Seven year old breaks Billion Won barrier / Baekpa second
Favourite Myeongmun Gamun stormed to his second consecutive President’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and in doing so broke the Billion won mark in career earnings. In front of close to 60,000 people on a beautiful autumn day in Seoul, it was Dashing Champ, course record holder at 100 metres below today’s 2000 metre distance, who got to the first corner in front. Flying Cat, making his 71st start followed along with Sports Chosun winner Natural Nine. This was how it stayed through the back straight but, as they reached the third corner, Cho Kyoung Ho on Myeongmun Gamun asked his mount for some effort.

The response was instant as the gelding cruised from sixth to third. Dashing Champ fell away and as they turned into the home straight, Flying Cat was hanging on with Myeongmun Gamun on his shoulder. It wouldn’t last long as an extra turn of pace at the two furlong pole put the defending champion into the lead. Now the only question was where was Baekpa? The filly had been at the back of the field as they began the final turn but Park Tae Jong finally managed to find a clear run and the grey began to eat into the lead. It was too late. While Choi Beom Hyun pulled off a remarkable manoeuvre to bring Triple Seven out wide to come from last to third in the final furlong, Myeongmun Gamun and Cho Kyoung Ho were President’s Cup winners again.

Later, under the lights, Supernatural was looking to get back to winning ways after some disappointing recent outings in the feature handicap. It wasn’t to be though as Crocap held off the favourite’s late charge to take his first win for well over a year. Much earlier in the day, however, things went to form for Something New, the three year old stepping up one class but still winning by nine lengths in race 4. Something New is not the best looking of geldings but looks set to progress further throughout the winter.

While Cho Kyoung Ho took the most prize money, for the second Sunday running, Choi Beom Hyun was jockey of the day in terms of numbers. The in-form Choi again landed four winners with the pick being the odds-on Tu Won in race 10.

Meanwhile at Busan, Procyon was heavily backed to end his dismal run of form in the feature handicap. He looked good to do so as he comfortably led the field through all four turns of the 2000 metre race. Unfortunately, when Chae Gyu Jun asked the four year old to kick on in the straight, there was nothing left in the tank and the field came past with Yongdu Baram taking a half length win on the line from Scramble. Formerly the number one horse at Busan, Procyon is without a win – and has only been placed once – in five starts.

Today, however, was all about Myeongmun Gamun, who retained his trophy in imperious fashion:

President’s Cup (G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – 16 Nov, 2008

1. Myeongmun Gamun (KOR) [Future Quest – Guided Dancer (Incinderator)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.6
2. Baekpa (KOR) [Revere – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.8
3. Triple Seven (KOR) [The Groom Is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 16.1
Distances: 3 lengths/1.5 lengths – 9 ran

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Wins for High Taxi, Jigusangwiryeok / First victory for Kim Dong Min
After upsetting Bally Brae last time out, Dongbanui Gangja went off odds-on favourite and duly delivered a two and a half length win in the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Settling in behind early pacesetter Dirt King, Dongnaui Gangja always looked menacing and when Choi Beom Hyun asked him for a little effort at the two furlong pole, the result was never in doubt. Running in second was Obaek Yechan with Dirt King holding on for third. Dongbanui Gangja [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] now has an impressive record of seven wind from fourteen starts and has never been outside the first four and may come into the recokoning for the season ending Grand Prix race.

The day’s second most valuable race saw a comfortable win for favorite Jigusangwiryeok. Under Moon Se Young, the four year old went wire to wire for a three length win over 1900 metres ahead of Geumbit Gangja and Red Carpet in race 11. In other races, the steadily improving gelding High Taxi took his first win at cat 3 level with a narrow win in race 10. There were shock defeats for hot favourites Choisangbong in race 7 and Mr. Vancouver in race 8 but Oreumsaemi justified being backed into 1.5 to take only her second victory in sixteen outings in race 3.

Jockey Kim Dong Min finally got off the mark in his fortieth race. The apprentice partnered third favourite Seonbong Daeseung to a four length win in race 4. In other jockey news, Willie Uys, who made his debut last week was not on the card today and it has been confirmed he has returned to his native South Africa.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow for the President’s Cup. The card for one of the highlights of the season gets underway at 11:00 with the big race at 16:40. Likely favourite will be Myeongmun Gamun, but Natuaral Nine, Baekpa and Hongji will all have their supporters in the KRW 265Million Group 1. Busan also hosts a card with the first race at 12:20. Today saw light rain throughout the day although at present the forecast for tomorrow is cool, dry and bright.

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Outsider is Lim’s biggest win / Galsaem successful at last
Hardride proved to be the most successful ride of jockey Lim Sung Sil’s career as the outsider beat the odds to land the KRW 142Million first prize in the Busan Metropolitan City Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. However, it was heartbreak for Hardride’s regular rider Yoo Hyun Myoung who led from the start on Florida Native only to be overtaken in the final few strides. Florida Native was quickest away and with Dongbang Geona and Hardride following, the four-year old set the pace round the first turn and through the back straight.

As they turned for home, odds-on favourite Golding moved up menacingly on the outside under Toshio Uchida and Hardride dropped back to sixth, seemingly out of the hunt for places. There was much more to come, however, as Golding faltered in an ugly sprint. Florida Native increased his lead but Lim Sung Sil had found a run for Hardride and a final furlong dash saw the three-year old gelding overhaul the leader for a half-length win. Another outsider, Winter Invitation ran on for third. It was Hardride’s fifth career victory from fifteen starts and his first at the top level.

At Seoul Race Park, Galsaem finally landed her first victory of 2008. Having taken a pounding from the handicapper and suffering some near misses, the six year old mare took advantage of a weaker than usual cat.1 handicap field and went wire to wire over the 2000 metres for a length and a half win from Sinheung Gangho and Totoro. In the previous race, the scratching of Playing Politics had seen Yodongseong go off the 1.2 favourite and duly record a businesslike two and a half length victory in a 1900 metre handicap.

In other races, the highly thought of two-year old import Bulpae Gisang just managed to hold off the challenge of outsider Black Saint in race 3. The two of them were ten lengths clear of the rest of the field and Bulpae Gisang [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] is now two for two. In a similar race for domestic horses, another two-year old, Nice Choice romped home by ten lengths for his second win in three races and could be one for the Classics next year.

For jockeys it was very much Choi Beom Hyun’s day as he scored four winners to Moon Se young and Park Tae Jong’s two each. Willie Uys was scheduled to make his second appearance, but the South African had to sit out due to a “stomach bug”.

Busan Metro City Cup (G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Nov 9, 2008 – 15:20

1. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] – Lim Sung Sil – 40.0
2. Florida Native (USA) [Kissin Kris – Binndiana (Jose Binn)] – Yoo Hyun Myoung – 12.9
3. Winter Invitation (USA) [Take Me Out – Winter Crown (Cox’s Ridge)] – Jo Chan Hoon – 32.9
Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths – 13 ran

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Taebaek Janggun upsets Free Woody / Uys makes creditable debut
Wangson stepped up to cat.3 for the first time at Seoul Race Park this afternoon but the three year old had things all his own way as he cruised to a 10 length win. Under Moon Se Young, the 1.9 favourite came round the field in the back straight and opened out as they rounded the final turn. A long way behind the winner, Bang Choon Sik on Kkumcheoreom held off Nozomu Tomizawa on Daeseolbong for second. Wangson now has four wins from eight outings and looks to be one to watch in the handicap ranks next year.

On a beautiful autumn day that showed the track at its finest, things went the way of the second favourite in the day’s most valuable race. Taebaek Janggun kept alongside favourite Free Woody for the early stages of the 1900 metre handicap but a burst of pace around the third corner took him to the front. Although Free Woody responded in the sprint the damage had been done and Taebaek Janggun ran on for a three length win under Choi Beom Hyun. Earlier there was an impressive performance by two year old Ganggeonhan, landing race 1 by seven lengths.

South African jockey Willie Uys made his Seoul debut in race 4. Riding the lightly backed Absolute Power he got out of the gate quickly, avoiding some nasty collisions at the back and showed towards the front for most of the 1300 metre race. As they entered the home straight, leaders Natural Guy and favourite Mideumi pulled away from the field and battled it out for the victory with Natural Guy taking it on the line for Choi Beom Hyun. There was a gap of 12 lengths between those two and the next home, third-favourite Taepung Malli, with Uys and Absolute Power coming in fourth at 17.4. Uys will have one more ride tomorrow on Eastern Hotshot in race 3.

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A kilo too far for Areumdaun Jilju / Baekgeom wins easily again
Sinheung Gangja made the most of a nine kilo weight advantage to get up in the final few metres to take the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Billed as a battle between top handicapper Areumdaun Jilju and Derby winner Ebony Storm, things were going to form as those two led from the gate and through the backstretch. It was all change as they turned for home, however. Ebony Storm started to go backwards through the field as Han Sang Kyu on Sinheung Gangja moved into contention. Toshio Uchida kept Areumdaun Jilju in the lead but the three year old had much the faster sprint coming through for a half length win on the line. Outsider Segye Jepae ran on for an unlikely third place.

The loss was only Areumdaun Jilju’s second of the year but Ebony Storm is without a win since the Derby back in May. In other races, there was a second easy win for the grey two year old Baekgeom [Halo’s Image – Sweet Paige (Montbrook)]. The horse arrived in Korea in July and followed up his debut win last month with a five length victory in race 1 this afternoon. Meanwhile, Eiki Nishimura scored his second success in Korea riding Gaeulbi to a five length win in race 5. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.

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Blanket finish to Governor’s Cup / Secret Weapon holds off Machine Gun
Happy Queen won the KRW 106Million first prize by the narrowest of margins in the Gyeonggi-do Governor’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Under Cho Kyoung Ho, the second favourite got up by a nose on the line to take the honours from Night Fever. It was Night Fever who led out of the gate and the Oh Kyoung Hoan ridden outsider maintained her lead in the backstretch ahead of Hera and Gate Way while Happy Queen sat in the middle of the field. As they opened up the sprint, Hera faded as Happy Queen moved up to third a furlong out. Still Night Fever was hanging on, but the line couldn’t come soon enough as Happy Queen came through.

A thrilling race saw favourite Mild Go never feature as Happy Queen scored just her third career victory. However, the three year old hasn’t been out of the money since her third race, ten outings ago, and seems destined to move onto better company. Gate Way repeated her Korean Oaks performace by coming third in a blanket finish with the entire field separated by just a few lengths.

In other races, Secret Weapon did enough to live up to his 1.2 favourite status – but only just. The five year old hit the front of the 2000 metre handicap as they entered the final furlong but Moon Se Young on Machine Gun was in hot pursuit. Machine Gun has been in the best form of his career this autumn and the gelding almost got up to snatch victory. Secret Weapon held on though for his fifth straight win with a neck the distance between them on the line.

Big Sox followed up his second place in October’s JRA Trophy Race by taking victory in a cat 2 handicap. The three year old took his fourth win, half a length ahead of Serendipper. Big Sox was Moon Se Young’s third win of the day following wins on Yeong Jae in race 5 and Baekdu Beonjjeok in race 1. Race 1 was marred by a fatal breakdown by Merry Gold 300 metres out injuring jockey Lee Jun Dong. Ikuyasu Kurakane on Conan was also brought down but both horse and rider were quickly up.

At Busan Race Park, Japanese jockey Eiki Nishimura landed his first victory in Korea with a seven length win on Hyangsan in race 4. Busan’s feature was won by Eodubong, a half length ahead of Storm Rider.

Gyeonggi-do Governor’s Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Nov. 2, 2008 – 16:40

1. Happy Queen (KOR) [Revere – C. Bop (Aly Dark)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.7
2. Night Fever (KOR) [Concept Win – Sarah’s Boop (Whitesburg)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 39.6
3. Gate Way (KOR) [Psychobabble – Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] – Lee Gi Hwoi – 8.8
Distances: Nose/Neck – 14 ran

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Subsidy must wait / Baekdujeonseol wins / Cheonjikkot first winner for Park
Vicar Love produced a controlled performance to take a comfortable win and make Subsidy wait a little while longer before reaching the Billion Won prize money mark at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Eight year old Subsidy led the small field into the home straight but Yang Hee Jin knew exactly when to ask Vicar Love for an effort and he breezed past to win with three lengths to spare. Owner’s Association Trophy winner Saerounbisul put in a strong final furlong to finish third. The KRW 15Million prize for second place takes Subsidy up to a career total of KRW 997Million. Meanwhile for the three year old Vicar Love [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)], it is four straight wins and a total of seven in ten outings.

The feature handicap also went to form as strong favourite Baekdujeonseol scored a one length win. The four year old sat in the middle of the field for much of the 1800 metres as Shocking made the pace. Park Tae Jong brought the favourite into contention as they turned for home and he hit the front at the right time to win from Borkhan and Gamunhuye.

Earlier in the day two of the more promising locally bred two year olds – one a filly and one a colt – met over 1200 metres in race 6. It was the filly who came out on top and in some style as Cheonjikkot bolted out of the gate and continued to go away from the field right until the line. The vanquished colt, hot favourite Gwacheon Jijon, trailed in five lengths back. Cheonjikkot also marked the first career victory of jockey Park Byeon Yun on his 43rd ride.

Although the track had plenty of moisture in it from Friday’s rain, the skies were clear and it was a beautiful crisp autumn day for racing. It is expected to stay dry for tomorrow when the Gyeonggi-do Governor’s Cup takes centre stage with Happy Queen and Mild Go expected to dispute favourite’s status when the race comes under orders at 16:40. Racing begins at Seoul at 11:00am and at Busan at 12:10pm.

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Mexicali Blues wins as Supernatural unplaced again / Jilju Hara back in form
Top Point suffered a mild final furlong scare but battled on well to win today’s feature at Seoul Race Park. The filly seemed set for a comfortable win as she led round all four corners of the 2000 etre handicap, but as they entered the straight, Nujindo, under Ikuyasu Kurakane came through to take things up. However, Cho Kyoung Ho was able to rally Top Point to come back and snatch a one length win. Flying Cat was a further four lengths back in third. The win marked Top Points seventh win in her last eight races, the only slip coming last time out against foreign horses.

In today’s battle of foreign horses, it was another filly who came out on top as Mexicali Blues never gave the rest of the field a look-in as she led from start to finish under the lights in race 11. Favourite Last Dance Buddy came in second, four lengths behind, just ahead of Ecton Cat with second-favourite Supernatural back in fourth. It was a fourth win for Mexicali Blues [Golden Missile – Golden Made (Allen’s Prospect)] and her first above sprint distances. Earlier, highly rated Coleraine took his third straight win. The New Zealand bred gelding was never in trouble as he cruised to a length and a half victory over 1400 metres in race 6.

At Busan Race Park, there was a six race card and Sotuh African jockey Deryl Daniels took his second winner of the weekend guiding favourite Khaosan to a length and a half win in race 3. Earlier, in race 2, Japanese bred filly Jilju Hara returned to form after her shock defeat last time out. Once again backed down to 1.2 in the betting, she made no mistake this time over the same distance, cantering to a nine length win. In Busan’s feature, favourite Hwanggeumbit Taeyang took a half length win from second favourite Dangdae Star.

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Dangdanghan took the feature Gwacheon Citizen Day race with an impressive wire-to-wire victory at Seoul Race Park on Saturday. Kim Dong Kyun took the three year old, fifth in the betting, into the lead out of the stalls opening up a four length lead in the backstretch. Kim Ok Sung brought Arrow Guard out of the pack to challenge Dangdanghan as they approached the third corner and it looked as though Dangdanghan was finished going into the home straight. Kim Dong Kyun found something more from his mount and although challenges emerged from Geumsuni and Wig, the line came just in time for Dangdanghan to hold on for a half length win. The win is the gelding’s sixth in ten starts.

In other races on a day when heavy showers were a feature of the afternoon, Baekjeonmupae was sent off heavy favourite in a 2300 metre handicap. He could only manage second, however, losing a final furlong battle with Fly Queen, the mare giving Kim Hyo Seob his second win of the day. There was a treble for Moon Se Young but Park Tae Jong suffered a bad fall in race 3 .

Promising two year old Clever Money kept up his 100% record in his second race and the three year old Seven Card continued his impressive recent run of form by taking race 8. Under Yoo Seung Wan, Seven Card led from start to finsish but was pushed all the way by the fast finishing Thunder Boy. Australian import Summa Cum Laude finally won at the fourth attempt and there was a dominant win for Suseong Equus, taking race 5 by eight lengths.

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