Weekend Round-Up: Ecton Blade & Triple Crown Trail, Rainha, Moonhak Chief

Three-year-olds were the standout performers in Korea last weekend with some of the best of the crop turning in eye-catching performances at both Seoul & Busan.

Ecton Blade won the Breeders’ Cup race at Seoul in December and so headed into the New Year as the leading Triple Crown contender. 2nd placegetter in that race and Seoul’s top juvenile of last year Choinma could only manage another 2nd place on his own seasonal debut two weeks ago but Ecton Blade made no mistake at Busan on Sunday.  He’s already won over 1600M before and went into Sunday’s race 3, at the KRA Cup Mile distance as the prohibitive favourite, fully justifying it by sauntering to an eight-length win. Stiffer tests await.

Ecton Blade’s win leaves the top sixteen three-year-olds (sixteen being the maximum field-size) with Triple Crown eligibility currently looking like this:

1. Ecton Blade [Ecton Park]
2= Sinui Myeongryeong (filly) [Hansen]
2= Choinma [Menifee]
4. Yeonghui Sidae (filly) [Hansen]
5. Captain Force [Peace Rules]
6. Divide Wind [Menifee]
7. Magic Ten (filly) [Rock Hard Ten]
8. Hoeng Un Gol [Forest Camp]
9. Meni Bada [Menifee]
10. World Sun [Officer]
11. King Jjang [Simon Pure]
12= Green K (filly) [Chapel Royal]
12= Global Line [Rock Hard Ten]
12= Hae Hu [Peace Rules]
12= Bugyeong Daebak (filly) [Forest Camp]
12= Blue Flag (filly) [Menifee]

Ecton Blade’s trainer Kim Young Kwan has an embarassment of riches that has seen 20 of his 40 runners so far in 2018 win. Even my elementary maths can calculate that’s a scarcely believable 50% strike rate and 70% of his runners have finished in the Quinella. Perhaps the richest of all the talents could be Rainha.

The exiting filly stepped up to a mile for what was her third career start and Rainha maintained her 100% record in a dismissively easy manner, cruising around on the bridle for a four-length win. Having been imported in-utero, she’s not on the Classic trail but nevertheless looks a very promising talent.

Rainha is owned by Shunsuke Yoshida and her dam is Allwise (Mr. Greeley) who had three foals in Japan before being relocated to Nokwon Farm on Jeju Island in late 2014 while in foal to Gold Allure. That resulting foal was Rainha. In the meantime, her filly by Heart’s Cry, born a year earlier and called Historia, last November won the TVK Sho at Tokyo Racecourse and now boasts a record of three wins from nine starts in the JRA.

Also in the non-eligible three-year-old ranks is Moonhak Chief. The US import by Pioneerof The Nile stepped up to class 2 and also to 1800M for the first time at Seoul on Sunday. And mightilu impressive he was too,  being ridden patiently by Lim Gi Won early on beofre stikign the front with just over a furlong to go and running on to win by a comfortable two lengths. He’s now won five of his seven outings.

In other news, Doraonpogyeongseon (Kantharos) went down by a nose in Busan’s Sunday sprint feature. Under an apprentice jockey so as he wouldn’t have to carry 60kg, the third-placegetter in the Korea Sprint couldn’t quite get up over 1200M, beaten a nose by Ever In Ever (Sharp Humor)/

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 4)

Another cold spell has gripped the peninsula this weekend but racing will be going ahead as usual at both Seoul & Busan on Sunday. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Ecton Blade

2017 Breeders’ Cup winner Ecton Blade kicks off his 3yo campaign at Busan on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6: Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(3) THUNDER MARINE has come close in each of three outings so far and while he could only manage 4th when favourite last time, he can get the early lead here and make all. (4) ILGAKSU and (1) MACHO HIME finished 2nd and 4th when they raced each other at the distance on January 7th and both can challenge again. Ilgaksu will most likely challenge Thunder Marine on the early pace and looks to have the best chance of beating him. 5th in that race was (2) JOEUN NADEURI, who is a little more experienced and already has a 3rd place to her name. She can go well here. Also experienced and in the frame is (5) CHOWON YEOJEONSA, who comes in off a best so far 2nd. Wildcard could be (8) INDIAN ECO who has been unspectacular but competent in both efforts so far.

Selections (3) Thunder Marine (4) Ilgaksu (1) Macho Hime (5) Chowon Yeojeonsa
Next Best 8, 2
Fast Start

 Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(6) SEUNGRI PLUS was a well beaten 4th behind a good winner on December 23rd, but it was an encouraging first try at this distance and he looks to have scope to improve today. She can get on the early speed and go all the way. Also looking for a fast start will be (9) CHEON BYEOL, who after an inauspicious debut, has followed up with back to back 4th place finishes and can also improve. (11) SKY DOLPUNG put in a useful 3rd place a month ago and should be in at least the placing frame again while (3) ROYAL PRINCE and (7) BRILLIANT are others to consider.

Selections (6) Seungri Plus (9) Cheon Byeol (11) Sky Dolpung (7) Brilliant
Next Best 3, 4
Fast Start 4, 6, 9

 Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(5) STAR CAT finds herself up in class despite remaining a maiden but the manner of her back to back runner-up finishes suggests that she has a win in her and also that she should have little to fear at class 5, especially in an all-filly contest such as this. She’ll likely be on or close to the early speed. (12) BIG EAR was a very easy winner on debut but didn’t go quite so well when sent off as favourite on his first try at this class over 1200M on December 17th. He’ll have to overcome the wide draw but he should be in contention here. (1) RUBY BEOLKIN remains winless after ten attempts but shouldn’t be too far away while (4) CHO ORONG MA and (9) ROYAL PARK are others in the hunt.

Selections (5) Star Cat (12) Big Ear (1) Ruby Beolkin (4) Cho Orong Ma
Next Best 9, 3
Fast Start 5, 6, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) AMENDA has closed from well off the pace to for a win and 2nd place in her latest two starts, both at this distance and the most recent of which was at this class. She’s been drawn inside today though and we’re going to expect her to go straight to the front and look to lead all the way. Perhaps a little ironically, while we expect the closer to try to lead here, the threats are likely to come from behind. (10) SPECIAL LIGHT and (12) MAMKKEOT DALYEO are both proven money winners (if not actual winners) at this distance and can finish strongly while (3) SKY BIG steps back in trip after a reasonable showing at 1700M last time and can go close. (7) GWACHEON TUHON and the up in class and back from a spell (8) KING EXPLOIT are others to look out for.

Selections (1) Amenda (10) Special Light (3) Sky Big (12) Mamkkeot Dalyeo
Next Best 8, 7
Fast Start 1, 4, 9, 12

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Having breezed through a trial, (5) LUCKY ROOKIE was a comfortable winner on debut on December 17th, sitting handy early before going clear in the closing stages. He returns here up in class but at the same distance and in with a chance. A week later, (10) SEUNGNI NARAE did the same thing, comfortably winning on debut and is in the same position of being up in class with a chance. (9) BLACK WIND and (4) LEAD UP came home 2nd and 3rd at class and distance in December. The latter went on to run 6th of 12 at the start of January and both can be in the frame again here. (2) EAGLE SKY was considered good enough to run in a top juvenile race las October. He came 11th of 14 before then running last over 1300M in December. He went back to trial after that and returned, looking better when 4th at this distance three weeks ago and can continue to improve today.

Selections (10) Seungni Narae (5) Lucky Rookie (2) Eagle Sky (9) Black Wind
Next Best 4, 3
Fast Start 4, 5

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) ORYONG could only manage 5th when well backed on what was his first try at this distance two weeks ago but he got a bad trip that day, checking at the start and having further problems in running later. He’s sent back out again quickly and this time he should win. (9) ARAM NARAE finds herself up in class having finished runner-up in both her outings to date. She was beaten by Oryong on debut and by another decent looking (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 3)

Big fields in the capital this weekend. There are 12 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Weak contest to begin with and (2) SKY MARINE has probably shown the most ability among these so far. She has a 2nd and a 4th among four prior outings and from a decent draw can get forward early. (3) ENJOY MY SHOW improved last time and should be similarly prominent while (4) RUN AWAY may benefit from dropping back to this trip which is where she recorded her previous best finish of 3rd. (1) ACE TROPHY could make the most of the inside gate to get on speed early and if he does, he should be looking for a career-best finish while (12) CHOWON GUNJU didn’t do anything especially wrong on debut three weeks ago and may improve.

Selections (2) Sky Marine (3) Enjoy My Show (4) Run Away (1) Ace Trophy
Next Best 12, 9
Fast Start 1, 2, 3, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-olds only and eight of the twelve are first-time starters with one of them set to be favourite. That’s (2) JANGSAN WILD won a December trial and then went through another in good order last week and is expected to win first-up here. Other debut-makers who caught the eye in their heats include (1) DALLYEORA GWANGSAN and (8) DANGYEON HAJI, whose slow qualifying times can be excused by the track condition on those days as well as (9) DANCING BLADE, who was well back behind an exciting type (Musa) but seemed to know what she was doing. Of the four who raced before, only (6) DAE UNHA looks an attractive proposition. He debuted solidly enough in a better race than this in December and can build on it today.

Selections (2) Jangsan Wild (6) Dae Unha (9) Dancing Blade (1) Dallyeora Gwangsan
Next Best 8, 10
Fast Start 1, 2

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(9) CLEAN UP SECRET beat three of these on his way to 3rd place over this distance on January 6th. True, it was the third time in a row he’s come up slightly short when sent off as favourite but he’s going to be favourite again and this time can get it right. (4) DOUBLE GOLD and (6) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG came home in 4th and 6th in that race wand will be among those with the best chance of getting close this time. Speaking of favourites coming up short, (2) CHONGAL GACHI did exactly that on January 7th at the distance, finishing 2nd having led briefly close to the finish and he too gets another chance today.

Selections (9) Clean Up Secret (4) Double Gold (6) Baekduui Jeongsang (2) Chongal Gachi
Next Best 8, 1
Fast Start 2, 6, 9

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(6) RAISE ME UP improved with a close 2nd place in a similar all-filly race to this on January 6th with two of her rivals here behind her and with Moon Se Young on board for the first time, she can make the breakthrough here. (9) ARGO UNIQUE returned from three months off to show a big improvement at this distance in December, coming home 2nd and should be on the early pace here. Hansen filly (1) CLAY WIND also improved on what was just her 2nd start on Christmas Eve, again coming home in 2nd having run on nicely. She steps up in distance for the first time as does (4) DAECHEONUI SARANG and must be considered. More experienced is (3) MIGHTY COOL and she should be capable of repeating the 4th place she achieved in a very similar strength race to this four weeks ago.

Selections (6) Raise Me Up (9) Argo Unique (1) Clay Wind (4) Daecheonui Sarang
Next Best 3, 2
Fast Start 1, 4, 9

Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

You’d not put your mortgage on many of these but (7) GONSEOL and (5) WOOSEORA ICHEON ran well enough when coming home 3rd and 4th respectively at class and distance in a better race than this on January 7th and this time have every chance of contesting top honours. There were three lengths between them that day but Wooseora Icheon has a better draw today and could well make it to the front early. (3) POWER (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 2)

We’re into February already and the penultimate weekend of racing before the Lunar New Break. Things kick off at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Even by his own standards, trainer Kim Young Kwan is on a remarkable run at the moment with each of his last eleven starters finishing in the first two; eight of them winners. He simply has far greater firepower than anyone else and another one looks to have rolled off the production line in the shape of (8) BLACK SHIELD. The Einstein filly trialled up nicely behind two experienced race-horses in January and she’ll be well backed to keep her trainer’s run going first-up here. She may have to settle for 2nd though with (6) YEONGCHEON STAR looking ready to win. He’s been getting closer across five outings to date and led for much of the way last time before ending in 2nd behind a good winner. (2) SHARP BELL has looked promising with a 2nd and 3rd in two starts back following a lengthy spell with (9) OS TOP and (7) TANGO AND TANGO others who may improve.

Selections (8) Black Shield (6) Yeongcheon Star (2) Sharp Bell (9) OS Stop
Next Best 7, 10
Fast Start 6, 7, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) PYEONGCHANG HORANGI was a much improved 2nd when dropped back to this distance on December 22nd and will be favourite to take out this modest contest. He led from gate 2 that day but jockey Lee Sung Jae may be content to allow others to lead and take up a handy position in preparation for a strong finish. It’s perhaps a measure of just how modest this race is that (3) GOLDEN AGE, who was well back that day looks in with a chance of going close here, especially given a better draw which should enable her to get on the pace. (4) EVER GOOD TIME and (9) GIPPEUM SARANG have shown some traces of ability and have good chances to secure career-best finishes. Given the strength (or lack thereof) of the race we have to consider the debut-makers and of the two of them, (1) STORM CAPER looks most ready.

Selections (8) Pyeongchang Horangi (1) Storm Caper (3) Golden Age (9) Gippeum Sarang
Next Best 4, 2, 5
Fast Start 1, 3, 9, 10

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Restricted to three-year-olds hence the enhanced prize fund. (10) SINGAEBYEOK was 3rd of 7 on debut three weeks ago beating a couple of these in the process. It was in line with expectations and he can progress today with every chance of winning, likely from the front. The main threats looks to be a couple of first-time starters. (4) WHIPLASH MARINE looked nice and handy when trialling up at the beginning of December. She crossed the line within a length of Lucky Korea who has gone on to record a win and a 2nd place finish in two actual outings since then. She’ll likely challenge for the lead early. (3) SEUNGNI DAEJANG was supposed to debut two weeks ago but refused to parade and had to be scratched. Bart Rice sent the gelding back to trial last week and he came through it very nicely and may be considered here. Returning to those who have raced before, (6) SUCHEOJAKJU and (11) SWEEP MAN both look to have scope for improvement.

Selections (10) Singaebyeok (4) Whiplash Marine (3) Seungni Daejang (11) Sweep Man
Next Best 6, 7, 1
Fast Start 1, 4, 10

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(8) CHEOGANG THUNDER just missed out by a nose when tried at this distance for the first time four weeks ago. He benefited from being on speed as he had previously resented the kickback. He has shown a tendency to jump out of the gate a bit awkwardly but if he can get away well today, he could win. (7) GREAT ROCK (who until he starts winning himself will always be referred to as one of Triple Nine’s full brothers) has a 4th and a 2nd in two outings to date. He’s been favourite for both and while he hasn’t quite (more…)

(Belated) Weekend Round-Up: Final Boss Wins Segye Ilbo, Cheongdam Dokki Easy

Last year’s Korean Derby winner Final Boss kicked off his four-year-old campaign in style this past weekend, winning the first Listed race of the season, the Segye Ilbo Cup at Seoul Racecourse.

A good renewal it was too, with Final Boss sent off as second favourite behind Cheonji Storm. However, it was last year’s winner, Always Winner, who jumped out of the gate the quickest and into an early lead. It looked for a time he might just repeat his trick from twelve months ago and go all the way.

The big guns closed though. Cheonji Storm down the outside and City Star on the inside. And between the two of them came Final Boss, ears back and looking like he meant business. He struck the front just metres from the line and won by a neck from City Star with Cheonji Storm only another neck back in 3rd.

As they crossed the line, jockey Moon Se Young called across to Jang Chuyoul on City Star to inquire as to which of them won. After the race he said he wasn’t convinced that Final Boss could win such a race at a sprint distance (1200M) but the horse just took off in the closing stages and seemed desperate to get to the front.

Final Boss (Menifee-Sinseok Dolpa) moves on to nine wins from sixteen starts.

Cheongdam Dokki brutalized the Grand Prix field in December before ultimately running out of steam. He too began his four-year-old season at the weekend, appearing in Seoul’s feature handicap on Saturday.

He ws up against Shamrocker and and Clean Up Joy, both trained by Song Moon Gil and both of whom Cheongdam Dokki had seen off before.

He monstered them. Shamrocker came to challenge early but had little to offer in the closing straight leaving Clean Up Joy, who had complicated things for himself early on with his habitual leap as the gates opened, closing strongly. Cheongdam Dokki was almost pulled up by this stage though as he eased to his eighth win from thirteen outings. He should perhaps really be in Dubai right now as this is too easy and it looks like we may have to wait until the summer to see him actually be required to finish off a race properly.

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (January 28) Segye Ilbo Cup Day

The first Korean Listed or Stakes race of 2018 takes place at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and a good one it is too as thirteen runners, including last year’s Derby winner Final Boss, go in the Segye Ilbo Cup over 1200M. In total there are 11 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Always Winner

Always Winner won the Segye Ilbo Cup last year but he’ll have a hard time defending it (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

An improved 3rd on what was her third start on January 6th leads us to put (9) SEOUL STORY on top in this all-filly (and one mare) event. She raced prominently that day and seems to be figuring things out. The primary danger is (12) BURUI SOKDO, 2nd on debut a full twelve-lengths behind the promising Galaxy Power but nevertheless showing promise herself. The wide draw is perhaps not ideal but can certainly be overcome. (1) ROAD WOMAN and (5) ORANGE SOCKS have shown some glimpses of potential talent and may improve while among the four first-time starters, (11) QUEEN FORCE ONE is the standout. She looked good in trials and has a top jockey on board first-up.

Selections (9) Seoul Story (12) Burui Sokdo (11) Queen Force One (1) Road Woman
Next Best 5, 8
Fast Start 2, 5, 9, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(5) GLOBAL NEWS will be overwhelming favourite to win this. He was a very solid 2nd to Nam Son and ahead of one who won yesterday in what is turning out to have been a very decent race on debut in December and if he runs anything like that, there is nothing here that can challenge him. He should get and easy lead and an easy win. Slim pickings among the rest. (4) GRAND DOLPUNG was well down the track debuting in that very same race as Global News but may improve while of the debut-makers, (2) HAPPY MAUNTAIN and (3) SKY STORM perhaps have the best chance of doing well in their first outings.

Selections (5) Global News (4) Grand Dolpung (2) Happy Mauntain (3) Sky Storm
Next Best 8
Fast Start 5

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million 

(9) GUREUM SONJITHAE managed a decent 2nd place back in November over 1300M which led him to be sent off as favourite for his reappearance over the same trip just before Christmas. It didn’t quite work out as she came home 5th but stepped back to the minimum today and with seemingly slightly softer opposition, she can win this. (1) RAON DOLPUNG was an improved 3rd when tried at this trip for the first time on Christmas Eve and should be the main threat, likely joining the favourite on the early speed. (2) JEWANGUI BYEOL was a creditable 5th on debut in a different race on the same day and can build on that today. (4) EMERALD KING and (8) AREUMDAUN CHEONSA both went poorly last start but can improve.

Selections (9) Gureum Sonjithae (1) Raon Dolpung (2) Jewangui Byeol (4) Emerald King
Next Best 8
Fast Start 1, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million 

(8) BRANDON beat (3) STRONG MAN as the pair raced 1st and 3rd at class and distance on a very wet track on Christmas Eve. Both were outsiders that day and the conditions will be very different but both are very much in the frame again. (12) LUCKY BONGHWA may be yet to win in six attempts but he’s never been any worse than 5th and has generally been beaten by decent types. He’ll be looking to get into a forward position early from the widest gate and if he manages it, he can be close. (5) DAECHEON ACE is perhaps the one who enters in the best form though. 2nd and 3rd in his last two, both competitive contests at this class, he’s ideally drawn to get the early lead and can go all the way this time.

Selections (5) Daecheon Ace (12) Lucky Bonghwa (8) Brandon (3) Strong Man
Next Best 7, 10
Fast Start 5, 7, 8, 12

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Aussie import (4) PRINCE MEMORY led for much of his debut on December 17th but just came up short over 1200M. The Sepoy gelding drops back to the minimum distance today and has solid claims for a maiden victory here. (1) TONGIL DAERO steps up in class following an all the way win over the distance at domestic class 5 three weeks ago and can follow-up. Those two will likely be contesting the early lead. (11) BEST YEJI was a (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 27) – Cheongdam Dokki!

It’s been a bitingly cold week on the Korean peninsula but the worst seems to be over and there is a good 12-race card at Seoul on Saturday with the 1st at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. And what better way to warm up than with the 2018 season debut of Cheongdam Dokki? He goes in race 11. Here are the previews:

Cheongdam Dokki 2

Cheongdam Dokki makes his 2018 debut on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Just fillies here and plenty in with a shout. (6) SEONGBUL CHAMP has shown some ability in three starts so far including a good 5th of 12 in tougher company than this last start. She trialled up nicely a couple of weeks ago and is a prime contender here. (5) BETTINA’s best result so far came on her only prior outing at this distance and with Djordje Perovic on board, she too looks to have a strong chance. (1) HWANSANGUI BIT showed improvement on her second start and can maintain it here while (9) RUBY FALLS and (12) MORAN DONGBEAK are others who can get close.

Selections (6) Seongbul Champ (5) Bettina (1) Hwansangui Bit (9) Ruby Falls
Next Best 12, 2
Fast Start 1, 6, 7

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(9) JEONGSANG DOLPUNG led for much of the way round over 1300M last start and dropped back to the minimum distance today, is the one to beat. He previously ran 4th at this trip in a tougher race than this and can get it right this time. (3) BIG AURORA has shown some talent, principally when running 2nd at this distance in October only beaten half a length by Ji Seoni, who went on to win again. He’s disappointed as favourite in two losing efforts since but gets another chance here. (1) CHEONGDAM QUEENS and (4) SAE DIXIE are likely to challenge Jeongsang Dolpung for the early lead and can stay on until the business end of the race while (2) BIG THUNDER did nothing particularly wrong on debut and can improve.

Selections (9) Jeongsang Dolpung (3) Big Aurora (1) Cheongdam Queens (2) Big Thunder
Next Best 4, 8
Fast Start 1, 4, 9

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

With a 4th and a 2nd in her two starts to date (4) MASYA will be strongly favoured to finish on top here. In both those races, she’s come from well back and finished strongly and that’s what she’ll be looking to do here. Should she leave herself too much to do though, (10) HANSEN BAROWS can take advantage. He could well get an easy lead early on and that’s going to put pressure on the favourite. He could conceivably stay on all the way around. (1) THE FINAL has been 3rd in both her races so far, the latest at this distance and she has every chance of continuing that run today. (5) MACH SEUNGNI and (7) PALDO GANGTA looks best of the rest.

Selections (4) Masya (10) Hansen Barows (1) The Final (7) Paldo Gangta
Next Best 5, 8
Fast Start 10 


Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

A winner on his debut in November and then a close 3rd behind Sinui Myeongryeong and Mask in a valuable race on Christmas Eve, (6) COMPLETE SWEEP is strongly favoured. He made all in that first-time win and should be able to get on or close to the early speed today and should win. (11) SEUNGRI SIDAE was one-paced on his latest on a (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 26)

It’s Friday! It’s Busan! We have 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Not a bad opener this. (2) GAMDONGUI SUNGAN debuted in October with a useful 3rd place at 1200M and looked competent enough when trialling up just last week alongside a set of decent horses and must have a chance here. (5) DANCING VICAR showed ability on her return just before Christmas and should be on the early pace here while (7) BAENGNYEON SIDAE has been close in each of his last four starts and could make the breakthrough today. (1) RANKING TOP has looked great in trials but less so on the racecourse so far. Still early days so we’ll give her another chance. (10) STORM GOLD showed ability in three outings and returns after almost a year out while (11) SAENURI CHOEGANG is worthy of some consideration following his 2nd place at the distance three weeks ago.

Selections (2) Gamdongui Sungan (5) Dancing Vicar (7) Baengnyeon Sidae (11) Saenuri Choegang
Next Best 3, 1, 10
Fast Start 1, 5, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) YUSEONG SPEED was a very solid 2nd on debut on December 30th beaten four lengths by Uju Daewang, who went on to confirm her ability by winning again at a higher class last week. She should be on or close to the pace here and is a warm favourite to win this time. There are some useful others though. (3) SINBIHAN BYEOL looked encouraging on debut a month ago behind a couple of decent types and can build on that today while David Miller’s (4) THUNDER STRUCK may have only managed 3rd when favourite at the distance in a different race on the same day but is worth another chance. A couple of debut-makers of note here in the shape of (5) MUCHO and (8) FELAROF. Both caught the eye in trials and it may be wort watching the market with them.

Selections (2) Yuseong Speed (3) Sinbihan Byeol (8) Felarof (5) Mucho
Next Best 4, 10, 11
Fast Start 2, 3, 5, 7, 10

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

No fewer than six of these raced each other over the distance on December 31st. The filled placings 3rd through 8th in a filed of nine and it was (5) CHEOLBI who headed them finishing strongly but still five lengths adrift of a decent winner. That’s probably enough to make Cheolbi favourite here but she is a vulnerable one. (1) SEORABEOL YEOJE and (6) PEACE TOUR came home 4th and 5th in that race and both can look to improve with (more…)

Trial Reports (January 19/20)

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Seoul – January 19 (5 trials)

The track was running very slow at Seoul last Friday morning (and for much of the weekend) so times weren’t important but three-year-old gelding Jilpung Gangho (Hongji) looked comptent enough with an untroubled performances in heat 1, finishing on the bridle eight lengths ahead of eight other unraced three-year olds.

Sun Start (Gemologist) ran twice at the tail-end of last year without distinction and was subject to a warning having hung inwards last time out in December. The US import displayed marginally better manners running on to finish 1st in trial 2. Behind him eight unraced horses went around with four of them managing to qualify.

Japanese owner Mizutani Masateru has been the most successful foreign owner so far in Korea and his colt Two M Okay (Sharp Humor) looks like he knows what he’s doing with a very comfortable looking qualification. He’d previously trialled last September but looks a totally different prospect this time around. Leader’s Camp (Limitless Bid), who will be the ninth foal out of NZ bred Oktong-i to run in Korea, stayed with him throughout but was ridden more vigourously.

The latest “Blade” won trial 4. Meni Blade (Menifee) is a half-sister to Winner’s Glory (7 wins from 15) and will likely be well-backed when she debuts having run on pleasingly enough.

In the final trial of the morning, eight-year-old Space Port (Pleasant Tap), who last raced in December 2016, re-qualified. He’s won 5 of his 49 races with a further 10 runner-up finishes to his name. He finished 1st ahead of a number of others of varying experience and ability who were re-qualifying.

Busan – January 20 (3 trials)

Catch Nine (Eurosilver) took trial 1 by five lengths. She’s the first foal out of Easing Along mare Screwey. Eight of the nine entrants qualified from the heat in what was the first of three well-run trials and the only one to contain mostly unraced horses.

Miracle Iji (Parading) is a winner of 3 from 15 and last raced in May 2017. He’s moved to David Miller’s stable and having already re-qualfied in December, kept ticking over winning heat 2.

Baekmunbaekdap (Tapizar) was a $50,000 purchase from OBS last March and having had a few setbacks, the Kim Young Kwan-trained gelding finally trialled in the final heat. He looks good and finished alongside established class 1 winner Tongil Sidae (Munnings) in a fast time. Thunder Dome (Thunder Moccasin), winner of 2 from 8 so far, re-qualified having been sent back to trial following a disappointing showing when favourite at the end of last year.

 

 

 

Weekend Round-Up: Haeya Strikes At Busan But Choinma Stumbles on Season Debut At Seoul

Haeya sprinted her way to success for the 6th time in 12 career starts as the lightly raced five-year-old mare took victory in Sunday’s feature at Busan.

Haeya

Haeya, seen here at the Korea Sprint, was a fine winner on Sunday (Pic: Ross Holburt)

A good field assembled for the 1400M “Road To G1” contest on the South Coast with Haeya joined by big name sprinters such as Perdido Pomeroy and Drop The Beat. King Of Ace made his second start since returning from surgery while Macheon Bolt, 2nd in the Korea Sprint in 2016 also returned for the first time in almost a year. Diferent Dimension also made his first start since moving to the stable of Kang Byung Eun.

Not many of them went well. Neither King Of Ace nor Macheon Bolt looked fully ready while Diferent Dimension showed early but then faded. Perdido Pomeroy as ever set the pace but Haeya was always handy and under You Hyun Myung, she struck the front in the home straight, running on to win by a comfortable two and a half lengths. Outsider Stealth and Thomas Gillespie’s Party Again came home strongly late to take 2nd and 3rd.

Haeya [Flatter – Luxaholic (Macho Uno)] was 2nd in last year’s Ttukseom Cup and 3rd in the KNN Cup, both times behind Silver Wolf and looks set to be a contender in those and other big races up to a mile later in the year.

With victories in the Gyeonggi Governor;s and Gwacheon Mayor’s Cups followed by 2nd place to Ecton Blade in the Breeders’ Cup, Choinma was the biggest earning juvenile in Korea in 2017 and widely expected to play a big role in the Triple Crown series this year. He stepped up to 1700M for his first outing of 2018 at Seoul on Saturday and was sent off the prohibitive favourite in a class 3 handicap. It didn’t quite go to plan as not for the first time recently, a long-shot got on pace early and couldn’t be caught .

This time it was 45/1 Jeongan Kingdom who made all and while Choinam rallied late on, he was still a full two and a half lengths adrift in 2nd place on the line. It wasn’t the most auspicious beginning to his three-year-old career but it’s early days and conditions will likely be very different once we reach the KRA Cup Mile in April.