Racing Reviews

Mari Daemul, Magic Dancer Win Features

Mari Daemul and Magic Dancer both bounced back from recent reverses to claim the feature races at Seoul and Busan respectively today.

Mari Daemul, see here after his KRA Cup Classic win, was back in the winner's circle today

Mari Daemul, see here after his KRA Cup Classic win, was back in the winner’s circle today

KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul has flopped in the Grand Prix Stakes at the tail-end of last year and could only manage third place on his season-debut last month.

However, that didn’t stop him from being sent off the even-money favourite for Seoul’s feature, which included a host of the track’s top class 1 horses.

Ultimately, Mari Daemul (Go For Gin) was the comfortable winner, scoring a 3-length victory over fellow US import Unbeatable (Eddington). Former Grand Prix winner and one-time Horse of the Year Tough Win (Yonaguska) was a neck back in third.

Talented but frustratingly inconsistent, it was an 8th win from 23 starts for the 5-year-old Mari Daemul.

Down at Busan, Magic Dancer (Forest Camp) was given few problems by his own class 1 rivals. The 4-year-old colt could only manage 4th place in the Busan Ilbo Cup last month but was untroubled today, seeing off Cheogang Dancer – to who he was conceding 8kg – by half a length.

In other races at Seoul, highly rated filly Clean Up Speed (Pico Central) landed her 4th win from 6 starts and her first around two turns. Although not entered for the KRA Cup Mile at Busan in two week’s time, she must be considered among the potentials for the year’s later Classics.

Clean Up Speed also provided the third in a treble of winners for Ikuyasu Kurakane. The Japanese jockey reached a milestone 200 Korean winners last weekend and shows no signs of slowing down.

No Joy For Seoul As Gamdonguibada Lands Ttukseom Cup

Gamdonguibada made all to win the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the 2014 Queens’ Tour, at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Joy Lucky was sent off as the heavy favourite and joined the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada in setting the early running. Meanwhile another big fancy, Indian Blue missed the break and found herself 10 lengths adrift just seconds into the race.

With few challengers asserting themselves behind, it looked like the stage was set for Gamdonguibada and Joy Lucky to duel all the way to the line. Instead, however, the Korean-bred filly faded, allowing Gamdonguibada an unchallenged 7-length victory.

Behind, Indian Blue flew home under Ikuyasu Kurakane to snatch an unlikely 2nd and leave connections with a real case of what might have been had she not given herself too much to do at the start. Grand Teukgeup, who had always been close to the front stayed on well for 3rd, just ahead of Heba and the spent Joy Lucky.

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

It was another top quality training performance from Busan’s Kim Young Kwan, his instructions to jockey Lim Sung Sil to go to the front and engage Joy Lucky early paying off spectacularly.

Trainer Kim and jockey Lim have now won the past three big Seoul Stakes races – with Indie Band in the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes and then Gamdonguibada today. Kim’s horses ensure that Busan continues to dominate Seoul in the big races – in addition to those recent wins, he also trains the winners of the latest renewals of the Derby, Oaks and KNN Cup.

For Gamdonguibada, it was a 10th win from 18 starts and her 4th in Stakes races. A $31,000 purchase from the Ocala Spring 2-Year-olds in Training sale in April 2011, she’s now won $1.3Million in prize money.

The Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 16, 2014

1. Gamdongibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Lim Sung Sil – 3.7, 1.4
2. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gambler’s Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 1.6
3. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt. Livermore)] – Jeong Dong Cheol – 4.5

Distances: 7 lengths/Neck
Also ran: 4. Heba (USA) 5. Joy Lucky (KOR) 6. Shining Future (KOR) 7. Star Bolt (USA) 8. Kalma (USA) 9. My Day (KOR) 10. Sun Blade (NZ) 11. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) 12. Xicar (AUS) 13. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA)

Racing Review: My Key Unlocks Busan Feature

Always a horse with a lot of attention on him, My Key delivered the goods at Busan this afternoon, landing his second class 1 victory in the afternoon’s feature race.

As half-brother of US champion Game On Dude, big things were expected of My Key (Macho Uno), now a 4-year-old gelding. He’s no superstar but has developed into a decent campaigner. Entering today’s race with 6 wins from 16 starts behind him, he was sent off as the 2nd favourite in the 13-runner, 2000 metre race.

Jockey Lim Sung Sil saved ground before unleashing My Key in the home straight and they eased away from the field to record victory by just over a length from Cheogo Gangja.

It was the second class 1 race of the weekend at Busan with Friday having seen the previously unbeaten US import Cowboy Son (Cowboy Cal) struggle to 3rd place as Oreuse (Smoke Glacken) took the win in the 7-furlong feature.

Up at Seoul, there was an interesting debutant on Sunday in the shape of another 4-year-old gelding, this one called Yeongsan (Menifee).

It was a Spring-like weekend at Seoul Racecourse

It was a Spring-like weekend at Seoul Racecourse

One of 6 Korean-bred horses exported to Malaysia in 2012, Yeongsan ran there twice on turf before quietly returning home at the end of last year.

Looking an absolute beast in comparison with a woefully overmatched class 6 field, Yeongsan sauntered to a 13-length win. We’ll take a closer look at him and the circumstances of his return over the next few days.

At the business end of Seoul’s card were two class 1 races, one for foreign-bred horses and the other for domestic-bred.

The foreign-bred one saw a very close finish which 8/1 chance Double Shining (Rockport Harbor) just got the best of ahead of Kentucky Galloper (Tiz Wonderful) and KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul (Go For Gin).

Thirty minutes later, odds-on favourite Heukgisa (A.P.Dancer) claimed the domestic race to wrap-up another weekend of racing.

Gyeongbudaero Blasts His Way To Busan Ilbo Cup

Gyeongbudaero held off a late challenge from an outsider to win the Busan Ilbo Cup this afternoon.

Winner: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Winner: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Running at his favourite distance of 1600 metres, the horse who is famous for finishing 2nd or 3rd in the big races made light of his 60kg impost to record his 3rd career Stakes win by a length from My Winner with long-shot All Su leading the rest of the field home 6 lengths adrift.

Gyeongbudaero would have a much better win rate but his connections always seek out the toughest possible opposition for him, generally running in open company rather than in races restricted to Korean bred horses.

He was 3rd in the Korean Derby, Minister’s Cup and President’s Cup in 2012 and followed it up in 2013 with 3rd in this race and 2nd in the President’s Cup.

He’s now 2 for 2 in 2014 with today’s win the 9th from 25 career starts. With Dangdae Bulpae retired, it is between him and President’s Cup winner Indie Band for the title of Busan’s number 1 horse.

It was a very strong run from My Winner in 2nd place. The Peter Wolsley trainee won a listed race last autumn which encouraged connections to take their chance in the President’s Cup. He was last that day and hadn’t run since. Better things could be on the way and he certainly won’t be allowed to start at 20/1 next time.

There was no luck for the foreign jockeys in the race. Joe Fujii, Masa Tanaka and Darryll Holland allentered with fighting chances of the win, However, riding Magic Dancer, Alpha Myeongjang and Grand Teukgeup, they finished 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 23, 2014

1. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.3, 1.1
2. My Winner (KOR) [Vicar – Bridlingbride (Unbridled’s Song)] – Kim Yong Geun – 4.3
3. All Su (KOR) [Perfect Vision II – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] – Song Keong Yun – 6.5

Distances: 1 length/6 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Magic Dancer 5. Alpha Myeongjang 6. Grand Teukgeup 7. Chima Cheolli 8. Fine Fine 9. Road To Prince

* At Seoul, there was a little bit of an upset on the Classic trail as Cheongnyeong Bisang looked very out of sorts while finishing 7th when favourite in a class 2 handicap over the Derby distance of 1800 metres.

Last year’s Champion Juvenile started the year with a routine win over 1700 metres last month and was favourite to successfully go the extra 100 metres today but never looked like going close.

Meanwhile, it was another good day for Ikuyasu Kurakane. The Japanese rider added to his solitary win yesterday with a double today, taking him to 14 for the year already despite missing the first 6 meetings of the year due to suspension.

Fly Top Queen Strolls To Segye Success

Fly Top Queen made her way back to the winner’s circle in dominant fashion at Seoul Race Park today, crushing her opposition in the Segye Ibo Cup.

Fly Top Queen was back in the winner's circle

Fly Top Queen was back in the winner’s circle

Having suffered her first ever career defeat in Japan last November and putting in a poor performance on her season debut over 1700 metres last month, there were those who thought Korea’s most expensive ever import was a half-season wonder.

However, dropped back to 7 furlongs and with likely favourite Strong Wind a late scratching, Fly Top Queen was backed into odds-on and she didn’t mess about.

Gunned out of the widest gate, jockey Park Tae Jong took the 4-year-old to the front early and never looked back, cruising away from the field in the home straight to win by a distance of their choosing.

Behind them the Australian bred pair of Marica and Felix Joy came in 2nd and 3rd but they might as well have been running in a different race. so outclassed they were by the winner.

The victory and the manner of it – even against less than exalted opposition – puts Fly Top Queen firmly in the frame for the opening leg of the Queens’ Tour, the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul next month. There, also at 7 furlongs, Joy Lucky awaits. That should be a good one.

Segye Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – February 16, 2014

1. Fly Top Queen (USA) [Henny Hughes – Cape Discovery (Cape Town)] – Park Tae Jong
2. Marica (AUS) [Reset – Teneales Pearl (Redoute’s Choice)] – Jang Chu Youl
3. Felix Joy (AUS) [Hard Spun – Royal Amity (His Majesty)] – Yoo Seung Wan

Distances: 9 lengths / 1 length – 13 ran

Joy Lucky Saunters To Seoul Success

Joy Lucky began her 2014 campaign in fine style with an easy gate-to-wire win at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Winner Again: Joy Lucky and Seo Seung Un

Winner Again: Joy Lucky and Seo Seung Un

If anything it was too easy with the 7-furlong class 1 race proving little more than a workout for the 4-year-old who ended 2013 as Seoul’s top filly.

Under Seo Seung Un, Joy Lucky took an early lead and settled into a steady pace before sauntering away from her rivals in the home straight to win by a leisurely 9 lengths.

Despite how easy it was, her time was only just over half a second outside the track record for the distance.

Joy Lucky (Ecton Park) now has 8 wins from 11 starts and looks set for a very interesting year. The Queens’ Tour, which begins with the Ttukseom Cup in just over a month’s time, may be on the agenda.

There was no joy for the foreign jockeys at either Seoul or Busan today, but it will still go down as a successful weekend for them. On Friday at Busan, Joe Fujii landed a double while there were also wins for Jerome Lermtye and Masa Tanaka.

Meanwhile in the capital on Saturday, Ikuyasu Kurakane notched a treble, taking him up to 11 wins for the season. The most notable of those victories came on the promising 3-year-old filly Clean Up Speed (Pico Central), who was recording her 3rd win from 5 starts.

It was another wintry weekend in Seoul

It was another wintry weekend in Seoul

Next week sees the return of big race action in the shape of the Segye Ilbo Cup, a Queens’ Tour trial, at Seoul. Joy Lucky doesn’t need to run in it but a host of domestic and imported fillies looking for their pass to compete for the big prizes will be there.

Indian Blues For Watts Village

Watts Village scored an unforgettable victory in Tokyo last November but found himself brought back down to Earth this afternoon as he was handed a defeat on his season re-appearance at Seoul Race Park.

Indian Blue & Ikuyasu Kurakane

Indian Blue & Ikuyasu Kurakane (Pic: Ross Holburt)

And it was a horse ridden by a Japanese jockey that did for him as Ikuyasu Kurakane guided Indian Blue (Henny Hughes), 4th in the Grand Prix Stakes last month, to victory by a length.

On board Watts Village, Seo Seung Un tried to repeat the same tactic that served him so well in the Japanese capital and headed straight for the front. By contrast, Kurakane took Indian Blue right to the back.

There was a key difference this afternoon though as they were racing over 7 furlongs as opposed to 6 in Tokyo and this time Watts Village just couldn’t hold on. Once Indian Blue got into the gear in the home straight, it was just a matter of time and she swept by inside the final 50 metres.

Indian Blue was recording just her 4th win in 14 starts, however, she’s only been outside the money on 2 occasions and has shown she can claim prizes at distances ranging from 1000-2300 metres. It seems the best is still to come for her. As for Watts Village, now that a trip to Dubai is off the table, he’ll be back. He still looks very difficult to beat at sprint distances.

Despite being beaten on Watts Village, the day was by no means a write-off for Seo Seung Un. One race earlier, the jockey guided filly Cheonnyeon Dongan (Ecton Park) to a comfortable victory in the first of the 2 co-feature races.

Now entering her 4-year-old season, Cheonnyeon Dongan was 4th in last year’s Korean Oaks but followed it up with back-to-back Stakes wins in the Dong-a Ilbo Trophy and NACF Chairman’s Cup. Today made for her 3rd straight win and her first against class 1 mixed company.

Down at Busan, it was another successful day for Darryll Holland. The British jockey now lies in joint 1st-place with Joe Fujii in the Busan Jockey Championship after victory on promising US import K Teryus (Not For Love) in race 5. Holland is yet to draw a blank at a single meeting in 2014.

Holland couldn’t score in the feature race though (not having a ride in it didn’t help) as Choi Si Dae guided High Five (Creek Cat) to a 3-length victory from My Key (Macho Uno).

Next weekend is the last before racing takes a short break for the lunar New Year holiday. As such, a number of big names are expected to be in action, especially at Busan where beaten Grand Prix runners Beolmaui Kkum and Gyeongbudaero are entered.

Se Young’s Super Six

Champion jockey Moon Se Young was in imperious form at Seoul on Sunday, riding the winner in 6 or the 10 races on the card.

Moon Se Young

Moon Se Young

As has been mentioned many times on this blog, the standard of riding in Korea has been getting better and better over the past few years.

Seo Seung Un, while not the champion, was undoubtedly the jockey of the year in 2013 by virtue of his outstanding performance with limited firepower.

Lee Chan Ho, a first year apprentice is showing great potential, while Jo In Kwen pushed Moon all the way last year.

However, if there was any doubt as to who is the number one in the weighing room, it was dispelled today. All his mounts had chances and Moon brought them home with ruthless efficiency.

Those wins included both co-feature races, firstly with Brig (Menifee), a 4-year-old who was 4th in the Korean Derby last year and looks set to fulfil his potential this time around.

Then there was Bichui Wangja (Roman Ruler), a 4-year-old American import who held off two long shots to record his 5th career win. Seo Seung Un had ridden Bichui Wangja in all his previous outings before today. With Moon being available though, the ride went to him.

A smile would be nice: Even after Bichui Wangja give s him his 6th winner of the day, Moon Se Young is in no mood for celebration

A smile would be nice: Even after Bichui Wangja give s him his 6th winner of the day, Moon Se Young is in no mood for celebration

Earlier in Moon’s haul was Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton). The only Korean bred horse to win a race in the United States returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in 4 outings, winning race 6 by a nose. He’ll be in class 2 company next time out.

Down at Busan, we have some quality riders too although with Jo Sung Gon off to Macau, most of them are now foreign.

Joe Fujii and Darryll Holland both picked up where they left off from Friday by riding winners. Fujii added to his Friday four-timer by scoring a routine win on hot favourite Not Anymore (Casino Prince) in race 4. It was a 3rd win from 7 starts for the Aussie filly who has never finished worse than 3rd.

Two races later, Holland, who rode a double on Friday, landed the feature race for the 2nd time in as many meetings, guiding Grand Teukgeup (Menifee) to a comfortable win over 7 furlongs.

New Year Begins With Impetus

It’s got one of the most cumbersome names in the calendar but the New Year’s Commemorative Race lived up to its reputation of being a tough punting prospect as 9/1 shot Impetus landed 2014’s first big prize at Seoul Race Park.

Impetus and Park Tae Jong return to scale after winning the New Year's Commemorative race

Impetus and Park Tae Jong return to scale after winning the New Year’s Commemorative race

Now 4-years-old, Impetus (Exploit) came in to the race having won 4 of his previous 13 starts and was 6th most favoured by punters.

Under jockey Park Tae Jong he hit the front coming off the final turn and fought off the determined challenge of favourite Bulkkot Daewang, who finished quickly on the rail, by a neck.

In other news on what was a long 14-race opening day in the Korean capital, we saw our first dead-heat of the year as the judges failed to separate Space Gun and Speed King at the end of race 10.

One race earlier, we also unfortunately saw the first heavy fall of the year as jockey Ahn Hyo Ri was unseated from her mount on the final turn. Ahn required hospital treatment but horse was unhurt and continued without his rider.

New Year Commemorative Race – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – January 4, 2014

1. Impetus (KOR) [Exploit – Miss Stravinsky (Stravinsky)] – Park Tae Jong
2. Bullkot Daewang (KOR) [Pico Central – Hwaju (Joindre)] – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Daejangjeong (KOR) [Menifee – Ledge (Kris S.)] – Lee Sang Hyeok
Distances: Neck/2.5 lengths – 14 ran

Sunday January 5
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:30

Joy Lucky & Seo Seung Un Strike On Final Day At Seoul

Joy Lucky underscored just why she’s considered the best filly in training at Seoul as she cruised to victory over a field comprised mainly of older colts in the final class 1 action at Seoul of 2013.

Seo Seung Un & Joy Lucky were big winners on closing day at Seoul

Seo Seung Un & Joy Lucky were big winners on closing day at Seoul

And for her jockey Seo Seung Un it was yet another day to remember in what’s been a year to remember as Joy Lucky was one of 5 winners for the 24-year-old.

Despite going up against double-Stakes winner Gwanggyo Bisang and Singgereounachim, who was 4th in the President’s Cup on his most recent outing, Joy Lucky (Vicar) started as favourite and never looked vulnerable or even extended as she breezed to a 7-length win.

Seo Seung Un and Joy Lucky cruise to an easy win

Seo Seung Un and Joy Lucky cruise to an easy win

Having missed the Oaks and, inexplicably, the Minister’s Cup, Joy Lucky was last seen being beaten a nose by Secret Whisper in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup, the final leg of the Queens’ Tour.

With 7 wins from 10 starts and with Secret Whisper retired and Derby and Oaks winner Speedy First looking a shadow of her old self, Joy Lucky will start next year’s Queens’ Tour as the firm favourite.

And her jockey may start favourite for the title too. While Moon Se Young has made light of giving everyone else a 3-month head start while he was gallivanting around Macao to win this year’s title, Seo Seung Un has looked unstoppable in recent weeks.

His 5-timer today capping a year that has seen him ride a winner in Japan and get promoted to the really big rides in Korea. With Jo In Kwen out of the picture for the forseeable future (a short stint overseas will be followed by army enlistment), next year is set to be the Seo and Moon show.

Unfortunately, despite the date, there was little in the way of Christmas cheer at Gwacheon today with the recently formed Pari-Mutuel tellers Union going on strike prior to race 1. The Union is seeking to have the tellers, who all work 2-3 days each week on a part-time basis when the track is open, turned into regular employees, receive a pay-rise and be subscribed to the 4 basic insurances that full-time employees are entitled to in Korea.

Raceday operation did not seem to be affected, at least not on course, with the majority of betting being conducted through self-service terminals. However, the atmosphere was uncomfortable and there was very noticeable police presence.

Parading for the last race of the year at a dark and cold Seoul Racecourse

Parading for the last race of the year at a dark and cold Seoul Racecourse

Next it’s Seoul’s turn for a one weekend vacation so it will be down to Busan to round out 2013 for us. The southern track hosts big 14-race cards on both Saturday and Sunday.