Racing Previews

SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup – Final Preview

The horses have arrived, the draw has been made and everything is set for history to be made on Sunday afternoon as Tosen Archer, Big Gulliver and Final Score become the first foreign-trained horses to run in Korea.

From left: Final Score, Tosen Archer and Big Gulliver

From left: Final Score, Tosen Archer and Big Gulliver

They are accompanied by three Japanese jockeys; Daisuke Mashima, Takehiro Kashiwagi and the veteran 57-year-old Fumio Matoba. Delegations from the Singapore Turf Club and the Dubai Racing Club are also in Seoul for the event.

From left: Daisuke Mashima, Fumio Matoba, Takehiro Kashiwagi

From left: Daisuke Mashima, Fumio Matoba, Takehiro Kashiwagi

Ultimately it comes down to a horse race though and it is an intriguing one. The Japanese trio have impressed all who have seen them in morning workouts since they arrived in Seoul just over a week ago.

Tough Win, seen here w Home hope: Tough Win (KRA)

Tough Win, seen here w Home hope: Tough Win (KRA)

However, the confirmation that Tough Win, considered to be the best horse in training in Korea, will run has given a huge boost to local hopes of a Korean win in the event.

Here is a full run-down on the field of 14 that will contest the big race, shown live on SBS-ESPN at 4:20pm:

SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – September 1, 2013 – 16:20

1. Pureun Miso (USA) [Malibu Moon] 3 Filly (10/4/1/3) – Jun Duck Young
A nice looking filly who looks set to improve more in future. She has, however, been beaten by a number of her rivals here this year.

2. Dongbanjaui Gijeok (USA) [Half Ours] 3 Colt (9/5/2/0) – Moon Se Young
Flopped last time out over this distance in his class 1 debut. Hopefully that was a one-off as he had been showing a lot of promise up to that point. He has the champion jockey on board but it would still be a surprise if he was troubling the places.

3. Tosen Archer (JPN) [Barathea] 9 Horse (47/5/2/5) – Fumio Matoba
Looks like there is little to choose between him and Bug Gulliver as the best of the Japanese visitors, the 9-year-old has been very impressive in trackwork this week and his seemingly unimpressive 5 wins from 47 starts may not mean much.

4. Mari Daemul (USA) [Go For Gin] 4 Colt (17/5/3/2) – Shin Hyoung Chul
Well beaten when finishing 2nd to Tough Win last time out, even though this is a much shorter distance, that will probably happen again. Having said that, he won’t be far off the pace.

5. Sydney Jewelry (AUS) [Lion Heart] 4 Colt (13/6/2/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
The only Aussie-bred in the race has come close but has never won since reaching class 1. He should enjoy dropping down in distance and could be an outside bet for a place.

6. Celebrate Tonight (USA) [Songandaprayer] 5 Horse (24/5/2/4) – Jang Chu Youl
Not in the best of form and while he is another who should enjoy a rare opportunity at running in a one-turn race, it would be a surprise to see him challenge here.

7. Watts Village (USA) [Forestry] 3 Colt (10/5/1/1) – Seo Seung Un
Very nice looking colt, especially over sprint distances. He won’t be favourite but he will have his supporters who believe he can pull off an upset. Worth watching the tote board for some value, be it to win or to show.

8. Gold Big (USA) [Henny Hughes] 4 Colt (24/5/1/1) – Yoo Seung Wan
A solid campaigner but is unlikely to have the turn of foot necessary to compete here. Unlikely to be in contention at the business end of the race.

9. Nolbu Manse (USA) [Simon Pure] 4 Colt (22/5/4/3) – Kim Ok Sung
At one time seen as future star, he has really struggled recently and was well beaten by Watts Village over the distance last time out.

10. Remember Bulpae (USA) [After Market] 3 Horse (8/4/1/1) – Jo In Kwen
The JRA Trophy winner is in really good form and looks a really good prospect. He prefers longer distances but if there is an upset, he could be the one to pull it off. It’s unlikely but if it’s value you are looking for, he could well provide it.

11. Big Gulliver (JPN) [Tap Dance City] 5 Horse (28/8/8/2) – Takehiro Kashiwagi
Another who has really impressed in his trackwork this week, he won his last start last month over this distance and could well start favourite.

12. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska] 6 Gelding (29/22/2/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
The home team’s big hope. He has won at every distance from 1000M to 2000M and given the home bias of punters, he will probably be favourite. If he runs to his best, it will take an exceptional performance from one of the visitors to beat him.

13. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes] 3 Filly (10/3/2/3) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
Her jockey is in incredible form right now and although the filly hasn’t won since landing the Segye Ilbo Cup in February, she will love this distance and is not without a chance of good finish.

14. Final Score (JPN) [Fusaichi Pegasus] 8 Horse (40/6/7/4) – Daisuke Mashima
The least impressive of the Visitors since arriving in Koreaand also on recent form. However, that is not to say he will be too far out of touch. It would be a surprise if he was to win though.

Sunday September 1

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 13:00 to 18:00 including the SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup at 16:20
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 16:45 to 19:40

Tough Win Heads Home Team as Korea Faces Japan in SBS Cup

Tough Win will give Korea a fighting chance of recording a home win when three Japanese horses come to town for the SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup, the first of a two-race home and away series, at Seoul Race Park on Sunday.

Tough Win, seen here winning the Busan Metropolitan Stakes last month, heads the Korean challenge on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Tough Win, seen here winning the Busan Metropolitan Stakes last month, heads the Korean challenge on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

The Japanese visitors; Tosen Archer, Final Score and Big Gulliver arrived in Seoul last week and have looked very impressive in morning trackwork, leading some on the backstretch to fear they may claim what would be an embarrassing 1,2,3 over the Koreans on their home soil.

They will be the favourites, but in Tough Win, a Grand Prix Stakes and Busan Metropolitan winner and former Horse Of The Year, who has won 22 of his 29 starts, Korea fields a horse who knows how to get the job done. He is joined by a few talented sprinters including some who have excelled at sprint distances, but it is Tough Win that the locals are most relieved to see lining up.

It's Korea vs Japan in the SBS ESPN Cup

It’s Korea vs Japan in the SBS ESPN Cup

The race is the first time that foreign-trained horses have come to Korea to run. They are joined by visiting Japanese jockeys Fumio Matoba, Takehiro Kashiwagi and Daisuke Mashima. Seoul’s resident Japanese rider Ikuyasu Kurakane rides for the home team on Segye Ilbo Cup winner Indian Blue.

The race will be screened live on SBS ESPN – Korea’s most popular sports channel in a short broadcast beginning

SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – September 1, 2013 – 16:20

1. Pureun Miso (USA) [Malibu Moon] 3 Filly (10/4/1/3) – Jun Duck Young
2. Dongbanjaui Gijeok (USA) [Half Ours] 3 Colt (9/5/2/0) – Moon Se Young
3. Tosen Archer (JPN) [Barathea] 9 Horse (47/5/2/5) – Fumio Matoba
4. Mari Daemul (USA) [Go For Gin] 4 Colt (17/5/3/2) – Shin Hyoung Chul
5. Sydney Jewelry (AUS) [Lion Heart] 4 Colt (13/6/2/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
6. Celebrate Tonight (USA) [Songandaprayer] 5 Horse (24/5/2/4) – Jang Chu Youl
7. Watts Village (USA) [Forestry] 3 Colt (10/5/1/1) – Seo Seung Un
8. Gold Big (USA) [Henny Hughes] 4 Colt (24/5/1/1) – Yoo Seung Wan
9. Nolbu Manse (USA) [Simon Pure] 4 Colt (22/5/4/3) – Kim Ok Sung
10. Remember Bulpae (USA) [After Market] 3 Horse (8/4/1/1) – Jo In Kwen
11. Big Gulliver (JPN) [Tap Dance City] 5 Horse (28/8/8/2) – Takehiro Kashiwagi
12. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska] 6 Gelding (29/22/2/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
13. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes] 3 Filly (10/3/2/3) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
14. Final Score (JPN) [Fusaichi Pegasus] 8 Horse (40/6/7/4) – Daisuke Mashima

(3yo’s will carry 55Kg and 4yo’s 57Kg. Fillies & Mares receive a 2Kg allowance).

Friday August 30
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 13:30 to 18:10
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 15:10 tp 19:40

Saturday August 31
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 13:00 to 18:10
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 15:10 to 19:40

Sunday September 1
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 13:00 to 18:00 including the SBS Korea-Japan Goodwill Cup at 16:20
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 16:45 to 19:40

Weekend Racing Times

It’s Korean Oaks weekend. See here for a full preview of the big race which takes place at Busan this Sunday.

Busan hosts the Korean Oaks this Sunday

Busan hosts the Korean Oaks this Sunday

Here’s what’s happening when and where across the weekend:

Friday August 23

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 13:30 to 18:10
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 15:10 to 19:40

Saturday August 24

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 13:00 to 18:10
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 15:10 to 19:40

Sunday August 25

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 13:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 16:45 to 19:40 including the Korean Oaks at 17:35

Korean Oaks 2013 Full Race Preview: Derby Winner Speedy First Heads Field

Korean Derby winner Speedy First heads a field of fourteen in the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park this Sunday.

Oaks Favourite: Derby winner Speedy First

Oaks Favourite: Derby winner Speedy First

She will be looking to go one better than the last filly to win the Derby, Sangseung Ilro, who was just beaten on the line as she attempted to complete the double in 2009.

Four fillies will travel down from Seoul and despite the absence of Joy Lucky, the track’s best performing filly, it looks like there are two credible challengers among them in the shape of Cheonnyeon Dongan and Dewma.

Joe Fujii gets the ride on Speedy First while Darryll Holland will be on the dark-horse of the field Raon Bally. If Fujii wins the race, even though he hasn’t matched Toshio Uchida’s total number of race wins, he will surely go down as the most successful foreign jockey in Korea ever.

The Korean Oaks is race 2 of a 6-race “twilight card” at Busan.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders with pedigrees and race records (Starts/1/st/2nd/3rd):

Korean Oaks (KOR GII) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Aug 28, 2013 – 17:35

1. Yuseung Hero (KOR) [Vicar – Angel Party (Elusive Quality)] (9/1/3/2) – Lee Hee Cheon
Landed her only win to date over 1500 metres last time out although the company was nothing special and there’s little suggest she’ll find the necessary improvement here.

2. Miss Quick (KOR) [Menifee – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (12/4/1/0) – Kim Dong Young
She has two 4th places over this distance at Class 2 level which suggests that she is talented but that despite her name, she tends to always find a couple quicker than her. That will probably be the same here although she has a faster time over the distance than Speedy First.

3. Wind Leto (KOR) [Vicar – Kongnoja (Mr. Adorable)] (7/3/0/1) – Song Keong Yun
A Class 3 winner last time out and has never finished worse than 4th. Distance is a concern but she’s by no means alone in that regard.

4. Sand Quick (KOR) [Ft.Stockton – Ascend The Throne (SIlver Charm)] (7/4/1/0) – Lim Sung Sil
Impressive record but her wins have come at 6 furlongs and she found things tough over a mile last time out.

5. Raon Bally (KOR) [Pico Central – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (4/2/1/0) – Darryll Holland
Very much a dark horse here, Raon Bally hasn’t run for 6 months and only race-trialed to qualify here last weekend. Before her lay-off, she was tipped to be quite a talent and with Darryll Holland on board, could be very interesting.

6. Hurricane Jump (KOR) [Commendable – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] (7/3/1/0) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
Was well beaten by fellow Seoul entrants Dewma and Cheonnyeon Dongan in the Sports Seoul Cup over the same distance and despite bouncing back with a win on her return, will have to improve a lot more to overcome that form. She is a half-sister to 2011 Oaks winner Useung Touch.

7. Meru Shine (KOR) [Perfect Vision II – Telequential (Kuetch)] (12/0/2/0) – Lee Ah Na (Seoul)
Took her eleven races to graduate from class 6. She’s not stopping anything else from running so there’s no problem with her being here, but she’ll not be in contention.

8. Speedy First (KOR) [Menifee – Speedy Deedy (Victory Gallop)] – (7/5/0/1) – Kanichiro Fujii
The Korean Derby winner and the obvious favourite. In her only appearance since the Derby, she was interfered with just after the start and unseated her jockey. There will be many who believe that’s the only way she’ll lose here. However, they said the same about Sangseung Ilro, who was pipped on the line in 2009. Nevertheless, a worthy favourite and very hard to beat.

9. Cheonnyeon Dongan (KOR) [Ecton Park – Honeycakes (Hennesey)] (8/4/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
One of few fillies in the race with a proven record over 1800 metres. Cho Kyoung Ho coming down to ride her is a big point in her favour too as Cho is not the kind of man to travel to Busan for the nightlife. A contender.

10. Lady Medal (KOR) [Volponi – Lady Ell (Flying Spur)] (14/2/0/1) – Seol Dong Bok
An unexpected entrant and an outsider having only managed 3rd place at class 4 last time. Hasn’t impressed when asked to go around two turns

11. Miracle Wonder (KOR) [Menifee – Jeongbowang (Concept Win)] (8/4/2/0) – Jo Sung Gon
No ride of Jo Sung Gon’s in a big Stakes race can ever be discounted and this one is no exception. She was a well-beaten 5th behind the very promising colt Magic Dancer last time, but has every chance of competing for at least a place here.

12. Winning Streak (KOR) [Menifee – Black Shadow (Psychobabble)] (9/2/0/2) – Chae Gyu Jun
Her name might be Winning Steak but she’s certainly not on one as she’s not won since March. She won’t win this either.

13. Land Angel (KOR) [Forest Camp – Sheer Abandon (Peintre Celebre)] (9/2/1/2) – You Hyun Myung
Has a win over 1500 metres but that was at class 4 and she’s shown little to suggest that she will be able to compete with some her of her rivals here.

14. Dewma (KOR) [Forest Camp – Wild Cat Strike (Wild Again (8/3/3/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
A chance. Second only to Joy Lucky in her last three starts (a filly who would have rivalled Speedy First for favourite had she been entered here) albeit by substantial margins. Korea’s first female trainer Lee Shin Young has a fighting chance of saddling an Oaks winner.

Weekend Race Times

Busan is back so normal service is resumed at all three tracks this weekend. It is the last week of “twilight racing”:

Friday August 16

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 13:30 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 14:10 to 18:10

Saturday August 17

Seoul Race Park: 13 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 14:20 to 18:10

Sunday August 18

Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Seoul International Jockey Challenge: Day 1 Preview

Macao Jockey Club Cup and Horse Racing Ireland Trophy Feature on Day 1

The 2013 Seoul International jockey challenge gets underway at Seoul Race Park on Saturday. Of the 9 races on the card, two are part of the challenge; the Macao Jockey Club Cup and the Horse Racing Ireland Trophy. Here is a run down of the fields for those races:

Macao Jockey Club Cup – Seoul Race Park (Race 6) – 1300M – Aug 10, 17:40

1. Victory Dancer (18/2/3/1) – Noel Callow
2. Hayan Nuri (14/2/3/0) – Niall McCullagh
3. Sen Tank (9/2/2/4) – Jo In Kwen
4. Blue Camp (8/3/2/1) – Fausto Pinto
5. Daebagyeonchul (13/3/0/1) – Shinichiro Akiyama
6. Black Swan (15/3/2/2) – Park Tae Jong
7. Changcheon (11/2/3/2) – Moon Se Young
8. Geomtan (9/3/2/1) – Raymond Danielson
9. S-Way (11/3/1/0) – Jo Sung Gon
10. Cheolli Gisang (19/1/5/3) Seo Seung Un
11. McKenzie Boy (11/3/1/2) – Yucel Bilik
12. Last Mudae (16/2/4/2) – You Hyun Myung

No stand-outs in this competetive opener although Geomtan comes into the race with the best recent form. Black Swan beat a number of his rivals here when winning last time out, while there should also be support for Blue Camp, S-Way and Derby also-ran Last Mudae.

Horse Racing Ireland Trophy – Seoul Race Park (Race 8) – 1400M – August 10, 19:10

1. Bukdaepung (13/4/2/0) – Fausto Durso
2. Geuma Queen (17/3/2/3) – Noel Callow
3. Chongal Gongju (15/2/4/0) – You Hyun Myung
4. Onnuri Plaza (15/4/0/4) – Niall McCullagh
5. Victory Camp (37/4/1/3) – Shinichiro Akiyama
6. January Queen (18/5/1/0) – Seo Seung Un
7. Eutteum Khan (16/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
8. Chiming Vicar (14/4/2/1) – Raymond Danielson
9. Blue Band Zet (35/3/3/3) – Jo Sung Gon
10. Suho Cheonsa (31/2/4/4) – Park Tae Jong
11. Yeoui Gold (15/5/3/1) – Jo In Kwen
12. Dangchan Miso (23/5/2/1) – Yucel Bilik

A lot of horses here who have struggled to really make an impression since reaching class 2 and many will welcome dropping back in distance to 7 furlongs. Dangchan Miso holds a recent victory over many of those who run here but finished behind probable favourite Yeoui Gold last run. Eutteum Khan, Bukdaepung and January Queen will also have backers.

There are 9 races in total at Seoul on Saturday with the first at 13:00 and the last at 19:40. There is also racing on Jeju Island. On Sunday only Seoul runs with 14 races from 13:00 to 19:40.

Weekend Racing Times: Busan & Jeju Only – No Racing at Seoul

Seoul takes its summer vacation this weekend so Busan runs a short card on Saturday alongside a full one on Jeju Island. On Sunday, Busan has things all its own way with a bumper 12-race program. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Saturday August 3

Busan Race Park: 5 races from 16:10 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 13:00 to 17:40

Sunday August 4

Busan Race Park: 12 races from 13:00 to 19:40

Saturday/Sunday Race Times

With no racing on Jeju Island this weekend, race times are altered a little at Seoul and Busan:

Saturday July 27

Seoul Race Park: 14 races from 13:00 to 19:40

Sunday July 28

Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Busan Race Park: 5 races from 13:50 to 17:40

Busan Metropolitan Stakes: Full Preview

A full-field of 16, including 2 previous winners, will line up for the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes at Busan this Sunday.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon will look for a 2nd consecutive Busan Metropolitan

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon will look for a 2nd consecutive Busan Metropolitan

The race is sometimes known as the “summer Grand Prix” bringing as it does, the best horses from both Seoul and Busan together in a way that only the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes usually does.

This year, though, Seoul disappoints. Granted, they may well have the winner in the shape of 2010 victor Tough Win but apart from him, all the leading contenders are from the host track. Last year’s champion Dangdae Bulpae returns after a 5 month lay-off while Grand Prix winner Gamdonguibada also takes her chance.

Australian trainer Peter Wolsley, closing in on 200 Korean wins saddles, 2 runners while Darryll Holland, Joe Fujii, Masakazu Tanaka and Yukio Abe al have rides. Here is a full run-down of the runners and riders (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, (Runs/1/2/3) – Jockey (Home track):

Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes (KOR GIII) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday July 28 – 16:40

1. Call Me Tiger (NZ) [One Cool Cat – Hairini (Zabeel)] 6 H (27/4/2/2) – Lee Dong Kug (Seoul)
Hasn’t really made the grade at Class 1 and is without a win in 2 years. Won’t change here.

2. Viva Ace (USA) [Macho Uno – Dancing Lake (Meadowlake)] 5 G (25/11/7/2) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
Very solid horse who was 2nd to Beolmaui Kkum and ahead of Gamdonguibada in the Gukje Sinmun Cup last start. Knows where the winning line is and could cause problems. Worth looking at if he seems neglected in the betting market.

3. Wild Myeongun (USA) [D’Wildcat – Start Applauding (Jump Start)] 4 C (15/7/4/2) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Big taent who has only been out of the money once. A rather disappointing 4th last time out behind weaker rivals than he’ll face here and is without a win in three. Will have backers though.

4. Lion Santa (USA) [Lion Heart – Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] 5 H (19/11/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
Was injured for 6 months after this race last year. He won his return and has hit the money on his 4 subsequent starts. It is hard to recommend him at 2000 metres though.

5. Prince Kingdom (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Special Wife (Husband)] 5 G (22/9/4/1) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
Was in cracking form at the tail-end of 2012 but has struggled to repeat this year. A place is not beyond him but a win seems unlikely.

6. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword] 6 G (28/21/2/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
The Boss. He won this race as a 3-year old in 2010 but disappointed in 2011 and 2012. Lost his Grand Prix title last December but has three easy wins behind him this year. He will top many people’s tickets.

7. Murangae (USA) [Sun River – Merrill Gold (Gold Fever)] 4 G (24/1/6/4) – Yukio Abe (Seoul)
You’d think 26 year veteran trainer Ji Yong Cheol would have better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than take Murangae to Busan. His only win was only three starts ago but while he seems a late-developer who runs very consistently, he gets consistently beaten and that won’t change here.

8. Cheongchun Bulpae (KOR) [Milwaukee Brew – Placid Star (Placid Fund)] 4 G (14/8/1/1) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
One of 2 entries in the race by Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley. He has 2 wins from 3 starts to his name at class 1 (including one behind stablemate Ghost Whisper). He is second-string here but Wolsley doesn’t enter his horses where they can’t challenge for money.

9. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadowbryte (Meadowlake)] 5 M (27/3/4/2) – Park Si Cheon (Seoul)
Foinavon in the Grand National, Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby. Those 2 would be nothing compared with Blueband Mama winning this race.

10 Wonderful Namhae (KOR) [Vicar – Make That Call (Glow)] 4 C (19/9/2/2) – Tanaka Masakazu (Busan)
A well-beaten 2nd behind Ghost Whisper last time but has plenty of talent. Probably 3 or 4 will be too quick for him here.

11. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] 6 H (29/19/2/2) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
A 3-time President’s Cup winner, holder of the record for most Stakes races won in Korea, arguably the best horse Korea has ever produced and the defending champion. The problem is that he hasn’t run since February due to injury and was touch and go to make it to the start line here. Comfortably won his race trial earlier this month. If he is in form though, at 2000 metres, he is very difficult to beat.

12. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] 4 F (13/8/2/3) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
Champion racehorse of 2012 by virtue of winning the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul last December, she started this year a pair of routine victories before turning in an out of sorts 3rd behind Beolmaui Kkum last time out. You can’t be out of sorts in this kind of company and if she runs to her best, she has every chance.

13. Hwanggeumjijon (USA) [Medallist – Milady Sadie (Meadow Monster)] 4 G (12/2/1/3) – Kim Gui Bae (Seoul)
Forget Foinavon and Mine That Bird, we’re into Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson territory if Hwanggeumjijon wins this. His jockey, Kim Gui Bae, has been riding for 34 years. In that time he has ridden just 299 winners. This will not be number 300.

14. Eongmandori (USA) [Purim – Allbow (Rainbow Blues)] 4 C (18/4/4/2) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
2nd behind Wild Myeongun on his class 1 debut last time out after 2 smart wins at class 2. Is an improving type but looks a little outclassed here.

15. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] 3 C – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
The wildcard. Full brother to Seoul-based Stakes winning filly Kkakjaengi, he beat three of his rivals here to win the Gukje Sinmun Cup last start with Gamdonguibada among those defeated. That was his frist try at class 1 and, while he’s never gone 2000 metres, there’s no reason to think he won’t get it. A potential star.

16. Ghost Whisper (KOR) [Gotham City – Emmy’s Lullaby] 5 G – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Collapsed with heat exhaustion after this race last year and was given the rest of the year off. In wonderful form at the moment though winning his last 3 outings. Must be given respect and if things go his way, under Darryll Holland, he has the ability to pull off what would be the biggest win of trainer Peter Wolsley’s career.

Weekend Race Times

We start a couple of hours later this weekend. It’s not really evening racing (due to the ongoing supposedly precarious power supply situation in Korea we’re missing out on that this year) but it does give us a little bit more of a lie-in the mornings. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday July 19

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 14:20 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 14:15 to 18:10

Saturday July 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 18:10

Sunday July 21

Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 13:25 to 17:40