Always in the money but rarely in the Winner’s Circle of late, Seoul Teukgeup took advantage of a weak field to finally land a category 1 contest at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The three year old colt breezed past second favourite Haengun Daewang in the final furlong to win by a comfortable three lengths. Second in the Owners’ Association Trophy, the American bred Seoul Teukgeup [Safely’s Mark – Bemmalou (Waquoit)] has never finished lower than fourth in fifteen outings and today’s win takes his career total to five.

On a day of what was largely mediocre racing, Seven Card continued his progress through the ranks, stepping up in class to win the 1800 metre race 9, just edging out a strong challenge from Mr. Fortune to make it four wins from seven starts.

Tomorrow’s cards get underway at Seoul at 11:00 with Busan and Jeju both beginning at 12:20.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Mare upsets younger rivals / Nice Choice strolls Herald Juvenile
In an amazing final furlong twist, Luna was the shock winner of the Busan Owners’ Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The seven year old mare came through the star-studded field to secure victory and the KRW 74Million first prize at odds of 53.9. As the field broke from the gate, it was Jeolho Chance who took up her usual position at the front with Ebony Storm just behind and favourite Gaeseon Janggun a menacing presence just a little further back.

Derby winner Ebony Storm was quick to fall out of contention but, in a re-run of the Minister’s Cup, Jeolho Chance continued to set the pace as they turned for home with Gaeseon Janggun looking the main danger. No-one was looking at Luna, but as Park Seung Kwang got to work, the mare, who had been steadily moving through the bunch, responded with a bust of speed. Jeolho Chance faltered but Gaeseon Janggun had nothing to give and Luna led the bunch through to win from fellow outsiders Sinheung Gangja and Boryeong Bulbit.

Of the pre-race favourites, in what was a tight finish, Jeolho Chance finished fifth, one place behind Yeongung Manse. Gaeseon Janggun could only manage seventh. For Luna, KRA Cup Mile winner in 2007, it was a 12th career victory in 27 starts dating back to 2004, but only her second of this year.

Up at Seoul Race Park, an early morning dusting of snow had made the setting suitably festive for the Herald Economic Juvenile, the top two year old race at the track. Unlike at Busan, there were no surprises as hot favourite Nice Choice made short work of a field of just five rivals, winning by five lengths from the previously unbeaten Clever Money. The filly Mipung was a further six behind in third.

Temperatures were a little more bearable than yesterday but still failed to make it above freezing point as strong favourite Baekjeonmupae took the feature handicap five lengths ahead of Pocketful of Money. Earlier in the afternoon, exciting two year old import Bulpae Gisang made it three from three with a two length win in race 5.

Owners’ Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M (Hdcp) – Dec 7, 2008

1. Luna [Concept Win – Wu Su Hae (Exactly Sharp)] – Park Seung Kwang – 53.9
2. Sinheung Gangja [Archer City Slew – Recondite (Silver Deputy)] – Han Sang Kyu – 17.5
3. Boryeong Bulbit [Revere – Windy Ruki (Wind And Wuthering)] – Jo Sung Gon – 20.3
Distances – 0.75 lengths/Head – 14 ran

Herald Economic Cup (2YO) – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – Dec 7, 2008

1. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] – Moon Se Young – 1.4
2. Clever Money [Lethal Instrument – Hotline (Desert Sun)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.5
3. Mipung [Revere – T’aep’ungjeonya (Cache of Gold)] – Jun Duk Young – 30.7
Distances: 5 lengths/6 lengths – 6 ran

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Seoul freezes in sub-zero conditions / Serendipper upset / Cheongha Eutteum returns with win
Machine Gun continued his strong run of late season form in the feature race at an almost unbearably cold Seoul Race Park this afternoon. With the “highest” temperature reading of the afternoon at -4 and a breeze worsening the conditions, it was a day for punters to stay in the warmth of the grandstands and pity the jockeys outside.

Machine Gun, a six year old gelding, has had an indifferent career since reaching the top level back in early 2006. It took over two years for him to take a category 1 race, finally achieving it in August this year. Today, he racked up his third in four outings. Starting the 1.7 favourite and top weight, Moon Se Young kept Machine Gun just behind the leaders for much of the 2000 metre race. He asked for an effort as the hit the home straight and they pulled away for a four length win from second favourite and early pace-setter Sound Hawk. Machine Gun still only has a record of eight victories from 35 starts but the late bloomer has confirmed himself as one of the top handicappers in Korea right now.

Thirty minutes earlier, Mupae Jilju caused an upset in the big race for foreign bred horses. Serendipper was sent off the 1.4 favourite of an underwhelming field but, in a final furlong battle, New Zealand bred Mupae Jilju held off the Australian filly to score a half length victory.

Much earlier in the day, there had been an impressive win for Cheongha Eutteum. The two year old made his debut with a win way back in May but has been injured ever since. Stepping up in class on his return, the colt went off at an unfancied 14.0 with Suseong Equus the 1.3 favourite in the 1200 metre race 2. There wasn’t much of a race, however, as Cheongha Eutteum bolted out of the gate and never came close to being caught, eventually winning by seven lengths on the line. He’s going to be another one to watch carefully over the next few months.

On a day where it was impossible not to have both sympathy and respect for the jockeys, Moon Se Young – certain to be 2008 champion – landed a treble and Park Tae Jong a double. Mercifully, it will be slightly warmer tomorrow with temperatures set to be slightly the right side of freezing for the Herald 2YO race. However, that will bring its own hazards as there is an outside chance of snow. Meanwhile, it’s Owners’ Cup day at Busan. As usual, the southern city was much warmer than Seoul today and temperatures should be a comfortable 6 above tomorrow.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Power Boy storms home / Areumdaun back in form / Good Day loses
Power Boy established himself as the top juvenile at Busan Race Park with victory in the Busan Breeders’ Cup this afternoon. Third favourite Noseon Jilju set the pace in the 1200 metre sprint but Toshio Uchida on Power Boy was always close and the colt kicked on in the stretch to gain a three length win over Best Partner, who has now finished second in all of his four starts. Noseon Jilju ran on for third.

In the following handicap, Areumdaun Jilju got the better of Sinjin Gangja as the two fought a private battle way ahead of the eleven others in the field. With both horses carrying 62 kilos, Sinjin Gangja was the pace-setter throughout the 2000 metres but when it mattered, Areumdaun Jilju had the quicker sprint to take victory by just over a length. Earlier, there was an impressive debut for Impeccable, who was exactly that when trotting up by ten lengths in race 3.

Up at Seoul Race Park, there was an upset in the feature race as Good Day went down to a surprise defeat. Starting 1.6 favourite, the four year old with 13 wins from 19 previous starts was always well placed but never got into top gear as third favourite Balhaejanggun emereged from the field to take a half length win from outsider Gang Gwon. Good Day at least managed third but second favourite Namchonuijijon never figured and eventually finished eighth.

In other races at Seoul, K J Khan was back in the winner’s enclosure for the first time since June. The Japanese bred gelding had struggled since moving up to category 2 but comfortably saw off a field including Mexicali Blues and Samson’s Echo.

Breeders’ Cup – Busan Race Park – 1200M – Nov. 30, 2008

1. Power Boy (KOR) [Lost Mountain – Keon-Gon-Ch’eonggi (Pro For Sure)] – Toshio Uchida – 2.1
2. Best Partner (KOR) [Horse Chestnut – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 2.7
3. Noseon Jilju (KOR) [Creek Cat – Daehanui Ttal (Psychobabble)] – Yoo Hyun Myoung – 7.8
Distances: 3 lengths/0.5 lengths – 8 ran

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New Heart debuts strongly / Wangsan takes it easy
Angus Empire relished the cold conditions to sweep to victory in the feature at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The four year old, who only seems to win in winter, came wide round the field off the final turn to to take the win under Shim Seung Tae. Gamadongja, with Nozomu Tomizawa on board had, as usual, roared out of the gate and set a brisk pace in the back straight. However, the sprint specialist locked up in the straight and the field came by. Seungnyu Sinhwa also came with a late run to finish second with Seongpacheonha in third.

The US bred Angus Empire [Lion Cavern – Clever Dorothy (Clever Trick)] now has seven career wins since his 2006 debut – all coming between 27 October and 1 March.

With temperatures down to 3C, a number of jockeys opted to wear jackets on their way down to post. The clear skies and biting wind made conditions feel even cooler on what was already the coldest day of this winter season so far. As usual for this time of year, two year olds were the focus of the early races. There was an impressive debut for the grey filly New Heart, who landed race 2 by eight lengths. Race 3 saw a first win for Nuri Wangja, the American import leaving it late to get to the front over 1200 metres.

In other races, Wangsan cruised to his third win from his last four outings. The gelding sat in mid field for much of the 1700 metres, before making light work of his rivals in the stretch. The four length win gave jockey Kim Young Jin his first win since returning from more than a year away. Being the only jockey to record more than one win, Choi Beom Hyun was once more jockey of the day. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow at 11am with eleven live races plus four simulcast from Busan where it is Breeders’ Cup Day for the two year olds. Busan’s card begins at 12:20.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Geumsuni stayed on to win the NACF Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Despite having won the Dong-A Ilbo Cup and coming second in the Gwacheon Citizen’s race in her last two outings, the four year old started as an outsider in her first test against category one horses. It was Hwanggeum Mulgyeol, under Kim Hyo Seob, who was quickest away with Geumsuni latching on to second. Pre-race favourite Seonju Jangsu settled in the middle of the pack and was never able to make a move from there.

The line-up remained unaltered until the final furlong when Hwanggeum Mulgyeol fell away. Geumsuni didn’t, however, and Han Sung Yeol took the filly to her fourth career win, the late charge of second favourite Seungni Yongsa not enough to overtun her. Lcuky Mountain, under Choi Beom Hyun sneaked into third ahead of Seonju Jangsu.

In other races, there was a debut for highly rated two year old, Land Imperial. Under Moon Se Young, the colt went wire to wire but had to hold off a challenge from Forest Sun to win by less than a length. At Busan Race Park, the day’s feature was won by Hwanggeumbit Taeyang, the six year old Australian bred gelding scoring his second consecutive win this autumn.

NACF Chairman’s Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Nov 23, 2008

1. Geumsuni (KOR) [Big Sur – Monster (Waikiki Star)] – Han Sung Yeol – 24.1
2. Seungni Yongsa (KOR) [Our Poetic Prince – Jane Lauren (Snow Chief)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.9
3. Lucky Mountain (KOR) [Silent Warrior – Myeonggaheui (Revere)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 6.6
Distances: 1.25 lengths/0.5 lengths – 14 ran

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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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN