Busan Friday: Race By Race Preview

This Sunday sees the first Korean Graded Race of 2016 in the shape of the Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy. Sixteen runners will come under orders for the six-furlong sprint and we’ll have a full preview on Saturday. The weekend’s racing, however, gets underway on Friday with a ten-race card at Busan.

Busan Racecourse

Dynamic Busan!

English racecards can be found here

The first race is at 11:40 and the last is at 18:00. Races 4-10 will be simulcast and below are brief notes on each of those races (times local Korean time):

Race 4: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:40 

(9) YUSEONG STAR was 3rd over class and distance a month ago and is one of a number of contenders for this very competitive race. (7) BIGBANG BIG was beaten into 2nd by (6) MEGA HEART in January but overturned that form last time and should be involved once again. Another danger is (3) PENTA HEELS, up in class following a maiden win over 1000M on February 19th. That was a much improved performance and she has potential for more. (1) UNFLAGGING HEART and (12) MOMENT are the others to consider.

Favourites: (9) Yuseong Star (3) Penta Heels (7) Bigbang Bid (1) Unflagging Heart

Race 5: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:25 

(5) THE QUEEN has two wins from four outings. She made all to win over this distance in a very quick time last start and despite bbeing up in class here, will be hard to beat. (2) DAEHOYEOJANGGUN comes in following a strong of 2nd and 3rd place finishes, generally behind decent horses and can place again while (12) ARION METAL showed some promise in two 4th place finishes in his first two starts last autumn and returns from a spell here. (3) GREEN MIREU, 2nd at the distance last time, can also go well.

Favourites: (5) The Queen (2) Daehoyeojanggun (12) Arion Metal (3) Green Mireu

Race 6: Class 4 / 1200M Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 15:15 

Each week at this time of the year, we mention that we must pay close attention to Korean bred horses running in races open to foreign bred horses as they will usually be stronger. With that in mind, (2) SUPER STORM and (9) JIBONG STAR are the ones to watch. The former gets the verdict although the latter did beat four of these over 1000M last month. Another pair of Korean breds, (4) KKEUTPAN DAEJANG and (8) JAYU DAERO are next best. Among the debut-makers, (12) GUMALLI, from the track’s top stable was quick in trials and looks the best although (10) PHILIP AND GIRAFFE, encouraging on debut, can be given another chance despite a disappointing second start.

Favourites: (2) Super Storm (9) Jibong Star (12) Gumalli (8) Jayu Daero

Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 16:05 

Three come in here off a win last start. (3) RAON SANTOS and (4) MINE are both up in class after maiden wins but both were emphatic enough to suggest they will be  competitive at this level. The former is favoured at this stage. The third is (1) WONIL ROSE. She was a class and distance winner on February 19th by a nose and while she does carry an extra 3kg today, she can be competitive once more. Back in 4th behind Wonil Rose that day was (6) DANCING CAT; she has a weight advantage today which will see her with plenty of support to overturn that form. (9) SEONGHO JEONGSANG is yet to win in ten but has been 2nd on three occasions including last time out over this distance.

Favourites: (3) Raon Santos (1) Wonil Rose (6) Dancing Cat (4) Mine

Race 8: Class 3 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:00 

(11) SMART GENTLEMAN is up in class following three consecutive wins but there is little to fear here and he could very well make if four in a row today. (2) SEORABEOL GONGJU narrowly dodged the winner’s circle in four short-priced outings but nevertheless finds herself up at class 3 today and will probably conspire to be narrowly defeated once again. (12) YESURI MYEONGUN was disappointing last time at 1400M but has beaten plenty of these at this distance already this year and will beat plenty today too. (8) TANK POWER can go better dropped back to 1200M today while (6) SMILE QUEEN could only manage 6th on her first try at this class at the end of January and can go better here. She finished ahead of (13) GRACE who was a winner at class and distance in January.

Favourites: (11) Smart Gentleman (2) Seorabeol Gongju (12) Yesuri Myeongun (6) Smile Queen

Race 9: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:30 

A class and distance winner, beating four who go here, on his last start, (6) DONGBANG DAERO does carry an extra 4kg today but is still capable of making it two in a row. (10) BADA DOSI was 2nd that day and given the shift in weights, may well be favourite. Another danger is (2) SINHANG. He’s won two from five before today and tries two turns for the first time. He will go forward from the gate and if he stays, he has solid claims. (4) NAGASINDA was 4th behind Sinhang last time and should be looking to at least match that here. The very experienced (11) STAR WARP is unlikely to be winning this but could sneak into a place.

Selections: (6) Dongbang Daero (10) Bada Dosi (2) Sinhang (4) Nagasinda

Race 10: Class 2 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 18:00 

An up-and-comer, (13) TONGIL SIDAE is up in class following his second win in four starts on February 14th and can take full advantage of joint-bottom weight on his first try at this distance today. He should be too good for these. The rest are all going to need to find improvement in recent starts (4) HEUKGANGJA, likely to join Tongil Sidae in an early lead, looks the best of them with (2) POKPUNG CHOEGANG, (8) SINHEUNG GOSU and (11) PUREUN ACE others who can go well.

Favourites: (13) Tongil Sidae (4) Heukgangja (8) Sinheung Gosu (11) Pureun Ace

New Holland Set For Seoul

Dean Holland has been officially licensed to ride in Korea. The Australian jockey has an initial four-month license, which became effective on March 1 and will run until the end of June. He is expected to start riding in the middle of this month.

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Dean Holland (Pic: Ross Holburt)

27-year-old Holland began his apprenticeship in Adelaide before moving to Victoria at the age of 18 to work under top trainer David Hayes. It was back in South Australia though, at Morphettville Racecourse, where he recorded his biggest winner to date, partnering Tanby to victory in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup in March 2015. He also won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks on Small Minds at the same track in 2010 and has ridden in excess of 500 career winners.

Holland replaces Nicola Pinna, who finished his four months just before the Lunar New Year holiday. Pinna faced difficulties in terms of making weight and also with riding through the coldest time of year in Korea. Holland, still riding in Australia this week and not scheduled start riding until mid-March, as well as being able to do 50kg, is unlikely to have to deal with those two issues.

A number of Australians have ridden in Korea in the past, mainly at Busan. When the south coast track opened, three Australians were granted licenses; Mark Newnham, Nathan Day and Garry Baker. While the former two didn’t stay long, Baker ended up riding for an extended period and won some big races along the way. Nathan Stanley also enjoyed moderate success in 2011. As for Seoul, although Danny Craven rode full time short period in 2008, the experience of Australian riders has mostly been confined to jockey challenges and international races with Noel Callow winning two races and the overall challenge in 2013.

There are currently two other foreign jockeys riding at Seoul. Djordje Perovic is in top form at the moment and lies in 2nd place in the 2016 Jockey Championship with 15 winners, while Yuri Takahashi, who was doing very well at the end of last year, has suffered from a lack of quality mounts in recent months. Regardless, he has still managed to pick up 6 victories so far this year.

At Busan there are currently three Japanese jockeys; Ikuyasu Kurakane, Nozi Tomizawa and Makoto Okabe as well as Italian Pasquae Borelli.

Dean Holland is the son of jockey Darren Holland and is not to be confused with Briton Darryll Holland, who rode very successfully at Busan for a year between 2013 and 2014.

Because you can never have too many Deans – Busan has Dean Russell, a jockey trainer – another Australian, Brian Dean is set to become Seoul’s first foreign Trainer. While still at the moment sending out runners in Singapore, this Dean is in the process of setting up his stable, having been initially granted 18 boxes in the capital. Although there have to date been four foreign trainers active in Korea, all of them have been at Busan and Dean’s debut on a hitherto complacent capital backstretch is eagerly awaited.

*Thanks to Ross Holburt for pointing out that while Darren Hayes may or may not train some horses on his off-days, it is David Hayes who is the Melbourne Cup winning trainer. This has now been amended!

Chang Se & Ottug Ottugi Land Oaks Trials, Doraon Hyeonpyo Wins Again

Chang Se and Ottug Ottugi ran out the dominant winners of the Sports Seoul and GC Trophies at Seoul and Busan respectively and to head into the Spring Classics as the top rated 3-year-old fillies.

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Chang Se was restless in the Sports Seoul winner’s circle

At Seoul, Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup winner Waikiki was scratched from the Sports Seoul leading Daehan Cheonwang and Chang Se to be sent off almost as co-favourites. In the end though it was Chang Se all the way as she led from gate-to-wire under apprentice jockey Lee Hyeon Jong to win by four lengths on the line.

Sports Seoul Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – March 6, 201

1. Chang Se (KOR) [Forest Camp – Daecheonpung (Fiercely)] – Lee Hyeon Jong – 2.6, 1.6
2. Meni Music (KOR) [Menifee – Morning Music (Songandaprayer)] – Park Eul Woon – 2.8
3. Sidaeyeowang (KOR) [Vicar – Fier Time (Fiercely) – Djordje Perovic – 2.0
Distances: 4 lengths / 1.25 lengths – 7 ran

In the GC Trophy at Busan, Ottug Ottugi fully justified punters’ confidence in backing her into odds-on as she made all to romp home by six lengths under Oh Kyoung Hoan. Second favourite, the previously unbeaten Hoseungjibyeok, was a disappointment, beating only on home.

GC Trophy – Busan Racecourse – 1400M – March 6, 2016

1. Ottug Ottugi (KOR) [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 1.9, 1.3
2. Yuseong Tiger (KOR) [Discreet Cat – Comarille (Deputy Commander)] – Kim Dong Young – 4.1
3. Santa Gloria (KOR) [Menifee – Pupil (Unbridled)] – Pasquale Borelli – 6.3
Distances: 6 lengths / 1.5 lenghts – 6 ran

In other news, Doraon Hyeonpyo (Colors Flying) continued his impressive run of form, lugging top weight around 1800M in Busan’s feature and not only getting up in the final strifes to win by a nose, but breaing the track record for the distance at the same time. Champion Juvenile back in 2014, Doraon Hyeonpyo had a middling first half to his three-year-old season but really stepped up as the year drew to a close and has now won four in a row to become one of the top rated horses in the country.

Sunday Filly Classic trials: Full Preview

The current cream of the domestic bred three-year-old filly crop are in action at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday with the running of a pair of early season classic trials, the Sports Seoul Cup in the capital and the Gold Circle Trophy on the south coast.

Ottug Ottugi

Ottug Ottugi goes in Busan’s early Oaks trial

Unsurprisingly the fields are small but nevertheless interesting. Seoul on Sunday runs 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00 while Busan runs 6 from 13:00 to 17:05.

English Racecards can be found here. Entry to the racecourse is free for all punters on Sunday to compensate for the loss of four races due to the weather (among a number of issues) last Sunday.

Here’s a full rundown of the fields in both trials. All are three-year-old fillies and all will carry 55kg.

Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) Trainer – Jockey

GC Trophy (Special) – Busan Racecourse – 1400M – March 6, 2016 (16:10)

1. My Alice [Limitless Bid – Allie’s Premo (Alex’s Pal)] (3/2/1/0) JB Mun – Ikuyasu Kurakane
A possible front-runner here, she’s done little wrong so far although is tried at the distance for the first time. Four-length winner last start.

2. Yuseong Tiger [Discreet Cat – Comarillo (Deputy Commander)] (4/2/1/0) DS Bang – Kim Dong Young
The most likely to be happy to sit back and let others lead, she was an easy five-length winner last time over 1300M and can go close.

3. Steal The Show Why [Whywhywhy – Steal The Show (Cat Thief)] (8/2/2/1) KY Baik – You Hyun Myung
A four-length winner at class 5 over 1300M last time beating one who went on to win very smartly on Friday, she will sit just off any early pace.

4. Hoseungjibyeok [Didyme – Everything Nice (Elusive Quality)] (3/3/0/0) BE Kang – Song Keong Yun
Unbeaten and a class 4 winner at this distance beating the well-thought of Evangeline last time. She will want to settle in midfield and will be second favourite.

5. Ottug Ottugi [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] (6/4/1/0) YK Kim – Oh Kyoung Hoan
This is the favourite, however her only previous try at 1400M – the Breeders’ Cup in Seoul, she did not stay on for this distance. We are three months on now and we will give her another chance. She sets the pace and she is the favourite.

6. Santa Gloria [Menifee – Pupil (Unbridled)] (4/1/0/1) KY Baik – Pasquale Borelli
The outsider of the field, she has been beaten by Yuseing Tiger and is yet to perform at anything higher than class 6. The only one for whom a win would be a big shock.

Sports Seoul Cup (Listed) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – March 6, 2016 (16:40)

1. Chang Se [Forest Camp – Daecheonpung (Fiercely)] (7/3/2/1) JW Park – Lee Hyeon Jong
She’s won three of seven and beat imported opposition at class 4 last time. Tries the distance for the first time but will stay. Could lead and in the absence of Waikiki is the likely favourite.

2. La Reine [Menifee – Souther Splendour (Southern Halo)] (2/1/0/0) YJ Choi – Jo Sung Gon
A winner on debut in an event where all were previously unraced, she showed nothing next up and is an outsider here.

3. Sidaeyeowang [Vicar – Fier Time (Fiercely)] (4/2/0/0) JW Park – Djordje Perovic
Two wins and two fourths and has been beaten by Meni Money, she will need to find something here. Likely to sit behind the early lead.

4. Ujuchoegang [Creek Cat – Sonoray (Gone West)] (3/0/0/0) HS Seo – Bang Choon Sik
An outsider, she;s one of two yet to win and it’s hard to see her doing so here.

5. Meni Music [Menifee – Morning Music (Songandaprayer)] (7/3/1/1) YG Park – Park Eul Woon
At one time believed to be the pick of the crop, she has stuttered as the competition has grown stronger. Goes at this distance for the first time, she will probably look to lead but others will be favoured.

6. Argo Queen [Creek Cat – Lunar Colony (A.P. Indy)] (6/0/1/1) BJ Choi – Kim Dong Soo
Along with Ujuchoegang, this one hasn’t wn and she probably won’t here either. Still at class 6 and not much to recommend.

7. Daehan Cheonwang [Forest Camp – Seonju Jangsu (Happy Jazz Band)] (5/3/1/0) HJ Bae – Lim Gi Won
Can be forgiven her most recent try in January, she is a winner at this distance at class 5. She will sit just behind any early pace and may be considered.

8. Waikiki [Pico Central – Wyvern (Didyme)] (6/2/2/0) JH Ha – Park Byeong Yun
NON-RUNNER

Seoul Saturday Review: Lucky Light Breaks El Padrino’s 1400M Record

Well the temperatures were springlike but the rain was monsoon-season-like. And the weather created the conditions under which it was possible for Lucky Light to claim the Seoul Racecourse 1400M track record, setting a mark two tenths of a second quicker than that of the Singapore’s El Padrino in the 2014 Asia Challenge Cup.

Sent off the 5/1 third-favourite in the class 2 race 11, Lucky Light (Rockport Harbor), a four-year-old gelding, went to the lead straight out of the gate and never looked seriously threatened as he ran on to win by eight lengths on the line. It was his sixth win in fourteen starts. Goodness knows how fast the 2014 version of El Padrino could have gone in such conditions.

Moon Se Young rode Lucky Light and it was but one of five winners the champion jockey rode on a day when the track was racing very fast. The up and coming pair of Super Start (Strike Again) in race 7 and Miso Wangja (Cowboy Cal) in race 10 being the other standouts.

On the subject of up-and-comers, Winners Glory (Strike Again) was 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup race, Korea’s top juvenile contest last November and today took on two turns for the first time in the 1700M race 8. And mighty impressive he was too, making all under Kim Dong Soo to win easily. Winners Glory is not currently among the nominations for the first leg of the Triple Crown in Busan next month but may play a role on the Classic trail at some point.

One who is nominated for that KRA Cup Mile at Busan next month is Cheonji Storm (Admire Don). He also had his first try at two-turns today, also at 1700M although it was one class higher at class 3. It didn’t go so well. Sent off the strong favourite, Cheonji Storm pulled hard in the early stages of the race and never looked truly comfortable as Daegeoni (Menifee) came through in the home straight to take victory by a length.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow when both the capital track and Busan host early Oaks trials. Entry to the racecourse is free tomorrow to make up for the four races that were lost to the weather last Sunday.

 

Seoul Saturday: Race By Race Preview

Has Spring sprung? Last Sunday saw the final two races at Seoul called off due to snow and while at Busan on Friday, the most useful bit of gear would have been a canoe and paddle such was the rain, temperatures all of a sudden are in the high teens. The rain is set to hit Seoul in time for Saturday’s card but there will still be plenty going on.

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Just two days previously, this was under half a foot of snow – could be underwater on Saturday

There are 11 races from 10:50am to 18:00. English racecards can be found here. See below for comments on overseas simulcast races 4-11:

Race 4: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 12:00 (SIN)

All filly & mare affair first up and (9) KATIE STAR is strongly favoured to get her second win in three starts. A good winner at this distance on debut, she was 2nd over 1200M on her first try at this level at the end of January and will surely go one better this time. (2) NEW NANCHO has a 5th and a pair of 4ths in three tries at this level and will benefit from the in-form Djordje Perovic in the saddle. (7) SAMJEONG GUARDIAN disappointed on her first try at this class but gets another chance here. She finished behind (1) NAREUSYA QUEEN last start and that one, along with (4) SUNDAY DREAMER are the others to look out for.

Favourites: (9) Katie Star (2) New Nancho (7) Samjeong Guardian (1) Nareusya Queen

Race 5: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 12:50 (SIN)

(2) DONGCHONUI GUY comes in looking for a hat-trick of victories and he can do it but it won’t be easy. (1) DAECHEON FOCUS, a winner at this distance already, looks to be the main danger and these two up and comers will both look to get forward straight from the gate. (7) SWEEP ICHEON is yet to win in twelve outings but enters having come close recently while (4) OUR CAT generally runs at five furlongs and looks an interesting entry here. (8) PERFECT BIC C and (9) CLEANUP SEED are others to take into consideration.

Favourites: (2) Dongchonui Guy (1) Daecheon Focus (7) Sweep Icheon (9) Cleanup Seed

Race 6: Class 5 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:40 (SIN)

Another competitive affair with (7) GEUMA BALIOS under champion jockey Moon Se Young set to be slightly favoured following a good 2nd place last start. He tries this distance for the first time while (1) CURRICLE didn’t go well in one previous attempt but comes in after a strong 3rd over 1300M in January and can be competitive. (3) WHIZ RUN and (5) GWANGSOK can improve on recent starts while (10) RECKLESS, 4th behind Geuma Balios at odds in excess of 200/1 last time, will be much shorter today and could compete for a place.

Favourites: (7) Geuma Balios (1) Curricle (3) Whiz Run (10) Reckless

Race 7: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:30 (SIN)

Up in class after back to back wins but shrewdly entered against imported opposition, there is little reason to oppose (5) SUPER START. He’s the only one of these with winning experience; he has led gate to wire in both those recent victories and will look to do so again. If we are to oppose him then we need to find up and comers with potential to improve. (1) KAIZEN FORCE and (13) KODIAK LOVE come closest to fulfilling that requirement while (12) TOTAL WALKER and (14) SMART HULK may also receive some backing.

Favourites: (5) Super Start (13) Kodiak Love (1) Kaizen Force (14) Smart Hulk

Race 8: Class 4 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 15:30 (SIN)

(8) WINNERS GLORY is on the Classic trail having been 3rd in the Champion Juvenile race last November. He got his three-year-old season off to a solid start with a comfortable win over 1400M last month and races around two turns for the first time today. He is the favourite. (6) AYERS ROCK beat (5) KING CREEK CAT as they ran 2nd and 5th over this distance on February 13th and those two look to be the main dangers here, the latter having already won twice at this distance. (4) CLEAN UP KING was last on his first try at 1700M in January but can go better today while (7) STRONG FIELD , returning for the first time since November, is also to be considered.

Favourites: (8) Winners Glory (6) Ayers Rock (5) King Creek Cat (4) Clean Up King

Race 9: Class 3 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 16:00 (SIN)

This race also sees one of those on the Classic trail as the top pick. (3) CHEONJI STORM didn’t go well in the Juvenile Championship race despite being very well backed. He has a win and a 2nd in two starts since, both at 1400M and takes on two turns for the first time today. He is likely to go forward and should he stay on, he has an excellent chance. To beat him, the others will all need to find something above their recent form with (1) DAEGEONI and (5) SEONUP looking the most likely. (2) LUCKY HEART, another front-runner, and (6) ROYAL VICTORY are others with claims on a place.

Favourites: (3) Cheonji Storm (5) Seonup (1) Daegeoni (2) Lucky Heart

Race 10: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 16:30 (SIN)

(6) MISO WANGJA has two wins and two 2nd places from four outings prior to today and while this is his first try at 1800M, he was quick when only beaten a neck over 1700M at the end of January and in this company is very difficult to oppose. He will be the strong favourite. It’s tough to make a case for the others but (7) THE SSEN CHAMP has won at the distance before and can be in the hunt while (4) HUGHES ROAD is inconsistent but should be placing here. (5) JINMYEONG GANGHO and (9) CONCORDE II are others who can be competitive.

Selections: (6) Miso Wangja (7) The Ssen Champ (4) Hughes Road (9) Concorde II

Race 11: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 90 Million / 17:00 (SIN)

Open contest to finish with, we’ll go with (7) RAON RUSA after he beat three of these when getting his second consecutive 2nd place in January. It’s not with a huge amount of enthusiasm though as there are plenty of others capable. One of those he beat last time is (9) CHEONYEONUIGIPPEUM, who has won at the distance before and has a significant weight advantage. (3) GUMPO YEOJANGGUN also looks nicely in and can improve on recent starts while (1) HAERANGANGJA and (13) LUCKY LIGHT should appreciate the opportunity for a crack at this distance. Open race and there could be some value to find.

Favourites: (7) Raon Rusa (9) Cheonyeonuigippeum (13) Lucky Light (1) Haerangangja

Busan Friday Review

So how do you make a Seoul horse better? Well if his name is Tapipoint, you move him to Busan. 

The few Seoul horses who have been moved to Busan since switching between the tracks became permitted last year have tended to sink without trace – and in fairness, with a couple of notable exceptions, those who have moved in the opposite direction haven’t exactly been pulling up trees either. Tapipoint (Concorde Point) though has been, for want of a better phrase, on point. He ran 2nd in his first two starts on the south coast and today got it spot-on, winning the class 2 race 10 by three lengths under apprentice jockey Lee Yong Ho.

Favourite for that race had been Emeth. However, the Kim Young Kwan trainee sank without trace in the home straight beating just one home. It wasn’t all bad news for favourite backers though as, on a filthy afternoon, the two bankers obliged. Peter Wolsley’s Golden Kings (Ecton Park) – who is in fact a filly – claimed an easy maiden victory in race 4 under Pasquale Borelli while Dyna’s Dream (Meiner Select) was far too strong in securing his third straight win in race 8.

Bart Rice was also among the winners, saddling race 7 victor Giant Hold (Hold Me Back) but it was Ikuyasu Kurakane who was pick of the foreigners today. The Japanese rode three winners with the pick being the up in class Bohemian (Orientate), a strong winner of the 1800M race 9.

It poured with rain for most of the day and times were quick, with many races being run in near track-record times. Racing returns to Busan on Sunday while on Saturday attention turns to Seoul where there is an eleven-race card which gets under way at 10:50am.

Busan Friday: Race By Race Preview

After last week’s snow induced chaos, it is finally warming up on the peninsula. Racing gets underway Friday with a ten-race card at Busan. 

Busan Racecourse

It’s Busan Friday time

There are a total of 10 races with the first at 11:40 and the last at 18:00. There is also a pony racing card on Jeju Island. English racecards are available here.

Races 4-10 will be simulcast to overseas. Here are full notes on those races along with probable favourites:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 13:40 

(4) GOLDEN KINGS was 2nd on debut at the end of January and should surely be going one better against a moderate set of fillies and mares here. (3) CAPTAIN CHANCE has picked up minor prize money in each of her last four outings and can be close again. She finished behind (5) HURRICANE FORCE, who managed a shock 2nd place over this distance on February 12th having previously shown no discernible talent but must be given a chance here. (8) HWASEONG ACE and (2) IGIPPEUM GEUDAERO look the best of a less than impressive rest.

Favourites: (4) Golden Kings (3) Captain Chance (8) Hwaseong Ace (5) Hurricane Force

Race 5: Class 5 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 14:25 

(1) LADY CHAMP, coming in following a 2nd and a 3rd in her most recent two outings could be the one to score in an open race. (8) SANGSEUNG MULGYEOL was a class and distance winner last start, beating (6) JIBONG JILJU. The latter was returning from seven months out, raced like he needed it and should be much closer today. (10) ALSO NUMBER ONE is yet to strike in eight starts and while a well-beaten 2nd behind a good winner last month, can be dangerous here. (7) LOAD CELL, up in class today following back to back 2nd place finishes is the other one to watch.

Favourites: (1) Lady Champ (6) Jibong Jilju (10) Also Number One (8) Sangseung Mulgyeol

Race 6: Class 5 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:15 

A winner on his debut in debut and close in three subsequent starts, Bart Rice’s (7) SHORT STOP looks the standout here. He was beaten into 4th place by (1) COOL RUN on his last start but should overturn that form today. There are a couple of dangers. (9) ROCKET BLADE was an easy winner on debut in January and while he found it tougher on his first try at this class on February 19th, can go better here. (2) WONIL ACE was 2nd over 1300M last start and should be close while (8) WARRIOR KING is inconsistent but goes well on his day. (6) HWANHUIUI BYEOL didn’t perform on his first try at this class but can improve.

Favourites: (7) Short Stop (9) Rocket Blade (2) Wonil Ace (1) Cool Run

Race 7: Class 4 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 16:05 

(4) MUJEOKUI SAMSON, from Kim Young Kwan’s stable hasn’t shown a lot in three starts so far, is one of a number who may appreciate the opportunity at this distance. The stable means he will be favourite. (6) GANGHAN NAMJA has raced at a mile before and while it didn’t go well, he is a two-time winner over 1400M and will have backers. (3) OHHWAMA and (8) GIANT HOLD raced indifferently together over 1400M in January but both could improve today as could (9) AFLEET CORREDOR, a stablemate of Mujeokui Samson. (11) GIMAKIN JILJU, racing for the first time since a disappointing effort on Christmas Day, could deliver at good odds.

Favourites: (4) Mujeokui Samson (6) Ganghan Namja (11) Gimakin Jilju (8) Giant Hold

Race 8: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 17:00 

(7) DYNA’S DREAM is hard to oppose here, coming in after back to back wins. She is up in class but is nicely in and should have the beating of these. Nothing else enters in much form so (2) POWERFUL FORCE and (4) WORLD QUICK, who have both beaten a few of these in their most recent outings are next best although both will have to find plenty to challenge the favourite. (3) MASTER KEY has been poor in her last two but can go better dropped back in distance while (6) IRON MARINE was last returning from almost four months off in February and can improve today.

Favourites: (7) Dyna’s Dream (2) Powerful Force (3) Master Key (4) World Quick

Race 9: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 17:30 

Thomas Gillespie’s (5) JUNGANG GONGJU could only manage 5th of 8 in a competitive event over this distance in January. This is competitive too but the opposition s perhaps a touch softer and we could see a repeat of this mare’s Christmas Day victory. (3) DONGNAM CHEONHA ran a decent 3rd on his first start of 2016 over the distance last month and should be close again while (6) BOHEMIAN is up in class and distance following victory at 1400M in January. (9) CHEONJI GEOTAP was disappointing over a mile last starts but can be given another chance today with (7) GLOBAL KING, racing for the first time since October, a live outsider.

Favourites: (5) Jungang Gongju (3) Dongnam Cheonha (6) Bohemian (7) Global King

Race 10: Class 2 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 18:00

(1) EMETH won three of his first four and dropped back to 1400M today should be able to hit the front early and make all to return to the winner’s circle here. (5) LAST TICKET is another who should appreciate the shorter distance today but may have to settle for a sixth 2nd place finish while speaking of 2nds, (10) TAPIPOINT has finish in that position in both his two starts at Busan since being relocated from Seoul and can challenge again today. (2) YUSEONG FIGHTING and (3) JIBONG MANSE look best of the rest.

Favourites: (1) Emeth (10) Tapipoint (5) Last Ticket (2) Yuseong Fighting

What Have We Learned From Success Story?

Success Story brought the Korean adventure at the Dubai World Cup Carnival to a successful conclusion with a rousing run behind California Chrome last week. A second front-running performance and gutsy finish under another flawless Tadhg O’Shea ride, meant he landed back to back 3rd place finishes, this time in one of the most widely watched races of the Carnival so far.

The decision to run in that race was not without risk. Although Success Story had won at 2000M before, he is considered to be much better at shorter distances and accordingly was also entered for a 1400M race the same night. However, with California Chrome scaring off a number of potential rivals and jockey  O’Shea expressing confidence in the horse getting the trip and being competitive, the decision was made to take a chance at the greater distance. And it was a decision that paid dividends with Success Story’s front-running and then gutsy rally to get up for 3rd place earning him plenty of praise. Of course, California Chrome was much better – he finished four lengths ahead of Success Story but it could have been forty had Victor Espinoza been so inclined – putting in a performance judged to be the best in the world last week.

The wider significance is that for the second time, Success Story looked like he belonged in the race. It’s true that just as when finishing 3rd of 14 last month, he was racing against horses, Chrome aside, who are no more than solid handicappers but until last week, not many would have thought a Korean bred and trained horse could cope with even that level, let alone beat the majority of his competitors. He vindicated the decision of the Dubai handicappers to invite Korean horses and has ensured that a return trip next year – either for him or for others from here – is very much a possibility.

Success Story took to Dubai very well. He reportedly enjoyed the stables, the routine of the lengthy walk to and from trackwork each day  and the dirt track itself, as well as the general environment. At the races, he looked so much better than he generally does in Korea, having been turned out beautifully. He looked like a racehorse. His groom led him up in a shirt and bow-tie and his connections – it seemed as though the whole family was there – were dressed up as if for Royal Ascot.

In Korea, the grooms tend to wear Union issued t-shirts to the parade ring; except for big Stakes races, 90% of trainers don’t wear anything different to races than they would wear around the barn and owners rarely leave their lounge (although Busan is generally much better than Seoul in this regard, especially when their horses visit the capital). Owners will from April be permitted to have their horses run in their own colours rather than those of the jockey. With the current drive by the KRA to reboot the image of racing in this country, it would be very welcome if this was accompanied by a little more sophistication in the raceday experience.

The most important thing of course is that he ran well, exceeding the expectations of the most optimistic observers. O’ Shea deserves great credit for extracting the very maximum out of him on both occasions but he was well trained and well entered too. Mainstream Korean news outlets carried reports on the two races while the California Chrome factor ensured Success Story was mentioned in global coverage of Thursday’s race.

Success Story wasn’t the only Korean-trained horse at the Carnival. Sprinter Cheongu was actually considered the more likely of the two to be competitive. His best run prior to Dubai was a 3rd place behind Choegang Schiller and El Padrino in the Asia Challenge Cup in Seoul last August and the knowledge that he would travel fine, having previously taken trips to Singapore and Japan in his stride, meant one less thing to worry about. It was not to be. On opening night, he missed the break and then lost a plate. In such circumstances, running 5th of 8 was creditable but a lackluster performance last Thursday was less easy to explain away. He’s done his bit over the past few months but this time, he just didn’t run very well.

Seven and a half years ago, I wrote an article called  “What have we learned from Pick Me Up?” The answer then and for several subsequent years was “not a lot”. Pick Me Up was the first horse to go on what was a well-intentioned but ultimately counter-productive initiative to let Korean-bred horses race in the United States. It inadvertently became an incentive to ship horses that may otherwise have been spelled, to an unfamiliar trainer to participate uncompetitively in three races for which a subsidy was provided. Essentially, the wrong horses went to the wrong races at the wrong time and it was still continuing up until last year.

By contrast, the interactions with Japan, Singapore and now Dubai are much more positive. With connections being invited to target a particular race, the trainer is still responsible for training the horse, the grooms go with the horse and everybody involved is invested in the trip being successful. So “What Have We Learned from Success Story?”, the answer now might still be “Not a lot just yet” but with the caveat of “Watch this space…” The prospect of more nights like  last Thursday are a huge incentive to keep trying.

Pinot Noir Is Seoul’s Snow Queen While Triple Nine Scores At Busan

A frenetic day of racing on the peninsula saw a total of four races lost due to a combination of a Tote system failure and then a late-winter blizzard. However, both of the day’s biggest races survived, with Pinot Noir running out the dominant winner of Seoul’s snowbound Donga Ibo Cup and, in altogether more agreeable conditions in Busan, last year’s President’s Cup winner and top three-year-old Triple Nine got his 2016 campaign off to a winning start.

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Pinot Noir slips and slides around the Donga Ilbo Cup winner’s circle

Pinot Noir was sent off the 2nd favourite for the Donga Ilbo Cup, an early prep race for the Queens’ Tour races later in the year. And while, as in recent starts, she was slowly away, she quickly improved and once she took the lead on the turn for home, there was only ever going to be one winner. She and jockey Park Eul Woon crossed the line a full nine lengths clear of their nearest rivals.

Smart Time and Djordje Perovic got the best of a photo-finish for 2nd, nosing ahead of X File. Pre-race favourite Meni Money, 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks, was a disappointing seven further lengths back in 4th place. It was Pinot Noir’s 6th career victory.

Donga Ilbo Cup (Listed) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – Feb 28, 2016

1. Pinot Noir (KOR) [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] – Park Eul Woon – 2.9, 1.2
2. Smart Time (KOR) [Ft.Stockton – Caron (Jade Robbery)] – Djordje Perovic – 1.5
3. X File (KOR) [Exploit – Dorothy Dee (Woodman)] – Kim Dong Soo – 2.9
Distances: 9 lengths/Nose – 9 ran

At Busan, President’s Cup winner Triple Nine (Ecton Park) was making his seasonal debut and he was sent off at odds-on to score in the class 1 handicap over 2000M. He was made to work for it, although not by second favourite Gumpo Sky (Vicar) who as usual set the early pace but this time failed to get home.

Instead, on a day when the road to the Queens’ Tour began in Seoul, it would be last year’s “Queen” Heba (Peace Rules) would run Triple Nine all the way to the line, ultimately going down by only half a length. Old-stager Viva Ace (Macho Uno), nowin his sixth season racing at Busan, ran a huge race and pipped Gumpo Sky by a nose for 3rd.

Neither were perhaps the story of the day. There had been carnage in race 6 at Seoul when filly Brown Rocket broke down when leading, unseated jockey Jang Chuyoul in front of a wall of horses. Three more jockeys would be brought down in the aftermath; Jeong Jeon Hee, Kim Hye Sun and Lee Hae Dong. Remarkably, between them, the most serious injury was a broken arm. Brown Rocket, sadly, was not so fortunate.

While races 3 at Busan and 7 at Seoul proceeded without incident, the tote system then malfunctioned – Busan and Seoul both running the same system. This caused the cancellation of Busan race 4. For a few worrying moments it became clear that not only could the system not take bets, it could not payout or refund tickets either. A ripple of discontent started to appear although to punters’ credit, tempers remained intact.

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A tractor does its best

With snow now blizzard-like at Seoul, race 8 was cancelled in any case although to the relief of almost all, the tote system came back online to allow Busan race 5 to go ahead as planned. The two feature races were then run before with dusk falling but the snow not yet abating, Seoul races 10 and 11 were cancelled on safety grounds in accordance with jockeys’ wishes.

And so ended an eventful day’s racing. Or mostly racing. It’s March in a couple of days and we should be done with this kind of nonsense. Next Sunday sees early Korean Oaks trials at both Seoul and Busan.