Racing Reviews

Power City, Triple Nine Claim Owners’ Cup Trials

Power City beat out New White Socks in a final furlong duel in the Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul while things were a little more straightforward for Triple Nine in the Gyeongnam Domin Ilbo Cup at Busan, both races intended as trials for next month’s Busan Owners’ Cup.

In the capital, New White Socks, who had broken the 1700M track record on each of his last two starts, was sent off as the favourite. The grey led from the gate but was reeled in and eventually passed in touching distance of the line by Power City, who powered home down the outside under veteran jockey Park Tae Jong.

For Power City (Archer City Slew), it was an 8th win from 14 career starts. He and New White Socks (Secret Weapon) finished a full ten lengths clear of 3rd placed Bujeon Jajeon (J.S. Hold). That order allowed the rare case of two of the three place-getters in a big race as being by sires who raced in Korea.

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1800M – August 9, 2015

1. Power City (KOR) [Archer City Slew – Power Bull (Holy Bull)] – Park Tae Jong – 4.1, 1.7
2. New White Socks (KOR) [Secret Weapon – Wonder Queen (Canadian Silver)] – Moon Se Young – 1.3
3. Bujeon Jajeon (KOR) [J.S. Hold – Michel With One L (Pacific Waves)] – Shin Hyung Chul
Distances: Neck/10 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Last Mudae (KOR) 5. Meni Money (KOR) 6. Citadel (KOR) 7. Mahanaim (KOR)

At Busan, Triple Nine, 2nd in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup, was sent off as the overwhelming favourite for the Gyeongnam DoMinIlbo Cup. And he didn’t disappoint this time, cruising to a four-length win.

High Five was 2nd with Oaks winner Jangpung Parang coming home in 3rd having led for much of the race.

Gyeongnam Domin Ilbo Cup – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – August 9, 2015

1. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.3, 1.0
2. High Five (KOR) [Creek Cat – Nam’s Gulch (Gulch)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.8
3. Jangpung Parang (KOR) [Creek Cat – Ascend The Throne (Silver Charm)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.4
Distances: 4 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Winner’s Marine (KOR) 5. Mac And Cheese (KOR) 6. Royal Impact (KOR) 7. Major Star (KOR) 8. Sinsegye (KOR)

In other races across the weekend, New York Blue (Candy Ride) was an impressive winner of the class 1 feature at Busan on Friday while Saturday’s main event at Seoul saw a 5th career win for US import Clean Up Joy (Purge).

Irish trainer Thomas Gillespie continued his very solid start in Korea with one of his four runners at Busan on Friday coming home a winner, Joiner Captain (Ecton Park) taking race 7 Under Ikuyasu Kurakane. At Seoul, Serbian jockey Djordje Perovic reached 20 Korean winners with a double on Saturday.

Thomas Gillespie Saddles First Runner & Winner, Bart Rice Trains A Treble, Tanaka Rides a Four-Timer, Ikuyasu Wins Too

It was a good day for much of the overseas contingent at Busan. So good, it’s hard to know where to start.

Let’s start with the newcomer. Thomas Gillespie joined the training ranks at the south-coast track in June and has put together a string numbering 23 in total. Today he sent out his first runner. Indeed, Mangang (Creek Cat), who was returning from 10 months away from the track, was to be his only runner all weekend. Punters spotted it a mile off and duly sent Mangang off as the favourite.

Under Masa Tanaka, Mangang duly obliged but it was very tight with the gelding just getting up to overcome Pico Taeyang and hold off the fast finishing Big Echo by a neck on the line. May it be the first of many for Gillespie but it wouldn’t be the only close finish of the day.

Gillespie joins two other foreign trainers at Busan. Peter Wolsley evidently took the day off but South African Bart Rice was in fine form. Rice only sent out four horses all day but three of them returned winners. 10/1 shot Gold Bank (Bernstein) crept down the rail under Masa Tanaka to win race 11 before You Hyun Myung guided favourite Captainiji (Mineshaft) to the honours in race 13.

It was quite a bizarre ending to the race with jockey You taking Captainiji down the rail – which had been the place to be all day – while his closest rival Last Ticket shifted well wide only to fly home and be beaten a neck on the line. It was Captainiji’s second consecutive win over 1800M. Rice wasn’t done. Race 14 saw his Alpha Plus (Biwa Shinseiki) get sent off at 8/1 but in the hands of Masa Tanaka, he defied those odds to land a comfortable 5-length triumph.

Bart Rice has now seen six of his last ten runners return home as winners. Since he started in Korea, his win strike rate is 18%; 27% of his runners have finished in the top two while he has managed to get 33% to show. He is currently 14th of 33 trainers in the 2015 Championship in terms of winners but has sent out significantly fewer runners than any other trainer on the list. Except Thomas Gillespie.

It is this care for his runners – that he sends them out only when they are right – that has made Rice the trainer of choice for some of the new foreign owners at Busan. Dr. Joe Dallao, the first foreign owner to be licensed, has two with him and he in turn introduced Barry Irwin, head of Team Valor (owner of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom), who has sent his gelding Swoop to Bart’s barn.

It’s time to talk about Masa Tanaka. In between getting Mangang home for Thomas Gillespie and his double for Bart Rice, the Japanese rider also had time to get the best of a desperately close finish to race 4 on Grageo (Biwa Shinseiki). He coaxed the 8/1 chance into beating the favourite Seorabeol Gongju by a nose on the line and it was one of those instances where the jockey made the difference.

Masa Tanaka (Pic: Busan Ilbo)

Masa Tanaka (Pic: Busan Ilbo)

It was Grageo’s second win. His first was on his racecourse debut back last Boxing Day when he was ridden by Tanaka’s Japanese compatriot Joe Fujii. Fujii won just about every big race during his time in Korea while Tanaka is yet to win a Stakes but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He’s now racking up the numbers and with his four victories today moves onto 84 Korean winners and his stated aim of reaching 100 will surely be a formality.

Tanaka is a very good judge of pace who gets his mounts into exactly the right positions and given the right ride in a big race, there is no doubt that he will get the job done. Held in high esteem among punters and connections alike, it’s hoped he will be here for a long time to come and will soon reset his ambition to 200 winners.

On the subject of getting the job done, we turn to Ikuyasu Kurakane. The Seoul Racecourse “MVP” of 2014, despite not winning the Jockey Championship (for a foreigner at Seoul that is an immense achievement), returned to Korea last week after five months riding at his home track of Kochi in Japan. It didn’t take him long to get back in the winner’s circle as he partnered Rising Bravo (Discreet Cat) to victory in race 6. The “Punter’s Friend” is back.

Peter Hill’s Pegasus Stables on Jeju Island has been a big supporter of Bart Rice and has also sent some horses to Thomas Gillespie (and previously to Peter Wolsley too) and to round out a good day for the foreign influence, the Pegasus owned Binggoragio (Blazonry) was the 20/1 winner of the final event on a long day, race 15.

All in all it was a cracking day’s sport at Busan. The foreign influence; the South African track riders, the trainers and the jockeys have played an important role in making Busan far superior to Seoul when the two tracks race their horses against each other. 32,000 punters were at Seoul today to bet solely on Busan. In Gillespie, Rice, Tanaka and Kurakane, they were betting on quality.

Rock Band Calls The Tune In Minister’s Cup

Rock Band led from gate-to-wire to win the Minister’s Cup at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon, holding off Triple Nine who had to settle for 2nd in his second consecutive Classic race.

Rock Band in the Minister's Cup winner's circle

The Rock Band/Triple Nine 1-2 was a remarkable achieivement for Isildore Farm, who bred the pair of them and also – although we have come to expect it by now – for trainer Kim Young Kwan.

Rock Band was sent off as the 4th fvourite in the betting in a field that was depleted in terms of numbers by the scratchings of Daegunhwang and Bulpae Line. Last time he faced such a small field, Rock Band got stuck in traffic and suffered his only loss to date. This time, jockey Kim Yong Geun decided to take the race by the scruff of the neck and lead from the gate.

Derby winner Yeongcheon Ace was slow to settle in the early stages but went with the leader as did Triple Nine, who began the race as favorite, and KRA Cup Mile winner Rafale. It was a lead Rock Band would never relinquish. Triple Nine lost some ground beginning the long turn for home and that would prove crucial as Rock Band had enough in hand to hold off his late charge and take victory by half a length on the line.

Yeongcheon Ace battled on for 3rd while Doraon Hyeonpyo, last year’s champion juvenile, got up for 4th ahead of a tiring Rafale.

For jockey Kim Yong Geun, it was a 2nd Classic of the year after winning the Korean Oaks on Jangpung Parang, also for trainer Kim Young Kwan, at Busan last month.

Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – July 19, 2015

1. Rock Band (KOR) [Ecton Park -Plie (Dixieland Band)] – Kim Yong Geun – 8.6, 3.4
2. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.3
3. Yeongcheon Ace (KOR) [Menifee – Dixie Avenger (Dixie Union)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.5
Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also ran: 4. Doraon Hyeonpyo (KOR) 5. Rafale (KOR) 6. Seonbong (KOR) 7. Yuseong Fighting (KOR) NR. Daegunhwang (KOR) NR. Bulpae Line (KOR)

Rock Band is the full-brother to Indie Band, another product of Isildore. Indie Band won the 2013 President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes but has been sidelined for the past year. The younger brother never raced as a 2-year-old and today was only his 6th career start. There could be much more to come from him.

Next week, Busan takes its summer vacation but there will be plenty of action at Seoul. Trainer Kim Young Kwan will be in Singapore to saddle Gamdonguibada and Nobody Catch Me in the KRA Trophy at Kranji. He’ll not be training a 1-2 finish there. Today though, Rock Band was throroughly on song.

Minister’s Cup – Full Preview

Rafale struck first in the KRA Cup Mile. Yeongcheon Ace romped home in the Derby. They both line up, alongside just five others, for the final leg of the 2015 Korean Triple Crown – the Minister’s Cup – at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Yeongcheon Ace led Triple Nine home in the Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Yeongcheon Ace led Triple Nine home in the Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt)

There have been two scratchings since declarations were made on Thursday mornings. Daegunhwang, 4th in the Korean Derby and Bulpae Line, who was set to take part in his first Triple Crown race, have both been ruled out. That means there won’t be a number 2 or number 7. Only one of the seven is from Seoul with the rest having travelled up from Busan. Here’s who’s left in:

Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – July 19, 2015 – 16:55

1. Triple Nine [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] (7/5/2/0) – Lim Sung Sil
He will be either favourite or second-favourite. He didnt make it to the Cup Mile but finished 2nd in the Derby and won a quick race over 1800M last month to keep him ticking over. Didn’t finish that strongly in the Derby which may be a concern but trainer Kim Young Kwan will surely have him spot-on here. He probably wont lead but he should be handy.

3. Yuseong Fighting [Didyme – Maggie’s Prayer (Songandaprayer)] (9/5/0/1) – Yang Young Nam
Credit to connections for entering their horse in all three legs of the Triple Crown but Yuseong Fighting is a sprinter. He will go out quick but he won’t get the trip with 1400M so far being his limit against decent opposition. Expect to see him win plenty of races over six furlongs but don’t expect him to win this.

4. Rock Band [Ecton Park – Plie (Dixieland Band)] (5/4/1/0) – Kim Yong Geun
The wildcard. Unraced as a 2-year-old, he sauntered to victory without really being tested in his first four starts this year. He then had a chance to show what he was made of over 1800M last month but in a small field he got a dreadful trip, managing to get stuck behind slow-moving horses twice. Rock Band flew home but it was too late. Kim Young Kwan could have entered others and Kim Yong Geun gives up a weekend of rides at Busan to partner him. He can’t be ruled out.

5. Doraon Hyeonpyo [Colors Flying – Kilcoe Castle (Gone West)] (8/5/2/0) – Kim Dong Young
Second in the Cup Mile and fifth in the Derby, this is another for who the distance may be an issue. Doraon Hyeonpyo was last year’s Champion Juvenile but the Derby was his first attempt at a mile and while he should beat plenty there are a few who may be too quick at the business end of the race.

6. Rafale [Colors Flying – Dongbang Choego (Al Naba)] (9/5/3/1) – You Hyun Myung
The KRA Cup Mile winner and then 3rd in the Derby, less than three lengths behind Yeongcheon Ace. He is quick and the distance shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for him. Expect him to settle in the middle of the pack and improve around the home turn. Rafale is most likely to start 3rd favourite and he should be looking for at least a place.

8. Seonbong [Duality – Megabuck Gal (Montbrook)] (9/3/3/0) – Lee Joon Chel
A very creditable 6th in the Korean Derby but there is no strong reason to believe he can finihs much higher here. Seongbong has raced once since the Derby, dropping all the way down to five furlongs and coming 2nd. Following Daegunhwang’s scratching, he is the home-track’s sole representative. This is a small field so anything can happen but he is up against it here.

9. Yeongcheon Ace [Menifee-Dixie Avenger (Dixie Union)] (9/4/3/2) – Choi Si Dae
The Korean Derby winner and the likely favourite here. He is a closer and sat right in the middle of the pack in the Derby. Given the small field today, he may even go right to the back early on. Others have show more speed but he will get the distance and has every chance of grinding out another win. Choi Si Dae is the current big race jockey.

Watts Village & New York Blue Claim Asia Challenge Cup Trials

Seoul and Busan Racecourses both held trials this past Sunday for the Asia Challenge Cup, the international invitational which will be run in the Korean capital at the end of August. And it was familiar names coming out on top as Watts Village and New York Blue ran out the respective winners.

Watts Village and Moon Se Young in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup winner's circle (Pic: KRA)

Watts Village and Moon Se Young in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup winner’s circle (Pic: KRA)

In the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul, there was just a nose in it as Watts Village, 2nd in the Korea/Japan Goodwill race – the forerunner of the Asia Challenge Cup – in 2013 and winner of the Interaction Cup at Ohi in Tokyo later the same year, beat out Choegang Schiller in a back and forth stretch duel that went all the way to the line. Under Moon Se Young, Watts Village had his nose in front just at the right time as the pair came home just one tenth of a second outside the track record for 1200M.

Munhwa Ilbo Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1200M – July 12, 2015

1. Watts Village (USA) [Forestry – Edey’s Village (Silver Deputy)] – Moon Se Young – 2.2, 1.2
2. Choegang Schiller (USA) [Artie Schiller – Changeable (Misawaki)] – Lee Chan Ho – 1.3
3. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) [Wildcat Heir – Persimmon Honey (Colonial Affair)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 1.4
Distances: Nose/2.5 lengths
Also ran: 4. Joy Lucky (KOR) 5. Full Moon Party (KOR) 6. Parang Juibo (USA) 7. Cheonma (USA) 8. Seoul Jeongsang (KOR) 9. Mirae Yeongung (KOR) 10. Nolbu Manse (KOR) 11. Stan The Cameraman (USA)

At Busan, the Gukje Sinmun Cup attracted just six entrants and after a late scratching, only five took their place in the starting gate. It was another quick race and it was the filly New York Blue, 3rd in last year’s Asia Challenge Cup, who would get the better of Success Story by just under a length on the line.

Gukje Sinmun Cup – Busan Racecourse – 1200M – July 12, 2015

1. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The Moon (Deputy Minister)] – You Hyun Myung – 1.8, 1.1
2. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.5
3. Super Gangja (USA) [Simon Pure – Honey Fritters (Helmsman)] – Choi Si Dae
Distances: 0.75 lengths/6 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Gyeongnam Sinhwa (USA) 5. Fly Top Queen (USA) SCR: Jeoldae Gunju (USA)

Both winners – and indeed the runners-up – will be expected in Seoul to take their chance against the visitors from Singapore, Japan and – with a quarantine protocol almost complete – potentially the UAE as well for the Asia Challenge Cup on August 30.

There is more Stakes action at Seoul this coming Sunday in the shape of the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the 2015 Korean Triple Crown.

Gamdonguibada Glory At Busan

There was talk she was to be retired after winning the Queens’ Tour last year. Some retirement. Gamdonguibda, a six-year-old mare, romped home ahead of a whole host of big names and reputations to take the glory in the Busan City Mayor’s Cup this afternoon.

Beolmaui Kkum was out of the gate the quickest – no surprises there – and was quickly joined up front by Oreuse and Cowboy Son. However, today would not be a day for the front-runners. Gamdonguibada, under jockey Lim Sung Sil was away well and settled just behind the leaders.

She improved into 5th entering the home straight and as the early leaders fell away, took advantage and sprinted away to win by four lengths on the line. Spring Gnarly, closed from the back to take 2nd while outsider Heba put in a tremendous performace to grab 3rd. Cowboy Son clung on for 4th while pre-race favourite Gyeongbudaero got the final prize money in 5th.

Gamdonguibada was a $31,000 purchase from Ocala in 2011. Today marked her 14th career victory and took her to over US$2Million in prize money at the current exchange rate. She’s won the Grand Prix Stakes and Ttukseom Cup at Seoul as well as the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (twice) and the KNN Cup at her home track of Busan.

Gamdonguibada’s next engagement is scheduled to be at Kranji in Singapore on July 26. Should she go, she will be up against it, dropping down to 1200M and facing a quality of horse she hasn’t before. Tonight though, in terms of prizes and longevity, she is quite simply the most successful filly or mare to have ever run in Korea.

Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR G2) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – July 5, 2015

1. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Lim Sung Sil – 6.7, 2.3
2. Spring Gnarly (USA) [Master Command – Spring Tide (Unbridled’s Song)] – Kim Yong Geun – 3.7
3. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] – Song Keong Yun – 3.7

Distances: 4 lengths / 0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Cowboy Son (USA) 5. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) 6. Gumpo Sky (KOR) 7. Oreuse (USA) 8. Cinderella Man (USA) 9. Eongmandori (USA) 10. Gumpo Daeseung (AUS) 11. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) 12. Chogwang (AUS) 13. Baksuchyeo (USA) 14. Magic Light (KOR) 15. Hwanggeumjijon (USA)

As for the others, Spring Gnarly made it a one-two for trainer Kim Young Kwan while Gyeongbudaero was late arriving on the scene and is now three races without a win as is Beolmaui Kkum. Oreuse showed at the front early and will surely win plenty of races at shorter distances with the Asia Challenge Cup at Seoul in August the logical target. Cinderella Man was disappointing but will surely be back better.

On the subject of the Asia Challenge Cup, next week we have two trials for it; the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul and the Gukje Sinmun at Busan which is likely to feature Success Story and, making her first start since relocating to Busan, Fly Top Queen. Twilight racing also begins next weekend with the first race at Seoul being 13:00.

Areumdaundonghaeng On Song In YTN Cup

Areumdaundonghaeng closed in style to win the YTN Cup at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon.

Areumdaundonghaeng and Song Jae Chul win the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Areumdaundonghaeng and Song Jae Chul win the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Jangmi Eondeok was sent off as the favourite but it was Real Ten who would set the early pace. He faded as Mani Income hit the front with a furlong left to run but it was Areumdaundonghaeng, the 3/1 second favourite and carrying the lightest weight in the field who was the stronger, coming through under Song Jae Chul and winning going away.

19/1 chance Cheonjeok got the best of a three-way photograph for 2nd beating out Mani Income and K Ascending by a neck with Jangmi Eondeok a further nose back in 5th.

Areumdaundonghaeng was a $33,000 purchase from the Fasig Tipton 2014 Mid-Atlantic Two-Year-Olds sale last May. Today was her 4th win on her 8th career start.

For jockey Song Jae Chul it was a first big race win since he gained his appremtice license two years ago and he celebrated as such as he crossed the line, perhaps mindful that the YTN TV cameras were on him.

YTN Cup – Seoul Racecourse 2000M – June 28, 2015

1. Areumdaundonghaeng (USA) [A.P.Warrior – Legacy’s Silver (Robyn Dancer)] – Song Jae Chul  4.2, 1.7
2. Cheonjeok (USA) [Shakespeare – Celtic Song (Giant’s Causeway)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 4.5
3. Mani Income (USA) [Irish Road – Lemon Zest (Lemon Drop Kid)] – Seo Seung Un – 3.3
Distances: 1 length/neck
Also Ran: 4. K Ascending (USA) 5. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) 6. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) 7. Dangsan Daehyeop (USA) 8. Real Ten (USA) 9. Last Mudae (KOR) 10. Chowon Yeoje (KOR) 11. No Secret More (USA)

* In other news at Seoul the long awaited return of Wonder Bolt, 2nd in both the Asia Challenge Cup and the Grand Prix Stakes last year was an anti-climax. He was sent off as the favourite for the class 1 race 10 ahead of Magic Dancer, who was making his first appearance in the capital since permanently relocating from Busan.

Neither shined though and instead it was Persia Wangja (Ghostzapper) who took the honours, beating out Ganghae by a neck. Gumanseok was in 3rd with Wonder Bolt trailing home in 4th.

Next week the focus shifts to Busan and one of the highlights of the summer schedule, The Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Cup.

Jangpung Parang Makes All To Dominate Korean Oaks

Jangpung Parang led out of the gate and all the way around to dominate the 16th running of the Korean Oaks at Busan Racecourse this afternoon.

As expected there were plenty who were looking to get towards the front early but Kim Yong Geun got Jangpung Parang, who was sent off as fourth-favourite, away well to lead into the first turn with Queen Two Hearts and Dangdae Cheonha in close attendance.

That is how it would remain until the field turned for home. Dangdae Cheonha faded away while favourite Meni Money came through with her expected late run. It was to no avail though as Jangpung Parang had already kicked on to an unassailable lead, giving jockey Kim the luxury of easing slightly as they approached the line. Meni Money would get to within five lengths with Queen Two Hearts a further couple behind.

Hot Commend closed strongly to claim 4th place with Smart Time claiming the final prize-money spot in 5th. Outsider Purple Ocean was 6th while the well-fancied Jibong Sarang was the disappointment of the race in 7th.

It was a third consecutive Oaks win for trainer Kim Young Kwan following Speedy First in 2013 and Queen’s Blade last year. Jockey Kim Yong Geun also partnered Queen’s Blade and was winning his second Oaks.

Jangpung Parang is by Creek Cat, who passed away in 2012. It broke Menifee’s four-year winning streak in the event. She is out of the Canadian-bred mare Ascend The Throne (Silver Charm) who was unraced and was purchased for $30,000 at Keeneland in November 2007.

As for Seoul, while Sports Seoul Trophy winner Meni Money was sent off the slight favorite, her 2nd place was creditable while Smart Time also ran well for 5th. The capital desperately needs to get a big race win over Busan but today once more, it was not to be.

It wasn’t quite the fairytale ending to his Korean-career for Joe Fujii. Dangdae Cheonha showed towards the front early but faded to last in the home-straight. Masa Tanaka and Nobuyuki Oyama though guided the unfancied pair of Hot Commend and Purple Ocean to 4th and 6th respectively.

The Oaks was run two months earlier this year in order to fit in to a new compressed Triple Crown schedule. That means the final leg, with the colts involved once more, is less than a month away. Janpung Parang will almost certainly stay the 2000M should connections choose to bring her up to Seoul for the Minister’s Cup next month.

Korean Oaks (KOR G2) – Busan Racecourse – 1800M – June 21, 2015

1. Jangpung Parang (KOR) [Creek Cat – Ascend The Throne (Silver Charm)] – Kim Yong Geun – 5.9, 2.0
2. Meni Money (KOR) [Menifee – Pocketful Of Money (Running Stag)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.3
3. Queen Two Hearts (KOR) [Menifee – Ghostly Gal (Silver Ghost)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.5
Distances: 5 lengths / 2.5 lengths. Winning Time: 1:56.5

Also Ran: 4. Hot Commend (Masa Tanaka) 5. Smart Time (Ham Wan Sik) 6. Purple Ocean (Nobuyuki Oyama) 7. Jibong Sarang (You Hyun Myung) 8. Queen Creek Cat (Kim Hye Sun) 9. Grace (Kim Dong Young) 10. Dia Girl (Kim Cheol Ho) 11. Dangdae Cheonha (Joe Fujii)

Winning Owner: Lim Chong Jae
Winning Breeder: Jang Kyoung Ae
Winning Traner: Kim Young Kwan

Rock Band Out Of Tune At Busan

Rock Band saw his unbeaten record wither away in the Busan twilight on Friday as the much-vaunted three-year-old crashed to his first defeat on his first try at 1800M.

Rock Band [Ecton Park – Plie (Dixieland Band)] is the full-brother of the 2013 President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Indie Band. Unraced as a two-year-old, he debuted in March and before Friday had won each of his four races with ease.

Stepped up to 1800M and also up to class 3, the main danger on Friday was expected to be Yeonggwanguitaepung, who had been so disappointing in the Korean Derby last month. However, with Rock Band sent off the long-odds on favourite, the one they all overlooked was Cheonji Hero (Volponi).

Under You Hyun Myung, 30/1 chance Cheonji Hero made the early running and remarkably would go on to make all. Rock Band on the other hand, found himself caught up first behind the erratically racing Choegang Bulpae and then behind a wall of Yeonggwanguitaepung, Lucky and Sinheung Menifee, the latter two travelling slowly.

By the time jockey Kim Yong Geun had managed to extricate himself, Cheonji Hero – no superstar but no mug – was long gone. Rock Band finished like the KTX to Cheonji Hero’s Mugunghwa but came up three lengths short. He will surely win next time.

Other reputations did emerge intact yesterday. Rock Band’s stable-mate Triple Nine (Ecton Park – A Little Poke) was 2nd in the Korean Derby at Seoul last month and back at his home track he came out in the feature race to record his 5th win from 7 starts. Racing well within himself under jockey Lim Sung Sil, the colt secured a very comfortable three-length victory.

Like Rock Band, Triple Nine is also not one to hit the front too early. Unlike Rock Band he safely managed to navigate a 13-strong field rather than getting lost in traffic among just 6 rivals. Both will be back and both could be present in some of the big Autumn Stakes races.

Classy Perovic Doubles At Seoul

Fresh from his first victory in Korean racing last Sunday, it didn’t take Djordje Perovic very long to strike again, with the Serbian rider landing a double at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

His first victory came in race 1 when he got 8/1 Horuragi home in a final furlong tussle with second-favourite Ison. The two horses were evenly matched but Perovic’s superior skill got his mount to the line in front.

Perovic would show that skill again later on when guiding 40/1 shot My William to an unexpectedly comfortable win in race 7. Connections will be starting to take note.

It is notoriously difficult for foreign riders to get a foot in the door at Seoul, regardless of talent or ability. It takes steely resolve, a thick skin, an open-mind and a lot of perseverance. Perovic got a toe in the door when getting on a spare ride on his first weekend and guiding it to second place. The foot followed last week. Today he started to kick the door down.

It’s still early days and plenty can still go wrong but owners want winners. They wanted Ikuyasu Kurakane in the past and it seems many are going to start to want Djordje Perovic.

* Despite his earlier successes, Perovic was unable to complete a treble in the afternoon’s feature race. That was won by Seoul’s leading jockey Moon Se Young who booted Brig (Menifee) to a comfortable win in the 1800M Class 1 Handicap.