Weekend Preview: Seoul Vs Busan Again

Filles Get Their Chance in The Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup

Last weekend, Busan horses came up to the Capital last and soundly defeated their Metropolitan counterparts in the President’s Cup. However, this week, seven fillies and mares have headed down the Gyeongbu Expressway and will attempt to exact revenge in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. The race, which will be run oover 10 furlongs is, after the Korean Oaks, Korea’s second richest race that is only open to Fillies & Mares.

Kkakjaengi - Tough To Beat

And the visitors have an excellent chance of returning with the big prize. Three year-old Kkakjaengi is already a multiple Stakes winner and if she takes well to the Busan track, could be the one to beat. Also from Seoul, the grand old Top Point, one-time Champion Mare, seems back to her best after returning from a long injury. Recently the only horses to beat her are Ace Galloper, Magic Party and Race Terror – who came a surprising, but impressive, third in the President’s Cup. If that form holds up, Top Point will be hard to beat. Similarly, Geumbi has always been close and will relish the chance to run without colts in the way.

For the home team, Bulkkot Gisang was a mightily impressive two-year old but has struggled this year. Some encouraging runs of late suggest she may one day have a big race in her while Wonder Unicorn is, rather surprisingly, the only runner coming into the race on the back of a win.

Busan Bound - Seo Seung Woon

As usual, the Seoul horses will all be accompanied by jockeys from the capital. However, the big names are staying put and some of Seoul’s lesser known riders and up and comers get their chance to shine on the south-coast. Among them is apprentice Seo Seung Un, who has been so impressive in his short career to date.

While the main event may be at Busan, Seoul and Jeju will of course host their regular weekend cards and both tracks will simulcast the Governor’s Cup.

* Here’s a full run-down of the runners and riders (with pedigrees, age and race records) for Sunday’s big race.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday November 13, 2011 – 16:16

1. Money Tree (KOR) [Medallist-Money Trust (Hennessy)] 4 (27/6/5/5) – Akane Yamamoto
2. Geumbi (USA) [Ecton Park-Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] 4 (12/4/4/2) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
3. Tango Step (KOR) [Jump Start-Jewell Dare (Woodman)] 4 (16/6/1/2) – Shim Seung Tae (Seoul)
4. Bulkkot Gisang (KOR) [Langfuhr-Attendance (A.P.Indy) 3 (13/7/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook
5. Fortunata (USA) [Eurosilver-Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] 4 (20/2/1/4) – Choi Won Joon (Seoul)
6. Gippeumnuri (USA) [Eurosilver-Regatta Queen (Danzig Connection)] 4 (20/4/2/1) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
7. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge-Meadowbryte (Meadowlake)] 3 (13/2/4/1) – Lee Keum Joo (Seoul)
8. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser-Mooncello (Northern Baby)] 7 (31/17/6/4) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
9. Onsaemiro (KOR) [Harlan’s Holiday-Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] 3 (12/4/5/0) – Kim Dong Young
10. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] 3 (12/4/2/3) – Chae Gyu Jun
11. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back-Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] 3 (10/6/2/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok (Seoul)
12. Dongbangmiin (KOR) [Yehudi-Pyeonghwaroun (Kingsview)] 4 (18/5/2/3) – You Hyun Myung
13. Crown Flag (KOR) [Volponi-Crown Of Creation (Beau Genius)] 4 (28/2/4/7) – Choi Si Dae
14. Wonder Unicorn (KOR) [Graeme Hall-Bessette (Quest For Fame)] 5 (27/8/6/4) – Park Geum Man

And here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday November 11

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 12

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday November 13

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at 16:15

Dangdae Bulpae Wins His Second President’s Cup

Dangdae Bulpae won his second consecutive President’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon back in the President's Cup Winner's Circle

There wasn’t the confidence in him that one might expect. Choeonyeon Daero was sent off as favourite but it was Dangdae Bulpae who was sent off into an early lead. For a moment punters were wondering if it would be the same suicidal early lead that Dangdae Bulpae shared with Tough Win in the Busan Metropolitan. But any worries they may have had faded quickly once the field entered the home straight.

Jo Sung Gon prompted Dangdae Bulpae into action and the pair streaked away from the field recording a six length win at the wire ahead of Cheonnyeon Daero. Race Terror was a further two lengths back in third while Nathan Stanley partnered old-stager Khaosan to the race of his life in fourth.

President’s Cup (KOR.G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 6, 2011

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 4.2, 2.1
2. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Nothern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 1.4
3. Race Terror (KOR) [Duality-Starship Adventure (Dare And Go)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.8

Distances: 6 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Khaosan 5. Real Victor 6. High Point 7. Useung Touch 8. Yeonseung Daero 9. Money Teukgeup 10. Cheot Insang 11. Dongseo Jeongbeol 12. Suseung TX 13. Love Cat

After two disappointing appearances, Dangdae Bulpae moves onto thirteen wins from twenty starts. He had questions to answer today. He doesn’t anymore.

Turkey Shoot For Smarty Moonhak

Two-year Old Could Be a Star In The Making As He Breezes to Turkey Jockey Club Trophy

Well that was impressive. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones) brushed aside thirteen older rivals to win the Turkey Jockey Club Trophy at an unseasonably warm Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Smarty Moonhak and Shim Seung Tae in the Winner's Circle - this may not their last visit

It’s very rare in Korea for a two-year old to race nine furlongs and even rarer for them to compete in a Trophy race against older horses. However, such was Smarty Moonhak’s reputation coming in – and a less than intimidating line-up of rivals – that punters made him the long odds-on favourite.

He didn’t disappoint. Drawn in gate 11, jockey Shim Seung Tae sent Smarty Moonhak fast out of the gate to take up a position just behind early leader Yaho Cat. They stayed in this order until entering the home straight when Shim asked his colt to shift up a gear. This he did and the pair cruised away from the field to win, easing down, by eleven lengths.

Smarty Moonhak now has four wins from five starts. His only loss came in his very first outing when he was second behind another highly rated import, Mister Captain. Since then, he’s breezed through all his races. Next year could be a big one for him.

Smarty Moonhak Speeds to Victory in the TJK Trophy

Turkey Jockey Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – November 5, 2011

1. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [SMarty Jones-Madeira M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] – Shim Seung Tae – 1.2, 1.0
2. Yaho Cat (USA) [Concerto-Irma (Wild Again)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 2.0
3. Royal Khalife (USA) [Cozzene-Glissand (Forestry)] – Lee Joon Chel – 4.0

Distances: 11 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Pildu (USA) 5. Haeranjanggun (KOR) 6. Gwanakteukgeup (USA) 7. Sun Viking (NZ) 8. V Train (USA) 9. Sky Center (USA) 10. Home For Dinner (CAN) 11. American Revival (USA) 12. Jisang Mujeok (KOR) 13. Jindubong (USA) 14. Manchester Miss (USA)

Action returns to Seoul tomorrow in the shape of the President’s Cup, the most valuable prize on the Korean racing calendar. Dangdae Bulpae is set to be slight favourite to retain the crown he won last year but there will be plenty of support for his fellow raiders from Busan; Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero, Useung Touch and Dongseo Jeongbeol – Classic winners all. It should be a great race.

Sunday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the President’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Weekend Preview: The President’s Cup

It may be Breeders’ Cup weekend in the US but it’s President’s Cup weekend in Seoul! The most valuable race of the year brings together for the first time some of this year’s best three-year olds from both Seoul and Busan to face their elders in a Stakes race for the first time. Dangdae Bulpae, Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero, Dongseo Jeongbeol and Useung Touch will all be there. Full preview here.

Up for the Cup(s)

Saturday also sees Stakes action at Seoul in the form of the TJK Trophy. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones) gets a swift introdution to high level racing as he takes on a full field of older imports.

It’s been a sunny week but there is a chance of rain so umbrellas are a must on what is set to be a cracking weekend of racing. In addition to Seoul, as usual there are also cards at Busan Jeju Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday November 4

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 5

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the TJK Trophy at 16:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the President’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

All To Do For Dangdae Bulpae In President’s Cup

Cheonnyeon Daero, Useung Touch, Dongseo Jeongbeol Seeking To Dethrone Defending Champion

While thousands of miles away the Breeders’ Cup is occupying much of the racing world this weekend, Korea plays host to its most valuable race of the year in the shape of the President’s Cup at Seoul Racecourse Park this Sunday.

Returning: Dangdae Bulpae & Jo Sung Gon in the 2010 President's Cup Winner's Circle

While it may not be the most prestigious – the Grand Prix Stakes taking that accolade – the President’s Cup is the biggest race of the year for Korean-bred horses. This is because it is the race in which this year’s Classic winners generally face their elders for the first time.

As it is, we have just two out of four Classic winners from this year – Useung Touch and Dongseo Jeongbeol – and just one from last year, Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero. However, with last year’s winner Dangdae Bulpae and the evergreen Yeonseung Daero making the trip up from Busan, we are guaranteed a fascinating renewal on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s a rundown of the runners with age/sex/weight to be carried (race records) and jockeys:

President’s Cup (KOR GI) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 6, 2011 – 16:35

1. Dangdae Bulpae [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] 4 C 58Kg (19/12/1/1) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
The defending Champion, he loves running at Seoul losing only once in the Grand Prix last year. At 2000 metres, one would think this was his for the taking. However, his last two starts at Busan have ended in two ignominious sixth places; getting into a suicidal early speed duel with Tough Win in the Metropolitan Stakes and sinking without trace in the Owners’ Trophy. He will need to be back to his best if he is to have a chance.

2. Love Cat [Creek Cat-Love Cue (Curia Regis)] 5 M 56Kg (26/10/2/4) – Moon Jung Kyun (Seoul)
Coming back from a five month lay-off and she was in very indifferent form before that. Her last win was in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup a year ago. Something sensational would have had to have happened to her during her break if she is to have a chance here. It seems unlikely.

3. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat-Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] 5 H 58Kg (36/15/7/5) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Stablemate of Cheonnyeon Daero, a top performer whose win rate would be much higher were it not for the fact that his Sportsman connections never take the safe option and always run him against foreign opposition rather than cherry-pick handicaps against inferior domestic horses. Got his reward in winning the Busan Metropolitan over Dongbanui Gangja in the summer. His career has been a joy to follow and as always, he’ll be there or thereabouts.

4. Dongseo Jeongbeol [Vicar-Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] 3 C 56Kg (11/7/1/0) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
One of two of this year’s Classic winners taking part, the Minister’s Cup champion makes a quick return to Seoul. Dangdae Bulpae scored a Minister’s and President’s Cup double last year and Dongseo Jeongbeol looks perfectly capable of doing the same. However, despite it being over the same distance, he will be up against much tougher opposition on Sunday.

5. Cheot Insang [Psychobabble-Soma (Far Out East)] 5 G 56Kg (27/6/3/4) – Ji Ha Ju (Seoul)
Picked up a useful Class 1 win last month to gain his entry here but really should be outclassed in this company.

6. High Point [Silent Warrior-Fran’s Express (Expressman)] 5 H 58Kg (24/7/2/6) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
Interesting one. He won the SBS Cup in August but was narrowly defeated by Race Terror on his only run since. At five, he’s in the best form of his career and could be one to look out for. Arguably Seoul’s best chance.

7. Money Teukgeup [Ft. Stockton-Headwork (Silveyville)] 5 H 58Kg (29/6/4/4) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
He hasn’t won since June 2010 and he’ll not win this.

8. Useung Touch [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] 3 F 54Kg (10/5/3/1) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
The outstanding filly of 2011, she’s the Oaks winner and second in the Derby and Minister’s Cup and a genuine contender for Horse Of The Year. Can she win this? Yes, she can, but it’s a big ask. Either way she will be contesting the finish.

9. Suseong TX [Concept Win-Oktong-I (Kyoei Blossom)] 6 H 58Kg (27/7/5/4) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Seoul’s Champion Jockey-elect is unlikely to be winning this. Suseong TX only has one win to his name this year and it seems he has been entered to compete for the minor – but still financially lucrative – placings.

10. Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship) 4 C 58Kg (26/7/13/3) – Park Geum Man (Busan)
The 2010 Korean Derby winner will be retired at the end of this season. This is likely to be his penultimate race (so long as connections accept his inevitable Grand Prix invitation). A supremely talented horse who has a very bad case of second-itis – even when he wins, he finishes second – but this could be his time. He should be favourite.

11. Khaosan [Sunday Well-Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] 6 G 58Kg (31/7/7/7) – Nathan Stanley (Busan)
The foreign interest. Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley finally got his first Stakes winner with Khaosan when Cheonnyeon Daero was disqualified in the Owners’ Cup. It was the correct decision as without the interference, the six-year old would have won. A late developer, Khaosan is a tough horse and he may well find the Seoul course, on which he is racing for the first time, to be to his liking. With Nathan Stanley on board, he is worth an outside bet.

12. Race Terror [Duality-Starship Adventure (Dare And Go)] 4 C 58Kg (22/5/5/4) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
Coming into form at the right time with his first Class 1 win at the end of September, he will need to improve a lot to win here.

13. Blooming [Future Quest-Fox Dance (Foxtrail)] 5 H 58Kg (17/7/3/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Very much a dark-horse here, the relatively lightly raced Blooming does have qualities to recommend him. He has two recent wins over similar distances and has every chance of being competitive. If he apears on the board at long odds, he may well be worth an outside punt.

14. Real Victor [Biwa Shinseiki-Hyunmo (Real Quiet)] 4 C 58Kg (21/5/9/0) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
That he has only failed to money twice in twenty-one starts means that Rea Victorr must get sime respect. There are better horses than him in the race but there’s every chance of him playing a big role in the finish.

Jeju Link Means Korea Backing Game On Dude In Breeders’ Cup Classic

Star’s Dam Now Based On Jeju Island As Part Of Korean Breeding Program

It will be breakfast time in Korea on Sunday, President’s Cup day, when thousands of miles away at Churchill Downs, the Breeders’ Cup Classic comes under orders. However, plenty of Korean racing fans will be on the internet scouring for streams to watch the big race and the vast majority of them will be supporting Game On Dude.

Worldly Pleasure - given the typically unflattering Korean StudBook treatment

This isn’t because they’ll have had a bet on the horse who is currently sixth favourite – for the most part they won’t have as there is no legal means of doing so here – but more to do with the fact that the four year old’s dam, Worldly Pleasure, currently resides at Nokwon Farm on Jeju Island.

As a racehorse, Worldly Pleasure [Devil His Due-Fast Pleasure (Fast Play)] was a decent filly on the American cicrcuit. From 2003 to 2005, she won 8 out of 38 starts mostly running at tracks such as Laurel, Delaware Park, Pimlico and Tampa Bay Downs. On retirement, she gave birth to a colt by Smart Strike in 2006 called Wild Spirit and then in 2007 to another colt this time by Awesome Again. This colt (who would be gelded) would be Game On Dude.

In late 2009, with Game On Dude still a two-year old, Worldly Pleasure was sent through the sales ring at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and was bought by Korean interests for $15,000 and a month later, on Christmas Eve, she arrived in Korea for her new life at Nokwon Farm.

The Korean racing media has jumped on the Game On Dude bandwagon

At the time, Worldly Pleasure was in foal to Macho Uno and she gave birth to a colt on February 8, 2010. He is scheduled to reach the racetrack in just under a year. Perhaps fittingly – and maybe presciently – her first mating in Korea was with Volponi, himself a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner in 2002, and a filly was born early this year. For 2011, Nokwon Farm sent Worldly Pleasure to their own stallion, the little known Japanese import Admire Don [Timber County-Vega (Tony Bin)].

Of course, there’s no guarantee that any of these foals will even make the racetrack let alone be a shadow of their illustrious half-brother but either way, a win for Game On Dude this weekend, however unlikely it may be, will be a real shot in the arm to a Korean breeding industry which has made great strides in recent years in the quality of imported stallions and is looking to do the same with broodmares.

With the Cup Classic over breakfast and then the domestic President’s Cup in the afternoon, Sunday is set to be a big day for Korean racing.

Worldly Pleasure’s Korean StudBook Entry

Melbourne Cup – TV Coverage In Korea

Tuesday November 1 sees one of the biggest races of the year and as usual, the Melbourne Cup is available for Korean viewers on the Australia Network. Coverage starts at 11am Korean Time and runs through until 1:30pm. The big race is at 1pm. The Australia Network is available on most Digital Cable and Satellite packages.

For those without Digital Cable, the Australia Network can be viewed from within Korea free of charge on the English language website of the Donga-Ilbo Newspaper. Click Here to go straight to the feed.

Should make for a better than usual Tuesday morning.

Tough Win Strolls At Seoul While Aussies Keep Flying At Busan

Tough Win took it easy for a while and then cruised by the field to record possibly the simplest of what is now thirteen career wins from seventeen starts. Back at 1800 metres and escaping the handicapper’s weights for once in what was a rare Allowance feature race, the result was never likely to be in doubt.

Tough Win heads to post for another easy win

Nevertheless, Tough Win (Yonaguska) was still up against the likes of Larrycat (Fantasticat), who finished way ahead of him in the Grand Prix Stakes last year and the in-form Japanese pairing of Necromancer (Air Eminem) and KJ Khan (Squirtle Squirt). not to mention the old warhorse and former Grand Prix winner, Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae).

Under Cho Kyoung Ho, Tough win sat at the back of the field around the first turn before moving into contention in the back-straight and easing clear as they turned for home. The margin at the end was eight lengths but it might as well have been eighteen.

Tough Win is a horse that exposes both strengths and weaknesses of Korea racing. Ultimately he’s a sprinter but there are so few sprint races for Class 1 horses, he has had to be stretched out further. No problems there; he’s head and shoulders ahead of anything else on the peninsula up to nine furlongs. Above that, it gets tricky but the only Championship races for imported horses such as Tough Win are at 2000 Metres (Busan Metropolitan) and 2300 Metres (Grand Prix).

Tough Win just about managed to win the Metropolitan last year but was soundly beaten this year as indeed he was in the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is an Korean racing institution – racing fans get to vote on which horses should receive invitations and the result is that the best horses on the peninsula get in. It’s great. But it would be even better if we had both the Grand Prix Stakes and the Grand Prix Mile!

Down at Busan it was business as usual for Peter Wolsley and Nathan Stanley. The Australian trainer/jockey duo combined to win the feature race with Gyeongkwaehanjilju (Tapit). The grey four-year old has now won his last three races and Wolsley and Stanley are undoubtedly the most lethal combination at the track. At least some Aussies are flying this weekend.

Moon Walking To The Title

Moon Se Young Opens Up Big Lead In Jockey Championship

In 2009 it was a fall, while in 2010 it was a lengthy suspension. Bad luck and carelessness cost Moon Se Young the Seoul Jockeys’ Championship in the two years following his victory in 2008. It seems that it is only one of those two misfortunes that could possibly cost him this year’s crown as the 31-year-old cemented his commanding lead over rival Cho Kyoung Ho by riding four winners at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Smiling Assasin: Moon Se Young

Moon’s victories today were by no means routine. After taking race 1 on 7/1 shot Time Light (Revere) he immediately followed up in race 2 on Jeongsangillo (Flatter). After sitting out race 3 in he was back winning in race 4 by five lengths on 4/1 Jeongsang Yechan (Menifee). Not until race 8 did he ride a favourite and when he did, Magic Light (Exploit) duly obliged.

It was a good day’s work but the Champion-elect still managed to look disgusted with himself after the last when Senchingu was beaten by slight favourite Bohemian Love (Commendable) ridden by his only serious rival for the title, Cho Kyoung Ho.

Moon is now thirteen wins ahead of last year’s winner Cho with veteran Park Tae Jong a distant third.

In other races, perennial underachiever Singgeureounachim (Exploit) finished on the right end of a quinella for once. The one-time Derby favourite has so far failed to live up to his substantial potential, however, today he made no mistake as, under Jo In Kwen, he took out the first of co-feature races. Starting even-money favourite, the three-year old collared early leader Gangcheoljangsa in the home straight and held on for a narrow victory.

Eyes Down: Singgeureounachin and Jo In Kwen beat Gangcheoljangsa and Kim Ok Sung

It was also a good day for the two Japanese jockeys at Seoul. After Makoto Noda won race 7 on Wangkkaebi (Fiercely), Mai Beppu followed up in race 11, the day’s second co-feature, by making all on Mass Media’s Tea (Mass Media) to score victory by a length. Noda and Beppu move on to six and eight wins in Korea respectively.

While on the subject of jockeys, a word for Park Sang Woo. With the horses in the gate for race 9, his mount Honggwang reared up violently throwing him off and jamming his leg against the metal stall in the process. Unable to move, he had to be carried out towards the waiting ambulance.

However, with Honggwang unharmed and to a round of applause, he insisted upon being placed back on the horse. Brave, stupid or both it may have been from Park and Honggwang, a 25/1 outsider, ran to form and finished nowhere. On returning to scale, Park collapsed after dismounting, his leg giving way, and had to be carried to weigh in. He did his job. Jockeys are tough.

Sunday October 30

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Winter is coming: In the gathering gloom at Seoul Racecourse, Mai Beppu wins on Mass Media's Tea

Weekend Preview

Tough Win, Larrycat, Bally Brae in Seoul’s Feature

We had the first icy blasts of winter across the Korean peninsula earlier this week. However, while Trackwork can’t have been much fun on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as temperatures neared freezing point for the first time since March, things are looking good for a glorious weekend.

He's Back: Tough Win

Except for the ponies on Jeju, there’s no Stakes action in Korea this weekend as we build up to next week’s President’s Cup, however, there’s still an awful lot to keep us entertained. After missing the KRA Cup Classic three weeks ago, Tough Win (Yonaguska) returns to action at Seoul on Sunday. His match-up with Larrycat (Fantasticat) in the feature race provides the weekend highlight. Joining them will be former Grand Prix winner and track legend Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae) in the nine furlong test.

Also in action on Sunday will be ever-improving filly Raon Speed Tapit) as she takes on the formidable Balhaemyeongjang (Champali) and the old stager Good Day (Double Honor) in the second of co-features.

We’ll have our eye on Busan for the return of Japanese jockey Eiki Nishimura while Aussie rider Nathan Stanley has his usual array of good chances for Peter Wolsley. Busan’s feature race of the weekend comes on Sunday when Golding (Gold Alert) and Admiral Reigart (General Royal) – both of whom have been stalwarts of the track since it opened in 2005 will come up against each other for the umpteenth time. It’s Stanley and Wolsley who could have the edge though, as they seek a third consecutive win for colt Gyeongkwaehanjilju (Tapit) while young upstart Bello Road (Irish Road) makes his class 1 debut.

As ever, it should be a cracking three days of action. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday October 28

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday October 29

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:25 including the Jemin Ilbo Cup at 16:10

Sunday October 30

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:00