Racing Previews

Weekend Preview: Grand Prix!

Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja, Mister Park, Dangdae Bulpae all face-off in 2010 Championship Race

It’s the big one. The stars of Korean racing will assemble in the floodlit late afternoon at Seoul Race Park on Sunday for the 29th Grand Prix Stakes to decide who is the undisputed best on the peninsula.

The Real Thing: It's Grand Prix Time

If Dongbanui Gangja can win, he will become the first ever horse to claim three Grand Prix. However, he has it all to do. The young upstart, Tough Win has beaten him twice and, in his nine starts to date, has shown no inclination that he knows how to lose.

Then there is the southern challenge. Busan sends seven of the twelve entrants. Chief among them is Dangdae Bulpae. The three year-old has already won twice in the capital, claiming the Minister’s and President’s Cups in dominant style. If he could upset the favourites on Sunday, it would be a massive boost for the Korean breeding industry. Joining him on the trip up the Gyeongbu Expressway is Mister Park. The gelding has won his last ten races and is not coming to Seoul for the weather. Likewise Yeonseung Daero will be there. He pushed Tough Win all the way in the Busan Metropolitan and will be sure to do the same on Sunday.

Face Off! Again. Dongbanui Gangja vs Tough Win

It is arguably the most anticipated race in Korean history. Certainly this correspondent cannot remember a race where no matter which of the twelve entrants win, there is a special story to tell. Which story we’ll be telling come Sunday evening is anybody’s guess. Here’s a full list of runners and riders (Name/Country/Age/Sex/Weight/Race Record/Jockey:

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – December 12, 2010 – 17:00

1. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] 3-G-51kg (11/10/0/1) – You Hyun Myung

A winner in all but his first outing, he’s won five times at class 1. Has managed to avoid the very best and has not taken on imported horses before, but he does hold a five-length win over 2009 Minister’s Cup winner Namdo Jeap.

2. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] 5-H-58kg (26/17/5/2) – Choi Bum Hyun

Looking to make history with three consecutive Grand Prix. Has been difficult to control as a five-year old but, unlike the others, he is a proven winner at this distance. If he can be kept in a straight line, he will take advantage should Tough Win fail to stay the course.

3. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) [Catbird – Silicon Glory (Cure The Blues)] 5-G-58kg (27/10/7/4) – Jo Sung Gon

Jo Sung Gon’s choice to ride this one instead of Dangdae Bulpae isn’t one to please the romantics. The realists though would see he has a point. A proven winner at longer distances, he had an off-day when beaten by a number of this field in the Busan Metropolitan in July.

4. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] 3-C-55kg (14/5/3/1) – Jo In Kwen

Former Grand Prix winner Bally Brae was invited but won’t be running. However, his half-brother will be. Jumong will be an outsider here but the three-year old already has a class 1 victory to his name and looks set to improve even more.

5. Gunham (NZ) [Anziyan – Kaapture The Heart (Kaapstad)] 8-G-58kg (43/10/6/4) – Kim Dong Young

One of the Grand Old Men of Busan, Gunham has had an up and down career but roared back into the winner’s circle last month beating a host of his youngers – and supposed betters. He’ll be an outsider but deserves to cap his career with a shot at the biggest race of all.

6. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] 4-C-54kg (26/11/5/3) – Choi Si Dae

If he had timid connections, Yeonseung Daero would have a much better win rate. Instead, his owners have been sportsmen and have never hesitated to run him against the best opposition available instead of restricting him to face fellow Korean bred runners. He got closer than any horse ever has to Tough Win all the way in the Busan Metropolitan and was second to Dangdae Bulpae in the President’s Cup. This horse is a battler.

7. Global Champ (AUS) [Charge Forward – Amarocco (Brocco)] 4-C-58kg (20/4/3/4) – Mun Jung Won

An improver but has never won over seven furlongs and difficult to see him troubling the placings here.

8. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] 3-C-51kg (12/9/0/1) – Jo Chang Wook

Cheonnyeon Daero may have won the Derby but Dangdae Bulpae is the outstanding three-year old Korean colt of 2010. His Minister’s Cup win was good but his President’s Cup win superb. He comes back to Seoul in search of a hat-trick. It would be unlikely but he has the talent to pull off something special

9. Purely Spontaneus (USA) [Pure Precision – Marquet Order (Marquetry)] 4-G-58kg (22/9/2/1) – Lim Sung Sil

Has had a very impressive four-year old season. Will need to run the race of his life here but cannot be discounted from a place finish.

10. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] 3-G-55kg (9/9/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho

The one to beat in that he never actually has been beaten. The one question is will he stay the 2300 metres? While his first win over Dongbnaui Gangja was marred by the latter’s manners, the second was decisive. Yeonseung Daero got very close to him in Busan though and that extra distance is all that stands between Tough Win and, at the age of three, already being talked about among the greats of Korean racing.

11. Larrycat (USA) [Fantasticat – Tiger In My Tank (Tank)] 3-G-55kg (14/6/3/3) – Park Tae Jong

A pair of good wins in the autumn sandwiching third place behind Tough Win and Dongbanui Gangja in the KRA Cup Classic made him an obvious starter here. Difficult to see him winning but could well make a nuisance of himself at the business end of the race.

12. Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat – Luminate (A.P. Indy)] 5-G-58kg (26/5/0/4) – Boo Min Ho

The friends & relatives vote – and the likes of Cheonnyeon Daero staying home – has got this one in. A good, solid competitor, but out of his depth in this company.

* The Grand Prix is the highlight of three days of racing on the peninsula this weekend. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday December 10

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

Saturday December 11

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

Sunday December 12

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

Twenty-Nine Years of the Grand Prix

While other races may carry more prize money, in terms of honour and prestige, the Grand Prix Stakes is second to none in Korea. It’s a race that has had movies named after it and is, perhaps, the only domestic horse race to register in the national consciousness.

Double Grand Prix Winner: Dongbanui Gangja

Sunday sees the 29th edition of the race. It’s young in international terms, but in a country where the private ownership of racehorses – and therefore prize money and big Stakes races – go back less than two decades, it is positively venerable. With race fans invited to vote on which horses they want to see in the starting gate, it is the undisputed Championship race in Korea. There is no question of the best horses trying to avoid each other as there is nowhere else to go. In the Grand Prix, the best face the best.

This is because whereas the Classics are restricted to Korean bred entrants, the Grand Prix is open to all. Indeed in the previous 28 editions, home-bred horses have ended up in the winner’s circle just three times. Fillies or mares have won the race five times with Ka Shock Do taking back-to-back wins in 1990 and 1991.

The origin of the winners also shows the change in influence on Korean racing. Throughout the eighties and nineties, the vast majority of horses imported to Korea were from the Southern Hemisphere. This is reflected by Australian or New Zealand breds winning thirteen of the first sixteen runnings, compared with just one American. Since the turn of the century, the majority of imports have come from the USA and American breds have won six out of the last seven editions.

As recently as 1999, a non-thoroughbred was triumphant. Saegangja was by the established sire Fiercely, however, his dam Chuk Je, was not in the studbook. That won’t happen again as year on year, Korean racing gradually becomes more mature.

Dongbanui Gangja already shares the record for most Grand Prix wins with two. On Sunday he has the chance to make it three, thereby going ahead of Ka Shock Do and the great Po Gyeong Seon. He’s got a massive task on his hands to prevent a new name being added to the list of horses who, for one year at least, can claim to have been the undisputed best.

2009: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2008: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2007: Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Also has two second places to his name, in 2006 and 2008.
2006: Flying Cat (KOR) [Western Cat – Flying Wood (Tapping Wood)]
2005: Subsidy (USA) [Mr. Prospector – Foreign Aid (Danzig)]
2004: Value Play (USA) [Mt. Livermore – Return Of Mom (Deputy Minister)]
2003: Tempest West (USA) [Silent Tempest – Westabout (Gone West)]
2002: Bohamian Butler (USA) [Patton – Circus Princess (Forli)]
2001: Tahamkke (NZ) [Dance Floor – Cantango (Danzatore)]- has gone on to become a moderately successful sire in Korea
2000: Cheolgeoun Party (KOR) [Big Sur – Party Paint (Acaroid)] – The only Korean bred filly to win.
1999: Saegangja (KOR) [Fiercely – Chuk Je] (non-thoroughbred)
1998: Sin Se Dae (AUS) [Avon Valley – Meroo Star (Starboard Buoy)]
1997: P’Ulgeurim (NZ) [Crested Wave – Evocative (Sea Anchor)]
1996: Hula-Mingo (NZ) [Broadway Aly – Zamatina (Zamazaan)]
1995: Dae Kyeun (AUS) [Northern Regent – Romantic Evening (Sunset Hue)]
1994: Ji Goo Ryeok (AUS) [Pine Circle – Perfect Choice (Lunchtime)] – The first year prize-money was awarded, Ji Goo Ryeok’s connections took home 50 Million won. This year’s winner will receive 212 Million, the same as last year but slightly down on 2008. The Korean Derby is worth in excess of 250 Million to the winner.
1993: Gi Peun So Sik (NZ) [Bolak – Belserena (Serenader)]
1992: Chun Pung (NZ) [Coral Reef – Little Jo] (non-thorougbred)
1991: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]- With her second , she became arguably the greatest filly to run in Korea. In all, she won twelve of her thirteen starts.
1990: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]
1989: Cha Dol (USA) [Mr Redoy – Honest’N Do Right]
1988: Wang Bang Wool (AUS) [Moon Sammy – Aqua Nymph (Crepone)]
1987: Cheong Ha (AUS) [Suliman – Pigalle Wonder (Exalt)]
1986: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)] – with twenty wins from twenty-five starts, he is, along with Saegangja and J.S. Hold one of the three
1985: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)]

Choi Bum Hyun will be bidding to become the first jockey to win the race twice. While the current top four of Choi, Moon Se Young, Cho Kyoung Ho and Park Tae Jong have all won the race once, Lee Sung Il, who retired in 2005 is the only other jockey to have won twice.

* Although this is the 29th running of the Grand Prix, Korean racing records officially only go back to 1985.

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.