Racing Previews

Weekend Preview

Ghost Whisper probably dislikes the Korean summer even more than I do.

He's Back: Ghost Whisper (KRA)

He’s Back: Ghost Whisper (KRA)

Two years in a row he’s competed in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in July and two years in a row, he’s needed 7 months off after it.

He will not be among those disappointed that winter seems to have returned to the peninsula after a mild two weeks as he makes his 2014 debut on Sunday.

Now 6-years-old, the grey gelding, owned by Pegasus Stables and trained by Peter Wolsley, will carry top weight in Busan’s feature race of the weekend; a class 1 handicap over 7-furlongs on Sunday afternoon.

Ghost Whisper (Gotham City) be giving a minimum of 4.5kg to every other horse in a field that also includes last year’s KRA Cup Mile winner Sting Ray – a horse whose form has been so indifferent since that triumph, that he now joins Ghost Whisper as a gelding – and 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm, still going strong as a 9-year-old.

Megaton and Myeongun Jewang, who have tangled over this distance recently, are among those more likely to come out on top than theClassic winners though.

At Seoul, it’s a low-key weekend although there is one class 1 race on Sunday. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday March 7
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:20 to 17:20

Saturday March 8
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 9
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Weekend Racing Times

It’s been a very mild – albeit rather dusty – week in South Korea and the settled weather looks set to continue as racing returns this weekend.

Haze: Seoul has been hit by dust storms this week, but at least it is getting warmer

Haze: Seoul has been hit by dust storms this week, but at least it is getting warmer


It’s well worth watching Busan on Friday for the very last race on the card as unbeaten US import Cowboy Son (Cowboy Cal) steps up to class 1 for the first time. The three-year-old colt is already his America-based sire’s biggest earner and comes into the race with 6 comfortable wins from his 6 starts.

Among Others, Cowboy Son will find himself up against Beolmaui Kkum, who drops down in distance after 2 disappointing recent outings, including fading without trace in the home straight of the Grand Prix Stakes in Seoul in December.

There are no Stakes races on the peninsulas this weekend but Seoul does play host to a pair of class 1 events on Sunday afternoon. KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul – another who had a disappointing Grand Prix, is among thoe on show.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday February 28
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:20 to 17:20

Saturday March 1
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 2
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Busan Ilbo Cup – Full Preview

Busan hosts its first Stakes race of 2014 this Sunday when nine horses go to post for the mile-long Busan Ilbo Cup.

Gyeongudaero, seen here winning the KRA Cup Mile as a 3-year-old, heads the Busan Ilbo line-up(KRA)

Gyeongudaero, seen here winning the KRA Cup Mile as a 3-year-old, heads the Busan Ilbo line-up(KRA)

It’s the first class 1 Stakes race of the year anywhere in Korea and it has attracted a decent line-up. Here’s a full run down of the field:

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 23, 2014

1. Fine Fine [Forest Camp – Dream Fantasy (Manlove)] 5 H 52Kg (17/6/2/0) – Lee Sung Jae
Has had a hard time since graduating to class 1 after an impressive summer last year. In his favour is that he will carry by far the lightest weight in the race.

2. Road To Prince [Pico Central – Ransom Bay (Red Ransom)] 5 H 58.5Kg (19/9/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Another who has struggled for form of late although ran a creditable 5th in the President’s Cup at Seoul last November. Plenty of talent but is trainer Kim Young Kwan’s 2nd string here.

3. Gyeongbudaero [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] 5 H 60Kg (24/8/6/6) – Choi Si Dae
Top weight reflects that he is a top horse whose win record doesn’t reflect his ability. Won the KRA Cup Mile over this distance almost 2 years ago and even with the weight, will be a contender.

4. Alpha Myeongjang [Pico Central – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] 5 H 54.4Kg (21/8/6/0) – Masakazu Tanaka
Finished behind Grand Teukgeup in his last two outings and will have to work some to overcome that form here. Only out of the money 3 times in his 21 starts so always goes close.

5. Grand Teukgeup [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt.Livermore)] 5 M 55Kg (25/9/4/2) – Darryll Holland
The only filly or mare in the race, she was 3rd in the Korean Oaks in 2012 and 2nd in the Ttukseom Cup last year. Won last time out at 7 furlongs and must be considered.

6. Magic Dancer [Forest Camp – Wildly Magic (Peterhof)] 4 C 58.5Kg (10/7/3/0) – Kanichiro Fujii
Kim Young Kwan’s first string, he’s won his only start at this distance although that was at class 2. Skipped the Classics last year and regarded as one to follow this season.

7. Chima Cheolli [Dongseo Daero – Gamhwaryeok (Down The Aisle)] 4 C 57Kg (13/4/4/2) – Kim Dong Young
Has won his last two starts, both at this distance. He steps up in class here but has the speed to make a strong challenge.

8. My Winner [Vicar – Bridlingbride (Unbridled’s Song)] 5 G 57.5Kg (18/5/5/0) – Kim Yong Geun
Peter Wolsley’s runner hasn’t been seen since a disappointing run in the President’s Cup in November but he’ll most likely appreciate the drop back in trip and could be in with a shout of a place.

9. All Su [Perfect Vision II – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] 6 H 56Kg (41/8/5/9) – Song Keong Yun
Reliable campaigner who has been competing at class 1 for two years now. Likes the distance and has wins over a number of his rivals here. Will need to be at his very best to challenge though.

The Busan Ilbo Cup is the highlight of a busy couple of days of racing on the peninsula. Here’s what’s happening when and where over Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday February 22
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday February 23
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00 including the Busan Ilbo Cup at 16:10.

Segye Ilbo Cup: Full Preview

It’s been a while but Stakes action finally returns to Seoul on Sunday in the shape of the Segye Ilbo Cup.

Fly Top Queen is among the Segye Ilbo contenders (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Fly Top Queen is among the Segye Ilbo contenders (Pic: Ross Holburt)

A rarity on the calendar in that it is restricted to fillies and mares of up to class 2 level, it serves both as an opportunity for imported fillies to win a big race and also as an important trial for those hoping to get a run in the Queens’ Tour series of races, which begins in March.

A field of 14 will contest this year’s edition and as usual it is a mix of young up-and-coming fillies and older mares who haven’t yet made the breakthrough to class 1. It should be a very open betting race with many having chances. Here’s a full run down of the field:

Segye Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – February 16, 2014 – 16:35

1. Socheonha (NZ) [Duelled – Interdame (Senor Pete)] 5 (36/1/3/5) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
Her only win came more than 2 years ago but she was 3rd last time out behind Xicar who has since performed well at Class 1. With Kurakane riding, she is a live outside bet. 5th in this race last year.

2. Felix Joy (AUS) [Hard Spun – Royal Amity (His Majesty)] 3 (12/1/2/2) – Yoo Seung Wan
A visually impressive winner over this distance last time out to finally break her maidem. That was at class 3 and she has recent losses to rivals here including Daeryugui Byeol and Marika. Another possible outside bet.

3. Strong Wind (NZ) [Duelled – Seams Of Gold (Made Of Gold) 3 (7/4/1/0) – Oh Kyung Hoan
The likely favourite, she comes into the race off of 3 consecutive wins and has beaten most of this field before. Seemingly class 1 bound sooner or later, if she runs to her best, she will be tough to beat.

4. Daeryugui Byeol (USA) [Rock Hard Ten – Big Miss (Chief Honcho) 4 (18/1/3/2) – Seo Seung Un
Has been in the money in her last 4 outings and has the most in-form jockey in Seoul riding. She shouldn’t have much chance of a win but she will have her backers.

5. Raon Bold (USA) [Big Brown – Wolfendale Island (Unbridled)] 4 (12/3/1/1) – Ham Wan Sik
Has two wins and a 3rd from her last four starts over two turns and drops down in distance here to look a solid bet for a place.

6. Geum Jello (USA) [First Defence – Jennifer Rose (Hennessy)] 4 (13/2/03) – Lee Chan Ho
Holds a win over the distance but has put in two consecutive poor performances since graduating to class 2. She’s had over a month off since the last one but she’s difficult to recommend here.

7. Namsan Chukje (KOR) [Volponi – Simple Charm (Capote)] 4 (13/4/2/1) – Jo In Kwen
One of just two Korean bred entrants, she was 2nd in the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy over this distance last November. May find herself a little outclassed here though and she’ll be an outsider.

8. Big Power (USA) [A.P.Warrior – Dixie Satin (Dynaformer)] 5 (20/3/1/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok
never disgraced but hasn’t been in contention in her last few outings and there’s not much to suggest that will change here.

9. Marica (AUS) [Reset – Teneales Pearl (Redoute’s Choice)] 3 (7/2/2/2) – Jang Chu Youl
Third behind Strong Wind and Raon Ruby at the end of December and a disappointing season’s debut last month – albeit over a much longer distance – doesn’t give much confidence of her reversing that form.

10. Fly Winner (USA) [Unbridled Energy – Legendary Destiny (Giant’s Causeway)] 6 (19/1/1/4) – Lee Ah Na
Another who has found life difficult since reaching class 2 level. Not to be recommended here.

11. Smart Chestnut (USA) [Corinthian – Stillbe (Wavering Monarch)] 4 (19/1/2/3) – Park Sang Woo
In awful form of late and is making the numbers up. No chance.

12. Pinot Noir (KOR) [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacific Bounty)] 4 (9/3/3/1) – Park Hyun Woo
The second Korean bred entrant has talent but hasn’t run since a poor effort in November. She’ll likely be a long price.

13. Raon Ruby (USA) [Tapit – Daisy Dukes (Ghazi)] 4 (10/2/3/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
Will have plenty of support and was narrowly beaten by Strong Wind last time out and there are those who will fancy her to overturn that. It will be tough but she should be involved at the business end of the race.

14. Fly Top Queen (USA) [Henny Hughes – Cape Discovery (Cape Town)] 4 (6/4/0/0) – Park Tae Jong
Defeat in Japan in November followed by a lacklustre performance last month when she finished behind three of her rivals here have taken a little of the shine off Korea’s most expensive ever import. If she runs at her best, she’s streets ahead of this field but doubts over exactly which Fly Top Queen will show up mean she won’t be favourite.

The Segye Ilbo Cup is race 9 of an 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday which runs from 10:50 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 12:45 to 17:00

Weekend Preview

We’re back! After a weekend off for the holiday, the first racing in Korea in the Year of the Horse gets underway at Busan on Friday, the beginning of a busy 3 days on the peninsula.

Joy Lucky makes her 2014 debut this weekend(Pic: KRA)

Joy Lucky makes her 2014 debut this weekend(Pic: KRA)

Pick of the action is at Seoul on Sunday where Joy Lucky (Ecton Park), who finished last year as the strongest filly in the country, kicks off her 2014 campaign in the first of co-feature races. She’ll have the likes of Full Moon Party and Magnifique for company as she drops back to 7 furlongs.

Saturday at Seoul sees plenty of up-and-comers on show. 3-year-old US imports Winning Andy (Cowboy Cal) and Hwanggeum Tap (Tiz Wonderful) finished off last year impressively and look like ones to watch this.

On the domestic front, Jangsan Horangi, Call Me Rocket, Geumbit Hwanhui and Clean Up Speed are all worth watching in their respective races on Saturday.

Friday February 7
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:20

Saturday February 8
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday February 9
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Weekend Race Times

The weekend’s racing got underway at Busan today – Joe Fujii and Darryll Holland both riding winners – and there’s plenty more to come on Saturday and Sunday.

Watts Village returns to Seoul on Sunday

Watts Village returns to Seoul on Sunday

Perhaps the most interesting entry is that of Watts Village in the very last race at Seoul on Sunday.

The US import won the Japan vs Korea Challenge at Ohi in Tokyo last November having earlier run second in the corresponding race in Seoul.

That first performance earned him a rating qualifying him to run at the Dubai Carnival, however, his entry here means that’s now off the table.

He’ll line up as favourite in a race over 7-furlongs which also sees a number of also-rans from last months Grand Prix Stakes make a big drop back in distance to try their luck.

Here’s what’s happening when and where.

Saturday January 18
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday January 19
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Fly Top Queen’s Crown Slips Again

Fly Top Queen stumbled to her first defeat on Korean soil after a lacklustre run alowed Xicar to grab an unlikely victory at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Fly Top Queen is trotted up for the vet after finishing 5th

Fly Top Queen is trotted up for the vet after finishing 5th

Korea’s most expensive ever imported racehorse had, after a year of injury problems, breezed through 4 consecutive wins last summer and autumn without breaking into a gallop before being sent to Japan to compete in the Japan vs Korea challenge at Ohi in November.

Fly Top Queen (Henny Hughes) disappointed there but few expected her to have any problems upon her return to Seoul against what was a less than impressive class 2 line-up over 1700 metres. She was sent off as the odds-on favourite and looked to be fully worth that as she entered the home straight in front and pulling away.

Then, with just over a furlong to go, she stalled. Jockey Cho Kyoung Ho, standing in for the suspended Park Tae Jong, quickly realised there was nothing left in the tank and could do nothing as the chasing pack swept by.

In the end it was Xicar (Written Tycoon) took the win. The 5-year-old Australian mare looked quite a talent when she first appeared on the scene in 2011, winning 3 of her first 6 races. She then went on to lose 15 in a row until today, almost exactly 2 years since she was last victorious, she found herself back in the winner’s circle.

As for Fly Top Queen, the vet found nothing obvious wrong with her. She’s undoubtedly one of the finest bred and most naturally gifted of horses to ever run here but as we knew from the year it took her to be ready to run after arriving, she’s not the soundest. Hopefully her best isn’t behind her already.

Class 2 – Seoul Race Park – 1700M – January 11, 2014

1. Xicar (AUS) [Written Tycoon – Grand Jewel (Brocco)] – Jang Chu Youl
2. Stan The Cameraman (USA) [With Distinction – Always On The Go (Lord Carson)] – Fausto Durso
3. Socheonha (NZ) [Duelled – Interdame (Senior Pete)] – Kim Hye Sun
Distances: 0.5 lengths/1.5 lengths – 11 ran

Weekend Preview: Fly Top Queen, Gamdonguibada Headline At Seoul & Busan

The weekend’s racing got underway at Busan today but there’s still plenty to keep us occupied on Saturday and Sunday.

Fly Top Queen is back home and will be favourite to get her fifth straight win on Korean...sand

Fly Top Queen is back home and will be favourite to get her fifth straight win on Korean…sand

Fly Top Queen (Henny Hughes) is the most expensive racehorse ever imported to Korea. She won all 4 of her domestic starts last year before heading to Tokyo to take part in the 2nd-leg of the Korea vs Japan Challenge at Ohi in November.

She didn’t quite live up to expectations that night, but she’s back in Korea now and will be the heavy favourite to get back to winning ways in race 10 at Seoul on Saturday, a class 2 test over 1700 metres.

Sunday at Busan sees a quick return to action for Gamdonguibada (Werblin). The 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner failed to successfully defend her title in Seoul last month and has a tough ask on her season-debut as a 5-year-old, carrying over 60kg in the class 1 race 6.

The ever-reliable Lion Santa and Viva Ace are among those she’ll be giving weight to in the 10-furlong feature race.

Both Gamdonguibada and Fly Top Queen will have new jockeys this weekend with Lim Sung Sil and Cho Kyoung Ho replacing the suspended pair of Joe Fujii and Park Tae Jong.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Saturday January 11
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday January 12
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:30

Weekend Preview: 2014 Opening Days at Seoul & Busan

The 2014 racing season gets underway in Korea this weekend, headlined as always by the New Year’s Commemorative Race at Seoul.

The punter can get back down to business this weekend at Seoul and Busan

The punter can get back down to business this weekend at Seoul and Busan

That race is the feature of a lengthy 14-race card at Seoul on Saturday while Sunday sees three class 1 races on the peninsula; two at Seoul and one at Busan.

The New Year race, sponsored as usual by Herald Media, brings together a group of horses who didn’t quite make the class 1 breakthrough last year and gives them an early chance to do so this time around.

It’s notoriously difficult to punt on but Blue Camp, Geumbit Mannam and Last Mudae come into the race with the best recent form while Like The Sun and Bulkkot Daewang are proven winners over the distance.

The pony racing on Jeju Island takes a weekend off after running right through the holiday period. Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday January 3
Busan Race Park: 12 races from 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday January 4
Seoul Race Park: 14 races from 11:00 to 18:00

Sunday January 5
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:30

2014 is the Year of the Horse. Come Racing!

Weekend Preview: Busan Takes Centre-Stage

Seoul Racecourse takes a weekend off so Busan switches to Saturday and Sunday for the final racedays of 2013.

Busan is the place to be this weekend

Busan is the place to be this weekend

Both days see class 1 action and while Saturday’s feature isn’t exactly one to set pulses beating too fast, Sunday’s sees the Kim Young Kwan trained duo of Road To Prince and Magic Dancer face off over 1900 metres. The 3-year-old Magic Dancer missed the Classics but has amassed 7 wins and 2 second places from his 9 starts to date and is quite a talent.

Meanwhile, the similarly prolific winner Road To Prince will be looking to get back into form after souring a fantastic year with a couple of lacklustre runs of late. Minister’s Cup victor Major King and Peter Wolsley’s Cheongchun Bulpae also go in what should be a decent contest.

In addition to the thoroughbreds at Busan, there are pony racing cards on Jeju Island on Friday and Saturday. Despite there being no live racing in the capital, Seoul Race Park will be open for simulcasting from Friday to Sunday.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday December 27
Jeju Race Park: 13 races from 11:50 to 18:00

Saturday December 28
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 7 races from 11:25 to 16:35

Sunday December 29
Busan Race Park: 14 races from 11:00 to 18:00