Indian Blue Closes To Sports Donga Success

Indian Blue lived up to her reputation as one of Seoul’s top horses over any distance as she walked off with the Sports Donga Cup this afternoon.

Indian Blue and Ikuyasu Kurakane return as winners of the Sports Donga

Indian Blue and Ikuyasu Kurakane return as winners of the Sports Donga

Remarkably, the 4-year-old Indian Blue (Henny Hughes) had won only 4 of her 15 starts coming into today’s race. However, a 3rd and a 2nd in consecutive Ttukseom Cups, a 2nd in the KRA Cup Classic and a 4th in the Grand Prix Stakes meant the raw statistics didn’t really tell the full story.

Add in a sprint victory over Watts Village, Korea’s “Hero of Ohi” and it was no surprise that punters sent her off the short-priced favourite in a field of 14 for the Sports Donga.

She didn’t disappoint. Under Ikuyasu Kurakane, Indian Blue was inevitably the fastest of a group of closers who took charge in the home straight. Hitting the front with a furlong to run – early by her standards, Indian Blue was pushed all the way by Wonder Bolt but never looked in serious danger.

In third place there was a welcome return to form for 2012 KRA Cup Classic winner Sing Sing Cat but the highly though of pair of Double Shining and Kentucky Galloper disappointed.

Going forward, there are plenty of options for Indian Blue. The remaining legs of the Queens’ Tour will be attractive but so will a the Busan Metropolitan in July. Further on, a second tilt at the Korea vs Japan Goodwill race in August – with its prospect of an international rating and subsequent trip to Dubai – should be on the agenda.

Down at Busan, the JRA Kokura Racecourse Trophy was the main event. And while at Seoul it was one of the up-and-comers taking the plaudits, this race went to one of the elder statesmen of the sand as 8-year-old Full Forest (Full Mandate) took victory by a length.

Debuting in 2008, Full Forest was making his 58th start and recorded his first win since Janaury 2012 – and only his 7th in all. Over the years he’s had many jockeys – including the tragic pair of Park Jin Hee and Yoshi Aoki – but today it was the turn of Kim Yong Geun, who made the race his 4th win of the afternoon.

A fine ride it was too as he guided Full Forest into contention as they entered the home straight before passing long-time leader Star Bolt inside the final furlong to win going away.

Next weekend, Stakes action returns to Seoul in the form of the Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy.

Weekend Preview

Last week saw the KRA Cup Mile and next week is the Seoul Owners’ Cup. No Stakes this weekend – not for the thoroughbreds anyway – but still plenty to keep us occupied.

Springtime - hopefully we'll have some sunshine this weekend. Wouldn't bet on it though

Springtime – hopefully we’ll have some sunshine this weekend. Wouldn’t bet on it though

Seoul’s weekend feature is the Sports Donga Trophy on Sunday afternoon. KRA Cup Classic and Ttukseom Cup runner-up Indian Blue heads a competitive looking class 1 field over 2000 metres. Fellow 4-year-olds Double Shining and Kentucky Galloper will also be there.

Busan hosts class 1 fields on both Friday and Sunday. Old favourite Ghost Whisper goes in Friday’s contest which also features up-and-comer Smile Again making his debut at this level.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Lion Santa and Viva Ace – both winless for a long time – renew hostilities. They’ll be hard pressed to break their streaks here.

The one Stakes of the weekend is on Jeju Island on Saturday, where the ponies will be running for the cutely titled “Blossom Stakes”. Speaking of blossoms, it’s the final weekend of the Cherry Blossom festival at Seoul Racecourse.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday April 11
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday April 12
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday April 13
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Cheongnyong Bisang Dominates KRA Cup Mile

Cheongnyong Bisang showed that he was no Juvenile wonder as he landed a dominating win in the KRA Cup Mile – the Korean 2000 Guineas – at Busan this afternoon.

Cheongnyong Bisang wins the KRA Cup Mile (KRA)

Cheongnyong Bisang wins the KRA Cup Mile (KRA)

Despite having won the Breeders’ Cup and being crowned champion 2-year-old of 2013, Cheongnyong Bisang was sent off at odds of 20/1 for the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown. He duly made a mockery of those odds, stalking the leaders early on before unleashing a sprint that none could respond to.

But for a short stint at the front, pre-race favourite Queen’s Blade showed little, ultimately fading and finishing in 5th and as her fellow pacesetters also fell away it was left to outsiders Gilbert and Namdo Trio to close strongly and push the winner to the line.

Two horses threw away their chances at the start. First, Pureun Geotap reared in the gate and had to be scratched. Once they finally did get underway Busan’s champion juvenile of last year Jungang Gongju missed the break and only managed to catch one horse by the end, continuing her recent run of poor form.

Also disappointing was previously unbeaten filly Winner’s Marine who finished 9th after being sent off as the 2nd favourite.

Aside from the three placers, Raon Morris put on a good show, leading for most of the way before being overcome at the end. He could be one to watch going forward.

Cheongnyong Bisang is the first Seoul winner of the KRA Cup Mile since Money Car in 2010 and he did it in style. He’ll be the favourite as we head back to the capital for the Korean Derby on May 18.

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – April 6, 2014

1. Cheongnyong Bisang (KOR) [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] – Seo Seung Un – 21.5, 4.1
2. Gilbert (KOR) [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] – Kim Dong Young – 14.9
3. Namdo Trio (KOR) [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 4.3
Distances: 2 lengths/0.5 lengths – 14 ran
Also Ran: 4. Raon Morris 5. Queen’s Blade 6. Yeonggwanguichampion 7. Nubi Queen 8. Cupid Girl 9. Winner’s Marine 10. Gangchi 11. Royal Impact 12. Power Champion 13. Jungang Gongju 14. Classic Cat NR. Pureun Geotap NR. Hwanggeumbitjijunghye

K-Triple Crown 2014: KRA Cup Mile Full Preview

The Triple Crown is upon us. We’ve a long slog ahead with 6 months between the first leg and final legs. We begin at Busan Race Park this coming Sunday with the KRA Cup Mile – the Korean 2000 Guineas.

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He'll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He’ll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

A full field of 16 will line up for the big race – 7 of them fillies. It looks extremely open and hard to call. Here’s a run-down of the runners and riders:

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday April 6, 2014

1. Classic Cat [One Cool Cat – Deoksugung (Cherokee Run)] (6/3/1/0) – Park Hyun Woo (Seoul)
Faded badly in the final furlong of his last start which was his first try at 7 furlongs. Prior to that he’d recorded some very dominant wins and with plenty of speed, if he runs back to that form he could do feature at the buiness end of the race. Doing it at Busan is a big ask though.

2. Yeonggwanguichampion [Menifee – Manwang (Road Of War)] (7/4/1/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Lim Sung Sil has been to be on in Stakes races recently although he’s not riding for trainer Kim Young Kwan this time. Finished 2nd on his only start over the distance to date. He’s a front-runner and will need to have come on since then if he is to hold on here. A chance.

3. Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (7/4/0/0) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
Last year’s Champion Juvenile found himself exposed last time out against class 2 opposition. That was over 1800M and he already has a win at 1700M to his name. With the exception of his Breeders’ Cup, his wins have come from the front and he is going to face a lot of competition up there. If he can stay on in the long and tough Busan home straight, he’ll be among the contenders.

4. Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] Filly (9/2/2/3) Lee Chan Ho (Seoul)
The filly was 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup and has gone on to show she can handle an extended trip, with a class 4 win over 1800M. She was hanging on a bit in a slowly run race but should appreciate the drop down to 1600M.

5. Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (9/3/1/1) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Bart Rice saddles his first Korean Classic runner. Gangchi was a sharp-looking winner over 1300M last time out. Expect to see him just off the lead and if anyone can coax the best out of him, it’s Darryll Holland.

6. Nubi Queen [Menifee – Dream Runner (Our Poetic Prince)] Filly (9/3/1/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Another who has won over 1800M at Seoul, Nubi Queen could only manage 6th when facing a lot of these rivals in the Breeders’ Cup last December and although she’s clearly gone on since, whether she has the pace to match them at the business end of the race is open to question.

7. Winner’s Marine [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] Filly (5/5/0/0) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
The only unbeaten runner coming into the race, she’s going to have to work very hard to still be unbeaten come the end of Sunday afternoon though. She’s never tried further than 1300M and hasn’t beaten anything special but she is undeniably quick and jockey You Hyun Myung has been in sensational form of late.

8. Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (6/3/1/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Seoul’s champion 2-year-old of last year has only made one competitive start in 2014, finishing 3rd over 1700M in January. He has race-trialed twice since though and Seoul’s top jockey Moon Se Young has seen fit to make the journey South – a tip in itself. On his day, he has the fastest sprint and must be respected.

9. Jungang Gongju [Menifee – Command And Hope (Commands)] Filly (7/2/2/0) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Winner of Busan’s biggest 2-year-old race last year, she’s been deeply unimpressive in her three starts since. Likes to come from off the pace with a very fast final three furlongs, if she runs to her best, she can win especially if the front-runners burn themselves out. However, she’s not been doing that lately, disappointing punters who’ve backed her into short odds each time. They won’t this time.

10. Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Filly (7/4/3/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
A Kim Young Kwan trained horse must always be in contention in a big race and his filly cones into this race with the most impressive recent form, winning a class 2 race over this distance. She’ll need to go quicker than she did that day to win this but she has the pace and the pedigree to excel here – she’s half-sister to 2008 Oaks winner Jeolho Chance – and could be hard to beat.

11. Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (5/3/1/0) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
One of the bigger colts in the race, Gilbert looks like a sprinter and so far has only run once over 6 furlongs – he finished 8th. Kim Dong Young, who won this race last year on Sting Ray, will be his 5th jockey in 6 races. He’s quick but others are quicker.

12. Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (9/2/4/0) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
A very encouraging run over the distance in March and Joe Fujii on his back are two things that Namdo Trio has in his favour. Likes to close from just off the pace, he should find one or two quicker here but the Fujii-factor will mean he has his backers.

13. Power Champion [Perfect Champion – Perfect Vision (Psychobabble)] (8/4/1/0) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
Enters the race in great form, having won his past 4 starts and with Jo In Kwen on board, he’ll have plenty of support from punters. It’s his first try at this distance which could be a concern but he will be among the favourites.

14. Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] Filly (8/4/0/1) – Park Byung Yun (Seoul)
Another who comes into the race on a winning streak, her’s currently stands at 3, her most recent coming over 1800M. The distance therefore isn’t a concern and she has won both from the front and from off the pace. Should be a good price with an unfashionable jockey on board but likely to find a few too quick here though.

15. Hwanggeumbitjijung [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] Filly (6/4/0/1) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
Got squeezed out in a very tight four-way finish over 1500M last time out and the fact that she was passed by 3 class 3 horses in the final few strides of that race is a worry. If she can stay the distance, she should have plenty of speed in store.

16. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (7/2/0/3) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
A closer who could well appreciate stepping up a further half-furlong than he’s run before. Although he comes in looking in good form, he hasn’t beaten very much and only has one start at class 3 to his name so he’ll be one of the outsiders. Bet him if you think the pace-setters will sprint each other out the race.

The KRA Cup Mile is race 5 of a 6-race program at Busan on Sunday. The race will also be broadcast live to Seoul Racecourse for simulcast betting.

Weekend Race Times – Cherry Blossom Edition

It’s KRA Cup Mile weekend! The opening leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown takes place at Busan Racecourse this coming Sunday.

Cheery blossoms are out at Seoul Racecourse

Cherry blossoms are out at Seoul Racecourse

Our full horse-by-horse preview of the big race will be published here on Friday evening but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening when and where on a weekend when the Cherry blossoms are expected to be fully in bloom at Seoul Racecourse:

Friday April 5
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 13:25 to 17:15

Saturday April 6
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday April 7
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:05 including the KRA Cup Mile at 16:15

The KRA Cup Mile – A Brief History

This coming Sunday, the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown will be run at Busan Racecourse. And just like the Triple Crown itself, the KRA Cup Mile is a relatively new addition to the Korean racing calendar.

Sangseung Ilro and Eiki Nishimura win the KRA Cup Mile in 2009 (Pic: KRA)

Sangseung Ilro and Eiki Nishimura win the KRA Cup Mile in 2009 with Martin Wepner and Namdo Jeap just behind (Pic: KRA)

It began in 2005 as the marquee race of the season at the then brand new Busan track.

It was run in September, wasn’t called the KRA Cup Mile and wasn’t restricted to Korean-bred 3-year-olds. The race was won by US bred Siseon Jeap (Precise End).

The following year, the race was renamed as the KRA Chairman’s race and was run over the Korean Derby distance of 9 furlongs. Another US import Golding (Gold Alert), who went on to become a stalwart of the track all the way up until 2011 took the honours.

In 2007, the race moved to June and back in distance to a mile and was given the name KRA Cup Mile. In a memorable race, Australian jockey Garry Baker rode the 6-year-old mare Luna (Concept Win) to victory. Luna, who had broken down aged 2 and was never expected to race again, would later have her story (very) loosely made into a movie.

That year, J.S.Hold had won all three legs of the Triple Crown. However, he only faced Seoul horses and the first leg had been the Ttukseom Cup. In 2008, with the Busan track coming of age, for the first time runners from both Seoul and Busan would be eligible for the Triple Crown races and it was decided that the KRA Cup Mile was the ideal first leg – a Korean 2000 Guineas.

Here are the winners since then:

2008: Rainmaker (KOR) [Revere – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – Ahn Sun Ho
The first Classic to be run at Busan was won by a Busan horse. However, Rainmaker went on to finish 8th in the Derby the following month and never won a race again despite running on for 2 years. Now a minor stallion at Stud.

2009: Sangseung Ilro (KOR) [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – Eiki Nishimura
The only filly to win since the race became part of the Triple Crown, she’s also the only winner of this race to go on to win the Korean Derby. She went on to win multiple Stakes before retiring. Delivered a foal by Menifee in 2012.

2010: Money Car (KOR) [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] – Park Tae Jong
Romped to an 11-length victory and is to date the only visitor from Seoul to win the race. He was caught right on the line in the Derby by Cheonnyeon Daero and only ran once more. Like Rainmaker now a minor stallion.

2011: Soseuldaemun (KOR) [Meisei Opera – This Ole Way (Vigors)] – Toshio Uchida
A comfortable winner at odds of 7/1, Soseuldaemun turned up for the Derby having lost a lot of weight and didn’t run well. He was retired after his 3-year-old season.

2012: Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Pirncess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae
A 3-length winner, he finished 3rd in the Derby and has gone on to be one of the top performers in the country, running in almost every big Stakes race, recording wins in the Busan Owners’ Cup and Busan Ilbo and a 2nd in the President’s Cup. Ranked the number 2 Korean bred horse in the country right now behind Grand Prix winner Indie Band.

2013: Sting Ray (KOR) [Forest Camp – Straight Cash (Straight Man)] – Kim Dong Young
His dam was a Korean Stakes winner and while Sting Ray performed so badly for the rest of the year after the Cup Mile he got himself gelded, he was back in the winner’s circle at class 1 earlier this month.

Busan Review / Weekend Preview

The Korean Baseball season gets underway this weekend and this, like the beginning of the English Cricket season, can mean only one thing – It’s going to rain!

It's not going to rain this much but there's a 70% chance of Saturday being wet

It’s not going to rain this much but there’s a 70% chance of Saturday being wet

Unlike the Rounders, however, Racing continues in the wet. In fact, the heavier the rain, the more both track attendance and betting turnover tend to increase.

There were no problems with the weather during the first of the weekend’s cards at Busan this afternoon. Joe Fujii kept the foreign end up, riding a pair of winners although the Japanese jockey was outshone by local You Hyun Myung who continued his recent run of good form by finishing his way to the winner’s circle on 4 occasions.

South African trainer Bart Rice also continued his good start to life at Busan with another winner; Seungni Wave (Pico Central) doing the business in race 3.

In the 7-furlong feature race, Oreuse (Smoke Glacken) got his 2nd Class 1 win in the space of a month. And for the 2nd time, trailing in behind him was the highly-rated 3-year-old Cowboy Son (Cowboy Cal).

Here’s what’s happening over the rest of the weekend:

Saturday March 29
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 30
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

K-Triple Crown 2014: KRA Cup Mile First Preview

We’re just 12 days away from the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown. Currently 19 horses remain in the KRA Cup Mile – the “Korean 2000 Guineas” – which will be run at Busan Racecourse on Sunday April 6.

Who will follow Sting Ray as the winner of the KRA Cup Mile? (KRA)

Who will follow Sting Ray as the winner of the KRA Cup Mile? (KRA)

OF those 19 – which will be cut to a maximum of 16 by final declarations next Wednesday, Busan supplies 11 while 8 are planning to make the trip down the Gyeongbu Expressway from Seoul. Only one horse from the capital, Money Car in 2010, has triumphed in the race to date.

Busan’s foreign trainers Peter Wolsley and Bart Rice are represented respectively by Heukgangja and Gangchi while last year’s Champion Juveniles Jungang Gongju (Busan) Raon Morris (Seoul) and Cheongyong Bisang (Overall) are all expected to be present.

Jungang Gongju is among 7 fillies still in the race. Another, Winner’s Marine, is the only entrant who heads to the race unbeaten, having won all of her 5 starts to date.

We’ll have a full preview and run-down of the final field next week but in the meantime, here is the full list of those 19 who remain in (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd)

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday April 6, 2014

Busan

Heukgangja [Creek Cat – Rosa Gulch (Thunder Gulch)] (5/3/1/0)
Hwanggeumbitjijung [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] Filly (6/4/0/1)
Jungang Gongju [Menifee – Command And Hope (Commands)] Filly (7/2/2/0)
Winner’s Marine [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] Filly (5/5/0/0)
Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (9/2/4/0)
Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (9/3/1/1)
Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (7/2/0/3)
Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (5/3/1/0)
Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Filly (7/4/3/0)
Yeonggwanguichampion [Menifee – Manwang (Road Of War)] (7/4/1/1)
Wild Rush [Forest Camp – Wisconsin Girl (Smart Strike)] (6/1/3/2)

Seoul

Power Champion [Perfect Champion – Perfect Vision (Psychobabble)] (8/4/1/0)
Nubi Queen [Menifee – Dream Runner (Our Poetic Prince)] Filly (9/3/1/2)
Classic Cat [One Cool Cat – Deoksugung (Cherokee Run)] (6/3/1/0)
Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] Filly (8/4/0/1)
Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (7/4/0/0)
Jangsan Horangi [Forest Camp – Steal The Show (Cat Thief)] (5/2/2/1)
Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] Filly (9/2/2/3)
Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (6/3/1/1)

Jo Sung Gon Gets Golden Number One Win in Macau

It’s not been an easy few months for Jo Sung Gon. Things got a little better for Busan’s Champion Jockey this weekend though as he finally made it into the winner’s circle in Macau.

Jo Sung Gon in the Macau Winner's circle (MJC)

Jo Sung Gon in the Macau Winner’s circle (MJC)

The victory came on his 42nd ride at Taipa Racecourse since taking up a 6-month license in January.

And a perfectly timed ride it was too, swooping late on Aussie bred Golden Number One (Happy Giggle) to steal the 1100 metre race 6 on Saturday right on the winning line.

The undisputed number one Korean jockey at Busan, Jo has found opportunities hard to come by in Macau – Golden Number One paid $160.50 on the Macau tote – but no doubt will benefit for the experience in the long-term.

In Korea, Jo Sung Gon has ridden 480 winners including the Korean Derby, Korean Oaks and three successive President’s Cups – Korea’s richest race – on Dangdae Bulpae. He’s currently stable jockey to Australian trainer Peter Wolsley.

Click here for race result and replay from the Macau Jockey Club.

ht: @hiromi9884

Mari Daemul, Magic Dancer Win Features

Mari Daemul and Magic Dancer both bounced back from recent reverses to claim the feature races at Seoul and Busan respectively today.

Mari Daemul, see here after his KRA Cup Classic win, was back in the winner's circle today

Mari Daemul, see here after his KRA Cup Classic win, was back in the winner’s circle today

KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul has flopped in the Grand Prix Stakes at the tail-end of last year and could only manage third place on his season-debut last month.

However, that didn’t stop him from being sent off the even-money favourite for Seoul’s feature, which included a host of the track’s top class 1 horses.

Ultimately, Mari Daemul (Go For Gin) was the comfortable winner, scoring a 3-length victory over fellow US import Unbeatable (Eddington). Former Grand Prix winner and one-time Horse of the Year Tough Win (Yonaguska) was a neck back in third.

Talented but frustratingly inconsistent, it was an 8th win from 23 starts for the 5-year-old Mari Daemul.

Down at Busan, Magic Dancer (Forest Camp) was given few problems by his own class 1 rivals. The 4-year-old colt could only manage 4th place in the Busan Ilbo Cup last month but was untroubled today, seeing off Cheogang Dancer – to who he was conceding 8kg – by half a length.

In other races at Seoul, highly rated filly Clean Up Speed (Pico Central) landed her 4th win from 6 starts and her first around two turns. Although not entered for the KRA Cup Mile at Busan in two week’s time, she must be considered among the potentials for the year’s later Classics.

Clean Up Speed also provided the third in a treble of winners for Ikuyasu Kurakane. The Japanese jockey reached a milestone 200 Korean winners last weekend and shows no signs of slowing down.