Sunday is Korean Derby Day 2017! (preview here). There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. There is also a 6-race card at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10. English racecards can be found here. Notes on Seoul races below:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
1. SUN SMART – Improved 3rd last time and big chance to go better here.
2. ILDEUNG YEOGEOL – Never better than 5th in seven outings. Looks fifth choice today too.
3. MINDEULRE CHUKJE – Slight improvement in three goes to date. Needs more here.
4. CHODONG RACE – 5th on debut a month and can have come on for it. (more…)
A confident Darryl Holland couldn’t have been more emphatic: “I wouldn’t swap my mount” the jockey declared as he prepared to partner Indian King in Sunday’s Korean Derby (KOR G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The KRA Cup Mile winner heads into the race looking to add the 2nd leg of the 2017 Korean Triple Crown to the first jewel he won at Busan a month ago.
Indian King and Darryll Holland winning the KRA Cup Mile (Pic: KRA)
Meeting the media, Holland bristled at any suggestion that the 75/1 Indian King’s Cup Mile victory was down to chance. “I don’t think there was any fluke about the win because he did it the hard way”, he said of Indian King taking up the running a long way out and staying on to win by half a length from the fast closing Royal Ruby. Nor will the distance or the outside gate be an issue: “We’ve got one furlong more to go and I don’t think that will present a problem…I don’t think the gate is a big problem. I’ve rode in enough big races all around the world to overcome it.”
Nevertheless, as much as Holland praised his horse, many observers felt at the time that the decisive factor in the race was the jockey himself and Indian King isn’t expected to start as favourite for Sunday’s showpiece. Royal Ruby, runner-up in the mile, returns again and the Peter Wolsley trained colt is set to be a big danger again as is 3rd placed American Power whose jockey Francisco Da Silva senses an opportunity to turn things around: “There was only half a length between Indian King and my horse. Royal Ruby was there as well and I expect those three to fight again. 1800M is no problem”.
In the Cup Mile those three were five lengths clear of pre-race favourites Daeho Sidae and Final Boss. Cypriot jockey Marios Mina will get the leg up on Daeho Sidae for the first time and was in good spirits. “My horse is in great condition and training very well” said Mina, “the last race wasn’t the best of him”. It wasn’t the best of Final Boss either who didn’t enjoy travelling to Busan and arrived in the parade ring looking a shadow of the horse who had won his two tune-up races in explosive fashion but may be better back on home sand. Here’s that Cup Mile:
There are ten runners in total in the Derby:
1. Lion Rock – He was undefeated heading into the Cup Mile but stumbled coming out of the gate and was never involved. There is still a feeling that we may not see the best of him until later this year. He’s a full-brother to Triple Nine, who ran at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. If he gets away ok this time, he is expected to sit handy.
2. Daeho Sidae – Commanding wins over 1800M and a mile saw him sent off as slight favourite in the Cup Mile but he wasn’t able to reproduce the kick in the home straight that he has shown before and ended up 4th. Better is possible. Likely to settle in the rear of midfield.
3. Taeyangui Sinhwa – A stablemate of American Power, he didn’t run in the Cup Mile. A good winner over 1400M a month ago, this is his first try at further so there are some unknowns and he is the second string. Was beaten by Indian King in March. In his races so far, he has settled in midfield.
4. Adele Ace – A stablemate of Daeho SIdae he gets to take his chance having scored a seven-length win over a mile on April 7th. It was all the way down at class 5 though and it was his maiden triumph. Looks to have plenty to find. He has tended to settle handy or in midfield.
5. American Power – Just a head behind Royal Ruby in the Cup Mile on what was just his second start of the year having been surprisingly beaten in the first of them. He won all three as a juvenile. From Busan’s top stable, he will be very well supported and may start as favourite. Not usually the quickest of starters, it’s his first try at the distance but he should get back.
6. Final Boss – Last year’s champion juvenile didn’t look himself at Busan for the Cup Mile but despite that, he still finished off the race very well, quicker than all but Royal Ruby and American Power in the final furlong having travelled poorly for the first half of the race. He won at this distance with dismissive ease in February. It will be important to see him in the parade ring. Expected to be on the early pace today.
7. Muhan Yeoljeong – A touch unlucky in the Cup Mile, never really finding a run and ending up in 7th place, he had been very impressive in beating some useful horses over a mile in his preparation. 3rd behind Final Boss and Daeho Sidae in the Championship Juvenile race last December. Runs best when on or close to the early speed.
8. Jangsan Power – He didn’t go to the Cup Mile but won three consecutive races between January and March. 3rd on his first try at 1800M last time, running on well. Most likely be ridden in a forward position today.
9. Royal Ruby – There weren’t high hope of him as a 2-year-old but he won three races in a row to begin 2017 including twice at this distance beating some good horses along the way. Almost got up in the Cup Mile. Barrier is irrelevant as he’ll get back and Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley has a big chance of winning his first Derby. He will likely settle towards the rear of the field.
10. Indian King – The Cup Mile winner may not start as favourite but don’t rule him out. He ran on strongly at the end having led for a decent portion of the race. As before he’ll most likely settle in midfield and if the opportunity comes, there’s no reason why he can’t take it.
Lots of support in the racing media in Korea for American Power. KRA Cup Mile winner Indian King, Royal Ruby, Final Boss and Daeho Sidae also get plenty of backing.
And yes, I know I look like the Phantom of the Opera’s waiter in this video.
It’s Derby weekend! The big race is at Seoul on Sunday afternoon and we’ll have plenty of build up over the next couple of days. Before that, however, there is the regular Friday card at Busan to negotiate and it features 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here while notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
1. JIBONG YEONGUNG – Decent 4th over 1200M in March but well back behind Sharp Bell last start.
2. CHOEGANG BOLT – Last of nine on debut in February and sent back to trial. Nothing special in the trial but the yard is to be respected so improvement today is possible.
3. SHARP BELL – Much improved 4th latest over a muddy track on April 7th. Could look to match or better that here.
4. JUNE MORNING –2nd at 1200M a month ago on just her second start, running on nicely. Strong chance here.
5. MADOBIYEON – Offered little in six starts so far although his most recent, a 5th of 11 on first try at this distance, was his best to date.
6. CHEONGCHUN DAERO – 4th in a slow race in January but last of 11 on only subsequent outing three weeks ago. (more…)
Success Story struck the first blow in the race to the Korea Sprint, running out the winner of a keenly contested Busan Ilbo Cup, the 1st leg of the 2017 Sprint Series at Busan on Sunday afternoon.
A top line field had been attracted by the prize-money and the prospect of a ticket to Seoul Racecourse in September to take on the internationals and it was Peter Wolsley’s Macheon Bolt who was sent off as favourite ahead of the exciting – and previously unbeaten – three-year-old prospect King Of Ace.
It was Perdido Pomeroy who broke best, last year’s Korea/Japan race winner skipping into an early lead and taking Bart Rice’s Triple Five along with him. The pair quickly opened up a significant lead – up to three lengths at the half-way point and the question became about whether they could maintain it. They couldn’t.
As the front pair weakened in the straight, it was Success Story, always prominent in the chasing pack, who got first run at them. Macheon Bolt came after him on the rail side while Seoul Bullet, King Of Ace and Baedari Bobae gave chase on the stands-side but it would be to no avail. Success Story was too strong and prevailed by a length and a half with just a further half length separating his four pursuers.
Seoul Bullet got the closest to the winner on what was his first start since returning from Dubai – the place where Success Story made his name of course last year. King Of Ace ran home a strong 3rd and while his unbeaten record is gone, he proved he is already able to mix it with the country’s best and providing he stays sound, has every chance of getting better as an exciting career develops. Macheon Bolt didn’t have the run of the race but will surely be back while Baedari Bobae defied his outsider tag to fly home for 5th.
As for Success Story, it was an 12th win in 27 Korean starts. The next leg of the series is in Seoul on the first Sunday in June when the competition will be stern from Seoul’s best Sprinters (who opted not to show up here; the three that did, while as game as possible, never stood a chance) and also from visiting Japanese raiders with three visitors from Ohi invited for the race which doubles as the SBS Sports Korea v Japan Sprint.
Then the final leg is the Korea Sprint at Seoul Racecourse on September 10th. Success Story should be there.
Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Racecourse – 1200M – May 7, 2017
1. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – You Hyun Myung – 7.5, 2.5 2. Seoul Bullet (KOR) [Peace Rules – Wild Guess (Wild Rush)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.9 3. King Of Ace (USA) [Malibu Moon – Cintarosa (Grand Slam)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.1 Distances: 1.5 lengths / Head Also Ran: 4. Macheon Bolt (KOR) 5. Baedari Bobae (KOR) 6. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) 7. Morning Daero (USA) 8. Triple Five (USA) 9. Wonil Gangja (KOR) 10. Naesarang Damyang (USA) 11. Perdido Pomeroy (USA) 12. Ace Cheonbok (AUS) 13. Smoken Joe (USA) 14. Special Sky (AUS) PU: Oreuse (USA)
Next weekend, it’s the big one for the three-year-olds: The Korean Derby is at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday May 14.
It’s arguably the race of the year so far at Busan Racecourse on Sunday as a field of 15 top class sprinters line up for the Busan Ilbo Cup. Macheon Bolt, last year’s Korea Sprint hero, joins several top line contenders for the Six-furlong Listed race.
Beolmaui Kkum goes in the Busan Ilbo – but he won’t be one of the favourites (Pic: Ross Holburt)
Macheon Bolt ran 2nd to Hong Kong raider Super Jockey in the inaugural Korea Cup in Seoul last September and while he could only manage 4th when top weight in a handicap last time out, he looks set for a big run this time under British jockey Darryll Holland.
There are plenty of others in contention too. Recently returned from the Dubai Carnival where his participation was restricted to one 4th place due to lameness, Seoul Bullet can beat anyone on his day while last year’s Korean Dubai star Success Story is a dangerous front-runner who is firmly in the hunt.
Then there is the wildcard. US import King Of Ace has only raced three times but he has won all three with ease and looks a potential star. We’ll see the measure of him here. Then there is the likes of Triple Five, a smart class 1 winner over this distance a month ago, not to mention the Stakes winners Perdido Pomeroy and Beolmaui Kkum. It’s set to be a fascinating contest.
There are 6 Sunday races at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10 while at Seoul there are 11 from 10:45 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on all races to be simulcast overseas are below:
Busan Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
1. SMART LADY – 5th behind Lady Chartered and Main Vicar last time and can look to match that today. Should be able to get on speed this time.
2. LADY CHARTERED – Occasionally pulls a big run out, something she’s done twice in her last four outings. Place not impossible once more.
3. LUCKY JILJU – 6th behind Keun Mabeop last start and plenty to find today. (more…)
It’s a sunny – albeit very dusty – morning in Seoul. 11 races in the Korean capital today from 10:45 to 18:00. English race cards are here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:
Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
1. YEONGDONG DAERO – Offered few clues when last of 11 on debut a month ago.
2. UNAK HABIO – Up in class following a win and a 2nd place over this distance. Will need more here but not impossible.
3. STORM NAVY SEAL – A A$70K purchase from Inglis Yearlings last year, he debuts here. Average in trials.
4. RAON CONDOR – Yet to follow-up her winning debut, she is though up in class today having never been worse than 4th in six class 5 attempts. Can go close again.
5. DAEHAN CHEONHA – Best in three starts so far is a 5th. Matching that would be a good performance. (more…)
10-race Children’s Day card at Busan on Friday with the first at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:
Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
1. WIDAEHANGWANGGYONG – Up in class following three consecutive 3rd place finishes. Will have to improve to match that here.
2. NAMBANG JEONSEOL – 6th behind Dream Jilju and King Simon latest start. Can match or better today.
3. GOLD RUSH – Up in class following maiden win at the eleventh time of asking on April 7th. Can be competitive but a few others may be too strong.
4. SAMJEONG AGAIN – A four-length winner over 1200M on debut on April 7th, he’s every chance of scoring again. (more…)
Champ Line saw off a competitive Class 1 field to record his 5th consecutive win at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The Thomas Gillespie trainee was prominent throughout and ran on to win the Championship Series event by a comfortable length and a half.
Now a five-year-old, Champ Line [Curlin – Unbridled’s Pride (Unbridled)] debuted back in the summer of 2014. He could only manage 9th on his first outing but immediately proceeded to rack up five straight wins which got him promoted all the way up to class 2. For a time it looked like he had, like so many others, found his level just shy of the elite but then an injury in September 2015 saw him off the track and spelled for nine months.
On his return, Champ Line was moved to Thomas Gillespie and a 2nd place on his first start back was followed up by his sixth victory which saw him promoted to class 1. A 3rd and a 4th followed before he launched into this current streak in December. Sunday’s victory was the eleventh of his career from a total of twenty starts and puts him well clear on top of the Championship Series “Road To the Grand Prix” table.
On the subject of the Championship Series, Seoul’s Sunday feature also qualified and it saw Areumdaundonghaeng, the 2015 YTN Trophy winner, come out on top.
Areumdaundonghaeng (A.P. Warrior) was sent off at odds of 17/1 with Cheonji Storm and Winner Red both favoured but not able to do it as Areumdaundonghaeng beat the always game Winning Andy in a tight finish at the end of 1800M.
Plenty going on at both Seoul & Busan on what is set to be a beautiful Spring Sunday in Korea. 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. English race cards are here. Notes on overseas simulcast races below:
Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
1. FRUGAL GAME – Struggled in three starts at this level since a class 4 win last October.
2. VIVA TRINITY – Last, well back behind Anyang Lion on latest run.
3. ARGO HWANGGEUMKKOT – Last in both tries at this level since class 4 win in January.
4. REWARD HIGH – Solid 3rd place over 1400M on April 8th and regular money winner (more…)
Horse Racing in Korea 