Areumdaun Jilju scratched / Mighty Runner makes it five from five
Carrying a light weight and with his main rival and perhaps Busan’s best domestic bred horse, Areumdaun Jilju, a late scratching, the scene seemed to be set for Procyon to end his recent barren spell at Busan Race Park this afternoon. However, just like for Bally Brae at Seoul yesterday, it was not to be. Chae Gyu Jun took Procyon into the lead straight out of the gate and maintained pole position turning into the home straight, looking ready to kick on.

When asked for a final effort though, there was nothing left in the tank and it was Yeonhap Jakjeon who came through to take his first win at class 1 level ahead of Boryeong Bulbit. Procyon is now nine months and seven races without a win. Looking good for all but the final furlong, he may be taken down in distance next time, where the vast majority of his wins have come.

Areumdaun Jilju’s late withdrawal due to a slight ligament injury meant that Ikuyasu Kurakane was denied the opportunity to complete a treble having earlier won on Yeokjeonui Champ in race 3 and Haste in race 5. An Oaks possible, Haste [Snow Ridge – Fresh Strike (Smart Strike)] wrapped up her third victory in four outings hitting the front two furlongs out and holding on comfortably for a two length win.

At Seoul Race Park, Mighty Runner overhauled Hongji in the final furlong to land a class 1 race at the first attempt and in doing so, take his unbeaten streak to five. A late developer, Mighty Runner was sixth in the Derby in 2007 but was then out for almost a whole year through injury. On his return he showed an aptitude for the longer distances and began his winning streak last September. In much better company today, he was sent off fourth in the betting. Favourite Taebaek Janggun looked well placed heading into the straight but then commenced to give jockey Moon Se Young, stepping in for Choi Beom Hyun who was injured in an earlier fall, a torrrid time as he fell from first to last. Shin Hyoung Cheol on Mighty Runner took advantage and just got the better of Hongji and a fast finishing Bandoui Byeol on the line.

Moon Se Young and Cho Kyoung Ho both landed doubles and American Santos Chavez managed his first placing passing eight horses in the final furlong to take third favourite Skibbereen from last to third in race 11. It was Chavez’s best finish in four rides over the weekend but he has looked comfortable and his light riding weight may give him more opportunities than previous overseas jockeys have been given.

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Bally Brae beaten / Bop’s Punch wins / Chavez debuts
Punters kept faith with Bally Brae, but it was Vicar Love who got back to winning ways in the big race at a foggy Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Bally Brae may not have won since last March, but his second place in the Grand Prix indicated that the big gelding was ready to win again and he went off favourite ahead of Seoul Teukgeup who had the beating of him throughout last autumn.

As the field broke, Bally Brae took up his customary position just off the lead, but as they turned into the back straight, Cho Kyoung Ho gave up trying to restrain the fractious Pocketful of Money, and the mare shot away from the pack, stringing out the field behind her. Only Bally Brae, Seoul Teukgeup and Vicar Love remained in touch with the rest out of sight.

Turning for home, inevitably Pocketful of Money was spent and it was Vicar Love, with Oh Kyoung Hoan at the controls for the first time, who was first to pass and take up the lead a furlong out. Bally Brae bore down the centre of the track, while Seoul Teukgeup was finishing the fastest of all three. The line came soon enough, however, for Vicar Love to take the honours by a length and a half with just a Neck seperating Bally Brae and Seoul Teukgeup. Saerounbisul put in a fast final furlong to almost bridge the gap with the rest well beaten.

Despite the fog, it was a dry and mild day and earlier, promising US import Bop’s Punch [Bop – French Punch (Two Punch)] continued his progress in landing race 5 by an impressive five lengths. Kim Dong Min took the colt into the lead straight out of the gate and there they stayed for a comfortable wire to wire win. Also finally tasting victory was the Ft. Stockton colt Love For Ever, who justified his odds on status by taking race 6 by four lengths.

Moon Se Young took the jockey honours completing a treble by the end of race four. Moon later tarnished his day somewhat by picking up a 2 day ban for careless riding while guiding favourite Pop’s Slew to defeat in race 8. American jockey Santos Chavez debuted this afternoon finishing well out of the money on both his mounts. Chavez will have two more rides tomorrow, including one in the feature race.

Racing returns tomorrow with cards at Seoul (11:10), Busan (12:30) and Jeju (12:30).

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Feb 7, 2009

1. Vicar Love (USA) [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 5.1
2. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7
3. Seoul Teukgeup (USA) [Safely’s Mark – Bemmalou (Waquoit)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 3.0
Distances – 1.5 lengths/Neck – 8 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

After injury and then indifference, Miss Ecton demonstrated that she has regained her form of early last year in taking a three length win in the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. After winning the Busan Ilbo Cup last March, the filly was sidelined until August and out in disappointing performances for the rest of the year. Today, with four kilos on favourite Dongbang Geona and eight kilos over Golding, she took full advantage.

Third favourite Sinsapung made the early running and was still in front as they entered the home straight of the 1600 metre race. Dongbang Geona, who had been sitting just off the lead, looked poised to strike, but it was Miss Ecton who came out of the pack to hit the front in the final furlong under Ikuyasu Kurakane. Golding went with her but the seven year old never looked likely to make up enough ground to challenge.

Racing tomorrow is at Seoul and Jeju, with all three tracks hosting cards on Sunday.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Feb 6, 2009

1. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] – I Kurakane – 12.4
2. Golding (USA) [Gold Alert – Ritzy Lady (Kissin Kris)] – Gu, YJ – 3.0
3. Dongbang Geona (JPN) [Paradise Creek – Hanashinju (Leo Castelli)] – Kim, ES – 2.3
Distances: 3 lengths/0.5 lengths – 13 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Grand Prix winner opens 2009 account in style / Myeongmun Gamun regresses
Dongbanui Gangja started 2009 as he ended 2008, cruising to victory in this afternoon’s feature at Seoul Race Park. Starting long odds-on favourite, the Grand Prix winner left it late to come round the field in the home straight to claim a six length win from Angus Empire and Obaek Yechan. While third favourite Gamadongja set the early pace before fading, Brilliant Knight, stepping up to class 1 for the first time, was never a threat eventually finishing in ninth.

Yesterday at Seoul, Myeongmun Gamun was back up to his old tricks, proving a headache for handlers to get into the stalls. Seoul’s top earner was eventually cajoled into racing but, despite a late rally that propelled him to third place, never looked likely to take top honours. Instead it was the mare Top Point who finished the strongest, overhauling Secret Weapon in the final furlong for a two length win.

* Pick Me Up’s return to racing on Korean soil ended in defeat at Busan on Friday as Sinheung Gangja scored an impressive four length win in the feature race. Ebony Storm came in second with Pick Me Up, who had been front running for most of the race, dropping to fourth on the line.

Class 1 (Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Feb 1, 2009
1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 1.3
2. Angus Empire (USA) [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] – Yang Hee Jin – 7.3
3. Obaek Yechan (AUS) [High Yield – Kanaka Creek (Thunder Gulch)] – Kim Ok Sung – 33.5
Distances: 6 lengths/2.5 lengths – 12 ran

Class 1 (Domestic Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Jan 31, 2009
1. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser – Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – Moon Se Young – 3.7
2. Secret Weapon (KOR) [Native regent – Aheadofthetimes (Gold Alert)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.6
3. Myeongmun Gamun (KOR) [Future Quest – Guided Dancer (Incinderator)] – Cho, KH – 1.7
Distances: 2 lengths/1 length – 10 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Seonju Jangsu produced a sparkling final furlong to find herself back in the Winner’s Enclosure for the first time since 2006 in the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Hot favourite Good Day led for the first nine furlongs of the ten furlong race, but when it came to the business end of the home straight, the top weight had nothing left to give and it was the seven year old mare Seonju Jangsu who led outsider Dalgane and perennial placer Nujindo through, Seonju Jangsu winning by four lengths on the line.

Winning three of her first five races back in 2005, Seonju Jangsu never really lived up to that early promise finishing eighth in the Oaks that year. Since then, while regularly finishing in the money, victories have been scarce. For Good Day it was another unexpected setback and the five year old is now without a win in four outings having gone off as favourite on all those occasions.

In Busan’s feature, Gyeoncheonsa notched her second straight win to continue her recent renaissance under trainer Peter Wolsley. The mare, who was off the track for a year and a half before returning in mid 2008, held off the fast finishing Cherokee Morn for a half length win.

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Noubeau Riche takes advantage / New Kaiser, Event beaten
As the field entered the home straight, it looked as though Subsidy was going to take his career earnings through the Billion Won mark with a win in this afternoon’s big race at Seoul Race Park. Having sat just behind the leaders for most of the mile and a quarter race, Moon Se Young shifted the gelding off the rail and into a gap, then asked him to go. Uncharacteristically, there was no response from Subsidy. Meanwhile, third favourite Noubeau Riche grabbed the lead and, in a tight finish, held off Haengun Daewang and Serendipper to take the win.

It was Subsidy’s third failed attempt at achieving the Billion figure and, in finishing sixth, equalled his worst ever placing in his five year career in Seoul. For now Myeongmun Gamun remains the only horse at the track to have over a Billion Won in the bank and Subsidy, the nine year old son of Mr Prospector, must wait a little longer. Meanwhile Noubeau Riche, entering his five year old season takes his record to seven wins from thirteen outings.

On a day which began with temperatures well below zero and with yesterday’s snow still on the ground but gradually got warmer until it was a positively tropical three degrees above, there weree defeat for three year old Derby possibles New Kaiser and Event. Coming off the back of four straight wins, Event made step up from seven to nine furlongs and, after leading through the first three turns, didn’t stay and faded to last. New Kaiser, unbeaten in two previous appearances also led early on in his race over seven furlongs but similarly faded from view in the straight.

Aside from the defeat on Subsidy, Champion jockey Moon Se Young was back in form landing his first treble of the year with wins on Urim in race 5, Wipungdodangdang in race 8 and Towering in race 12. Park Tae Jong also managed three with Shine in race 1, Hero Interview in race 3 and Daehyo in race 10. Racing returns to Seoul at 11:10 tomorrow, with Busan and Jeju underway at 12:30.

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Jan 17, 2009

1. Noubeau Riche (USA) [Beau Genius – Cozy Cafe (Future Storm)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 4.2
2. Haengun Daewang (NZ) [City On A Hill – Anne of Avon (Honor Grades)] – Yoo Sang Wan – 12.3
3. Serendipper (AUS) [Danewin – Coppelius (Pleasant Colony)] – Park Tae Jong – 7.8
Distances: 0.5 lengths/0.5 lengths – 9 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Geumbit Sesang & Bulpae Gisang stroll in / Hwangnyongsaji is back
A burst of speed at the furlong pole saw Crafty Louis run away with the feature race at Busan this afternoon. Busan Metropolitan winner Hardride started odds-on favourite and it was Sinsapung who set the early pace in the 2000 metre handicap. Well placed throughout Crafty Louis, winless since last April, was brought into contention by Kim Eu Soo as they turned for home hitting the front just before the furlong pole with Hardride just behind. This was where Hardride made his move in the Metropolitan but he didn’t have the legs to go with Crafty Louis who was five lengths clear on the line. Outsider Sweet Child edged out second favourite Bugyeong Choegang by a nose for third.

Earlier at Busan, Ikuyasu Kurakane has his first succes since relocating from Seoul. The Japanese rider partnered Gold Hunter to victory by three lengths in race 1. Daehan Dolpung took the day’s feature race for Korean bred horses. In a tight finish, the filly just outsprinted Yeonhap Jakjeon and King Rider. Very much in the shadow of fellow Didyme filly Jeolho Chance last year, Daehan Dolpung could not have made a better start to 2009.

In other races, three year old colt Geumbit Sesang made his second appearance and, moving up to six furlongs dominated race four to win by 12 lengths. With the race won a furlong out stewards issued a warning to jockey Jo Chang Wook for continuing to use the whip – for its part, the colt had the good sense to put Jo on the floor as they pulled up and make his own way back to the stables. Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] will certainly be one to bear in mind as the season progresses.

At Seoul Race Park it was even colder than yesterday and a stiff breeze exacerbated conditions. Hwangnyongsaji took the afternoon’s big race, squeezing past Machine Gun in the final few strides for a half length win over 1900 metres. After making a promising start to his three year old season last year – including landing the New Year race at the correspnding meeting, Hwangnyongsaji was out of action through injury for seven months. After making a low key return last month, victory here means he will be an interesting addition to the big handicap ranks this year.

Earlier at Seoul, Bulpae Gisang made it four from four as he stepped up in both class and some considerable distance. Starting second favourite, he hunted down pacesetter Storm Feet, striking in the home straight and running on to win by three lengths. The three year old Bulpae Gisang [Lightnin N’Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever trick)] arrived in Korea last June and has yet to be seriously challenged.

Class 1 (Foreign-Bred) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Jan 11, 2009

1. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] – Kim Eu Soo – 8.5
2. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.9
3. Sweet Child (USA) [Sweetsouthernsaint – Nobody’s Secret (Alwasmi)] – Choi Si Dae – 86.7
Distances: 5 lengths/2 lengths – 10 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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Choi Beom Hyun does it again / Vicar Love stalls in the straight
After running close in both the Minister’s and President’s Cups last Autumn, Triple Seven made it into the Winner’s Circle in the New Year Commemorative Race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Sent off favourite at 2.6, Choi Beom Hyun brought the four year old through with a late outside run to snatch a length and a half win from Wangson.

As the full field of fourteen broke, it was Rich Family, under Lee Jun Cheol who darted across from the outside stall to take the rail going into the first corner. The pack were content to let him lead through the back straight and turning for home he had four lengths on his nearest challenger. Inevitably he couldn’t maintain it and with a furlong to go, Best Fusion took things up with the three year old gelding Tu Won, of whom big things are expected this year, also well placed. However, neither were prepared for Choi’s late run on Triple Seven. For Choi, it was a case of starting the New Year as he finished the old one with a similar late run on Dongbanui Gangja in the Grand Prix still fresh in the memory.

Seoul’s first day of racing in 2009 started off with a shock as Love For Ever, sent off at 1.1, could only manage fourth in race 1. Most punters continued to take a hammering as favourite after favourite went down. There was a notable performance by the the Boo Min Ho ridden Gangho in race 4, taking a seven length win on his racecourse debut with hot favourite Necromancer never involved. Indeed it took until Triple Seven in race 10 for a favourite to be successful.

Making a quick return following his disappointing showing in the Grand Prix, Vicar Love was sent off favourite in a competitive handicap over 2000 metres in race 11. He led early and looked to have the race won heading into the final furlong but it was not to be as he began to tie up allowing Seoul Teukgeup to swoop and take his second consecutive class 1 victory with Baekjeonmupae grabbing second ahead of a clearly tired Vicar Love.

While Kim Cheol Ho had the honour of taking victory in the year’s opener, Park Byoung Yun and Moon Jung Kyun both managed to secure two wins to lead an early jockey’s championship. Champion Moon Se Young was winless.

While temperatures at Seoul may never have made it above -6, there was at least bright sunshine throughout. Down on Jeju Island, overnight snow was added to by constant flurries throughout the day. In Jeju’s New Year race, second favourite Hanramyeongseng started quickly and was never in any danger of being caught as he sprinted to a two length win.

Tomorrow Seoul comes under orders at 11:10 for the first of eleven races. Busan and Jeju both get underway at 12:30 with six and nine races respectively.

New Year’s Race – Seoul Race Park – Jan 10, 2009 – 1800M

1. Triple Seven (KOR) [The Groom is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 2.6
2. Wangson (KOR) [Distilled – Eastern Tide (Far Out East)] – Kim Young Jin – 20.0
3. Tu Won (KOR) [Orientate – Sharp Eyed (Danzero)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 5.2
Distances: 1.25 lengths/0.5 lengths – 14 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Taebaek Janggun edges Namchonuijijon / Moon crowned Champion
On the final race day of the 2008 season, Dangdae Star was victorious over Busan Race Park’s longest distance. Starting second favourite, the New Zealand bred gelding was quick to show towards the front of the field of 12 iin the 2200 metre race. The early pace was set by Hidden Hero and Crafty Louis but as they rounded the final turn, Toshio Uchida made his move on Dangdae Star and they were quickly in front. Favourite Hwanggeumbit Taeyang had been sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack and his move, when it came wasn’t enough to match Dangdae Star who ran on for his ninth career win with four lengths to spare.

At Seoul Race Park, things were slightly closer in the feature as Taebaek Janggun thwarted Namchonuijijon’s late run to claim his third straight win and his first against top class opposition. The five year old gelding hit the front as the field exited the back straight, pulling away as they rounded the final turn. As the likes of Geumsuni, Ugildongja and Balhaejanggun failed to mount a challenge it was Namchonuijijon, this year’s Ttukseom Cup winner and thir favourite here who came from the back of the field to almost snatch victory, denied on the line by a head.

Moon Se Young was crowned Champion jockey in a ceremony after race 7 and the 28 year old added to his record breaking haul earlier in the day on the promising two year old colt Strong Hug. The US import arrived in Korea in June and cantered to his second win by eight lengths in race 1. Meanwhile, back down at Busan it was an imported two year old filly taking things easy as Lana De Free went two for two.

So that’s it for 2008. Later in the week, we’ll take a look back at the year and, of course, a look forward to 2009 – the new season is just days away!

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 2200M – Dec 28, 2008

1. Dangdae Star (NZ) [Danske – Joie De Chine (Racing is Fun)] – T. Uchida – 3.6
2. Hwanggeumbit Taeyang (AUS) [Real Quiet – No Flirting (Danzero)] – Gu Young Jun – 2.9
3. Admiral Reigart (USA) [General Royal – Entoria (Stop The Music)] – Kim Eu Su – 10.6
Distances: 4 lengths/0.5 lengths – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Angus Empire in form / Gate Way does it the right way
An unexpected late challenge by outsider Angel Pegasus wasn’t enough to stop Playing Politics claiming his fifth victory in six outings at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Under Choi Beom Hyun, the JRA Trophy winner hit the front on the first turn and looked to be cruising to a routine victory having seen second in the betting Big Sox fade from contention as they entered the straight. Always well placed, Cho Kyoung Ho brought Angel Pegasus down the outside but just missed out as Playing Politics held on for the win by a neck with K J Khan in third.

Feature event of the day was won by Angus Empire. The four year old is in good winter form and fully justified his favourite’s status, accelerating away from the field in the final furlong with a four length margin on the line from Yodongseong and Dankee’s Pal.

Gate Way made an overdue return to the Winner’s Enclosure putting in an impressive win to land race 8. The filly, third in the Korean Oaks in August, sat behind favourite Gangho Jewang for much of the 1800 metres but once Park Tae Jong went to work coming off the final turn, the result wasn’t in doubt. The win was only Gate Way’s fourth in eighteen starts but the manner of it suggests that her four year old season may be more successful.

The win on Gate Way was Park Tae Jong’s third of the day having earlier secured successes on hot favourite Yongwang in race 3 and the previously unraced Claim Victory in race 5. In other races, Champgippeum secured a battling handicap victory over 1900 metres in race 9 as Kim Hyo Seob stalked pace-setters Taklamakan and Bulkkot Juja befre striking in the final 100 metres to steal victory by half a length.

Racing returns to Seoul at 11am Sunday with twelve more races. Busan’s Sunday card gets underway at 12:20. There is no card at Jeju Island tomorrow.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL