The favourites were beaten in both feature handicaps at Busan Race Park this afternoon. First up was Taehwa Janggun starting 2.7 favourite in the foreign-bred race but finishing a disappointing eighth out of nine, Annika Queen (6.9) winning going away by four lengths. Admiral Reigart fared slightly better in the domestic-bred handicap which followed. The 2.4 favourite was well placed throughout but failed to make up enough ground on a dominant Geumi Hwanhyang (4.7) who led throughout and won by five lengths, the Admiral eventually finishing third. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.
Racing Reviews
Dashing Champ causes an upset
Odds-on Favourite Seonju Jangsu (1.6) never featured as Dashing Champ (12.0) upset the form to narrowly land the weekend’s feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Well-placed throughout, Ham Wan Sik guided the five year old to victory with a late run to overcome Oh Kyoung Hoan on Totoro (3.3) by a neck with Wagdure (8.2) a length back in third.
Seonju Jangsu was the third odds-on favourite to fall to defeat following Cheonjiwon (1.7) finishing second to Gateway (9.1) in race 1 and Robby Tiger (1.7), well out of the placings in race 7. Dashing Champ was the highlight of a good day for Ham Wan Sik as the win formed the final part of a treble after earlier victories on One Top (4.5) in race 3 and Musimjido (9.1), a seven-length winner of race 7. Yoo Sang Wan scored a late double with wins in race 10 on Mega Victor (7.0) and in race 11 on Strong People (15.5).
At Busan Race Park, favourite Shout of Victory (2.3) scored a length win in the feature handicap holding off outsiders Haeto and Great Sunny. Earlier in the day there was a comfortable win for highly rated three year-year-old, Sangho Ilche (1.3) who led the whole 1200 metres for a three length win in race 2. Sangho Ilche now goes to four wins from six races, finishing second on the other two occasions. Other races went generally to form with wins for Canine (1.9) in race 1 and Busan Taeyang (1.4) in race 3.
Hwangnyongsaji squeaks home
Seoul Racing Review
Hot favourite Hwangnyongsaji produced an explosive final two furlong burst to take a half length win over long time leader Holeinonefive on the line in the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The three year old went off the 1.4 favourite and for a time it looked like Holeinonefive (16.7) had the beating of him but Choi Beom Hyun brought him through to the front at just the right time to take the 1900 metre handicap.
Double Buckshot moved on to three wins from three outings with a narrow win in race 9. The 2.2 favourite holding on for victory by a head over outsider Ireland Shinko (48.2). Highly rated KJ Khan (1.4) took care of business in slightly more comfotable fashion with an eight length win over 1200 metres in race 6. It is three wins in a row now for K J Khan, the Japanese bred three year old looking ready to race in tougher company in future.
Favourites did not have it all their own way though with Daebuho, starting race 8 the 1.5 hot favourite, finishing a disappointing fifth behind Sinnaneun Party (20.2). Cho Kyoung Ho was the only one of the top four jockeys in action but he failed to score a winner, the twelve races being won by twelve different jockeys. Today also saw the first day of the partial closure of the “Happyville” grandstand for interior remodelling that is scheduled to last for over a year. It was a beautiful sunny day at the track today and more of the same is expected tomorrow when the first of eleven races is off at 11:20. There is also a six race card at Busan beginning at 12:40 and the usual nine races on Jeju with the the first at 12:20.
Sinjin Gangja Dominates
The feature race at Busan Race Park went to form as Sinjin Gangja (2.0) took a comfortable four length victory to land the KRW 42Million, 2000 metre handicap. The four year old top weight took the lead in the back straight and as they turned for home accelerated away from Yeongwonhari (4.7) and Pick Me Up (3.2). Sinjin Gangja moves on to eight victories from seventeen outings.
Danny Craven notched his first winner at Busan with victory in race 8 on relatively unfancied Power Captain (15.9). Craven left his run late, battling to find room in a tight final two furlongs which saw jockey Yoo Hyun Myoung fall from the fast finishing Winter Invitation just as it looked like he had a winning run. Power Captain ultimately landed victory by a head from Alchan Sonyeo (27.0).
Golding beaten as Angle Slam takes Cup
Outsider wins Gukje Sinmun / Sichuseon wins Netizen Day Race / Bally Brae beaten in handicap
18.4 shot Angle Slam won the KRW 68Million first prize in the Gukje Sinmun Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon with a half length win over Busan legend Golding. Golding started the race the heavy 1.3 favourite and sat at the back of the field for the first three quarters of the 1400 metre race while Angle Slam sat in the middle of the pack, Gu Min Sung making his move with two furlongs remaining. Sensing danger, Gu Young Jun quickened Golding and the six year old powered through the field like a train completing the final furlong a full half second quicker than his rivals – but it was too little too late as he ran out of track and Angle Slam secured a half length victory.
Up at Seoul Race Park it was also a major race day in the form of the Netizen’s Day Race. In front of a bumper Sunday crowd, a field of fourteen runners was led home by Sichuseon (3.1) in one of the most dramatic final furlongs of the year so far. With the early pace set by Cowboy and Bonny Bee, Moon Se Young found himself at the back of the field on Sichuseon and remained there until they entered the home straight. Looking boxed in on all sides, Moon asked for extra effort from Sichuseon and they threaded an impossible-looking route through the field hitting the front on the line to win by a neck from Wig (19.8 ) and Borkhan (41.0). Favourite Gangho Jewang (2.9), bidding for his third win in five races, never featured an finished a disappointing ninth. Sichuseon had to undergo a Steward’s Inquiry but no fault was found and Moon’s ride has to go down as one of the best in recent months.
After Golding’s shock defeat earlier, punters were relying on Bally Brae to deliver the goods in the feature handicap. however, it was a forlorn hope as, after featuring prominantly for the whole race, the six year old 1.2 favourite failed to produce his usual home straight burst and fell to a two length defeat to the Park Tae Jong ridden Saerounbisul (17.2) and Baekjeonmupae (14.8). Bally Brae was carrying 62 kilos, ten more than the winner and four more than second top-weight Angus Empire, who finished in fifth. After Bally Brae’s previous outing, Moon Se Young had noted his concern over the weight the horse was carrying and today it appears he finally reached his limit.
After yesterday’s lacklustre card at Seoul, it was a dramatic day at both tracks. With cool and cloudy conditions ideal for racing and bigger than usual crowds at both Seoul and Busan, a fine afternoon’s sport was delivered. Attention will now turn to the Korean Derby which is only two weeks away.
Seoul Racing Review
Nujindo took the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon with a three length win over Haengunui Bit. Only eight horses lined up for the 2000 metre, KRW 42Million handicap and Moon Se Young took 12.0 shot Saebyeok Dongja into an early lead which he held until the final furlong, Nujindo (10.4), ridden by Ikuyasu Kurakane coming by first, followed by Hangunui Bit and favourite Best Condition (1.9).
On a beatifully sunny day with temperatures reaching 29C, there was a larger than normal crowd, however, while the weather was wonderful, the card on offer was only average at best. There was a long overdue win for Triton (6.5) in race 7, finally scoring in his 13th outing, and also an impressive win by highly fancied Janggosan (1.4) in race 8. There were doubles for jockeys Ikuyasu Kurakane whose win on Nujindo was his second following Polaris (5.7) in race 1, Kim Hyo Seob on Tungilmunhwa (1.8 ) in race 5 and Chamgippeun (2.1) in race 11, and also for Cho Kyoung Ho who was back after a week’s absence scoring with Wonju Jangsa (3.2) in race 9 and Serendipper (2.9) in race 12. Unusually, Moon Se Young went through the day without landing a winner.
Tomorrow sees a better quality card at Seoul with the “Netizen’s” race and an appearance in the main handicap by Bally Brae. Meanwhile at Busan, the feature race is the Gukje Sinmun Cup. Racing is underway at Seoul at 11:20, Jeju at 12:20 and Busan at 12:40.
Busan Review – The Bee Keeper makes it four
Three year old The Bee Keeper made it four wins from four runs at Busan Race Park this afternoon with a comfortable three length win under An Sun Ho. Racing over 1600 metres for the first time, the 1.4 favourite never looked anything other than a winner in leading from start to finish.
The day’s fetaure handicap was won by 8.6 shot Patches of Gold, the four length win capping a remarkable afternoon for jockey Yoo Hyun Myoung who recorded four winners including three in a row on Bugyeong Sarang, Sainjeong and Haneul Cheonsa in races 4-7. In the day’s second feature, Perfect Champ (7.4) benefitted from dropping down to 1400 metres where he thrived in the early part of his career, and took a three length win over Milliondollar (2.2) and Luna (5.1). Racing returns to Busan with the Gukje Sinmun Cup on Sunday.
Subsidy and Procyon secure comfortable wins
Subsidy stormed to victory in today’s feature at Seoul Race Park, while similar odds-on shot Procyon had it just as easy in the feature at Busan. Subsidy (1.4), carrying a monstrous 61.5 kilos hit the front as they exited the back straight, Moon Se Young pushing him on in the final three furlongs for a five length victory over Pocketful of Money (13.2) and the nine year old Value Play (33.2). Second favourite Obaek Yechan (5.1) featured prominantly until they entered the final two furlongs before fading badly to finish in last place. It was Subsidy’s 18th win from 28 races.
In other races, Nokhaji (2.3) landed a seventeen length victory for Lee Shin Young in the second feature, Luxury Queen and Eoullimgangja the distant second and third placed horses. Moon Se Young was the only jockey to record more than one winner, Subsidy adding to an earlier victory on Na Meon Jeo (2.3) in race 3. Moon had disappointment, however, on Hammer Punch in race 5. Dropping back down to 1400 metres after a bad run in the KRA Cup Mile earlier this month, Hammer Punch led early on but as the pace quickened off the final turn dropped back eventually finishing seventh behind Bulkkot Juja (14.7).
At Busan Race Park, Procyon (1.7) comfortably won the KRW 42Million race 6 by six lengths from second favourite Boryeong Bulbit (6.5). Australian jockey Danny Craven partnered Taehwa Janggun to third in the race, his first placed finish since relocating from Seoul to Busan. Earlier in the afternoon there was a fourth victory in seven races for the improving three year old Raon King (2.3).
Gayasanseong edges out Galsaem in final furlong battle
Gayasanseong got the better of favourite Galsaem in the final few strides of the KRW 42Million main event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Ridden by Moon Se Young, Galsaem (1.8 ) hit the first corner of the 2000 metre handicap first and set the pace throughout. Woo Chang Gu kept Gayasanseong (2.0) in third place until making his move as they entered the home straight. Galsaem opened up a three length lead by Gayasanseong kept the pressure on and hit the front within metres of the line. Galsaem despite once more starting favourite, has now gone four races without victory. Gayasanseong, meanwhile, has won three in a row and moves onto over KRW 1Billion in career prize money.
Outsider Tamna Bibari won the day’s second richest race giving Lee Ae Li her second win in as many weeks. The 30.9 shot sat just behind long time leader Arrow Choice before hitting the front with two furlongs to go and holding off the challenge of Cheon Byeong and Jujang Jeonha for a two length victory, Lee – back in form after a dismal year – punching the air as they crossed the line.
Highly rated Kkumcheoreom – aiming for three consecutive wins – just missed out in race 7 after starting the 2.8 favourite. Stepping up to 1400 metres for the first time, Kkumcheoreom made a poor start and by the time Lee Shin Young had found room in the straight it was too late to make up the lost ground, rank-outsider Jungmuncheonjae (139.5) pulling off a shock win for Hwang Soon Do. Kkumcheoreom finished a very close second, the fast finish suggesting that with a better start, 1400 metres will be no problem next time. Jockeys of the day were the Japanese duo of Ikuyasu Kurakane and Nozomu Tomizawa who both recorded doubles. Nozomu scoring with strong favourite Feel It Now (1.3) in race 5 and again with Cheonjidolpung (4.0) in a tight finish in race 8 with Magic Bouquet (14.8), ridden by Ikuyasu, whose own wins came in race 9 on Sesemanse (5.3) and race 12 on Viva Slew (23.6).
Despite thunder continuing to roll around nearby Gwanak Mountain and leaden skies, the racing escaped the predicted rain. Although during the early races there was plenty of standing water on the track from the overnight thunderstorms, the strong wind throughout the afternoon gradually dried things up. On what is turning out to be a very weird weather weekend in Seoul, the forecast is for tomorrow to be fine and dry. Racing gets underway at Seoul tomorrow at 11:20, at Jeju at 12:20 and at Busan at 12:40.
Busan Racing Review
Hangye Geukbok proved the handicappers correct in the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Under Cho Seung Gon, the six year old top weight scored a half length victory over Seonbaljein (7.7). Hangye Geukbok went off favourite but at a generous 2.5, and sat at the back of the field until making his move in the final furlong and a half. The favourite also won in the day’s second most valuable race as Yeongung Manse (2.7) made it three wins from six starts with a comfortable three length victory over Bulpae Yeoksa (3.6) over 1600 metres. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.
Horse Racing in Korea 