Racing Previews

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (December 11)

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-1

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

Click “more” for the rest…

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (December 9)

Racing gets underway for the weekend at Busan on Friday where there are ten races from 11:30 to 18:00. Six jockeys are in town from Seoul for a Jockey Challenge which will be held across races 7 to 9.

Busan Racecourse

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

English race cards are here. See below for notes on overseas simulcast races 4-10:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35

(5) KING ICE was just beaten a nose last start on November 11th on his first try at this distance and will surely get it right today. He’ll be strong favourite to close from off the pace to win here. Two horses behind him that day are next best. A further length and a half back in 3rd was (1) MAPLE CLASSIC and he’ll be close once more. Setting the pace in that race was (3) HIGH SPEC – he’ll do the same here and can continue to improve. (6) KING CODE and (7) SUPER SONIC look the best of a limited rest.

Selections: (5) King Ice (1) Maple Classic (3) High Spec (7) Super Sonic
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 3, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 3, 10, 4, 7
200M-Finish: 5, 6, 1, 7, 2

Race 5: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:20 

Peter Wolsley celebrated his 400th winner in Korea last weekend and if he didn’t get it earlier today, the Aussie trainer could well get number 401 here. He saddles (7) PERLIN, a handy winner on debut just two weeks who at class and distance who has every chance of making all here. (6) DAMYANG HWANHO led for much of her own debut last month only to be passed late on. She finished 3rd and can continue her development here. There are two debut-makers and of the pair, Thomas Gillespie’s (11) GREAT KING, a $30K purchase from Ocala this June, looks the best having won his trial last month. Jockey booking inspires confidence too. Those three stand-out with (1) VALID EFFORT and (12) WORLD TOWER perhaps most likely among the others.

Selections: (7) Perlin (6) Damyang Hwanho (11) Great King (12) World Tower
Next Best: 1, 8, 3
Rating: 7, 6
Fast Starters: 1, 6, 7, 9
Start-200M: 1, 7, 6, 9, 8
200M-Finish: 7, 6, 12, 10, 2

Race 6: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:05

Nice and tricky race this. (6) GALILEE HO was a surprise winner on debut, beating King Ice, who we saw in race 4, by a nose over 1300M. He is up in both class and distance here and could well follow up. He will be steadily away and look to finish strongly. (1) BEAUTIFUL and (5) ROYAL RUBY were both 5th on their respective first tries at this class last time out and may appreciate the extra distance here while (12) SONATILLED is up in class following a nice-looking maiden win at 1300M three weeks ago and can be respected here. Another up in class is (9) BULBIT JEONSA and he’ll likely be setting the early pace along with (3) CAPE MAGIC. The latter is one of only four to have raced at this distance before and he can look to match the 2nd he achieved over it in October.

Selections: (6) Galielee Ho (5) Royal Ruby (1) Beautiful (9) Bulbit Jeonsa
Next Best: 3, 12, 11, 7
Rating: 3=5, 6, 9=12
Fast Starters: 3, 9, 11
Start-200M: 7, 2, 3, 11, 6
200M-Finish: 6, 12, 1, 2, 6

Race 7: Class 4 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 15:50

The first of three “Jockey Challenge” races so six Seoul based jockeys are taking part. It’s not exactly a field of the highest quality so (4) SAEBYEOK BADA has as good a chance as any of getting his maiden victory. (9) PHILIP AND GIRAFFE is yet to win in four but won a trial in double quick time a couple of weeks ago and will be backed here. (11) CHEOGANG YONGSA hasn’t raced since a 2nd place over this distance in August having picked up an injury but looks nicely in here while (5) GIMAKHIN SEONTAEK and (7) SEUNGJEONPILSA are others to consider.

Selections: (4) Saebyeok Bada (11) Choegang Yongsa (9) Philip And Giraffe (7) Seungjeonpilsa
Next Best: 5, 8
Rating: 5, 9=11, 2, 4
Fast Starters: 3, 7, 9, 12
Start-200M: 9, 12, 7, 4, 3
200M-Finish: 5, 10, 4, 11, 2

Race 8: Class 4 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 16:35 

The second race of the jockey challenge brings together a slightly better field and the up in class (10) KKOKDAEGI, a two-length winner over 1300M last month has every chance of overcoming the outside gate to score again. (6) PHANTOM BLADE comes in following a slightly disappointing 4th over the distance just two weeks ago and can make amends here from the early speed while (2) ARIKKARI can improve on 6th in a tough race from a couple of weeks ago. (1) FLAMENCO returns for the first time since June and looked sharp in a trial last month while (5) GANGJA DAERO, also disappointing in that race behind Phantom Blade two weeks ago, gets another chance here.

Selections: (10) Kkokdaegi (6) Phantom Blade (1) Flamenco (2) Arikkari
Next Best: 5, 9
Rating: 8, 1, 5, 3, 6
Fast Starters: 3, 6, 9
Start-200M: 3, 9, 6, 2, 8
200M-Finish: 5, 4, 8, 2, 10

Race 9: Class 3 / 1400M / Allowance / KRW 72 Million / 17:30

The final race of the jockey challenge and (2) GOLD LINE beat (1) TURBO ENERGY and the pair raced 2nd and 3rd over class and distance on October 30th and both have claims here with Gold Line being the pick. (3) GIGA SPEED has been no worse than 3rd in each of his last seven outings and there’s no reason why that run can’t continue here. (6) CHOEGANG ADVENTURE is up in class following back to back wins and while this is a stiffer test, he should be competitive as should (12) JANGGUNEUIHUYE, also up in class following a good win over 1400M last month.

Selections: (2) Gold Line (1) Turbo Energy (3) Giga Speed (12) Jangguneuihuye
Next Best: 6, 8, 4
Rating: 5=8, 11, 1, 4
Fast Starters: 6, 7, 8, 9
Start-200M: 7, 6, 3, 12, 11
200M-Finish: 8, 2, 1, 3, 11
Race 10: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 18:00

Back to the handicaps to finish with and (7) VANJEFE was 2nd on debut three weeks ago but finished well and with an extra half furlong to play with today, looks to be the one to beat. (8) ITSAGAINT WARRIOR was an encouraging 4th on his own debut last month and can build on that here. Those two are imports while locally-bred (2) DAESTAR is up in class having won two of his first four outings at the locally restricted classes 5 & 6. He’s a winner at this distance and will be dangerous here. Among the others, the experienced pair of (9) WONDERFULCHEONGHAE and (11) FIRST MOVER look capable of finding the money in this company.

Selections: (7) Vanjefe (2) Daestar (8) Itsagaint Warrior (9) Wonderfulcheonghae
Next Best: 11, 6
Rating: 6, 11, 1=4, 7
Fast Starters: 7, 9
Start-200M: 7, 3, 9, 5, 2
200M-Finish: 8, 2, 6, 5, 7

Sunday Seoul & Busan Preview: Breeders’ Cup 2016 (December 4)

It’s the penultimate Stakes race of the year in Korea on Sunday as the juveniles take their turn to sort out the champion for 2016. A full field of 16 will contest the Breeders’ Cup over 1400M at Seoul Racecourse. The race is the highlight of an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:40 to 18:00 while Busan goes from 12:35 to 17:05.

20161022_165205-1.jpg

Final Boss won the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup, Seoul’s Breeders’ Cup trial, in October

Europa and Final Boss, who won Busan and Seoul’s respective trials for this race will both be there to contest the race that Power Blade won a year ago before going on to sweep the Triple Crown as a three-year-old. Irish trainer Thomas Gillespie also saddles his first runner in the capital as the unbeaten Pegasus Farm-bred Evergreen Tree takes her chance.

See here for runner-by-runner form comments. Here for English race cards. And below for brief notes on the three races which will be simulcast overseas.

Race 8: Class 2 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 90 Million / 15:45

(1) WINNERS GLORY is up in class following a three-length win over this distance on October 30th. He carries a light weight here and runs best on or close to the early speed so gate 1 will suit. He has an excellent chance. Gate 12 will suit (12) SINJO DAEHYEOP who beat both (8) DOUBLE LUCKY and (9) VENI WIN when victorious over 1400M in October. A strong finisher, this is his first time around two-turns and he should take to it well. (11) GAIA THUNDER has already shown aptitude for the distance with a 2nd place in September. He’s up in class following a 3rd place last month at 1400M and will be competitive. Already established at this level is (7) LION STAR. He has placed in each of his last four outings and there’s no reason to suggest that run will end here.

Selections: (1) Winners Glory (12) Sinjo Daehyeop (7) Lion Star (11) Gaia Thunder
Next Best: 8, 4
Rating: 12, 10, 7, 9, 8
Fast Starters: 1, 2, 7
Start-200M: 2, 8, 7, 4, 1
200M-Finish: 12, 11, 10, 8, 1

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (December 2)

This Sunday will see Korea’s Juvenile Champion of 2016 crowned at Seoul Racecourse. There’s plenty going on before that though with 10 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00.

English race cards can be found here. Notes on simulcast races 4-10 are below. With a number of the track’s top jockeys already in Seoul for Sunday’s big race, Seo Seung Un is very much the one to follow on Friday afternoon:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 13:35 

Fillies only in this maiden race and (2) SULTRY HUMOR is favoured to be the one to make the breakthrough having scored 3rd place finishes on both her two starts to date. She beat two of her rivals here last time and can lead from gate to wire. Her main danger is (7) KING STORM. She was 2nd on debut in an admittedly slow race on November 11th and should be close again here. (11) DONGNAM CHOEGO has shown glimpses since coming back from seven months out while the experienced pair of (4) PALMYRA and (5) IGIPPEUM GEUDAERO should be capable of finding minor money in this company.

Selections: (2) Sultry Humor (7) King Storm (11) Dongnam Choego (4) Palmyra
Next Best: 5, 10
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 3
Start-200M: 3, 2, 11, 6, 10
200M-Finish: 5, 6, 11, 12, 10

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:20 

A winner on debut all the way back in July, (1) ADELE STAR has failed to fire on two subsequent stats, both at 1200M and most recently in Busan’s top juvenile race. Back at 1000M and in more amenable company today, she can return to form. In as good a form as he’s ever been in four-year-old gelding (5) MOMENT. He has three 2nd places among his last four starts and should be continuing that record here. (7) VEGA KHAN must be respected having beaten (4) MADEIN MYEONGSEONG as the pair ran 2nd and 3rd at class and distance last month and both should be competitive here with the latter favoured to overturn that form today. (8) NAMYANG QUEEN and (10) PARTY CONCEP are both up in class here and both have potential for development.

Selections: (1) Adele Star (5) Moment (4) Madein Myeongseong (10) Party Concep
Next Best: 8, 11, 7
Rating: 5, 4, 6=7, 1
Fast Starters: 1, 4, 8
Start-200M: 8, 1, 10, 4, 6
200M-Finish: 6, 4, 11, 5, 2

Race 6: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:05 

(1) SANDIEGO MARINE was an impressive winner on debut at this distance on November 18th and while he carries an extra 3kg today, there’s no reason why he can’t follow up. (5) AMERANCE FASHION also won on debut before running 5th in a tough race over 1200M a month ago and can come into consideration here while (7) WHITE BLUE returns to racing for the first time since July. She won two of her first five races and impressed in a November trial. (10) YEONGGWANG SEUNGNI debuted in 4th in the same race as Sandiego Marine while the wildcard is (8) SECRET RHAPSODY. She returns for the first time since April but looked quick in a trial a month ago.

Selections: (1) Sandiego Marine (5) Amerance Fashion (7) White Blue (10) Yeonggwang Seungni
Next Best: 8, 12
Rating: 1=5, 6=9, 4
Fast Starters: 1, 5, 7, 11
Start-200M: 11, 1, 7, 4, 10
200M-Finish: 5, 1, 6, 10, 11

Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:50 

(6) ADELEUI BOM won over 1000M in August and has run exactly to expectations when recording a 4th and 5th in two tough races since, both over 1200M. He tries 1300M for the first time but could well get an uncontested lead here and if he runs to expectations again, he wins. It’s a similar story for (8) BAEKDUBONG who while slightly less impressive, has shown potential. (3) GANGHO IRON is yet to win in twenty-four attempts but is always close and will be close again while the up in class (1) HWAJEONG and the returning from a spell and making a first start for a new trainer (2) JEONGMAL JOA look best of the rest.

Selections: (6) Adeleui Bom (8) Baekdubong (3) Gangho Iron (1) Hwajeong
Next Best: 2, 7
Rating: 5, 6, 3=8, 1
Fast Starters: 6
Start-200M: 6, 8, 7, 4, 1
200M-Finish: 3, 8, 6, 1, 5

Race 8: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 16:35

(7) SISEON POCHAK was 2nd at class and distance, two lengths behind the useful Beolmaui Sin and plenty ahead of three who go here and he has solid claims to go one better today. He’s one of two stand-outs, the other being (11) SPECIAL ROOKIE. She was 4th in the Korean Oaks at this distance in June and can be forgiven her last start in a big Stakes race at Seoul in October. She’ll be on the early speed here and has every chance of going all the way under an apprentice jockey who gives her even more of a weight advantage. (9) GLORY DAYS was 3rd, seven lengths behind Siseon Pochak last month and can compete for the places again while (3) FINE DREAM and (12) BOUND MYEONGUN can also have similar ambitions.

Selections: (7) Siseon Pochak (11) Special Rookie (9) Glory Days (3) Fine Dream
Next Best: 12, 5
Rating: 7, 1=5, 3=9
Fast Starters: 6, 9, 11
Start-200M: 11, 6, 9, 7, 8
200M-Finish: 2, 1, 3, 5, 4

Race 9: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 17:30

2nd on debut over this distance on November 11th, (11) GOOD CASTING looks to be the one to beat here. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can finish well. Kim Young Kwan’s (6) SUPER MATCH was 4th on debut and is sure to go well again while (1) SPEED MARK was a creditable 6th in a Listed race on what was just his second career start last month and can be competitive today. The more experienced Korean-bred (4) ACE POWER will be dangerous from the early speed while (9) POKPUNGUI JEWANG also looks to have potential for further development.

Selections: (11) Good Casting (1) Speed Mark (6) Super Match (4) Ace Power
Next Best: 9, 2
Rating: 9, 11, 1, 2, 5
Fast Starters: 4, 8, 9
Start-200M: 12, 4, 9, 8, 5
200M-Finish: 7, 1, 6, 9, 2

Race 10: Class 2 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 17:00 

Up in class following five wins from eight career starts, (10) JANTEUGAREU is very much the one they need to beat here. The wide draw isn’t ideal but he should be able to overcome it to sit handy and finish strongly. The experienced (4) JEONGSANG JEAP beat two when racing 3rd over class and distance last time out as indeed did (8) SUPER STORM and those two look to be the main dangers. (1) WORLD LOVE and (6) SINHEUNG GOSU were the two defeated ones on each occasion and they look best of the rest here.

Selections: (10) Janteugareu (4) Jeongsang Jeap (8) Super Storm (6) Sinheung Gosu
Next Best: 1, 9
Rating: 9, 3=5, 7, 8
Fast Starters: 4, 6, 8
Start-200M: 2, 4, 3, 6, 8
200M-Finish: 9, 8, 10, 6, 7

Saturday/Sunday Race Times (November 26/27)

It’s turned quite cold across the Korean peninsula this past week. Nevermind though, there are plenty of punting opportunities to warm up with over the next couple of days.

Race Snow

Winter is coming! No snow yet, though (Pic: Ross Holburt)

There are class 1 races at Seoul on both days. The horse with the unfortunate typo, Goreous Dream, goes in search of his 9th win on what will be his 10th start in the final race on Saturday and confirm his position as the top sprinter at Seoul. A sprint accounts for the main event at Busan on Sunday too as Jeju Governor’s Cup winner Indian Star makes her return to her home track.

English race cards are here.

Saturday November 26
Seoul Racecourse: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 8 races from 11:50 to 16:10

Sunday November 27
Seoul Racecourse: 11 races from 10:40 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 12:35 to 17:00

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 25)

It’s been a busy week off the track in Korean racing with the US racing media reporting Take Charge Indy is the latest stallion to be Jeju Island bound. Racing gets back underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00.

English race cards are here. Notes on overseas simulcast races 4-11 are below:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35

(2) TIMELESS was 4th of 12 on debut over 1000M at the end of last month. She finished strongly that day and is favourite to score over an extended distance here. The main danger is (10) HWANGGEUMBIT JILJU, who debuted unimpressively in June but returned much more strongly last month to actually beat Timeless on October 28th. (5) ALSO POWERFUL showed improvement last month and can be considered while (11) DESTINY and (12) JIBONG YEONGUNG also look capable of finding the money here.

Selections: (2) Timeless (10) Hwanggeumbit Jilju (11) Destiny (5) Also Powerful
Next Best: 12, 1
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 10
Start-200M: 4, 2, 11, 3, 12
200M-Finish: 2, 5, 7, 1, 8

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:20 

(1) REALLY ONE has just one win from eleven but two 2nd places among his last three outings an on October 28th was beaten only by the very promising Evergreen Tree at this distance with a couple of others here behind him He’ll be a front-runner, has a strong finish and should take this. One of the ones he beat last time was (8) TIGER SLAM, 4th in that race on what was his first try at this level and he can continue his development today. (9) GOLD FLYING was an unexpected winner last time and while up in class, will get more respect today while the ever so slightly disappointing (4) MISS CANBERRA and the unlucky (6) MOHAVE WANGJA, who did manage to get his maiden win last time out, are the others to watch.

Selections: (1) Really One (8) Tiger Slam (9) Gold Flying (6) Mohave Wangja
Next Best: 4, 10
Rating: 1=6, 8, 3=9
Fast Starters: 4, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 10, 4, 5, 9
200M-Finish: 8, 1, 6, 2, 4

Click  “More” for the rest…

(more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 19)

12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:50 to 18:00. English race cards are here and notes on races 5-12 are below:

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:40  

Two stand-outs here. (4) WHIZ SPARK was all over the place last time out, finishing the race on the grandstand running rail yet still managed 3rd place. She was sent back to trial, which she came through comfortably and has to be fancied here. If she fails to run in a straight line again, (3) SAMJEONG MAGNUM looks most likely to take advantage. She was slightly disappointing on her first try at this class a month ago but wasn’t beaten by much and gets another chance here. The top two look superior but (5) GINNY ACE, 6th behind Whiz Spark last time, can improve while solid runs are capable from (6) SILVERGRAY CAT and (8) HAENURI.

Selections: (4) Whiz Spark (3) Samjeong Magnum (6) Silvergray Cat (8) Haenuri
Next Best: 6, 9
Rating: 4=6, 5, 9, 3
Fast Starters: 4, 5, 6
Start-200M: 6, 4, 5, 3, 2
200M-Finish: 9, 10, 5, 3, 2

Race 6: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:25

Competitive race and it’s about time (9) RAON ROUIS added to his two victories on what will be his tenth career start here. Last time out at 1200M he led until the closing stages before being well-beaten by a good winner and back at 1000M today, he can lead all the way. Also looking to lead will be (8) DAESEONG MALLI, who beat five of these when finishing 2nd on what was just her second career outing on October 22nd and she can continue her development here. (5) PICO TIME is up in class following a dominant four-length win over the distance last month. She has a strong finish and will one to watch out for in the closing stages. (3) NABOM CASTLE comes in looking for softer opposition after a couple of chastening outings at domestic class 4 and may improve while (6) APPALACHIA BOM perhaps hasn’t shown his best yet.

Selections: (9) Raon Rouis (8) Daeseong Malli (5) Pico Time (3) Nabom Castle
Next Best: 6, 1
Rating: 3, 4=8=9, 1
Fast Starters: 2, 6, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 9, 6, 3, 7
200M-Finish: 1, 4, 5, 12, 8

Click “more” to read on…

Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:10  (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 18)

It’s the final leg of the 2016 Queens’ Tour to determine this year’s champion filly or mare at Busan on Sunday, but before that there is a busy day of action on Friday. There are 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00

English race cards can be found here. See below for notes on races 4-11:

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)

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35 

Two stand-outs here looking to get their maiden wins at what for both of them is the fourth time of asking. (9) NAMBANG JEONSEOL is favoured. He debuted all the way back last year before immediately suffering a setback and didn’t return until September. A 4th and 3rd in two starts since returning in reasonable company suggest he should be favourite to claim this (8) CAPI RUN is the main danger having shown promise in his own three outings and has an apprentice jockey taking a significant amount of weight off. They should account for the quinella with (1) WINNING ALL, (2) PUREUN GANGJA and (6) SONATILLED looking best of the rest.

Selections: (9) Nambang Jeonseol (8) Capi Run (2) Pureun Gangja (1) Winning All
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 4, 5
Start-200M: 5, 4, 9, 1, 8
200M-Finish: 6, 7, 9, 5, 2

Click “More” to show full article…

(more…)

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Full Race-By-Race Preview for President’s Cup Day (November 13)

Sunday is President’s Cup Day at Seoul. The big race is the highlight of 11 contests at Seoul from 10:40 to 18:00. Meanwhile at Busan there is a competitive 6-race card running from 12:50 to 17:05.

See here for a runner-by-runner preview of the President’s Cup. Full English race cards can be found here and see below for a race-by-race preview of the whole day (click continue reading):

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 60 Million / 10:40

Five first-timers and five with prior experience here and we’ll go with the experience. (7) K KING has shown improvement over his two outings to date and can keep that going here. He should lead from the gate and can win. (8) CHARMING GOOD was an encouraging 4th in a tight race on debut last month and also improve today while (4) RAON ROCKY also showed promise when racing 5th on debut on October 2nd. Among the debut makers, (2) BEST CAMP looked the pick in trials.

Selections: (7) K King (2) Best Camp (8) Charming Good (4) Raon Rocky
Next Best: 6, 10
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 7
Start-200M: 8, 7, 9, 4, 1
200M-Finish: 1, 7, 8, 9, 4

click “more” to continue…it’s too long to keep on the front!

(more…)

The President’s Cup: Power Blade vs Triple Nine (and 10 more) – Full Preview

Along with the Korean Derby, the President’s Cup is the richest race in Korea restricted to locally bred horses. That means it usually attrcts the best from Seoul and Busan and this year is no exception as Triple Crown winner Power Blade takes on his stablemate and winner of this race last year, Triple Nine over 2000M at Seoul Racecourse.

triple-nine-1

Triple Nine was 3rd in the Korea Cup – he returns to Seoul as potential favourite for the President’s Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Here’s a full run-down of the field:

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – Sunday November 13, 2016 (16:40)

1. Success Story [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] 5 G (23/10/3/6) – You Hyun Myung
He was gelded last month and won’t be returning to the Dubai World Cup Carnival int he New Year. Two 3rds and most recently a strong 2nd behind Triple Nine in a Stakes race in August. He’ll be on pace early. Needs to be sensibly ridden to give him a chance of holding off Triple Nine late on.

2. Sotong Sidae [Gold Money – Myeonggauihuye (Black Minnaloushe)] 5 G (34/9/5/8) – Park Byeong Yun
Probably Seoul’s best he comes in having won back to back class 1’s over 1800M both in his familiar fast closing fashion. He will go back as usual and he can beat plenty in the closing stages.

3. Zettabyte [Menifee – Fight Back (Sakura Seeking)] 3 C (11/4/4/1)
4th in the Cup Mile and then 2nd to Power Blade in both the Derby and the Minister’s Cup, he makes a strong case for being the 2nd best of his his crop. Returned to winning ways with a facile five-length win at Busan in September, if he can be reasonably handy, we know he can finish strongly at this distance and a place is possible.

4. Pinot Noir [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] 6 M (29/7/8/2) – Park Hyun Woo
One of the best racemares in Korea, she began the year with a Listed and a Stakes win but has struggled a little of late. Beaten by Brig in September she could only manage 5th in the Jeju Governor’s Cup last month. Today’s distance is ideal but the competition may be a little stiff.

5. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake) 5 H (34/5/6/8) – Song Keong Yun
Ten lengths behind Power Blade in the Gukje Sinmun last month and that was only because the race was only over 1400M. Creditable 5th behind Triple Nine and Success Story in the Owners’ Cup but he has too much to find here. Most likely to settle at the rear of the field and hope to pick some off late on.

6. Triple Nine [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] 4 C (18/10/6/1) – Seo Seung Un
Bested Power Blade by four lengths in what was admittedly a rather crazy running of the Korea Cup. He is very good but has suffered surprising defeats to Diferent Dimension and Beolmaui Kkum this year. He finished very strongly in the Cup and the distance should be ideal. He has a big chance of successfully defending his title.

7. Brig [Menifee – Delicias (Deputy Minister)] 6 H (36/9/8/1) – Djordje Perovic
Returned to form recently with a pair of 2nd places in class 1 company, including at this distance. Narrowly beaten a neck last time, a further nose ahead of Impetus, who also goes here. HIs improvement in form has coincided with Djordje Perovic starting to ride him but even so, this will be challenging.

8. Power Blade [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] 3 C (11/8/2/0) – Kim Yong Geun
Many thought that the Korea Cup would be a race too far for the Triple Crown winning colt but he raced well and came home 4th. That’s his only defeat this year and he returned to Busan to win the Gukje Sinmun last month beating Seoul Bullet who burnished his own credentials with an easy win last week. Versatile but expected to be close to the early pace here, he can win.

9. Cheonji Storm [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] 3 C (10/5/2/1) – Ham Wan Sik
An exciting colt still on the way up. He was 6th in the Korean Derby but has two wins from three outings since including the HRI Trophy at this distance on international weekend. He’ll be on the speed early and shouldn’t be over-matched. He’s the wildcard choice for a place.

10. Baedari Bobae [Colors Flying – Geumgang Gongwon (Pacificbounty)] 3 C (15/3/6/3) – Lee Sung Jae
3rd in the Minister’s Cup, four lengths behind Zettabyte and eleven behind Power Blade, he has some catching up to do. A pair of indifferent performances since don’t inspire confidence in him doing it here. Usually settles in midfield.

11. Impetus [Exploit – Miss Stravinsky (Stravinsky)] 6 H (36/7/3/9) – Jo Jae Ro
Beaten a nose into 3rd place by Brig last start, less than half a length behind the winner. However, the last time he won was July of 2015 and that doesn’t look set to change here. Given his draw, he’s likely to be ridden patiently.

12. Top Fighter [Gaeseon Janggun – Escaped Love (Lost Soldier)] 5 G (26/3/4/4) – Kim Eu Soo
No real chance here, he is yet to win at a higher level than class 3. Most recently 3rd over 1200M, he may as well go as quick as possible out of the gate and see what happens.

Verdict: (8) Power Blade (6) Triple Nine (1) Success Story (9) Cheonji Storm