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…)
There are 10 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on all overseas simulcast races are below:
Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
1. NEPTUNE – Offered little in two prior starts.
2. GAO – Ran twice last autumn without distinction and returned in similar fashion a month ago.
3. ONNURI GANGJA – Much improved 2nd place last start. Not sure where that came from but it stands him in good stead here and he’ll be one of the favourites.
4. RICH BOLT – 6th of 11 last time was above expectations. First try at the distance today. (more…)
He was the toast of the nation back in 2015 when he overcame El Padrino to become the first locally-trained winner of the Asia Challenge Cup and on Sunday Choegang Schiller finally returned to the Seoul Racecoure winner’s circle for the first time since that glorious day.
It had been setback after setback for Choegang Schiller since his Challenge Cup win with only five starts to his name since with the best result being 2nd place in the SBS Korea/Japan Cup last June. However, he returned from his latest setback in February with a strong 2nd to Parang Juuibo, who also returned on Sunday and he was sent off as the 2nd favourite for the 1200M feature.
Favourite was Always Winner but the Segye Ilbo Cup and Owners’ Trophy winner was forced to use up too much energy getting to his preferred front position from the outside gate, leaving him with nothing left in the closing stages. That set the race up beautifully for Choegang Schiller, who had been kept handy by apprentice jockey Kim Tea Hun, and he ran on powerfully to score by over two lengths. The fast early pace also benefited Dynamic Jilju and long-shot Holiday Dream who came home 2nd and 3rd, while Brian Dean’s Jangsanjewang, partially responsible for that pace, stayed on for a gutsy 4th.
Choegang Schiller (Artie Schiller), a six-year-old gelding, moved on to 8 wins from just 19 starts. Another go at the SBS Korea/Japan Cup in early June looks the obvious next step.
This time last week, we were getting excited about the performance of King Of Ace. The Busan-based US import moved on to three wins from three starts with an easy class 3 victory over a mile on Good Friday. On Sunday at Seoul, another three-year-old US import put in a performance worthy of note.
Before the race punters fancied that import to be Cheongdam Dokki but in the event, it was New Citadel (With Distinction) who burnished his credentials with a surprisingly dominant class 2 win over 1800M. Cheongdam Dokki had beaten New Citadel when the pair were juveniles last autumn and while the latter had already won at this distance, he was carrying an additional 5.5kg this time. No matter. The pair briefly came together at the top of the straight but from then on, New Citadel was far too good, romping away to win by six-lengths.
The next time we see New Citadel will be at class 1 as his rating was bumped up 13 points as a result. Should connections be feeling ambitious, the Busan Mayor’s Cup ‘would be a sporting, if unlikely target.
One US import who did lose a bit of her luster at the weekend was Haeya. The US-bred filly won four from four up to this January before coming down lame. She returned in Busan’s Sunday feature, up to class 1 for the first time. While she showed on speed for much of the race, ultimately, she would finish 4th as Doraonpogyeongseon (Kantharos) came through late to land his 6th victory on his 12th career start.
