Racing Previews

Saturday Preview

Seoul is getting back to normal after the heaviest snowfall in the city’s hitory was recorded earlier this week. Normal being that it’s still plenty of degrees below zero and that snow remains on the ground, turning progressively uglier by the day.

As of now though, the 2010 season at Seoul Race Park is expected to get underway as planned on Saturday. Today they raced at a chilly Busan, with Jo Sung Gon winning the year’s first race on Widaehan Dojeon, while Jeju also ran its first regular Friday pony card. The rest of the weekend looks like this:

Saturday:
Seoul: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 18:05
Jeju: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:25

Sunday:
Seoul: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Busan: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

As always, the feature event of the opening day of the year at Seoul is the New Year’s Commemorative Race. A full field of fourteen will contest the nine furlong event, among them Winner Prince, Guard Blue and Wangsan. The top horse on show on the day, however will be Vicar Love who lines up in race 11.

Gyongmaman is in the mood for some punting so here is what he will be losing his money on tomorrow:

Race 1: Pretty dreadful stuff to get us underway, Bon Rising might be the least slow.
Race 2: Mr Lucky will be odds-on to do just that.
Race 3: Kkonnuri has been third and fourth in his two outings to date and could score
Race 4: A lot of unknown quanities as a lot of young three year olds go for the first time. Of those who have raced before, Defcon and Golden Impact look the most likely to break their maidens.
Race 5: A tough one, Little Dreamer won last time out but Pilseung Korea may be the better option.
Race 6: Haengbokhan Party should not be beaten under Cho Kyoung Ho. His odds will reflect that.
Race 7: Gippeumnuri has won at this level and distance and could well do so again, Jangta under Moon Se Young might be worth a chance though.
Race 8: Anything could win this as the whole field steps up to eight and a half furlongs for the the first time. Bichui Adeul won’t be favourite, but could win.
Race 9: Jangbi Sarang could be another winner for Moon Se Young.
Race 10: The New Year’s race features a lot of improving young four-year olds. Wangsan and Fundahigh could provide the value.
Race 11: Vicar Love won’t be worth a bet to win. He should but he’s had off days in the past. All nine of his challengers though have dismal recent form.
Race 12: Champion jockey Park Tae Jong should be winning this comfortably on Grand Money.

Christmas Weekend Preview

Baekgwang / Sangseung Ilro / Jockey Title Race
If the story of the first half of the Korean racing year was Sangseung Ilro, the filly who claimed the first two legs of the Triple Crown, the story of the second half was Baekgwang. With the help of stem-cell therapy, the six-year old grey overcame two years of injuries to make an unlikely return to the top-tier of racing and gave Nice Choice a run for his money in the President’s Cup.

It is fitting then that both Sangseung Ilro and Baekgwang should run on the day that brings the 2009 season to a close. Sangseung Ilro will be the main draw of a short four race card at Busan on Sunday while Baekgwang will tackle one of the co-feature races at Seoul on the same day.

Also at Seoul, the Leading Jockey Title is on the line. With last year’s Champion Moon Se Young missing three months of the season due to injury, the race opened up. Cho Kyoung Ho looked to have victory secured until he was hit with a suspension last week which allowed veteran Park Tae Jong to swoop in and take the lead. Park leads Cho by one wins with Choi Beom Hyun a further victory behind. All three have nearly full books of rides and it could go any way.

Busan Race Park
Friday December 25: 8 races, first post 11:30, last 16:00
Sunday December 27: 4 races, first post 12:30, last 16:20

Seoul Race Park
Saturday December 26: 10 races, first post 11:10, last 17:40
Sunday December 27: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:50

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)
Friday December 25: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:00
Saturday December 26: 9 races, first post 13:35, last 17:30

Jeju moves this week to racing on Friday and Saturday – this will be its regular schedule in 2010. After a few warmer days, the cold snap is likely to be back over the weekend. Wrap up warm!

Gyongmaman is currently in the UK for Christmas but will have his spies at the track over the weekend and wishes all punters a very Merry Christmas!

Sangseung Ilro Returns

Derby winning filly takes on 2008 Derby winner at Busan
This year’s KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner returns to the racecourse on Sunday as Sangseung Ilro makes her first appearance since missing out on completing the Triple Crown in October.

Sangseung Ilro was a dominant winner of the season’s first two classics against the colts but then was upset by Pangpang on a hot night in August at the Korean Oaks. Following the Oaks. it emerged that she was struggling with a shin problem and she didn’t reappear until her assault on the Triple Crown at the Minister’s Cup at Seoul in October. That day she finished third behind stablemate Namdo Jeap and Seoul’s top three-year old, Nice Choice.

With rest and recuperation now complete, Sangseung Ilro will line up with twelve others in Busan’s feature race this coming Sunday where she will run straight into the winner of the 2008 Derby, Ebony Storm. The four-year old is himself making his first start since June and what shape either of these two Classic winners are in will go a long way to determining the outcome of this race.

Aside from Sangseung Ilro and Ebony Storm, an interesting field will assemble for the 1800 metre handicap. Carrying top weight will be another three-year old, Top Grade. With six wins from ten starts, the colt will be stepping back a furlong after a disappointing run over 2000 metres earlier this month. Also going will be the always dangerous Sinheung Gangja.

Busan runs just four races on Sunday following on from an eight race card on Christmas Day.

Weekend Preview

The peninsula has been shivering several degrees below zero for the past few days and there’s no let up in sight as the weekend’s racing gets underway:

Busan Race Park

Friday December 18: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 20: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday December 19: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:30
Sunday December 20: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Dongbanui Gangja Up For Grand Prix Double

Seoul Vs Busan Part 6
It’s the race that brings the curtain down on the racing season at Seoul – in theory anyway, in practice they’re racing again next weekend – and Dongbanui Gangja is set to become only the third horse to retain the prestigious Grand Prix at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.

The four-year old is unbeaten this year having won the Owners’ Cup as well as a selection of cherry-picked handicaps and goes in the odds-on favourite. He’ll have nine horses out to stop him, four from Seoul and five from Busan as the season long rivalry between the two tracks also reaches its conclusion.

Busan dominated the Classics, but Seoul won the only race open to older foreign bred horses, the Metropolitan at Busan last month. That winner, Bulpae Gisang, will likely be the biggest threat to his stablemate Dongbanui Gangja.

Bally Brae is back for his fourth Grand Prix having been second in 2006 and 2008 and a winner in 2007. The ever-popular gelding has struggled in his last two races but is re-united with champion jockey Moon Se Young for another assault on his favourite race.

The pick of Busan’s five entrants is Gaeseon Janggun, winner of the Minister’s Cup at Seoul last year and the only Korean bred horse in the race likely to be able to challenge the big guns from overseas.

The race will be off at 4:45pm. Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here is a full run down of runners, pedigrees, records, track and riders:

Grand Prix (KOR. G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – Dec 13, 2009, 16:45

1. Yaho TS (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Propeller (Lear Fan)] C – 3 (15/4/1/1) – Seoul – Yoo Sang Wan
A first attempt at class 1, let alone a Grand Prix. Has potential, but shouldn’t trouble the placings.
2. Haengbok Dream (JPN) [Lammtarra – Sister Slew (Slew The Dragon)] C – 3 (11/4/4/2) – Busan – Hitomi Miyashita
Consistent and with an in-form jockey but would have to run better than ever before to place.
3. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] C – 3 (12/7/2/0) – Seoul – Park Tae Jong
Could be the one to challenge Dongbanui Gangja. Beat Busan’s finest last month and may have a surprise in store for his stablemate.
4. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] G – 7 (31/15/10/1) – Seoul – Moon Se Young
The grand old statesman of the Grand Prix, a Bally Brae victory would bring the house down. Hasn’t been right in his last two outings. If he’s better, he’ll challenge for a place.
5. King Kephalos (JPN) [King Glorious – Western Edge (Woodman)] G – 4 (19/8/3/3) – Busan – Yoo Hyun Myoung
A consistent winner and may enjoy the Seoul track. A chance of a place.
6. Ugildongja (KOR) [Dixie Dot Com – May Roses (Incinderator)] H – 5 (32/10/5/1) – Seoul – Ham Wan Sik
Third behind Baekgwang in October, Seoul’s only Korean representative looks outclassed here.
7. Rolling On Strong (USA) [Werblin – Gracie Gale (Opening Verse)] F – 3 (12/4/1/3) – Busan – Cho Kyoung Ho
The only filly in the race, this will be her first outing in top class company.
8. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] C – 4 (18/9/4/1) – Busan – Jo Chan Hoon
Last year’s Champion three-year old was second to Bulpae Gisang in the Metropolitan. He’s Korea’s best chance.
9. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] G – 6 (34/13/4/2) – Busan – Jo Chang Wook
Has won three out of his last four and is one of Busan’s top handicappers.
10. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] C – 4 (21/14/4/2) – Seoul – Choi Beom Hyun
The odds-on favourite, Dongbanui Gangja is unbeaten since his Grand Prix win last year.

Seoul Saturday Selections

Apropos of nothing, here’s a run-down of Saturday’s card at Seoul Race Park:

Race 1: Super Missile (Number 4) should be favourite but for an outsider, look for Devils’s Win (No.7) to give Hitomi Myashita a win on her first ever ride at Seoul.
Race 2: Persona (No.6)
Race 3: Gaya Bobae (No.8)
Race 4: Blondie Queeca (No.3)
Race 5: Chandra (No.4) will likely be long odds-on favourite.
Race 6: Difficult to call but Jingyeok Bulpae (No.11) ran second last time and has Cho Kyoung Ho taking over in the saddle today.
Race 7: Ace Galloper (No.7) is likely to be another short-priced favourite.
Race 8: Ilgan Sports winner Khanui Jeguk (No.5) should return to winning ways.
Race 9: Triple Seven (No.7) was third in the President’s Cup but Hwangnyongsaji (No.4) is reunited with Moon Se Young and can get back in form.
Race 10: Seonbongbulpae (No.2) can only lose if he falls. In the absence of Northern Ace the quinella market is a little more open than it would otherwise have been but Full Step will be favoured to be leading the chasing group of four home – many lengths behind the winner.
Race 11: Jumong (No.6) will be fancied but he steps up to a class where Black Cat Dancin’ (No.2) has form
Race 12: Under the lights, Never Lose (No.1) shouldn’t.

The first race at Seoul is at 11:10 and the last is at 17:55. The feature race, the re-arranged Herald Media Cup is race 10 and is off at 16:45. It is forecasted to be a bright weekend with temperatures mercifully, the right side of zero.

Weekend Preview

Herald Business / Grand Prix
It’s Grand Prix weekend at Seoul and, after last week’s cancellation, the Herald Business is being run on Saturday. However, just five two year olds will line up for the juvenile championship and among the three who have dropped out during the week is Northern Ace. This leaves Seonbongbulpae as the overwhleming favourite to take the crown.

We’ll have a full preview of the Grand Prix over the next couple of days.

Busan Race Park

Friday December 11: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 13: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday December 12: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55
Sunday December 13: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday December 12: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:15
Sunday December 13: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:35

Weekend Preview: Moon Se Young is Back

Herald Business at Seoul / Owner’s Cup at Busan
December is upon us and no doubt the KRA will have its Christmas tree up at the track this weekend. And there’s some cracking racing in prospect at both ends of the country.

At Seoul, the Champion two-year old title is on the line in one of the most hotly anticipated matchups of the year as Northern Ace takes on Seonbongbulpae (see full preview). Down at Busan, it’s Areumdaun Jilju and Yeonseung Daero going for the Owner’s Cup (see full preview).

2008 Champion jockey Moon Se Young makes his return from injury on Saturday. On August 29 he was thrown from two year old filly Raipai as she bolted out of the gate and into the rail leaving Moon with severely damaged knee ligaments. Initially it was thought he would be out until early next year but after successful surgery – and a restorative trip to the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita – Moon makes his return on Helmitonia in the first race on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Symphony Sonata makes his debut at elite level. The E. Dubai colt will head the weights along with Taesan Bukdu and Namchonuijijon in a ten furlong handicap.

Busan Race Park

Friday December 4: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 6: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday December 5: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday December 6: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday December 5: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday December 6: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Among the many predictions that Gyongmaman got wrong last week was the weather, however, this week he can confidently say it is going to be very cold. It may even snow on Saturday. Come Racing! But wrap up very warm!

Northern Ace Vs Seonbongbulpae

Two-Year Olds Get Down To Business
Last week, Night Moves landed the Champion Juvenile title at Busan. This Sunday it’s the turn of Seoul to award its prize as eight two-year olds go to post for the Herald Business Cup.

And it is a race that punters have been looking to since the summer as the two outstanding juveniles Northern Ace and Seonbongbulpae go head-to-head for the first time. So far both have been flat-track bullies, Seonbongbulpae racking up three wins from three and Northern Ace winning both of his starts by ridiculous margins whilst barely breaking into a canter.

However, Northern Ace now holds the five furlong track record, putting away Ace Galloper, who has gone on to record some impressive wins himself, by ten lengths in the process. Seonbongbulpae has been equally visually impressive. Now it’s crunch time.

Northern Ace hasn’t appeared since August. On that day, he was due to be partnered by champion jockey Moon Se Young. Moon, however, suffered a bad injury in an earlier race and Cho Kyoung Ho picked up the mount. Moon will coincidentally return to the track for the first time this weekend, but it is Cho who retains the ride. Seonbongbulpae has run and won an extra race.

Among the others, Full Step looks promising, but was found out a little when facing older horses last time out. Hushtilled, Yodongjewang and Silver Mon have, like all of the runners, won at least once, but none look likely to be able to live with the two favourites.

Nevertheless, the last time we billed a top Korean contest as being a match-race, it was Areumdaun Jilju Vs Gaeseon Janggun in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan. Both were left embarrassed by unfancied Yeongung Manse.

Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here’s the full list of runners and riders (Name/pedigree/sex/records/jockey):


Herald Business Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – Dec 6, 2009, 16:45

1. Slew Bubble [Field Asuka – Simple Charm (Capote)] F (6/1/1/1) – Kim Cheol Ho
2. Muhandeunggeuk [Trick Of Fate – Odelia (Canny Lad)] C (5/1/1/0) – Kim Dong Cheol
3. Full Step [Didyme – Fox Dance (Foxtrail)] C (3/2/1/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
4. Yodongjewang [Field Asuka – Mary Wonder (Shahrastani)] C (3/1/1/1) – Choi Beom Hyun
5. Silver Mon [Distilled – Silver Fizz (Cee’s Tizzy)] C (2/1/0/0) – Boo Min Ho
6. Seonbongbulpae [Newsprint – Jeseok (Lost Mountain)] C (3/3/0/0) – Jo In Kwen
7. Northern Ace [Didyme – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] C (2/2/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
8. Hushtilled [Distilled – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] F (6/1/2/1) – Moon Se Young

* The 2008 edition of the race was won by Nice Choice who went on to become Seoul’s top three-year old this year. Narrowly missing out on winning a classic, he landed the prestigious Group 1 President’s Cup last month. Whoever wins this year’s race is likely to come up against him at some stage in 2010.

Yeonseung Daero Set to Shine in Cup

Yeongung Manse, Areundaum Jilju, Pangpang also up for Owner’s Cup
Areumdaun Jilju and Yeonsung Daero could have been in Seoul next week contesting the Grand Prix, arguably the peninula’s most prestigious race. Instead they have elected to stay home in Busan where their presence ensures a quality line-up in this coming Sunday’s Busan Owner’s Cup.

While it means the home-bred assault on the Grand Prix will be understrength, given that Yeonseung Daero and Areumdaun Jilju were both beaten in the Metropolitan by Bulpae Gisang – a horse who will be second favourite at best at Seoul next week – perhaps it is an understandable decision.

That’s not to say it will be a two-horse race. Yeongung Manse, though fifth in the Metropolitan, beat Areumdaun Jilju in September and can’t be ruled out. Top Grade makes his first appearance in elite company and is well handicapped. Meanwhile, Glory Champ has won his last two races, both over this distance.

Also well handicapped is the only filly in the race. Pangpang stunned Sangseung Ilro to win the Oaks on a hot evening in August. In her two outings since,she hasn’t troubled the placings but she’s proved she can perform. Galsaek Teukgeup looks outclassed while Conqueror, Sandeomi and Viva Canon, while proven winners, have struggled of late.

It all points to a golden opportunity for Yeonseung Daero, who underperformed in the classics and suffered a near miss in the Metropolitan, to start living up to his undoubted potential.

The race is off at 15:20 on Sunday afternoon and is race 5 of a six-race card. Busan also holds a card on Friday. Seoul will host racing on Saturday and Sunday with the Herald Business topping the bill on Sunday. We’ll have a full preview of that race tomorrow.

Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here’s a full list of the runners and riders (Name/sex/age/record/weight/jockey):

Owner’s Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Dec 6, 2009 – 15:20

1. Glory Champ [Whywhywhy – Tapas (Sky Classic)] C 4 (16/8/2/0) 55.5kg – Yoo Hyun Myoung
2. Top Grade [Texas Glitter – Potential Storm (Cape Town)] G 3 (9/6/2/0) 53.5kg – Jo Sung Gon
3. Viva Canon [Tahamkke – Special Craft (Crafty Prospector)] C 3 (16/3/4/2) 50kg – Kim Yong Geun
4. Yeongung Manse [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] G 3 (18/9/3/2) 57kg – Jo Chang Wook
5. Conqueror [Revere – Model Actress (Stage Colony)] C 3 (14/4/3/0) 50kg – Martin Wepner
6. Sandeomi [Commendable – Regal Meg (Regal Classic)] C 3 (12/5/1/1) 50kg – Kim Eu Su
7. Galsaek Teukgeup [Belong To Me – Parish Land (Deputy Minister)] C 3 (10/1/3/3) – 50kg – Seo In Seob
8. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] F 3 (18/4/1/1) 50kg – Han Sang Gyu
9. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] C 3 (16/8/2/2) 56.5kg – Park Geum Man
10. Areumdaun Jilju [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] H 5 (22/14/3/2) 59kg – Jo Chan Hoon

* In 2008, this race was won by one time KRA Cup Classic winner and track stalwart Luna. The eight year old mare was retired last month after a career of thirty-three outings, with thirteen wins, five seconds and two thirds. Her last race was a win over seven furlongs at class 1 on November 13.