Passing on next week’s KRA Cup Mile to focus fully on May’s Korean Derby, Seoul’s 2008 Champion juvenile Nice Choice looked set to continue his stately progress towards the year’s top prize with a warm up race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Stepping up to class 2 for the first time but with a less than initimidating field to contend with, the Lost Mountain colt was sent off the 1.2 favourite.

Punters were in for a shock, however. Bouncing out of the gate first was Jo In Kwen on six year old Holeinonefive and they led into the first corner of the 1800 metre Derby distance race. Dream Runner slotted into second, outsider Gamunhuye third and Moon Se Young on Nice Choice into fourth.

Holeinonefive continued to lead through the back straight and there were nervous moments for backers of Nice Choice as the colt seemed to be crowded in on the rails. Moon Se Young managed to extricate them, however, and as they rounded the home turn, they were looking well placed for the sprint. They had reckoned without Holeinonefive still having the energy for a sprint and starting with a length’s advantage, the older horse matched the colt stride for stride all the way to the line.

It was Holeinonefive’s first win in nearly a year and the sixth of his career. For Nice Choice, the setback breaks a streak of four straight wins. He remains Derby favourite but, after they take care of their home track classic next Sunday, Busan’s Derby hopefuls may look north with a little less apprehension.

On what was otherwise a low key day’s racing at Seoul, the feature race went the way of Dankee’s Pal. The US bred five year old saw off a field including Yodongseong, Obaek Yechan and Saerounbisul, by two lengths.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Tiffanyuikkum holds on / Blue Pin, Happy Queen win
In a final furlong battle, six year old Hongji outsprinted hot favourite Top Point to take this afternoon’s feature race at Seoul Race Park. Although it was outsider Tough Energy who made the early running in the 2000 metre test, the two big hitters, Hongji and Top Point slotted straight into third and second places just a length off the leader.

Entering the home straight, it was Moon Se Young on the mare Top Point who made his move first, hitting the front as Tough Energy tired. However, Jo In Kwen got Hongji into his stride as well and the duel was on. With half a furlong to go, it looked like Top Point may hold on but Hongji had more in reserve, getting his nose in front with just thirty metres remaining and keeping it there for a half length win.

With the victory, Hongji moves onto nine career victories. Top Point, following her upset of Secret Weapon and Myeongmun Gamun in January, remains on eleven from nineteen starts

One race earlier, Australian import Tiffanyuikkum continued his recent run of good form, but only just. Park Tae Jong had the four year old in a winning position on the rails with a furlong to go but was left hanging on as Baramsan under Moon Jung Kyun launched a late challenge down the centre of the track. The line came soon enough though and Tiffanyuikkum, a late developer scored his third win from three outings so far this year.

In other races, there was a second win for improving three year old Blue Pin. The colt edged out Money Pokpung and New Kaiser in a tight finish to race 8. Blue Pin was the second of three wins for jockey Cho Kyoung Ho who took race 1 on the impressive Khanui Jeguk and then race 9 on the equally impressive filly Happy Queen.

Tomorrow, the first of eleven races comes under orders at 11:20. Busan gets underway at 12:40 and Jeju at 12:10.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Tummim does it the hard way / Boo! – Min Ho lands a treble
Baekjeonmupae galloped through the sunshine to land victory in this afternoon’s feature event at Seoul Race Park. As expected, sprint specialist Gamadongja made the early running of the 2000 metre race with hot favourite Vicar Love just behind. With Gamadonga still leading in the back straight, Moon Se Young brought former horse of the year Subsidy around the outside of the field to slot into second.

This was how it remained until they exited the home turn with Gamadongja clinging on. Oh Kyoung Hoan asked Vicar Love for an effort but he couldn’t match that of Baekjeonmupae who finished strongly down the outside under Moon Jung Kyun for a two and a half length win.

One race later, three year old import Gangho [Peace Rules – Honor Delilah (Honor Grades)] continued his impressive start to his racing career taking a seven length win and in the process extending his unbeaten run to three. Gangho was the third winner of the day for second year jockey Boo Min Ho following earlier success on Fly Top in race 2 and Bio Com in race 7.

Much earlier in the day, highly thought of Lost Mountain filly Tummim broke her maiden in race 3, although she did her best not to. Sent off long odds-on favourite in her second start, Moon Se Young had the three year old in a winnng position with less than a furlong to go when Tummim suddenly veered off the inside rail and right across to the other side of the track. The filly almost lost enough ground to allow Lee Ae Li on Haedong Teukgeup to steal a shock win, but champion jockey Moon managed to coax Tummim across the line with just enough to spare.

In other news on what was a beautiful spring day with temperatures in the low seventies at the track, South African jockey Stephan Swanepoel scored his first money finish in Korea, guiding The Bank to third place in race 8.

Tomorrow is Busan Ilbo Cup day at Busan Race Park where the first of six begins at 12:40. Seoul gets underway at 11:20 and Jeju at 12:10.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Namdo Jeap, Seokcheong win / Iku dominates Busan / Swanepoel debuts
Crafty Louis stepped back in distance and bounced straight back into form landing Busan Race Park’s feature event this afternoon. Dropping back to a mile for the first time in over two years, the six year old went off fourth in the betting as highly fancied Patches Of Gold made the early running.

Favourite Dongbang Geona was well placed throughout but as they came off the turn it was Crafty Louis who accelerated the quickest. Only Oneuri Bobae could go with him and these two opened up a substantial gap on the field, Jo Chang Wook bringing Crafty Louis home for a length and a half win with Storm Rider leading the field in a full eleven lengths back.

Jo was one of only two Korean jockeys to ride a winner at Busan this afternoon. Ikuyasu Kurakane really hit the jackpot in moving from Seoul to Busan and had wrapped up a treble by the race 4. Meanwhile South African Martin Wepner scored his second victory in Korea, guiding relatively unfancied Captain Kim to victory in race 3.

Another jockey getting his second victory on the peninsula was American Santos Chavez who landed race 3 at Seoul Race Park on Yaho Shani. Chavez is gradually picking up more rides and followed up his front-running win on Yaho Shani with a surprise second place on unfancied Baram Queen in Seoul’s feature race. Under Chavez, the filly finished less than a length adrift of favourite Cheonnyeonbulpae, the Cho Kyoung Ho ridden four year old taking his second consecutive win at class 2 level.

In what was an eventful day for overseas riders, another South African jockey, Stephanus Swanepoel made his Seoul debut. Swanepoel’s first mount came in race 4, a race which exemplified Korean racing at its worst. Horses ran wide on the turn and, in the stretch, eventual winner My Photo Map suddenly veered off towards the stands. That the gelding still managed to win spoke volumes about the quality of the field behind. Meanwhile Swanepoel’s mount returned home lame after finishing tailed off and has been stood down for at least a year. His second mount, Smart Angel, finished in the middle of a pack well beaten by Giant Rose in race 7, the filly giving Moon Se Young his third victory of the day.

In other races, there were two three year old performances of note. At Busan, Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] predictably wired a field of eight fellow three year olds and was eased to a five length win on his season’s debut. Up at Seoul, Seokcheong [Fiercely – Miss Geology (Jade Hunter)] was always likely to put in a good performance, but the colt exceeded expectations by winning race 8, two lengths ahead of favourite Saerounjeonseol.

Class 1 (foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Mar 15, 2009

1. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] – Jo Chang Wook – 7.0
2. Oneurui Bobae (USA) [Montbrook – Promise Me Magic (Pentelicus)] – Jo Chan Hoon – 12.1
3. Storm Rider (JPN) [Tabasco Cat – Goldrush Gal (Gulch)] – Han Sang Gyu – 18.0
Distances: 1.5 lengths/11 lengths – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Mighty Runner’s streak ends / Red Ball wires field
Last week it was Bally Brae, today it was Namchonuijijon returning to the Winner’s Circle with a long overdue triumph at Seoul Race Park. The five year old started second favourite to Mighty Runner, who was looking for a sixth straight win, and was slow away as Heukjo Bisang made the running in the early stages of the 2000 metre race.

Mighty Runner, under Shin Hyoung Cheol, looked menacing throughout but as they turned for home, Jung Ki Young made his move on Namchonuijijon. Heukjo Bisang fell away and Mighty Runner never seemed to get into his stride. Only Free Woody, who had been racing at the front throughout, offered resistance but he too was passed as Namchonuijijon went on to take the line with a length and a half in hand.

Very much in the shadow of J.S. Hold in his three year old season, Namchonuijijon was expected to shine in 2008 and victory over Baekgwang in the Ttukseom Cup in April seemed to indicate great things ahead. On his next outing, however, Baekgwang’s sister, Baekpa, would soundly defeat him and things got worse from there as he finished out of the money for the first time in his career in his next appearance. Finally in December, he managed a creditable second behind Taebaek Janggun and now, with his first outing of the year ending in success, maybe 2009 could be Namchonuijijon’s year.

In other races, three year old Red Ball [Lethal Instrument – Wildly Magic (Peterhof)] stepped up in class and never looked anything other than a winner as he led race 10 from start to finish. The colt goes on to four wins from seven starts. Another three year old in the winner’s circle was Modern Fighter [Even The Score – Jester Rehab (Dmitri)] who scored moved up to 1700 metres and scored his third success from six starts in race 9.

Tommorow sees eleven races at Seoul with the first off at 11:20. South African jockey Stephan Swanepoel will make his Korean debut in race 4 riding unfancied gelding Gangcheolbong. Swanepoel also has a mount in race 7. Busan hosts a six race card with the first off at 12:40 while Jeju gets its ten race program off at 12:10.

Class 1 – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Mar 14, 2009

1. Namchonuijijon (KOR) [Concept Win – Intriga (Lord At Law) – Jung Ki Young – 4.3
2. Free Woody (KOR) [Social Charter – Choeseonbong (Imperial Price)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 7.6
3. Mighty Runner (KOR) [Pacificbounty – Roan All Over (Fight Over)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol – 2.1
Distances: 1.5 lengths/0.5 lengths – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Sky Star beats Sandeomi / Machine Gun misses at Seoul
On his fourth day of racing, South African jockey Martin Wepner rode his first Korean winner at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The thirty seven year old partnered Daehan Gangja to a two length victory in the day’s co-feature race, a class 2 handicap over 1600 metres for overseas bred horses.

Racing prominently throughout, Wepner hit the front on the five year old gelding as they entered the home straight and held off a determined challenge from Park Geum Man on the fast finishing outsider Sun Dance. Hot favourite, US import Heukjanggun was a disappointing fifth. For the Australian bred Daehan Gangja, it was a fourth career win. With Sun Dance finishing second, it made for a 1404.8 exacta.

On a good day for Wepner, the newcomer managed to land second place in the other feature race on outsider Homerun Yeowang. The pair finished just a length and a half behind Ikuyasu Kurakane on the highly rated Sky Star. Just as Impeccable did on Friday, Sky Star stepped up to class 2 for the first time, only at the Derby distance of nine furlongs. Kurakane kept Sky Star safely in the pack, making his move as they turned for home, overhauling favourite and fellow three year old Sandeomi in the straight and never looking in danger from there on despite Wepner’s late charge on five year old mare Homerun Yeowang.

Sandeomi had been four from six before today’s race but clearly didn’t appreciate the step up from a mile. Sky Star meanwhile, who had been inconsistent in previous outings, relished it. Although Impeccable has yet to go further than seven furlongs, with the first of the Triple Crown races being the KRA Cup Mile, there is plenty of time for that.

Also at Busan, it was another good day for the partnership of trainer Peter Wolsley and jockey Park Geum Man. After their double on Friday with Mentor and Impeccable, they repeated the feat today; pairing up to land wins on three year old filly Lady In Gala in race 3 and the gelding Running Man in race 4.

Up at Seoul Race Park, on what can only be described as a glorious spring day, Balhaejanggun upset favourite Machine Gun in a tight finish to the feature race. Third favourite Ugildongja led for much of the race but in a blanket finish it was Balhaejanggun who got his nose in front of Seonju Jangsu with Machine Gun in third.

* Jockey Kim Young Jin remains under observation in hospital following a heavy fall from Tobougg King in race 8 at Seoul. The horse was uninjured.

Class 2 (Foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Mar 8, 2009

1. Daehan Gangja (AUS) [West Quest – La Daze (Palace Music)] – Martin Wepner – 18.5
2. Sun Dance (JPN) [Mutafaweq – Ensayista (Maruzensky)] – Park Geum Man – 73.4
3. Sunday Punch (JPN) [Silent Hunter – Makenaide (Arcangues)] – Kim Kyoung Geun – 63.4
Distances: 2 lengths/Nose – 11 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

After four consecutive second placed finishes, 2007 Grand Prix champion Bally Brae stood tall once again at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Nearly four years after his debut and two weeks after younger brother and stablemate Playing Politics suffered a career threatening injury, the seven year old recorded his fourteenth win in his twenty-seventh outing.

Sent off the marginal favourite in a field of eight, Bally Brae was quickest out of the stalls and led into the first corner with main danger Seoul Teukgeup right behind him. As they turned into the back straight, Yoo Sang Wan brought Pocketful of Money around the field to take up the running. The mare had extended her lead to five lengths as they turned for home but by the time they entered the home straight, the field was right behind her. Moon Se Young shook Bally Brae into action, passing Pocketful of Money with two furlongs to go. He then took the gelding over to the rail and the sprint was on. By now the only danger was Seoul Teukgeup and, under Moon Jung Kyun the big four year old found his run down the centre of the track.

But Bally Brae was not to be beaten today. Not by Seoul Teukgeup and not by Angus Empire who Yang Hee Jin brought roaring late down the outside. The line came in time, champion jockey Moon screaming as they crossed it as if they had won the Grand Prix all over again, not a Saturday afternoon handicap.

Bally Brae has a special place in Korean racing. His first jockey Hong Dae You is now his trainer and in his first big race win, the STC Trophy in 2006, he was ridden by the late Lim Dae Gyu who would also partner him in his first attempt at the Grand Prix on Christmas Eve that year. He would finish second, two places ahead of Subsidy with whom he was to enjoy some memorable battles over the course of the next year before defeating him to take the top prize in the 2007 Grand Prix. 2008 was tougher as he disappointed in the Owners’ Trophy and then Dongbanui Gangja took his Grand Prix crown. However, today Bally Brae emphatically showed he’s not done yet and Moon Se Young was joined by thousands of racegoers in delighting in his victory.

In other races on a gloriously sunny March day at Seoul Race Park, three year old Towering took his third win. A promising but inconsistent performer, Towering was always well placed and came through in the final furlong for a length and a half win. Meanwhile the confusingly named US import Thewon Thewon [Siphon – Marlee’s Rainbow (Geiger Counter)] broke his maiden in spectacular fashion scoring an eleven length domination of race 6.

Meanwhile race 5 resulted in a dead-heat between Dae Hit and Sky Center, with third placed Chonmyeong just a neck behind. Aside from being a dramatic finish, the dead-heat produced the amusing effect (unless you backed it) of favourite Sky Center paying less to win on the Pari-Mutuel than it did to show.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first of eleven races going to post at 11:20. Busan gets underway at 12:40 and Jeju at 12:10. It’s going to be a dry and mild day so…Come Racing!

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Mar 7, 2009

1. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Moon Se Young – 2.1
2. Seoul Teukgeup (USA) [Safely’s Mark – Bemmalou (Waquoit)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 2.7
3. Angus Empire (USA) [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] – Yang Hee Jin – 5.2
Distances: 2.5 lengths/3 lengths – 8 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

It was another step up in class and another easy win for Impeccable at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The three year old colt had won his previous three races by a combined thirty lengths and today Impeccable [Distilled – Bellebreezy (Foolish Pleasure)] had little trouble disposing of a class 2 field over seven furlongs to confirm his status as the most highly rated three year old on the peninsula.

Breaking from stall nine, the Park Geum Man ridden Impeccable settled in towards the back of the field in the early stages, improved round the turn and finally hit the front with two furlongs to go. Extending his stride in the stretch, he was eased down in the last fifty metres to a six length win.

It was a good day for jockey Park and trainer Peter Wolsley who have an exciting season to look forward to. Two races earlier they also combined to bring home promising filly Mentor [Testa Rossa – Crystal Decanter (Encosta De Lago)] for her fourth win from five races. In other three year old action, Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] stepped up to a mile and got back to winning ways taking race 7 by two lengths for his third win in four.

In the first of two feature races, hot favourite Yeongung Manse took a two length win from Bulpae Yeoksa. In the second, punters kept faith with Golding but the big seven year old struggled again finishing sixth, while giving ten kilos to winner Gangsan Jijo who was scoring for the first time since 2007. Golding is now five races without a win.

Racing returns to Busan on Sunday when a six race card gets underway at 12:40. Tomorrow, the action is at Seoul (11:20) and Jeju (12:10).

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Love Cat third / Brown Beauty shock win at Busan
Dongbanui Gangja further cemented his claim to be considered the top horse in training at Seoul as he breezed to victory in today’s big race. The four year old sat towards the back of the eleven strong field until they turned for home and Choi Beom Hyun didn’t have to ask twice for an effort as Dongbanui Gangja hit the front with a furlong to go and calmly claimed a three length win.

That the Grand Prix champion won wasn’t a surprise, but the identity of those horses closest to him certainly was. Bold Magic, an 82.6 outsider showed well throughout and though looked like tiring as they entered the home straight, found his second wind to hold on for second. Another outsider, Dankee’s Pal set the early pace and stayed on well for third. Second favourite, Haengun Daewang was fourth.

Another win takes Dongbanui Gangja to five in a row and ten from seventeen in total. A winner over every distance from seven furlongs to the maximum eleven and a half, it is difficult to imagine any other horse at Seoul being able to seriously challenge him at the moment.

Three year old filly Love Cat made the very early step up to class 2 racing in race 9. On a run of four straight wins she was sent off favorite and hit the front inside the final furlong. Ultimately she had to settle for finishing a narrowly beaten third behind four year olds Headline News and Shocking. Nevertheless, the performance was enough for Love Cat [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] maintain her place among the Classic contenders.

At Busan Race Park, there was a shock in the feature race as outsider Brown Beauty, who had been towards the front for most of the 2000 metre race, hit the lead with a furlong to go and didn’t let go of it. The Japanese bred mare ran on to record a length’s victory over Admiral Reigart with Eodubong in third. Hot favourite Hwanggeumbit Taeyang never featured, finishing a disappointing sixth. For Brown Beauty [Jolie’s Halo – Big Paradise (Timber Country)] it was a first victory since September 2007.

Also at Busan, South African jockey Martin Wepner completed his second full race day. Across Friday and Sunday, Wepner had twelve rides, managing to place with three of them, not a bad return considering the extremely average quality of most of his mounts. He also managed to pick up a fine for careless riding in race 3 this afternoon.

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Mar 1, 2009

1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.2
2. Bold Magic (USA) [Magic Cat – Too Late To Quit (Fighting Fit)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 82.6
3. Dankee’s Pal (USA) [Max’s Pal – Dankee (Regal Intention)] – Lee Gi Hwoi – 39.1
Distances: 3 lengths/1 length – 11 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN