The Grand Prix Stakes 2015: Full Preview

The most prestigious race of the Korean season is upon us and a full field of sixteen will line up at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon for the 34th running of the Grand Prix Stakes.

Fujii Gamdonguibada

Gamdonguibada won the Grand Prix Stakes in 2012. She is back this year but will have tough competition

And with the home track of the winning horse set to host the race next year, it could be the last time for a while that the Grand Prix is in the capital. The last three winners have all come from Busan (one of them, Gamdonguibada returns for another crack this time) and there is every chance that could be repeated here.

For the past two years, the winner of the President’s Cup has gone on to win the Grand Prix and in Triple Nine, that record could be set to continue. Busan also brings up the undefeated Bold Kings, Queens’ Tour winner Heba and the dangerous Nobody Catch Me among a nine-strong challenge.

For the home team, Cinderella Man (formerly a Busan horse himself and now with his own facebook page) leads the charge but it is a field this year that offers genuine depth and should make for a very interesting race which, for the second year running, will be available to European bettors through the PMU. Here is a full run down of the field.

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2300M – Dec. 13, 2015

Name [Pedigree] Sex Age (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) Trainer (Home track) Jockey

1. Cinderella Man (KOR) [Southern Image – Tiza Fast Kat (Tiznow)] G 4 (17/10/4/0) Lee Shin Young (Seoul) – Moon Se Young
Nine of his ten wins came at Busan before he was permanently transferred to Seoul this summer. In his first race in the capital, the KRA Cup Classic, he was ridden too quickly too early and faded badly in the straight but has since put in a couple of impressive performances and last month won the Grand Prix trial over this distance. Champion jockey Moon Se Young rides. This is a very strong contender.

2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] M 6 (29/14/4/6) Kim Young Kwan (Busan) – Pasquale Borelli
The only previous winner of the race set to line up here, Gamdonguibada was victorious as a three-year-old in 2012. She was unable to follow up in 2013 but has gone on to become very successful in big Stakes races, winning the Queens’ Tour in 2014. This year she won the Busan Mayor’s Cup in July over a mile before taking a trip to Singapore where she was an also-ran at one of her lesser-favoured distances. She hasn’t run since then but remains one of the highest-rated horses in Korea and must be respected. Italian jockey Pasquale Borelli is in good form.

3. Nobody Catch Me (USA) [With Distinction – Nana’s Babe (Allen’s Prospect)] G 5 (22/6/5/2) Min Jang Gi (Busan)¬ – Kim Yong Geun
Just six career wins but one of those was in the Busan Mayor’s Cup last year. He ran in the Grand Prix a year ago, crossing the line in 10th but was disqualified for interference. This July he went to Kranji in Singapore and scored a creditable 6th place in a 1200M sprint. Since returning to Korea, he has raced twice, with a 2nd over 2000M but then a disappointing performance in the trial for this race behind Bold Kings last month. He went too fast too early and faded badly in the straight. He is still the 2nd highest rated horse in Korea though and makes his first start here for a new trainer. With a slightly more conservative ride, he should do better.

4. Unbeatable (USA) [Eddington – Baxter Hall (Rahy)] H 5 (36/6/6/9) Lim Bong Chun (Seoul) – Djordje Perovic
Despite the name, he is anything but unbeatable although he is a regular money winner at class 1. He hasn’t actually won since March and he was 3rd behind Chief Red Can and Clean Up Cheonha in the KRA Cup Classic in August. He participated in the trial for this race last month and finished in 5th place behind Cinderella Man and as a result, he will be one of the outsiders here. Serbian jockey Djordje Perovic is a top booking.

5. Goji Jeongbeol (USA) [Congrats – I Love Cindy (Adonis)] G 4 (21/5/4/5) Baik Kwang Yeol (Busan) – You Hyun Myung
Another who is coming into the best form of his career at the end of his four-year-old season, he landed back-to-back wins over 2000M in September and October, the latter at class 1 and then ran Bold Kings very close in the 2200M trial race on November 8th, just being beaten a neck on the line. A few months ago he would not even have been considered for this but the distance should be ideal and while he won’t be among the top line of favourites, one of Busan’s top jockeys comes to ride him and he could be very interesting.

6. Bold Kings (USA) [Afleet Express – Bold Arrival (Gilded Time)] C 3 (6/6/0/0) Peter Wolsley (Busan)¬¬ – Jo Sung Gon
Currently the most exciting prospect in Korean racing, Bold Kings is unbeaten in six starts to date, the two most recent being at Class 1 level. He won Busan’s trial for this race, a 2200M handicap in early November by a head, really working hard and beating a couple of the others nominated here. Every time he has raced he has got better and while the Grand Prix is a tough ask of such an inexperienced horse, he can win and will be one of the favourites.

7. Damyang Chukje (USA) [Good Reward – Strategy (A.P. Indy) H 6 (30/5/3/4) Bae Hou Jun (Seoul) – Lim Gi Won
He has only raced four times in 2015, beginning with a win over 2000M in March. He hasn’t been able to follow up though and most recently beat just two home in the trial over 2300M on November 8th. That doesn’t lend itself to him receiving a huge amount of support here and he will be one of the outsiders.

8. Clean Up Cheonha (USA) [El Corredor – Loh Callado (More Than Ready)] C 4 (16/7/6/2) Kim Hyo Seob (Seoul) – Lee Chan Ho
A stablemate of Clean Up Joy, he is actually rated two points higher currently and put together a four-race winning streak, all of them at Class 1, earlier this year. He was 2nd to Chief Red Can in the KRA Cup Classic in August before being dropped in distance to 1400M last month when he finished to quickest but was just beaten a neck on the line. A winner over 2000M in the past, the distance shouldn’t be a problem and he is in with a chance.

9. Gandai (KOR) [Don’t Get Mad – Gamble To Victory (Prospector’s Gamble)] H 5 (39/8/2/5) Kim Nam Jung (Busan) – Song Keong Yun
It is always dangerous to overlook this one. A very reliable and honest campaigner, he may just find himself a little overmatched racing at the very top level. He was though a class 1 winner over 2000M in September, beating Nobody Catch Me and Cheonjae Bogo very handily and was then 3rd behind Bold Kings and Goji Jeongbeol over 2200M at the start of November. He won’t be one of the favourites but he will have some backers to find at least the minor money.

10. Triple Nine (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] C 3 (11/7/4/0) Kim Young Kwan (Busan) – Choi Si Dae
For the past two years, the winner of the President’s Cup has gone on to win the Grand Prix; Indie Band in 2013 and Gyeongbudaero in 2014. This year, Triple Nine, 2nd in the Korean Derby, won the President’s Cup by a comfortable three lengths and he looks to still have scope to get better. The extra distance should suit him perfectly and he has every chance. He likes to come from just off the pace, settling in 4th or 5th before unleashing a strong finish and he is hard to oppose.

11. Gumpo Sky (KOR) [Vicar – Perfect Storm (Didyme)] C 4 (25/9/7/3) Sung-J. Kwon (Busan) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
A very solid campaigner over the past couple of years, he finally made his Stakes breakthrough in the Busan Ilbo Cup in August, defeating a small field. He finished 6th in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in July and 5th in the President’s Cup last month and matching that finish would be a reasonable aim today. He will almost certainly set the early pace and should stay on. Ikuyasu Kurakane has ridden more winners in Korea than any other foreign jockey.

12. Sotong Sidae (KOR) [Gold Money – Myeonggauihuye (Black Minnaloushe)] G 4 (27/7/4/6) Ha Jae Heung (Seoul) – Park Byeong Yun
After being solid but unspectacular in the early part of his career, Sotong Sidae has really emerged as a force to be reckoned with in his four-year-old season. He won the Sports Chosun Cup over 2000M in August and then went on to score a very good 4th place behind Triple Nine in the President’s Cup last month having briefly led in the home straight. He generally settles towards the rear of the field and closes strongly, he won’t be many people’s first choice but he will be looking to find the money.

13. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] M 5 (35/9/5/2) Sung-J. Kwon (Busan) – Makoto Okabe
Champion Filly & Mare of 2015 having won two legs of the Queens’ Tour, she was also third in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in the summer. In the best form of her career at the end of her five-year-old season, this is of course a tougher test and may be just one race to far but she will cope with the distance and a prize money finish can’t be ruled out. Japanese jockey Makoto Okabe rides at Seoul for the first time.

14. Cheonjae Bogo (NZ) [Royal Gem – Fuelled (Tanker Port)] G 7 (62/6/4/11) An Woo Sung (Busan) – Nozomu Tomizawa
A very solid campaigner although in the three years since he reached class 1, he has only managed the one victory at the top level. That came this June and was slightly fortunate in that the pre-race favourite was a late-scratching and another rival was pulled up. He was 4th in Busan’s Grand Prix trial and the distance will be fine for him but it is hard to see him being very competitive in this company.

15. Chief Red Can (USA) [Fantasticat – Deputy Lady (French Deputy)] G 5 (16/6/3/1) Park Chun Seo (Seoul) – Park Eul Woon
Always very sparingly campaigned, he has run no more than five times in any of his seasons to date. So far in 2015, he has had four outings and was been 2nd twice before following up with back to back wins. The most recent of those was the KRA Cup Classic at the end of August when he beat Clean Up Cheonha, Unbeatable and Cinderella Man over 2000M. He settled towards the rear that day, improving around the home turn and running on to win by three lengths. He should fit well in this company and while not a favourite, can acquit himself well.

16. Clean Up Joy (USA) [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeux Danseur)] G 4 (13/6/5/0) Kim Hyo Seob (Seoul) – Ham Wan Sik
He was 4th in this race last year but has only run four times since in 2015, coming 2nd once and winning the other three. He beat Cinderella Man whilst carrying 59kg in October to land his second successive class 1 victory over 2000M and he can be very competitive here. In last year’s race he finished strongly having gone back early and may look to do similar again this time He is certainly one of Seoul’s strongest contenders and while the outside gate may not be ideal, he will be backed.

Power Blade Cuts Down Breeders’ Cup Rivals

Power Blade is Korea’s champion juvenile of 2015. The colt, favourite in the betting market, claimed the title with a comfortable win in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Power Blade was favourite on the strength of his second place in the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup last month. That day he was beaten by his stablemate, the filly Ottug Ottugi. That day, over 1200M, he was only beaten by a neck and finishing much the stronger. Given an extra furlong, he never looked like being beaten.

The previously unbeaten Ottug Ottugi as expected went straight to the front out of the gate along with unbeaten colt Banjiui Jewang. Power Blade was also ridden forward and under Kim Yong Geun, took things up entering the home straight and didn’t look back. Banjiui Jewang ran on for a very solid 2nd place and looks to be one to follow next year too while Winner’s Glory was the first Seoul-trained horse home in 3rd.

Breeders’ Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – November 29, 2015

1. Power Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain] – Kim Yong Geun – 2.3, 1.2
2. Banjiui Jewang (KOR) [Ecton Park – Sweetoil (Broken Vow)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.9
3. Winner’s Glory (KOR) [Strike Again – Luck And Fame (Western Fame)] – Moon Se Young – 2.5
Distances: 2.5 lengths / 4 lengths
Also ran: 4. Waikiki 5. Ottug Ottugi 6. Major Winner 7. Clean Up King 8. Cheonji Storm 9. Whiz Speed 10. Sunganui Beopchik SCR: Gaia Thunder

Yet again it was anther big race winner for trainer Kim Young Kwan and for Busan-trained horses in Seoul. It was Kim’s seventh group winner of the year, beating his own Korean record of six which he recorded in both 2013 and 2014. He could well land an eight in the Grand Prix Stakes on December 13.

Pinna At The Double In Seoul

It hadn’t been the easiest of starts to riding in Korea for Nicola Pinna but things came right for the Italian jockey at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday as he rode a double, including victory in the feature race on Bichui Jeongsang who downed Asia Challenge Cup winner Choegang Schiller in a tight finish.

img_20151128_175100.jpg

Nicola Pinna (and interpreter) are interviewed after Bichui Jeongsang won Seoul’s Saturday feature

Pinna couldn’t make weight on the first of his scheduled mounts a few weeks ago and was handed an automatic two-day ban for his troubles. It meant that despite having been in the country a month, prior to today, he had only had three rides.

Today it came right though. Pinna made his breakthrough on 3/1 second favourite Hwangnyongbisang, who scored a two-length victory in race 8. However, by far the best was yet to come.

Choegang Schiller (Artie Schiller) beat Singapore’s El Padrino to win the Asia Challenge Cup in a track record time at the end of August. The three-year-old hadn’t run since then and was sent-off the hot favourite to repeat today with regular jockey Lee Chan Ho riding. Third-favourite was Bichui Jeongsang (Wildcat Heir), a four-year-old filly, who had won five of fifteen career starts and was 3rd to Esmeraldina in the Ttukseom Cup.

With Pinna in the saddle, Bichui Jeongsang wasn’t quickly away but improved around the home turn to come shoulder to shoulder with Choegang Schiller entering the home straight. That would be how they would remain for a keenly-fought tussle through the final two furlongs that went all the way to the line. It looked at one point as Choegang Schiller had it but Pinna coaxed out one last effort from his mount to get her home a neck in front.

Punters second-choice Bear Queen Trophy was a distant third but may as well have been running a different race, so dominant the first two were. The winning time was just one-tenth of a second outside the mark that Choegang Schiller set in the Asia Challenge Cup. The win could be a boost for Bichui Jeongsang’s connections ambition to race her overseas early next year.

A day can make a big difference and all of a sudden, 27-year-old Pinna now has two wins from just seven mounts and really showed his quality in that second win. He has five more rides tomorrow. Fellow Italian-licensed rider Djordje Perovic meanwhile guided home his 38th Korean winner earlier in the day and is now joint-leading jockey at Seoul for the month of November. While Perovic can do a kilo lighter, more rides like the one on Bichui Jeongsang and Nicola Pinna could well be challenging him in the near future.

 

 

Korean Breeders’ Cup – Full Preview

Korea’s champion juvenile will be crowned at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon after eleven two-year-olds line up for the Breeders’ Cup.

Ottug Ottugi

Ottug Ottugi won the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup (Pic: KRA)

The winners of both Seoul and Busan’s prep races, the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup and the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup, will both be there and it is set for an interesting race.

Here is a full run-down of all of the runners with [Pedigree] Sex (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) Trainer – Jockey (Home Track):

Breeders’ Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – November 29, 2015 (15:15)

1. Whiz Speed [Admire Don – Speed Bag (Abagninone)] C (5/1/0/1) Song Moon Gil – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
He was 5th in the Mayor’s Cup, five lengths behind the winner. His victory came in September over 1200M but it was not an especially strong race and both speed and stamina are open to question. A lot of improvement will be needed if he is to compete here. Expect him to settle in the middle of the field.

2. Major Winner [One Cool Cat – I Am Cruising (Value Plus)] F (3/2/0/1) Jang Se Han – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
She comes in following consecutive victories over 1200M and 1300M, most recently at class 5. She came from just behind the lead on both occasions and will likely try similar here and while she has potential, others will be favoured.

3. Clean Up King [Strike Again – Kilcoe Castle (Gone West)] C (3/2/0/0) Seo In Seok – Ham Wan Sik (Se0ul)
A half-brother to last year’s winner Doraon Hyeonpyo, he will be an outsider to match his elder’s feat. He does come in following two consecutive wins, beating Whiz Speed in the first of those and Dixie Ploit (half to Derby winner Yeongcheon Ace) last time. He is another that will look to settle just behind any early speed but he is going to have to find plenty to beat this field at this distance.

4. Winner’s Glory [Strike Again – Luck And Fame (Western Fame)] C  (3/2/1/0) Shim Seung Tae – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
He entered the Mayor’s Cup unbeaten in two and led for much of that race only to be defeated by the fast finishing Waikiki on the line. Despite that, he is likely to go try to go forward again, he should be able to cope with the distance and he may be considered.

5. Cheonji Storm [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] C (2/2/0/0) Kim Dong Kyun – Shin Hyoung Chul (Seoul)
The only one of this field to have already won at this distance with a six-length win on October 25th. He was similarly impressive on his debut a month earlier. He scores highly on speed and obviously has no issues with the distance. While he led from gate to wire last time, he came from behind the time before and with some others likely to go forward, he may opt to be patient here. Big chance and he will be well-backed.

6. Ottug Ottugi [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] F (3/3/0/0) Kim Young Kwan – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
She comes in unbeaten after three races with victory in the Gyeongnam Sinmun the highlight. She has led from gate-to-wire in all three and is surely likely to go forward again. However, she only just got home last time with stablemate Power Blade almost catching her on the line. It is going to be harder today but she still must be strongly considered

7. Waikiki [Pico Central – Wyvern (Didyme)] F (3/1/2/0) Ha Jae Heung – Park Byeong Yun (Seoul)
The 48/1 winner of the Mayor’s Cup last month when she flew home from the back of the field to get up by half a length from Winner’s Glory. That followed two 2nd places when similar tactics were employed. She certainly showed a decent turn of foot and the distance will suit her. She will go right back once more and she will be nothing like 48/1 this time.

8. Banjiui Jewang [Ecton Park – Sweetoil (Broken Vow)] C (2/2/0/0) Peter Wolsley – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
A nine length winner on his debut, he was an early scratching from the Gyeongnam Sinmun due to soreness but came back on November 6th to win a 1200M class 5 race by four lengths so he arrives unbeaten. He has won from the front both times but may not wish to take on the early speed this time. The distance should be fine for him, plenty of potential and a big chance.

9. Sunganui Beopchik [Exploit – Arrested Lady (Thunder Gulch)] C (4/1/0/1) Yoo Byung Bok – Kim Eu Soo (Busan)
He was 5th in the Gyeongnam Sinmun but came back out a winner on November 6th over 1200M. That was at class 6 so there is still plenty to prove and he is yet to show much in the way of speed. He won from the front last time but may not go forward here and he will perhaps be the least fancied of the Busan visitors.

10. Gaia Thunder [One Cool Cat – Now Cope With This (Tiznow)] C (4/1/1/1) Park Jong Kon – Park Eul Woon (Seoul)
Sent off in excess of 60/1 in the Mayor’s Cup, he managed a creditable 3rd place coming from the back along with the winner Waikiki who he was a length and a half behind on the line. He previously won a class 6 race over 1200M. He will most likely go back again and try to close but won’t be among the favourites.

11. Power Blade [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain] C (3/1/2/0) Kim Young Kwan – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
A four length winner on his debut in August he was then stepped up to a mile for his first try at class 5 and finished a very creditable 2nd. He almost managed to run down stable-mate Ottug Ottugi in the final strides of the Gyeongnam Sinmun but the line came just a fraction too soon. This time, with an extra furlong to play with, things could very well be different. He will look to sit behind the early leaders and could very well start favourite.

Weekend Preview

It’s time for the Juveniles to shine at Seoul this Sunday when the best domestic-bred two-year-olds from both the capital and from Busan face off in the “Breeders’ Cup” to decide the nation’s champion juvenile of 2015.

wintry

Winter is coming…

For English Racecards Click Here
See here for notes on simulcast races

Last year, the Breeders’ Cup race was won by Doraon Hyeonpyo and his half-brother Clean Up King is among eleven who will line up for the seven furlong test. They also include Ottug Ottugi and Waikiki, who won the prep races for this event at Busan and Seoul respectively.

Unbeaten Banjiui Jewang and 2nd to Ottug Ottugi in the prep race Power Blade are also likely to be well fancied. We will have a full runner by runner preview tomorrow but in the meantime, here are the runners and riders:

Breeders’ Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – November 29, 2015 (15:15)

1. Whiz Speed [Admire Don – Speed Bag (Abagninone)] (5/1/0/1) – Park Tae Jong
2. Major Winner [One Cool Cat – I Am Cruising (Value Plus)] F (3/2/0/1) – Song Keong Yun
3. Clean Up King [Strike Again – Kilcoe Castle (Gone West)] (3/2/0/0) – Ham Wan Sik
4. Winner’s Glory [Strike Again – Luck And Fame (Western Fame)] (3/2/1/0) – Moon Se Young
5. Cheonji Storm [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] (2/2/0/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
6. Ottug Ottugi [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] F (3/3/0/0) – Choi Si Dae
7. Waikiki [Pico Central – Wyvern (Didyme)] F (3/1/2/0) – Park Byeong Yun
8. Banjiui Jewang [Ecton Park – Sweetoil (Broken Vow)] (2/2/0/0) – Jo Sung Gon
9. Sunganui Beopchik [Exploit – Arrested Lady (Thunder Gulch)] (4/1/0/1) – Kim Eu Soo
10. Gaia Thunder [One Cool Cat – Now Cope With This (Tiznow)] (4/1/1/1) – Park Eul Woon
11. Power Blade [Menifee – Cheonmacheong (Lost Mountain] (3/1/2/0) – Kim Yong Geun

Temperatures in Korea have dropped a full 10C since last weekend but that is no excuse not to come racing. Here is what is happening when and where across the weekend:

Friday November 27
Busan Racecourse: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 8 races from 13:20 to 16:50

Saturday November 28
Seoul Racecourse: 13 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:20

Sunday November 29
Seoul Racecourse: 10 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:30

Cheongu & Success Story Trot-Up At Seoul & Busan

Cheongu and Success Story left their respective class 1 opponents at Seoul and Busan seemingly running in different races as they dominated the weekend’s feature events. 

Cheongu has had an entertaining year, with a third place in the Asia Challenge Cup behind Choegang Schiller and El Padrino sandwiched between trips to Singapore and Japan. In all three of those races, he went out quickly only to be reeled back in the closing stages.

On Sunday, back in the comfort of a regular class 1 field at Seoul, the familiar tactics paid off with Cheongu making all over seven furlongs to win by an irrelevant margin of three lengths on the line with Mirae Yeongung and Parang Juuibo the somewhat surprising other placegetters. Cheongu has now won 5 of 8 starts in Korea.

Class 1 – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – Nov 22, 2015

1. Cheongu (USA) [Old Fashioned – So Much Fun (Speightstown)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 1,9, 1.2
2. Mirae Yeongung (KOR) [Aragorn – Willing Miss (More Than Ready)] – Djordje Perovic – 4.3
3. Parang Juuibo (USA) [With Distinction – Spicy Souffle (French Deputy)] – 13.4
Distances: 3 lengths/5 lengths – 12 ran

Busan’s Sunday feature saw a welcome return to the winner’s circle for Success Story. The four-year-old has had a bit of a stop-start year but if Cheongu’s win was easy, Success Story’s was barely a race.

With apprentice Lee Yong Ho on board, Success Story was carrying less weight than in previous starts this year and by the end of the race jockey Lee seemed likely to end up needing treatment for a sore neck so much time he spent looking over both shoulders as Success Story sauntered away from a small, but by no means soft field over a mile.

Despite not breaking into a sweat, Success Story won by seven lengths from outsider Baksuchyeo in a time not far outside of the track record.  Success Story moves on to 10 wins from 18 starts and one hopes tougher challenges await for this horse who is yet to perform in a Stakes race.

Class 1 Handicap -Busan Racecourse – 1600M – Nov 22, 2015

1. Success Story (KOR) [Peace Rules – Power Pack (Lil’s Lad)] – Lee Yong Ho – 2.4, 1.4
2. Baksuchyeo (USA) [Bob And John – Say Amen (Pulpit)] – Lee Hee Cheon – 5.3
3. Oreuse (USA) [Smoke Glacken – Heavenly Splendor (Point Given)] – Jin Kyum
Distances: 7 lengths/3 lengths – 7 ran

In other news, Masa Tanaka came one winner closer to his stated goal of 100 winners in Korea; he partnered Bart Rice’s debut-making US gelding High Five (Girolamo) to victory in race 1 at Busan on Sunday. It takes the Japanese rider to 97 for his time in the country so far.

Next Sunday sees the Juvenile highlight of the year, the Breeders’ Cup race at Seoul

Weekend Race Times

No Stakes action on the peninsula this weekend but as usual there is plenty going on at both Seoul and Busan.

March 2 2014

I don’t think it’s going to be this sunny at Seoul this weekend but we can hope

Seoul has one additional race than it usually would on a non-Stakes weekend in order to make up for the one that was lost to a tote-board malfunction two weekends ago.

There are some decent looking races across the weekend. Cheon Gu, who has raced in both Singapore and Japan this year, runs on Sunday at Seoul while Oreuse, Success Story and Cowboy Son are among the contenders for Busan’s big race that same afternoon. Here is what is happening when and where:

English race cards here
Notes on simulcast races (Friday/Sunday) here

Friday November 20
Busan Racecourse: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 8 races from 13:20 to 16:50

Saturday November 21
Seoul Racecourse: 13 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:10

Sunday November 22
Seoul Racecourse: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

2015 Grand Prix Stakes Voting Begins

Voting is underway for the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes which will take place at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday December 13. Like Japan’s Arima Kinen, entry to the race is determined by a vote among racing fans. The vote opened on Friday at the Korea Racing Authority’s website with polls due to close on Sunday November 22.

Gamdonguibada won the Grand Prix Stakes in 2012. Now six-years-old, she is on the ballot once more

Gamdonguibada won the Grand Prix Stakes in 2012. Now six-years-old, she is on the ballot once more

A total of 28 horses; 14 from Seoul and 14 from Busan, have been nominated for the race and there will be a maximum field size of 16. Among the nominees is one former winner, Gamdonguibada, who took the honours as a three-year-old in 2012.

For the last two years, the winner of the President’s Cup has gone on to take the Grand Prix, Indie Band in 2013 and Gyoengbudaero last year. While those two are respectively on the long-term injured list and retired, this year’s President’s Cup victor, Triple Nine is on the ballot and will be a strong contender.

Also nominated is Korean Derby winner Yeongcheon Ace and Queen’s Tour overall winner Heba as well as the hitherto unbeaten three-year-old Bold Kings. Cinderella Man who won a trial for the race over the Grand Prix distance last week, is another on the ballot.

Here is a full list of the nominees with links to their English language Korean Studbook pages, age, sex (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) and notable recent Stakes and Listed race achievements:

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2300M – December 13, 2015

Seoul
Meni Money (KOR) 3 F (14/6/6/1) – 2015 Sports Seoul Cup (1st) Korean Oaks (2nd) Jeju Governor’s Cup (3rd)
Sotong Sidae (KOR) 4 G (27/7/4/6) – 2015 Sports Chosun Cup (1st)
Cinderella Man (KOR) 4 G (17/10/4/0)
Pinot Noir (KOR) 5 M (23/5/7/2) – 2015 Jeju Governor’s Cup (2nd)
Chief Red Can (USA) 5 G (16/6/3/1) – 2015 KRA Cup Classic (1st)
Clean Up Cheonha (USA) 4 C (16/7/6/2)
Clean Up Joy (USA) 4 G (13/6/5/0)
Unbeatable (USA) 5 H (36/6/6/9)
Best Run (USA) 4 C (19/3/5/1)
Daisyan (USA) 4 G (25/5/4/2)
Space Port (USA) 5 H (37/2/9/2)
Damyang Chukje (USA) 6 H (30/5/3/4)
Winning Andy (USA) 4 C (25/3/6/5)

Busan
Yeongcheon Ace (KOR) 3 C (12/4/3/4) – 2015 Korean Derby (1st), KRA Cup Mile (3rd)
Triple Nine (KOR) 3 C (11/7/4/0) – 2015 President’s Cup (1st) Domin Ilbo Cup (1st) Minister’s Cup (2nd) Korean Derby (2nd)
Gumpo Sky (KOR) 4 C (25/9/7/3) – 2015 Busan Ilbo Cup (1st)
Ildeung Hanghaesa (KOR) 4 G (24/5/5/5)
Daepungnyeon (KOR) 3 G (11/7/0/1)
Gandai (KOR) 5 H (39/8/2/5)
Gamdonguibada (USA) 6 M (29/14/4/6) – 2015 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1st), 2012 Grand Prix Stakes (1st)
Heba (USA) 5 M (35/9/5/2) – 2015 KNN Cup (1st) Guengnam Governor’s Cup (1st)
Ms. Margaux (USA) 4 M (21/2/8/7) – 2015 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2nd)
Bold Kings (USA) 3 C (6/6/0/0)
Donggeupcheogang (USA) 5 H (32/7/5/5)
Goji Jeongbeol (USA) 4 G (21/5/4/5)
Cheonjae Bogo (NZ) 7 G (62/6/4/11)
Nobody Catch Me (USA) 5 G (22/6/5/2) – 2014 Busan Mayor’s Cup (1st)

Queen’s Blade Welcomed Home A Winner

After fifteen long months in the Korean racing wilderness, Queen’s Blade, the 2014 Korean Derby and Oaks winning filly, was back in the winner’s circle at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon having triumphed in the Jeju Governor’s Cup.

Queen's Blade in the Jeju Governor's Cup winner's circle

Queen’s Blade in the Jeju Governor’s Cup winner’s circle

Being sent to the USA is generally a career death-knell for a Korean racehorse with connections understandably taking advantage of the inexplicably generous subsidy available for running a Korean Group race winner in the States (you have to do it three times and one of them must be a Stakes race) only when they feel their horse isn’t going to win an equivalent amount at home anymore.

And while Queen’s Blade, unlike another Derby winning filly Speedy First, was at least sound, she wasn’t in race shape in America and duly met with the now familiar humiliation that greets participants in this program. Home, retirement and the breeding shed seemed to await, not the racecourse.

This filly was a little different though and after the three-month spell on the farm that she was long overdue, she returned to work last month, flying through a barrier trial and found herself in the starting gate today.

True, this was not the toughest assignment first up with race-watchers here scratching their heads trying to recall a weaker looking Stakes race which had no upper class or rating limit on its entrants. They put on a decent show though and under a characteristically skilful ride from Japanese jockey Ikuyasu Kurakane, Queen’s Blade battled hard to earn victory by a neck.

Queen’s Blade was always handy and while she and stablemate Bukbeol Sinhwa (a full sister to President’s Cup winner Triple Nine) stayed on, the rest of the early front-runners would fade in the closing stages and it was left to closers Pinot Noir and Meni Money to get the closest to the winner with Pinot Noir, an 18/1 chance, just running out of track in the end.

Queen’s Blade is a half sister to 2008 Korean Oaks winner Jeolho Chance and was recording her first victory since her own Oaks success last August. It was her 8th career win in total from sixteen (Korean) starts. For jockey Ikuyasu Kurakane it was a third Korean Stakes race win while for trainer Kim Young Kwan it was business as usual in the biggest races.

Jeju Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – November 15, 2015

1. Queen’s Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 2.9, 1.6
2. Pinot Noir (KOR) [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] – Park Eul Woon – 2.9
3. Meni Money (KOR) [Menifee – Pocketful Of Money (Running Stag)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.7
Distances: Neck/2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Bukbeol Sinhwa 5. X File 6. Smart Time 7. Winner’s Marine 8. Indian Star 9. Hwanggembitjijung 10. Jokwang 11. Jibong Sarang 12. Appealing Star 13. Space Shuttle 14. Chongal Gongju 15. Blue Guardian 16. Geumbit Hwanhui

Jeju Governor’s Cup – Runners & Riders

This afternoon’s sees the final stakes race of the season for fillies & mares in the shape of the Jeju Governor’s Cup at Seoul. And it has attracted a full field of sixteen in what looks an interesting, if underwhelming, contest.

Queen's Blade won last year's Derby and returns to Korean action at Seoul today (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Queen’s Blade won last year’s Derby and returns to Korean action at Seoul today (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Interesting it may be but the Cup has drawn the short straw somewhat in that it falls just two weeks after the final leg of the Queens’ Tour, in which a number of the best domestic bred fillies, such as Oaks winner Jangpung Parang participated in and the lack of depth in the distaff ranks is shown up quite starkly by a line-up lacking in quality.

The 2014 Korean Derby winner Queen’s Blade returns to action in Korea after a pointless trip to the United States. She is at least fit now (had she been fit earlier this year, she would have stayed in Korea but that is another gripe for another day) and she could very well get back in the winner’s circle today under Ikuyasu Kurakane. However, stablemate Bukbeol Sinhwa, who won the Busan trial for this race last month will also be expected to go close with another Japanese jockey, Masa Tanaka on board.

Others who will be backed include Indian Star and Winner’s Marine who were 2nd and 3rd behind Bukbeol Sinhwa in that trial race and have managed to attract top Busan jockeys Jo Sung Gon and Kim Yong Geun to the capital to ride while Nozi Tomizawa is a also in town and may go well on Jokwang. Meni Money is perhaps the pick of a weak home team but whoever wins this isn’t exactly going to be a world beater.

Here is the full list of runners and riders:

Jeju Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – Nov 15, 2015

1. Hwanggeumbitjijung (KOR) [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] (18/6/2/1) – Yang Young Nam
2. Chongal Gongju (KOR) [Vicar – Isis (Didyme)] (41/3/9/3) – Kim Hye Sun
3. Bukbeol Shinhwa (KOR) [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] (13/6/2/1) – Masakazu Tanaka
4. Winner’s Marine (KOR) [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] (20/5/2/3) – Jo Sung Gon
5. X File (KOR) [Exploit – Dorothy Dee (Woodman)] (36/5/3/10) – Moon Se Young
6. Space Shuttle (KOR) [Menifee – Jeongtongseong (Lassigny)] (17/3/0/3) – Jo Jae Ro
7. Smart Time (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Charon (Jade Robbery)] (10/4/3/0) – Ham Wan Sik
8. Jibong Sarang (KOR) [Officer – Meryl’s Spirit (Storm Boot)] (9/3/3/1) – Jo Chang Wook
9. Meni Money (KOR) [Menifee – Pocketful Of Money (Running Stag)] (13/6/6/0) – Seo Seung Un
10. Indian Star (KOR) [Adcat – Indian Diamond (Indian Charlie)] (6/5/1/0) – Kim Yong Geun
11. Geumbit Hwanhui (KOR) [Peace Rules – Sincheongchun (Silent Warrior)] (18/5/3/2) – Jang Chu Youl
12. Queen’s Blade (KOR) [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] (15/7/5/0) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
13. Pinot Noir (KOR) [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] (22/5/6/2) – Park Eul Woon
14. Blue Guardian (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Timber Side (Timber Country) (12/2/3/1) – Kim Dong Soo
15. Jokwang (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Charming Roman (Gadabout)] (35/3/4/4) – Nozomu Tomizawa
16. Appealing Star (KOR) [Duality – Appealing Satin (Valid Appeal)] (29/4/3/2) – Lee Hyun Jeong