Untouchable! Useung Touch Romps To Ttukseom Cup Triumph

Useung Touch struck the first blow in the race to become Champion filly & mare of 2013 by cruising to a remarkable 7-length victory in the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the 2013 Queens’ Tour, at Seoul Race Park Sunday.

Hold On! Connections and jockey Choi Si Dae struggle to hold Useung Touch in the Ttukseom Cup winner's circle

Hold On! Connections and jockey Choi Si Dae struggle to hold Useung Tocuh in the Ttukseom Cup winner’s circle

Now 5-years-old, the 2011 Korean Oaks winner Useung Touch (Menifee)announced her return to form with shock 2nd place finish to Gamdounguibada in the Grand Prix Stakes in December. Today, re-united with jockey Choi Si Dae for the first time since she was a 3-year-old and dropping down to 7 furlongs, she was sent off as second-favourite behind Segye Ilbo Cup winner Indian Blue.

Always travelling well, Useung Touch hit the front with just over a furlong to run and powered away from the field, still stretching her lead on the line. Fellow Korean bred filly Grand Teukgeup (Menifee), 3rd in last year’s Oaks was closest to her in 2nd, while Indian Blue’s effort was too little and far too late as she finished in 3rd.

Useung Touch now has 7 wins from her 21 starts with 7 2nd place finishes and prize money of over 1 Billion Korean Won. A star of the 2011 Triple Crown trail, in addition to winning the Oaks, she was 2nd in the Derby and Minister’s Cup. While she only recorded one win in 2012, she’s now firmly established back among the Korean racing elite.

It’s another triumph for Korea’s top stallion Menifee. In siring the 1st and 2nd home, he extends his lead at the top of the Leading Sire race with more than double the prize money of his closest rival.

Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 17, 2013

1. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] – Choi Si Dae – 3.2, 1.4
2. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee-Saratoga Campaign (Mt. Livermore)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 3.6
3. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gamblers Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.5

Distances: 7 lengths / 0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Sangnyu (USA) 5. Empire World (USA) 6. Darani (USA) 7. Seungniuihamseong (KOR) 8. Dongteuja (KOR) 9. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) 10. Imperial Girl (USA) 11. Kkakjaengi (USA) 12. Sangseung Geotap (USA) 13. Ruby Queen (KOR) 14. Royale Embrace (USA) 15. Chowonuibyeol (USA) 16. Blueband Mama (USA)

* There is Listed race action at Seoul next weekend. 2012 Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) heads the entrants for the Sports Donga Cup.

Weekend Preview: Sixteen Line-Up For Ttukseom Cup

Between 1954 and 1988, Seoul Racecourse was located on the north bank of the River Han, when Seoul Forest now stands. Once a year, Korean racing honours its history with the running of the Ttukseom Cup. For the second year running, this year’s edition acts as the first leg of the Queens’ Tour, a series of races to decide Korea’s Champion filly or mare.

Royale Embrace and You Hyun Myung win last year's Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens' Tour (Pic: Ilgan Sports)

Royale Embrace and You Hyun Myung win last year’s Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour (Pic: Ilgan Sports)

Traditionally in Korea, fillies race against colts, however, in order to improve the domestic breeding stock, the KRA has been trying over the past few years to improve the incentive to owners to import top quality fillies to race and then go on to the breeding shed.

The Queens’ Tour is part of that and offers tests over a variety of distances starting with the 7 furlongs of the Ttukseom Cup. Last year’s overall winner, US bred Gamdonguibada (Werblin) went on to beat the colts in the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes to become Champion Racehorse of Korea.

History will be made whatever happens on Sunday as, for the first time since racing moved to Gwacheon after the Seoul Olympics, 16 horses will line up in the race. This year, the upper limit for starters has been raised from 14 to 16 in Stakes races. Here’s a run down of all the runners and riders (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) – Jockey (Home Track)):

Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 17, 2013 (16:35)

1. Chowonuibyeol (USA) [Rockport Harbor – Arctic’s Angel (Artax)] (13/3/3/2) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
Little recent form to go on as the last race she completed was the final leg of last year’s Queens’ Tour and that didn’t go well. She does like this distance though and while not a favourite, can’t be completely discounted.

2. Dongteuja (KOR) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] (13/7/0/3) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
The half-sister of one of Korea’s best ever racehorses, the two-time Grand Prix Stakes winner Dongbanui Gangja, Dongteuja won her first 6 races and looked to be a superstar. Since then, she has found things tougher but began 2013 with a win. In Joe Fujii she has the best jockey in the race on board and has to be shown respect in the betting.

3. Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charlie – Mirta (Theatrical)] (25/7/2/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
A Stakes winner in the KNN Cup last year but has struggled recently. The drop down to 1400M should suit but she is up against it here.

4. Ruby Queen (KOR) [Badge Of Silver – Rubyana (Rubiano)] (20/7/6/3) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
Proven at the top level, if she is on her game, she will be a strong contender and should be involved at the business end of the race.

5. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Again)] (19/6/4/4) – Shin Hyoung Chul (Seoul)
It’s quite remarkable that this mare hasn’t won since 2011. Still, she has only been out of the money twice in her 19 races and she will be in the money here. Whether that is in first place is another matter but, against only fillies and over 7 furlongs, this multiple Stakes winner has a good chance.

6. Imperial Girl (USA) [Imperialsm – Wallena (Wallenda)] (26/3/2/4) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
Winner of the Selangor Turf Club Trophy in 2011, she struggled in the Queens’ Tour last year but was a surprisng 2nd to Tough Win on her 2013 debut. In that race, she beat a number of good horses, including Kkakjaengi, and therefore must be considered.

7. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadow Bryte (Meadowlake)] (24/3/4/2) – Kim Ok Sung (Seoul)
A wildly inconsistant mare, her last win was at this distance and she could surprise. She’ll not be fancied to come close though.

8. Darani (USA) [Saarland – Dusty’s Legacy (Golden Missile)] (28/3/6/5) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
Stablemate of Sangseung Geotap and probably second string from that barn. However, she was second in the final leg of the Queens’ Tour last year and the step down to 1400M will be interesting. Don’t write her off.

9. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] (20/6/7/2) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
2011 Korean Oaks winner and 2nd in the Korean Derby in the same year, she pulled off a remarkable second place in the Grand Prix Stakes last December. She will have a lot of supporters and would be a very popular winner.

10. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt.Livermore)] (16/7/2/1) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
Unusually for a horse with 16 races under her belt, she’s never been tried over 1400M. She has a class 1 win under her belt and has a chance here.

11. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) [Put It Back – Diamond Heirloom (Pembroke)] (14/4/1/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok (Seoul)
A rare Canadian bred in Korea, she has never lost over this distance. Form since reaching class 1 has not exactly been exceptional but it may not need to be to be in with a chance here.

12. Empire World (USA) [Empire Maker – Salty You (Salt Lake)] (18/5/2/3) – Kim Eu Soo (Busan)
A mare who has risen up the ranks very much under the radar, she has an impressive record of finishing inside the money. Could spring a surprise.

13. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gamblers Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] (6/3/2/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
The only 3-year-old in the race, she won the Segye Ilbo Cup last month over course and distance and as a result, will likely be favourite.

14. Royale Embrace (USA) [Chapel Royal – Embracing Krissy (Kissin Kris)] (23/7/4/2) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
Last year’s winner, 1400M is her favourite and she will relish being back on the gentler Seoul track. Consistent at the distance, she could pull off another surprise.

15. Seungnuiuihamseong (KOR) [Vicar – Hug And Kiss (Commander In Chief)] – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
A consistent performer last year winning the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup before holding her own against the colts in the President’s Cup and finishing an in no way disgraceful 7th in the Grand Prix Stakes, she has every chance of doing well here.

16. Sangnyu (USA) [Broken Vow – Midtown Miss (Yes It’s True)] – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
A class 1 winner and a filly who is getting better as she gets older. A real chance.

Gyongmaman’s verdict: Filly races in Korea are extremely difficult to handicap and therefore there is a big temptation to go for Indian Blue who did the business over course and distance last month. Sangnyu beat better class opposition though and Dongteuja has class. Dongteuja will be on Gyongmaman’s coupon with Kkakjaengi, Dangdae Jeonsung, Sangnyu and Royale Embrace also featuring.

Friday March 15

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday March 16

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday March 17

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:05

Maximum Stakes Race Field Size Rises To 16

There is a big change coming in Korean racing as the maximum number of horses that can take part in a race is set to rise to 16.

They'll need two more spaces for Stakes races

They’ll need two more spaces for Stakes races

For many years, no more than 14 runners could start in any one race, however, from 2013, that number has risen to 16 for Stakes races with the intention that from 2014, the new higher limit will apply in all races.

Punters are already using the new betting slips which can accommodate 16 runners in a race

Punters are already using the new betting slips which can accommodate 16 runners in a race

The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) has already introduced new betting slips in order to cope with the change and it is possible that next Sunday’s Ttukseom Cup at Seoul Race Park, the first leg of the “Queens’ Tour” series of races that will decide the Champion filly or mare of the year, will be the first opportunity for punters to see the new system in action.

There are still 18 entrants left in the Ttukseom Cup and while in previous years, this would need to be whittled down to 14, this time only 2 will be forced to miss out.

Field sizes in Korea are generally quite healthy. No race can have fewer than seven declared starters and the mean average number of runners is 11. It is very rare for Stakes races to have fewer than 10. The Authority hopes that the increase will result in more attractive pari-mutuel odds for punters as well as more opportunities for owners to enter Stakes events.

Weekend Preview

Classic Possibles On Show / Ghost Whisper Returns

It has been a very long winter. Three months ago this weekend, Gamdonguibada won the Grand Prix Stakeson a day at Seoul Race Park where the temperature dipped below -10C. It had already been cold for a month. Last weekend too, the temperature was below Freezing. Finally this week things have warmed up on the peninsula and we’re set for a cloudy but mild weekend of racing.

Spring?

Spring?

With just a month until the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown, we need to keep an eye out for possible contenders. At Busan on Friday, Peter Wolsley’s colt Magic Dancer (Forest Camp) with 2 wins from his 3 starts, goes over 1500 metres in race 9 while a race later another of Wolsley’s charges, Amell’s Atom (Menifee) takes on the Cup Mile distance.

Friday’s feature at Busan sees Harley (Menifee), one of the crop’s furthest along in terms of class, take his chance although only over 7 furlongs.

Up at Seoul, Brig (Menifee) may be more of a Derby contender but will be worth watching as he attempts 1800 metres in Sunday’s race 10.

The most valuable races at both Seoul and Busan are on Sunday and Busan’s sees a welcome return to action for the grey Ghost Whisper (Gotham City). Absent from the track since collapsing with heat exhaustion at the end of the Busan Metropolitan Stakes last July, Peter Wolsley’s one-time stable star will line-up in the 1800 metre feature under Darryll Holland.

He’s up against Yongduseong (Concept Win), the late-developing mare with 6 wins from 9 starts and Nobel Pokpung (Didyme), who was 2nd in last year’s Korean Derby

At Seoul, you’ll have to wait until the very last race on Sunday to see some class 1 action. And while it’s competitive enough, it probably won’t be worth sticking around and braving the crush on the subway.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday March 8

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday March 9

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday March 10

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Brazilian Multiple US Stakes Winner Pico Central Has Passed Away

Pico Central, who won the Met Mile at Belmont in 2004, has passed away at Stud in South Korea.

Although the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed by the Korea Racing Authority, it is understood that the 13-year-old, who had been in Korea since 2007, died after suffering a paddock accident last week.

Pico Central (BRZ) 1999-2013

Pico Central (BRZ) 1999-2013

Pico Central [Spend A Buck – Sheila Purple (Purple Mountain)] started his racing career in his home country of Brazil. He won 4 races at Gavea Racecourse in Rio De Janeiro and was crowned champion Brazilian sprinter before being bought by prominent American owner Gary A. Tanaka. Moved to the US for his 4-year-old season, Pico Central won his first 4 races in the States in 2004 including two Group 1’s, the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct and the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Later that year, he returned to Belmont and was triumphant in another Group 1, the Vosburgh Stakes which would prove to be his last win. As a 5-year-old, he ran once in Dubai and was retired after finishing in last place in the Bing Crosby Handicap at Del Mar in July 2005.

Purchased by the Korea Racing Authority in late 2007, Pico Central was sent to the KRA Jeju Stud Farm on Jeju Island where, apart from a spell on the mainland at Jangsu, he would remain for the rest of his life.

At the time of his death, Pico Central was one of the most in-demand sires in Korea and was set to cover a full book of mares (which in Korea is about 70) this year. The first stallion import from the Buckpasser line, his loss is a major blow to the breeding program.

With only 2 crops of racing age, he finished 8th in the Leading General Sires list in 2012. Of those two crops, he has had most success with sprinters, the Busan based Alpha Myeongjang being the most successful in terms of prize money so far. He has several horses on the Korean Triple Crown trail this year.

Here is Pico Central winning the 2004 Vosburgh Stakes:

(ht: @gorillawanggo)

Holiday Weekend Racing Times

Here’s what’s happening when and where over the long weekend:

Friday March 1

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday March 2

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday March 3

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

British Jockey Darryll Holland To Debut With Six Rides At Busan This Friday

British jockey Darryll Holland will make his Korean debut this Friday. The newest overseas recruit to Busan Race Park is the first Briton to receive a license in Korea and will have 6 mounts on his first day for a number of different trainers.

Darryll Holland learns his first Korean pose at Busan (KRA)

Darryll Holland learns his first Korean pose at Busan (KRA)

40-year-old Holland was British Champion Apprentice in 1991 and has won big races across Europe and beyond.

Best known for partnering the great Falbrav to victory in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park and the QEII Stakes at Ascot in 2003, he also has wins in the Epsom Coronation Cup, the Newmarket July Cup and the St James’ Palace Stakes among many others.

In Asia, he won the Singapore Derby on All The Way in 2000. Most recently, Holland has just completed a winter riding engagement in Barbados.

He joins Narazaki Kosuke and Joe Fujii in the foreign jockey contingent at Busan which has traditionally been more accepting of foreign jockeys than Seoul. Kosuke and Fujii are, along with local rider Jo Sung Gon, currently the top jockeys at the track.

There has been some immediate support for Holland among trainers. The pick of his 6 debut rides is Raon Boss (Pico Central) for Busan’s top trainer Kim Young Kwan. The 3-year-old colt is on a 3-race winning streak and is one of the leading contenders for the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown, in April.

Holland was presented to the Busan crowd in a welcome ceremony during racing last Sunday and will wear all-green silks.

Dangdae Bulpae Does It Again

Tenth Stakes Win For Busan Star / Gamdonguibabda Makes Successful Return / Feel So Good Wins At Seoul

Dangdae Bulpae keeps on making history. Recording an unprecedented 10th Stakes win under an unprecendented weight for a Stakes winner and taking his earned prize money to an unprecendented 2.9 Billion won, the 6-year-old cruised to victory in the Busan Ilbo Cup this afternoon.

Pre-race, the weight was an issue. The three-time President’s Cup winner had never been successful when carrying more than 59kg but, as soon as the gates opened, any doubts disappeared.

Jo Sung Gon took Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) straight to the front and there they stayed. A passenger for most of the race, Jo needed to work a little to keep his mount going straight in the final two furlongs but there was never any question of him not winning.

At the line, the margin of victory was 3 lengths, with Dongseo Jeongbeol and Gyeongbudaero, Classic winners both, filling the placings.

Because of the weights he needs to carry in handicaps, we;ll likely only see Dangdae Bulpae a couple more times before this summer target; successfulyy defending the Busan Metropolitan City Stakes. After that, it may be that an attempt on a 4th straight President’s Cup is on the cards. It would take a brave punter to take him on.

One of very few horses who does have a recent victory over Dangdae Bulpae to her name is Gamdounguibada. And the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner was back for her season debut in the finale at Busan.

And it proved to be the easiest winner Joe Fujii will ever ride as
Gamdonguibada (Werblin) recorded a 5 length victory over the always game Viva Ace (Macho Uno). The Champion filly & mare and Champion foreign horse of 2012 is going to be one of the horses to watch in 2013 too.

Perhaps the most exciting – and certainly the most intriguing – horse in Korean racing was on show up at Seoul this afternoon. Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton) was bred in Korea but spent his early years in the US and won a race at Calder Racecourse last year. He returned home last autumn and was an easy winner on his Korean debut.

Feel So Good returns a winner

Feel So Good returns a winner

It was equally easy today as Feel So Good romped to a 6 length win over 1700 metres without seeming to get out of second gear. This year is going to be an interesting one.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 24, 2013

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.7, 1.1
2. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar – Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] – Joe Fujii – 1.3
3. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee p Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.6

Distances: 3 lengths/Neck
Also Ran: 4. Alpha Myeongjang 5. Road To Prince 6. Born To Win 7. Yeonseung Daero 8. Powerful Korea 9. Geumsangeo

Jigeum I Sungan Stretches Out And Takes It Easy

Jigeum I Sungan strode to another impressive win as he claimed the feature race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Jigeum I Sungan and Seo Seung Un return after their easy victory

Jigeum I Sungan and Seo Seung Un return after their easy victory

The 2012 Korean Derby winner got better with every run last year and always looked as though he would excel over longer distances.

Today did nothing to change that as, having sat comfortably in the middle of the pack for most of the 2000 metre race, jockey Seo Seung Un took Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) to the front with a furlong to run and accelerated away for a 7 length win.

It was his 8th win from his 17 career starts and perhaps the easiest to date. New Year’s Stakes winner Global Fusion and the very capable Geuma Champ were beaten out of sight. Indeed, he looked as though he could have gone round again.

Relieving Dangdae Bulpae of the President’s Cup crown that he has held for the last 3 years is the ultimate aim for Jigeum I Sungan this year. Korea’s richest race is not until October though. In the meantime, Dangdae Bulpae himself makes his 2013 debut in the Busan Ilbo Stakes down on the south-coast tomorrow afternoon.

Sunday February 24

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:05 including the Busan Ilbo Stakes at 16:15.

Dangdae Bulpae Heads Strong Busan Ilbo Cup Field

Busan hosts its first Stakes race of the year this coming Sunday as nine horses go to post for the Busan Ilbo Cup.

Stakes races usually end up with Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the winner's circle

Stakes races usually end up with Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the winner’s circle

It has attracted a high quality field with last year’s winner Yeonseung Daero set to have his work cut out to retain the trophy as three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae the likely favourite. Here’s a full run down of the runners with name, pedigree, sex, age, weight (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) and Jockey:

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday February 24, 2013 – 16:15

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] H 6 61kg (28/18/2/2) – Jo Sung Gon
One of the best Korean bred horses there has ever been. A three-time winner of the President’s Cup and the winner of more Stakes races than any other horse in Korean history. Against Korean bred opposition he should always be favourite at any distance between 1400 metres and 2000 metres and he will be here. The only consolation for his rivals is that he has never won when carrying more than 60kg and when he’s not on form, he’s really not on form. If he’s anything close to his best, he wins.

2. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar – Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] H 5 55.5kg (21/9/3/0) – Kanichiro (Joe) Fujii
Minister’s Cup winner in 2011, he struggled for form last year although he did finish 2nd in this race and picked up a win over the distance. He ended the year in good shape but will have to improve to win here but taking into weight and jockey, cannot be ruled out.

3. Road To Prince (KOR) [Pico Central – Ransom Bay (Red Ransom)] C 4 58kg (9/6/2/0) – Lim Sung Sil
A horse who has really crept up to class 1 under the radar. This will be his debut at this level and as such is a slightly unknown quantity. Seems to have plenty of improvement in him and will like the distance.

4. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] C 4 58.5kg (16/5/4/5) – Choi Si Dae
Remarkably this colt hasn’t won since he took the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown, last April. The reason is that he only ever runs against the best. 3rd in the Derby, 2nd in the Owners’ Cup, 3rd in the Minister’s Cup, 3rd in the President’s Cup. He usually runs into just one or two who are faster. That could well be the same here.

5. Alpha Myeongjang (KOR) [Pico Central – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] C 4 61kg (16/7/5/0) – You Hyun Myung
An out-and-out sprinter he was very exposed in the Minister’s Cup last year. If the race was 400 metres shorter, he’d be favourite. It’s not, so he is an outsider. The consitions of the race also land him with 61kg, the same as Dangdae Bulpae.

6. Born To Win (KOR) [Archer City Slew – Bayou Blues (Cure The Blues)] M 5 54.5kg (25/4/5/3) – Narazaki Kosuke
She may well be Born To Win but she doesn’t do it very often and he’ll not do it here either. A pair of class 2 victories last autumn propelled her into the elite class and she beat some useful horses when finishing second over 1900 metres last month but there’s not much in her favour here.

7. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] H 7 56.5kg (47/17/9/5) – Park Geum Man
A wonderfully game horse and the defending champion. Yeonseung Daero has been campaigned almost exclusively against foreign-bred horses, hence “only” having 17 wins to his name. Struggled for much of 2012 but was right back in form at the end of the year, he can never be written off. Stablemate of Gyeongbudaero.

8. Geumsangeo (KOR) [Volponi – Dactique’s Quest (Coronodo’s Quest)] M 5 52kg (20/3/5/3) – Chae Gyu Jun
A relative unknown who has risen to class 1 through placing more than winning. Has never faced a field of this quality before and while she does have a big weight advantage, it would be a surprise to see her involved at the business end of the race.

9. Powerful Korea (KOR) [Distilled – Bound To Score (Quick Score)] G 5 58kg (20/6/3/4) – Kim Dong Young
He spent his 2-year old season in the USA and even ran in 3 races in Florida but Powerful Korea has never really lived-up to his potential. He has just a solitary class 1 victory to his name and while he has undoubted ability, will need to find a lot of improvement to win here.

Gyongmaman’s verdict: Even taking into account the weight (which is too high – horses do not need to be carrying this kind of weight in a race that isn’t even a handicap but this is an argument for another day) it is difficult to look beyond Dangdae Bulpae for the win but there won’t be much value in that. Therefore, Gyongmaman will probably leave him alone in the betting and look for options involving Yeonseung Daero and Dongseo Jeongbeol both of whom are carrying reasonable weights, have good jockeys and are almost certain to run solid races.