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

The threatened rain never materialised and it was a gloriously sunny Spring day at Seoul Race Park and last year’s perpetual runner-up finally landed a big race today as Namchonuijijon swept to victory and the KRW 132Million first prize in the Ttukseom Cup. The Shin Hyoung Chul ridden four year old started the 1.9 favourite and held off the challenge of Baekgwang (5.1) in the final furlong to win by just over a length. Hongji (7.8 ) finished third. As he so often does, Neocheon made the running for most of the 1400 metre race and held it until the final furlong whenthe field came past. With a furlong to go, it looked as though Baekgwang, under Park Tae Jong was finishing the stronger, but Namchouijijon quickened and secured a comfortable win. Park Tae Jong had clearly decided that Baekgwang was not up for the sprint and this was confirmed afterwards as it was revealed that Baekgwang had not fully recovered from his previous injuries – it seems unlikely that Baekgwang will reappear on the racetrack.

In the day’s feature handicap, Top Point (3.3) scored a ten length victory over the similarly named Dashing Champ (10.5) and Nice Champ (5.8). Top Point was Cho Kyoung Ho’s third victory of the day having won earlier on Challanhanbit in race 8 and Triple Seven in race 1. Ikuyasu Kurakane scored a double with Moon Se Young having a poor day by his recent standards with just one win.

Down at Busan, the feature race was a KRW 42Million handicap won by Pilseung Bonghwa (6.6) over favourite King Maker (2.3) and outsider Balhwajeom (138.6.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

The warmest race day of the year so far saw a large turn-out at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. There were no outstanding races but a series of smaller competitive ones. The day’s most valuable was won by 2.5 second favourite Geumsuni ridden by Moon Se Young. The four year old scored a three length victory over 50.3 outsider Balgeunhae.

Another outsider, Powerful Runner, landed the day’s second biggest prize, the five year old getting the better of a strong field including Entro, Clever Star and odds-on favourite Seoul Teukgeup to win going away at 37.3 under Ji Ha Ju. There were no surprises in race 9, however, as the impressive Storm Feet made it three wins from four outings. With Moon Se Young riding, the grey comfortably defeated Devilish Speed by two and a half lengths. One impressive race record did fall today in race 8 as Shining Two, with three wins from three since making his racecourse debut in January, wasn’t able to make the huge step up in distance to 1700 metres, finishing ninth behind Mighty Galloper. Early on, in race 2, the promising Double Buckshot kept his 100% record intact, with a comfortable win.

Moon Se Young was once again the top jockey with three wins. Danny Craven had his 100th ride at Seoul this afternoon, but didn’t trouble the placings. With the waterfalls switched on for the first time this year and the cherry blossoms out in the middle of the track, couple with the recent fine weather, Seoul Race Park was able to attract many more non-race fans than usual. Tomorrow sees the Ttukseom Cup, the first really big race of the year at Seoul. Unfortunately the forecast at the moment is for rain. Racing gets underway at 11:20am.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL