Racing Previews

Grand Prix Line-Up Takes Shape

Nice Choice and Yeonseung Daero-shaped holes
Let’s first get who’s not going to be there out of the way, so that when we have the final preview next week, we can focus on those who will be taking part in the race that traditionally brings the curtain down (for a few days anyway) on the Korean racing season.

Racing fans had their vote and the KRA sent out the invitations accordingly but, in the year that the inclusion of Busan horses makes the Grand Prix truly the test to find the peninsula’s top horse, a number of those who should be there won’t be.

Nice Choice was second in the poll, but he won’t be there. Neither will Areumdaun Jilju, Yeonseung Daero or Sangseung Ilro from Busan. The former two will run in the Busan Owner’s Cup on December 6, while Sangseung Ilro’s legs are not up to the rigours of 2300 metres around Seoul in winter.

Yeonseung Daero’s absence may be felt the most. Sent off favourite in the KRA Cup Mile and highly fancied for the Derby, he missed out both times but there are strong suspicions that he may be on the verge of producing something special – many punters felt that he had Choi Beom Hyun been riding him, rather than Bulpae Gisang in the Busan Metropolitan last month, the result would have been different.

Those who will skip the event may be forgiven, however. Dongbanui Gangja has been in imperious form this year. Six runs, six wins. He’s a closer rather than a front-runner and that usually leads to butterflies but he has swatted away all comers this year in dismissive fashion. Stepping back up to 2300 metres is unliklely to faze him and it is difficult to see him being beaten.

Bally Brae is back to try. A winner once and second twice, he landed a couple of win earlier in the year but has suffered recently. There was speculation that he might be given a long break but the lure of the Grand Prix has proved too much for his connections. As ever, he will give his all and if he pulls it off, there won;t be a dry eye in the house (…maybe). Of the Seoul contingent though, Dongbanui Gangja’s stablemate, Bulpae Gisang, Busan Metropolitan winner, may be his greatest danger.

From Busan, Gaeseon Janggun, winner of the 2008 Minister’s Cup will fly the flag for Korea while Crafty Louis and King Kephalos are both solid performers. Haengbok Dream has potential while Rolling On Strong is set to be the only filly or mare in the race.

Here’s the full list of confirmed entries so far (Name/Pedigree/Sex/Age/Record):

Seoul

Yaho TS (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Propeller (Lear Fan)] C – 3 (15/4/1/1)
Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] G – 7 (31/15/10/1)
Ugildongja (KOR) [Dixie Dot Com – May Roses (Incinderator)] H – 5 (32/10/5/1)
Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] C – 4 (21/14/4/2)
Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] C – 3 (12/7/2/0)

Busan

Haengbok Dream (JPN) [Lammtarra – Sister Slew (Slew The Dragon)] C – 3 (11/4/4/2)
King Kephalos (JPN) [King Glorious – Western Edge (Woodman)] G – 4 (19/8/3/3)
Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] C – 4 (18/9/4/1)
Rolling On Strong (USA) [Werblin – Gracie Gale (Opening Verse)] F – 3 (12/4/1/3)
Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] G – 6 (34/13/4/2)

Here’s Dongbanui Gangja winning last year from Bally Brae in second and Myeongmun Gamun in third:

Weekend Preview

It’s set to be a good one. Down at Busan, the Juvenile Championship is on the line while at Seoul, a pair of top races on Saturday and Sunday ensure a fascinating weekend is in prospect.

Busan kicks things off on Friday, with ten races topped off by a class 1 handicap over a mile, featuring a number of three-year olds that, for varying reasons, missed out on the top prizes in the Triple Crown. At some point this year, Impeccable, Mupae Star, Suryeohan, Tamna Hero and Bukgeukseong all looked set to go on and land some really bug prozes. One of them has the opportunity to do so here.

Sunday is the Busan Breeders’ Cup, the southern track’s top race for two-year olds. Four colts and five fillies will go to post at 15:20 for the six furlong test. Among them will be the unbeaten pair of Night Moves and Super Jilju.

Seoul races, as ever, on Saturday and Sunday and both days boast a top class feature race. On Saturday some of the track’s top Korean bred horses go for a big prize over 2000 metres. Gi Ra Seong, Top Point, Hwangnyongsaji, Free Woody and Blue Pin are among those with claims in what looks an intriguing contest. Earlier in the day, YTN Cup winner Soseono will also be in action.

On Sunday, it’s the turn of overseas bred horses to take centre stage. Gamadongja, Vicar Love, Coleraine, Serendipper, Khanui Jeonseol and Tiffanyuikkum all go over the Grand Prix distance of 2300 metres.

Not to be forgotten is the Jockey’s Championship. Just five winners separate Cho Kyoung Ho, Park Tae Jong and Choi Beom Hyun at the top of the standings wiht just four weekends left. All three have near full books of competitive rides in the most open Championship race for years.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 27: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 29: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 28: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 29: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 28: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 29: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

To make things even better, the weather is set to be mild with temperatures hovering around 10C above zero and no rain forecast for all three days. Come Racing!

Weekend Preview

It’s Nonghyup Cup day on Sunday and, while there’s disappointment that Baekpa, back in Korea after her dispiriting summer in the US, doesn’t go, Sunday’s big race should still be an entertaining climax to a busy weekend of racing on the peninsula.

We’ll have a full preview of the race over the next couple of days:

Busan Race Park

Friday November 20: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 22: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 21: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 22: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 21: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 22: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Baekgwang Must Overcome The Odds Again

President’s Cup – Nice Choice strongly fancied to spoil fairytale ending to incredible comeback
As the start of 2009, although it was well-known that Baekgwang, champion three-year old of 2006, had undergone stem-cell treatment, few dared to hope that the much-loved grey would even return to the track, yet alone show something of his old form.

Return he did, however, running fourth in the SBS Cup in August. This was followed by a battling second place to Gi Ra Seong in September and then finally, last month picking off a class 1 handicap to find himself back in the winners’ circle following a characteristic come-from-behind run. On Sunday afternoon the six-year-old will line up against the track’s top Korean bred horses in the President’s Cup -the “Dae-Tong-Lyong-Bae” where the season’s top three-year olds meet the best older horses.

With the “Po-In-Ma Troika” of Secret Weapon, Gi Ra Seong and Top Point all ineligible (having been conceived overseas), Baekgwang has a good shot at landing the biggest prize of his career. However, there are plenty of talented runners out to stop him.

Nice Choice is the track’s top three-year old. After a poor run in the Derby, he finally showed his class by wining August’s Ilgan Sports. Just edged out in the Minister’s Cup by Namdo Jeap – and finishing ahead of Sangseung Ilro – he is the one to beat here. Second in the Ilgan was another three-year old, Khanui Jeguk. He went on to win the Munhwa Ilbo and, like Nice Choice, he’ll have a big weight advantage over the older horses.

Aside from Baekgwang, Natural Nine is one of those older entrants who must be considered as must Ttukseom Cup winner Mighty Runner. Triple Seven, who will have a lot of backers, and Wontagui Gisa have also both shown this year that they know what to do in the final furlong.

At post time tomorrow, however, all eyes will be on stall number 7. If Baekgwang can somehow pull this off, even the most hard-bitten of punter will raise a smile.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders:

Name/Pedigree/Age/Record/Jockey – All are Korean bred.

President’s Cup (KOR. G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Nov 15, 2009 – 16:45

1. Natural Guy [Social Charter – Rocky Stream (Reprimand)] 4 (16/4/6/1) – Yoo Sang Wan
2. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] 3 (11/7/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Nice Good [Concept Win – Whenisitmyturn (Never Tabled)] 4 (19/5/4/4) – Shim Seung Tae
4. Wontagui Gisa [Fiercely -Grove Lady (Varick)] 5 (22/6/2/4) – Jung Ki Young
5. Baengnokjeong [Slew O’Green – Lesu Run (Proper Reality)] 6 (26/7/2/3) – Hwang Soon Do
6. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] 3 (12/5/2/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Baekgwang [The Groom Is Red – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 6 (20/10/6/3) – Park Tae Jong
8. Natural Nine [Revere – C. Bop (Aly Dark)] 5 (24/7/5/5) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Triple Seven [The Groom Is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] 4 (21/5/3/5) – Choi Beom Hyun
10. Saebyeok Achim [Social Charter – Cheongpa (The Rogers Four)] 4 (26/5/6/3) – Park Byoung Yoon
11. Lucky Seven [Didyme – Agent Flirt (Double Agent)] 7 (27/5/7/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok
12. Mighty Runner [Pacificbounty – Roan All Over (Fight Over)] 5 (25/7/3/7) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
13. Huimang Energy[Ft. Stockton – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 5 (19/7/3/4) – Ham Wan Sik
14. New Rider [Road Of War – Flyin Kristen (Exclusive Gem)] 6 (43/5/5/2) – Yoshiyuki Aoki

Weekend Preview

It’s President’s Cup weekend at Seoul Race Park with the big race off at 16:45 on Sunday. It will be the culmination of an as ever busy weekend of racing on the Korean peninsula which gets under way at Busan on Friday.

We’ll have a full preview of the President’s Cup on the site tomorrow.

Busan Race Park

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

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 14: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 15: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 14: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 15: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Weekend Preview

There was a brief flirtation with winter across the Korean peninsula this week as temperatures dropped below freezing on Monday and Tuesday. Trackwork on Monday morning can’t have been much fun but it’s warmed up again now and we’re back in the mid twenties as Busan gets the weekend’s racing underway on Friday afternoon.

Seoul ended up racing under floodlights last weekend and brings the first race forward by ten minutes this time. Free Hugs and Pocketful of Money will be in action on what is a reasonably low-key two days of racing in the capital prior to next week’s President’s Cup. One to watch out for is two year old Full Step who goes in race 8 on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 6: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 8: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 7: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 8: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday November 7: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:15
Sunday November 8: 10 races, first 12:30, last 17:15

Weekend Preview

The Busan Mayor’s Cup headlines a weekend which also sees the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup at Seoul on Sunday, while a number of big name horses make appearances across the weekend.

Seoul Vs Busan Part 5 takes centre stage at Busan while up and coming fillies will run for the valuable Gyeonggi Cup at Seoul. Meanwhile, the likes of Bally Brae, Angus Empire, Namchonuijijon and Machine Gun will be in action.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 30: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 1: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 31: 12 races. first post 11:20, last 17:50
Sunday November 1: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday October 31: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20
Sunday November 1: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

It’s Busan Vs Seoul as Hardride Defends Cup

Six head down to try to break Busan’s domination
It’s Busan vs Seoul part 5, but this time it’s different. While up until now, only the three year old classics have been contested by horses from both tracks, this coming Sunday, six older overseas bred horseswill travel to Busan for the first Group 3 Busan Mayor’s Cup. Eight will be waiting for them from the home team, among them a mixture of the Busan’s top imports as well as its home bred stars.

Hardride is back to defend his title from last year but it’s the Korean bred runners who provide most of the interest from the Busan side. Areumdaun Jilju and Gaeseon Janggun will get another crack at Yeongung Manse, who surprised both of them in last month’s Governor’s Cup, while three year old Yeonsung Daero has another tilt at glory after failing in the classics.

Vicar Love, Saerounbisul and Bulpae Gisang head the Seoul contingent who will be looking to regain some pride for the capital track. In clashes between the two, Busan leads 8-0. Will things change on Sunday? We’ll find out when they go to post for the ten furlong race at 3:40pm.

Let’s have a look at the runners and riders.

Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR. G.III) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Nov 1, 2009 – 15:40

1. Saerounachim (NZ) [Pyrus – Jouet (Langfuhr)] (18/2/5/3) – Seoul – Shim Seung Tae
Second in the JRA Trophy, it’s hard to argue that he’s come along for any other reason then to keep stablemate Saerounbisul company.
2. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] (17/9/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook
Pulled off a stunning win over Areumdaun Jilju and Gaeseon Janggun last month in what was billed as a match race between the track’s top two stars. Not to be ignored.
3. Tiffanyuikkum (AUS) [Iglesia – Blue Lady (Western Symphony)] (18/5/1/2) – Seoul – Shin Dae Jun
Three out of his last four runs have been dreadful. Unproven at the top level, will his best form return?
4. Gamadongja (NZ) [Howbaddouwantit – Miss Martha (Iades)] (23/9/3/4) – Seoul – Stephan Swanepoel
Likely to set the early pace, Gamadongja is a sprinter but consistantly places at the longer distances.
5. Balbora (NZ) [Keeper – Deutzia (Chem)] (21/3/0/3) – Seoul – Bang Choon Sik
Hasn’t finished in the money this year. Perhaps his connections know something we don’t.
6. Saerounbisul (NZ) [Danske – Miss Golly (Casual Lies)] (25/6/4/4) – Seoul – Martin Wepner
Finished in the money on all but one of his last twenty-three races, the five year old won the Seoul Owners’ Cup last year and must be respected.
7. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] (11/6/2/0) – Seoul – Choi Beom Hyun
Won on his first attempt at class 1 and has two solid second places since. Choi Beom Hyun accompanies him down from Seoul.
8. Angle Slam (USA) [Gold Case – Platinum Code (Lost Code)] (42/8/7/8) – Han Sang Gyu
Like Gamadongja, he excels at shorter distances – he may contest the minor placings but a win would be a shock.
9. Vicar Love (USA) [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] (17/9/1/3) – Seoul – Oh Kyoung Hoan
One of the top three year olds of last season, he’s back in form with a good win last time out.
10. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] (24/6/5/2) – Chae Gyu Jun
Winner of this race last year, he’s not in quite the same form as he was a year ago but can’t be ruled out.
11. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] (16/8/4/1) Jo Sung Gon
Last year’s champion Korean bred three year old has won four of his five outings this term, his only defeat being to Yeongung Manse last month. A real contender.
12. Luna (KOR) [Concept Win – Wu Su Hae (Exactly Sharp)] (31/12/5/2) – Eiki Nishimura
The only female in the race, the seven year old mare is a Busan stalwart. The 2007 KRA Cup Mile is the highlight of her career to date but she also pulled off a shock win in last year’s Owners’ Cup.
13. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] (21/14/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Always in the money and usually in the winners’ circle. His defeat last time was a shock but Lim Sung Sil retains the ride and he will be in the mix at the end.
14. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] (15/8/1/2) – Park Geum Man
A disappointment in the classics, he’s the “nearly colt” of this year’s three year old group. Has always finisined in the money.

Weekend Preview

Oh My Sun / Seonbongbulpae / Gi Ra Seong
The Juvenile Fillies have their big day at Seoul Race Park on Saturday as the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup takes centre stage. Ten two year olds will go in the six furlong test with Oh My Sun and and the unknown Choegouisungan among them.

It’s rare for the feature race of the weekend to be held on a Saturday but this Sunday also has its attractions. The in-form Gi Ra Seong, will be in action in the feature race as the build up continues to next month’s President’s Cup but, in keeping with the Juvenile theme, plenty of eyes will be on race 7 where Seonbongbulpae makes his third appearance.

The colt won his first two races easily and steps up to class 4 as he prepares for his likely December showdown with Nothern Ace in the Herald Media.

Busan runs cards on Friday and Sunday. The feature is on Friday with Golding and Dongbang Geona among the contenders.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 23: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday October 25: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 24: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:50
Sunday October 25: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday October 24: 9 races: first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday October 25: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Weekend Preview

Big Chance for Baekgwang
Baekgwang is the star attraction of the weekend with the grey former champion three year old set to make his third appearance of his comeback. Now six, Baekgwang will finish off his preparations for a likely tilt at next month’s President’s Cup as he heads a field of ten in Saturday’s feature race at Seoul Race Park.

While it is a competitive field it is also a beatable one and, while the likes of Hwangnyongsaji, Machine Gun and Ugildongja are all proven winners, Baekgwang has his best chance since his return from stem cell therapy of finding himself back in the winner’s circle for the first time in nearly three years.

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with ten races while on Sunday one of the track’s stars, Crafty Louis will be on show in the pick of six races.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 16: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday October 18: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 17: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday October 18: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday October 17: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday October 18: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:35