Money Car wins again / Yeonseung Daero beaten on season-debut

Watching the same group of horses week in, week out, it is easy to get distorted views of how good some of those horses really are. This blog has undoubtedly been guilty on more than one occasion of describing a particular performance as “great” when what has actually occurred is that an average horse has beaten sub-standard opposition by an unnecessarily wide margin as its jockey has had a restless whip-hand.

Today, however, it can confidently be written that – in Korean racing terms at least – we witnessed greatness. Forced by the handicapper to drag 62 kilos around ten furlongs of Seoul Race Park, Dongbanui Gangja barely seemed to notice the burden as he glided away from thirteen rivals to secure his eleventh consecutive win.

Usually impressive, Dongbanui Gangja looked ungainly in the paddock. Not on the track though.

The horse he wrested the Grand Prix crown from was there and it was Bally Brae who set the early pace under Moon Se Young before Dongbanui Gangja, who had dawdled out of the stalls, cruised to the front as they turned for home. Entering the home-straight, the five-year old, with Choi Beom Hyun at the controls, as usual ran excessively wide. It seemed though that this was just so he could beat his rivals again as, with minimal prompting from Choi, he loped away for a three length victory from Obaek Yechan. Bally Brae ran on bravely for third.

Dongbanui Gangja [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] is now unbeaten since September 2008 and it is no exaggeration to say that there is not a horse on the peninsula that can at present come close to him. If he stays fit, then a second Owner’s Cup in June looks a formality and at this stage, few would bet against a historic third triumph in the season-ending Grand Prix. There is one three-year old, Tough Win, who is talked of as a potential challenger. It will take a very special horse to beat Dongbanui Gangja.

Earlier in the day, Money Car did his Classic claims no harm as he led from start to finish over the Derby distance of nine furlongs in race 8. Since suffering his only defeat on his racecourse debut, Money Car hasn’t been troubled into a gallop.

Money Car would cruise to the cash

Whether connections point him towards the KRA Cup Mile at Busan or wait for the Derby at Seoul, Money Car [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] is likely to be making a serious drive for Triple Crown honours this year.

Down at Busan, last year’s underachiever as a three-year old started his four-year old career in a similar way. Yeonseung Daero flopped in the 2009 Classics but showed his evident class by scoring big wins late in the season and, with a big year expected of him, was sent off favourite in his first outing of 2010. Indeed, such were the expectations of the colt – and much to his connections’ credit – he was pitched in against foreign-bred runners instead of taking the safer option against fellow Korean-breds. It was not to be, however, as Seonnyang Yongsa scooped the day’s big race by a length from Hardride with Yeonseung Daero only managing fourth.

Doing better than that was Busan new-boy Kunihisa Hirase. The Japanese jockey made his debut on Friday and scored his first win at the track this afternoon taking Classc possible Baekjeom Manjeom to a narrow victory in race 2.

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Derby Winner triumphs at Busan but President’s Cup King beaten at Seoul

Last year’s top three-year old filly and colt were both in action this afternoon. And it was Sangseung Ilro at Busan who began her four-year old career on a high while up at Seoul Nice Choice faded in the late afternoon gloom to slump to a rare defeat.

Punters had much more faith in Nice Choice, sending him off long-odds on for the 1900 metre class 1 race in the capital. That seemed to be justified as Cho Kyoung Ho kept the favourite well-positioned as the field made their way through the back-stretch and around the home-turn. When he was asked to sprint, however, there was nothing.

It was a gloomy day all round for Nice Choice

Meanwhile Holy Dreamer and Machine Gun arrived to take things up but neither could match 100/1 outsider Seungundaeseung who emerged from the field to take a shock victory. Nice Choice finished fourth, two lengths behind the winner.

Now six-years old, Seungundaeseung [Buster’s Daydream – Wang-San-Mo (Eagling)], has been an inconsistant perfermer throughout his career, a pair of back-to-back victories last summer which elevated him to class 1 the highlight. Until today.

Down at Busan, Sansgseung Ilro had no such problems. Although Jo Sung Gon was forced to take the double-classic winner very wide as they entered the home straight, she relentlessly ran down second favourite Yeongung Manse, catching and overtaking the five-year old gelding in the final furlong and then running on for a comfortable two length win.

It was Sangseung Ilro’s first victory since the Derby up at Seoul last May. Injuries restricted her to only three further outings as a three-year old, all ending in battling defeat. Looking as sound as she ever has, Sangseung Ilro begins life as a four year old looking like she’s back at her best.

While Cho Kyoung Ho experienced disappointment on Nice Choice, once horse that looks sure to brighten up his year is Tough Win. In race 9, Cho partnered the three-year old to his fourth straight win in as many outings. Stepping up in distance to nine furlongs, Tough Win [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] was once more unchallenged as he cantered away from his class 2 rivals.

Tough Win lopes to the start

It’s still early days but this horse seems the real deal. Today the margin of victory was ten lengths but he was never asked to extend himself. Punters are already anticipating a possible showdown with Dongbanui Gangja later in the year.

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Namchon Party, Cheonho win

He was late arriving on the scene but Bulpae Gisang got just up in time to secure victory in the feature event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Winner of the Busan Metropolitan and second in the Grand Prix to fellow Kim Yang Seon trained Dongbanui Gangja, Bulpae Gisang is widely considered to be behind only his illustrious stablemate on current form.

Bulpae Gisang looked underwhelming in the paddock but did the business on the track

That didn’t stop him being sent-off at slightly better than even money, however, and as Haengun Daewang led the field into the home straight, it looked as though punters had been wise to be cautious. Park Tae Jong had things under control though and brought Bulpae Gisang down the outside to hit the front just metres from the line. Baekjeonmupae came along on his inside to grab second with Haengun Daewang hanging on for third.

It was an eighth win for Bulpae Gisang [Lightnin ‘n Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)], and the American bred four year-old looks set to running for big honours later in the season.

Who’ll be joining him and Dongbanui Gangja as the top overseas-bred horses is up for debate. Tough Win [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] looks sure to be one of them. He runs tomorrow but the only horse to get close to him in his three runs to date is Cheonho. He ran this afternoon and duly picked up his second win in the seven furlong race 10.

Cheonho and Toshiyuki Katoh parade prior to their win

It was a big ride for Toshiyuki Katoh who doesn’t get the opportunity to ride good things very often. The Japanese rider made no mistake as he calmly took Cheonho [Macho Uno – Meadow Peace (Meadow Lake)] to the front turning for home and then galloped away from the field in the straight.

Earlier on yet another sub-zero day in the capital, there had been a welcome return to form for the now five-year old Namchon Party. After finishing third behind Gaeseon Janggun in the 2008 Minister’s Cup, the then highly rated three-year old colt suffered an injury that kept him off the track for over a year.

Cho Kyoung Ho drives Namchon Party clear

Returning just before Christmas, he was well beaten, but today, he was back to his best as he produced a fast final furlong to sprint away from Gwacheon Jijon and Concours in the class 2 race 8. With his record now five wins from eleven races spread over nearly three years, if he keeps fit, maybe this can be Namchon Party’s year at last.

Sunday is set to be a big day. Aside from the afore-mentioned Tough Win, President’s Cup winner Nice Choice will be on show at Seoul while at Busan, the star-turn will be the Derby winning filly Sangseung Ilro who will look to get back in the winner’s circle in the feature race for the first time since the Derby.

Hushtilled also goes down / Wepner takes big prizes at Busan

Yesterday it was Nuriyeongung, today it was the turn of Seonbongbulpae to lose his unbeaten record in the last furlong at Seoul Race Park. Winner of the Herald Business and Champion two-year old of 2009, Seonbongbulpae went down to a faster finishing Luxury Jewang in the class 3 race 7.

Luxury Jewang and Boo Min Ho parade before handing Seonbongbulpae his first ever defeat

Despite being sent off odds-on favourite, it was always going to be a tough ask for Seonbongbulpae. Stepping up not only in quality, but also in distance – to eight and a half furlongs, the three-year old was facing older horses on their terms, including not only Luxury Jewang but also the fast improving Blooming.

Seonbongbulpae, under Cho Kyoung Ho led early but in the back stretch, Boo Min Ho brought Luxury Jewang around the outside of the field to join him. As they turned for home, it was clear it was a two horse race and Boo, going down the outside found just that little bit more than Cho could from Seonbongbulpae to claim a two and a half length win.

So Luxury Jewang, a five-year old gelding, calims his biggest ever win. Fans of Seonbongbulpae [Newsprint – Jeseok (Lost Mountain)] need not be too downhearted. He stayed the distance well, which was a serious doubt, and he will be back to fight another day.

Also having a bad day was the horse who finished second to Seonbongbulpae in that Herald Business Cup back in December. Filly Hushtilled was strongly fancied to pick off a less than impressive looking field of class 4 fillies and mares over seven furlongs in race 10. It was not to be, however, as despite being well placed as the field turned for home, Hustilled was able to offer no sprint whatsoever, finishing in fourth, three lengths short of winner Ruby.

One horse who did live up to expectations was Jumong. The American import landed his third successive win. The half-brother to Subsidy and Soseono didn’t need to break into a sweat as he cantered to victory in race 6. Three-year old Jumong [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] will be one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Moon Se Young looks around but there's no danger for Jumong

While it was a pleasant day at Seoul with temperatures hovering around freezing but not going too far below, down at Busan they were luxuriating in spring-like conditions. And it was a very good day for Martin Wepner as the South African jockey took victory in both of the track’s co-feature races.

First up was the race for overseas bred horses and it was Wepner who guided Max Is Cruisin to his second win in his last three starts. Next was the domestic race and again it was Wepner who took the four-year old Muhan Daeseung to victory over 2000 metres.

Back at Seoul and on the theme of overseas jockeys, Toshiyuki Katoh has had few opportunities since arriving in the capital in the middle of last year.

Toshiyuki Katoh

Today he made the most of an unlikely one in the shape of 80/1 outsider Bicheongeom who he took to victory in the opener. It was Katoh’s fourth victory in Korea.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Nuriyeongung beaten but Ace Galloper finds it easy / Shock from Nujindo

Ace Galloper sauntered around one circuit of the Seoul Race Park track this afternoon to claim his fifth straight win and his first as a three-year old.

Although his mount was more than capable of leading this field from wire-to-wire, jockey Cho Kyoung Ho was happy to allow outsider Ganghannara to assist with the early pace under Kim Ok Sung. Turning into the home straight, Cho asked Ace Galloper to move up a gear and the colt sped away from the rest to win to win by an eased down twelve lengths.

On making his début last summer, Ace Galloper was a little overlooked as he did so in the same race that Northern Ace broke J. S. Hold’s five furlong track record. Since then, Northern Ace has been blighted by setbacks while Ace Galloper has made great strides since breaking his maiden at the third attempt and is himself the Korean record holder over six and a half furlongs.

Ace Galloper [Chapel Royal – Explicitly (Exploit)] was conceived overseas so he won’t play any part in the Classics this year. Nevertheless, he’ll be likely to be mixing it with the very best Seoul can offer by the end of the year.

Ace Galloper strolls at Seoul

While Ace Galloper was sent off as long-odds on, there was a shock in the feature handicap as Nujindo – an old-stager who hadn’t won for almost two years and hadn’t even picked up any prize money for all of one year came through late to pull off a two length win. Left in the seven-year old’s wake as he pulled off his 90/1 upset were big names Gi Ra Seong and Hwangnyongsaji.

Nujindo capped a very good day for jockey Lee Sang Hyeok who two races earlier had partnered The Sea God as they overhauled hot favourite Nuriyeongung in the final furlong of the class 4 race 8. Though four years old, Nuriyeongung was making just his third start and, having won both his previous outings with ease, was expected to add to winnings here.

Indeed for much of the way round he was in charge but, going over eight and a half furlongs for the first time, he faltered in the last 100 metres to allow Lee and The Sea God to take the honours.

Nuriyeongung, unbeaten before today looked sure to keep his record intact

Though temperatures remained below zero, the lack of wind made for more pleasant conditions than those faced by everyone last weekend and this looks set to continue tomorrow. Seonbongbulpae will be the latest to put his unbeaten record on the line as Seoul’s Champion Two-Year Old of 2009 lines up in race 7.

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Mixed fortunes for highly-rated Busan pair
Night Moves, the filly who so impressed when winning the Busan Breeder’s Cup last November to become the track’s Champion two-year old, was beaten on her re-apperance this afternoon.

Sent off odds-on favourite, Night Moves was leading all the way but ran out of steam in the final few yards of the seven furlong race to allow four-year old gelding Molto Presto to come through and snatch victory. While the ability of Night Moves [Proud Accolade – Elania (Double Honor)] over sprint distances isn’t in question, there had been doubts over her ability to stay more than six furlongs. Today it seemed these doubts were realised.

There were no such worries for another newly turned three-year old. Captain Sir [Trippi – Fine Wine (Hooched)]. One of the most exciting imports of the last year, the US bred colt was on cruise-control as he outclassed twelve others over 1800 metres. It’s his second win over the distance and also at category 2. It won’t be long before Captain Sir is racing against the very best at Busan.

On Saturday the action moves to Seoul where one of last year’s stand-out two year olds, Ace Galloper will be hot favourite to make it five wins in a row in race 10. Meanwhile Gi Ra Seong heads up the feature handicap.

Saturday
Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:30, last 17:10

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Soseono back to winning ways / Galsaem beaten
Good Day and Namdo Jeap both went wire-to-wire to win their respective big races at Seoul and Busan Race Parks this afternoon.

Namdo Jeap, winner of last year’s Minister’s Cup was sent off only second favourite behind in-form fellow four-year old Golden Appeal. The result was never in doubt, however, as Namdo Jeap bounced out of the gate under Lim Sung Sil and cruised away from the field in the home straight for a six length victory. Golden Appeal rallied late but never got close.

Up at Seoul, Good Day had slightly more to worry about in the final stages of his ten furlong test. Balhaejanggun was finishing much the quicker and got close as the line loomed ahead. It arrived just in time for Good Day though, with the six year old having half a length in hand.

Namchonuijijon arrived late on the scene and grabbed third but there was no happy return for Galsaem. The former champion mare showed towards the front of the field early on but didn’t stay in the final furlong, eventually finishing fifth.

There was victory for one mare at Seoul today though as Soseono (no longer a filly by 10 days) scored her first win since the YTN Cup last August courtesy of a late run to overhaul outsiders Big Guy and Top Plus. Soseono’s race also saw a return to action for jockey Lee Geum Joo. Always likely to be up against it, long-shot Cheongunbaram duly finished in last place.

Soseono, seen here after the YTN Cup, was back in the winner's circle today

Soseono was ridden by Moon Se Young and provided the third of the 2008 champion’s three winners on the day. In other jockey news, Lee Geum Joo wasn’t the only rider to return today. Highly thought of young jockey Yoo Seung Wan was back in action after spending much of 2009 in the United States. Yoo finished the day with two second place finishes.

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Baengnyeonbong took victory in the opening Stakes action of the year as he came from behind to win the New Year’s Commemorative Race at a cold and snowy Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

With likely pre-race favourite Wangsan a late scratching, Winner Prince was sent off the even money favourite with Baengnyeonbong and Golden Rose the joint 6-1 seconds. Indeed, it was Golden Rose who provided the early pace leading them through the opening six furlongs.

Outsider Green Jewel came to take things up as they turned for home but quickly faded in the home straight as the closers came through. Baengnyeonbong was the fastest, leading Winner Prince over the line by two lengths with Fundahigh another fast finisher in third.

Highly thought of during the early part of his three-year old campaign, the highlight of which was third place in the Korean Derby, the win today should see Baengnyeonbong gaining access to class 1 races for the rest of this season. The victory was his sixth in fifteen starts, during which time he’s only been out of the money twice.

New Year Commemorative Stakes (Herald Business) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Jan 9, 2010

1. Baengnyeonbong (KOR) [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister. C)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 7.7, 2.3
2. Winner Prince (KOR) [Fortitude – Happy Power (Priceless Prince)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.3
3. Fundahigh (KOR) [Warzone – Fundamental High (High Brite)] – Lee Gong Kug – 5.8
Distances: 2 lengths/0.75 lengths – 13 ran

There was a shock later on as Vicar Love, sent off odds-on in the feature handicap could only manage fourth place as Ecton Cat took victory over ten furlongs. Vicar Love looked well placed entering the home straight but Ecton Cat, who had led wire-to-wire, was in no mood to be caught, going on to win by three lengths from Wind King and Seoul Teukgeup.

Jockey of the day was Jung Ki Yong, landing a treble withing the first eight races. Cho Kyoung Ho managed two winners while Choi Beom Hyun got one. 2008 Champion Moon Se Young scored a blank while 2009 winner Park Tae Jong had to wait until the very last to guide hot property Grand Money to victory.

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Park Tae Jong Trebles to Claim Jockey Title / Sangseung Ilro beaten
At the start of this year, it would have been a brave punter who suggested that it would be Baekgwang, champion three-year old of 2006 but since lost to perpetual injury, who would be bringing the curtain down on the 2009 season by running down the field in the home straight to claim a last gasp victory like he did so many times three years ago.

Yet that is what happened in the snow at Seoul Race Park this afternoon as the brilliant grey turned for home last out of eleven in the nine and a half furlong handicap. Roared on by 40,000 punters and under Park Tae Jong, another former champion about to have his crown restored, Baekgwang picked off one after another. Natural Guy, Best Fusion and Free Woody were the last to resist, but Baekgwang swept by with plenty to spare with Blue Pin, one of the year’s better three-year olds, coming through for second.

We shouldn’t even have been here today. However, a pair of cancellations – first for a Presidential funeral and then because of an iced-up track, meant that this additional weekend was necessary to complete all the races allocated for 2009. Any regrets racegoers may have had over leaving their yuletide firesides for the snowy wilds of Gwacheon were forgotten though as Baekgwang since secured his second win since his unlikely comeback and a twelfth win in total for the six-year old. Now only Nice Choice is ahead of him in the domestic ranks at Seoul. A seven-year old season is now very much on the cards.

For jockey Park Tae Jong, the jockey with the most rides and the most wins in Korean racing history, Baekgwang was just the start of a glorious late treble that saw him wrap-up the jockeys’ championship by a surprisingly comfortable margin.

2008 Champion Moon Se Young had done his best to upstage the veteran Park early on. Moon, making up for lost time after a frustrating three month lay-off went about business with a vengeance, landing five of the first seven races. In doing so, he made Park’s lead over Cho Kyoung Ho – three going into today – almost unassailable (although Cho had taken race 2 to narrow the gap).

From race 9 onwards, it was all about Park. This is a jockey who already has an exhibit in the KRA’s racing museum dedicated to him as well as a plaque commemorating his becoming the first jockey to ride 1000 winners in Korea. That was five years ago and he’s well over 1500 now.

After Baekgwang, Park took Obaek Yechan to a commanding five length victory in race 10 and then closed out the season with an easy win on two year old Money Car – the colt breezing away from a hopelessly outclassed field to win by fifteen lengths. It’s four out of five for Money Car [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] and he may have a big part to play in 2010.

As 2009 wrapped up at Seoul, however, it was all about Baekgwang.

Class 1 Handicap (Domestic) – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – Dec 27, 2009

1. Baekgwang (KOR) [The Groom Is Red – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.4, 1.0
2. Blue Pin (KOR) [Lion Heart – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.4
3. Free Woody (KOR) [Social Charter – Choiseonbong (Imperial Prince)] – Lee Joon Chel – 1.8
Distances: 1.75 lengths/0.75 lengths – 11 ran

Busan Race Park also had a catch-up meeting and the eagerly awaited return to the track of Derby winner Sangseung Ilro was the main attraction. Off the track since her third place in the Minister’s Cup at Seoul in October, the filly was sent off the odds-on favourite but failed to fire in the home straight, eventually finishing fourth behind outsider Segye Jepae. 2008 Derby winner Ebony Storm was never involved, trailing home last but one.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

With one day to go, Park Tae Jong scored a double to go three clear at the top of the Seoul Jockeys’ Championship at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Long time championship leader Cho Kyoung Ho stayed in the hunt with a single win but Choi Beom Hyun scored a blank and is now five behind.

Park’s first victory came with three-year old filly Jangjagang in race 7 and in the last on favourite K Two Bong. Cho, meanwhile, guided two-year old US import Tough Win [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] to his third straight win. The gelding was stepped up in class for the seven furlong race 9 but once again was cantered to victory by an overwhelming margin. Tough Win will be one to watch in 2010.

While Park Tae Jong was moving ever closer to taking the Jockeys’ Championship, there was a welcome return to action for another veteran rider as Kim Ok Sung took his first mounts since suffering a knee injury in a trackwork fall during the summer. And it was a victorious return for the “Smile Jockey” as he landed race 5 on Cheot Insang.

Finally of note on a day when the focus seemed very much on the jockeys, apprentice rider Kim Hae Sun took only her second career victory as she guided long-shot Jumalui Haengbok to a comfortable win in race 1.

Racing returns to Seoul on Sunday with an eleven race card. Baekgwang is the big name runner in race 9. Also at Seoul four races will be simulcasted from Busan where Sangseung Ilro makes her long awaited return to the track. The 2009 Derby winner faces the winner of the 2008 edition, Ebony Storm. Racing at Seoul gets underway at 11:10am.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL
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