Racing Previews

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

Could Be A Classic

Dongbanui Gangja vs Tough Win Part 2

It could be. This Sunday sees the re-match between double Grand Prix champion Dongbanui Gangja and the young pretender to his crown as best horse in Korea, Tough Win as they both line up for the Group 3 KRA Cup Classic at Seoul Race Park. The pair met for the first time down at Busan in July and on that day it was the three-year old Tough Win who came out on top breaking Dongbanui Gangja’s run of twelve straight victories.

However, the pair never really faced off. The notoriously hard to control Dongbanui Gangja veered wildly off course on the final turn squandering any chance of victory. Tough Win took the victory, but it was a close-run thing with Vicar Love and Yeonseung Daero both getting very very close to him. Nevertheless, he won and good horses don’t need to win by much, they just need to win and Tough Win has a perfect eight for eight.

Choi Bum Hyun will return to partner Dongbanui Gangja. Choi missed the Busan Metropolitan due to injuryand it was Moon Se Young in the saddle when the five-year old went wide. However, in his previous run with Choi on board at Seoul in April, Dongbanui Gangja had done exactly the same thing. That day, he got away with it.

Even if Dongbanui Gangja does stay straight, he will still have to contend with a back-breaking 63 kilos to carry. The younger Tough Win carries more than 4 kilos less. They both have eleven other contenders to deal with too. Larrycat and Hwanggeumjandi are young up-and-comers while Angus Empire and Baekjeonmupae have been competing at the top level for nearly three years now. Owners’ Cup winner Serendipper is the only filly or mare in the race.

The KRA Cup Classic is race 9 of an 11 race card at Seoul Race Park on Sunday. Racing gets underway at 11:20am with the big one at 5pm. Here’s a full list of the runners, weights, race records and rider:

KRA Cup Classic (KOR.G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 3, 2010, 5pm

1. Hwanggeumjandi (USA) – 56kg – (11/5/0/2) – Kim Young Jin
2. Baekjeonmupae (NZ) – 57.5kg – (34/10/7/2) – Yoo Sang Wan
3. Emperor Cugat (AUS) – 53kg – (17/4/4/2) – Han Sung Youl
4. Kahnui Jeonseol (NZ) – 51kg – (24/2/5/5) – Jo In Kwen
5. Free Hugs (AUS) – 58kg – (34/5/9/4) – Shin Hyoung Chul
6. Indian Secret (USA) – 53kg – (21/4/1/2) – Won Jung Il
7. Park’s Pride (NZ) – 51kg – (12/3/4/1) – Lee Gi Hweoi
8. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) – 63kg – (25/17/4/2) – Choi Bum Hyun
9. Tough Win (USA) – 58.5kg – (8/8/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
10. Angus Empire (USA) – 59kg – (38/11/8/4) – Moon Se Young
11. Larrycat (USA) – 55kg – 12/5/3/2 – Park Tae Jong
12. Serendipper (AUS) – 54kg – (30/4/7/3) – Lee Sang Hyeok
13. Cheonjidolpung (USA) – 52kg – (24/5/0/4) – Boo Min Ho

Field Takes Shape For Triple Crown Showdown

Dongbanui Gangja vs Tough Win Part 2 / Triple Crown Concludes

Enough talk of the NGCC and electronic ID cards. We’re back on the track and about to embark on two massive weekends of racing in Korea.

Part 2? Dongbanui Gangja (right) and Tough Win - Pic:KRA

Just a few hours from now, we’ll find out if Dongbanui Gangja and Tough Win will indeed face each other at Seoul Race Park this coming Sunday in the Group 3 KRA Cup Classic. Korea’s best two horses went head-to-head for the first time two months ago in the Busan Metropolitan with young upstart Tough Win taking the honours after double Grand Prix Champion Dongbanui Gangja veered suicidally wide on the final turn. What will happen at Seoul? Full preview to come over the next couple of days.

Regardless what happens there though, a week later we’re guaranteed another top class race the when the 2010 Triple Crown concludes with the Group 2 Minister’s Cup – formally, and wonderfully, known as the Minister for FAFF (Farming, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) also at Seoul Race Park. Derby Winner Cheonnyeon Daero heads north to the capital once more, however, the horse who was second that day, Money Car will not. Whether we will ever see the injured KRA Cup Mile winner back on the track is questionable. Nor will long-shot Oaks Winner Euro Fighter be present.

Cheonnyeon Daero beats Money Car in the Derby

However, that doesn’t mean this isn’t set to be an intriguing contest. Dangdae Bulpae was third in the Derby but is unbeaten since. Most recently, the son of Biwa Shinseiki dispatched an array of big-name older horses in dismissive fashion in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. He is sure to give Cheonnyeon Daero a run for his money. Then there is Glory Yeonggwang. Sent off at 60/1 in the Gold Circle Trophy earlier this month, he upset the odds – and eleven rivals – to take the prize and earn a place at Seoul.

Best Holls - Ilgan Sports winner

Another improver is Best Holls. The surprise winner of the Ilgan Sports Cup will try his luck in what seems a very open field. In Euro Fighter’s absence, the hopes of the fillies look set to rest with Dongbang Rose. She was third in the Oaks but back on her home track could pull off a surprise. Here is the full list of the fourteen horses currently entered (race records/home track):

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

1. Cheonnyeon Daero (13/4/5/2) Busan
2. Dangdae Bulpae (10/7/0/1) Busan
3. Triple Shinhwa (9/3/4/0) Busan
4. Glory Yeonggwang (14/4/2/3) Busan
5. Andy’s Runner (12/3/2/5) Seoul
6. Forest Wind (8/3/0/2) Seoul
7. Bonsol (14/4/0/3) Seoul
8. Dongbang Rose (8/4/1/2) Seoul (filly)
9. Medlin Speed (10/4/0/0) Seoul
10. Best Holls (10/5/1/2) Seoul
11. Gayabobae (11/4/2/0) Seoul
12. Gaecheok (8/1/1/3) Seoul
13. Hey Day (8/2/3/1) Seoul
14. Tracker (9/3/1/2) Seoul

* In Stud news, the KRA announced today that they have purchased the stallion Officer [Bertrando – St. Helens Shadow (Septieme Ciel)], who is currently standing for a $10,000 fee in Kentucky. Officer will be flown to the KRA’s stallion station on Jeju Island where the eleven year-old will be standing alongside the likes of Ecton Park, Volponi and Menifee as well as more established Korea-based sires Revere, Didyme and Psychobabble.

Super Sunday Preview

Governor’s Cup at Busan / Ilgan Sports at Seoul

We’re set for some Super Sunday Stakes Action on the peninsula tomorrow with some cracking races at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday. While Seoul has soaked under monsoon rain for the past 48 hours, the capital track should be largely dry for the Ilgan Sports Cup, while it’s Busan’s turn to have thunder and torrential downpours forecasted. It’s also at Busan where the biggest race of the day will be held in the form of the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

The lights won't be on, but Geumgangi could be back in the Winner's Circle

Here are the fields with runners, riders and race records:

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR G.III)- Busan Race Park – 1800M – September 12, 15:45

1. Sangseung Ilro (KOR) (15/8/3/2) – You Hyun Myung
2. Namdo Jeap (KOR) (22/8/5/3) – Yang Young Nam
3. Lucky Dancer (KOR) (21/9/3/2) – Jo Sung Gon
4. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) (23/10/4/3) – Park Geum Man
5. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) (9/6/0/1) – Jo Chang Wook
6. Khaosan (KOR) (20/6/4/6) – Kim Nam Sung
7. Mulbora (KOR) (15/6/3/1) – Kim Dong Young
8. Golden Appeal (KOR) (12/8/2/1) – Lim Sung Sil

So we have two classic winners in the shape of Sangseung Ilro and Namdo Jeap, this year’s champion three-year old elect in Dangdae Bulpae, the most frustratingly talented horse on the peninsula in Yeonseung Daero and the late developer Lucky Dancer.

The sentimental money will be on Sangseung Ilro but she has her work cut out here. That jockey Jo Sung Gon has opted to ride Lucky Dancer speaks volumes as to their relative chances. Yeonseung Daero pushed Tough Win all the way in the Busan Metropolitan and if he is on his top form, he will win. However, he only brings his top form 50% of the time. A case can be made for all the others too. This is a race to puzzle long and hard over. Let’s hope the weather doesn’t make it any more of a lottery than it already is.

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – September 12 – 17:00

1. Suseong TX (KOR) (15/5/2/3) – Moon Se Young
2. Tamnaseontaek (KOR) (8/3/1/2) – Kim Dong Kyun
3. Dansimga (KOR) (23/2/5/4) – Park Byeong Yun
4. Geumgangi (KOR) (14/4/4/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Khanui Huye (KOR) (19/5/3/2) – Ham Wan Sik
6. Luxury Jewang (KOR) (21/5/2/2) – Boo Min Ho
7. Daehanbobae (KOR) (29/4/4/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
8. Gayabobae (KOR) (10/4/2/0) – Choi Bum Hyun
9. Best Holls (KOR) (9/4/1/2) – Lee Sang Hyeok
10. Andy’s Runner (KOR) (11/3/2/5) – Hirotaka Hamada
11. Super Jet (KOR) (18/6/0/1) – Kim Young Jin
12. Grand Money (KOR) (11/3/4/1) – Park Tae Jong
13. Jebe (KOR) (40/3/2/4) – Jung Pyeong Soo

Geumgangi must be favourite to repeat his victory in July’s Munhwa Ilbo. However, Suseong TX, Daehanbobae and Super Jet are all proven performers at this level while Luxury Jewang is a Stakes winner. Meanwhile, Andy’s Runner, who will be ridden by new Japanese jockey Hirotaka Hamada, is not without a chance, while Grand Money beat Oaks Winner Euro Fighter in his last but one start.

Once the Ilgan Sports is over, there is a class 1 handicap to look forward to. Bally Brae will be running. The former horse of the year will not be favourite – he’s carrying a ridiculous amount of weight – but any opportunity to watch this living legend of Korean racing run, must be taken.

Follow all the action as it happens on twitter at twitter.com/korearacing

Weekend Preview

GyeongNam Governor’s Cup / Ilgan Sports / KRA Jeju Cup

A big weekend of racing in Korea is in store with Stakes action at all three tracks and some of the best known thoroughbreds – and ponies – in the country in action.

Highlight of the weekend is the GyeongNam Governor’s Cup at Busan on Sunday. Only eight will go but they include Classic Winners Sangseung Ilro and Namdo Jeap, plus Yeonseung Daero and young upstart Dangdae Bulpae.

Can Geumgangi make it two Stakes in two months?

Up at Seoul, it’s the Ilgan Sports Cup on Sunday, featuring the likes of Stakes winners Geumgangi and Luxury Jewang as well as up-and-comers such as Tamnaseontaek and Best Holls. Also at Seoul big names Nice Choice, Holy Dreamer and former Horse of the Year Bally Brae will be in action over the weekend.

Down on Jeju, it’s the biggest race of the year on the island in the form of the KRA Jeju Cup. Ten ponies will line up for the event with filly Cheonjibusa – with eleven wins from fifteen starts to her name, heading the weights in the 1700 metre handicap.

We will have a full preview of each big race over the bext couple of days. In the meantime, here’s what’s happening and when:

Friday September 10

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday September 11

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

Sunday September 12

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

* Someone who won’t be involved this weekend is steward James Perry. The Australian has taken the decision to return to his homeland after two-and-a-half years officiating with the KRA at Seoul Race Park. In addition to his regular steward duties, Perry, along with fellow Aussie Brett Wright – now Senior Stipendiary Steward at Busan – began publishing stewards’ reports for each race meeting in English. This initiative, taken by the stewards themselves, was one of the few visible signs of progress in the KRA’s stated policy of internationalization. His presence will be missed.

On his return to Australia with his young family, Perry will be taking up a Senior Steward position with Racing Queensland.