Racing Previews

Weekend Preview

Tough Win, Larrycat, Bally Brae in Seoul’s Feature

We had the first icy blasts of winter across the Korean peninsula earlier this week. However, while Trackwork can’t have been much fun on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as temperatures neared freezing point for the first time since March, things are looking good for a glorious weekend.

He's Back: Tough Win

Except for the ponies on Jeju, there’s no Stakes action in Korea this weekend as we build up to next week’s President’s Cup, however, there’s still an awful lot to keep us entertained. After missing the KRA Cup Classic three weeks ago, Tough Win (Yonaguska) returns to action at Seoul on Sunday. His match-up with Larrycat (Fantasticat) in the feature race provides the weekend highlight. Joining them will be former Grand Prix winner and track legend Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae) in the nine furlong test.

Also in action on Sunday will be ever-improving filly Raon Speed Tapit) as she takes on the formidable Balhaemyeongjang (Champali) and the old stager Good Day (Double Honor) in the second of co-features.

We’ll have our eye on Busan for the return of Japanese jockey Eiki Nishimura while Aussie rider Nathan Stanley has his usual array of good chances for Peter Wolsley. Busan’s feature race of the weekend comes on Sunday when Golding (Gold Alert) and Admiral Reigart (General Royal) – both of whom have been stalwarts of the track since it opened in 2005 will come up against each other for the umpteenth time. It’s Stanley and Wolsley who could have the edge though, as they seek a third consecutive win for colt Gyeongkwaehanjilju (Tapit) while young upstart Bello Road (Irish Road) makes his class 1 debut.

As ever, it should be a cracking three days of action. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday October 28

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday October 29

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:25 including the Jemin Ilbo Cup at 16:10

Sunday October 30

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Weekend Preview

Racing is underway:

Friday October 21

Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10
Lion Santa (Lion Hear-Santa Fe Strip), unbeaten in all of his 8 starts to date goes in the first of two co-feature races.
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday October 22

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday October 23

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the Gyeongi Governor’s Cup at 16:40
A full field of fillies and mares line up for the Governor’s Cup including Sen Girl, Urikkot and Mustang Queen.
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the MJC Trophy at 16:10
The Macau Jockey Club Trophy is for three-year olds and bring together late developers both Korean and foreign bred.

Weekend Preview: Baby Time

Racing is about to get underway on what is a wet Friday on the Korean peninsula. This week sees the first Stakes action of the year for two-year olds in the shape of the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul on Saturday and the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup at Busan on Sunday. In a slight change to the usual preview format (i.e. run out of time to do the usual handicap) here’s a brief run down on what’s going on at each meeting this weekend:

Magic Party won last year's Gwacheon Mayor's Cup

Friday October 14

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Normal Friday afternoon card. The feature is the last where former Derby winner Ebony Storm carries top weight. Joe Murphy’s Deep Desire is coming in off the back of a win and remains very well handicapped.

Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Nine pony races on the island with three simulcasted to Busan and Seoul.

Saturday October 15

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at 16:30
Five colts and four fillies make up the field for Seoul’s first two-year old championship Stakes race of the year. Filly Cheoneun (Forest Camp) has been the most impressive so far although Viva Cat (Creek Cat) is also yet to lose and Dolpung Jilju (Didyme) is two for three against tougher competition. An intriguing race.

Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20
Two massive Stakes races for the ponies on Jeju – The Jeju Governor’s Classic and the Jeju Governor’s Open. Unfortunately, neither of those will be simulcasted to Seoul but it is one of the Island’s biggest race days of the year.

Sunday October 16

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Last year’s Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup winner Magic Party has gone on to become a useful three-year old and she runs in the feature handicap alongside fellow fillies Dongbang Rose and last year’s Oaks winner Euro Fighter.

Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup at 16:15.
The Gyeongnam Sinmun brings together six fillies and two colts for Busan’s two-year old Championship. Nathan Stanley returns from illness to partner Peter Wolsley’s Nuriui Bit (Menifee) who has won her only start to date. However, in a field of unknown quantities, anything can happen. In the last race of the day, Mister Park (Ecton Park) will be looking to extend his record-breaking winning streak to 17. Japanese jockey Akane Yamamoto will have the honour.

Weekend Preview

Selangor Turf Club Trophy & KRA Cup Classic at Seoul

KRA Cup Classic weekend is about to get underway – click here for a full preview of the big race – but there’s plenty more happening across the peninsula.

On Saturday it’s the Selangor Turf Club Trophy at Seoul. Two Malaysian jockeys, Ming Wan Teh and Ismail Fadzlei will be in town to ride in the race. Down at Busan there’s also a bonus as Sunday sees seven races instead of the usual six. Here’s what’s happening when and where – the weather is set to be beautiful. Come Racing!

Friday October 7

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday October 8

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Selangor Turf Club Trophy at 16:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday October 9

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 111:10 to 18:05 including the KRA Cup Classic at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Will It Be Ace On A High In KRA Cup Classic?

Last Year’s Winner Misses Out But A Double Champion, A Legend, A Nearly-Horse and Upstarts Clash in Grand Prix Trial

We had the final leg of the Triple Crown last week but the autumn Stakes action is coming thick and fast at Seoul Race Park. This weekend it’s the KRA Cup Classic, a major pointer towards the season ending Grand Prix Stakes which is now just over two months away.

One To Beat: Ace Galloper

Although last year’s winner Tough Win is a late withdrawal, there is still plenty to keep interest alive among punters and fans alike in this ten furlong handicap. Two Korean born horses, Ace Galloper and Baekgwang, take on nine imports including the double Grand Prix Champion Dongbanui Gangja.

Ace Galloper is currently the top ranked domestic bred horse at Seoul and is the one they all have to beat here while the great grey Baekgwang is one of the best-loved.

Jumong

Dongbanui Gangja heads the weights but has only won once since kicking his habit of running wide in the home straight that almost saw him retired a year ago. Jumong, the half-brother of another great name from Korean racing history, Subsidy, is both in form and has a weight advantage as does the returning Bulpae Gisang. Then there are the three-year old unknowns. Could one of them pull off an upset? We’ll find out on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s a full run down of the field (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, Weight (Races/1/2/3) – Jockey):

KRA Cup Classic – Seoul Race Park – 2000M October 8, 2011, 16:35

1. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder-Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] 5 H 57Kg (21/10/4/1) – Won Jung Il
Spent nearly a year on the sidelines but showed a glimpse of the form that took him to victory in the Busan Metropolitan and second place in the Grand Prix as a three-year old in 2009 when winning his last outing in August. Reasonably well handicapped, he could challenge the placings.

2. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] 4 C 60Kg (20/14/3/1) – Park Tae Jong
Regular jockey Cho Kyoung Ho was engaged to ride Tough Win and even though last year’s winner now won’t run, Park Tae Jong keeps the mount. Park has won on him before and Ace Galloper comes into the race on a run of four straight wins. The weight shouldn’t be a problem but this is the first time he’s faced foreign bred opposition. If he’s on top form, he has a very good chance.

3. Celebrate Tonight (USA) [Songandaprayer-My Place Tonight (Out Of Place)] (USA) 3 C 54Kg (9/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
Beaten by Sing Sing Cat in his class 1 debut last time out, it’s tough to make a case for him here. However, he has a significant weight advantage over the more established older horses.

4. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow-Maremaid (Storm Bird)] 6 H 61Kg (31/18/6/2) – Choi Bum Hyun
With his unruly five-year old season behind, we’ve seen something of the old Dongbanui Gangja of late and, given a different ride may have won the Busan Metropolitan back in July. The double Grand Prix winner is to be respected but at top weight, he’s going to have his work cut out.

5. Baekgwang (KOR) [The Groom Is Red-Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 8 H 56Kg (24/11/8/3) – Lee Joon Chel
One of the most popular horses in recent Korean racing history, the grey Baekgwang has on three occasions taken a year out through injury. He’s always come back though and in his 24 races spread over the past 6 years he has, remarkably, never finished out of the money. Like Ace Galloper, he too is facing foreign horses for the first time and this could be his toughest test.

6. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat-Freddy Fenter (Fenter)] 3 C 55Kg (11/5/2/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
Getting better he’s one four of his last five. Still relatively unexposed, he has a big weight advantage over a number of his rivals and could spring a surprise.

7. Captain Cugat (AUS) [King Cugat-Shiva Angel (Marauding)] 7 G 52Kg (33/5/5/0) – Kim Ok Sung
The old Aussie stager who found his way here via New Zealand doesn’t win much and there’s no reason why he should here. A second place behind hotshot filly Kkakjaengi over this distance two starts ago sees him take his chance here but even with a light weight and a decent jockey, he’ll struggle to trouble the placings.

8. Florida Sox (USA) [Woke Up Dreamin-Chordette (Dixieland Band)] 4 F 52Kg (9/4/0/2) – Boo Min Ho
A Stakes winner at age 3, this filly – the only one in he field – needs a lot of time off between races. Her last start ended in a disappointing 13th in the Owners’ Trophy but that was so long ago, it means little. Reunited with jockey Boo Min Ho with whom she’s enjoyed most success.

9. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] 4 C 57Kg (23/8/4/3) – Jo In Kwen
Along with Ace Galloper the most in-form horse in the race. Was beaten by Dongbanui Gangja in June but he was giving a lot of weight that day. The roles are reversed here and the finishing order may be too.

10. Ppoppai (USA) [Rockport Harbor-Fair And Lively (Lively One)] 3 C 53Kg (10/5/0/2) – Ham Wan Sik
His first start at class 1 comes in a very tough race. Like the other three-year olds, he has the weight in his favour but will be an outsider.

11. Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat-Luminate (A.P.Indy)] 6 G 52Kg (30/5/0/4) – Mai Beppu
Finished a very creditable 4th in the Busan Metropolitan but well beaten by Sing Sing Cat and Celebrate Tonight last time.

Weekend Preview

It’s Minister’s Cup weekend! The 2010 Korean Triple Crown series comes to an end at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon. However, that is just the main event of a busy weekend of racing on the peninsula which includes a rare Saturday Stakes race at Seoul in the shape of the Singapore Turf Club Cup.

It’s set to be a beautiful autumn weekend. Click here for a full preview of the big race while here is what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 30

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday October 1

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Singapore Turf Club Trophy Cup at 16:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday October 2

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 including the Minister’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Gwangyajeil Heads Triple Crown Finale Field

All Three Classic Winners Go In The Minister’s Cup

Let’s get the jokes out-of-the-way first. The final leg of the Korean Triple Crown is the Minister’s Cup. And the Minister in question is the Minister of FAFF – that’s Forestry, Agriculture, Fisheries and Farming. But there’s no faffing about in what is set to be a cracking finale to the Classic series.

All three Classic winners so far this season will be there. KRA Cup Mile winner Soseuldaemun will take on Derby winner Gwangyajeil and Oaks winner Useung Touch. However, they are far from the only contenders in a high quality line-up that will race over ten furlongs at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.

Gwangyajeil (Vicar) lead Useung Touch (Menifee) to the line in the Korean Derby

Here is a full run-down of the runners and riders (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) – Jockey (Home track):

Minister of FAFF Cup (KOR.GII) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – SUnday October 2, 2011 – 16:35

1. Raon Speed [Creek Cat-Shakee Ground (Kris S.)] (6/4/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
An improver who should relish going up to 2000M. Can be prone to bad behaviour, he threw his jockey and had to be scratched on his last but one start.

2. Amass [Jamine Langfuhr-Jideokjang (Didyme)] Filly (10/3/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
One of two fillies in the field, she was second to the other one, Useung Touch, in the Korean Oaks in August. There’s no good reason why she should be able to reverse that finish here, but she could be involved at the business end. That regular rider Jo Sung Gon is staying in Busan may be a clue though.

3. Dongseo Jeongbeol [Vicar-Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] (10/6/1/0) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
Getting better as the distances increase, he’s won back to back Class 2 races at 1800 and 1900 metres. He’ll have his supporters.

4. Daejeuimilsa [Sakura Seeking-Light Hearted Lass (Majestic Light)] (11/4/0/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Another late bloomer he’s won his past two races at 1700 metres. He’s not beaten very much so far but any Moon Se young ridden horse is difficult to rule out.

5. Singgeureounachim [Exploit-Singgeureoun (Mr. Adorable)] (13/3/4/3) – Kim Ok Sung (Seoul)
Since finishing third in the Korean Derby behind Gwangyajeil and Useung Touch, he’s developed a severe case of second-itis of late, finishing as runner-up in his last three starts. A very capable colt but he’ll need to find something to win here.

6. Smart Win [Sakura Seeking-Our Kaapstad (Kaapstad)] (7/4/1/1) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
Ran second to Dongseo Jeongbeol last time out bringing to an end a series of four straight wins. Although it proved he was capable of going round two turns he’ll have to find plenty to be competitive here.

7. Champion Belt [Exploit-Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] (10/4/2/3) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
He briefly became the most expensive two-year old in Korean history when he went through the sales ring early last year. He’s struggled to live up to that billing but has developed into a solid performer and arrives here on the back of two straight wins at class 2. His best may be yet to come and this could be his time.

8. Soseuldaemun [Meisei Opera-This Ole Way (Vigors)] (12/3/3/2) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
The surprise winner of the KRA Cup Mile showed up to the Derby in poor shape and was duly well beaten. He’s only run once since, putting in an improved performance in the Gyeongnam Do-Min Ilbo in July. Very talented but a close look at him in the parade ring will be required if he is to be bettable.

9. Useung Touch [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] Filly (9/5/2/1) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Second in the Derby and then the easy winner of the Oaks, this filly is all class. If she’s at her best, she has a very very good chance.

10. Geuma Champ [Vicar-Stormcloudrising (Stormy Atlantic)] (12/5/3/2) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
A late addition to the field after his last gasp win in the Ilgan Sports Cup just two weeks ago. He finished very quickly that day and should benefit from the extra distance. Could prove a handful.

11. Absolute [Commendable-Tai Chi (Quest For Fame)] (10/5/0/2) – Park Byeong Yun (Seoul)
Unpredictible. A good winner last time out over a competitive class 2 field but he’ll be an outsider here.

12. Sun Hero [Menifee-Stategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] (13/5/3/1) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
Champion two-year old last year, he’s had a mixed campaign as a three-year old. He is, however, one of very few of this year’s crop to have already qualified for class 1 racing. He had a tough introduction to that level last month but was arguably facing tougher all round competition than he has here. Should be in the hunt at the end.

13. Gwangyajeil [Vicar-Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] (8/6/0/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul (Seoul)
The Derby winner. And the likely favourite. He’s only run once since that win in May when he battled gamely through a monsoon downpour to win a class 2 race back in early July. But three months on, what kind of shape will he be in. Absolutely fine say the reports but he’s by no means a sure thing.

14. Cheonji Horyeong [Buster’s Daydream-Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] (13/3/3/1) – Akane Yamamoto (Busan)
Brother of 2008 Derby winner Ebony Storm, he’d been something of a disappointment before pulling off a surprise win in the Gold Circle Trophy at Busan four weeks ago to punch his ticket here. Akane Yamamoto rode him that day and the Japanese jockey will be making her Seoul debut here.

Weekend Preview

It’s set to be a beautiful weekend! Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 23

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday September 24

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday September 25

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Weekend Preview

After last week’s break for the Korean Thanksgiving Weekend, racing returns to the peninsula on Friday as a busy three days get underway.

It’s always interesting to see how things are after a blank weekend – especially after Thanksgiving, or “Chuseok” as it is called in Korean. More so than Christmas here, it is the time of year when there is a tendency to over-indulge in both food, drink and carousing.

There may still be some heads when they reconvene at Busan tomorrow. Gyongmaman of course is always sure to steer clear of wine, woman and song and has spent the intervening time carefully studying form. Even so, he’s still got a clue who’s going to win the Ilgan Sports Stakes on Sunday.

The Ilgan Sports is the highlight of the weekend and brings together a full field of fourteen runners over the Derby distance of 1800 metres. There’s a mixture of three-year olds who remain on the Classic trail, such as Geuma Champ, Magnifique and Beongaegangho. They’re joined by ones from last year such as Super Rich and Full Step in what makes for a cracking contest.

There’s plenty else going on too with big handicaps – a sprint on Saturday and a long distance test on Sunday – on both days at Seoul, while Busan also hosts competitive cards on Friday and Sunday. Australian jockey Nathan Stanley will get to put his 100% win record on the line at Busan with five rides across the weekend.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 16

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday September 17

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday September 18

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Weekend Preview

Owners’ Cup At Busan / Kkakjaengi Meets Tough Win at Seoul

It’s Busan Owners’ Cup Weekend and Dangdae Bulpae will be at the head of a field of seven racing for one of Busan Race Park’s biggest prizes of the year on Sunday afternoon. However, that’s just the highlight of a busy weekend of racing in Korea.

Tough Test: Kkakjaengi

And up at Seoul on Saturday we have an absolute belter of a feature race as the star three-year old filly Kkaekjaengi (Put It Back), winner of the Segye Ilbo Cup and Seoul Owners’ Trophy, faces the toughest test of her short career so far taking on eleven older male horses over seven furlongs. And not just any old males. Alongside her will be Tough Win (Yonaguska), who is making his first start since he and Dangdae Bulpae thwarted each other in the Busan Metropolitan in July.

Tough Win is still the top rated horse at Seoul with eleven wins from his fifteen starts. Then there’s Larrycat (Fantasticat), second only to Mister Park in the Grand Prix Stakes last year, he’s making only his fourth appearance of the year and is dropping down to seven furlongs for the first time since he was a two-year old. Then there is Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae). The former Grand Prix Stakes winner will have Moon Se Young back in the saddle for the first time this year and is still capable of pulling off an upset. The big race is race 11 of 12 on Saturday.

It is set to be a beautiful – if ever so slightly humid weekend. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 2

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday September 3

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:55

Sunday September 4

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Owners’ Cup at 16:15 and the Gold Circle Trophy at 17:10