Racing Reviews

Power Blade Wins The Korean Triple Crown

As if there was ever any doubt. At Seoul Racecourse today, Power Blade looked every inch the champion the Triple Crown series has been waiting for as he utterly dominated the Minister’s Cup in the same fashion he did in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Korean Derby.

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Power Blade in the Minister’s Cup winner’s circle (Pic: Jo Kim @krapresenter )

Punters sent Power Blade off as the odds-on favourite ahead of stablemate and Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi. The filly as usual set the pace early on with Kim Yong Geun happy to keep Power Blade handy. For as moment at the top of the straight there was a chance that the favourite, sitting in fourth on the rail may find himself boxed in. That moment was fleeting.

As soon as they entered the straight the gap opened up. Kim Yong Geun took it and from there the race was won. The margin on the line was seven lengths but Power Blade wasn’t stretched. So superior he is to the rest of this crop, he could win by a margin of his choosing.

Just as in the Korean Derby, Zettabyte chased him home a distance 2nd, four lengths ahead of Baedari Bobae, who ran a big race in 3rd, finishing ahead of the tiring Ottug Ottugi.

Power Blade is trained by Kim Young Kwan, who records yet another Classic win and ridden by Kim Yong Geun. His next target will now surely have to be the Korea Cup International race over 1800M on September 11th where he can be tested against overseas horses.

J.S. Hold won a Triple Crown in Korea in 2007, however, great achievement though it was, it was before the current era of Seoul and Busan. Today in its 9th running, we got a true Triple Crown winner and his name is Power Blade.

The Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – July 17, 2016

1. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.3, 1.0
2. Zettabyte (KOR) [Menifee – Fight Back (Sakura Seeking)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.6
3. Baedari Bobae (KOR) [Colors Flying – Geumgang Gongwon (Pacificbounty)] – 5.2
Distances: 7 lengths / 4 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Ottug Ottugi 5. Stealth 6. Saeroun Stealth 7. Siseon Pochak 8. Kkeutpan Hero

Busan Friday: Barry Irwin Gets First Korean Winner / Seo Seung Un Rides a Six-Timer

Team Valor’s Barry Irwin landed his first winner as an owner in Korea as his filly Chastity broke her maiden at the fourth attempt at Busan on Friday afternoon.

It was something of a surprise as well as Chastity [Vicar – Miss Stravinsky (Stravinsky)], who had begun her career with a pair of 2nd place finishes either side of the New Year, hadn’t raced since bleeding after her third start in mid-February. While she looked ok in a trial two weeks ago (behind the returning Hangangui Gijeok, who stole all the attention in that particular morning heat), she was sent off at odds approaching 25/1 for the 1400M race 6.

Under apprentice Lee Yong Ho those odds were well and truly defied as, always prominent, Chastity collared early leader Lucky Hanma at the furlong pole and ran on to win by a comfortable length and three-quarters on the line.

Barry Irwin was introduced to racing here by Team Valor member Joe Dallao and while he hadn’t had the best of luck with either Chastity or his other Korean horse, a Hawk Wing gelding named Swoop, he maintained his interest and now those famous crimson and forest green silks have come in front in yet another country. A very welcome presence in Korean racing, hopefully it will be the first of many.

As with Dallao’s first winner last week, Chastity was prepared by Bart Rice and the South African trainer’s remarkable run of form continued later on with another relative outsider Choegangiji (Mineshaft) winning the class 2 race 10 with Yonekura Satoshi in the saddle.  Yeongcheon Ace was 2nd in that race, a result that sees last year’s Korean Derby winner finally promoted to class 1.

With thirteen starters in July and six winners and his hot streak dating back to the start of May, Rice will take his up and coming 3-year-old Girolamo gelding Triple Five to race in the KRA Trophy at Kranji in Singapore next Sunday. Given the stable’s current form, he has to be given a chance.

Speaking of remarkable form, with so many of Busan’s top jockeys away in Seoul this weekend, Seo Seung Un was always likely to have a good Friday in the saddle at home on the south-coast. Good it was. Seo partnered no less than six winners on the afternoon including two for Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley, to close the gap on championship leader You Hyun Myung.

Saturday July 16
Seoul Racecourse: 12 races from 14:00 to 21:00
Jeju Racecourse: 8 races from 13:55 to 17:50

Sunday July 17
Seoul Racecourse: 10 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Weekend Review: Shamrocker, Saengil Gippeum Step-Up

A couple of imports stepped up in class at Seoul and Busan on Sunday afternoon and turned in the star performances of the weekend.

At Seoul, Shamrocker [Dublin – Portera (Lemon Drop Kid)] may only have been winning for the third time in eleven starts but since he’s begun racing at distances around two turns, that figure is now three from four. On Sunday he stepped up to class 2 for the first time and cruised home from off the pace under jockey Lee Chan Ho to win the 1800M event by four lengths. Shamrocker is a 3-year-old colt who was a $30,000 purchase from Ocala last Spring.

Down at Busan Diferent Dimension, who beat Triple Nine last start, was sent off as favourite for Sunday’s feature handicap – a class 1 test for horses rated no higher than 100 – however, he never traveled well and instead it was left to the up in class pair of Saengil Gippeum and Dongbang Daero to battle it out. On the line, Saengil Gippeum got the best of their battle, taking advantage of a light weight and apprentice jockey (Lyu Gwang Hee) to win by a head.

Saengil Gippeum [Parading – Minny’s Niece (Quiet American)], purchased for $18,000 from Fasig-Tipton as a yearling in 2014, has now won five of his last six starts.

In other news, a couple of apprentice jockeys debuted at the weekend. At Busan, Lee Hyo Sik and Choi Eun Gyeung both had one ride each and were unplaced.  At Seoul, Lee Dong Ha had four rides across the two days with a 5th place finish being the best of them.

This coming Sunday, a little bit of Korean racing history is up for grabs as KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Power Blade returns to Seoul looking to win the Minister’s Cup and become the first winner of the Korean Triple Crown in its current form. Not a single Seoul horse is set to compete so Power Blade will be up against seven other visitors from Busan including stablemate and Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi in the 2000M race. Full previews of the race to follow.

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (July 8)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday afternoon with ten races from 14:30 to 21:00. Seoul runs on Saturday with just the nine events from 15:15 to 21:00 while both Seoul and Busan run their usual daytime cards on Sunday with a first post at Seoul of 10:50 and Busan of 13:00.

English racecards can be found here. Notes on today’s races 1-8 at Busan below:

Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 14:30 (KST)

Three debut-makers and we’re going to make one of them, (11) SUPER JJANGJJANG the pick having looked sharp in trials. Unfashionable trainer and jockey combination and the outside gate may dissuade some but he should be too good. (3) ACE GLORY looked promising in a couple of starts around the turn of the year and returns having been gelded. He looks the main danger along with (4) SKY WINNER, who has a 3rd place to her name. The other two debut-makers (7) HWARYEOHAN YONGSA and (10) CHEONGCHUN CHAMP must be considered in this company.

Selections (11) Super Jjangjjang (3) Ace Glory (4) Sky Winner (10) Cheongchun Champ
Next Best 5, 7, 8, 2
Outsiders 1, 6, 9
Fast Starters 3, 8, 9, 11

Race 2: Class 6 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 14:55 (KST)

Four newcomers here with the pick of them looking to be (2) STAR LINE who beat two of the others in trials and looks nicely in for his debut here. One of those he beat in the trial was (3) SHINE STAR and that one, coming as he does from Kim Young Kwan’s stable, will also have supporters. The other market leaders will be drawn from the experienced ones. (5) CHASEDAE got a career-best 3rd last start a month ago and can build on that here while Barry Irwin’s (8) SWOOP returns for the first time in January and looked promising in a trail a couple of weeks ago. (11) SEORABEOL DOLPUNG is another with potential to improve.

Selections (8) Swoop (5) Chasedae (2) Star Line (3) Shine Star
Next Best 11, 9, 1
Outsiders 4, 6, 7, 10, 12
Fast Starters 3, 6, 8

Race 3: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 15:20 (KST)

(3) BAROGA has come close in both his last two finishing strongly on each occasion. He steps up to 1300M for the first time today and looks the one to beat, coming from off the pace once more. (6) RAON BENTREE has been consistent if unspectacular in seven prior outings and can go close once more while (7) TAEYANG GWANGSOK has shown improvement in her two most recent outings and she can continue that here. Those two are the main dangers with none of the others entering in any form. (5) CAPI RUN, who has had just the one run prior to today, is perhaps the longshot pick.

Selections (3) Baroga (6) Raon Bentree (7) Taeyang Gangsok (5) Capi Run
Next Best 1, 4
Outsiders 2, 8
Fast Starters 1, 4

Race 4: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 16:10 (KST)

(5) SUPER BLADE and (6) FEISTY are both up in class following maiden wins on what was for both of them, their second starts last month. They both made-all and they should be battling this one out. We’ll go with Feisty to continue to improve. It’s no two-horse race though. (3) OH MY CAPTAIN was an improved 3rd in a decent a race at class and distance a month ago and should be looking to at least match that today while (1) CHOEGANG DREAM was 4th in a similarly tough race last time out and comes in fresh after eight weeks off. (10) SUNSHINE ALPHA is another proven money winner at this level and can’t be ruled out.

Selections (6) Feisty (5) Super Blade (3) Oh My Captain (1) Choegang Dream
Next Best 10, 9, 7
Outsiders 2, 4, 8
Fast Starters 5, 6, 10

Race 5: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 17:00 (KST)

Small but good quality race here and (2) SPECIAL ROOKIE, 4th in the Korean Oaks on her most recent start should be winning it. She’s already a class and distance winner, is very nicely in the weights and should have too much. The experienced (6) SAMDA GONGJU looks to be the main danger while the up in class and distance (7) BAEKDU YEONGUNG looks to have scope for further development. (4) FOUR STAR and (1) SKY SUN look best of the rest.

Selections (2) Special Rookie (6) Samda Gongju (4) Four Star (7) Baekdu Yeongung
Next Best 1, 5, 3
Fast Starters 2

Race 6: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 17:50 (KST)

(3) NOBLE WARRIOR has three 3rd places and a 4th from his last four outings. The 4th was at this class and distance and while he was a long way behind a very good winner, the distance clearly suited and with a slight weight advantage, he looks to be the one to beat here. Two who are up in class and distance for the first time are the main dangers. (5) KWAESEOK BOLT and (7) DANGCHAN JILJU both come in having been 2nd in races over 1300M last month and both should be competitive at a mile. (4) EUNHA and (2) JEONSEOLUI LEGEND are others to look out for while (1) POWER CHAMP, who has actually beaten three of these at 1300M in the past, is the wildcard in what is a competitive event.

Selections (3) Noble Warrior (5) Kwaeseok Bolt (7) Dangchan Jilju (2) Jeonseolui Legend
Next Best 1, 4, 6
Outsiders 8
Fast Starters 6, 7

Race 7: Class 4 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 18:30 (KST)

(3) BLACK SAPPHIRE left her jockey in the gate when well fancied for what would have been her first try at this class last month. She’s the full-sister to one of Korea’s top horses and had won two of her three outings before that mistake last time. She’s the one to beat here. (4) GREAT SONG has shown steady progress in three prior outings and should make the early pace. He tries 1400M for the first time but should stay on and be competitive. (1) SONATA ZONE is up in class following three consecutive 2nd places at domestic class 5 and can go well once more with (2) OHHWAMA and (7) PAMPAS FARM others to consider.

Selections (3) Black Sapphire (4) Great Song (1) Sonata Zone (2) Ohhwama
Next Best 7, 8
Outsiders 5, 6
Fast Starters 4

Race 8: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 18:10 (KST)

Two for two this year and up in class today, (8) LUCKY TIME is the favourite here. He’ll be on speed early and should have too much. Also up in class is the far more experienced (3) SORICHYEO, who is in the best form of his career and can be competitive once again. (4) WORLD QUEEN was 2nd at c lass and distance last start and can repeat with front runner (2) WIN GO MAN and (6) IMPASSIONED MARINE others in contention.

Selections (8) Lucky Time (4) World Queen (3) Sorichyeo (2) Win Go Man
Next Best 6, 5
Outsiders 1, 7, 9
Fast Starters 2, 7, 8

Beolmaui Kkum Wins Big At Last

He is one of the most naturally gifted horses to have ever run in Korea and on Sunday afternoon in the rain at Busan, Beolmaui Kkum finally came right on the big stage, defeating a host of other top names in Korean racing to win the Busan Mayor’s Cup.

He didn’t just win it, Beolmaui Kkum romped it, taking advantage of the soaking wet conditions and a favourable draw to get the early lead and dominate the race, stretching away from the field to win by a full five lengths on the line.

Pre-race favourite Triple Nine was 2nd ahead of Success Story who had to settle for yet another 3rd place finish. Clean Up Joy was Seoul’s best finisher in 4th with the Peter Wolsley pair of Macheon Bolt and Bold Kings defying poor draws and the unsuitable distance to come home in 5th and 6th respectively. Last year’s winner and this year’s 3rd favourite Gamdonguibada had a disappointing race and ended up 12th of the 16.

It was Beolmaui Kkum’s 16th win in 27 outings but his first Group race triumph. Arguably over-trained and over-raced in the early part of his career, he was sent off as favourite in the 2013 Grand Prix at Seoul but faded badly, something that would be repeated in subsequent big races. Six months off after last year’s running of this race though seems to have extremely beneficial. Since returning, Beolmaui Kkim had won 2 out of three races with his only defeat coming at 1200M in the first leg of the Sprint Series.

He therefore came in fresh and with the track condition favouring front runners and the distance not leaving the likes of Triple Nine any margin for error, punters ended up kicking themselves for allowing Beomaui Kkum to start at odds approaching 20/1.

For jockey Kim Yong Geun it was another big race win in what is shaping up to be a great year with the prospect of Power Blade completing the Triple Crown later this month. For owner Lee Jong Hun it was profitable two minutes as well – he also owns Success Story.

Beolmaui Kkum [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Girl (Wild Event)] is a 6-year-old horse. He was a $20,000 purchase from the Fasig Tipton Kentucky yearling sales in 2011. The winning time was a new track record. Could Beolmaui Kkum go up to Seoul and repeat the trick at the same distance in the Korea Cup in September?

Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 1800M – July 3, 2016

1. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) [Put It Back – Wild DIxie Gal (Wild Event)] – Kim Yong Geun – 19.9, 5.1
2. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – You Hyun Myung – 1.3
3. Successs Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – Paolo Aragoni – 3.4
Distances: 5 lengths / Neck
Also Ran: 4. Clean Up Joy (USA) 5. Macheon Bolt (KOR) 6. Bold Kings (USA) 7. Dymanic Dash (USA) 8. Winning Andy (USA) 9. Space Port (USA) 10. Heba (USA) 11. Gumpo Sky (KOR) 12. Gamdonguibada (USA) 13. Rush Forth (USA) 14. Damyang Chukje (USA) 15. Dongbanjaui Gijeok (USA) 16. Clean Up Cheonha (USA)

Sun Strong Too Strong In Sports Chosun / Punters Land Big Tierce Wins

Sun Strong ran out the winner of the Listed Sports Chosun Cup at Seoul Racecourse this past Sunday, another big race winner for the track’s Champion jockey Moon Se Young. 

Sun Strong, a 4-year-old colt, was sent off as the pre-race favourite and got the better of Gasokbulpae, 2nd favourite and early pace-setter, in the closing stages.

Sports Chosun Cup (Listed) – Seoul Racecourse – June 19, 2016

1. Sun Strong (KOR) [Volponi – Strategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] – Moon Se Young – 2.8, 1.5
2. Gasokbulpae (KOR) [Psychobabble – Honey Bee (Pro For Sure)] – Kim Hye Sun – 1.8
3. Super Tank (KOR) [Gold Money – Make Mine Minnie (Honor And Glory)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 1.7
Distances: 0.75 lengths / 2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Cosmos King 5. Haetbinna 6. Special Star 7. Kaeon 8. Taesan Cheonji 9. Gangja 10. Forever Daemul 11. Argo Asset

Sun Strong, a 4-year-old colt, was sent off as the pre-race favourite and got the better of Gasokbulpae, 2nd favourite and early pace-setter, in the closing stages.

In other news, the new tierce (trifecta) pool has made quite an impact already since its introduction last week. Despite only being available on the mobile betting platform, it has quickly become the fourth most popular pool behind quinella, trio and exacta.

On Sunday, the pool saw it’s first big dividend winner as Thomas Gillespie’s Lion Park, a 70/1 chance led home a top three in race 1 at Busan that yielded a return of 20,601.6. A total of 35 punters successfully picked the winning combination; three of them wagering 1,000 won while the rest staked amounts between 100 and 500 won.

Those three, who placed their bets at three different off track locations in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, turned their 1,000 won into 16,059,500 won (after tax).

The tierce pool will remain restricted to mobile betting only for the time being but is expected to receive a general launch later in the year.

Bichui Jeongsang Strikes For Seoul In Ttukseom Cup

It’s not often that Seoul bests Busan when horses from the two tracks meet in Stakes races but that’s exactly what happened in the first leg of the Queen’s Tour on Sunday afternoon as Bichui Jeongsang justified her favourite status to win the Ttukseom Cup.

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Jo Sung Gon and Bichui Jeongsang win the Ttukseom Cup (Pic: KRA)

The race attracted thirteen fillies & mares with Bichui Jeongsang, 3rd in last year’s race and a multiple time class 1 winner, sent off just the right side of even money for the 1400 series opener.

Under former Champion Busan jockey Jo Sung Gon, Bichui Jeongsang was slowly away as last year’s Oaks winner Jangpung Parang showed the way early on. The latter though would fade and eventually finish i 5th place as Buchui Jeongsang improved around the home turn and then powered away from her rivals in the home straight, beating 20/1 shot Halla Chukje by half a length on the line. New York Blue, 2nd in last year’s race was Busan’s best finisher in 3rd.

Bichui Jeongsang was purchased for $30,000 at Fasig Tipton in 2013 and won four out of her first five on her way to a quick elevation to class 1 racing. She was slightly disappointing in some big Stakes races in the second half of last year which led to her missing out on a trip to the Dubai Carnival but scored back to back class 1 wins at the turn of the year and now heads the favourites as the Queen’s Tour contenders reassemble in Busan for the KNN Cup next month.

The Ttukseom Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – June 5, 2016

1. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) [Wildcat Heir – Persimmon Honey (Colonial Affair)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.3, 1.2
2. Halla Chukje (USA) [Gottcha Gold – C D Player (Montbrook)] – Lee Hyeok – 4.9
3. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The Moon (Deputy Minister)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.5
Distances: 0.5 lengths / 0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Silver Wolf (AUS) 5. Jangpung Parang (KOR) 6. Ms. Margaux (USA) 7. Queen’s Champion (USA) 8. Supreme Magic (USA) 9. Hay Queen (USA) 10. Model Line (USA) 11. Bukbeol Sinhwa (KOR) 12. Winner’s Marine (KOR) 13. Indian Star (KOR)

This coming week, attention shifts to the next generation of fillies in the shape of the Korean Oaks at Busan. It is unlikely Seoul will be able to follow up with another victory.

Perdido Pomeroy Wins SBS Korea/Japan Cup

Perdido Pomeroy won the 2nd leg of the 2016 Sprint Series and the first of the year’s international races, beating out last year’s Asia Challenge Cup winner Choegang Schiller by half a length in the SBS Sports Korea/Japan Cup last Sunday.

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Perdido Pomeroy gets the better of Choegang Schiller at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

In the first leg of the Sprint Series, Perdido Pomeroy had gone down to Gamdonguibada and while the mare was sent off as favourite to make it two wins in a row, she had to settle for 3rd as under Kim Yong Geun, Perdido Pomeroy made all.

Choegang Schiller pushed the winner all the way but there was no luck for the visiting Japanese-trained trio. Kimon Avalon was the best placed finisher, coming home in 5th with Dreadnought 7th and Best Wish 11th.

Perdido Pomeroy cost just $22,000 at last June’s OBS Sales but in just seven races to date, has already earned over $350,000, with this being his fifth win.

Another up and coming import, Tongil Sidae put in a creditable effort in 4th. Unlike Perdido Pomeroy, his future is most likely at further distances. However, there was no luck for Cheongu, the globe-trotting colt looking more and more as though he could do with a spell while OS Hwadap also found it tough in this company.

Perdido Pomeroy’s emergence, however, gives some cause for optimism for Korean entries ahead of the final leg of the Sprint Series which will be the $700K Korea Sprint on International Day in September.

SBS Sports Korea/Japan Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1200M – June 5, 2016

1. Perdido Pomeroy (USA) [Pomeroy – Boldest Of All (Bold Executive)] – Kim Yong Gen – 5.8, 1.9
2. Choegang Schiller (USA) [Artie Schiller – Changeable (Miswaki)] – Lee Chan Ho – 1.9
3. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.4
Distances: 0.5 lengths / 1 length
Also Ran: 4. Tongil Sidae (USA) 5. Kimon Avalon (JPN) 6. Mirae Yeongung (USA) 7. Dreadnought (JPN) 8. OS Hwadap (USA) 9. Cheongu (USA) 10. Yuseong Fighting (KOR) 11. Best Wish (JPN) 12. Rise And Shout (USA)

Miso Wangja Easily Wins YTN Cup

Miso Wangja was far too good as he dominated his rivals and claimed an 8-length win in the YTN Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

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Miso Wangja in the YTN Cup Winner’s Circle

The three-year-old US import had won three of six coming into the race but was most recently a surprisingly disapointing 3rd on his first try at Class 2 in April. Punters were happy to give Miso Wangja another chance  on Sunday and sent him off as the strong favourite ahead of nine modest rivals for the 2000M race.

The result never seemed in any doubt. Champion jockey Moon Se Young took Miso Wangja to the lead straight from the gate and there never looked to be any prospect of the colt being caught. The totally separate contest for 2nd place was won by outsider Cheonjeok with Dangsan Daehyeop a further four lengths back in 3rd.

Miso Wangja [Cowboy Cal – Auntie Soph (Valiant Nature)] was a $30,000 purchase from the OBS 2015 Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training.

YTN Cup (Listed) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – May 29, 2016

1. Miso Wangja (USA) [Cowboy Cal – Auntie Soph (Valiant Nature)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7, 1.2
2. Cheonjeok (USA) [Shakespeare – Celtic Song (Giant’s Causeway)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 11.6
3. Dangsan Daehyeop (USA) [Indy King – Miss Daisy (Dynaformer)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 1.7
Distances: 8 lengths / 4 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Gwangbok Chilsip (USA) 5. Royal Jibbly (USA) 6. Chasing Dollars (USA) 7. Wanseung Bulpae (USA) 8. Argo Brain (USA) 9. The Ssen Champ (USA) 10. Cheonnyeon Yusan (USA)

Next weekend sees the first leg of the 2016 Queens’ Tour for fillies and mares in the shape of the Ttukseom Cup and also the SBS Korea v Japan Cup, both at Seoul on Sunday June 5. Three Japanese horses arrived at Seoul Racecourse last Friday and will take on a very strong home challenge. Full previews of both races will follow later this week

Aragoni Rides 1st Busan Winner / Rice Stable Continues To Star

He’d come close a few times but Paolo Aragoni bagged his first Korean winner at Busan this afternoon. The Italian jockey partnered Ocean Line to victory in race 5.

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Paolo Aragoni and Ocean Line head out (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Aragoni debuted on April 29th and has already ridden in two Graded races, including last week’s Korean Derby at Seoul. He had racked up four 2nd places and three 3rds but the win had ths far proving elsuive. It might have arrived on Dochi in race 4 today but the colt missed the start and while he flew home, he had too much to do.

Instead it was one race later that Aragoni produced a strong finish on 10/1 chance Ocean Line to see off Wish Me Luck and the fast finishing Four Star by a neck on the line. Too strong, felt the Stewards, who fined him 50,000 Won for overuse of the whip.  Aragoni won’t be overly concerned about that. His win arrived on his 16th mount in Korea.

It was another solid day for Bart Rice. The South African trainer has been in outstanding form in May and it would continue in race 2 today.

Supernova Iji (Ecton Park) was racing for the first time in 2015 and under jockey You Hyung Myung, she dominated the all-filly test to win by three lengths over pre-race favourite Pangpang Legend. Rice has sent out twelve runners so far this month and no less than five of them have now returned as winners.

Supernova Iji

Bart Rice’s Supernova Iji and You Hyun Myung go clear at Busan on Friday. The Rice stable is in good form at the moment (Pic: Ross Holburt)

In other races, Dongbang Daero (Curlin) now has three wins from his last four starts following a resounding victory in the 1800M race 9, ending the winning streak of Saengil Gippeum (Parading), who was racing at class 2 for the first time, in the process.

There was something of a surprise in the final race of the day, the 1400M race 10 as the highly thought-of pair of US imports, First Magical (First Dude) and Useung Line (Congrats) both went down as Tariat Tale (Tale Of Ekati) swept home to claim the honours and move on to three wins from five starts.

Earlier, 2014 President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Gyeongbudaero’s half broether Wonil Rookie (Forest Camp) secured his fourth win in eight attempts, wininng race 7 by just under a length.

On Saturday, attention shifts to Seoul where Park Tae Jong will have four opportunities to become the first Korean jockey to ride 2000 career winners, beginning in race 1. There are 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00.