Mister Park Romps To Grand Prix Glory

Tough Win & Dongbanui Gangja Upset As Busan’s Finest Captures The Grand Prix

They all put their reputations on the line and at the end of the 2010 Grand Prix Stakes, it was Mister Park who came out covered in glory while Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja and Dangdae Bulpae all slumped to defeats of varying ignominy. Yet it was a performance full of valour, spirit and ultimately stamina from Mister Park, who capped a front-running performance by repelling the late charge of Larrycat at the end of the season’s longest and most prestigious race.

Mister Park and You Hyun Myung in the Grand Prix Winner's Circle. Trainer Kim Young Kwan is to the right

As it always does, the Grand Prix provided Korean racing’s most dramatic and absorbing few minutes of the year. From the raucous reception the horses and jockeys received in the paddock, to the triumphant celebration of the winning connections twenty minutes later, as ever it was unlike anything else in the calendar. As dusk fell on Seoul Race Park, we saw a race that won’t be quickly forgotten.

The unbeaten Tough Win was sent off as slight favourite over double Grand Prix champion Dongbanui Gangja with Dangdae Bulpae third in punters’ reckoning. And it was Dangdae Bulpae who was sent into an early lead by jockey Jo Chang Wook with Yoo Hyun Myung on Mister Park and Cho Kyoung Ho on Tough Win following close behind. A roar went up from the assembled 50,000 crowd as Choi Bum Hyun brought Dongbanui Gangja into contention in the back straight. As they turned for home, all the leading contenders were exactly where they wanted to be.

Mister Park finally shakes off Larrycat in the last few metres of the Grand Prix

Dongbnaui Gangja was the first to falter. He blew his chance in the Busan Metropolitan by going uncontrollably wide and although Choi Bum Hyun fought valiantly, the bad habit returned. The champion had given himself too much to do. Then it was the turn of Dangdae Bulpae. The Minister’s and President’s Cup winner tried to kick on as they entered the home straight but he had nothing left to give and the field swallowed him up. Mister Park and Larrycat were still travelling well with a furlong and a half to go.

Beaten: Tough Win returns a loser for the first time

Now it was make or break time for Tough Win; he needed to find an extra gear. He couldn’t. Mister Park hit the front with Larrycat and Yeonseung Daero, who had emerged from nowhere, in hot pursuit. In the final furlong Larrycat looked to have him collared but You Hyun Myung found one last reserve of energy in his mount to propel them over the line first. Larrycat was a brave second and Yeonseung Daero a superb third. Tough Win battled home for fourth while Seonnyang Yongsa and Jo Sung Gon flew through the field in the final furlong to claim the last of the money placings.

Mister Park, a three-year old gelding, was born in Korea, however, he was ineligible for this year’s Classics as he was sired overseas and his dam imported to Korea while pregnant. His sire, Ecton Park, has since also been brought to Korea and the success of a horse foaled and broken-in in the country is a victory for the domestic racing scene. Mister Park, while beaten on his racecourse debut, has since won eleven in a row. For jockey Yoo Hyun Myung, it was by far the biggest win of his career. For trainer Kim Young Kwan, a man used to success, this must rate as his greatest achievement coming as it does, at the end of a year which after events in March, must have been the most difficult for him both personally and professionally

Inquest: Choi Bum Hyun watches a replay to see how it all went wrong

As for Tough Win, 2300 metres was always going to be a tough ask. His unbeaten record is now gone, but he remains top horse at Seoul. His inevitable battles to come with Larrycat, now himself firmly established among the elite are something for us to look forward to in 2011.

Likewise, Dangdae Bulpae simply didn’t stay the distance. This is a colt who will be back next year. For Dongbanui Gangja though, things are less straightforward. He was beaten by seven lengths today, however he cost himself more than that by running wide on the final turn. This is the second time it’s happened this year as the five-year old – now a stallion – gets harder and harder to control.

A word too is necessary for Yeonseung Daero who again gave a courageous, battling performance. It would have been so easy for his connections to keep him home at Busan running against fellow Korean-bred horses and cherry-picking big purses. As always they showed themselves to be sportsmen, pitching their champion against the best there is and letting him prove himself. Yeonseung Daero almost always runs in open company and today he was just three lengths off being crowned the best of the best.

That title, however, goes to Mister Park. 16/1 in the betting he outran and outstayed the rest. Running nine times and winning nine times, he is the Champion Korean Racehorse of 2010.

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR.G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 12, 2010

1. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] – You Hyun Myung – 16.8, 3.4
2. Larry Cat (USA) [Fantasticat – Tiger In My Tank (Tank)] – Park Tae Jong – 2.9
3. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.6

Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Tough Win 5. Seonnyang Yongsa 6. Purely Spontaneus 7. Dongbanui Gangja 8. Jumong 9. Gunham 10. Cheonjidolpung 11. Dangdae Bulpae 12. Glory Champ

Job Well Done: Mister Park and Groom share a moment in the Winner's Circle

Grand Prix D-1: Tough To Call

Dongbanui Gangja, Tough Win, Dangdae Bulpae, Mister Park, Yeonseung Daero – This is the Big One

Something’s got to give. In fact, a lot has got to give. Will it be Dongbanui Gangja’s two-year reign as Grand Prix champion? Mister Park’s ten-race unbeaten streak? Tough Win’s lifetime unbeaten streak? It could be all three; right now the only certainty about tomorrow’s Grand Prix Stakes is that it’s going to be very cold when twelve of Korea’s best horses line up at Seoul Race Park for the nation’s most prestigious horse race.

Big Three: (clockwise) Dongbanui Gangja, Tough Win, Dangdae Bulpae

Most see it as a straight fight between Dongbanui Gangja and Tough Win. The younger Tough Win is undoubtedly faster. If this was any race other than the Grand Prix, which is run at 2300 metres, he’d be long odds-on. However, he’s untried at the distance and if he does not stay-on, Dongbanui Gangja is the most likely to take advantage and claim an unprecedented third consecutive Grand Prix. If he could do it, he will have a strong claim to be called the greatest ever in Korean racing.

However, there are three horses among the seven raiders from Busan who warrant serious consideration. Dangdae Bulpae is the outstanding Korean colt of this year and has been just as fast as Tough Win in winning the Minister’s and President’s Cups. Victory for him would be a huge step forward for the Korean breeding industry. Mister Park, though born in Korea, was sired elsewhere and therefore couldn’t run in the Classics. He’s unproven but also untested at this level and could pull off a surprise.

Then there’s Yeonseung Daero. When Dongbanui Gangja eliminated himself from the Busan Metropolitan, it was Yeonseung Daero who pushed Tough Win all the way to the line. If he’d have had a few more metres, he may have got him. Tomorrow he’ll have 300 more metres in which to do so.

Seungniuijewang gives Cho Kyoung Ho the 2nd of his 4 winners

Today, at a bitterly cold Seoul Race Park the jockeys of both Tough Win and Dongbnaui Gangja warmed up with wins. Cho Kyoung Ho landed four victories while Choi Bum Hyun took two. Neither could win the feature race, however, as Holy Dreamer was guided to his ninth career victory by Jo In Kwen.

Well back in the field was Baekpa, the 2007 Oaks winner putting in a disappointing run after being sent off favourite. Baekpa was fifth in the 2008 Grand Prix – after being allowed to trail 30 lengths off the pace on the first turn. That was her last run in Korea before a disastrous spell in the United States after which she returned a different horse. Nevertheless she remains popular. In the paddock, several punters called out her name and waved as she passed – As she has always done, she turned to look at each and every one of them.

Baekpa’s jockey today was Park Tae Jong, who will ride Larrycat in the Grand Prix. Jo In Kwen meanwhile will have his first ever Grand Prix ride on Jumong. What a story it would be if the little brother of 2007 winner Bally Brae was the one to pull off a surprise. Here’s a final rundown of tomorrow’s runners and riders:

Grand Prix (GI) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 12, 2010 – 17:00

1. Mister Park (KOR) – You Hyun Myung
2. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) – Choi Bum Hyun
3. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) – Jo Sung Gon
4. Jumong (USA) – Jo In Kwen
5. Gunham (NZ) – Kim Dong Young
6. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) – Choi Si Dae
7. Global Champ (AUS) – Mun Jung Won
8. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) – Jo Chang Wook
9. Purely Spontaneus (USA) – Lim Sung Sil
10. Tough Win (USA) – Cho Kyoung Ho
11. Larrycat (USA) – Park Tae Jong
12. Cheonjidolpung (USA) – Boo Min Ho

Gyongmaman’s Verdict: Tough Win has answered every question put to him so far and there’s no reason why he can’t do so tomorrow. Gyongmaman will, however, be rooting for Dongbanui Gangja to make history with a third straight Grand Prix victory.

Seoul Racecourse, December 11, 2010

Weekend Preview: Grand Prix!

Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja, Mister Park, Dangdae Bulpae all face-off in 2010 Championship Race

It’s the big one. The stars of Korean racing will assemble in the floodlit late afternoon at Seoul Race Park on Sunday for the 29th Grand Prix Stakes to decide who is the undisputed best on the peninsula.

The Real Thing: It's Grand Prix Time

If Dongbanui Gangja can win, he will become the first ever horse to claim three Grand Prix. However, he has it all to do. The young upstart, Tough Win has beaten him twice and, in his nine starts to date, has shown no inclination that he knows how to lose.

Then there is the southern challenge. Busan sends seven of the twelve entrants. Chief among them is Dangdae Bulpae. The three year-old has already won twice in the capital, claiming the Minister’s and President’s Cups in dominant style. If he could upset the favourites on Sunday, it would be a massive boost for the Korean breeding industry. Joining him on the trip up the Gyeongbu Expressway is Mister Park. The gelding has won his last ten races and is not coming to Seoul for the weather. Likewise Yeonseung Daero will be there. He pushed Tough Win all the way in the Busan Metropolitan and will be sure to do the same on Sunday.

Face Off! Again. Dongbanui Gangja vs Tough Win

It is arguably the most anticipated race in Korean history. Certainly this correspondent cannot remember a race where no matter which of the twelve entrants win, there is a special story to tell. Which story we’ll be telling come Sunday evening is anybody’s guess. Here’s a full list of runners and riders (Name/Country/Age/Sex/Weight/Race Record/Jockey:

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – December 12, 2010 – 17:00

1. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] 3-G-51kg (11/10/0/1) – You Hyun Myung

A winner in all but his first outing, he’s won five times at class 1. Has managed to avoid the very best and has not taken on imported horses before, but he does hold a five-length win over 2009 Minister’s Cup winner Namdo Jeap.

2. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] 5-H-58kg (26/17/5/2) – Choi Bum Hyun

Looking to make history with three consecutive Grand Prix. Has been difficult to control as a five-year old but, unlike the others, he is a proven winner at this distance. If he can be kept in a straight line, he will take advantage should Tough Win fail to stay the course.

3. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) [Catbird – Silicon Glory (Cure The Blues)] 5-G-58kg (27/10/7/4) – Jo Sung Gon

Jo Sung Gon’s choice to ride this one instead of Dangdae Bulpae isn’t one to please the romantics. The realists though would see he has a point. A proven winner at longer distances, he had an off-day when beaten by a number of this field in the Busan Metropolitan in July.

4. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] 3-C-55kg (14/5/3/1) – Jo In Kwen

Former Grand Prix winner Bally Brae was invited but won’t be running. However, his half-brother will be. Jumong will be an outsider here but the three-year old already has a class 1 victory to his name and looks set to improve even more.

5. Gunham (NZ) [Anziyan – Kaapture The Heart (Kaapstad)] 8-G-58kg (43/10/6/4) – Kim Dong Young

One of the Grand Old Men of Busan, Gunham has had an up and down career but roared back into the winner’s circle last month beating a host of his youngers – and supposed betters. He’ll be an outsider but deserves to cap his career with a shot at the biggest race of all.

6. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] 4-C-54kg (26/11/5/3) – Choi Si Dae

If he had timid connections, Yeonseung Daero would have a much better win rate. Instead, his owners have been sportsmen and have never hesitated to run him against the best opposition available instead of restricting him to face fellow Korean bred runners. He got closer than any horse ever has to Tough Win all the way in the Busan Metropolitan and was second to Dangdae Bulpae in the President’s Cup. This horse is a battler.

7. Global Champ (AUS) [Charge Forward – Amarocco (Brocco)] 4-C-58kg (20/4/3/4) – Mun Jung Won

An improver but has never won over seven furlongs and difficult to see him troubling the placings here.

8. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] 3-C-51kg (12/9/0/1) – Jo Chang Wook

Cheonnyeon Daero may have won the Derby but Dangdae Bulpae is the outstanding three-year old Korean colt of 2010. His Minister’s Cup win was good but his President’s Cup win superb. He comes back to Seoul in search of a hat-trick. It would be unlikely but he has the talent to pull off something special

9. Purely Spontaneus (USA) [Pure Precision – Marquet Order (Marquetry)] 4-G-58kg (22/9/2/1) – Lim Sung Sil

Has had a very impressive four-year old season. Will need to run the race of his life here but cannot be discounted from a place finish.

10. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] 3-G-55kg (9/9/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho

The one to beat in that he never actually has been beaten. The one question is will he stay the 2300 metres? While his first win over Dongbnaui Gangja was marred by the latter’s manners, the second was decisive. Yeonseung Daero got very close to him in Busan though and that extra distance is all that stands between Tough Win and, at the age of three, already being talked about among the greats of Korean racing.

11. Larrycat (USA) [Fantasticat – Tiger In My Tank (Tank)] 3-G-55kg (14/6/3/3) – Park Tae Jong

A pair of good wins in the autumn sandwiching third place behind Tough Win and Dongbanui Gangja in the KRA Cup Classic made him an obvious starter here. Difficult to see him winning but could well make a nuisance of himself at the business end of the race.

12. Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat – Luminate (A.P. Indy)] 5-G-58kg (26/5/0/4) – Boo Min Ho

The friends & relatives vote – and the likes of Cheonnyeon Daero staying home – has got this one in. A good, solid competitor, but out of his depth in this company.

* The Grand Prix is the highlight of three days of racing on the peninsula this weekend. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday December 10

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

Saturday December 11

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:40

Sunday December 12

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Twenty-Nine Years of the Grand Prix

While other races may carry more prize money, in terms of honour and prestige, the Grand Prix Stakes is second to none in Korea. It’s a race that has had movies named after it and is, perhaps, the only domestic horse race to register in the national consciousness.

Double Grand Prix Winner: Dongbanui Gangja

Sunday sees the 29th edition of the race. It’s young in international terms, but in a country where the private ownership of racehorses – and therefore prize money and big Stakes races – go back less than two decades, it is positively venerable. With race fans invited to vote on which horses they want to see in the starting gate, it is the undisputed Championship race in Korea. There is no question of the best horses trying to avoid each other as there is nowhere else to go. In the Grand Prix, the best face the best.

This is because whereas the Classics are restricted to Korean bred entrants, the Grand Prix is open to all. Indeed in the previous 28 editions, home-bred horses have ended up in the winner’s circle just three times. Fillies or mares have won the race five times with Ka Shock Do taking back-to-back wins in 1990 and 1991.

The origin of the winners also shows the change in influence on Korean racing. Throughout the eighties and nineties, the vast majority of horses imported to Korea were from the Southern Hemisphere. This is reflected by Australian or New Zealand breds winning thirteen of the first sixteen runnings, compared with just one American. Since the turn of the century, the majority of imports have come from the USA and American breds have won six out of the last seven editions.

As recently as 1999, a non-thoroughbred was triumphant. Saegangja was by the established sire Fiercely, however, his dam Chuk Je, was not in the studbook. That won’t happen again as year on year, Korean racing gradually becomes more mature.

Dongbanui Gangja already shares the record for most Grand Prix wins with two. On Sunday he has the chance to make it three, thereby going ahead of Ka Shock Do and the great Po Gyeong Seon. He’s got a massive task on his hands to prevent a new name being added to the list of horses who, for one year at least, can claim to have been the undisputed best.

2009: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2008: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2007: Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Also has two second places to his name, in 2006 and 2008.
2006: Flying Cat (KOR) [Western Cat – Flying Wood (Tapping Wood)]
2005: Subsidy (USA) [Mr. Prospector – Foreign Aid (Danzig)]
2004: Value Play (USA) [Mt. Livermore – Return Of Mom (Deputy Minister)]
2003: Tempest West (USA) [Silent Tempest – Westabout (Gone West)]
2002: Bohamian Butler (USA) [Patton – Circus Princess (Forli)]
2001: Tahamkke (NZ) [Dance Floor – Cantango (Danzatore)]- has gone on to become a moderately successful sire in Korea
2000: Cheolgeoun Party (KOR) [Big Sur – Party Paint (Acaroid)] – The only Korean bred filly to win.
1999: Saegangja (KOR) [Fiercely – Chuk Je] (non-thoroughbred)
1998: Sin Se Dae (AUS) [Avon Valley – Meroo Star (Starboard Buoy)]
1997: P’Ulgeurim (NZ) [Crested Wave – Evocative (Sea Anchor)]
1996: Hula-Mingo (NZ) [Broadway Aly – Zamatina (Zamazaan)]
1995: Dae Kyeun (AUS) [Northern Regent – Romantic Evening (Sunset Hue)]
1994: Ji Goo Ryeok (AUS) [Pine Circle – Perfect Choice (Lunchtime)] – The first year prize-money was awarded, Ji Goo Ryeok’s connections took home 50 Million won. This year’s winner will receive 212 Million, the same as last year but slightly down on 2008. The Korean Derby is worth in excess of 250 Million to the winner.
1993: Gi Peun So Sik (NZ) [Bolak – Belserena (Serenader)]
1992: Chun Pung (NZ) [Coral Reef – Little Jo] (non-thorougbred)
1991: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]- With her second , she became arguably the greatest filly to run in Korea. In all, she won twelve of her thirteen starts.
1990: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]
1989: Cha Dol (USA) [Mr Redoy – Honest’N Do Right]
1988: Wang Bang Wool (AUS) [Moon Sammy – Aqua Nymph (Crepone)]
1987: Cheong Ha (AUS) [Suliman – Pigalle Wonder (Exalt)]
1986: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)] – with twenty wins from twenty-five starts, he is, along with Saegangja and J.S. Hold one of the three
1985: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)]

Choi Bum Hyun will be bidding to become the first jockey to win the race twice. While the current top four of Choi, Moon Se Young, Cho Kyoung Ho and Park Tae Jong have all won the race once, Lee Sung Il, who retired in 2005 is the only other jockey to have won twice.

* Although this is the 29th running of the Grand Prix, Korean racing records officially only go back to 1985.

Cheonnyeon Daero Owns Busan

Derby Winner Takes Owner’s Cup By Narrowest Of Margins

They attacked on his inside and they attacked on his outside but Cheonnyeon Daero would not let them pass. In a desperate last furlong, it was the Derby winner who held on to win the Owner’s Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

Another Big Win: Cheonnyeon Daero

Namdo Jeap, one of three horses – along with Cheonnyeon Daero and Golden Appeal – who the punting public couldn’t separate, set the early pace under Jo Sung Gon. However, last year’s Minister’s Cup winner was closely tracked by his co-favourites through the back straight and around the hometurn in the ten-furlong race. He had nothing left for the straight and it was Cheonnyeon Daero and Park Geum Man who took things up with just over a furlong left to run.

The expected challenge of Golden Appeal came to nothing and it was left to Khaosan and Yoshi Aoki in the inside and then King Hunter and Toshio Uchida on the outside to put the Derby winner under double-pressure. Khaosan was seen off but King Hunter, 33/1 in the betting, kept coming and coming until finally, the line arrived just in time for Cheonnyeon Daero to take the narrowest of victories.

The victory was just the fifth of Cheonnyeon Daero’s career, however, with the Derby being one of the other four as well as a second place in the Minister’s Cup – not to mention never having finished out of the money – he is undoubtedly established as one of the top Korean bred horses on the peninsula. Victory today also vindicates his connections’ decision to skip next week’s Grand Prix at Seoul. In that race it will be left to Dangdae Bulpae and Yeonseung Daero to fly the flag for Korea against the best foreign talent in the country.

Owner’s Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M – December 5, 2010

1. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 3.7, 1.4
2. King Hunter (KOR) [Yehudi – Wildly Magic (Peterhof)] – Toshio Uchida – 8.2
3. Khaosan (KOR) [Sunday Well – Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] – Yoshiyuki Aoki – 1.9

Distances: Nose/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Isidae Gangja 5. Golden Appeal 6 Glory Yeonggwang 7. New World Record 8. Sky Star 9. Namdo Jeap 10. Lucky Dancer 11. Gangjaui Beopchik

Seoul today was very much eclipsed by the goings-on at Busan, however, there was one big handicap of note. It resulted in a first win for eighteen months for Australian bred gelding Captain Cugat (King Cugat). The six-year old hadn’t won in eleven previous attempts at class 1 racing, but scored a two-length victory over Torpedo Mast and Baekjeonmupae in the ten-furlong race under the lights. Former Horse of the Year Bally Brae could only manage ninth place and unless the handicapper sees sense and stops assigning him the kind of weight he’d expect to carry if he’d won the Grand Prix last week rather than three years ago, we may see him retired very soon.

Racing at Seoul finishing under lights again

Speaking of the Grand Prix, we are now just seven days away from the most prestigious race on the Korean calendar. It’s always special, this year it could be spectacular. Full preview coming soon.

No Nerves From Florida Sox

Segye Ilbo Champion Returns a Winner / Mass Media’s Tea beaten

Last time she appeared on the track, she got so upset by other runners, she panicked and collided with the rail, injuring her leg and keeping her out of action for eight months. Today though, there were no such nerves as Florida Sox returned to the track and the Winner’s Circle at Seoul Race Park.

Bootiful job: Boo Min Ho & Florida Sox return to the Winner's Circle

The three-year old filly looked set for great things when she won the Segye Ilbo Cup by seven lengths in just her fourth outing in February. That win stepped her up in class for her next race and, unaccustomed to being challenged on the final turn, she took fright. Today, jockey Boo Min Ho took no chances. Gunning Florida Sox straight into the lead coming out of the gate, they stayed there all the way. Wonerful Sun got closest, trailing home the winner by four lengths with Green Empire third. Florida Sox (Woke Up Dreamin) moves on to four wins from six starts and will be one to look out for as she steps up in class again next time.

Victory on Florida Sox was the first leg of a double for jockey Boo Min Ho. The second leg was a lot more unlikely as 220/1 outsider Yamang (Pleasantly Perfect) scored a two-length win over one of the year’s hottest two-year old imports Mass Media’s Tea (Mass Media). The favourite, was looking for his third straight win but, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time and having established a lead, faded badly in the straight to allow the grey Yamang – who had failed to win any money at all in seven previous attempts at class 3 – to steal the victory. Mass Media’s Tea wasn’t the only one to disappoint in that race. Pildu (Silver Train) and I’d Rather Be Lucky (Gobson County) – the most expensive imported two-year old of the year – were also well beaten.

Steaming: Maono made it two out of two

Some two-year olds did live up to their reputations, however. Three fillies to be precise. Ruby Queen (Badge Of Silver) became the fist juvenile this year to win at a distance greater than seven furlongs, when she claimed the nine-furlong race 8 to take her overall record to three wins from four starts. A race earlier, Grand First (Salt Lake) scored a narrow victory over seven furlongs to also put herself on three from four while Maono (Menifee) now has a perfect two-from-two after winning race 5.

Sons of Menifee cleaned up in the Breeders’ Cup, Korea’s biggest Juvenile race, last weekend. It seems he is going to be well-represented in terms of fillies too as his first Korean crop head for the three-year old Classics in 2011.

Today’s feature race went the way of Ace Galloper. The three-year old got the better of a final furlong tussle with Blue Pin to claim the class 1 handicap. Jilpunggangho was third. Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) was scoring the ninth win of his fourteen race career.

Seoul Racecourse: Saturday December 4, 2010

Racing returns to Seoul on Sunday with an eleven race card from 11:20 to 18:00, however, race of the day is at Busan where it is Owners’ Cup Day. Derby winner Cheonnyean Daero faces tough opposition from Namdo Jeap and Golden Appeal in the highlight of a six race card which runs from 12:35 to 16:30.

Weekend Preview: Derby Winner Stays Home

Cheonnyeon Daero Heads Busan Owners’ Cup Field

Cheonnyeon Daero’s connections have spurned his invitation to next week’s Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul. However, punters have plenty of compensation as the 2010 Korean Derby winner will line up at his home track of Busan for the Owners’ Cup this coming Sunday. And the race, Busan’s last big event of the year, is made all the more interesting by another two Grand Prix refuseniks in the shape of Golden Appeal and 2009 Minister’s Cup Winner Namdo Jeap, as the trio join eight others in the ten-furlong Championship race.

Cheonnyeondaero poses in the Korean Derby Winner's Circle (Pic: Ross Holburt)

While the Grand Prix is the most prestigious race on the Korean calendar and the call of history has meant Dangdae Bulpae will go north to Seoul next week, joined by the game-for-anything Yeonseung Daero and the precocious Mister Park to take part in a race which will result in an undisputed Champion, realism has kept Cheonnyeon Daero home. And the Grand Prix’s loss is the Owners’ Cup gain.

Aside from the afore-mentioned three, Gold Circle Trophy winner Glory Yeonggwang will be there as will the Peter Wolsley trained pair of Lucky Dancer and Khaosan. Lucky Dancer is a new addition to the Australian handler’s barn while Khaosan is one of his stalwarts. Wolsley is putting Japanese riders on both of his horses, Yoshi Aoki will ride Khaosan, while Hitomi Miyashita will be at the controls of Lucky Dancer.

The big race is off at 15:35 on Sunday afternoon and is the highlight of a six-race Sunday card. Busan also hosts a card on Friday while Seoul runs its usual Saturday and Sunday programs. While there’s no Stakes action at Seoul this weekend, there’s a star-studded line-up in Saturday’s feature handicap as Ace Galloper is joined by Jilpungganho, Big Easy, Nice Choice and Cheonun in a 1900 metre handicap.

On Sunday, it’s Bally Brae time. The 2006 Horse Of The Year is still so fondly regarded that punters voted him an invitation to the Grand Prix. The eight-year old gelding can no longer compete with the likes of Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja or Dangdae Bulpae so connections politely declined and instead he will go in Sunday’s feature. Such is Korea’s handicapping system he will still be top-weight by a considerable margin and so has it all to do to beat a field who on paper and at equal weights, he should make very light work of. He may be getting on but he’s still healthy and gives every impression of loving what he does. And punters love to see him.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders for Sunday’s Busan Owners’ Cup:

Busan Owners’ Cup (Handicap) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday December 5 – 15:35

1. Glory Yeonggwang (KOR) (16/4/2/4) – 54kg – Kim Dong Young
2. King Hunter (KOR) (11/4/2/1) – 53.5kg – Toshio Uchida
3. Lucky Dancer (KOR) (24/10/3/2) – 58kg – Hitomi Miyashita
4. Isidae Gangja (KOR) (22/4/6/2) – 55kg – Choi Si Dae
5. Khaosan (KOR) (23/6/5/6) – 55kg – Yoshiyuki Aoki
6. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) (15/4/6/2) – 55kg – Park Geum Man
7. Namdo Jeap (KOR) (24/8/6/4) – 58kg – Jo Sung Gon
8. Golden Appeal (KOR) (15/9/3/2) – 59.5kg – Lim Sung Sil
9. Sky Star (KOR) (29/5/7/3) – 53.5kg – You Hyun Myung
10. New World Record (KOR) (23/3/4/3) – Yang Young Nam
11. Gangjaui Beopchik (KOR) (28/5/8/3) – Lee Sung Jae

And here’s what’s happening when and where over the first of three racing weekends in December:

Friday December 3

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday December 4

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:20 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:10 to 17:20

Sunday December 5

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:35 to 16:30

“Annuity Lottery” Set For Korea

Racing might be being less than gently encouraged to reduce its revenues – because gambling is bad – but the government is desperately trying to breathe new life into one of its myriad gambling rip-offs “lotteries”. Because gambling blindly on numbers is obviously good for society.

Happy Punting! Good gambling, not that nasty racetrack stuff

According to the Korea Times, lottery revenues have fallen from 3.8 Trillion won in 2003 to 2.4 Trillion won last year as punter move to more sophisticated online – and illegal – gambling platforms. To try to counter this, one government-run lottery, the scratchcard based “Speetto 2000” is offering players a salary instead of a lump-sum. While a familiar concept around the world, where most lotteries offer winners the chance to receive their prizes in installments, this is a first for Korea.

Marketed as a “Pension” in a society where the idea of a private pension is just taking off, starting next April, Speetto 2000 is offering a first prize of 5 Million won (about $4,6000) won payable every month for twenty years. Previously known for a 2006 incident where they mistakenly printed too many jackpot tickets, Speetto is also abandoning smaller cash prizes for runners-up. Instead, those who score a near-miss will receive an electric car. Which they can use to drive to the track.

Mockery aside, Gyongmaman will be purchasing his ticket come next April. 5 Million won is a pretty healthy pot to start handicapping the weekend’s form with.

Sun & Moon The Heroes In Breeders’ Cup

Sun Hero is Champion Korean Juvenile / Clean Sweep for Sire Menifee in Breeders’ Cup

They were supposed to be the second-string from owner Lee Shin Keun and trainer Seo Beom Seok. Instead, Sun Hero ran out the length and a half winner of the Breeders’ Cup at a frozen Seoul Race Park this afternoon to become the peninsula’s champion Juvenile of 2010. In second place was stablemate – and pre-race favourite – Sun Blaze.

Sun & Moon: Sun Hero and Moon Se Young in the Winner's Circle

Shrewd punters would have noticed that jockey Moon Se Young received a five-day riding ban last weekend but had asked for it to be deferred by one week to allow him to ride today. In doing so, he ruled himself out of a chance to ride in the Grand Prix Stakes, the nation’s most prestigious race in a fortnight’s time. Clearly he believed Sun Hero wasn’t there just to make up the numbers.

And Moon, whose ban means he will almost certainly fall short in his quest for the jockey’s championship, was at his imperious best as he kept Sun Hero just off the lead early in the 1300 metre race, bringing him to the front inside the final furlong and holding on as Sun Blaze and Park Tae Jong came challenging down the centre of the track. As they returned to scale Moon celebrated with the exuberance of a man for whom a plan – and a gamble – had paid off.

The Breeders’ Cup race was an amalgamation of Busan’s Breeders’ Cup and Seoul’s Herald Business which in previous years had been the two tracks’ Juvenile championships. Significantly, today’s race was restricted to colts and fillies who will be eligible for next year’s Triple Crown races and was the first time that colts and fillies from Seoul and Busan could face off against one another prior to the three-year old Classics. Seoul today took first and second place but in third was Busan’s 150/1 outsider Useung Touch.

Sun Hero and Sun Blaze not only have the same trainer and owner but also the same sire, Menifee. Indeed Useung Touch meant a clean sweep for the stallion who arrived in Korea in 2006 and whose first crop of two-year olds look destined for great things.

Disappointments of the race were Busan’s highly rated pair of Heukdujanggun and the previously undefeated Hwallyeok Energy. They finished eleventh and last respectively. Recently Busan has dominated the Classics, today will give Seoul heart but a lot could happen between now and next April when the best of the generation will convene in Busan for the KRA Cup Mile.

One race later on a bitterly cold day, five-year old Kahnui Jeonseol, produced a surprise win in the afternoon’s feature handicap. The New Zealand bred gelding edged out K J Khan and Owners’ Cup winner Serendipper by half a length. For Kahnui Jeonseol (Howbaddouwantit), it was his first win for nearly two years, his first at class 1 and only his third overall. Meanwhile, joining him at Class 1 in future will be Balhaemyeongjang. The three-year old edged out Cheongha Eutteum for a narrow win in race 8.

You Hyun Myung was the only visiting Busan jockey to score a winner

While five jockeys from Busan were in town for the weekend, only one of them, You Hyun Myung, rode a winner. You partnered filly Gyemyeongui Bit to an easy victory in race 7. Back home on the South Coast, those jockeys missed out on a six-race card, the star of which was fast improving colt Wanggol. The three-year old Australian import took on a host of the track’s elder statesmen in the feature race. He had few problems dealing with them though as he made all to romp to a two-length win from Full Forest and Admiral Reigart. Wanggol (Jet Spur) now has a record of five wins from eight starts.

Breeders’ Cup (KOR.GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 1300M – November 28, 2010

1. Sun Hero (KOR) [Menifee – Strategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] – Moon Se Young – 14.1, 3.7
2. Sun Blaze (KOR) [Menifee – Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.3
3. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] – Yang Young Nam – 24.3

Distances: 1.5 lengths/0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Dallija 5. Cheonji Horyeong 6. Haesan 7. Winette Dancer 8. Soseuldaemun 9. Absolute 10. Gaemamusa 11. Heukdujanggun 12. King Field 13. Mustang King 14. Hwallyeok Energy

Balhaemyeongjang and Cho Kyoung Ho edge Cheongha Eutteum to claim race 8

And so ends another fabulous weekend’s entertainment at the racecourse. Next week it’s the Busan Owners’ Cup and the week after it’s the biggest of them all, the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul. We start our build-up to both of them tomorrow.

Urikkot Strikes In Selangor Trophy

Only Korean Filly Wins STC / Lucky Mountain Scores

It was close, but up against some of the brightest young imported fillies, Korean bred Urikkot did just enough to clinch victory in the Selangor Turf Club Trophy at a bitterly cold Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Selangor Turf Club Trophy Presentation - STC Chairman Datuk Cham is next to jockey Cho Kyoung Ho

Sent off the slight favourite, Cho Kyoung Ho and the lightly raced three-year old hit the front in the home straight after early leaders Blown Sky High and Kkochyeol faded and though tiring herself, built up enough of a lead to hold off the challenge of Blueband Mama and Boo Min Ho who swept by just the wrong side of the line.

A late starter, Urikkot (Creek Cat) only debuted as a three-year old this year. She’s now won four of her six starts. This was the sixth running of the Selangor Turf Club Trophy and STC Chairman Datuk Cham was on hand to present the awards. Unfortunately, hardly anyone was around to hear his speech as the 40,000 punters in attendance had retreated to the warmth of the grandstand to escape the biting wind, long before the presentation got underway.

Urikkot and Cho Kyoung Ho in the Winners' Circle

Also in attendance were two Malaysian jockeys, Veerapan Sivan and Salleh Mutaza. Neither troubled the placings in the STC Trophy, however, Mutaza scored a third placed finish in race 5 on Daedamham.

For jockey Cho Kyoung Ho, it was a second trip to the Presentation stage in as many weeks, following Dongbang Rose’s Nonghyup win last Sunday. The day got even better for Cho as immediately after the STC, he guided Lucky Mountain to victory in the afternoon’s feature handicap. The five-year old mare scored a half-length win over Winner Prince and favourite Janggun Bada. With main rival Moon Se Young riding his last weekend of the year before a five-meeting ban kicks in, Cho is also in pole position to claim the jockeys’ championship.

Lee Keum Joo - scored the first of three winners for female jockeys today

Speaking of jockeys, it was a good day for the small contingent of female riders in Korean racing. Lee Keum Joo rarely rides these days but she made an appearance in race 1 at Seoul today and it was a winning one as she partnered Cheonguntaehu to a half-length win over favourite Yahoo Event. It was just a seventeenth win for Lee in a nine-year career. Already closing in on that figure is Kim Hae Sun. The twenty-two year old claimed her eleventh win as she got the best of a four-way photo finish to race 6 on filly Miss Nine.

Down on Jeju Island, Kim Da Young was newly licensed this year and she already looks set to follow Na Yu Na and Kim Ju Hee who are both established as top riders in the pony racing colony on the island. Today she scored her fourth winner, guiding Uryangsidae – a pony she’s won on before – to victory in race 2.

STC Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1300M – November 27, 2010

1. Urikkot (KOR) [Creek Cat – Miswick (The Wicked North)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.0, 1.1
2. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadow Bryte (Meadowlake)] – Boo Min Ho – 1.3
3. Fortunata (USA) [Eurosilver – Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 5.0

Distances: Neck/0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Worincheong 5. Milwaukee Money 6. Kkochyeol 7. Soul Legend 8. Grand Ace 9. Jangson 10. Dangmasan 11. Major Lady 12. Skiff’s Chic 13. Atlantic Queen 14. Blown Sky High

The Malaysian flag was flying at Seoul Race Park today

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow when Sun Blaze and Heukdujanggun will be favourites in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul Race Park. There are eleven races at Seoul from 11:20 to 18:10 and six at Busan from 12:40 to 16:30.