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

Japanese rider Hitomi Miyashita came through with a blistering late run on Ima Firecracker to land the International Lady Jockey Invitation Race at Busan Race Park this evening.

Favourite Namdo Jeap with Korea’s Park Jin Hee on board bounced out of the gate and into an early lead with Jennifer Stisted of the USA on Florida Native right alongside her. Ima Firecracker was away slowly and sat right at the back of the field. Second in the betting, Miss Ecton, under Laura Cheshire also sat towards the back of the field.

As they rounded the turn and entered the straight Namdo Jeap looked ready to kick on. Meanwhile, Australian Linda Meech brought Max Is Cruisin up alongside her and Mai Beppu on Dongbang Geona looked ready to strike. Namdo Jeap kept the lead, however, as those challengers fell away.

Instead the danger ultimately came down the far outside as Ima Firecracker hit top gear bringing Miss Ecton along just inside of her. These two swept by the leaders in sight of the line, Ima Firecracker in the lead by a length on the line. Namdo Jeap’s final furlong collapse was compounded by outsider Oreumak (Chiaki Iwanaga) and Meech on Max Is Cruisin also coming by in a blanket finish for the minor placings.

Invitation Race (Foreign Bred) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Aug 9, 2009

1. Ima Firecracker (USA) [Hold That Tiger – It’s Destiny (Red Ransom)] – Hitomi Miyashita (Japan) – 13.9, 2.6
2. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] – Laura Cheshire (New Zealand) – 1.5
3. Oreumak (AUS) [Favorite Trick – Vigne Vierge (Diesis)] – Chiaki Iwanaga (Japan) 6.2
Distances: 1 length/Nose
Also ran: 4. Max Is Cruisin (Linda Meech – Australia); 5. Namdo Jeap (Park Jin Hee – Korea); 6. Florida Native (Jennifer Stisted – USA); 7. Dongbang Geona (Mai Beppu- Japan); 8. Gangcheol Labi (Catherine Gannon – Ireland); 9. Winter Invitation (Lee Ae Li – Korea); 10. D M Merch (Yoo Mi Ra – Korea); 11. Yeongwonhanhangbok (Nadine Rapson – South Africa)

(h/t: fallight)

Grey steps up while KRA wants Punters to clean up – literally
Torpedo Mast pulled off a surprise win in this evening’s feature race at Seoul Race Park. A win at class 2 last month had qualified the grey for the top level of Korean racing and at his first class 1 attempt, he comfortably held off favourite Bulpaegisang for a two length win. As usual, Gamadongja made all the running and stayed on for third place.

Four year old Torpedo Mast (USA) [Mizzen Mast – Valid Deduction (Bet Big)] has finished in the money in all but three of his twenty outings. He’s never been earmarked as a potential star but after a commanding performance over a field including not only Bulpaegisang and Gamadongja but also such luminaries as Baekjeonmupae, Angus Empire and Seoul Teukgeup, it’s unlikely he’ll be sent off at odds of 25/1 again.

In other news on a sticky afternoon and evening at Seoul, young jockey Park Sang Woo scored his first ever winner landing race 7 on Black Cat. On the way to post for that race Choi Beom Hyun was violently thrown from his mount in front of the grandstand. Although motionless on the track for several minutes, Choi emerged unhurt and, to punters’ amazement, reappeared to win race 10 on Nice Good.

A larger than usual Saturday crowd were in attendance after the blank weekend last week. To welcome everybody back, the KRA gave away a gift set to each and every one of the 50,000 in attendance. A nice touch – and quite an impressive logistical operation. However, given that the contents of the gift set comprised of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, a razor, shower gel and various similar items, punters could be forgiven for thinking the racing authority was trying to tell them something.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Overseas jocks ride / Captain Sir debuts / Sinheung Gangja wins
Seven of the overseas jockeys in Busan for Sunday’s International Invitation Race were in action at Busan Race Park this afternoon. None troubled the placings and the highest finishers were New Zealand’s Laura Cheshire on Fresh Dancer in race 3 and Japan’s Hitomi Miyashita on Tamna Kwaegeol in race 7, both of whom guided their 40/1 shots to fourth place.

None could really have been expected to do any better on mounts that were a warm up for Sunday’s main event. Here’s how they all got on:

Mai Beppu: Race 2, Seondu Jeongsang – 11th of 12 – win odds: 75.8
Laura Cheshire: Race 3, Fresh Dancer – 4/10 – 48.2
Nadine Rapson: Race 5, Queen Of Moonstone – 7/11 – 43.3
Hitomi Miyashita: Race 7, Tamna Kwaegeol – 4/13 – 43.8
Jennifer Stisted: Race 8, Shingwang Cheonji – 9/13 – 20.0
Chiaki Iwanaga: Race 9, Raon Champion – 8/13 – 7.9
Linda Meech: Race 9, Gold Love – 11/13 – 73.2

In other news at Busan, it was a good day for jockey Stephan Swanepoel. The South African landed his second win at the track taking race 1 on hot favourite Raon Cat.

Another hot favourite made his debut today. Two year old US import Captain Sir [Trippi – Fine Wine (Hooched)] comfortably took race 2, easing to a four length win in a fast time over 1000 metres.

Meanwhile, favourite Sinheung Gangja came through with a late run to win the feature race. Under Jo Sung Gon, the four year old overhauled second favourite Hangang Jeil in the final furlong to take victory by a length and a half. It’s a sixth career victory for Sinheung Gangja who was second in the Busan Owners’ Cup last year.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Three year olds dominate / Afternoon Dove steps up
Nice Choice continued his post-Derby rehabilitation by coming through late to get the best of a three way battle for the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul Race Park this evening.

As expected, it was the three year olds who dominated proceedings. Nice Choice was sent off the odds on favourite ahead of Baengnyeonbong and Khanui Jeguk. However, it was the other three year old in the race, Event, who made the early running under Moon Se Young and led the eleven strong field going into the home straight.

Choi Beom Hyun on Khanui Jeguk was the first of the big guns to make his move and, as Event faltered, the three favourites locked horns. It was a battle that Nice Choice and Cho Kyoung Ho would win by a neck on the line, with just a further head sealing second place for Khanui Jeguk ahead of Baengnyeonbong, who was finishing fastest of all.

With the win, Nice Choice goes onto six wins from nine starts and, with his Derby disappointment well and truly behind him, puts himself back among the main contenders to prevent Sangseung Ilro from completing the Triple Crown in October. With three year olds sweeping the placings, that particular division is looking a little brighter for the capital track tonight than it did when we filed out of Gwacheon on Derby day.

Things weren’t done after the Munhwa. Once the ceremonies were complete, Afternoon Dove recorded his first class 1 victory in a shock victory over a field containing Seungyu Sinhwa and Fly Queen. Old stagers Serendipper and Crocap rounded out an unlikely first three. Afternoon Dove shot to prominance by finishing second in the JRA Trophy on Derby day but was brought back to Earth by running ninth n the Owners’ Cup last month. Meanwhile Fly Queen, winner of last year’s KRA Cup Classic was sent immediately to the KRA’s Veterinary hospital after the race. Thoughts are with her this evening.

Khanui Jeguk wasn’t the only one of the “Khanuis” in form today. Khanui Huye, another also-ran in the Derby, took victory in a competitve race 7 ahead of fellow three year old Bulsechul. Highly rated Power Of Money sat down in the gate as they loaded and was deemed unfit to race.

At Busan, Oneurui Bobae and Admiral Reigart punished punters by taking first and second in the feature race – the four year old holding off the venerable Admiral by a length. Dongbang Geona completed a top three of outsiders.

Racing takes a break next weekend, but will be back the week after when Sangseung Ilro will be make her first appearance since winning the Derby in May. Currently the hottest property in Korea, the filly will be the one to beat in the Korean Oaks at Busan on August 9. On a big day at the Southern track, the undercard sees the International Lady Jockey Challenge race. We’ll start the build up over the next few days.

Munhwa Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – July 26, 2009

1. Nice Choice (KOR) [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.4, 1.0
2. Khanui Jeguk (KOR) [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.9
3. Baengnyeonbong (KOR) [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol – 1.3
Distances: Neck/Head
Also ran: 4. Grandzif; 5. Super Jet; 6. Nanjeongseo; 7. Hallasinbi; 8. Challanhanbit; 9. Event; 10. Lhotse Shar; 11. Taeguk Musa

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN