Super Jet, Keungori, Giant Rose land Trophy races
In atrocious conditions at Seoul Race Park, the favourites went down in all three of the International Trophy races this afternoon. It had been raining for twelve hours before the horses went to post for the first race and continued throughout racing creating a saturated track and appalling visibility for the jockeys.

While all three Trophy races were of equal value, most eyes were on the HRI Trophy where Symphony Sonata was sent off favourite off the back of four wins in six starts. Brought to the front early by Park Tae Jong, the four year old seemed well placed coming off the last turn but when asked to sprint, had nothing to offer. Instead, it was second favourite Super Jet, under Kim Young Jin who edged out Natural Guy and Choi Beom Hyun on the line after the two duelled in the final furlong.

One race earlier, Bandoui Kkum was favourite going into the AJC Trophy race, but she never got going as Moon Se Young on Giant Rose scored a clear four length victory over Choi Won Jun on Yeonjikkot with Princess Ruby in third. Meanwhile, the STC Trophy went the way of three year old filly Keungori with favourite Soseono well down the field.

STC Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 16 May, 2009 – 1300M

1. Keungori (USA) [Essence of Dubai – Goldmakesmesmile (Mining) – Kim Ok Sung – 10.5
2. Kkumchaja (USA) [Orientate – Westerville (Gone West)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 5.3
3. Storm For Lucky (JPN) [Mejiro Ryan – Dark Moon (Real Shadai)] – Yoon Tae Hyuk – 68.3
Distances: 0.75 lengths/7 lengths – 13 ran

AJC Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 16 May, 2009 – 1400M

1. Giant Rose [Pacific Bounty – Kiss My Goldie (Candi’s Gold)] – Moon Se Young – 5.0
2. Yeonjikkot [Al Naba – Sez Babble (Psychobabble)] – Choi Won Jun – 24.1
3. Forest River [Texas Glitter – Whosis (Trempolino)] – Park Tae Jong – 8.2
Distances: 4 lengths/2.5 lengths – 14 ran

HRI Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 16 May, 2009 – 1800M

1. Super Jet [Archer City Slew – Tae Eulbong (Road of War)] – Kim Young Jin – 5.3
2. Natural Guy [Social Charter – Rocky Stream (Reprimand)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 6.5
3. Yonggeol [Psychobabble – Uri Maeum (Glorify)] – Han Sung Yeol – 129.3
Distances: Neck/4 lengths – 14 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Baram Queen rules / Eiki nabs a double / Impeccable Derby-bound
Angus Empire, currently ranked fourth best horse at Seoul, produced a fast finish to land the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Sent off third favourite behind Seoul Teukgeup and Brilliant Knight, Angus Empire was slow to begin as sprint specialist Gamadongja set the early pace under Nozomu Tomizawa.

As in his last outing, Gamadongja held the lead until the final furlong, but could only manage third as first Angus Empire and then Fly Queen came past with the line in sight. The win was five year old Angus Empire’s [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] first of 2009 after three straight placings. Disappointments were Seoul Teukgeup and Pocketful of Money finishing seventh and tenth respectively.

On a day where weather forecasters once more got it gloriously wrong and Seoul basked in sunshine and temperatures in the high seventies, Baram Queen took advantage of the late scratching of likely favourite Siinui Norae to land the day’s second most valuable race. The four year old, who in fourth place was Seoul’s best finisher in the Korean Oaks last year, comfortably held off Saebyeol Achim for a two length win after early pace setter Esteban disappeared in the home straight. Siinui Norae meanwhile, will likely be sidelined for at least six months.

At Busan Race Park, Eiki Nishimura followed up his treble on Friday with a double. The Japanese jockey took race 4 on Champion Rush and race 5 on the improving Kiwi’s Playboy.

And so we are just a week away from the Derby and in Triple Crown news, it has been cofirmed that the filly Love Cat will not run in the big race next week. In her place will be Impeccable, the colt who went into the KRA Cup Mile four for four but finished unplaced. We’ll be starting our week of Derby build-up tomorrow as we gear up for the biggest weekend in Korean racing which will see not only the Derby but also the JRA Cup.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Seven year old retains Cup / Easy for Top Point at Seoul
Angle Slam retained the Gujke Sinmun Cup with a powerful stretch run to overcome Crafty Louis and Miss Ecton in the final furlong of the seven furlong race at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

Last year’s winner was sent off sixth in the betting with Crafty Louis slight favourite in what, as expected, a very open market. Three year old Australian colt Cheonseungmanseung was quickest out of the gate and kept in front until depp in the home straight. He finally ran out of energy, however, as Gu Min Sung guided Angle Slam down the outside to take the victory.

The win is Angle Slam’s first since the corresponding race last year. The seven year old disappointed throughout the latter half of 2008 but ran second last time out and once more, performed when it mattered in the big race. Seond favourite Gunham disappointed, as did filly Mighty Hero. Meanewhile, despite still only having four career wins, Miss Ecton re-confirmed her position as arguably the top foreign bred filly or mare currently in training at Busan. See below for full result.

At Seoul Race Park a bumper crowd was in, possibly enthused by having watched the Kentucky Derby over breakfast and looking for 50/1 shots to come in and remove the need to return to work after the long weekend. There were no surprises in the feature race, however, as Top Point went wire to wire for a routine win ahead of Natural Nine over 1900 metres. The returning Gayasanseong looked comfortable but didn’t have the speed to compete in the home straight and finished sixth.

Also of interest at Seoul was a first win for three year old colt Power of Money. He and the much hyped Symphony Sonata are the only two horses to have been foaled by First Violin during her short time in Korea. Under champion jockey Moon Se Young, Power of Money shot across from gate 12 to the rail (too aggressively according to the stewards, who handed Moon a two day ban for the move) and went on to stretch out for a nine length win.

Gukje Sinmun Cup – Busan Race Park – 1400M – May 3, 2009

1. Angle Slam (USA) [Gold Case – Platinum Code (Lost Code)] – Gu Min Sung – 12.5
2. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Louis (Crafty Prospector)] – Jo Chang Wook – 4.1
3. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] – Martin Wepner – 6.3
Distances: 2 lengths/1 length
Also ran: 4. Gyeongcheonsa; 5. Hwanggeumbit Taeya; 6. Heukjanggun; 7. Saeroun Bulpae; 8. Cheonseungmanseung; 9. Gunham; 10. Gangsan Jijo; 11. Seneca Light; 12. Mighty Hero; 13. Spruiker; 14. Dahlonega

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Ebony Storm finally wins / Iku bows out blank
Bally Brae emphatically proved that his return to the Winner’s Circle last month was no fluke as he powered to another big race win at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The seven year old had scarcely a single backer in the build-up to the race with the younger pair of Baekjeonmupae and Vicar Love heavily favoured.

Punters knew better, however, and be it out of sentimentality – and Korean racegoers are not, by and large, a sentimental lot – or a genuine belief that the 2006 Horse of the Year is still at the top of his game, by post time Bally Brae had been backed into favourite.

He didn’t disappoint. Vicar Love set the early pace until Cho Kyoung Ho brought the five year old Dankee’s Pal around the field in the back-straight, stretching out to a lead of over five lengths. He maintained the lead going into the home straight and for a while it looked as though he may hold on. Bally Brae, Baekjeonmupae and Vicar Love entered the home straight together but it was only Bally Brae who had the speed to run down Dankee’s Pal, passing him in sight of the line to enable Moon Se Young to perform his familiar victory celebration on this horse as they crossed it.

Some had pointed out that last time, Bally Brae had not had much to beat. Today the big boys were there and now, Dongbanui Gangja is the only horse to have the beating of Bally Brae on current form. Korean racing needs more horses like Bally Brae and another it needs more like is his great rival from 2006, Subsidy. Today the eight year old showed that while he may have slowed, he still belongs in top class races, running on for a creditable fifth, just a length behind Vicar Love, to record his thirty third money finish from thirty six races.

Earlier, Subsidy’s little sister Soseono was denied a second career victory by the narrowest of margins. The filly was leading in the final furlong of race 8, only to be pipped on the line by favourite New Destination.

Down at Busan Race Park, it was Ikuyasu Kurakane’s final day in the saddle in Korea. The Japanese jockey, who will be sorely missed by punters on the south coast, had an uncharacteristically quiet day troubling the placings just once – a third placed finish on Choedae Geoljakpum just behind Phasmes and Jilju Hara in a three way photo finish to race 5.

Nearly a year after his Derby triumph, Ebony Storm finally made his way back to the Winner’s Circle in Busan’s feature. The four year old has managed plenty of second placed finishes but today was finally able to go one better with a fast finish to come from behind to overhaul Gangjaui Beopchik and long time leader Wellbeing Sidae with just metres to spare.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Apr 26, 2009

1. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Moon Se Young – 2.3
2. Dankee’s Pal (USA) [Max’s Pal – Dankee (Regal Intention)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 10.0
3. Baekjeonmupae (NZ) [Traditionally – Star Sixty Seven (Phone Trick)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 2.9
Distances: 1.25 lengths/1 length – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Secret Weapon wins/Symphony Sonata beaten
Gangho sent out another warning to Seoul’s elite group of horses as he continued his rapid progress with a fourth straight win at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Once more, it was not so much that he won but the manner of it that suggests that this three year old colt has the potential to be the dominant force at the track for some time to come. For the fourth time running, Boo Min Ho took Gangho into an early lead, gave the reins a shake as they rounded the home turn and then allowed him stretch away from the field in the home straight, easing down this time for a nine length win.

This time last year, two three year old imports, Shaving Points and Playing Politics were the horses everyone was talking about. Shaving Points suffered some niggling injuries and hasn’t been able to live up to his early promise. Playing Politics meanwhile was just beginning to demonstrate that he was the real deal when he was struck down with a devastating knee injury in February this year. That he and Gangho will never meet on the track is regrettable. As it is, if Gangho continues to develop as he has so far, the showdown to look forward to will be with Dongbanui Gangja – possibly as early as the Owner’s Association Trophy in June.

While Gangho was the star-attraction of the day, his race wasn’t the feature. That went to Secret Weapon following the early scratching of likely favourite Good Day. For Secret Weapon it was his first win of what had been a disappointing 2009 so far.

Earlier on an eventful day, Ganghan Speed landed a useful fillies and mares race over seven furlongs. The three year old got the better of two year old upstart D Day, who was looking for her third straight win. There was also a second career defeat for Symphony Sonata. The four year old, by E. Dubai and out of First Violin is being watched closely by Korean racegoers due to his parentage. Today he stepped up to class 3 and ran smack into a fully loaded Triple Canon who got the better of him in a stretch battle for a three length win. Triple Canon is now on four wins from seven and is very much a possible Derby contender.

Down at Busan Race Park, there was also an eventful card. Dangdae Star landed the feature race and Sandeomi and Haste found themselves upset a race earlier by a late run from Glory Winner, the five year old gelding upsetting the three year old classic hopefuls.

Class 2 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Apr 19, 2009

1. Gangho (USA) [Peace Rules – Honor Delilah (Honor Grades)] – Boo Min Ho – 1.5
2. Kahnui Jeonseol (NZ) [Howbaddouwantit – Flash (Jetball)] – Ham Was Sik – 7.9
3. Saerounachim (NZ) [Pyrus – Jouet (Langfuhr)] – Kim Dong Cheol – 36.5
Distances: 9 lengths/0.75 lengths – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

It was easy once more for Dongbanui Gangja as the four year old again confirmed his status as Seoul’s top horse with a commanding victory at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Carrying at least seven kilos more than any of his eight rivals, last year’s Grand Prix winner was, as usual, tucked in towards the rear of the field by Choi Beom Hyun as they emerged from the gate at the start of the ten furlong race.

Improving in the back-straight, Choi brought Dongbanui Gangja towards the front as they turned for home and the race was won with nothing likely to live with him in the straight. At the line, the winning margin was seven lengths.

Dongbanui Gangja is now unbeaten in six and has lifetime figures of eleven wind from eighteen outings. The well beaten second was Seungyu Sinhwa with Brilliant Knight taking third.

In other races, after nearly a year without a win, jockey Lee Ae Li recorded her second in as many racing days by taking race 1 on Haedong Teukgeup. Moon Se Young was back in action today but the champion jockey may have been suffering exhaustion on his return from honeymoon as he unusually falied to register a winner.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first off at 11:20. Gangho, who could be giving Dongbanui Gangja a run for his moey later in the year, goes in race 9 at 17:00. Busan Race park gets underway at 12:40 and Jeju Race Park at 12:10.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Apr 18, 2009

1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.3
2. Seungyu Sinhwa (USA) [Commendable – Backroom Blues (Dixieland Band)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 13.7
3. Brilliant Knight (USA) [Lion Hearted – Deputy Lady (French Deputy)] – Park Tae Jong – 7.0
Distances: 7 lengths/0.5 lengths

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Mighty Runner finally lived up to his potential as the five year old strode to victory in the Ttukseom Cup in front of a huge crowd at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Sixth in the betting, the horse who won only once in his first thirteen outings held off a field including Myeongmun Gamun and last year’s winner Namchonuijijon over seven furlongs.

Sent off slight favourite, the notoriously recalcitrant Myeongmun Gamun lapsed back into his bad habits at the gate. After thirty one starts, the 2008 Horse of the Year is still no fonder of the starting stalls than he ever has been and is wise to the attempts of the handlers to coax him in. With a leadin, a blindfold and brute force all failing, after a full five minutes, the eight year decided that actually he wouldn’t mind running today and lined up. His pre-race exertions may have taken their toll as he was slow to get away.

It was the mare Geumsuni, breaking from stall 12 who sprinted across the track to take the early lead with Seven Card right behind her as Kim Hyo Seob tucked Mighty Runner into third as they reached the end of the back-straight.

Geumsuni continued to lead as the field came together rounding the home turn and she led Taebaek Janggun into the home straight first. Taebaek Janggun quickly dropped out of contention as Mighty Runner started the sprint, hitting the front with a furlong to go. Meanwhile, Jung Ki Yong coaxed Namchonuijijon into top gear down the outside with Triple Seven and Choi Beom Hyun emerging from the pack to join the challenge.

They were too late, however, as Mighty Runner never looked in danger of being caught with the winning margin two and a half lengths on the line. Namchonuijijon just managed to hold off Triple Seven for third with Geumsuni staying on to a creditable fourth. Myeongmun Gamun’s traditional late run came too late with the favourite only maging fifth place, equally his worst ever finish in this race in 2006.

For Mighty Runner, it was a seventh career victory with six of these now coming in his last seven outings. He finished sixth behind J.S. Hold in the 2007 Derby but remained in the lower ranks until beginning his remarkable run last September which saw him improve from class 4 to class 1 in the space of four races.

Ttukseom Cup (G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Apr 12, 2009

1. Mighty Runner (KOR) [Pacific Bounty – Roan All Over (Fight Over)] – Kim Hyo Seob – 16.1
2. Namchonuijijon (KOR) [Concept Win – Intriga (Lord At Law)] – Jung Ki Yong – 3.4
3. Triple Seven [The Groom Is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 5.0
Distances: 2.5 lengths/Head
Also Ran: 4. Geumsuni; 5. Myeongmun Gamun; 6. Seven Card; 7. Free Woody; 8. Saebyeok Dongja; 9. Seonju Jangsu; 10. Lucky Seven; 11. Highway Star; 12. Taebaek Janggun

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Torpedo Mast wins / First victory for Abigail
Punters brought the sun-block out for the first time this year as Seoul basked in the sunshine for the first day of the Ttukseom Cup meeting. And with the cherry blossoms in bloom in the infield and a big Saturday crowd in attendance, it was five year old mare Wig who landed the day’s feature race.

Sent off second in the betting, Wig made a late run under Choi Beom Hyun to overhaul Esteban, who had led from the gate, in the final furlong. Favourite Baram Queen, one of Seoul’s top fillies last season, ran into second with the tiring Esteban hanging on for third. Wig ran in a slew of big races last year but went through her entire four year old season without a win. Today’s victory takes her on to five in her career.

In the top race for foreign bred horses, Torpedo Mast took the honours, outsprinting odds-on favourite Free Hugs to win by a Head on the line. Earlier, on what was a generally low-key card, Australian-bred My Photo Map took his second consecutive win, overcoming another odds favourit in Badauibyeol.

In other races, after three consecutive second place finishes, promising three year old filly Abigail broke her maiden, taking a very competitive race 5 with victory over debut making Australian two year old Sumba.

With champion jockey Moon Se Young away on honeymoon, the old guard took the opportunity to make up some ground in the jockey’s championship. Park Tae Jong landed a treble with wins on Smart Khan, Saebyeokgisang and Galmasan while fellow veteran Kim Hyo Seob managed a double. It was also a good day for Stephan Swanepoel. Still to record his first winner in Korea, the South African managed consecutive thirds in races 3 and 4.

Tommorrow sees the main event of the weekend with the 21st running of the Ttukseom Cup with Namchonuijijon and Myeongmun Gamun heading the field. The big race isn’t until 5pm but the first race goes to post at 11:20. Busan gets its card underway at 12:40 and the ponies will be running on Jeju Island from 12:10.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Filly takes first leg of Triple Crown / Hot favourite finishes third
Sangseung Ilro came through a tough stretch battle with Namdo Jeap to win the fifth running of the KRA Cup Mile and with it the first leg of the 2009 Korean Triple Crown at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

With Yeonseung Daero the odds-on favourite, Sangseung Ilro was sent off fourth in the betting and the filly, one of four in the race, was quickly into her stride as Namdo Jeap under Martin Wepner grabbed the rail and set the early pace. Geumbit Sesang settled into third and the unbeaten Impeccable into fourth as ther raced down the back straight.

Entering the long turn for home, Namdo Jeap had three lengths on the rest while Yeonseung Daero was still on the rail in the middle of the field with plenty to do to find space. Meanwhile Eiki Nishimura on Sangseung Ilro gradually closed the gap until his filly was alongside Namdo Jeap as they began the sprint.

While Kim Eu Su on Yeonseung Daero finally found his run, it would be too late to catch the leading two. For a long time in the stretch it looked as though the race could go either way. Namdo Jeap battled on strongly but Sangseung Ilro finally got her neck in front for the final time in the last furlong and opened out for a length and a half victory.

Sangseung Ilro takes her winning streak to four and while early Oaks favouritism is assured, the pressure will be on for her to go to the Derby at Seoul next month. There could be much more to come from Namdo Jeap too, as he comfortably stayed the Mile distance only to be outsprinted at the last. With Eiki Nishimura and Martin Wepner taking first and second, it was a welcome day in the spotlight for overseas jockeys while some lucky punters cashed exacta tickets at 299.4.

Previously unbeaten Impeccable stayed the distance but while well placed early on, didn’t have the speed to challenge in the later stages. Meanwhile, it was a familiar story for the two Seoul entrants. Neither featured at the business end of the race, Money Teukgeup finishing seventh and Love Cat, backed into third favourite, a very disappointing eleventh.

However, the day belonged to Sangseung Ilro and connections, owner Ryu Yong Sang, trainer Kim Yong Gwan – who also trains second placed Namdo Jeap – and jockey Eiki Nishimura. This year, the KRA is putting more emphasis on races for fillies and mares. With one leg of the Triple Crown complete, a filly is a third of the way to landing the biggest prize of all.

KRA Cup Mile (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 5, 2009

1. Sangseung Ilro F [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – Eiki Nishimura – 17.7
2. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – Martin Wepner – 31.7
3. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – Kim Eu Su – 1.5
Distances: 1.5 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Sandeomi; 5. Impeccable; 6. Sky Star; 7. Money Teukgeup; 8. Geumbit Sesang; 9. Power Boy; 10. Pangpang; 11. Love Cat; 12. Dream Wings

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN