Filly has tough task in Minister’s Cup
Sangseung Ilro will lead a Busan invasion of Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon as she seeks to become the first filly to land the Korean Triple Crown.

Eight horses from Busan will line up compared to just three from the home track, however, it’s one of those three that is going to be the one to beat at 5pm tomorrow afternoon. Nice Choice was champion two year old of 2008. His owner’s decision to avoid the first leg of the Triple Crown in order to focus entirely on the Derby backfired as the colt finished a disappointing sixth. Since then he’s been in imperious form, racking up three straight wins including the Munhwa Ilbo Cup.

But what of Sangseung Ilro? After winning the KRA Cup Mile in April, punters failed to give her the respect she deserved in the Derby the following month and she duly punished them with a dominant win. Not appearing on the track again until the Korean Oaks in August, she looked set to stroll to victory before tying up in the final furlong to allow Pangpang to steal an unlikely victory. Coming out of that race with shin problems she hasn’t run again and there will be big questions over both her fitness and her ability to stay the 10 furlong course.

Having beaten Sangseung Ilro, Pangpang must be respected, but a subsequent race in which she was beaten not only by Busan stars Gaeseon Janggun (who won his race last year) and Areumdaun Jilju, she also finished behind Conqueror, who has strong claims here.

Busan’s main challenger, however, may be Yeonseung Daero. Since disappointing in the Derby, he has won twice over the distance against top class oppostion, including a victory last time out over Namdo Jeap, who was second to Sangseung Ilro in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Derby. Namdo Jeap will also go tomorrow and is something of a wildcard as he seems at his best at shorter distances. Nevertheless, he’s proved he likes the Seoul track and he can’t be discounted.

Neither can Khanui Jeguk. Second to Nice Choice in the Munhwa, he went on to beat Love Cat in the Ilgan Sports Cup last month and looks likely to improve further.

These three make up Seoul’s challenge and Nice Choice is set to bring some pride back to Seoul which has seen itself humiliated by Busan in recent classics. However, one Busan filly has beaten him before and tomorrow afternoon, Sangseung Ilro will run for the Triple Crown.

Full list of runners, records and riders:

Minister Of Agriculture (FAFF) Cup (G.II) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 11, 2009, 17:00

1. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] Filly, Busan (8/5/2/1) – Jo Sung Gon
2. Isidae Gangja [Lost Mountain – Angel (Land Rush)] Filly, Busan (11/3/3/2) – Kim Eu Su
3. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] Filly, Busan (17/4/1/1) – Yoo Hyun Myoung
4. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] Colt, Seoul (10/7/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Love Cat [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] Filly, Seoul (11/6/1/2) – Choi Beom Hyun
6. Tamna Hero [Creek Cat – The Big C (Deputed Testamony)] Filly, Busan (10/4/3/0) – Han Sang Gyu
7. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] Colt, Seoul (11/5/2/1) – Park Tae Jong
8. Conqueror [Revere – Model Actress (Stage Colony)] Colt, Busan (13/4/3/0) – Kim Myoung Shin
9. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] Colt, Busan (12/4/3/3) – Martin Wepner
10. Sky Star [Tahamkke – Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] Colt, Busan (15/5/3/1) – Lee Hee Cheon
11. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] Colt, Busan (14/8/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook

Five year old can taste glory at last
On Ladies’ Day at Seoul Race Park, it’s billed as the Filly & Mare Grand Prix. As the winner will almost certainly book her ticket to the actual season ending Grand Prix, it’s an unnecessary title but what is certain is that Sunday’s Group 3 KRA Cup Classic is Seoul’s biggest race of the year restricted to fillies and mares. And with the Oaks at Busan being restricted to Korean bred runners, it’s arguably the biggest on the peninsula.

A Korean born, rather than Korean bred looks the overwhelming favourite. Top Point, foaled in Korea but bred in the USA, is a class above most of her rivals and she has waited a long time for this. The five year old has an impressive record of thirteen wins from twenty one starts and regularly beats the males at the highest level. She was third in this race last year but with the winner, Fly Queen, out for at least a year, Top Point is the top filly or mare on the peninsula by some distance.

Whenever Soseono is mentioned on this site, we always have to mention that she is the little sister of Subsidy through their dam, Foreign Aid. Named after one of the founding Queens of Korea’s Baekje dynasty, there are many at the track who would love to see Subsidy’s dynasty carried on. Soseono won the YTN Cup last month and still it seems the best from her is yet to come.

Second in the YTN Cup was Air Kat. She is another whose best days seem in front of her and she can’t be discounted. Neither can Serendipper. The five year old Australian bred rarely wins but that’s because she spends most of her time racing the likes of track superstars Dongbanui Gangja and Bally Brae. Back with other fillies and mares, she’ll be a dangerous prospect and arguably the biggest threat to Top Point.

Among the others, Pocketful Of Money won this race as a three year old in 2007 while Mexicali Blues – offcially champion three year old filly last year – has struggled since making it up to class 1 level as has Hwanggeum Dwaeji – but aside from Top Point, connections of both will feel they have a chance of beating everyone here.

KRA Cup Classic (KOR. GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sep 27, 2009, 17:00

1. Serendipper (AUS) [Danewin – Coppelius (Pleasant Colony)] – (19/3/6) – 56kg – Lee Sang Hyuk
2. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser – Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – (21/13/2) – 57kg – Park Tae Jong
3. Princess Thumb (USA) [Stravinsky – Narjis Flower (Pleasant Colony)] – (29/2/2) – 52kg – Park Si Cheon
4. Hwanggeum Dwaeji (AUS) [Langfuhr – Proudest (Sir Tristram)] – (22/2/6) – 54kg – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Soseono (USA) [Aldebaran – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – (12/2/4) – 54kg – Choi Beom Hyun
6. Mexicali Blues (USA) [Golden Missile – Golden Made (Alien’s Prospect)] – (19/5/2) – 53kg – Yoo Sang Wan
7. Pocketful Of Money (USA) [Running Stag – Ms. Deep Pockets (Buckaroo)] – (31/8/8) – 57kg – Oh Kyoung Hoan
8. Badajebi (KOR) [Mujaazif – Madonna (Avon’s Lord)] – (25/6/3) – 52kg – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Kkumchaja (USA) [Orientate – Westerville (Gone West)] – (11/1/2) – 53.5kg – Jo In Kwen
10. Air Kat (USA) [Digging In – Vivian’s Mercedes (Broad Brush)] – (14/3/4) – 54.5kg – Jung Ki Young
11. Gate Way (KOR) [Psychobabble – Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] – (23/5/3) – 52kg – Shim Seung Tae
12. Ginny’s Delight (USA) [Polish Miner – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – (27/1/2) – 52kg – Hwang Soon Do
13. Angel Pegasus (USA) [Gold Case – Sahara Princess (Alphabet Soup)] – (11/3/2) – 53kg – Bang Choon Sik

It being “Ladies’ Day”, women get free entry to Seoul Race Park on Sunday. The first of eleven races is off at 11:20.

It’s KRA Cup Classic weekend and thirteen fillies and mares will line up for the Group 3 handicap on Sunday afternoon. It will be the climax to an as usual busy weekend of racing on the peninsula before next week’s Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) break. We;ll have a full preview of the Classic over the next couple of days.

Busan Race Park

Friday September 25: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday September 27: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday September 26: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday September 27: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday September 26: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday September 27: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Dong-a Ilbo / GC Trophy / MJC / KRA Jeju Cup
Sunday sees four big races split between Seoul, Busan and Jeju. It promises to be one of the most interesting days of the year:

Dong-a Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – 17:00

It’s the 13th running of the Dong-a Ilbo and it is, for the second time, restricted to class 2 fillies and mares. Previous winners – when it was open to all – have included Baekgwang in 2006 and Hongji in 2007.

A full field of fourteen will gather this time and they are a mixture of up and comers and those who haven’t quite made the breakthrough to the top level of Korean racing.

It’s an open looking race. Ganghan Speed and Dangdae Teukgeup should be in the mix at the end as shoud Feel It Now and Grandzif. Hwaryeohanbisang is also an interesting prospect. Never tried at this level, the three year old has won four of her six starts.

Gold Circle Trophy – Busan Race Park – 1400M – 15:35

South Africa’s Gold Circle Organization runs racecourses and betting in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Over the past few years it has built links with the KRA which have seen three Korean apprentice jockeys going to South Africa for training and a Riding Instructor come to Korea. Earlier this year the KRA sponsored the KRA Guineas at Greyville Racetrack.

The first GC Trophy is open to class 2 horses and has attracted a field of eight including two of Busan’s most highly rated three year olds. KO Punch arrived on the scene too late for the classics while Top Grade is a gelding so was ineligible. Both have impressive records with KO Punch four for five and Top Grade four for six. Molto Presto, another three year old in a winning habit lately, can’t be discounted, nor can lightly raced four year old Namdo Myeongjang.

Macau Jockey Club Special – Busan Race Park – 1400M – 16:30

The second MJC brings together fourteen of Busan’s up and coming imports. Unlike the day’s other two big races, this one should have a clear favourite in Sweet Summertime. The Soto filly has three wins from her six starts and has beaten better than she will face in this.

That’s not to say she’ll have it easy. Essence Of Dubai colt Haegeoreum is capable of springing a surprise as are Jungwon Jepae and Double The Gold. Nevertheless, as so often this year, the most likely results is a filly beating her male counterparts.

KRA Jeju Cup – Jeju Race Park – 1700M – 15:50

This site doesn’t cover Jeju very often, however, the Jeju Ponies have one of their biggest races of the year in the shape of the KRA Jeju Cup. Minsokchum is top weight but faces a host of regular winners at the track in the shadow of Mt. Halla.

Racing is underway at Seoul at 11:20 (11 races) , Jeju at 12:10 (9 races) and Busan at 12:40 (6 races). With temperatures likely to be in the mid twenties (celsius) and a light breeze taking the edge off the sun, there really is going to be no better place to be on the peninsula – or on Jeju Island – on Sunday, than one of the racecourses. Come Racing!

Dong-a Ilbo / Gold Circle Trophy / MJC Cup / KRA Jeju Cup
It’s another big weekend of racing on the peninsula with three trophy races on Sunday, two at Busan and one at Seoul headlining the action. At Busan, Sunday is International Day with South Africa’s Gold Circle sponsoring a race for the first time at the track and the Macau Jockey Club sponsoring the second MJC Trophy. Up at Seoul, some of the track’s up and coming fillies and mares will contest the Dong-A Ilbo Cup. We’ll have a full preview of all three trophy races over the next couple of days.

There’s plenty of other action too. On Friday, just two weeks after being shown up by Sinjin Gangja, Yeonseung Daero and Namdo Jeap will go against each other again. Sky Star will be joining them.

Then on Saturday, the white wave, Baekgwang, makes his second appearance since recovering career-rescuing stem cell treatment. He’ll have it tough again with Gi Ra Seong and Hwangnyongsaji also among a field of eight over ten furlongs.

Jeju doesn’t go without either. One of the track’s biggest races, the KRA Jeju Cup is on Sunday afternoon.

Busan Race Park

Friday September 18: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday September 20: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday September 19: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday September 20: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday September 19: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday September 20: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Baengnyeonbong, third in the Korean Derby, and the unbeaten Holy Dreamer head a field of twelve Korean breds for the 27th Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul Race Park tomorrow afternoon.

Holy Dreamer has won all five his starts but will be stepping up significantly in class in a race where three year olds are expected to dominate. Khanui Jeguk was a Derby disappointment but has bounced back since May and must be considered. Cheongha Eutteum has won four out his five races and is a winner at the distance.

One filly and one mare join the colts. While five year old Gamunhuye looks overmated, Love Cat doesn’t. Love Cat skipped the Oaks but has won at the distance and in reasonable company too. She’s had two months off and if she comes back in the form she was in when she began her break, she’ll be in the mix at the finish.

Aside from Gamunhuye there are a couple of other older horses trying their luck in a race that will see the winner likely elevated to class 1 racing. Lightly raced six year old Cheongun Jangsu has won five of his twelve starts but will find things tough as will Exzacta Runner. In with a better chance though are five year old First Flower and the four year old Headline News.

Baegnyeonbong is the one to beat.

The race is off at 17:00 and is race 9 of an 11 race card which gets underway at 11:20. Here are the runners, records and riders:

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sep 6, 2009, 17:00

1. Event (11/6/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
2. Love Cat (10/6/0) – Choi Beom Hyun
3. Khanui Jeguk (10/4/2) – Cho Kyoung Ho
4. Baengnyeonbong (12/5/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
5. Cheongun Jangsu (12/5/1) – Lee Sang Hyuk
6. First Flower (22/4/3) – Yang Hee Jin
7. Gamunhuye (38/5/2) – Jo In Kwon
8. Exzacta Runner (17/3/3) – Park Tae Jong
9. Cheongha Eutteum (5/4/1) – Moon Jung Kyun
10. Holy Dreamer (5/5/0) Ham Wan Sik
11. Magic Victor (22/3/3) – Bang Choon Sik
12. Headline News (19/4/3) – Jung Ki Young

Dongbanui Gangja, Secret Weapon, Namdo Jeap, Miss Ecton all go on big weekend
It’s Ilgan Sports Day at Seoul on Sunday and the showdown between three of the track’s top three year olds headlines what is looking all round one of the most attractive weekend cards of the year.

Things get underway at Busan on Friday when a host of big names will contest the last and feature race. Miss Ecton, Golding, Hardride and Admiral Reigart will all be in action in race 10.

Sunday’s Busan feature will see two of the southern track’s top colts square off once more. Namdo Jeap was second in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Korean Derby. Yeonseung Daero was well fancied for both of those races but flopped. Since then though, he has made amends with two smart wins against tough opposition. They’ll do battle in race 5. South African jockey Martin Wepner will be reunited with Namdo Jeap for the first time since walking away from the ride on Derby day.

Saturday at Seoul sees a double-header of top races. 2008 Grand Prix winner and 2009 Owners’ Trophy winner Dongbanui Gangja is on to extend his winning streak to eight and will be hot favourite to make it nine. Regardless of his reputation, a full field will assemble for race 10 to try to stop him. Among them will be Brilliant Knight, Gamadongja, Noubeau Riche and the improving Torpedo Mast. Also there will be Yodongseong, returning from a near six month lay-off.

That race will be followed thirty minutes later by an appearance by Secret Weapon. The five year old has won his last three and will have Lucky Mountain and Namchonuijijon as well as ten others to contend with if he is cement his position as Seoul’s current top-rated domestically bred horse.

Sunday’s feature is of course, the Ilgan Sports Cup. The focus is going to be on the three year olds, especially unbeaten gelding Holy Dreamer. We’ll have a full preview of the Ilgan over the next couple of days.

Busan Race Park

Friday September 4: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday September 6: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday September 5: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday September 6: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday September 5: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday September 6: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10