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).

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

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).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Second favourite Good Day (3.5) took home the feature handicap at Seoul Race Park today with a close victory over Sirius (5.6). With Cho Kyoung Ho on board, Good Day took the win on the nod after he and Sirius (Lee Dong Kuk) overtook Gi Ra Seong, who had led for much of the KRW 42Million, 2000 metre race, in the final furlong. Secret Weapon went off the strong 1.7 favourite but never featured, eventually finishing eleventh of the twelve runners as Good Day made it ten wins from fourteen outings.

It was very much Cho Kyoung Ho’s day as he took full advantage of the absences of both Moon Se Young and Park Tae Jong to record four winners, Good Day adding to earlier victories on Sinmyeong (2.3) in race 3, U Seung Man Se (1.6) in race 4 and Gyoengcheonyeowang (2.2) in race 8. There was also a long overdue win for Lee Ae Li who landed race 7 on 5.6 third favourite, Song Gan San.

At Busan, there was a shock in the main event as 1.3 favourite Pick Me Up was beaten by three lengths by Haeil (15.3). Haeil, ridden by Ahn Sun Ho took the lead right from the start of the 2000 metre handicap and although Pick Me Up, steadily made up ground, the top weight didn’t haven’t enough to get back on terms with Haeil, who secured the KRW 42Million first prize.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Shaving Points made his second racecourse appearance at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and secured a comfortable win over 1300 metres. Having made his debut in the rain and mud four weeks ago, today it was glorious sunshine as punters decided Shaving Points was such a certainty, he started at an extraordinary 1.0 – that is, there was no profit to be made from backing him to win. As in his previous race, Ikuyasu Kurakane took Shaving Points into the lead out of the stalls and stayed there the entire race to win by four lengths.

The most valuable race of the day saw an upset as the Shin Dae Jeon ridden Holeinonefive (36.4,) took an early lead in the KRW 36Million 1800 metre handicap and held off the late challenge of 1.6 favourite Mugabo to land a one and a half length victory.

There were trebles each for Moon Jung Kyun and Ikuyasu Kurakane with Nozomu Tomizawa landing one to take the Japanese haul for the day to four. It was the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures touching 26C in the middle of the afternoon. Racing is back tomorrow with the first of 11 races underway at 11:20. There are also cards at Busan (12:40) and Jeju Island (12:20).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Winning Beauty scored a length victory over Admiral Reigart in the feature race at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The Kim Eu Su ridden Admiral Reigart went off a slight favourite at 2.3 but gave four and a half kilos to Winning Beauty in the 1600 metre handicap.  Winning Beauty was part of a treble for jockey Chae Kyu Jun who was successful in races 7, 8 and 9. Earlier, Danny Craven had marked the beginning of his stint at Busan with a creditable second place finish on outsider Widaehan Yeongung (55.2)  in the day’s second most valuable race, two and a half lengths behind Dongjjogui Bit. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN