Weekend Race Times

It’s been a mild week in Korea and the fine weather should continue on a busy weekend of racing.

Season debut: Tough Win

Season debut: Tough Win

Tough Win makes his season-debut on Sunday. Now 7-years-old, he is 3 races without a win and possibly on the wane and faces KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul and up and comer Samjeong Bulpae over 1900 metres.

Busan’s feature race is also on Sunday when Magic Dancer will be looking to get back to winning ways in a class 1 handicap.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday March 21
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:20 to 17:20

Saturday March 22
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 23
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

200-Up Kurakane Heads High Performing Visitors

Ikuyasu Kurakane reached a major milestone over the weekend, when he became the first foreign jockey to ride 200 winners in Korea.

200 winners: Ikuyasu Kurakane (Pic: Ross Holburt)

200 winners: Ikuyasu Kurakane (Pic: Ross Holburt)

His two victories across the weekend, on Big Show on Saturday and Ms. Celtic Senior on Sunday, took the Japanese rider to 201 victories from 1711 rides across two stints riding on the peninsula.

Now 38, Kurakane originally came to Korea in 2007 and spent a successful 18 months riding at Seoul and Busan. During this period he won what remains his only Stakes race to date, the 2007 Nonghyup Trophy on Pilseung Giwon.

Kurakane returned to Seoul in April last year and quickly established himself as among the track’s top riders.

An exceptionally hard-worker in the mornings, he doesn’t get the biggest rides, but unlike many foreign jockeys here before him, he does get the numbers and when on a fancied horse, he generally converts it into the win. He currently lies 3rd in the 2014 Championship

His feat is made all the more impressive in that the vast majority of his winners have come at Seoul, a track where he is the only foreign jockey to have enjoyed even moderate success. At Busan, it is a different story although still by means easy for the visitors.

Kurakane’s license has been extended by 6-months, as have those of Busan-based trio Darryll Holland, Joe Fujii and Masa Tanaka.

Royal Ascot winning rider Holland is the KRA’s marquee jockey and after overcoming a challenging first few months, he’s now reaping he benefits, taking out another feature race at Busan on Sunday and is currently in 2nd place in the Busan Championship.

Grand Prix Stakes, Korean Derby and Oaks winner Fujii is just two places back. Tanaka too is a regular visitor to the winner’s circle. The “foreign jockey quinella” is now a very popular bet among punters.

In the barn at Busan things are going well too. After his 2nd place finish last year, Peter Wolsley currently leads the 2014 Trainers’ Championship in numbers of winners – ahead of even the Kim Young Kwan machine. Meanwhile, South African Bart Rice has made an impressive start with 5 of his 23 runners to date returning victorious.

Korea is still a very difficult place for foreign jockeys to ride as the recent experiences of Jerome Lermyte and Fausto Durso show, making the achievements of the likes of Kurakane even more notable.

Overseas Jockeys in Korea All-Time Top Ten

1. Ikuyasu Kurakane (Japan) – 201*
2. Toshio Uchida (Japan) – 138
3. Kanichiro Fujii (Japan) – 116*
4. Garry Baker (Australia) – 78
5. Narazaki Kosuke (Japan) – 68
6. Eiki Nishimura (Japan) – 60
7. Hitomi Miyashita (Japan) – 56
8. Darryll Holland (United Kingdom) – 52*
9. Martin Wepner (South Africa) – 49
10. Nozomu Tomizawa (Japan) – 48

* Still riding in Korea

No Joy For Seoul As Gamdonguibada Lands Ttukseom Cup

Gamdonguibada made all to win the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the 2014 Queens’ Tour, at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Joy Lucky was sent off as the heavy favourite and joined the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada in setting the early running. Meanwhile another big fancy, Indian Blue missed the break and found herself 10 lengths adrift just seconds into the race.

With few challengers asserting themselves behind, it looked like the stage was set for Gamdonguibada and Joy Lucky to duel all the way to the line. Instead, however, the Korean-bred filly faded, allowing Gamdonguibada an unchallenged 7-length victory.

Behind, Indian Blue flew home under Ikuyasu Kurakane to snatch an unlikely 2nd and leave connections with a real case of what might have been had she not given herself too much to do at the start. Grand Teukgeup, who had always been close to the front stayed on well for 3rd, just ahead of Heba and the spent Joy Lucky.

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

It was another top quality training performance from Busan’s Kim Young Kwan, his instructions to jockey Lim Sung Sil to go to the front and engage Joy Lucky early paying off spectacularly.

Trainer Kim and jockey Lim have now won the past three big Seoul Stakes races – with Indie Band in the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes and then Gamdonguibada today. Kim’s horses ensure that Busan continues to dominate Seoul in the big races – in addition to those recent wins, he also trains the winners of the latest renewals of the Derby, Oaks and KNN Cup.

For Gamdonguibada, it was a 10th win from 18 starts and her 4th in Stakes races. A $31,000 purchase from the Ocala Spring 2-Year-olds in Training sale in April 2011, she’s now won $1.3Million in prize money.

The Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 16, 2014

1. Gamdongibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Lim Sung Sil – 3.7, 1.4
2. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gambler’s Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 1.6
3. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt. Livermore)] – Jeong Dong Cheol – 4.5

Distances: 7 lengths/Neck
Also ran: 4. Heba (USA) 5. Joy Lucky (KOR) 6. Shining Future (KOR) 7. Star Bolt (USA) 8. Kalma (USA) 9. My Day (KOR) 10. Sun Blade (NZ) 11. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) 12. Xicar (AUS) 13. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA)

Ttukseom Cup – Full Preview

It’s the biggest race of the season so far as the Queen’s Tour gets underway in the shape of the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul this Sunday.

Joy Lucky heads the Ttukseom Cup field (Pic: KRA)

Joy Lucky heads the Ttukseom Cup field (Pic: KRA)

While Fly Top Queen misses the race due to coming down with colic, 13 will line up for the 7-furlong test which is the first in a three-race series to determine the nation’s top filly or mare.

Chief among them is Joy Lucky, 2nd in the final leg of the Tour last yea, but she has plenty to do if she’s going to get this year’s campaign off to a winning start with 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada among those out to stop her.

It’s quite a puzzle. Here’s a full run-down of the field:

The Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 16, 2014

1. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gambler’s Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] 4 (14/4/3/4) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
4th in the Grand Prix Stakes last December over 2300 metres, she dropped down to this distance to pull off a victory over Japan/Korea Challenge winner Watts Village last month. With good late speed, she is one of those best placed to take on Joy Lucky in the closing stages.

2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine) 5 (17/9/3/3) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
The 2012 Grand Prix Stakes Champion drops down to 7 furlongs for the first time since finishing 2nd in this race a full two years ago. She had an indifferent 2013 but finished 2nd on her season debut in January. She’s race-trialed over 5 furlongs twice since then and must be considered one of the favourites.

3. Star Bolt (USA) [Fusaichi Pegasus – D’Oro Doll (Touch Gold)] 4 (16/3/5/0) – Park Geum Man
Has a great turn of pace as shown when she finished 2nd in the GCTC Trophy, having been 10th inside the home-straight. Has a tendency to leave herself just a little too much to do but drops down to 1400 metres for the first time in a year – the last time she tried this distance, she led from gate to wire – albeit against greatly inferior opposition

4. Xicar (AUS) [Written Tycoon – Grand Jewel (Brocco)] 5 (24/4/3/1) – Jang Chu Youl
Very promising when she first came onto the scene, Xicar has suffered a number of injury setbacks. She finally made her class 1 debut last month and finished a very good 3rd over this distance. It would be a big surprise if she could improve on that here but has an outside chance of matching it.

5. My Day (KOR) [Touch Gold – Smart Advice (Smart Strike)] 4 (18/8/3/1) – Ham Wan Sik
A three-time winner at class 1, this diminutive looking filly has to be given respect. Dropping down to this distance for the first time in over a year, she is one who could cause problems at the business end of the race.

6. Joy Lucky (KOR) [Vicar – Proper Gun (Prosper Fager)] 4 (11/8/1/0) – Seo Seung Un
The favourite and for good reason. If she runs to her potential it is hard to see her getting beaten. Second to Secret Whisper in the final leg of the Queen’s Tour last year in Busan, she has an excellent chance of going one better this time.

7. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) [Bluegrass Cat – Island Rhythm (Skip Trial)] 4 (18/0/3/4) – Kim Ok Sung
Has never won a race. And won’t win this one. Shes not usually far off and has taken home a paycheck from 12 of her 18 starts but, never having run at a higher level than class 3, she’ll be hard pushed to do that here.

8. Sun Blade (NZ) [Coat’s Choice – Wella (Zabeel) 3 (8/4/1/1) – Kim Yong Geun
Trainer Kim Young Kwan usually brings two up for the big races and Sun Blade looks like his 2nd-string here after Gamdonguibada. However, while she is untried at this level, she is quick and has plenty of potential as well as a 2 kilo advantage on the rest. Could be seen toward the front early and jockey Kim Yong Geun is in very good form after returning from a lengthy suspension.

9. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt. Livermore)] 5 (26/9/4/2) – Jeong Dong Cheol (Busan)
Regular jockey Darryll Holland has stayed back in Busan so Jeong Dong Cheol gets his chance on last year’s runner-up. She likes to be up with the pace and won handily over a class 1 field at this distance in January but was disappointing in the Busan Ilbo Cup last up which causes concern here. Can’t be ruled out but the question is whether she is fast enough to go past the likes of Joy Lucky in the final furlong. On form, she’s not.

10. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] 4 (19/6/4/1) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
Burst onto the class 1 scene with a pair of wins at the turn of the year including over Gamdonguibada – albeit with a 9kg weight advantage. She drops down to a distance that she’s never won at but if the favourites fail to perform, she could be one to take advantage.

11. Shining Future (KOR) [Silver Train – Juliet’s Kiss (Kissin Kris)] 5 (23/4/3/2) – Kim Do Hyun (Busan)
Closed well to win over this distance in late December and was just beaten a nose last time out after also coming from off the pace. Likely to find the front-runners too quick and too resilient for her to repeat the feat here.

12. Kalma (USA) [Dehere – Leeward Passage (Captain Bodgit)] 5 (18/4/1/3) – Yang Young Nam (Busan)
That she has joined the stable of Bart Rice, who has had a great start to his training career at Busan, is the only thing in Kalma’s favour here. The South African trainer has won with 4 of his 18 starters to date but it would be a huge surprise if Kalma provided the fifth here.

13. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sea Gift (A.P. Indy)] 4 (10/3/4/1) – Moon Se Young
Really struggled on her class 1 debut last month and she will appreciate the drop down in distance. Likely to be seen towards the front of the field, she’ll not be favourite but with moon Se Young up, she’ll not be without her backers and is not without a chance of placing.

Seoul Bullet Plays The Claiming Game At Gulfstream

In 2012, Feel So Good became the first Korean horse to win a race in the United States. Last month, Seoul Bullet set a record of his own, albeit a rather less auspicious one, as he became the first Korean-bred horse to get claimed out of a race.

Seoul Bullet on his way to the USA last year (KRA)

Seoul Bullet on his way to the USA last year (KRA)

Seoul Bullet (Peace Rules) is one of three horses who left Korea over a year ago for initial training and racing in the US as part of a program that the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) has been running for three years now.

The gelding made his racing debut at Gulfstream Park on December 8 last year and finished a very creditable 3rd of eight over six-furlongs in a maiden claiming race. His 2nd start came in January, also at Gulfstream in slightly better company ended in him coming home 6th of nine.

Next up he was dropped back in at the same track in race 4 on February 7, with a claiming tag of $20,000. He ran poorly, finishing 5th of 6, however, to general bemusement, he was claimed by Marco Thoroughbred Corp. and found himself on the way to the barn of trainer Bobby S. Dibona.

Neither of the other two horses Stateside, who like Seoul Bbullet, are with trainer J. David Braddy, have had a hugely eventful time. Gangnam Camp (Forest Camp) has managed no better than 7th in three starts to date while Better Than You (Ft.Stockton) grabbed 4th on his debut but has struggled in two starts since.

Just like Feel So Good and all other Korean horses who run in the US, the three are scheduled to be auctioned off to Domestic owners when they return to Korea later this year.

And the KRA needn’t call off the auction just yet. On February 23rd, they claimed Seoul Bullet back out of race 3 at Gulfstream for the same $20,000 tag. The sum total being a fortnight’s worth of stable and training fees saved.

* The Gulfstream Three aren’t the only Korean horses in the US at the moment. Up in Maryland, 2013 Derby winner Speedy First and Minister’s Cup winner Major King have been enduring one of the coldest winters in memory at Laurel Park where they are expected to begin a short campaign of racing later this month.

Weekend Preview

Ghost Whisper probably dislikes the Korean summer even more than I do.

He's Back: Ghost Whisper (KRA)

He’s Back: Ghost Whisper (KRA)

Two years in a row he’s competed in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in July and two years in a row, he’s needed 7 months off after it.

He will not be among those disappointed that winter seems to have returned to the peninsula after a mild two weeks as he makes his 2014 debut on Sunday.

Now 6-years-old, the grey gelding, owned by Pegasus Stables and trained by Peter Wolsley, will carry top weight in Busan’s feature race of the weekend; a class 1 handicap over 7-furlongs on Sunday afternoon.

Ghost Whisper (Gotham City) be giving a minimum of 4.5kg to every other horse in a field that also includes last year’s KRA Cup Mile winner Sting Ray – a horse whose form has been so indifferent since that triumph, that he now joins Ghost Whisper as a gelding – and 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm, still going strong as a 9-year-old.

Megaton and Myeongun Jewang, who have tangled over this distance recently, are among those more likely to come out on top than theClassic winners though.

At Seoul, it’s a low-key weekend although there is one class 1 race on Sunday. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday March 7
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:20 to 17:20

Saturday March 8
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 9
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Racing Review: My Key Unlocks Busan Feature

Always a horse with a lot of attention on him, My Key delivered the goods at Busan this afternoon, landing his second class 1 victory in the afternoon’s feature race.

As half-brother of US champion Game On Dude, big things were expected of My Key (Macho Uno), now a 4-year-old gelding. He’s no superstar but has developed into a decent campaigner. Entering today’s race with 6 wins from 16 starts behind him, he was sent off as the 2nd favourite in the 13-runner, 2000 metre race.

Jockey Lim Sung Sil saved ground before unleashing My Key in the home straight and they eased away from the field to record victory by just over a length from Cheogo Gangja.

It was the second class 1 race of the weekend at Busan with Friday having seen the previously unbeaten US import Cowboy Son (Cowboy Cal) struggle to 3rd place as Oreuse (Smoke Glacken) took the win in the 7-furlong feature.

Up at Seoul, there was an interesting debutant on Sunday in the shape of another 4-year-old gelding, this one called Yeongsan (Menifee).

It was a Spring-like weekend at Seoul Racecourse

It was a Spring-like weekend at Seoul Racecourse

One of 6 Korean-bred horses exported to Malaysia in 2012, Yeongsan ran there twice on turf before quietly returning home at the end of last year.

Looking an absolute beast in comparison with a woefully overmatched class 6 field, Yeongsan sauntered to a 13-length win. We’ll take a closer look at him and the circumstances of his return over the next few days.

At the business end of Seoul’s card were two class 1 races, one for foreign-bred horses and the other for domestic-bred.

The foreign-bred one saw a very close finish which 8/1 chance Double Shining (Rockport Harbor) just got the best of ahead of Kentucky Galloper (Tiz Wonderful) and KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul (Go For Gin).

Thirty minutes later, odds-on favourite Heukgisa (A.P.Dancer) claimed the domestic race to wrap-up another weekend of racing.

Weekend Racing Times

It’s been a very mild – albeit rather dusty – week in South Korea and the settled weather looks set to continue as racing returns this weekend.

Haze: Seoul has been hit by dust storms this week, but at least it is getting warmer

Haze: Seoul has been hit by dust storms this week, but at least it is getting warmer


It’s well worth watching Busan on Friday for the very last race on the card as unbeaten US import Cowboy Son (Cowboy Cal) steps up to class 1 for the first time. The three-year-old colt is already his America-based sire’s biggest earner and comes into the race with 6 comfortable wins from his 6 starts.

Among Others, Cowboy Son will find himself up against Beolmaui Kkum, who drops down in distance after 2 disappointing recent outings, including fading without trace in the home straight of the Grand Prix Stakes in Seoul in December.

There are no Stakes races on the peninsulas this weekend but Seoul does play host to a pair of class 1 events on Sunday afternoon. KRA Cup Classic winner Mari Daemul – another who had a disappointing Grand Prix, is among thoe on show.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday February 28
Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:40 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:20 to 17:20

Saturday March 1
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday March 2
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Gyeongbudaero Blasts His Way To Busan Ilbo Cup

Gyeongbudaero held off a late challenge from an outsider to win the Busan Ilbo Cup this afternoon.

Winner: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Winner: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Running at his favourite distance of 1600 metres, the horse who is famous for finishing 2nd or 3rd in the big races made light of his 60kg impost to record his 3rd career Stakes win by a length from My Winner with long-shot All Su leading the rest of the field home 6 lengths adrift.

Gyeongbudaero would have a much better win rate but his connections always seek out the toughest possible opposition for him, generally running in open company rather than in races restricted to Korean bred horses.

He was 3rd in the Korean Derby, Minister’s Cup and President’s Cup in 2012 and followed it up in 2013 with 3rd in this race and 2nd in the President’s Cup.

He’s now 2 for 2 in 2014 with today’s win the 9th from 25 career starts. With Dangdae Bulpae retired, it is between him and President’s Cup winner Indie Band for the title of Busan’s number 1 horse.

It was a very strong run from My Winner in 2nd place. The Peter Wolsley trainee won a listed race last autumn which encouraged connections to take their chance in the President’s Cup. He was last that day and hadn’t run since. Better things could be on the way and he certainly won’t be allowed to start at 20/1 next time.

There was no luck for the foreign jockeys in the race. Joe Fujii, Masa Tanaka and Darryll Holland allentered with fighting chances of the win, However, riding Magic Dancer, Alpha Myeongjang and Grand Teukgeup, they finished 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 23, 2014

1. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.3, 1.1
2. My Winner (KOR) [Vicar – Bridlingbride (Unbridled’s Song)] – Kim Yong Geun – 4.3
3. All Su (KOR) [Perfect Vision II – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] – Song Keong Yun – 6.5

Distances: 1 length/6 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Magic Dancer 5. Alpha Myeongjang 6. Grand Teukgeup 7. Chima Cheolli 8. Fine Fine 9. Road To Prince

* At Seoul, there was a little bit of an upset on the Classic trail as Cheongnyeong Bisang looked very out of sorts while finishing 7th when favourite in a class 2 handicap over the Derby distance of 1800 metres.

Last year’s Champion Juvenile started the year with a routine win over 1700 metres last month and was favourite to successfully go the extra 100 metres today but never looked like going close.

Meanwhile, it was another good day for Ikuyasu Kurakane. The Japanese rider added to his solitary win yesterday with a double today, taking him to 14 for the year already despite missing the first 6 meetings of the year due to suspension.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Full Preview

Busan hosts its first Stakes race of 2014 this Sunday when nine horses go to post for the mile-long Busan Ilbo Cup.

Gyeongudaero, seen here winning the KRA Cup Mile as a 3-year-old, heads the Busan Ilbo line-up(KRA)

Gyeongudaero, seen here winning the KRA Cup Mile as a 3-year-old, heads the Busan Ilbo line-up(KRA)

It’s the first class 1 Stakes race of the year anywhere in Korea and it has attracted a decent line-up. Here’s a full run down of the field:

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 23, 2014

1. Fine Fine [Forest Camp – Dream Fantasy (Manlove)] 5 H 52Kg (17/6/2/0) – Lee Sung Jae
Has had a hard time since graduating to class 1 after an impressive summer last year. In his favour is that he will carry by far the lightest weight in the race.

2. Road To Prince [Pico Central – Ransom Bay (Red Ransom)] 5 H 58.5Kg (19/9/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Another who has struggled for form of late although ran a creditable 5th in the President’s Cup at Seoul last November. Plenty of talent but is trainer Kim Young Kwan’s 2nd string here.

3. Gyeongbudaero [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] 5 H 60Kg (24/8/6/6) – Choi Si Dae
Top weight reflects that he is a top horse whose win record doesn’t reflect his ability. Won the KRA Cup Mile over this distance almost 2 years ago and even with the weight, will be a contender.

4. Alpha Myeongjang [Pico Central – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] 5 H 54.4Kg (21/8/6/0) – Masakazu Tanaka
Finished behind Grand Teukgeup in his last two outings and will have to work some to overcome that form here. Only out of the money 3 times in his 21 starts so always goes close.

5. Grand Teukgeup [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt.Livermore)] 5 M 55Kg (25/9/4/2) – Darryll Holland
The only filly or mare in the race, she was 3rd in the Korean Oaks in 2012 and 2nd in the Ttukseom Cup last year. Won last time out at 7 furlongs and must be considered.

6. Magic Dancer [Forest Camp – Wildly Magic (Peterhof)] 4 C 58.5Kg (10/7/3/0) – Kanichiro Fujii
Kim Young Kwan’s first string, he’s won his only start at this distance although that was at class 2. Skipped the Classics last year and regarded as one to follow this season.

7. Chima Cheolli [Dongseo Daero – Gamhwaryeok (Down The Aisle)] 4 C 57Kg (13/4/4/2) – Kim Dong Young
Has won his last two starts, both at this distance. He steps up in class here but has the speed to make a strong challenge.

8. My Winner [Vicar – Bridlingbride (Unbridled’s Song)] 5 G 57.5Kg (18/5/5/0) – Kim Yong Geun
Peter Wolsley’s runner hasn’t been seen since a disappointing run in the President’s Cup in November but he’ll most likely appreciate the drop back in trip and could be in with a shout of a place.

9. All Su [Perfect Vision II – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] 6 H 56Kg (41/8/5/9) – Song Keong Yun
Reliable campaigner who has been competing at class 1 for two years now. Likes the distance and has wins over a number of his rivals here. Will need to be at his very best to challenge though.

The Busan Ilbo Cup is the highlight of a busy couple of days of racing on the peninsula. Here’s what’s happening when and where over Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday February 22
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday February 23
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00 including the Busan Ilbo Cup at 16:10.