Daecheong Maru wins / Playing Politics canters home / Jeju abandoned
Playing Politics put in the performance of the day to make it two wins out of two with a sixteen length victory at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The three year old gelding, made his debut last month with a shock four length win over Last Dance Buddy and punters were wiser to him this afternoon as he went off the 1.2 hot favourite. Choi Beom Hyun took Playing Politics into the lead straight out of the stalls and as they rounded the final turn began to stretch the lead, Ecton Cat (12.5) a distant second.

Last Dance Buddy was himself in action and back in the winner’s enclosure this afternoon taking the honours in race 4 after starting the strong 1.2 favourite. Daecheong Maru (3.7) won the afternoon’s most valuable race with a narrow victory over Eoullimnyeongung (7.1) and favourite Jachuk (3.6) in a 1900 metre handicap. It was the second leg of a double for the in-form Park Tae Jong following victory on Huimang Achim in race 2. Choi Beom Hyun also doubled, with his canter on Playing Politics followed by a surprise win on Donghae Star (22.0) in the last. Bonny Bee (5.9) took her second consecutive win, landing race 10 by a head in a tight finish from Taebaek Janggun (4.8).

There was a mixed day at Jeju Race Park. In a dramatic race 3 over 1200 metres, Salmosa (8.6) produced a blistering final furlong to come from last to first in the space of 150 metres, completing the last furlong a full second and a half quicker than the rest for a half length victory. A quite stunning performance which left many racegoers gasping even at the second viewing. However, Jeju had to be abandoned following race 4 after fog descended from Mt Halla severely limiting visibility. The monsoon had been forecasted to hit Seoul too, a contributing factor in a low turn-out. Evidently it stayed in Jeju but could hit Seoul tomorrow when the first race is under orders at 11:20 with the Seoul Owner’s Cup at 17:00. There is also a card at Busan beginning at 12:40 and Jeju is scheduled for 12:20 – The Jeju Ilbo Cup is set for 15:55 where two unbeaten horses Baengnokgunji (7/7) and Hanrasan (5/5) will face off.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

After disappointment in last month’s Derby, three-year old Jeolho Chance (3.7) was back in form in the second of co-feature races at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The filly, who started the derby as second favourite only to finish back in ninth, landed an impressive five length victory over 2000 metres. Bouncing out of the start gate, Yoo Hyun Myoung took Jeolho Chance straight to the front of the eleven strong field and she would stay there throughout, winning going away from Choegang Jangseong (7.1) in second. Five year old Scramble (25.0) was third under Toshio Uchida, with favourite Yeongwon Hari (2.1) a well-beaten fifth.

In the feature for foreign-bred runners, four year old Cali Power (18.5) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time for nearly a year scoring a two length win from Sinsapung (5.9) and Oreumak (39.4) over 1600 metres. Further back in the field were favourite Seneca Light (2.9) and Keep It Quick (7.1). Racing returns to Busan on Sunday with six races underwat at 12:40.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Annika Queen (13.7) produced a late run to upset the favourites and land this afternoon’s KRW 74Million KNN Cup at Busan Race Park. Pre-race favourite Procyon (2.4) set the pace early on as Kim Tae Kyung kept Annika Queen at the back of the field for the first half of the 1400 metre race. Perhaps feeling the effects of his top-weight status, Procyon slipped back as they entered the home straight with Magic Moment (12.3) taking the lead along with second favourite Areumdaun Jilju (2.9) who looked to have the faster finish. However, Annika Queen powered through the field and hit the front in the last 50 metres to take a one length win. Areumdaun Jilju finished second and Magic Moment third. Procyon finished back in fifth.

The KNN Cup was the highlight of a six race program at Busan. The day’s secong most valuable race was a KRW 34Million handicap for foreign bred horses and it saw a second Busan win for veteran Japanese jockey Toshio Uchida, guiding the three year old Australian bred colt Power Captain (4.4) to a one length victory from Heavy Metal (12.7).

At Seoul Race Park, the feature was a category 2 handicap which saw Poetic Runner (9.9) upset strong favourite Jigusangwiryeok (1.8 ) by a head with Jeokdaejeok (8.7) in third. Jigusangwiryeok, under Park Tae Jong, had set the pace throughout but just fell short as Oh Kyung Hoan timed Poetic Runner’s run perfectly. Park did, however, manage to land a second treble of the weekend with victory on Robby Tiger (2.6) in race 2, Hanhyeolwangbong (6.3) in race 6 and the three year old Derby also-ran Arcane (2.0) who scored a fourth career victory from nine runs with a length’s victory over Tongilmunhwa (6.4). There was also a double for Nozomu Tomizawa who took race 7 on Big Choice (7.7) and followed it up with a win in race 11 on Cheonjidolpung (2.5), the son of Tactical Cat looking ready to move up in class following his second straight win in category 3 races.

It was another hot and humid day although there was enough of a breeze to take the edge of the conditions at both Seoul and Busan and both tracks saw a reasonable turn out. Next weekend the focus will be on Seoul with the Owners Cup next Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Seoul Review – Three winners for Park TJ / Double Buckshot suffers first defeat
Korean Oaks winner and one of the stars of 2007, Baekpa made a stunning return to form in the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon with a two length win over horse of 2008 so far, Namchonuijijon. The Ttukseom Cup winner started strong favourite at 1.6 and Shin Hyoung Cheol took Namchonuijijon to the front out of the gate in the 2000 metre category 1 handicap. He was still setting the pace alongside Lee Ae Li on Heukjo Bisang (30.5) as they entered the home straight, but as it looked like Namchonuijijon was going to accelerate away from the field, Baekpa (6.2), ridden by Park Tae Jong came round the outside. Park hit the front at the furlong pole and Namchonuijijon had nothing in reply. Heukjo Bisang held on for a battling third place just a neck behind. It’s a welcome return to form for Baekpa, who took seven races to break her maiden but then won six of her next eight in 2007, including the Oaks and Sports Seoul Cup before making an indifferent start to 2008. As for Namchonuijijon, after emerging from J.S. Hold’s shadow, it looked like 2008 was going to be his year. It may still be but the next meeting between these two will be eagerly awaited.

Double Buckshot (3.0), unbeaten in three outings suffered his first reverse in race 10, albeit narrowly, the New Zealand bred gelding just edged out in a tight finish with favourite Ganghan Gunju (2.4) ridden by Ikuyasu Kurakane. It was Ikuyasu’s second win of the day after victory on Fly Captain (7.9) in race 2. Park Tae Jong was jockey of the day, however, Baekpa’s win adding to success on Royal Missile (1.1) who cantered up in a mis-match in race 4 and also on Daehanbobae (2.1), the improving three year old scoring a narrow win over Bulkkot Juja (4.1). Park didn’t have a flawless day, however, suffering defeat on hot favourite Lucky Mountain (1.4) in race 7. Nozomu Tomizawa won the race on Cheonchun Bisang (22.1) but the race was marred by a nasty fall suffered coming out of the stalls by jockey Kim Dong Kyun from third favourite Gwacheonuibit.

A hot, sticky afternoon with a lower than average Saturday crowd but some good racing. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first race at 11:20. Feature race of the day is at Busan Race Park where the KNN Cup is off at 15:35.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Eleventh win for four year old / Uchide triumphs on Busan debut
Top weight and favourite Good Day (1.7) scored a two length victory in this afternoon’s feature handicap at Seoul Race Park to move on to a career record of eleven wins from 15 races. Seocheon Yangban (19.9) under Yoo Seung Wan made the running for most of the 1900 metre race which was run in heavy rain but Cho Kyoung Ho kept Good Day in second or third position thorughout before opening out the sprint in the final two furlongs coming home ahead of Highway Star (57.2) and Machine Gun (19.4) for the win. It was surprising second place for eight year old Highway Star who generally finishes at the back of the field in this kind of company. However, his sixty fourth race ended with his nineteenth placed finish.

Good Day was Cho Kyoung Ho’s second win of the afternoon, his earlier victory coming on Baekdudaeseong (5.0) in a competitive 1700 metre test ahead of Taesanjangnyeong (13.6) and Camellia (2.9) with one time Derby hopeful Sammuae (3.7) back in fourth. The day’s second most valuable race was taken by favourite Huimang Energy (3.0) under Choi Beom Hyun in a tight finish from Choennyoen Bobae (6.1) and Gamdong Yeonchul (47.3) with the first five finishers within two lengths of each other.

While it was overcast at Seoul, it was a little bit brighter at Busan Race Park where Japanese jockey Toshio Uchida made his Korean debut. Uchida finished last in his first race but quickly made up for it with victory on the Japanese bred Jangangja (8.6) in one of the day’s joint-features. In the other, favourite Today (2.8 ) recorded a three length victory over Byeolbit Jigi (21.4).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Outsider Hwanggeum Mulgyoel (49.0) took the feature race at Seoul race Park on Saturday afternoon scoring a two and a half length win over Bisul (16.7) and favourite Bandoeui Byeol (2.9). With Boo Min Ho on board, the five year old bottom weight featured at the front of the race throughout, taking the lead with 100 metres to go and winning going away. Further down the field in seventh was Netizen’s Race winner Sichuseon (6.5), the Moon Se Young ridden horse looking well placed as they entered the straight but never finding his racing gallop.

Earlier, Chamgippeum (2.5) had put in a strong performance in winning an 1800 metre handicap, but there was a surprising defeat for three year old K J Khan in race 9. The Yoo Sang Wan ridden gelding had looked unstoppable in his last two outings and was backed into 1.5 for his first try at 1400 metres. Well placed on the final turn, however, K J Khan found himself unable to find a way through the trio of Thermopolis (9.3), Code of Silence (47.0) and Secret Shoes On (20.6). Thermopolis, ridden by Shin Hyoung Chul recording his first win in twenty outings.

A slightly below average Saturday crowd for what was at best, an average card in hazy sunshine. Sunday sees a better card and better weather predicted. Race 1 is underway at 11:20.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

For the third consecutive race, Golding was beaten into second in Friday’s feature at Busan Race Park. Starting the 1.6 favourite, the top weight produced a fast finish to the 2000 metre handicap but it wasn’t enough to catch Seonbaljein (11.0) who, carrying nearly ten kilos less than Golding, finished even stronger to take a four length victory going away. Gamun Bobae (9.7) was third, but Gukje Sinmun Cup winner Angle Salm (9.1) was a well beaten fifth.

Earlier there was a return to form for 2007 KRA Cup Mile winner Luna (6.6) who was surprisingly dominant in taking an eight length win over Hangang Jeil (14.5), with hot favourite Sinjin Gangja (1.4) a further two and a half lengths back in third. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Haengbok Teukgeup & Gamun Gabo win at Busan / Brilliant Knight Debuts at Seoul
Fine weather and a big crowd greeted the first day of June as Seungyu Sinhwa and Happy Go took the joint feature handicaps at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. In the race for domestic bred horses, Moon Se Young on Happy Go (2.0) started at the back of the field, moving into contention on the back straight and then accelerating into the finish to hold of Slew’s Appeal (23.8 ) by a length and a half with Top Value (18.1) a further length back in third. In the foreign bred race, Seungyu Sinhwa (3.9) hit the front early, Kim Ok Sung having the luxury of being able to ease down to a three length win over Senlis (7.4) and Entro (8.4).

The unraced Brilliant Knight made his track debut in race 3. The gelded son of Lion Hearted went off the 2.0 favourite and led the entire 1200 metres coming home eight lengths clear of the rest. It was very much Moon Se Young’s day. Aside from wins on Happy Go and Brilliant Knight, Moon was successful in race 2 on Saerounhuimang (3.2) and in race 8 on Jingyeok (3.1).

At Busan, the feature race was won by Haengbok Teukgeup (10.0), Lim Sung Sil riding the five year old to a three length win over Janggun Sinhwa (8.5) and Soprano (38.1) with favourite Milliondollar (2.4 and second favourite Perfect Champ (3.0) well down the field. Meanehile, Gamun Gabo (3.0) stepped up in both class and distance in race 6 and took his record to four wins from five outings by the narrowest of margins. The three year old son of Bernstein led from start to finish but had to hold off a strong final furlong challenge from Alchan Sonyeo (8.1) who finished far quicker than Gamun Gabo but just ran out of track with Gamun Gabo taking victory by a nose.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Favourite Top Point (1.5) eased to a six length victory over Galsaem (5.4) in the feature handicap at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. With Cho Kyoung Ho riding, Top Point led from the beginning of the 2000 metre race and pulled away as they hit the home straight to land his eighth win from fourteen runs.

The day’s second most valuable race was won by second favourite Victory Queen (3.3) with a two and a half length over Borkhan (2.7). Moon Se Young followed up his win on Victory Queen with victory in the last on Easy Company (9.8). Cho Kyoung Ho was jockey of the day, however, with Top Point the second of three wins, Cho being successful on Jigwan (2.5) in race 7 and Seongpacheonha (2.3) in race 11. There were also doubles for Kim Sug Bong winning races 1 and 2 on Badasarang (5.8 ) and Kkum Ha Na (20.6) and for Han Sung Yeol with wins on Speed Lady (1.6) in race 5 and Charming Victor (6.6) in race 6. Race 6 was notable for an extremely close finish with Charming Victor taking a half-length victory but the judges unable to split Thunder Hill (1.8 ) and Irwolsin (20.3) and declaring a dead-heat for second place.

A large crowd enjoyed the beautiful weather with bright sunshine and temeperatures in the low twenties. It is expected to be slightly warmer tomorrow but still fine. Racing gets underway at 11:20 at Seoul, 12:20 at Jeju and 12:40 at Busan.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Hangye Geukbok (3.0) took his second straight win in the feature handicap at Busan this afternoon winning a tight finish ahead of Hwanggeumbit Taeya (3.8 ) and Wonder Love (7.7). The six year old sat right at the back of the ten-strong field with jockey Yang Young Nam waiting until they hit the straight before making his move, then powering home for a half length win.  It was Hangye Geukbok’s eleventh career win.

In other races, the three year old Useung Party (1.7) made her third career start in race 3.  The filly won by seventeen lengths last time out and stepped up to 1200 metres for the first time. She led throughout under Yoo Hyun Myoung and came home a length and a half clear of Myeongpum Jilju (6.5) and seven ahead of third placed Daehan Dolpung (12.0) to keep her 100% record intact. 

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN