Top Point Wins the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup

Top Point regained her crown as Korea’s top racemare by winning the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The seven-year old led home Seoul-based fillies Geumbi and Kkakjaengi to secure a clean-sweep of the placings by visitors from the capital.

Top Point in the Winner's Circle again

Sent off the 6/4 favourite, the former KRA Cup Classic winner was settled into the middle of the pack by jockey Jo In Kwen as Bulkkot Gisang and Gippeumnuri made the early pace. As they turned for home, however, the three favourites came to the front. First it was Kkakjaengi and she and Top Point locked up to duel two furlongs from home. It wasn’t until 100 metres from the line that Top Point saw her off and Kakakjaengi faded to third as Geumbi finished quickly on the outside.

Ultimately Top Point wasn’t extended. She moves onto a record of eighteen wins from thirty-two starts. Had she not missed most of last year due to injury, that record would surely be even better. Her only time out of the money was in the 2009 Grand Prix. Sooner or later, she will be retired but today proved that she still has plenty to offer.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – November 13, 2011

1. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser-Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – Jo In Kwen – 2.5, 1.3
2. Geumbi (USA) [Ecton Park-Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.8
3. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back-Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – Lee Sang Hyeok – 1.5

Distances: 2 lengths/0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Queen Of Rain (USA) 5. Money Tree (KOR) 6. Fortunata (USA) 7. Gippeumnuri (USA) 8. Blueband Mama (USA) 9. Dongbangmiin (KOR) 10. Wonder Unicorn (KOR) 11. Crown Flag (KOR) 12. Bulkkot Gisang (KOR) 13. Onsaemiro (KOR) 14. Tango Step (KOR)

Up at Seoul, the feature race was the Sports World Trophy and unlike in Busan, there was a surprise. 26/1 Ppoppai [Rockport Harbor-Fair And Lively (Lively One)] got the better of a tight finish over Captain Cugat (King Cugat) and Ecton Cat (Ecton Park). While it was a sixth win in twelve starts for the US bred three-year old, it also capped off a remarkable weekend for apprentice jockey Lee Gang Seo.

Lee, recently returned from a month of training in Australia, rode two winners yesterday and had already added another before picking up the ride on Ppoppai from the indisposed Yoon Tae Hyoug. Evidently the time abroad has done him some good.

Next week the Stakes action returns to Seoul in the shape of the Nonghyup Chairman’s Cup

Dangdae Bulpae won his second consecutive President’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon back in the President's Cup Winner's Circle

There wasn’t the confidence in him that one might expect. Choeonyeon Daero was sent off as favourite but it was Dangdae Bulpae who was sent off into an early lead. For a moment punters were wondering if it would be the same suicidal early lead that Dangdae Bulpae shared with Tough Win in the Busan Metropolitan. But any worries they may have had faded quickly once the field entered the home straight.

Jo Sung Gon prompted Dangdae Bulpae into action and the pair streaked away from the field recording a six length win at the wire ahead of Cheonnyeon Daero. Race Terror was a further two lengths back in third while Nathan Stanley partnered old-stager Khaosan to the race of his life in fourth.

President’s Cup (KOR.G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 6, 2011

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 4.2, 2.1
2. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Nothern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 1.4
3. Race Terror (KOR) [Duality-Starship Adventure (Dare And Go)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.8

Distances: 6 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Khaosan 5. Real Victor 6. High Point 7. Useung Touch 8. Yeonseung Daero 9. Money Teukgeup 10. Cheot Insang 11. Dongseo Jeongbeol 12. Suseung TX 13. Love Cat

After two disappointing appearances, Dangdae Bulpae moves onto thirteen wins from twenty starts. He had questions to answer today. He doesn’t anymore.

Two-year Old Could Be a Star In The Making As He Breezes to Turkey Jockey Club Trophy

Well that was impressive. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones) brushed aside thirteen older rivals to win the Turkey Jockey Club Trophy at an unseasonably warm Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Smarty Moonhak and Shim Seung Tae in the Winner's Circle - this may not their last visit

It’s very rare in Korea for a two-year old to race nine furlongs and even rarer for them to compete in a Trophy race against older horses. However, such was Smarty Moonhak’s reputation coming in – and a less than intimidating line-up of rivals – that punters made him the long odds-on favourite.

He didn’t disappoint. Drawn in gate 11, jockey Shim Seung Tae sent Smarty Moonhak fast out of the gate to take up a position just behind early leader Yaho Cat. They stayed in this order until entering the home straight when Shim asked his colt to shift up a gear. This he did and the pair cruised away from the field to win, easing down, by eleven lengths.

Smarty Moonhak now has four wins from five starts. His only loss came in his very first outing when he was second behind another highly rated import, Mister Captain. Since then, he’s breezed through all his races. Next year could be a big one for him.

Smarty Moonhak Speeds to Victory in the TJK Trophy

Turkey Jockey Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – November 5, 2011

1. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [SMarty Jones-Madeira M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] – Shim Seung Tae – 1.2, 1.0
2. Yaho Cat (USA) [Concerto-Irma (Wild Again)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 2.0
3. Royal Khalife (USA) [Cozzene-Glissand (Forestry)] – Lee Joon Chel – 4.0

Distances: 11 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Pildu (USA) 5. Haeranjanggun (KOR) 6. Gwanakteukgeup (USA) 7. Sun Viking (NZ) 8. V Train (USA) 9. Sky Center (USA) 10. Home For Dinner (CAN) 11. American Revival (USA) 12. Jisang Mujeok (KOR) 13. Jindubong (USA) 14. Manchester Miss (USA)

Action returns to Seoul tomorrow in the shape of the President’s Cup, the most valuable prize on the Korean racing calendar. Dangdae Bulpae is set to be slight favourite to retain the crown he won last year but there will be plenty of support for his fellow raiders from Busan; Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero, Useung Touch and Dongseo Jeongbeol – Classic winners all. It should be a great race.

Sunday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the President’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Tough Win took it easy for a while and then cruised by the field to record possibly the simplest of what is now thirteen career wins from seventeen starts. Back at 1800 metres and escaping the handicapper’s weights for once in what was a rare Allowance feature race, the result was never likely to be in doubt.

Tough Win heads to post for another easy win

Nevertheless, Tough Win (Yonaguska) was still up against the likes of Larrycat (Fantasticat), who finished way ahead of him in the Grand Prix Stakes last year and the in-form Japanese pairing of Necromancer (Air Eminem) and KJ Khan (Squirtle Squirt). not to mention the old warhorse and former Grand Prix winner, Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae).

Under Cho Kyoung Ho, Tough win sat at the back of the field around the first turn before moving into contention in the back-straight and easing clear as they turned for home. The margin at the end was eight lengths but it might as well have been eighteen.

Tough Win is a horse that exposes both strengths and weaknesses of Korea racing. Ultimately he’s a sprinter but there are so few sprint races for Class 1 horses, he has had to be stretched out further. No problems there; he’s head and shoulders ahead of anything else on the peninsula up to nine furlongs. Above that, it gets tricky but the only Championship races for imported horses such as Tough Win are at 2000 Metres (Busan Metropolitan) and 2300 Metres (Grand Prix).

Tough Win just about managed to win the Metropolitan last year but was soundly beaten this year as indeed he was in the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is an Korean racing institution – racing fans get to vote on which horses should receive invitations and the result is that the best horses on the peninsula get in. It’s great. But it would be even better if we had both the Grand Prix Stakes and the Grand Prix Mile!

Down at Busan it was business as usual for Peter Wolsley and Nathan Stanley. The Australian trainer/jockey duo combined to win the feature race with Gyeongkwaehanjilju (Tapit). The grey four-year old has now won his last three races and Wolsley and Stanley are undoubtedly the most lethal combination at the track. At least some Aussies are flying this weekend.

Moon Se Young Opens Up Big Lead In Jockey Championship

In 2009 it was a fall, while in 2010 it was a lengthy suspension. Bad luck and carelessness cost Moon Se Young the Seoul Jockeys’ Championship in the two years following his victory in 2008. It seems that it is only one of those two misfortunes that could possibly cost him this year’s crown as the 31-year-old cemented his commanding lead over rival Cho Kyoung Ho by riding four winners at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Smiling Assasin: Moon Se Young

Moon’s victories today were by no means routine. After taking race 1 on 7/1 shot Time Light (Revere) he immediately followed up in race 2 on Jeongsangillo (Flatter). After sitting out race 3 in he was back winning in race 4 by five lengths on 4/1 Jeongsang Yechan (Menifee). Not until race 8 did he ride a favourite and when he did, Magic Light (Exploit) duly obliged.

It was a good day’s work but the Champion-elect still managed to look disgusted with himself after the last when Senchingu was beaten by slight favourite Bohemian Love (Commendable) ridden by his only serious rival for the title, Cho Kyoung Ho.

Moon is now thirteen wins ahead of last year’s winner Cho with veteran Park Tae Jong a distant third.

In other races, perennial underachiever Singgeureounachim (Exploit) finished on the right end of a quinella for once. The one-time Derby favourite has so far failed to live up to his substantial potential, however, today he made no mistake as, under Jo In Kwen, he took out the first of co-feature races. Starting even-money favourite, the three-year old collared early leader Gangcheoljangsa in the home straight and held on for a narrow victory.

Eyes Down: Singgeureounachin and Jo In Kwen beat Gangcheoljangsa and Kim Ok Sung

It was also a good day for the two Japanese jockeys at Seoul. After Makoto Noda won race 7 on Wangkkaebi (Fiercely), Mai Beppu followed up in race 11, the day’s second co-feature, by making all on Mass Media’s Tea (Mass Media) to score victory by a length. Noda and Beppu move on to six and eight wins in Korea respectively.

While on the subject of jockeys, a word for Park Sang Woo. With the horses in the gate for race 9, his mount Honggwang reared up violently throwing him off and jamming his leg against the metal stall in the process. Unable to move, he had to be carried out towards the waiting ambulance.

However, with Honggwang unharmed and to a round of applause, he insisted upon being placed back on the horse. Brave, stupid or both it may have been from Park and Honggwang, a 25/1 outsider, ran to form and finished nowhere. On returning to scale, Park collapsed after dismounting, his leg giving way, and had to be carried to weigh in. He did his job. Jockeys are tough.

Sunday October 30

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Winter is coming: In the gathering gloom at Seoul Racecourse, Mai Beppu wins on Mass Media's Tea

A filly and a colt were sent of as favourites in Seoul and Busan’s first Stakes race for this year’s two-year old crop. And a filly and a colt won. However, while the colt in question did the business at Busan on Sunday afternoon, a day earlier in the capital it was a different filly taking the acclaim.

Cheoneun (Forest Camp) had strolled through her three previous starts and came into the Gwacheon City Mayor’s Cup the red-hot favourite. And in a torrential downpour, it looked as though she was going to live up to that billing as, under Park Tae Jong, she bounced straight out of the gate and into what seemed both a comfortable and commanding lead.

Having won at seven furlongs before, there was no reason to think that Cheoneun would tire over just six. However, on the sloppy track, that’s exactly what happened and the beneficiary was Dolpung Jilju (Didyme) who slowly wore down the favourite before passing her in the final furlong to record victory by half a length. Dolpung Jilju, another filly, was winning for the third time on her fourth start. Four lengths adrift of Cheoneun was the first colt home in the shape of Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire).

There were no such problems down at Busan today for Gyeongbudaero (Menifee). Happy to let others set the pace, the Choi Si Dae set Gyeongbudaero loose in the home straight and he made short order of the field to win by a length and a half going away. Nathan Stanley grabbed second place on Peter Wolsley’s filly Nuriui Bit while another filly, Sing A (Fortitude) was third.

Gyeongbudaero translates as “Road from Busan to Seoul” – it is likely that the colt will be travelling up that very road at the end of next month for the Breeders’ Cup where he’ll meet Seoul’s fillies to decide just who is Champion Juvenile of 2011.

Gwacheon City Mayor’s Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M October 15, 2011

1. Dolpung Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Alder Gulch (Gulch)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 8.2, 1.9
2. Cheoneun (KOR) [Forest Camp – Naha (Silver Buck)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.1
3. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire – Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Kim Dong Chul – 1.6

Distances: 0.5 lengths/4 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Viva Cat 5. Spin Up 6. Ft. Silver 7. Rocket Sox 8. Ubin Teukgeup NR. Mighty Hong Kong

Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup – Busan Race Park – 1200M – October 16, 2011

1. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Labique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.3, 1.0
2. Nuriui Bit (KOR) [Menifee – Altria (Maria’s Mon)] – Nathan Stanley – 2.1
3. Sing A (KOR) [Fortitude – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] – Kim Dong Young – 4.7

Distances: 1.75 lengths/0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Over Power 5. Good Time 6. Predict 7. Uddukseon 8. Baekho Janggun 9. Super Grand 10. Daejiui Gamdong NR. Innofast

* Also at Busan this afternoon Mister Park (Ecton Park) continued his record-breaking streak. With Japanese jockey Akane Yamamoto on board for the first time, the four-year old extended his winning streak to a remarkable seventeen races. In this latest victory, Mister Park crushed a small field of foreign bred horses by five lengths without working up much of a sweat.

Mister Park is not a horse that has been given the respect one might expect for a Grand Prix winner and a horse who has won more consecutive races than any other in Korean history. Being stabled at Busan contributes to this (not the fault of Busan – it’s better than Seoul but it doesn’t get the same exposure) and also a perception that he has been kept away from the toughest challenges (or campaigned sensibly, if you like).

It’s unfair, but it’s a fact. What’s also a fact is that we are only two months away from the Mister Park’s defence f the Grand Prix. If he comes to Seoul – as he surely will – and if he successfully defends his title, no-one will be disrespecting Mister Park.

Ace Galloper strode to a three-length win in the KRA Cup Classic at Seol Race Park this afternoon and in doing so gave himself a favourite’s chance in the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes.

Ace Galloper and Park Tae Jong win the KRA Cup Classic

With Park Tae Jong on board, Ace Galloper took control in the home straight and strectehd away to win comfortably from Sing Sing Cat and Jumong. Double Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja was fifth while Baekgwang returned injured in sixth.

KRA Cup Classic (KOR.G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 9, 2011

1. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.6, 1.5
2. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat-Freddy Fenter (Fenter)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 3.1
3. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – Jo In Kwen – 1.6

Distances: 3 legnths/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Captain Cugat 5. Dongbanui Gangja 6. Baekgwang 7. Celebrate Tonight 8. Bulpae Gisang 9. Ppoppai 10. Cheonjidolpung 11. Florida Sox

Second favourite Imperial Girl cruised to a comprehensive win in the first ever Singapore Turf Club (STC) Trophy at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Imperial Girl and Choi Bum Hyun Win the Singapore Turf Club Trophy

The seven furlong Cup race for fillies & mares attracted a competitive field of thirteen and it was the favourite Kkochyeoul who set the early pace with well-fancied Blueband Mama and Imperial Girl closely following her. They remained in this order until, with a furlong to go, Choi Bum Hyun asked Imperial Girl to accelerate and the three-year old motored away from her rivals to record a four length win from the fast finishing Hwansanguimulgyeol who swept home unnoticed on the stands-side.

The win was only the third for Imperial Girl whose previous career highlight was an impressive third place in the Owners’ Association Trophy back in June. For jockey Choi Bum Hyun – sporting a haircut that can charitably be described as interesting – it was a first big race win for over a year. The Chairman of the Singapore Turf Club was on hand for the presentation.

Singapore Turf Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – October 1, 2011

1. Imperial Girl (USA) [Imperialism-Wallena (Wallenda)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.2, 1.5
2. Hwansanguimulgyeol (KOR) [Happy Jazz Band-Koran (Alquoz)] – Kim Dong Chul – 3.4
3. Kkochyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai-A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Jung Pyeong Soo – 1.3

Distances: 4 lengths/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Alpha Lady (AUS) 5. Worincheongang (USA) 6. Uigiyangyang (USA) 7. Arisae (KOR) 8. Saeroungamun (KOR) 9. Burning Sky (JPN) 10. Pilseung Korea (JPN) 11. Blueband Mama (USA) 12. Sky Center (USA) 13. Manjeomhwanhui (KOR)

* On Sunday it’s the big one. The Minister’s Cup brings the 2011 Korean Triple Crown Series to a close. The winners of all three legs so far will be present – Soseuldaemun (KRA Cup Mile), Gwangyajeil (Korean Derby) and Useung Touch (Korean Oaks) – for the showdown at Seoul Race Park. Useung Touch is set to be the slight favourite but she’ll face strong competition not only from Gwangyajeil but also from the likes of improvers such as Champion Belt and Singgeureounachim. It’s set to be a great race – click here for the full preview.

Sunday October 2

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 including the Minister’s Cup at 16:35.
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Imperiousness: Imperial Girl was tough to handle in the Winner's Circle