Racing Previews

Something’s Got To Give As Dongbanui Gangja Faces Tough Win

This really is the big one. Double Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja, unbeaten in two years, puts everything on the line against the young challenger Tough Win, yet to be tested in seven starts. Alongside them, the supporting cast contains a number of horses rightly considered stars in their own right.

The Busan Mayor’s Cup is at Busan Race Park under the lights this coming Sunday evening and it is unquestionably, the biggest race in recent Korean history. We’ll have plenty more on it before Sunday. For now, here is the line-up in full (Name/Record/Jockey):

Busan Mayor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – July 18, 19:10

1. Purely Spontaneus (USA) (19/8/1/1) – Yang Young Nam
2. Captain Sir (USA) (10/5/3/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
3. Vicar Love (USA) (23/10/1/4) – Jung Ki Yong
4. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) (24/17/4/2) – Moon Se Young
5. Geumbittuhon (USA) (37/3/5/3) – Jung Pyeong Soo
6. Tiffanyuikkum (AUS) (25/5/1/2) – Shin Dae Jun
7. Kahnui Jeonseol (NZ) (21/2/5/4) – Choi Won Joon
8. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) (22/10/3/3) – Park Geum Man
9. Larrycat (USA) (10/4/3/2) – Bang Choon Sik
10. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) (23/9/5/4) – Jo Sung Gon
11. Yeongung Manse (KOR) (23/10/4/3) – Hitomi Miyashita
12. Tough Win (USA) (7/7/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
13. Crafty Louis (USA) (39/15/5/3) – Jo Chang Wook
14. Cheonjidolpung (USA) (22/5/0/3) – Boo Min Ho

Seoul Set For Oaks Trial

Cheonun will be the one to beat when eleven of Seoul’s best three-year old fillies line up on Sunday afternoon for the Sports Seoul Cup, the track’s premier trial race for the Korean Oaks.

With three wins, thee seconds and a third from her seven starts and having beaten decent opposition, Cheonun is likely to be a strong favourite. Nevertheless, there are several others worthy of consideration for the race which, at eight and a half furlongs, is slightly shorter than the big one down at Busan in August.

Hushtilled has the experience and is coming back from a two-month lay-off following while Magic Collar was an impressive winner over the same distance last time out. At the start of the year, Manjeomhwanhui looked a potential superstar. She has struggled in her last two races but both time she was facing older males.

Kanui Byeol has won her last two starts while Candy Gongju is the wildcard having never run more than six furlongs. Meanwhile, Dongbang Rose is likely to have supporters too. Here is a full list of the runners, their records and riders:

Sports Seoul Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1700M – Sun Jun 27, 17:00

1. Special Volpony (8/2/3/2) – Park Sang Woo
2. Cheonun (7/3/3/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
3. Hushtilled (11/3/3/1) – Park Tae Jong
4. Magic Collar (8/4/2/0) – Jo In Kwen
5. Dongbang Rose (6/4/0/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul
6. Euro Fighter (8/3/2/0) – Moon Jung Kyun
7. Kanui Byeol (8/3/1/2) – Cho Kyoung Ho
8. Saeroungamun (10/2/2/1) – Ham Wan Sik
9. Candy Gongju (3/2/0/0) – Jung Ki Yong
10. Blue Band Zet (5/1/2/0) – Boo Min Ho
11. Manjeomhwanhui (9/4/0/3) – Moon Se Young

* Today at Seoul, the big race resulted in a surprise win for 30/1 outsider Necromancer. The Japanese four-year old took advantage of carying significantly less weight than favourites Angus Empire, Bally Brae and Bulpae Gisang to record a narrow victory of Emperor Cugat.

Due to time constraints, full results from all meetings will be delayed a little this weekend but are available on the KRA’s website

6/25 – Weekend Preview

June 25, 2010 marks sixty years since the start of the Korean War. Sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten War” a total of five million people on both sides were either killed or wounded during the three-years of struggle. That total includes over half a million South Korean civilians. 36,000 American soldiers and 1,100 British soldiers were also among 700,000 killed on the Allied side. Those suffered by the North have never been accurately calculated but they were surely even higher.

The city of Seoul today is the finest possible tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for its freedom and indeed, its very existence. Following the end of outright hostilities, South Korea went through a number of turbulent decades before finally emerging as an economic powerhouse as well as one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Meanwhile, across the border, just thirty miles north of the city, a tragedy that has been unfolding for the past 60 years shows no signs of abating.

On the peninsula, the anniversary, while marked, has been low-key. While North Korea has made a rather feeble attempt at rattling the sabre, after the Cheonan incident earlier this year, no-one is in much of a mood to play games.

It is true to say though, that the main reason for the seemingly general apathy is that on Saturday evening, Korea will play Uruguay in the last sixteen of the World Cup. Korea’s recent history means that it does nationalism very well and Saturday’s game is the biggest since Korea fell to Germany in the semi-finals of the 2002 competition.

Of course, this time around, the North were in South Africa too. A creditable defeat at the hands of Brazil was followed by humiliation by Portugal and a hammering by the Cote D’Ivoire. Despite all that has happened, here in the South, the vast majority were supporting the North – after all that has happened, they are still Koreans.

Cheonnyeon Daero

Racing takes a backseat as the nation prepares for the encounter. Nevertheless, it’s a big weekend in prospect. Cheonnyeon Daero makes his first appearance since winning the Derby last month in Busan’s feature race on Sunday. Meanwhile, Seoul hosts its Oaks trial, the “Sports Seoul Cup, where the likes of Dongbang Rose and Hushtilled will be looking to put themselves in the frame for the Classic at Busan in August.

Saturday June 26

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:20

Sunday June 27

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

Weekend Preview

Nice Choice returns to face Ace Galloper

Korea were well and truly beaten by Argentina this evening but not to worry; it’s Thursday evening and a weekend’s punting is almost upon us! Having said that, Gyongmaman’s bank balance has taken a bit of a battering during the World Cup (7/1 Korea to beat Argentina sounded like good value at the time) so he may have to sit a few races out.

Punting or not, there’s something interesting to watch. After four months sidelined through injury, Nice Choice, winner of the 2009 President’s Cup returns to action at Seoul this Sunday. However, the four-year old will have some tough competition when he lines up for the ten-furlong handicap, which is the feature race of the weekend.

Ace Galloper will take on Nice Choice

Also going will be Ace Galloper, winner of six of his nine starts today. Born in Korea but conceived elsewhere, the three-year old wasn’t eligible for the classics and, after a two-month lay-off of his own, looks set compete for some big prizes later in the season. Free Woody and New Rider are amongst the others making up the ten strong field.

Here’s what’s happening where and when this weekend:

Friday June 18

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

Saturday June 19

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday June 20

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

Weekend Preview – We’re With You!

KNN and Owners’ Cups top the bill on big weekend

What a weekend in prospect! First let’s get the important things out-of-the-way:

Yes, the World Cup gets underway on Friday and the South Korean team will be in action against Greece on Saturday evening. Seoul Race Park will stay open after Saturday’s last race for a pop concert followed by the whole game live on the two giant screens at 8:30pm.

Baekpa

Prior to that there will have been a full day’s card of twelve races with the highlight being the very last at 6pm when one time track heroine Baekpa – winner of the 2007 Korean Oaks and the 2008 SBS Cup – makes her second appearance since her long lay-off after returning from the US last year. She carries the lowest weight in an intriguing race that also features the likes of Gi Ra Seong, Good Day and, significantly, top three-year old Seonbongbulpae.

Racing will begin at Busan on Friday but it is Sunday which sees the pick of the action with a double-header of Stakes races at Seoul and Busan. Down on the South Coast, it’s the KNN Cup and a tasty clash of the track’s top four year-olds featuring a host of names from last year’s Classic trail – with one or two older and younger horses thrown in. Cup Mile and Derby winner Sangseung Ilro will be there, as will the runner-up in those races and ultimate Minister’s Cup winner Namdo Jeap. Late developer Yeonseung Daero also goes as do 2008 Cup Mile winner Rainmaker and 2009 Champion Juvenile Night Moves.

Once the KNN Cup is over with, the focus switches to Seoul where it’s the Owners’ Cup. This year restricted to fillies & mares only, it features the likes of Love Cat, Soseono, Lucky Mountain, Pocketful Of Money and last month’s JRA Trophy winner Gippeumnuri in what should be a cracking contest.

Soseono is among the fillies & mares going for the Owners' Cup

We’ll try to put up a full preview of both races – probably between football matches – on Saturday evening.

Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday June 11

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

Saturday June 12

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday June 13

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

Weekend Preview

G20 Finance Ministers are meeting in Busan this weekend. Some could hardly do worse than to pop down to the track where there are ten races on Friday followed up by six more on Sunday which culminates in young upstarts Captain Sir and Useung Geotap taking on Busan stalwart Crafty Louis in the feature.

Key To Success goes on Sunday

Up in the capital it’s getting hot. Not too hot but pleasantly summery. Put simply, it’s perfect punting weather. This should make up for a less than inspiring feature race on Saturday when Natural Nine – a horse who hasn’t won for going on two years – carries top weight among a small field of just seven

Sunday is a little more promising with Bulpae Gisang, Seoul Teukgeup, Torpedo Mast, Free Hugs, Noubeau Riche and a rare British-bred runner in Key To Success, do battle over ten furlongs.

Here’s what’s happening:

Friday June 4

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

Saturday June 5

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday June 6

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

Weekend Preview

Racing is back and Busan hosts arguably the most interesting race of the weekend on Friday afternoon as Hangang Ruby, Ebony Storm, Night Moves and Mulbora are among a full field of fourteen class 1 horses getting a rare opportunity to compete for a big prize over the sprint distance of six furlongs.

As usual, Busan hosts cards on Friday and Sunday while Seoul has its most valuable race of the weekend on Saturday. It’s a relatively uninspiring line-up for the ten furlong handicap, however, with Taesanbukdu slated to be top weight by some 5 kilos. Nevertheless, there’s plenty to get stuck into in the rest of the card on both days.

Suspended - Moon Se Young

Three of Seoul’s top jockeys will be on the sidelines this weekend. Choi Bum Hyun remains injured while Moon Se Young and Kim Ok Sung both begin bans which will last for four meetings. It will be an opportunity for the chasing pack to close some of the gap between themselves and Moon, who is looking to regain the title that he won in 2008.

Here’s what’s happening:

Friday May 28

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

Saturday May 29

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20-18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10-17:30

Sunday May 30

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

It’s Wide Open In The Sports Chosun

Full field for Cup / Tough Win goes for 7 / Namdo Jeap, Sangseung Ilro go at Busan

Just a week after the Derby, Stakes racing is back at Seoul Race Park on Sunday in the shape of the 21st Sports Chosun Cup. For Korean bred horses aged four and up, but who haven’t made it to class 1 yet, it offers an opportunity for those horses who’ve been at the fringes of the top-tier of Korean racing to break into the big time.

Luxury Jewang

A full field of fourteen will contest the nine furlong race and it really is “stick a pin in it” time as any one of a number have good claims. Two horses have won at the class and distance before. Of these Seon San is well favoured while Pop’s Slew will be carrying significantly more weight than when he triumphed.

Luxury Jewang was the first horse to defeat Seonbongbulpae – one of this year’s star three-year olds while Khanui Huye also has notable scalps and was a creditable fourth in January’s Herald Business. Blooming has five wins from just eight starts and while Gamdongui Sungan hasn’t had a good year, a third place last time out suggests he is returning to form. Neither Daesahyoung and Golden Rose should be overlooked while Top Seed is the improver of the race.

Punters, take this one on at your peril but the rewards are potentially big. Here’s the full list of runners and riders with race records:

Sports Chosun Cup (Stakes) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 23, 2010 – 17:00

1. Dansimga (KOR) 4 G (20/2/4/4) – Park Byeong Yun
2. Centum (KOR) 5 M (26/5/1/5) – Yoo Sang Wan
3. Luxury Jewang (KOR) 5 G (19/4/2/2) – Boo Min Ho
4. Mr. Swing (KOR) 5 H (30/3/4/1) – Park Eul Woon
5. Khanui Huye (KOR) 4 C (17/5/3/1) – Ham Wan Sik
6. Free Bird (KOR) 5 M (27/3/3/3) – Lee Gi Hweoi
7. Gamdongui Sungan (KOR) 7 H (40/3/3/5) – Moon Se Young
8. Top Seed (KOR) 4 C (19/2/5/4) – Park Tae Jong
9. Blooming (KOR) 4 C (8/5/1/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
10. Golden Rose (KOR) 4 F (14/4/3/3) – Han Sung Youl
11. Daesanhyeong (KOR) 5 G (23/5/3/1) – Lee San Hyeok
12. Uri Manse (KOR) 5 M (20/3/3/3) – Yoon Tae Hyoug
13. Seon San (KOR) 5 G (18/4/4/4) – Shin Hyoung Chul
14. Pop’s Slew (KOR) 5 G (22/3/4/5) – Kim Ok Sung

Gyongmaman will be losing his money on: 1. Khanui Huye; 2. Seon San; 3. Luxury Jewang; Wildcard bet: Top Seed

Tough Win

Once the Sports Chosun is out-of-the-way, one of the hottest properties in Korean racing will take to the track. Tough Win has six wins from six starts and has Dongbanui Gangja firmly in his sights as they head towards a potential clash in the Owners’ Cup next month. Tough Win will be long odds-on to dispose of a class 1 field.

It’s not just at Seoul where there’s action. Down at Busan, Namdo Jeap, winner of last year’s Minister’s Cup once more faces overseas-bred horses while Sangseung Ilro, last year’s KRA Cup Mile and Derby winner will go in the second of the double feature races.

Overall it’s set to be a great day’s sport. There’s just one problem: It looks set to rain all day!

Sunday May 23

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

Triple Seven Heads Saturday Card

Tough Win, Sangseung Ilro, Namdo Jeap set for Sunday outings

The holiday weekend – Happy Birthday Buddha! – got underway at Busan today. There were wins for highly thought of three-year old filly Money Tree, and the improving colt God’s Word. See Full Results.

Triple Seven

On Saturday, attention moves north to the capital as Seoul hosts its first racing since last weekend’s Derby. Triple Seven makes his first start since winning the Ttukseom Cup last month. Currently ranked the top Korean bred horse in training, the five-year old goes in race 11 and will carry top-weight against a competitive field which includes Baengnyeonbong, Lucky Seven and Mighty Runner.

On Sunday, Tough Win puts his 100% record on the line in the feature at Seoul while down at Busan last year’s Cup Mile and Derby winner and runner-up, Sangseung Ilro and Namdo Jeap will be in action at Busan on Sunday

Saturday May 22

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:30

Sunday May 23

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

Markets and currencies are going haywire so it seems a good time for a little punting. Here are Gyongmaman’s “investments” for Saturday at Seoul:

Race 1: Gangho Tansaeng
Race 2: Branton
Race 3: Haeranjanggun
Race 4: Call Me Tiger
Race 5: Storm Victor
Race 6: Hwajin
Race 7: Horman
Race 8: Silver Way
Race 9: Gippeun Sesang
Race 10: Dosiro
Race 11: Triple Seven
Race 12: Fierfield

Can Northern Ace Stall Money Car’s Triple Crown?

Derby day has dawned bright and sunny and racing is set to get underway at Seoul. At 5pm this afternoon, Money Car will attempt to land the second jewel of the Triple Crown as he goes in the 2010 Korean Derby.

He’s going to need to run better and faster than he ever has before if he is to win. Facing him for the first time is the undefeated Northern Ace who has won all his four races by impressive margins without ever being asked for an effort. This duel is one of the most hotly anticipated in Korean racing for years.

Also there will be Seonbongbulpae and although he will be less-fancied than the other two, he may play a big role in deciding the outcome. He will take on Money Car early and how the KRA Cup Mile winner responds to the unfamiliar challenge will be crucial. If he leaves his race on the first corner, Northern Ace could well be the beneficiary.

Then there are the Busan horses. Four colts are seeking to make it three straight derbies for the south. Cheonnyeondaero is better than his Cup Mile performance suggests while Triple Sinhwa was relatively unknown before being the horse that got closest to Money Car a month ago. “Closest”, however, was still eleven lengths away.

Korean Derby (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sunday May 16, 2010 – 17:00

1. Tamnaseontaek (KOR) [War Zone – Every Michelle (Every Intent)] (5/2/1/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul
2. Gayabobae (KOR) [War Zone – Myeonggaheui (Revere)] (7/2/2/0) – Yang Hee Jin
3. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] (6/4/0/0) – Kim Eu Soo
4. Seonbongbulpae (KOR) [Newsprint – Jeseok (Lost Mountain)] (8/6/1/0) – Jo In Kwen
5. Forest Wind (KOR) [Capital Spending – Coffee Royale (Sword Dance)] (4/2/0/0) – Ham Wan Sik
6. Full Step (KOR) [Didyme – Fox Dance (Foxtrail)] (7/3/1/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
7. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] (10/2/5/2) – Park Geum Man
8. Northern Ace (KOR) [Didyme – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] (4/4/0/0) – Moon Se Young
9. Money Car (KOR) [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] (7/6/1/0) – Park Tae Jong
10. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending – Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] (5/1/4/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
11. The Almighty (KOR) [Capital Spending – Dauntless Cat (Mountain Cat)] (5/2/1/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
12. Donghae Gangho (KOR) [Psychobabble – Nae Myeon (Somalia)] (14/2/1/3) – Kim Yong Geun

Gyongmaman’s Money: 1. Northern Ace, 2. Money Car 3. Cheonnyeondaero, Wildcard bet: Donghae Gangho

* Thanks to Fallight and Roar for the video uploads.