Busan

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 17)

Temperatures are set to drop below zero for the first time this autumn/winter season this weekend but racing will go on! The action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Let’s get after them!

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) NINA has looked decent enough in two starts so far with a 5th and a 3rd at this distance and it seems likely Bart Rice will have her ready to win this. (11) SUPER TRAIN debuted inauspiciously all the way back in January and hadn’t been seen again until looking much more accomplished in a trial a couple of weeks ago and has every chance of going well against this modest lot. We’re scratching around with the others to find any clues. (4) MAKGANG YEOGEOL and (12) SOJUNGHAN GIRL are perhaps the best contenders for improvement.

Selections (8) Nina (11) Super Train (4) Makgang Yeogeol (12) Sojunghan Girl
Next Best 5, 7
Fast Start 3, 5, 6, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Seven first-timers take on five with previous, albeit limited, experience. The only one of them who has raced more than once, (3) CHANG GONG, will be favourite. He weakened over 1200M on debut but ran on much better when dropped back to this distance for his re-appearance on October 13th and can lead from gate to wire. The other ones who have raced before don’t inspire at all so we’ll look to the first-timers to fill out the tickets. (9) ROYAL TREE looks the pick of them, having led a trial and run on well enough while (2) GABO TRIPLE and (7) BIG RED IJI also look to have some potential. As ever with these kinds of races, watch the market.

Selections (3) Chang Gong (9) Royal Tree (7) Big Red Iji (2) Gabo Triple
Next Best 1, 6
Fast Start 2, 3, 9, 12

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(6) PINK BLUE was favourite when stepped up to a mile last month following two solid performances at this distance. It didn’t go to plan as he finished in 6th but finds himself dropped back to 1300M today and surely in with a far better chance. Expect him to be a warm favourite. Another who foundered at a mile last time out was (5) EXPRESSIVE and he too should go better at shorter today while (10) ACE FORCE enters having performed with reasonable credit in two very tough juvenile races in his most recent two and (more…)

Seoul & Busan Sunday – Queens’ Tour Finale: Race-By-Race Preview (November 12)

Silver Wolf on Sunday gets the chance to make a clean sweep of the 2017 Queens’ Tour when she lines up at Busan Racecourse for the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. The Aussie-bred 5-year-old by Oratorio  narrowly won the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul in June but then romped away with the KNN Cup over a mile month later. She returns to Busan as favourite but having to go 2000M in a race in which she was 8th last year.

Silver Wolf

Along with winning the Ttukseom, KNN & Munhwa Ilbo Cups this year, Silver Wolf also found time to run 5th in the Korea Sprint (Pic: Ross Holburt)

The Cup is the highlight of a 6-race program at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05 while up at Seoul there are 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Small field of fillies to begin with and the champion jockey should get off to a winning start on (3) SAUVIGNON. She’s been getting closer over three starts to date and should have too much for these. (2) CUPID DOCTOR has also made a positive start to her career although Sauvignon’s experience over this distance is what gives her the edge. (4) RUBY BEOLKIN is two starts into a comeback following a layoff and was only narrowly beaten by Sauvignon last time so does have claims too but it’s slim pickings among the rest with possible (5) BABY STAR most likely to improve.

Selections (3) Sauvignon (2) Cupid Doctor (4) Ruby Beolkin (5) Baby Star
Next Best 1, 6
Fast Start 2, 3, 4

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Two standouts here who both look close to their maiden wins. (8) WONDERFUL CHAMPION was a close 3rd over 1200M last time out and comes in fresh following eight weeks off. He’s not a fast starter but should be able to sit handy from gate 8 and finish strongly. The other likely one is (5) GIDONG DAEJANG. Much improved on first try at this distance last time out, he narrowly missed out on 2nd place and should make the running here. (9) STORMY also showed improvement when finishing 4th last time out while (1) JEGUKUI HUYE and (11) NEULPUREUN CHEONHA are also capable of finding the money.

Selections (8) Wonderful Champion (5) Gidong Daejang (9) Stormy (1) Jegukui Huye
Next Best 11, 10
Fast Start 5, 6, 7, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / 60 Million

Three of these have raced before, five haven’t and of those with experience, both (2) CITY ANGEL and (3) HIGH BEAT ran 5th. Neither were particularly impressive although probably did enough to be reasonably well fancied here but we should give a chance to some of the debut-makers. (5) BACK TO BACK looks the pick of them following a swift showing in a trial at the end of October while both (1) ACE CANT and (4) HWANSANGUI BIT also showed they know what they are supposed to do and have every chance of going well first up.

Selections (5) Back To Back (2) City Angel (1) Ace Cant (3) High Beat
Next Best 4, 7
Fast Start 2, 4

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Allowance / 40 Million

(7) LUCKY MISS was a three-length winner on debut over this distance on October 14th and while she steps up in class today, she is favourite to strike again. There will be plenty looking to get on the early speed and (1) REBECCA and (3) NAMWON QUEEN are contenders to do just that and stay on for the business part of the race. The latter was 5th behind (11) PARTY POWER last start but is better drawn to overturn that form today. (12) (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 10)

Fillies and mares take centre-stage this weekend with the final leg of the 2017 Queens’ Tour, the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup, run at Busan on Sunday. Having comfortably won the first two legs, Silver Wolf will be looking to make it a clean-sweep in the 2000M local Group 3 event. Before that though there is plenty of racing to get through beginning on Friday at Busan with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Time to get stuck in:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(6) ISLE CAT has shown promise in three outings to date and looks to have the edge here following a 4th place at the distance in tougher company a month ago. (1) HANEOLUI GISANG and (4) GOLDEN AGE both have second place finishes at the distance to their names and should get close while (7) ROYAL RIVER was an improved 3rd on latest effort and can come under consideration.

Selections (6) Isle Cat (1) Haneolui Gisang (4) Golden Age (7) Royal River
Next Best 8, 3
Fast Start 4, 5

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(7) DONE IT MY and (3) GIPPEUM SARANG came home 3rd and 4th at the distance on September 8th. The former went on to run 5th in a similar race last month while for the latter today is her first time back and both look to be strong contenders in this very modest contest. Gippeum Sarang is likely to lead early and that’s enough to make her favourite. It’s hard to make much of a case for the others. (2) GOLDEN KNIGHT hasn’t beaten many in three outings to date but jockey booking catches the eye while it’s a similar story with (4) THUNDER GLORY. (1) EVER GOOD TIME does have a little bit more form behind him but was beaten by Done It My and Gippeum Sarang in that September race.

Selections (3) Gippeum Sarang (7) Done It My (1) Ever Good Time (2) Golden Knight
Next Best 4, 9
Fast Start 2, 3, 4

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Juveniles here with four debut-makers against five with experience and it should be a relatively straightforward task for (6) TRINITY to get the lead from the gate and go all the well. She was a good 2nd behind a decent winner last start and should have too much for this lot. Should things not go to plan then (7) BIRYONGUI HUYE, who has beaten Trinity in both a trial and on what was both their debut a month ago would be the one to take advantage and will likely also challenge for the early speed. (4) PEACE TOUR debuted inauspiciously over 1200M but may be better at the minimum here while of the first-timers, (8) PERFECT BOSS trialled up the best.

Selections (6) Trinity (7) Biryongui Huye (8) Perfect Boss (4) Peace Tour
Next Best 3, 9
Fast Start 3, 6, 7

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Fillies only hence the enhanced prize-money and a couple of them look capable of making their maiden breakthroughs. (3) BOLD RULES was favourite to do exactly that last time out and did lead before weakening in slightly tougher company than this two weeks ago. She should be on the early speed again and is worth another chance. The other standout is (5) DYNAMIC RUN, close in her latest three and another front-runner. The pair of them should fill out the quinella here. Only a neck separated (11) JOYFUL (more…)

Seoul & Busan Sunday – Triple Nine vs Power Blade in the President’s Cup: Race-By-Race Preview (November 5)

Triple Nine heads into Sunday’s President’s Cup (KOR G1) at Seoul Racecourse looking to match Dangdae Bulpae’s feat of three consecutive wins in what is the nation’s most valuable race restricted to Domestic-bred horses. More likely though is that we witness a changing of the guard of sorts as stablemate Power Blade will be favourite to assert his own claim to be top of the Korean racing tree.

D3

Power Blade won the Korean Derby this year. He gets the chance to depose Triple Nine in the President’s Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

That transition is almost complete. Both went to the Dubai World Cup Carnival and represented Korea with extremely creditable performances but since they’ve come back, it’s Power Blade who has gone on to excel. That’s not to say that Triple Nine is demonstrably any worse; just that that Power Blade has got better and better and the younger horse has already downed Triple Nine at distances of 1400M and a Mile.

Neither are straightforward horses. Power Blade needs urging all the way around while Triple Nine takes a very long time to reach his top gear. It’s those factors which combine with the 2000M distance of the President’s Cup that gives Triple Nine backers a glimmer of hope. Power Blade now though, is good enough to extinguish it.

Traditionally in Korea this would be the race where the top three-year-olds of the year faced their older counterparts in a Group race for the first time. Indeed, Korean Derby winner Final Boss takes his chance. Similar to the two favourites, he is anything but straightforward but on his day, looks an exceptional talent. Daeho Sidae, who beat Final Boss in the final leg of the Triple Crown also goes.

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) DUSON EYE just missed out by a neck over 1000M on October 1st and he’s the pick to go one better here, likely leading all the way. (2) SKY CAMP has been 3rd in both his starts so far, albeit in less than exalted company and there’s no reason why that record can’t continue here. He’ll likely join Duson Eye up front early. (5) GEUMEUN JUOK was well back behind Duson Eye on latest effort but had shown glimpses of talent before while debut-maker (3) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG has to be given a chance in this company having trialled up in decent fashion last month.

Selections (1) Duson Eye (2) Sky Camp (3) Baekduui Jeongsang (5) Geumeun Juok
Next Best 9, 11
Fast Start 1, 2, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) HIGH STAR comes in having run 3rd and 4th in her latest two, both of them similarly modest contests to this one. She’s not necessarily the fastest of starters but will run on and could get her maiden win here. (3) O.J. HWAK DAB gets a fresh start today. She’s not been convincing in two outings to date but looked much improved when trialling up in October and can be backed here. (2) SOJUNGHAN SEONGBUL’s latest two have been too difficult and she should be much happier today – the champion jockey riding her will (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 3)

It’s President’s Cup Weekend! Triple Nine faces Power Blade and Final Boss in the big one at Seoul on Sunday but before that of course, we have plenty of racing to get through. We begin at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00.

Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tough one to begin with and a few of these look close to getting their maiden wins. We’ll side with (6) OKDAN YEOGEOL, who steps up to this distance for the first time following a 2nd place over 1000M on September 1st. She’s run on well in most of her starts and the distance may suit. (5) CHOEGANG BOLT also comes in off a career best 2nd place achieved at 1600M two weeks ago and can be considered while it’s a fresh start today for (10) ABILITY, who races for the first time since April and did indeed, show some ability when trialling up impressively last week. (2) TONGHAP BULPAE and (9) ACE VICTORY are others in the hunt.

Selection (6) Okdan Yeogeol (10) Ability (5) Choegang Bolt (9) Ace Victory
Next Best 2, 1
Fast Start 2, 9, 10

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Juvenile fillies here with three newcomers and five having raced before. (1) BYEOL GEURIDA is likely to be the strong favourite having run a good 3rd on debut two weeks ago and looks to have plenty of potential. Slightly less impressive but still competent on debut was (5) MISS TANK and she’s next best while among the others who have raced before, (6) B.K. MARINE looks most likely to improve. Of the debut-makers, the Bart Rice-trained (2) QUEEN THE QUEEN looks most promising at this stage.

Selection (1) Byeol Geurida (5) Miss Tank (2) Queen The Queen (6) B.K. Marine
Next Best 8
Fast Start 1, 5, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

More Juvenile fillies going round here with three prior raced and five newcomers. (8) CHEONNYEONDONGANDO has been 3rd on both outings so far and that’s probably just about enough to make her favourite for this. The other two with experience, (3) OS TOP (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (October 29)

On Saturday at Seoul, Choinma won the capital’s top juvenile race. On Sunday it’s Busan’s turn to find the best among its latest crop as eight 2-year-olds contest the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05.

Choinma

Choinma won Seoul’s top juvenile race on Saturday. It’s Busan’s turn to find a young champion on Sunday. (Pic: KRA)

Just as Seoul’s race was yesterday, the Gimhae Mayor’s looks a fascinating contest. GC Trophy winner World Sun produced a remarkable finish to win that race, beating two of his rivals here and likely enters as favourite. However, Sin Stealth got the better of him back in August ad is likely to be a danger again. Thomas Gillespie saddles a promising pair in the shape of Yeonghui Sidae and Gyeongjuui Durebak while Kim Young Kwan’s duo of Ecton Blade and Captain Force both have claims of their own.

Only Seoul is available on international simulcast (North America/Australia) today. Notes on the races as follows:

Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) JANGSAN JEPAE stepped up to 1300M last time but weakened a little late on and ended up in 4th place. Dropped back to the minimum distance today, where she already has a win and a 2nd place to her name – the latter at this class – she is going to be hard to beat. The up in class (3) HWANAE JANGSEONG made all for her maiden win over 1300M last start and should be on pace once more here with good claims to be competitive while (10) BULHUUI SEUNGJA is yet to win but also finds herself up in class after a few too many near misses. Likewise there is no reason why she can’t cope with this level. The more experienced pair of (8) DESERT EAGLE and (11) EVER A ONE don’t look likely winners but are capable of finding the money in this company.

Selections (4) Jangsan Jepae (3) Hwanae Jangseong (10) Bulhuui Seungja (11) Ever A One
Next Best 8, 12
Fast Start 3, 4, 9, 11

Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) CALLIOPE was a convincing four-length winner on debut over 1000M a month ago and returns today up in both class and distance but still favourite to score in what is quite a strong looking contest for this level. Aside from the favourite, four others are also up in class following their maiden wins and among them (4) MAGIC TEN, looks the best. True, she won her maiden in the Stewards’ room but her and the “winner” were a full nine lengths clear of the rest of the field and she shows promise as does (11) SEUNGRI SIDAE, a three-length winner over 1300M on September 30th. Among those already at this level, (3) JANGSAN JEGUK’s latest was in tough juvenile company so he gets another chance while (10) BLUE LANCE returned from almost a year out at the start of this month and ran encouragingly enough to suggest there is improvement in store.

Selections (1) Calliope (4) Magic Ten (3) Jangsan Jeguk (11) Seungri Sidae
Next Best 10, 9
Fast Start 1, 6, 7, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles only here and just four of them have raced before. It’s among those we find out top two though with (3) J.S. STORM the pick. He debuted in 4th place all the way back at the end of July but returned to action in a swift September trial and can score here. (8) VICTORY STAR was 3rd on debut on September 23rd, beating (6) CHEONGDAM QUEENS in the process. She ran on very nicely over 1000M after a slow start and should appreciate (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 27)

Both Seoul & Busan will hold their Championship Juvenile races this weekend but first of all their is a full 11-race card at Busan on Friday. First race is 11:30 and the last is 18:00.

Doraonpogyeongseon

Doraonpogyeongseon ran a big race in the Korea Sprint and can return to winning ways at Busan on Friday (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

 Solid form at a premium here so (3) NINA gets the verdict following a creditable enough 5th place on debut last month. It was nothing special but showed promise and she can go on to win here. (6) EDGE OF WINNER showed improvement on her second start a month ago and can continue to develop here while (5) EURO SHINHWA was by no means disgraceful on debut either. (8) BAEKDU BAEKHO certainly didn’t impress on his own debut back in August but has been back trialling since and has looked much better. Debut-maker (7) SAEROUN BARAM is another to consider.

Selections (3) Nina (6) Edge Of Winner (7) Saeroun Baram (8) Baekdu Baekho
Next Best 5, 4
Fast Start 2, 3, 4, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million 

Juveniles only here and five of the twelve have raced before. Among those, (4) PYEONGCHANG HORANGI recorded the best finishing position but the performance of (1) TRINITY, landing a quicker time in a better race, suggests that he is the pick of the experienced ones. (2) YEONGGWANGUI CHAMP did ok on debut too but it’s to the debut-makers that we’ll turn to find the other contenders. (11) HIDDEN CHAMP and (10) DAMYANG GONGJU trialled up together and the former looks to have decent claims first up.

Selections (11) Hidden Champ (1) Trinity (10) Damyang Gongju (2) Yeonggwangui Champ
Next Best 12, 8
Fast Start 1, 2, 3, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) FIRST SHINHWA just fell short last time, beaten a length in a good race over this distance, well ahead of a couple of his rivals here and he looks very much the one to bet in what should be another lively contest. (3) BOLD RULES has been 3rd in both her outings so far and can at least match today while (4) JANGHAN JILJU has similarly been finding the money and can maintain that record here. (7) ROCK HARD SEVEN has had an (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 20)

One of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the year will take place at Seoul this coming Sunday when Grand Prix Stakes winner Clean Up Joy returns to action to face the up and coming pair of Cheongdam Dokki and New Citadel in the KRA Cup Classic. Before that, however, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) BUSAN BOLT beat (1) DYNAMIC RUN as the pair ran 2nd and 4th over this distance on September 22nd and one or other of them should really be stepping up to claim their maiden win here with Busan Bolt slightly favoured. (8) HANEOLUI GISANG has shown promise across two starts so far and looks another who is ultimately bound for the winner’s circle with it possibly being here while (6) BAENGNYEON SIDAE has also been getting closer and could well lead early here. (5) HAEDONG YEOGEOL another in the placing frame.

Selections (2) Busan Bolt (8) Haneolui Gisang (1) Dynamic Run (6) Baengnyeon Sidae
Next Best 5, 12
Fast Start 3, 6, 7, 10

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Five of the twelve have raced before and it’s one of those, (6) KOREAN ANGEL, who will be the favourite. She was 2nd, just beaten half a length, on debut on September 1st and looks nicely into score today. Of the others with experience, (1) DORAON SAEGANGJA and (8) MAJOR ALPHA look to have most chance of improving – the latter was very (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview

Big race action returns to Seoul today (Sunday) with the running of the Munhwa Ilbo Cup. The Sprint is the feature of an 11-race program in the capital which runs from 10:45 to 18:00. At Busan, there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05.

Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf goes in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(6) MASK is ready to win. He almost slipped over turning into the home straight on debut in July but still managed to finish 3rd before running 2nd on his return in August. He’ll be on the early speed here and really should be winning. (3) LUCKY BONGHWA was 3rd, two and a half lengths behind Mask in that August race, continuing the progression that he’s shown in each of his three outings so far and he looks to be the main danger although (5) ROYAL ACE has come close once or twice and could be in the hunt too. (2) M.J. CAPTAIN comes in off a 2nd place finish last start and will likely join Mask on the early speed while (10) DAECHEON ACE was a creditable enough 5th of 9 on debut a month ago and the jockey booking will attract some.

Selections (6) Mask (3) Lucky Bonghwa (2) M.J. Captain (5) Royal Ace
Next Best 10, 12
Fast Start 2, 6

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Enhanced prize money for this juvenile contest and it sees six first-timers taking on six others who have each started once before. And a number of those experienced ones did well on debut and are likely to be favoured over the newcomers here. (3) KING POSE is the pick, running on fluently for 3rd on debut over 1000M on September 10th and the extra furlong should suit just fine today. (5) EMERALD KING and (12) BAEKSAN GUNJU (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 13)

It’s back! After a week’s break for this year’s rather lengthy “Chuseok” holiday, racing returns to Korea this weekend. Things get underway at Friday for an 11-race card with the first at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. Time to get stuck in:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Competitive opener. (1) CHANG GONG and (2) BELLAMY GONGJU raced 5th and 6th at 1200M a month ago. It was Chang Gong’s debut and he showed enough to suggest he has some promise, leading early. There were no expectations on (3) DONE IT MY on his debut the same day but he managed a very creditable 3rd and won’t be overlooked this time. (4) SEOGANG JILJU didn’t enjoy the extra furlong last time and may be better dropped back in trip today while the Bart Rice pair of (5) CHRISTIANO and (8) CLOVER QUEEN may also have a say.

 

Selections (1) Chang Gong (4) Seogang Jilju (8) Clover Queen (3) Done It My
Next Best 5, 2
Fast Start 1, 6, 2

 Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Half the field have raced before while the other half make their debuts here. We’ll go with experience and a number of them raced each other last time. (8) SMART DANCER, (9) YEONGGWANGUI BOSS and (5) DIVIDE WIND ran 3rd, 4th and 5th on their own debuts on September 15th. Punters will likely make Kim Young Kwan’s Divide Wind favourite to overturn that today, especially given the draw should allow him to get on speed early but (more…)