Racing Previews

Weekend Preview: Derby Winner Stays Home

Cheonnyeon Daero Heads Busan Owners’ Cup Field

Cheonnyeon Daero’s connections have spurned his invitation to next week’s Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul. However, punters have plenty of compensation as the 2010 Korean Derby winner will line up at his home track of Busan for the Owners’ Cup this coming Sunday. And the race, Busan’s last big event of the year, is made all the more interesting by another two Grand Prix refuseniks in the shape of Golden Appeal and 2009 Minister’s Cup Winner Namdo Jeap, as the trio join eight others in the ten-furlong Championship race.

Cheonnyeondaero poses in the Korean Derby Winner's Circle (Pic: Ross Holburt)

While the Grand Prix is the most prestigious race on the Korean calendar and the call of history has meant Dangdae Bulpae will go north to Seoul next week, joined by the game-for-anything Yeonseung Daero and the precocious Mister Park to take part in a race which will result in an undisputed Champion, realism has kept Cheonnyeon Daero home. And the Grand Prix’s loss is the Owners’ Cup gain.

Aside from the afore-mentioned three, Gold Circle Trophy winner Glory Yeonggwang will be there as will the Peter Wolsley trained pair of Lucky Dancer and Khaosan. Lucky Dancer is a new addition to the Australian handler’s barn while Khaosan is one of his stalwarts. Wolsley is putting Japanese riders on both of his horses, Yoshi Aoki will ride Khaosan, while Hitomi Miyashita will be at the controls of Lucky Dancer.

The big race is off at 15:35 on Sunday afternoon and is the highlight of a six-race Sunday card. Busan also hosts a card on Friday while Seoul runs its usual Saturday and Sunday programs. While there’s no Stakes action at Seoul this weekend, there’s a star-studded line-up in Saturday’s feature handicap as Ace Galloper is joined by Jilpungganho, Big Easy, Nice Choice and Cheonun in a 1900 metre handicap.

On Sunday, it’s Bally Brae time. The 2006 Horse Of The Year is still so fondly regarded that punters voted him an invitation to the Grand Prix. The eight-year old gelding can no longer compete with the likes of Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja or Dangdae Bulpae so connections politely declined and instead he will go in Sunday’s feature. Such is Korea’s handicapping system he will still be top-weight by a considerable margin and so has it all to do to beat a field who on paper and at equal weights, he should make very light work of. He may be getting on but he’s still healthy and gives every impression of loving what he does. And punters love to see him.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders for Sunday’s Busan Owners’ Cup:

Busan Owners’ Cup (Handicap) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday December 5 – 15:35

1. Glory Yeonggwang (KOR) (16/4/2/4) – 54kg – Kim Dong Young
2. King Hunter (KOR) (11/4/2/1) – 53.5kg – Toshio Uchida
3. Lucky Dancer (KOR) (24/10/3/2) – 58kg – Hitomi Miyashita
4. Isidae Gangja (KOR) (22/4/6/2) – 55kg – Choi Si Dae
5. Khaosan (KOR) (23/6/5/6) – 55kg – Yoshiyuki Aoki
6. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) (15/4/6/2) – 55kg – Park Geum Man
7. Namdo Jeap (KOR) (24/8/6/4) – 58kg – Jo Sung Gon
8. Golden Appeal (KOR) (15/9/3/2) – 59.5kg – Lim Sung Sil
9. Sky Star (KOR) (29/5/7/3) – 53.5kg – You Hyun Myung
10. New World Record (KOR) (23/3/4/3) – Yang Young Nam
11. Gangjaui Beopchik (KOR) (28/5/8/3) – Lee Sung Jae

And here’s what’s happening when and where over the first of three racing weekends in December:

Friday December 3

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday December 4

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:20

Sunday December 5

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:35 to 16:30

Weekend Preview

Breeders’ Cup / STC Trophy / Areumdaun Jilju Returns

One of the best developments in Korean racing over the past few years came two years ago when Korea’s very biggest races were made open to horses from both of the peninsula’s thoroughbred tracks. Although Busan Race Park opened in 2005, it wasn’t until 2008 – when the first foals to be attached exclusively to the new track came of age – that horses from Busan could compete in the Korean Triple Crown races.

Last year another two races – including the Grand Prix Stakes were opened up to the Southerners. More progress has been made this year. Seoul’s top two stars Tough Win and Dongbanui Gangja met for the first time in Busan while earlier this month, Busan horses – and jockeys – returned to the capital to sweep the placings in the President’s Cup.

Wrapped Up: Chae Gyu Jun will be back at an even colder Seoul to partner Hwallyeok Energy

This weekend for the first time, the nation’s two-year olds get in on the inter-city action in Sunday’s Breeders’ Cup at Seoul Race Park. Open only to two-year old colts and fillies who were both bred and born in Korea, it means all the entrants will be eligible to take part in next year’s Korean Triple Crown series. Five youngsters from Busan have made the trip North, chief among them the unbeaten filly Hwallyeok Energy.

For Seoul, Gaemamusa and Sun Hero are among the leading contenders. However, there is a lot of potential all the way through the full field of fourteen that will go to post under the floodlights on Sunday afternoon. See below for a full list of runners, records and riders.

It’s set to be a chilly weekend in the capital with the threat of sleet or even snow on Saturday. While the newcomers in the Breeders’ Cup are the highlight, there are a number of more recognisable names racing for big prizes over the weekend. Indeed at Busan on Friday Areumdaun Jilju, previously Busan’s top home-grown horse, returns after nearly a year on the sidelines. Now six-years old, he has a record of 14 wins from 23 starts and has never been out of the money. How fit he is will be tested to the maximum though against a small field containing regular winners Wonder Unicorn, Yoreumbi and Deep Desire.

If that wasn’t enough, on Saturday at Seoul it’s the Selangor Turf Club Trophy
which has some emerging imported talent in it. Skiff’s Chic (With Distinction) and Blueband Mama (Purge) join unbeaten Grand Ace (Grand Slam) in the event which features two Malaysion jockeys. They are Salleh Mutaza and Veerapen Sivan. Unusually for Korea – and in a most welcome development – both visiting jockeys have been given additional rides thorughout the day.

Breeders’ Cup (KOR.GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 1300M – November 28, 2010 – 17:00

1. Heukdujangun (Busan) C (4/2/1/0) – Jo Chang Wook
2. Sun Blaze (Seoul) C (3/2/1/0) – Park Tae Jong
3. Cheonji Horyeong (Seoul) C (3/0/2/1) – Jung Ki Yong
4. Mustang King (Seoul) C (2/1/0/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Hwallyeok Energy (Busan) F (3/3/0/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
6. Gaemamusa (Seoul) C (4/2/0/0) – Park Eul Woon
7. Absolute (Seoul) C (1/1/0/0) – Park Byeong Yun
8. Haesan (Seoul) C (4/0/2/1) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Dallija (Busan) F (3/2/1/0) – Lim Sung Sil
10. Soseuldaemun (Busan) C (6/2/1/1) – You Hyun Myung
11. Useung Touch (Busan) F (2/1/1/0) – Yang Young Nam
12. Winette Dancer (Seoul) F (3/1/0/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
13. Sun Hero (Seoul) C (4/1/2/1) – Moon Se Young
14. King Field (Seoul) C (5/0/1/2) – Lee Sang Hyeok

And here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday November 26

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

Saturday November 27

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:50
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday November 28

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Seoul Race Park looks nice in the snow - there's an outside chance we could see some this weekend

Nonghyup Cup Weekend Preview

Euro Fighter, Dongbang Rose / Symphona Sonata Returns

Winter seems to have given us a bit of a reprieve for the time being so where better to spend the weekend than the racecourse? There are cards at Busan and Jeju on Friday, Seoul and Jeju on Saturday, and Seoul and Busan on Sunday.

More Sunshine this Weekend?

Sunday is the highlight at Seoul when a full field of thirteen fillies will race for the Nonghyup Chairman’s Stakes. Korean Oaks winner Euro Fighter heads the field, but after a disappointing run in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup three weeks ago, she’ll have her work cut-out to prove that her Classic win wasn’t a fluke – Dongbang Rose was third in the Oaks and could go two better on Sunday. See below for a full list of runners, records and riders.

On Saturday at Seoul, there is a return for Symphony Sonata after a six-month lay-off. The lightly raced five-year old is the only foal out of First Violin to have been born during her short time in Korea. Symphony Sonata has a record of six wins from fourteen starts over his two year career. He’s going in a competitive class 1 handicap. Free Woody, Brothers and Machine Gun carry top weights but it looks a very open field.

Nonghyup Chairman’s Stakes – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Nov 21, 17:00

1. Babble Classic (KOR) (8/3/2/1) – Han Sung Youl
2. Magic Collar (KOR) (12/4/2/0) – Kim Ding Kyun
3. Anseong Chukje (KOR) (9/4/1/2) – Shin Hyoung Chul
4. Special Volpony (KOR) (12/3/5/2) – Park Sang Woo
5. Meotjin Segye (KOR) (28/3/4/5) – Choi Bum Hyun
6. Wind Crown (KOR) (11/3/4/0) – Park Tae Jong
7. Rose Cat (KOR) (20/4/2/1) – Yoon Tae Hyoug
8. Selah (KOR) (13/4/1/1) – Jung Ki Yong
9. Ganghan Speed (KOR) (17/4/2/3) – Yoo Sang Wan
10. Beomtti (KOR) (17/5/1/0) – Hwang Soon Do
11. Choedayeonseung (KOR) (11/4/0/4) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
12. Manjeomhwanhui (KOR) (11/4/1/3) – Moon Se Young
13. Euro Fighter (KOR) (11/4/2/1) – Moon Jung Kyun
14. Dongbang Rose (KOR) (9/5/1/2) – Cho Kyoung Ho

And here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday November 19

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

Saturday November 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday November 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

It’s Seoul vs Busan In President’s Cup

Weekend Preview: Dangdae Bulpae / Cheonnyeon Daero / Triple Seven

Seoul is locked down for the G20 summit, but it’s G1 that we’re interested in here and the G1 President’s Cup, the biggest race on the calendar restricted to Korean-bred horses which will be run at Seoul Race Park on Sunday.

Favourite: Dangdae Bulpae

It brings together not only the year’s top three-year olds to face their seniors but also pits Seoul horses against their counterparts from Busan for the sixth time this year. Seoul leads three to two but it is Busan who will be favoured to come away on top on Sunday.

Dangdae Bulpae heads the field. Third in the Derby but a runaway winner of the Minister’s Cup, he’s already beaten older horses in the Gyeongnam Governer’s Cup. Cheonnyeon Daero won the Derby, but was a distant second in the Minister’s Cup and will have to find plenty more to win here. Third in the Minister’s Cup was Glory Yeonggwang, the surprise winner of the Gold Circle Trophy and improving with every race – he’ll have “Mr Pink” Toshio Uchida riding him on Sunday.

All to do: Cheonnyeon Daero

Three older horses also come up from Busan. Yeonseung Daero has been a frustrating talent over the past two years, but he ran Tough Win a very close second in the Busan Metropolitan and on his day, can beat anyway. Golden Appeal has only lost to Dangdae Bulpae in his last four outings while Lucky Dancer is likewise in good form.

For the home team, Ttukseom Cup winner Triple Seven is the biggest name, however, the five year old has been in indifferent form recently and was beaten last month by another runner, Natural Guy, who himself will need to improve a lot to have a chance to win this. Geumgani is improving, with three wins out of his last four, including the Munhwa Ilbo Cup, while Suseong TX was an impressive winner of a class 1 handicap last month. Holy Dreamer, Money Teukgeup, Baengnyeonbong and Hongji complete a field where none can be ruled out entirely.

Home Team Hope: Triple Seven

It’s set to be a great race and will be the culmination of a weekend of racing on the peninsula which begins at Busan and Jeju on Friday and moves to the capital on Saturday before both Seoul and Busan stage meetings on Sunday.

Six jockeys from Busan will be in the capital to ride in the President’s Cup. Jo Sung Gon will be joined by Lim Sung Sil, Park Geum Man, Chae Gyu Jun, Choi Si Dae and Toshio Uchida. Busan is currently mourning the death of jockey Han Sang Kyu in a car accident earlier this week.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders in the President’s Cup:

President’s Cup (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 14, 2010, 17:00

1. Geumgangi (SEOUL) C (16/5/4/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
2. Lucky Dancer (BUSAN) H (23/10/3/2) – Chae Gyu Jun
3. Golden Appeal (BUSAN) C (14/9/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
4. Glory Yeonggwang (BUSAN) C (15/4/2/4) – Toshio Uchida
5. Baengnyeonbong (SEOUL) C (21/7/2/7) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
6. Dangdae Bulpae (BUSAN) C (11/8/0/1) – Jo Sung Gon
7. Cheonnyeon Daero (BUSAN) C (14/4/6/2) – Park Geum Man
8. Triple Seven (SEOUL) H (30/10/4/6) – Choi Bum Hyun
9. Natural Guy (SEOUL) G (27/5/6/2) – Yoon Tae Hyoug
10. Holy Dreamer (SEOUL) G (15/8/0/1) – Jo In Kwen
11. Yeonseung Daero (BUSAN) C (25/11/4/3) – Choi Si Dae
12. Money Teukgeup (SEOUL) C (21/6/4/4) – Park Tae Jong
13. Hongji (SEOUL) H (35/9/11/4) – Lee Sang Hyeok
14. Suseong TX (SEOUL) H (17/6/3/3) – Moon Se Young

And here’s what’s happening where and when this weekend:

Friday November 12

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 13

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday November 14

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Weekend Preview

Big Easy, Ace Galloper, Bally Brae, Larrycat all in action

It’s set to be a glorious weekend across the peninsula and the first racing of November is set to get underway at Busan on Friday with an eleven race card. Busan also holds a card on Sunday while Seoul hosts racing on Saturday and Sunday. As usual, the ponies will be in action on Jeju Island on Friday and Saturday.

Big Easy

Seoul runs a big handicap on each day. In Saturday’s feature, three-year old Big Easy – winner of seven races from eight starts, faces his toughest test yet as he goes against fellow prolific winners Ace Galloper, Seonbongbulpae, Ugildongja and Khanui Jeguk. Also running in the 1900M test is the venerable mare Top Point,

Bally Brae

Sunday’s big event at Seoul sees another appearance by former Horse of the Year Bally Brae. The eight-year old as ever will have it all to do under top weight as he faces younger challengers Nice Choice (in a rare example of a Korean bred class 1 horse racing in open company), Larrycat and Mr Loving Life.

Down at Busan, a number of big names will be in action. On Friday King Hunter heads a field of eleven going after a big prize in a ten furlong handicap, Wonder Unicorn, Bugyeong Choegang and Florida Native join old-stager Golding in the feature. Even on Jeju, they have a big race this weekend – Saturday is “Farmer’s Day” and the ponies have a valuable Stakes race in its honour.

With bright sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high teens, the track is going to be a great place to be this weekend. Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday November 5

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park:10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday November 7

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Seoul Saturday Selections

It’s set to be a glorious weekend in the capital and, with the forecast for cold weather to hit midway through next week it could be the last weekend of the year before the winter coats need to go on. A trip (or two) to the track is therefore a must. Time to take a look at what’s going to win tomorrow.

Tomorrow should be sunny at Seoul Racecourse

First, however, there was a performance of note at Busan this afternoon as three-year old Mister Park scored his ninth straight win. The gelding won with almost contemptuous ease over a field including last year’s Minister’s Cup winner Namdo Jeap. Ineligible for the Classics this year (doubly in fact for being both a gelding and conceived overseas, even though his sire is now in Korea) today’s was his most notable win to date and sets up the prospect of a clash with this year’s Minister’s Cup winner and top three-year old colt, Dangdae Bulpae.

That’s the news, here are the winners:

Race 1: Domestic-bred Class 6 (D6) 1200M – Mighty Kaiser (number 7) will be favoured but Jeonsingapbu (10) is a more interesting bet.

Race 2: Foreign-bred Class 4 (F4) 1200M – Some interesting two-year olds here including the unraced A.P. Dubai (1) who has looked very impressive in trials. Canadian-bred Home For Dinner (4) is also worth a bet to win.

Race 3: D6 1000M – Another baby race. Brief Dream (12) will be hot favourite and should win but if Jeonsingapbu wins race 1, have a little punt on Spino (3). For value, Beongae Gangho (7) should be worth a place bet.

Race 4: D6 1000M – More babies in this one. Good Speed (5) should win but won’t make you rich. Best to pick one of the unraced entrants to grab a place or even surprise the favourite. My Energy (11) could be the one.

Race 5: D5 1200M – Two-year old Sun Blaze (10) easily won his debut and he should win this for Japanese jockey Hiro Hamada. Look for Glory Sun (6) to place.

Race 6: D5 1300M – Hiro Hamada can make it two in a row with Sun Best (1). His main challenger is Hwanggeum Bolt (2). The quinella will not pay a lot if these two finish first and second.

Race 7: D4 1700M – Nice Keeping (2) is coming back off a two month lay-off and has an unfashionable jockey on board, yet has form at this distance finishing second to subsequent Oaks winner Euro Fighter. There will be value to be had. Don’t bother betting to place as there are only seven runners.

Race 8: D4 1400M – Taewangseong (6) is the best horse in the race but Napalsori (5) will be better value.

Race 9: F3 1800M – Black Saint (9) edged out Super Yongwang (1) by a head last time they met. The result could be reversed this time.

Race 10: F2 1800M – Cheonho (11) has the beating of these although Jewang Tansaeng may well be favourite (9).

Race 11: D1 1900M – The feature race of the afternoon. Winner Prince (8) and Taepung Chukje (11) find themselves well handicapped, unlike Gi Ra Seong (2). Machine Gun (10) has a good chance of scoring his tenth career victory.

Race 12: D3 1400M – Decent contest to send punters home with an empty wallet. Filly Babble Classic (2) will come close.

* Racing gets underway at Seoul at 11:20 with the last race at 17:40. Two races will also be simulcast live from Jeju Race Park.

Weekend Preview: Cabbages and (Sport Of) Kings

Of all the crises that could potentially befall South Korea, a punter wouldn’t necessarily have put his money on a kimchi shortage being the most likely to actually happen. Yet happen it has. As The Economist noted, “Forget mad dictators. The price of cabbage is what really worries Koreans.”

It's kimchi - but not as we know it

The track has not been immune. The abberation to the left is what passes for a bowl of steamed kimchi at the Seoul Race Park buffet these days. Partially fermented weeds would be a more accurate description. Even that’s expensive. As prices continue to rise, there seems no end in sight to the shortage.

Luckily one thing there’s no shortage of this weekend though is top flight racing. And very interesting it is too as we have races at distances unusual to Korea.

Three of those big races are at Busan on Friday where we have class 1 events at seven, eight and eleven furlongs. Korean racing history is littered with talented sprinters whose careers stutter because there are no valuable races run at less than 1800 metres but tomorrow, Night Moves, Baekjeom Manjeom and Ganghan Yeoja are among twelve horses who get their chance at a class 1 prize over 1400 metres.

Also on show on Friday will be Mister Park, winner of his last eight races, facing his stiffest test when he comes up against Namdo Jeap over the latter’s favoured distance of a mile. The younger Mister Park has a two kilo advantage and will be favoured to make it nine in a row.

Gi Ra Seong

There are entertaining cards at Seoul on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s feature sees Gi Ra Seong head the weights in a 1900 metre handicap – rather unfair on the six-year old given that he is without a win in seven starts this year. On Sunday the feature is a rare race over the Grand Prix distance of 2300 metres. It’s competitive too. Victory Town will carry top weight out of the twelve runners but with no form at the distance, it is real stick-a-pin-in-it stuff. Here’s what’s happening:

Friday October 22

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

Saturday October 23

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:10 to 17:10

Sunday October 24

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Seoul Saturday Selections

It’s been a long week. Time for some punting. Here is what Gyongmaman will be losing his money on at Seoul Race Park tomorrow:

Race 1: Domestic-bred Class 6 (D6) 1200M – Dreadful fare to begin with. Of these three-year old fillies, Geumbit (Number 1) has done the least wrong and is worth a bet. Lane Green (12) will be more fancied.

Race 2: D5 1200M – Gate Shine (10) will be odds-on. If you must take him on, do so with Yeast (2).

Let's hope for more of this

Race 3: D6 1000M – A host of unraced two-year olds here. Korean punters like experience and will probably make Nicole Windsor (3), who has underachieved in her four starts, favourite. Of the debut-makers, Huimangpyeongchang (6) and Palgigun (11) take the eye.

Race 4: D6 1000M – More two-year olds in this. Arieon (12) and Huimangdaero (3) have placed before but Misocheonguk (1) is where the value will be.

Race 5: D5 1300M – Sharp Concept (9) is one for one and should still provide plenty of place value as few expect him to handle to increase in trip and class. Should they be correct, Eunbit Cheonsa (7) is the one to win.

Race 6: Foreign-bred Class 4 (F4) 1000M – The highly anticpated debut of Mass Media (1). He has the same name as his sire (his original name was Mass Media’s Tea). Should he fail to live up to expectations, Imperial Girl (3) could be the one to capitalise.

Race 7: D4 1700M – Jeongsang Cheonha (1) should have too much for this field. Twenty-one race maiden Yongwangseong (8) could be value for a place.

Race 8: D4 1800M – Small field of just seven means there’s no place value. None of these inspire much confidence although Isang (7) is interesting and Mulmangcho (3) should have a chance at a decent price.

Race 9: D3 1700M – Very competitve. A winner at this class and distance but coming off a two month lay-off and with an unfashionable jockey on board, Power Of Money (3) will offer generous odds.

Race 10: D2 1200M – The Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup – It will be a big surprise if Magic Party (2) failed to land this championship race for two-year olds. You’ll not get rich betting on her though. Smyth (4) will be second favourite for good reason.

Race 11: D2 1900M – Dongbang Rose (5) skipped last week’s Minister’s Cup for this. She’d better win it.

Race 12: F3 1400M – If you’re still in the game by this time, it’s probably a good idea to put your money back in your pocket. Moonhaksan (7) should win this but he’ll be odds-on.

* Racing at Seoul gets underway at 11:20 with the last at 17:50. There is also racing at Jeju Island with nine races from 12:10 to 17:20. Two races from Jeju will be simulcasted to Seoul.

Weekend Preview: Baby Time

Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul / Gyeongnam Sinmun at Busan

Around most of the racing world, it’s the time of year when the two-year old honours start to be decided and Korea is no exception. Things get underway this weekend with the season’s first big Juvenile races; the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul on Saturday and the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup at Busan on Sunday.

Although both races are for Korean-bred horses only, don’t expect to get much of an insight into next year’s three-year old Classics. Six of the eight entrants in the Busan race are what is known as “Po-In-Ma” – horses who were born in Korea but whose dams were in foal when they were imported. As such, although they qualify as Korean-bred, they are excluded from the Korean Triple Crown races (KRA Cup Mile, Derby, Oaks and Minister’s Cup). Regardless of this, there are some exciting prospects in both events

Fillies dominate the entrants – five in the Seoul race and six at Busan and there are some exciting prospects. Unbeaten filly Bulkkot Gisang heads the field at Busan while another filly, Smyth, is yet to lose at Seoul. Here are full lists of runners, pedigrees, race records and riders for both races:

Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – October 16, 2010, 16:40

1. Eocheonmansa [Commendable – Prize Top (Concept Win)] F (4/1/0/0) – Kim Young Jin
2. Magic Party [Artie Schiller – Gigi’s Magic (Allen’s Prospect)] F (2/1/1/0) – Park Tae Jong
3. Queen’s Brown [Didyme – Hallaui Bit (Fiercely)] F (3/1/0/0) – Won Jung Il
4. Smyth [Consolidator – Ghostly Gal (Silver Ghost)] F (2/2/0/0) – Park Byeong Yun
5. Sun Hero [Menifee – Strategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] C (3/1/2/0) – Moon Se Young
6. Sahara [Adcat – Pretty Lil Poison (Hansel)] F (2/0/0/0) – Choi Bum Hyun
7. Ugilcheonha [Vicar – Another Princess (Kingmambo)] C (2/1/0/0) – Ham Wan Sik
8. Cheonjibaram [Ingrandire – Christina’s Star (Kissin Kris)] C (2/0/1/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho

Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup – Busan Race Park – 1200M – October 17, 2010, 15:35

1. Bulkkot Gisang [Langfuhr – Attendance (A.P. Indy)] F (3/3/0/0) – Lim Sung Sil
2. Beongae Bolt [Bellamy Road – Silk Stole (Pulpit)] C (4/2/1/0) – Kim Yong Geun
3. Butterfly [Pioneering – Wild Cat Strike (Wild Again)] F (3/1/1/1) 0 – Kim Do Hyun
4. Heukdujanggun [Vicar – Glorious Thunder (Thunder Gulch)] C (3/2/1/0) – Jo Chang Wook
5. Secret Whisper [Seas Of Secrets – Generals Passion (General Meeting)] (F (3/1/0/1) – Park Geum Man
6. Lucky Chief [Chief Pete – Gamdongjeok (Whitney Tower)] F (5/2/1/0) – Lee Sung Jae
7. Here The Lady [Dehere – Rolling Thunder (Thunder Gulch)] F (4/1/0/1) – You Hyun Myung
8. Myeongmun Power [Aptitude – Missile Defence (Unbridled)] F (3/2/0/1) – Jo Sung Gon

And here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday October 15

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

Saturday October 16

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:50
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:10 to 17:20

Sunday October 17

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Cheonnyeon Daero Heads Triple Crown Finale

Weekend Preview: Derby Winner faces Dangdae Bulpae in Minister’s Cup

The 2010 Korean Triple Crown draws to a conclusion at Seoul Race Park this coming Sunday as this year’s top three year olds come together for the last time in the Minister of Agriculture (FAFF) Cup.

Unlike last year there’s no Triple Crown on the line and only one of this year’s three Classic winners will line up. Nevertheless, it looks set to be a great contest.

Cheonnyeon Daero

Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero heads the field. In his two outings since May he’s recorded a win and a disappointing fourth but he’ll have plenty of backers on Sunday to make it two Classic victories. Joining him on the trip North from Busan is Dangdae Bulpae. Since finishing third in the Derby, he’s unbeaten and is coming off a terrific win in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup in which he beat Namdo Jeap, the winner of this race last year.

Apart from Cheonnyeon Daero and Dangdae Bulpae, Busan, which has been provided the winner for the past two years sends Glory Yeonggwang – the shock winner of the Gold Circle Trophy three weeks ago – and Triple Sinhwa, who was a money winner in both the KRA Cup Mile (Korean Guineas) and the Derby.

Best Holls - Ilgan Sports winner

For the home team, there’s no Money Car – the KRA Cup Mile winner is on the long-term injured list – and without him, it’s hard to see the Trophy still being in the capital on Sunday evening. Best Holls won the Ilgan Sports last month while Tamnaseontaek was sixth in the Derby. Bonsol and Tracker have always threatened to turn into decent horses while Andy’s Runner provides a first Korean Classic mount for Japanese rider Hirotaka Hamada. With Dongbang Rose not making it, Yerimi is the only filly in the race.

The Minister’s Cup is race 9 on Sunday and comes under orders at 5pm. Here’e a full list of runners, records, home tracks and riders:

FAFF Minister’s Cup (KOR.G.II) – Seoul Race Park – October 10 – 2000M

1. Forest Wind (8/3/0/2) Seoul – Ham Wan Sik
2. Bonsol (14/4/0/3) Seoul – Oh Kyoung Hoan
3. Dangdae Bulpae (10/7/0/1) Busan – Jo Sung Gon
4. Best Holls (10/5/1/2) Seoul – Lee Sang Hyeok
5. Cheonnyeon Daero (13/4/5/2) Busan – Park Geum Man
6. Medlin Speed (10/4/0/0) Seoul – Park Tae Jong
7. Glory Yeonggwang (14/4/2/3) Busan – Mun Jung Won
8. Andy’s Runner (12/3/2/5) Seoul – Hirotaka Hamada
9. Tracker (9/3/1/2) Seoul – Lee Joon Chel
10. Yerimi (8/2/2/1) Seoul (filly) – Ji Ha Ju
11. Triple Shinhwa (9/3/4/0) Busan – Chae Gyu Jun
12. Tamnaseontaek (9/3/1/2) Seoul – Kim Dong Kyun
13. Gayabobae (11/4/2/0) Seoul – Moon Se Young
14. Hey Day (8/2/3/1) Seoul – Shin Hyung Chul

And here is what is going on when and where this weekend:

Friday October 8

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

Saturday October 9

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:10 to 17:50

Sunday October 10

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30