 3rd and 7th respectively among 15 runners in the 1600M Handicap. Their home track is Busan and it’s on the South Coast where Korea’s weekend racing gets underway on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00.
Key Fast Starters: Expected fastest starters today Start-200M: Fastest average time for Start-200M (most recent 6 starts) 200M-Finish: Fastest average time for 200M-Finish (most recent 6 starts)
Race 4: Class 6 / 1600M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:40
Really rare opportunity for class 6 horses to have a go at a mile so needless to say it’s a full field and none of them have had a chance at the distance before. Were ten months between (5) THE BEE GOLD’s debut and second start. He looked much improved on his return two weeks ago and can continue to improve here. (7) YONGWANGDAM showed ability at 1300M and is one of a number who should appreciate the trip while Kim Young Kwan’s (8) FOUR NINES comes in following back to back 2nd places and looks the likely pace-setter here. Those are the three standouts but in such a race there are plenty of possibilities among which (9) STYLISH and (3) DONGNAM DAEBAK look to be the most likely of the rest.
Selections: (7) Yongwandam (8) Four Nines (5) The Bee Gold’s (9) Stylish Next Best: 3, 10 Rating: – Fast Starters: 3, 8 Start-200M: 3, 8, 12, 9, 1 200M-Finish: 8, 10, 11, 5, 7 (more…)
The 2017 racing season gets underway at Busan on Friday (full fixture list to follow shortly) and with the Jeju ponies taking a rest this weekend, there is a busy day in store with 13 races from 11:40 to 18:00.
Italian jockey Mirko Sanna makes his Korean debut and has plenty of rides. English race cards are here. Races 4-13 will be simulcast overseas, notes on those races are below:
Key Fast Starters: Expected fastest starters today Start-200M: Fastest average time for Start-200M (most recent 6 starts) 200M-Finish: Fastest average time for 200M-Finish (most recent 6 starts)
Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:30
Three starts to date and (1) GOLDEN TROPHY is surely not far away from getting a first win. He beat (3) JIBONG YEONGUNG three weeks ago as the pair raced 4th and 6th over this distance. Golden Trophy was favourite that day and this time can justify it. Inside gate may be to his advantage. Jibong Yeongung can get close to him again but (9) CAPI RUN looks the most interesting rival. Mirko Sanna has a decent book of rides on his first day in Korea and this colt keeps coming home in 4th place. If Sanna can get him to the front early, it could be better today. He was beaten last time by (11) SEONGGONG PLAN and that one can’t be ignored either.
Selections: (1) Golden Trophy (9) Capi Run (11) Seonggong Plan (3) Jibong Yeongung Next Best: 2, 4, 8 Rating: – Fast Starters: 1, 9, 11 Start-200M: 11, 8, 9, 1, 10 200M-Finish: 4, 11, 1, 7, 5 (more…)
2016 concludes with a bumper New Year’s Eve Saturday card at Busan. There are 15 races from 10:50 to 18:00. They include two big races, one for 2-year-olds and one for 3-year-olds to see the year out with. No live racing at Seoul or Jeju but the racecourses are open for the Busan simulcast. There is no racing in Korea on New Year’s Day.
Race 6: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:25
(4) FREE CARE is up in class following her maiden victory, achieved by making all to score by four lengths over 1000M a month ago. She’s also up in distance for the first time but has every chance of winning again. (10) DINAH is yet to win in four outings but has never finished worse than 3rd and should keep that record going here while (12) TAEYANGUI SINHWA was 3rd on his first try at this level two weeks ago and can continue to develop here. Darryll Holland taking the mount makes (8) MADEIN MYEONGSEONG attractive to continue his recent run of placings while (3) VICAR SARANG and (5) ONLY BLUE are others to consider.
Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:50
Thomas Gillespie’s (4) PARTY AGAIN comes in following 4th place in the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Cup in November and will be strongly favoured to return to winning ways on what will be his first try at 1300M. (1) ADELE ACE is yet to win in three outings but finds himself up in class and distance following two 3rd place finishes and a 2nd and can continue to place here – he should get an easy lead early – while (5) SONATILLED stepped up to a mile for his first attempt at this class three weeks ago and can improve on the 5th he managed that day. (2) MANGANG and (7) BEONGGEULBEONGGEUL others to look out for.
Selections: (4) Party Again (1) Adele Ace (5) Sonatilled (7) Beonggeulbeonggeul Next Best: 2, 3 Rating: 4, 5, 7=9, 1 Fast Starters: 1 Start-200M: 1, 6, 11, 4, 8 200M-Finish: 4, 1, 7, 9, 5 (more…)
Seoul takes a weekend off and all tracks take Sunday off so it’s to Busan for Friday and Saturday racing to round out the 2016 season in Korea. There are 8 races at Busan on Friday from 11:55 to 18:00 (and plenty of pony races from Jeju).
Darryll Holland returns to Busan (Pic: Ross Holburt)
UK jockey Darryll Holland, who had a successful year at the track in 2013-2014 returns to Busan this week. He has three rides on Friday with a further eight on Saturday. English race cards are here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:
Race 3: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:05
Competitive race but while (9) PARTY TONIGHT is yet to win in four outings and up in class, he’s favoured to score here. He was just beaten a head on his first start at this distance a month ago having started poorly. If he can get away better here, he should be tough to beat. (6) MR. SPENDING beat (7) BAEKDUBONG as the pair raced 2nd and 4th over this distance on December 2nd and the former especially should be a danger again today while (1) DANCING STAR comes in following back to back 3rd place finishes, the first of them at class 1, and will be backed. (4) WINNING GILI and (5) YOUARE THE CAPTAIN look best of the rest.
Selections: (9) Party Tonight (1) Dancing Star (6) Mr. Spending (5) Youare The Captain Next Best: 5, 7, 2, 12, 11 Rating: 1, 5, 2=11, 7 Fast Starters: 1, 7, 9 Start-200M: 9, 3, 1, 7, 8 200M-Finish: 7, 9, 10, 8, 1 (more…)
Notes on races 6-15 are below. It’s going to be cold and crisp but dry day. Christmas Day at the races in Seoul is surely something everybody should do once!
Race 6: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:30
(1) DREAM SUN was a creditable 4th behind three decent ones over 1300M at the end of last month and should have too much here. (3) HAWK EYES, who returned from a lengthy spell to run 2nd over 1000M on December 3rd, can go close again while (2) GONSEOL and (11) CLAY SHOOT are also capable of going close while (4) HWANGGEUM NEUGDAE returned from six months off in the race behind Dream Sun last month, looked like he needed the race and can go better here.
Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:00
(1) SIMCHEONG SADAL got his maiden win at the third attempt last start. He’s had two months off since and is up in class today but will be favourite to score once more. (8) DAEJANGGEUM has come close in several tries at this level and should be looking to get close once more while (9) GIANT TEUKGEUP may be up in class despite being without a win but can get among the places again after consecutive 2nd place finishes. (3) FLYING STORM and especially (10) SPASTAR have too proven their competitiveness at this level and are not to be discounted.
It’s the big one, it’s the Grand Prix Stakes! The Korea Cup may have burst on to the racing calendar this year usurping the trip of Derby, President’s Cup and Grand Prix as the nation’s most valuable race but for now, the Grand Prix remains the most prestigious and the one race that is known outside racing circles in Korea.
Triple Nine won his 2nd President’s Cup last month and enters the Grand Prix as favourite (Pic: Alex Cairns/TheWinningPost)
Some of the most emotive names in Korea’s short racing history have won the race, the likes of Pogyeongseon, Ka Shock Do, Saegangja, Subsidy, Bally Brae, Dongbanui Gangja, Mister Park and Tough Win have won the race which is now in its 35th year. And we are guaranteed a new champion this year as for the first time in a decade, no previous winner will line up for the 2300M test at dusk on Sunday.
(Please take a moment out to look at our video preview – includes past races and trackwork of the leading contenders. More clicks mean we’ll have more chances to persuade the powers that be to approve a budget and resources to make more of these!)
Two-time President’s Cup winner Triple Nine will be the strong betting favourite but no favourite has won since 2009 when Dongbanui Gangja romped to his second Grand Prix. Could Triple Crown winner Power Blade top off an historic season or could Clean Up Joy claim victory for a Seoul trained horse for the first time since 2011. Or could another triumph, perhaps Success Story or Beolmaui Kkum? Or perhaps an outsider.
There is foreign interest in the race. Brian Dean saddles Muhudaeje, who will stay the distance but will be an outsider as will be Unbeatable who will be partnered by Djordje Perovic. However, both Yonekura Satoshi and Francisco Da Silva have chances on board Success Story and Beolmaui Kkum respectively.
Here are form comments for each runner:
The Grand Prix (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse (2300M) Sunday December 18, 2016 (16:40) – Weight for Age (4yo & Up: 57kg, F&M/3yo: 55kg)
1. Dongbang Daero (USA) C 4 [Curlin – Willa Joe (El Gran Senor)] 16/4/8/1
T: Oh Moon Sik, J: Choi Si Dae
Enters having beaten Beolmaui Kkum and Heba to win by 3 lengths over 1800M on October 30th. Late developer and no worse than 2nd in each of his last 9 starts. All wins at 1800M. First trip to Seoul. Usually settles in midfield.
2. Unbeatable (USA) H 6 [Eddington – Baxter Hall (Rahy)] 46/7/9/12
T: Lim Bong Chun, J: Djordje Perovic
1 win from 9 in 2016, he was a distant 2nd to Clean Up Joy in the KRA Cup Classic in October. 3rd try in this race, he was last in 2015 but does get the distance as proved when just beaten a neck by Cheonjeok last month.
3. Power Blade (KOR) C 3 [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] 12/8/3/0
T: Kim Young Kwan, J: Kim Yong Geun
The Triple Crown winner has been bested by Triple Nine in both his last two visits to Seoul, the Korea Cup in September and November’s President’s Cup. Trainer felt tactics failed in the latter race. Distance is a question mark but he gets a good draw and may well lead. A chance.
4. Space Port (USA) H 6 [Pleasant Tap – Space City (Carson City)]
48/5/10/5
T: Woo Chang Ku, J: Jo Sung Gon
3 wins from 10 outings in 2016, most recently at 1800M in October. 4th behind Cheonjeok and Unbeatable at this distance a month ago. He will settle at the back of the field and can close strongly but others should be too strong.
5. Triple Nine (KOR) C 4 [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] 19/11/6/1
T: Kim Young Kwan, J: Seo Seung Un
He comes in having won his second consecutive President’s Cup, easily defeating Power Blade in the process. 4th in the race last year, he is a better horse this time around. Tactically versatile but usually handy, his two predecessors as President’s Cup winner both went on to win this race. He has a big chance to join them.
6. Gumpo Sky (KOR) H 5 [Vicar – Perfect Storm (Didyme)] 33/10/8/4
T: Kwon Sung Ju, J: Lee Yong Ho
2nd in last year’s race, he hasn’t raced since a hugely creditable 6th in the Korea Cup in September. A barrier trial well within himself last week offered few clues. Has been a front-runner throughout his career but opted out of setting the pace in the Cup and it paid dividends. Gets the distance.
7. Success Story (KOR) H 5 [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] 22/10/8/4
T: Min Jang Gi, J: Yonekura Satoshi
A 2nd and three 3rd place finishes since returning from Dubai all in Stakes company. In those races, he’s been beaten by Triple Nine (three times), Power Blade and Beolmaui Kkum so he has form to overcome. Front-runner, he has won at 2000M but the distance is a question mark.
8. Goliath Marine (KOR) G 5 [Volponi – Queenie Bee (Geri)] 33/6/6/4
T: Choi Ki Hong, J: Lim Sung Sil
Flew home to finish 2nd to Heba over 2200M at Busan last month and this distance may suit but his only class 1 wins have come when getting a significant weight allowance. Very much a closer, he will aim to pick off horses in the closing stages.
9. Halla Chukje (USA) M 5 [Gottcha Gold – C D Player (Montbrook)] 32/5/6/2
T: Yu Jae Gil, J: Lee Hyeok
She was in good form in the first half of the year including a 2nd place in the Ttukseom Cup in June. Has struggled of late though and only beat one home in the Governor’s Cup at Busan last month. Usually likes to lead but surely won’t last long here.
10. Cheonjeok (USA) G 5 [Shakespeare – Celtic Song (Giant’s Causeway)] 39/4/5/6
T: Choi Bong Ju, J: Yoo Seung Wan
He comes in having made all to win over this distance on November 12th with Unbeatable, Muhudaeje and Space Port all behind him. That was though his first win since April 2015 and he will be hard pushed to repeat it here. He was though 3rd in the Cup Classic and can beat plenty.
11. Heba (USA) M 6 [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] 47/10/7/4
T: Kwon Sung Ju, J: Lee Hyo Sik
7th in this race last year after a hard fought season that saw her crowned champion filly and mare. She finally returned to the winner’s circle last month, beating Goliath Marine over 2200M. Always an honest, reliable runner, she’s tactically versatile and not likely to be on the early speed here.
12. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) H 6 [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] 29/16/4/2
T: Baik Kwang Yeol, J: Francisco Da Silva
Having finally achieved a really big win when making all in the Mayor’s Cup at Busan in July, he comes in following a couple of disappointing performances. He went too fast too early in the Korea Cup and was then beaten by Dongbang Daaero when giving up weight and with an apprentice jockey aboard. Gate 12 may be a blessing in disguise here as it will be hard for him to lead.
13. Winner Red (USA) G 3 [Put It Back – Red Hot Jul (Essence Of Dubai) 11/5/3/0
T: Woo Chang Ku, J: Choi Bum Hyun
The up and comer of the field, he enters having won his last four races although he has never faced the kind of opposition there is here. The furthest distance he has run and won at is 1900M and while the draw isn’t ideal, he doesn’t need to lead. Next year he could be a real contender, this year he could be the wildcard.
14. Muhudaeje (USA) C 4 [Majestic Warrior – Crafty Queen (Crafty Prospector)] 19/4/3/2
T: Brian W. Dean, J: Jeong Jeong Hee
3 wins from 7 outings since moving to Brian Dean’s stable. He was 3rd at this distance behind Cheonjeok and Unbeatable last month but showed he can stay on well. That was his first try at class 1 so he is untried against the calibre of opposition he faces here and will be an outsider.
15. Clean Up Cheonha (USA) H 5 [El Corredor – Loh Collado (More Than Ready)] 21/8/6/2
T: Kim Dong Kyun, J: Jo In Kwen
5th in this race in 2015 but while he started this year with a January win, he hasn’t been able to push on and has only made three starts since. Showed signs of returning to form with 4th place in the KRA Cup Classic in October but still has plenty to find here.
16. Clean Up Joy (USA) G 5 [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeux Danseur)] 20/10/6/1
T: Song Moon Gil, J: Ham Wan Sik
3rd in last year’s race. An awkward starter, the trainer has requested and received the outside gate. Seoul’s highest-rated horse he was a facile 7-length winner of the KRA Cup Classic in October. He was beaten by Beolmaui Kkum, Triple Nine and Success Story in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in July but at Seoul and at this distance, he’s a danger. He’ll be slowly away and look to improve in the back straight.
It’s Grand Prix Stakes weekend. Full coverage of Sunday’s big race to follow but in the meantime, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a ten–race card.
Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35
Thomas Gillespie’s (7) GOLDEN TROPHY has shown good promise in two starts so far, most recently just beaten a head into 3rd over 1200M on November 18th and he is favoured to break through here. (10) JIBONG YEONGUNG Is yet to score in ten starts but has improved of late, registering his best finish so far of 2nd three weeks ago at this distance and can come close here as can (8) NAVARRA who narrowly beat him the time before. (2) WINNING ALL and (12) STYLISH are among others with claims.
Selection: (7) Golden Trophy (10) Jibong Yeongung (8) Navarra (2) Winning All Next Best: 12, 4 Rating: – Fast Starters: 2, 4 Start-200M: 4, 7, 2, 8, 12 200M-Finish: 5, 7, 6, 9, 8 (more…)
It might be international day in Hong Kong but there’s plenty going on in Korea too. Some of the nations’s best sprinters are in action at Busan while at Seoul, there are several big handicaps throughout the afternoon.
Macheon Bolt, seen here at the Korea Sprint, goes at Busan on Sunday (Pic: Ross Holburt)
English race cards are here. Notes on all overseas simulcast races are below (all of Seoul and races 2-6 at Busan):
Key Rating: Top five official rated Fast Starters: Expected to lead the race early Start-200M: Fastest average time for the first 200M (up to 6 most recent races) 200M-Finish: Fastest average time for the final 200M (up to 6 most recent races)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 60 Million / 10:40
There are nine debut-makers among the field but we’ll go with one of the three with prior-racing experience to score here. That one is (6) WELLBEING JOY, 5th on debut in October behind a couple of decent ones and is difficult to oppose here. Among the debut-makers none looked quick in trials although (2) GLOBAL DREAM won his and so therefore makes it into second pick. (1) BOMBI’S KING, (5) JAKE and (12) NEON GAMDONGIYA looks next best of the first-timers while (11) TOKTOK YEOJANGGUN, also 5th on debut but considerably slower than Wellbeing Joy, can improve.
Selections: (6) Wellbeing Joy (2) Global Dream (1) Bombi’s King (11) Toktok Yeojanggun Next Best: 12, 5, 3 Rating: – Fast Starters: 2, 3, 5, 7 Start-200M: 3, 6, 11 200M-Finish: 6, 11, 3
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 11:05
With a 2nd and a 3rd from among three starts so far, (6) LIVE POWER looks set to be strong favourite to get it right at the fourth time of asking. He’s shown decent speed and good potential and should have too much for these. He beat (2) EORIN WANGJA last time out, the latter disappointing after back to back 3rd places but he gets another chance here and can go close. (9) BEST CAMP put in a positive performance on debut last month and can build on the 5th he achieved. (3) LOVELY DAY and (7) SAEROUN SEGYE look to have the most scope for improvement among the rest.
Selections: (6) Live Power (2) Eorin Wangja (9) Best Camp (3) Lovely Day Next Best: 7, 1 Rating: – Fast Starters: 2, 7, 9 Start-200M: 9, 2, 7, 6, 3 200M-Finish: 1, 3, 6, 7, 9
Horse Racing in Korea 