It’s a big day of racing in Korea on Sunday with 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:
New Citadel (foreground) was only narrowly beaten by Cheongdam Dokki when the pair were juveniles. He returns from his latest layoff at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(9) LIVINGSTONE has been getting closer across six starts so far and ran well for 2nd last time out behind a good winner. He can get off to a fast start from the outside gate here and is very much the one to beat. (3) SEUNGRI LIKE has also shown improvement across his latest two and should be the main danger. (1) SCARLET PERFECT and (4) ULTRA MISSILE both have a 3rd in their records although both have put in two disappointing showings since, but they could improve. (7) CHANGSEONG HERO sneaks into the top picks by virtue of the jockey booking.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
Small field but nice and competitive. (1) GWACHEON HERO stepped up to this trip for the first time on June 3rd and ran a solid 3rd place, finishing off well and could go two better this time. (4) MACH SEUNGNI also enters off the back of two good showings at 1300M and 1200M respectively and should be a factor. (5) DAEMYEONG SOLAR moves up to this distance for the first time and it may suit a little better than the 1000M she’s run at before. (7) WHITE FLOWER offered few clues on debut four weeks ago and could improve here. (3) GREEN TEA drops back in distance after some reasonable performances at 1700M and can be a factor.
Selections
(1) Gwacheon Hero (4) Mach Seungni (7) White Flower (3) Green Tea
Next Best
5
Fast Start
1
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(4) JUNGLE BEAT is yet to win but has been no worse than 3rd across four starts to date and was a good 2nd to the promising Hansen Glory on his first try at this class last time with a couple of the others here well back behind him. Today really should be his day. (3) CHODONG RACE made all to win at class and distance on June 9th. That was his maiden win at the tenth time of asking and a repeat isn’t out of the question. (6) HI EUREKA was 3rd that day and can get close once more. (1) JEONSEOLUI MANYEO and (5) MJ JILJU look best of the rest.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(7) GARA GARA GA was 2nd on his first try at this class back at the end of April and returns here after a couple of months off with strong claims of going one better today. He’ll face a stern challenge from (2) STAR PERFECT, also a class and distance 2nd last start four weeks ago. She remains a maiden after twenty-four attempts but has come close on plenty of occasions and a win isn’t impossible here. Also a maiden after even more attempts, (5) GONSEOL comes in with recent form reading well and could go close while (1) SAEBYEOCK JANGGUN and (6) DUSON WANGJA have chances to improve on indifferent latest efforts – Duson Wangja especially, has already come close in a similar race at the end of May.
Selections
(7) Gara Gara Ga (6) Duson Wangja (2) Star Perfect (5) Gonseol
Next Best
1, 8
Fast Start
1, 2
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(9) SPECIAL GOLD is up in class having secured her maiden win at this distance last time out, coming from off the pace to run on well. She won’t need to improve too much to be very competitive here. (2) MAY PRINCE got promoted to this level while still a maiden but proved he’s equal to it with a good 3rd on June 9th. He steps up to 1300M for the first time today and can get close again. (8) OPI RIVER was 4th on his first effort at class and distance three weeks ago and can build on that today while (7) DONGSEO GADEUK enters (more…)
Saturdays from now until the first weekend of September will be afternoon and evening meetings so Saturday racing at Seoul sees 11 races from 14:00 to 21:00. There’s little better than a few early evening refreshments under the Seoul Racecourse lights!
Racing under the lights!
Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
Small field to begin and it’s a weak one at that. However, that means plenty are in the hunt. (2) SPHAERA and (6) SKY STORM look most likely to show some improvement. Both have offered glimpses of some ability across their small amount of starts so far and have a great chance to make their breakthroughs here. Sphaera is likely to get the better start and is slightly favoured. (5) EVERYTHING WIN has looked everything but a winner in her seven outings but managed 5th of 11 in a better race than this in May and can challenge here. (1) BEST BOBAE and (3) DALLYEORA SOKBO others who could improve.
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(4) SURFING POINT has been knocking at the door for a while now and though she was beaten four-lengths into 2nd when favourite a month ago, she looks the one to beat in this all-filly contest. (6) CLEAN FLOWER is the main danger having beaten two of these on her way to 2nd at the distance last start and she is likely to be on pace here. The two beaten that day were (9) HALLA DAERO and (2) NEUL SAE ACHIM and both those could improve this time. (7) GOLD SEUTAK races for the nineteenth time today and while she is yet to finish in the top three, she comes in following back to back 4th places and can aim to match here.
Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
For two-year-olds only hence the enhanced prize money. One of the eight has raced before, (2) HANEULEUL DALRIDA, who was well-backed on debut three weeks ago on the strength of a good trial performance. He only managed to finish 8th but should have come on for the run and will be expected to improve here. With that in mind, it is perhaps advisable to take trial performances with a pinch of the proverbial but (1) CLEAN UP TRIO impressed when winning his and will be backed first-up. (6) GOLD PARTY came through a slow heat but looked competent enough while both (7) KING N I and (8) WONDERFUL EVIL also both showed enough to suggest that they can be considered too.
Selections
(1) Clean Up Trio (2) Haneuleul Dalrida (8) Wonderful Evil (6) Gold Party
Next Best
7, 5
Fast Start
1, 2, 3
Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(4) MONEY DAERYUK was a four-length winner at the distance on what was just her second start, beating Surfing Point, who we saw in race 2. She’s up in class here but should be on pace from the start and can go close. (2) YAHO STRONG CAT has raced well in each of his latest three, all of them at class and distance. He was only 5th last time but is better drawn to get on pace here and will be a threat. (1) PRIMO was well-beaten by Yaho Strong Cat in April but ran a very solid 2nd at the beginning of June and can go well again. (3) SARYEONI THUNDER and (5) DOUBLE A are others who can be considered for improvement.
(3) MIR PARK could only manage 3rd when favourite at class and distance on June 2nd, leading for much of the race but weakening late on. She looks to have more wins in her though and can go to the front again here, this time staying on. (8) STRONG MAN seemingly lost his way a little in the spring but showed signs of a return to form when an (more…)
Korean racing’s summer schedule begins at Busan on Friday where there are 10 races from 14:30 to 21:00.
Jo In Kwen rode his 500th career winner at Busan last weekend – he could add a dew more this weekend.
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
It took (4) FASHION OF MARINE a long time to get to the track having initially qualified at the beginning of last summer but when he finally made it two weeks ago, he ran well finishing 3rd at this distance having led for part of the race. He can have learned a bit from that and with some more progress today, he can win. He’ll try to lead from the gate and will be challenged by (3) GIPPEUM SARANG. She’s much more experienced and has been getting closer in her latest three starts, running 2nd to the promising Ihyen last time on June 1st and she’ll be a danger here. (1) EUTTEUM CHAMP was further back in that race but can get closer today while. There are two debut-makers and of the pair, (5) CAR TWO looked like he knew what he was doing in trials and can put in a positive showing first-up here.
Selections
(4) Fashion Of Marine (3) Gippeum Sarang (5) Car Two (1) Eutteum Champ
Next Best
8, 7
Fast Start
3, 4, 5, 8
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Unraced two-year-olds competing for boosted prize money here and plenty of potential among them. No fewer than five won their latest trial and the most likely first-up here come from the top two stables at the track. Kim Young Kwan’s (4) GLITTER and Peter Wolsley’s (8) UNION QUEEN both looked competent and comfortably won their heats. Union Queen is likely to go to the front from the gate while Glitter will settle further back, and both should be involved in the finish here. (2) DAEJI CHAMP is also likely to be on the early speed having done the same when winning his heat in a fast time at the start of last month. (3) TOUGH GREEN and (5) WONDERFUL IJI are the other two who enter after doing everything asked of them in trials and both can have claims on some prize-money here.
Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(4) I’M YOUR STAR ran an improved 2nd at this distance on June 1st. He’d shown some ability prior to that but it was a break-out performance in similar strength company to today and he looks to be the one to beat. (5) HUNTER PARK beat a couple of these on his way to a 2nd place finish of his own three weeks ago over 1000M. It was just his third start and he previously ran well at 1300M. His stable is in form and he should get close. (2) WINNER CINDY is another one who looks to be figuring things out. She led for much of her latest effort at the distance a month ago only to end up in 3rd place and she can at least match that today. (7) BICHUI HAENGJIN hasn’t offered too many clues in two outings to date but ay appreciate the additional distance here. (11) HWANGJE BONSAEK weakened a little late on last time over 1300M and can get closer dropped slightly back in trip today.
Selections
(4) I’m Your Star (5) Hunter Park (2) Winner Cindy (11) Hwangje Bonsaek
Next Best
7, 3
Fast Start
2, 5, 11
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(5) CHEONGDAM BLADE has a 4th and a 3rd from his two starts so far both times running on well but left with a bit too much to day. He’s up slightly in trip today and that may be what he needs to see him home on top for the first time. (1) TEXAS SIDAE has been getting closer across his five outings to date and comes in after back to back 3rd place finishes and should be aiming to at least match those here. (7) WONDERFUL STORY ran a decent 3rd at the distance three weeks ago. That was his first start since January and he can show some more progression here. (4) CHOEGANG STEALTH has been a touch one-paced over his twelve prior efforts but he s never too far away and should have the beating of plenty of these. (10) SWEEP MAN also seems to be finding some consistency and can go close.
(7) RACHEL was a class and distance winner on June 10th, making all and holding on to score by a nose. The competition today looks slightly stiffer, but a repeat isn’t impossible. (2) NURI ACHIM also come sin off the back of a victory and while he perhaps has a bit more to find, he’s not without a hope on what is a first Busan ride for apprentice jockey Jeong Hyeong Lae. (8) TAGONAN JILJU remains a maiden after seven attempts but has three 2nd places and a 3rd to his name. He was a touch disappointing in 4th last start but (more…)
Four of the longest-serving trainers at Seoul Racecourse officially gave up their barns last week. Ha Jae Heung, Kim Yang San, Yang Jae Cheol and Jung Ji Eun all reached the mandatory retirement age of 63 in the year leading up to June 30th.
Three of the four retiring trainers, Ha Jae Heung, Kim Yang Sun and Yang Jae Cheol alng with significant others at a retirement function hosted by their Association (Pic: Seoul Racehorse Trainers’ Association)
All four trainers began their careers at the Ttukseom Racecourse in Seoul, Jung receiving his license in 1982 and Ha, Kim and Yang in 1983. At the time there was no private ownership of racehorses with all horses being owned by the racing authority so it wasn’t until the 1990s, following the relocation of the racecourse to its current site in Gwacheon that the modern racing calender, complete with Stakes races and big purses began to take shape.
Jung Ji Eun – 8496 starters / 748 winners / 856 2nds / 786 3rds: A filly called Dangdae Jeil (Lucky Ruler) was his best horse of the 1990s, winning 25 of 60 starts between 1995 and 2001 including the Ttukseom Cup in 1997. Fillies would continue to be his specialty as he won the Korean Oaks and then a second Ttukseom Cup in 2001 with Espass (Psychobabble). His final Stakes win came in 2009 with the filly Top Point (Tom Point) in the KRA Cup Classic.
Ha Jae Heung – 10535/937/1011/1042: Ha trained the winners of a number of listed races but only got the one Graded Stakes victory. It came with his best horse, Saebyeok Dongja (Fiercely), Korean Derby winner in 2005 and who would go on to 10 of his 37 outings. By far the most active of the four at the time of their retirement, he had sent out 20 winners from just over 300 starters in his final year.
Kim Yang Sun – 9088/907/912/908: Kim made his Classic breakthrough with Seonbong Taegam (Road Of War) in the Korean Oaks in 2000 and was champion trainer in 2001, a feat he would repeat in 2009. He will be most remembered though for handling one of the genuine stars of Korean Racing, Dongbanui Gangja (Broken Vow), who he prepared for back-to-back victories in the Grand Prix Stakes in 2008 and 2009.
Yang Jae Cheol – 6877/550/597/598: While Yang wasn’t able to win a Graded Stakes race, he did win the Sports Chosun Cup on two occasions, first with Dol Kyuk (Port Erin) back at Ttukseom in 1991 and then again at Gwacheon in 2002 with Cheonji Kiun (Glorify).
* Also leaving the training ranks last week was Heo Jae Young. The former jockey took out a license in 2012 but the forty-year-old has now decided to pursue a different path in the industry. He trained 53 winners from 1087 starters.
Racing in Korea moves on to a summer schedule from this coming weekend. Up until the first weekend of September, Friday racing will be from 2:30pm until 9pm and Saturday from 2pm to 9pm. Sundays will remain on the normal daytime schedule of 10:45am to 6pm.
Night racing at Seoul (Pic: KRA)
So from Friday July 6 to Sunday September 2 inclusive:
Fridays: Busan / Jeju – 14:30-21:00 Saturdays: Seoul / Jeju – 14:00-21:00 Sundays: Seoul / Busan – 10:45-18:00
Each of the three tracks will also take one weekend off during this time. Jeju will be off on July 27/28 which means Busan will run an extended card on the Friday and Seoul will run an extended card on the Saturday.
Seoul is off on August 4/5. Jeju will run an extended card on Friday while Busan will run on Saturday and Sunday. That means there will be no international simulcast on the Friday.
Busan takes its weekend off on August 10/12. Jeju again runs an extended Friday card while Seoul does the same on Sunday. Once more that means no international simulcast on the Friday.
Racing under the lights at Seoul on a warm summer’s Saturday evening is quite the experience so do be sure to check it out if you have the chance.
Cheongdam Dokki ventured outside of Seoul for the first time but the four-year-old made himself right at home on the South-Coast, beating a strong set of rivals to win the Group 3 Busan Mayor’s Cup on Sunday afternoon confirming his status as the top-rated horse in Korea.
Cheongdam Dokki & Lim Gi Won winning the Busan Mayor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as the odds-on favourite for the 1800M race, often called the “Summer Grand Prix” such is its usual strength, Cheongdam Dokki broke from the widest gate was unable to get to his favoured position on the lead. That was because King Of Ace got out much the quickest and under Franco Da Silva went on to set the pace. Aboard Cheongdam Dokki, jockey Lim Gi Won was happy enough to let the leader get on with it and settled at the front of the chasing pack with Cheonji Storm and 2nd favourite Triple Nine just behind him.
As the field entered the home straight, King Of Ace began to weaken and Cheongdam Dokki assumed command and while fellow Seoul-raider Cheonji Storm threatened to mount a challenge, Cheongdam Dokki comfortably saw him off in the final furlong to win by three-lengths on the line. Triple Nine, a three-time President’s Cup winner and former Horse of the Year, hit top gear late in the race but could only come home in 3rd place one ahead of last year’s winner I’m Your Father.
It was a breakout performance from Cheonji Storm, who was 6th in the 2016 Korean Derby behind eventual Triple Crown winner Power Blade, and who has matured greatly since missing seven months of last season. Triple Nine, making just his second start of 2018 ran well but was always likely to be too late reaching top speed to challenge Cheongdam Dokki over 1800M.
The win took Cheongdam Dokki, an American import by To Honor And Serve, to 11 wins from 16 career starts and was his second Korean Group race triumph following his victory in last autumn’s Group 2 KRA Cup Classic. He is unbeaten in 2018 with his last defeat coming in December’s Grand Prix Stakes over 2300M. It also gave him a new domestic rating of 130, the highest of any horse since the rating system in its current form began and Cheongdam Dokki is now surely on a path to face the ultimate test in Korean racing – taking on the international visitors in September’s Keeneland Korea Cup.
Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 1800M – July 1, 2018
1. Cheongdam Dokki (USA) [To Honor And Serve – Elusive Gold (Strike The Gold)] – Lim Gi Won – 1.4, 1.0 2. Cheonji Storm (KOR) [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] – Johan Victoire – 2.9 3. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.5 Distances: 3 lengths / 3 lengths Also Ran: 4. I’m Your Father (USA) 5. Buhwarui Banseok (USA) 6. Saengil Gippeum (USA) 7. King Of Ace (USA) 8. Dongbang Daero (USA) 9. Champ Line (KOR) 10. Iron Train (USA) 11. World Number One (USA) 12. Cheonjeok (USA) 13. Winner Red (USA)
One of the highlights of the summer racing season takes place at Busan on Sunday when thirteen of the best horses on the peninsula go to post in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (Korean Group 3) over 1800M. They include last year’s winner I’m Your Father, but all eyes will be on the clash between three-time President’s Cup winner Triple Nine and the new star on the stable-block, Cheongdam Dokki.
Cheongdam Dokki
Cheongdam Dokki and Triple Nine have met once before, in the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul in December last year. In a remarkable race, Cheongdam Dokki set a blistering early pace but wasn’t quite able to keep it up over the punishing 2300M – the longest distance currently used in Korean racing – and he ultimately finished 4th with Triple Nine running a big race in 3rd. Dongbang Daero, who closed late on and beat both running 2nd to winner Power Blade, is among those who join them on Sunday.
Since that Grand Prix, Cheongdam Dokki has looked invulnerable. He’s raced three times for three facile victories and has been steadily relieving Clean Up Joy, formerly the top-rated horse at Seoul, of the silverware he had amassed in recent years. Having beaten him in the KRA Cup Classic last autumn, Cheongdam Dokki beat Clean Up Joy in both the Herald Business and YTN Cups this Spring, the older horse having won all three of those races the year before. Now in advance of a likely tilt at the Korea Cup in September, he faces a true test, going to Busan to face Triple Nine on his home track. It is a test he will be expected to pass.
(I didn’t have the multi-million dollar studio at my disposal for this one so here’s a 10 minutes on Moviemaker Special!)
Triple Nine remains the benchmark against which all other horses are judged in Korea. He held his own at the Dubai World Cup Carnival at the start of 2017 and returned to beat stablemate Power Blade on his way to a record-equalling third straight win in the President’s Cup. Power Blade would gain revenge in the Grand Prix but Triple Nine lost nothing in defeat that day. He has only raced once in 2018, making a rare foray into the handicap ranks in March and coming away, inevitably, with another victory. He did trial in public last week although offered few clues. The torch may be passed at Busan on Sunday.
Here are Busan’s Race-By-Race Comments including all-horses in the big race. Scroll down for the race-by-race from Seoul:
Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) SMART DANCER has won her latest two, both at this distance, in front-running fashion and while it means she is rapidly up in class, there is little for her to fear here and she has an excellent chance of making it three in a row. (9) MAY STAR beat (3) BAENGNYEON SONNIM as the pair came home 2nd and 3rd at class and distance on May 27th. Both can go well again with Baengnyeon Sonnim favoured to overturn that form. (1) WONDERFUL SHOW races for the first time in almost a year but has looked competent across a series of trials in the last couple of months and can go well first up. (6) RETURN OF THE KING comes in off a useful 2nd place ahead of three of these on June 10th and can go close again. (8) CHERRY VANQUISH was one of the vanquished that day, but it was just her second outing and she can improve here.
Selections
(7) Smart Dancer (3) Baengnyeon Sonnim (8) Cherry Vanquish (6) Return Of The King
Next Best
9, 1
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 9, 12
Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Franco Da Silva was on (1) WONDERFUL MEMORY for his only previous win and he should be guiding the Lookin At Lucky colt to another here. He was a decent 3rd last time on his first try at this class and should have too much. (7) JANGHAN JILJU and (11) SAKISAKI came home 2nd and 3rd at class and distance on June 1st and look among the most likely to challenge the favourite although (2) JAEDOYAKUI BANSEOK was an improved 2nd last time out and is well drawn to get to the front from the gate once more. (10) WHITE POINT was disappointing behind Janghan Jilju and Sakisaki but came back out just two weeks ago to run a much better 4th and can look to at least match that today.
Race 3: Class 4 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
(8) WORLD DAY is two for two and the Kim Young Kwan trainee steps up in class and also in distance with solid claims of maintaining his 100% record. This is a significantly stiffer test than what he has faced so far but he should be close to the front from the start and can overcome it. (6) MABEOPUI JILJU and (4) VIVA VICTORY come in having run 2nd and 3rd behind World Day’s stablemate Sun Day at class and distance on May 27th. Both are proven performers at the distance and cause World Day problems. So too can (5) CHOEGANG THUNDER, a winner at the distance in April and 2nd when dropped back to 1300M for his first try at this class three weeks ago. (10) YONGGU is up in class after a surprise win at a mile six weeks ago and while he will need to improve, could be an interesting outsider.
Selections
(8) World Day (5) Choegang Thunder (6) Mabeopui Jilju (4) Viva Victory
Next Best
10, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 4, 8
Race 4: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Eight of the twelve raced each other at class and distance on May 27th (race 4) so we have plenty to go on. The surprise winner that day was (7) YEONGGWANG SEUNGNI, who struck the front late and ran on to win by half a length. She warrants more respect today, but we’ll still fancy her to get beaten. (2) JUSTINE MAGIC led for most of that race, ultimately finishing 2nd in what was his first try at a mile. He should have learned from that and can overturn the form here. (1) DYNAMIC ROOKIE was favourite that day and while he finished well back, is worth another chance today but the other likely ones didn’t run that day. (4) BAENGMUNBAEKDAP is up in class following a convincing win at the distance at the end of April and can be considered while (11) TUFELLO ran a solid 3rd on his first try at this class three weeks ago and should be in the frame as well.
Race 5: Class Open “The Busan Mayor’s Cup” (KOR G3) 1800M / Weight for Age / KRW 500 Million
IRON TRAIN – Class 2 winner over this distance in May but only beat one home on his first class 1 try three weeks ago. Generally goes right to the back and closes. May pick off a few in the home straight.
CHAMP LINE – Thomas Gillespie’s six-year-old is a very consistent type and he beat Buhwarui Banseok and Saengil Gippeum on his way to 2nd at 2000M last time. Usually runs at further than this but he can certainly make the minor money.
DONGBANG DAERO – Ran a huge 2nd in the Grand Prix Stakes last December but has been a little indifferent in five starts since. Another who perhaps wants a little further to be at his most effective, but he could make a value bet for the places.
I’M YOUR FATHER – Last year’s winner returned from seven months out to land a narrow win over King Of Ace over a mile at the beginning of June, finishing very strongly. Fergus Sweeney keeps the mount today and he has a chance of an upset.
BUHWARUI BANSEOK – Ran 2nd to Triple Nine at 2000M in March and beat Dongbang Daero and Champ Line at the same distance in April. Champ Line returned the favour last time, but this is a very solid, consistent horse. Another who probably prefers further.
CHEONJI STORM – Won the Seoul Owners’ Cup over 1200M in March before crushing a class 1 field by ten-lengths in the capital at the end of April. Lots of talent he is a front-runner who is likely to take on Cheongdam Dokki early. That’s risky but anything could happen.
WINNER RED – Only two starts in 2018 so far and was a long way behind Cheongdam Dokki in the YTN Cup last time out. An outsider today.
CHEONJEOK – Last home in the YTN Cup at the end of May continuing a run of indifferent form. Little to no chance here.
WORLD NUMBER ONE – A stablemate of Iron Train, he was a class 2 winner at this distance in March but has been a touch disappointing in two efforts since. Likely to go right to the back from the gate and may improve late but is an outsider.
KING OF ACE – Has suffered from a number of injury setbacks and is two starts into his latest comeback. He ran very well for 2nd to I’m Your Father in a tight finish on June 3rd and makes for an interesting outsider here.
TRIPLE NINE – The gold standard in Korean racing. He beat four of these when winning his only start of 2018 to date in March, giving them plenty of weight too. He offered few clues when trialling up half-heartedly last weekend. Superior to all of these except Cheongdam Dokki and were he to win, it would be arguably his greatest achievement yet. He won’t challenge the Seoul horse for the lead but at this distance, neither will he let them get too far away. He often takes some time to hit top gear and that may be his undoing at 1800M.
SAENGIL GIPPEUM – Has been beaten by plenty of these in recent starts at varying distances. Plenty of talent and has Busan’s champion jockey on board but will be an outsider here.
CHEONGDAM DOKKI – His three outings this year have simply confirmed what we already knew – he is now better than Clean Up Joy. Here he has a chance to stamp his authority on all of Korean racing by beating Triple Nine at his home track. He is stepping back in trip for the first time since last September but even that should be in his favour. The widest gate is perhaps not ideal, but he has the speed to get to the front anyway and it would be a surprise were he not to hold off all-comers – including Triple Nine.
VERDICT: (13) CHEONGDAM DOKKI should take a big step towards asserting his hegemony by defeating (11) TRIPLE NINE. He’ll be on pace early and while there is a risk of an early speed battle with (6) CHEONJI STORM, he should have too much to able to cope with this and to see off everything else over 1800M. Cheonji Storm can go well as well as can last year’s winner (4) I’M YOUR FATHER. (2) CHAMP LINE and (10) KING OF ACE make for some potential value.
Selections
(13) Cheongdam Dokki (11) Triple Nine (4) I’m Your Father (6) Cheonji Storm
Next Best
2, 10, 3
Fast Start
6, 13
Race 6: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Small field to finish with and there are two up and comers here. After a few near misses, (1) UNSEOK has now won three in a row by handy margins and while he’s up in class and slightly in distance today, has every chance of making it four. (3) GEUMSURYEONG has the best chance of beating him. He’s won three from five and was runner-up in the other two and there could well be more to come. He will lead early and Unseok will have to (more…)
It’s the final Saturday day meeting before Seoul moves onto a summer twilight schedule for July and August and two trainers with exceptional strike-rates in June can round out the month with more winners. There are 11 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00.
Jeon Seung Gyu has only sent out ten runners so far this month but four of them have returned as winners and just one has missed out on finishing in the top three. He saddles three on Saturday and all have very solid claims. The improving Burui Goda is fancied to get his maiden win in race 2 while Chapel Ace, who has won two of his last three, is one of a number in with a significant chance in the very competitive race 5.
Jeon can round out his day and his month with another winner when he legs up jockey Moon Se Young on The King in race 7. The colt was a beaten favourite last start when sent up to 1700M but should put things right this time at a shorter trip.
Luigi Riccardi has an even better strike-rate for the month than Jeon Seung Gyu. The Italian trainer has visited the winner’s circle four times with just eight starters this month and maintains a placing strike-rate of 44% for his entire time in Korea so far. He has three runners on Saturday and while they will be slightly less fancied than Jeon’s, both Undefeated in race 4 and Choego Money in race 9 have legitimate claims.
The day’s feature race is race 10, a class 1 handicap over 2000M. It’s a competitive affair with Wild Thunder, 5th to Cheongdam Dokki in last month’s YTN Cup, and Yaho Sky Cat, seeking a third straight class 1 victory, look set to head the market.
Here are the previews:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(2) ENJOY MY SHOW has been knocking at the door in recent outings and if she can get away to a good start here, the five-year-old – the only one of these to have a 2nd place to her name – may finally be able to get her maiden win. (8) RAON GANGHO has also been getting closer, registering a 3rd place last time over 1300M and has claims here. (3) OFFICER WOMAN returned from ten months off at the end of May to run a decent 3rd and can have come on for that while (1) TWO M OKAY and (11) SHARP WANNABE are others who can go close.
Selections
(2) Enjoy My Show (8) Raon Gangho (11) Sharp Wannabe (3) Officer Woman
Next Best
1, 9
Fast Start
1, 2, 5, 11
Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(7) BURUI GORI has a 4th and a 2nd from two starts so far, coming from well off the pace both times. He steps up slightly in trip today and should take some beating for a stable that is in red-hot form right now. (3) HADALRAE showed a bit of promise across two starts earlier this year and looked in good touch in a trial earlier this month. He should be on the early pace here and he looks like being the main danger along with (4) ISCRA, who ran a solid 4th on debut on June 2nd and can build on it today. (6) ACE CARLSON, the most experienced runner in the race, and (8) GREEN PARK, 6th on debut last month, are others who can play a role.
Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(2) BARAM KING is slowly but surely figuring things out and ran well for 2nd place over the distance on June 3rd. He’s well drawn to get to the front straight from the gate and is favourite to score here. (8) RUBY FALLS also enters off the back of a career-best 2nd place last time. That was a big improvement and she can back it up here. (10) TAEWANG SINHWA looks to be improving too. A couple of starts ago he beat (9) GOODCHOICE, the latter racing for the first time since then and can improve. (1) MAIN EVENT and (11) FLYING HERA also in the placing hunt.
(3) WINNER SPIRIT ran out a three-length winner on debut over this distance on June 3rd and while he’s up in class today, he looks to have plenty more in him and can win again. It was always going to be risky naming a horse (9) UNDEFEATED and Luigi Riccardi’s colt duly came unstuck at the second time of asking at the beginning of this month. He didn’t run badly though, beaten just half a length, and has every chance of getting back to winning ways today. (8) GONG SAN remains a maiden but is up in class following some (more…)
Friday racing at Busan sees 9 races from 11:30 to 18:00 on what is the final Friday before we shift to evening racing from next weekend for July and August. Here are the previews:
It’s Busan Friday!
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(3) JOYFUL MEMORY races for the first time since coming back lame when favourite over a mile in January. She’d shown ability over eight starts prior to that and trialled up very nicely earlier this month. She drops back to the minimum distance today and can make a winning return. (5) KING’S POWER was an improved 2nd last time on June 1st, continuing the progress he’s been making across five outings to date and he can get close again. (6) BREAKING NEWS got a warning for hanging outwards in his latest effort and with better manners can improve here. (8) DARK TEMPLAR steps back in trip after two encouraging runs at further and he should be a factor too. There are four first time starters and among them (2) RENAISSANCE MAN is likely to attract most attention.
Selections
(3) Joyful Memory (8) Dark Templar (5) King’s Power (6) Breaking News
Next Best
2, 4
Fast Start
4, 5, 7, 9
Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(3) MONEY BLACK HOLE isn’t the most optimistic name an owner can select for a horse, but the colt ran well when sent up to a mile for just his second start in May. He finished 2nd that day having been prominent throughout. He’s back down in trip today and should be on pace again. (7) SEONGSAN SIMON was encouraging in 4th on debut on April 20th, coming from well back in the closing stages over 1000M. He had to be scratched with a lame left foreleg from a planned reappearance at the end of May but is fit again now and may appreciate the extra furlong today. (1) HARVEST GOLD demonstrated some improvement on his second start in March. He hasn’t raced since and has moved to a brand-new trainer, but he trialled well earlier this month and can be a contender on the early speed. (11) KEEP GOING was awkwardly away on debut five weeks ago but ran on nicely and can go better today while (8) BLACK SHIELD is another who should be in the hunt.
Selections
(3) Money Black Hole (7) Seongsan Simon (11) Keep Going (1) Harvest Gold
Next Best
8, 5
Fast Start
1, 3, 8, 10
Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
Tight race this with the nod going to (10) MACH MAJESTIC on the strength of her runner-up finish at this distance on June 8th. She’s been inconsistent across five starts so far but with next to no early speed in this race, is expected to get to the front possibly uncontested and can go all the way. (9) GANGHAN JILJU actually beat Mach Majestic as the pair raced 2nd and 3rd over a mile back in April. He’s been solid if unspectacular in two efforts since and can be a threat here. (2) TRIPLE BOSS improved on his second start last and looks to have more development in him. (6) KWAEHAN DREAM did nothing wrong on debut and should have come on for it. (3) HUIMANGUI NORAE races for the 28th time and he last few efforts have been creditable She’ll beat a few of these.
(4) IHYEN is up in class following a four-length win at the distance on June 1st and she has every chance of making it two in a row. She’s well drawn to get to the front straight from the gate and can make all once more. (7) RANKING TOP and (6) PYEONGCHNG HORANGI came home 3rd and 5th when they raced each other over 1200M on May 25th. Pyeongchng Horangi was favourite that day and led for much of the race before weakening in the closing stages. Back at 1000M, he can overturn the form today. (1) POWER BOW can be forgiven his latest start when he was slow to begin and scarcely improved while (2) REALLY ONE has plenty of experience and in this kind of company can challenge for the places.
Selections
(4) Ihyen (6) Pyeongchng Horangi (2) Really One (7) Ranking Top
Next Best
1, 8
Fast Start
4
Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
No fewer than four of the nine come in having won their respective latest starts with three of them up in class here. We’ll begin though with the one whose victory came at (more…)
Spero went to the front and outlasted them all to win the Sports Chosun Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. The 7/1 chance was never under any serious pressure as he cruised to a five-length victory under jockey Park Byeong Yun.
Spero & Park Byeong Yun win the Sports Chosun Cup (Pic: Korea Racing Authority)
True, it wasn’t the greatest field ever assembled for a Listed race in the capital – that’s not going to happen with a rating cap of 80 but it does usually attract some up and comers on their way to class 1. The closest to fitting that description this year was Nasca Prince and he would be sent off as the even-money favourite ahead of last year’s Korean Oaks winner Jejui Haneul.
Jejui Haneul and Nasca Prince would have to settle for 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 2000M test as Spero took the lead early and maintained his advantage all the way around, leading by five lengths at the top of the stretch and never looking like being caught. The margin on the line was the same- five lengths.
A four-year-old locally bred colt by Chapel Royal, Spero was winning for the fifth time on what was his seventeenth start. It was a third big race win for his trainer, Derby winning jockey Shim Seung Tae, following two successes last year with sprinter Always Winner. Jockey Park Byeong Yun was winning the race for the second time, having partnered Sotong Sidae to victory in the 2015 running.
In other races on Sunday, US import Winner Gold continued his progress up the ranks. The Wildcat Heir colt’s win-streak came to an end at five on his first try at class 1 last month, but he was back to winning ways in Sunday’s finale. He had to work for it though, grinding is way up the rail to down fellow US import Gwangbok Chilsip by half a length on the line. A US$55,000 purchase form the OBS two-year-old sale last year, Winner Gold has now amassed over $200,000 in prize money.
At Busan, Finest Warrior took out Sunday’s feature sprint. The Kim Young Kwan-trained three-year-old had shown decidedly little when sent to Seoul to run in the SBS Sports Sprint earlier this month but back on his home track, avenged a defeat he suffered to Banjiui Jewang in May to score by three lengths over 1200M under champion jockey Jo In Kwen. The Majestic Warrior gelding moved on to four wins from eight starts. Jockey Jo landed a double on the six-race Sunday card as did Irish/Brazilian rider Franco Da Silva.
Horse Racing in Korea 