Stars beaten at Busan / Vicar Love stays on
In the end Gaeseon Janggun beat Areumdaun Jilju in what was billed as “Match Race” between the two best Korean horses at Busan. However, he beat him for second place as both suffered a stunning reverse at the hands of Yeongung Manse in the G3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

After early leader Conqueror decided he’d had enough as they entered the home straight, the stage was set for the four year old Gaeseon Janggun and Areumdaun Jilju, one year his senior, to finally hook up after avoiding one another for the past year. Hook up they did and the battle was every bit as intense as expected. What was not expected was that in between them was the four year old gelding Yeongung Manse.

As punters cursed themselves for overlooking th fact that over the nine furlong distance he had recorded the fastest previous time, Yeongung Manse and Jo Chang Wook held off Gaeseon Janggun by a neck to land his ninth and biggest win of his career. Areumdaun Jilju was a further length back in third.

While Conqueror stayed on to only be beaten into fourth by a length, the major disappointment of the race was Pangpang. The Oaks winner wasn’t expected to win but neither was she expected to be a tailed off 14 lengths last. With Yeonseung Daero and Namdo Jeap being put in their place last week, the three year olds have not had a good few days.

Up at Seoul Race Park the International Jockey Invitational was the highlight (see report) but once that was over, there were still two major races on the card. Those hoping to gain some clues as to who may be able to challenge Dongbanui Gangja in the season ending Grand Prix were watching race 10 with interest. Not only was it one of very few races to be held over the Grand Prix distance of eleven and a half furlongs, but also featured a former winner in the shape of 2006 Horse of the Year Bally Brae as well as a host of those beaten last year.

The sentimental money went on Bally Brae but although the seven year old set the early pace, jockey Park Tae Jong eased him in the home straight as three months off the track and carrying over 60 kilos caught up with the much-loved gelding. In his place, Vicar Love was the surprise winner, holding off the late running favourite Bulpae Gisang. Last year’s Owners’ Trophy winner Saerounbisul snatched third.

Vicar Love [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] struggled with the trip in the Grand Prix and had been in indifferent form this year. The handicapper will no doubt punish him for this but the Grand Prix race in December isn’t a handicap. Dongbanui Gangja’s connections will perhaps not be losing too much sleep at this stage, however.

In the final race of the weekend, Taesanbukdu won a class 1 domestic race by three lengths from joint favourite Ugildongja.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Sep 13, 2009

1. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] – Jo Chang Wook – 8.3, 2.5
2. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.4
3. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.1
Distances: Neck/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Conqueror, 5. Pangpang

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Love Cat surprise second / Namdo Jeap, Yeonseung Daero beaten at Busan
Khanui Jeguk took the honours in the battle of the three year olds, landing the Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

With Derby third place getter Baengnyeonbong sent off the slight odds-on favourite, it was outsider Event, under Oh Kyoung Hoan, who set the early pace in the nine furlong race with fellow longshot Cheongun Jangsu following.

Cho Kyoung Ho settled Khanui Jeguk onto the rail in the back straight and was perfectly placed as the field turned for home. The early leaders faded away and Khanui Jeguk shot through into the lead as they passed the two furlong pole. Shin Hyoung Cheol brought Baengnyeonbong wide around the field but struggled to keep the colt in a straight line and his challenge never got going. It would be the filly, Love Cat, who would get closest to the winner – three lengths the distance on the line.

Khanui Jeguk in the Ilgan Sports Winner's Circle

Khanui Jeguk has only ever once been out of the money. That was in the Derby. He recovered to finish second to Nice Choice in the Munhwa Ilbo last month and confirms his place as the second best three year old at Seoul with today’s win. For Love Cat it was a fine return after two months without a race. Baengnyeonbong drifted badly in the straight – whether this accounted for the defeat he will surely be given an opportunity to prove later in the season.

The disappointment of the race was Holy Dreamer. Unbeaten in his five starts to date, he wasn’t expected to win but, despite being backed into third favourite, only managed to come home seventh.

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sep 6, 2009

1. Khanui Jeguk (KOR) [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 3.4, 1.3
2. Love Cat (KOR) [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 3.7
3. Baengnyeonbong (KOR) [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol – 1.0
Distances: 3 lengths/2 lengths
Also ran: 4. Cheongha Eutteum, 5. Exzacta Runner, 6. First Flower. 7. Holy Dreamer. 8. Headline News, 9. Magic Victor, 10. Cheongun Jangsu, 11. Event, 12 Gamunuye

While the three year olds were in charge at Seoul, down at Busan they were put firmly in their place as the duo of Yeonseung Daero and Namdo Jeap fell to a late charge from Sinjin Gangja. A well positioned Namdo Jeap tired in the straight of Busan’s feature but at least clung on for third. Yeonseung Daero meanwhile attempted to make a late dash from the back of the pack, but stalled on the way and ended fifth.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Saturday Review
Dongbanui Gangja rallied late extend his unbeaten streak to eight races and confirm his position as the top horse in training at Seoul. Comfortably positioned just behind early pace-setters Gamadongja and Brilliant Knight as they came off the final turn, the hot favourite looked to be about to cruise to a simple win.

Things didn’t go quite to plan, however, as both Gamadongja and Brilliant Knight fought back as Dongbanui Gangja began to sprint. Ultimately he got up to claim victory by a length and a half. Brillaint Knight just edged out Gamadongja by a nose for second.

Things were slightly more routine for Secret Weapon half an hour later. The top rated Korean bred horse never looked in any danger as he overcame Chamgippeum and Lucky Mountain by nine lengths.

Finally a mention must go to five year old Quick Bird. The mare had finished third a total of nine times in her thirty previous starts and in race 9 today, she finally broke her maiden, coming through late to grab a length and a half win.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sep 5, 2009

1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.1, 1.0
2. Brilliant Knight (USA) [Lion Hearted – Deputy Lady (First Deputy)] – Han Sung Yeol – 6.5
3. Gamadongja (NZ) [Howbaddouwantit – Miss Martha (Iades)] – Ham Wan Sik – 2.4
Distances: 1.25 lengths/Nose – 14 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Bungjeongmalli in contention / Volponi sires first winner
Nice Choice stepped up to class 1 level for the first time to land the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. While memories of the Derby flop will only be fully erased if he wins the Minister’s Cup in October, Nice Choice continued to demonstrate that the form that made him champion two year old last year, has the potential to still make him champion three year old.

It’s true that today he didn’t face the strongest class 1 field to assemble at Seoul. Far from it, but there were some seasoned campaigners present in the likes of Natural Nine, Gang Gwon and Lucky Seven as well as Hallyu Star, who last month won the SBS Cup.

Under Cho Kyoung Ho, Nice Choice tracked the leaders for most of the 1900 metre race, coming by in the last furlong to win going away from second placed Lucky Seven. The colt now has seven wins from ten starts and thoughts are now turning to the season’s final classic.

Another three year old who could perhaps force himself into contention for that Classic was in the winner’s circle half an hour prior to Nice Choice. Bungjeongmalli [Archer City Slew – Mup’aegado (Lost Mountain)] only tsrated once as a two year old and finished eigth of ten. Given three months off he came back for his three year old season and, while too late to be in the running for the Derby, has run up a record of five wins and two seconds this term. While still some way off Nice Choice, if he continues to improve there is a possibility that Cho Kyoung Ho, who rides both, could have an interesting choice to make come October.

Today was also noteworthy as Seoul saw the first winner sired by 2002 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi. Special Volpony doesn’t look like a world-beater but the two year old filly had more than enough about her to see off thirteen rivals over six furlongs. Making her second appearance on the track, she led from gate to wire to win race 1 by a length and a half. Volponi arrived in Korea in January 2006.

Down south at Busan, Crafty Louis notched his fourth win of 2009. The six year old held off King Kephalos by the narrowest possible margin in the feature handicap.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Wins for Strong Demand and Blue Pin as Cho Kyoung Ho cleans-up
This year’s hottest two year old prospect made his second appearance today as Nothern Ace came out for a stroll in the sunshine at Seoul Race Park. Nothern Ace [Didyme – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] broke the five furlong track record on his debut last month and many were looking for the six furlong record to go today.

In the event, Nothern Ace went to the front straight out of the gate and jockey Cho Kyoung Ho sensibly kept the colt well within himself as he dispatched his thirteen rivals – the eventual winning margin of just four lengths meaningless. It’s early days, but Nothern Ace appears to have a talent unusual for Korea. The only two year old race of note at Seoul is the Herald Business towards the end of the season. It will be interesting to see what course his connections take between now and then.

Cho Kyoung Ho’s examplary professionalism in guiding Nothern Ace home was the first of four winners for the jockey. It only came about, however, after Moon Se Young, who was booked for the ride, suffered a nasty fall in race 2. The previously unraced filly Raipai veered wildly coming out of the gate and threw the champion jockey into the rails.

Cho landed both of the co-feature races. First up in the domestic bred contest, three year old gelding Blue Pin – a half brother to Nothern Ace through their dam, Telegraph Road – overhauled Natural Guy in the final furlong to claim his fifth victory from eleven starts. Next up, Cho brought Strong Demand home in the overseas bred race, five lengths the margin over the returning Gangho whose first effort since his disappointing JRA Cup run was encouraging.

Earlier, there was a winning debut for US import Wonerful Sun [Pico Central – Jacket Required (Black Tie Affair)]. The two year old (whose name written in Korean reads as “Wonderful” just like Nothern Ace is “Northern”) led from gate to wire in race 4 and won’t go off at 7/1 again in the near future.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Symphony Sonata off key / Impressive debuts
Ecton Cat scored a comfortable win at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and in doing so qualified to step up to the top level of Korea racing. The four year old US import – whose sire now stands in Korea – led from gate to wire to grab a four length win over Saerounachim and Fly Top. Next time out for Ecton Cat will be in class 1 company.

In the other feature race – an 1800 metre class 2 handicap for Korean bred runners, Symphony Sonata was sent off favourite but failed to make any impression on the race as Challanhanbit started quickly and held off the challenge of Wangsan to win by half a length. For the five year old mare it was a sixth career win.

While the feature races were all well and good, most attention at the track was focused on the early races. Last month, Northern Ace set the five furlong track record. Not far behind him in that race was another “Ace”, Ace Galloper. In race one today, Ace Galloper [Chapel Royal – Explicitly (Exploit)] went six furlongs and crushed thirteen rivals as he was eased up for a remarkable eighteen length win.

In race 3 it was supposed to be the turn of Forest Wind. He didn’t make an impact so instead it was second favourite Seonbongbulpae [Newsprint – Jeseok (Lost Mountain)] who stepped up. The colt had thirteen lengths between him and his nearest challenger at the end of he five furlongs.

The final debut came from an import. Two year old filly Gwacheon Geojang [Peace Rules – Copelan’s Filly (Copelan)] was one of the more expensive overseas two year old purchases this year but didn’t start the favourite in race 4 as she took on a number of more experienced fillies. She showed a good turn of foot, however, to lanf the five furlong test by nearly two lengths and will be another one to watch out for in future.

A bigger than average Saturday crowd was in with the cancellation of Sunday’s card for the funeral of former President Kim Dae Jung no doubt playing a part.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Subsidy’s sister steps up / Golding wins
In Korean racing, any sibling of Subsidy has a lot to live up to. The 2005 Horse of the Year is one of the most successful and popular horses to ever run on the peninsula. This evening, under the lights at a packed Seoul Race Park, Sosoeno stepped out from her big brother’s shadow to land the YTN Cup.

Four year old Soseono has promised great things but until tonight had always just failed to deliver. In eleven previous starts, the only time she’d finished outside the money was when she threw her jockey coming out of the stalls. Of those money finishes, however, only one was in the top spot.

Tonight, sent off fourth favourite in a field of fourteen and with Choi Beom Hyun in the saddle, Soseono stalked the leaders for the early parts of the 2000 metre race. She hit the front as they entered the home straight and held off fast finishing favourite Air Kat by two lengths on the line. Kkumchaja, also coming from behind, made it into third.

YTN Cup (Class 2 Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – Aug 16, 2009

1. Soseono (USA) [Aldebaran – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 5.7, 1.9
2. Air Kat (USA) [Digging In – Vivian’s Mercedes (Broad Brush)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7
3. Kkumchaja (USA) [Orientate – Westerville (Gone West)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.1
Distances: 2 lengths/0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Jangjagang; 5. Storm For Lucky; 6. Alpha Lady; 7. Crown Carla; 8. Sangsangbong; 9. Ginny’s Delight; 10. Cheonsangcheonha; 11. Gild Regal; 12. Exclusive Offer; 13. Pricess Thumb; 14. Keungori

It was another big win race win for Choi Beom Hyun who landed two other wins on the final evening card of the year including on debut making import Great True [Yes It’s True – Gigi’s Magic (Alien’s Prospect)] who took race 3. Meanwhile, another Foreign Aid foal is set to make his track debut soon. Jumong, the two year old brother of Subsidy and Soseono arrived in Korea in May.

At Busan Race Park, after a year of trying, track legend and 2006 Cup Mile winner Golding was finally back in the Winner’s Circle. The seven year old came right from the back of the field to land the nine furlong feature race by half a length.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN