Busan

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 26)

10 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards are here. Notes on simulcast races are below:

9b (1)

Marios Mina was among the winners last Friday – can he repeat this week? (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million 

1. CHOEGANG FORCE ONE – Got his maiden win by 8-lengths on April 28th, making all on what was his second start. Up in class here but every chance again.

2. SEOGANGDAERO – 4th and a 3rd in two efforts so far at this class and should be close today.

3. BAROGA – Not too far away in five tries at this class. Steps back in trip following 6th place over a mile three weeks ago.

4. OPEN THE SKY – Highly thought of last year, he’s been gelded and returned from six months off to win by 10-lengths two weeks ago. Up in class and looks the one to beat.

5. MANGANG – Has found the money at class and distance but was a slightly disappointing 8th of 11 last start. (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 19)

The weekend’s action in Korea gets underway with a 10-race card on Friday with the first at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRA 22 Million 

1. VICAR OF THE SUN – Improved 4th on his 2nd start on April 14th and will be better backed today.

2. RISING DERBY – Improved start on his 2nd start on April 21st. Ran on well and steps up to the distance for the first time.

3. GEUJIKOJI – 6th behind Sinbihan Jilju last up. Finished off well but has a bit to find.

4. YES QUEEN – Plenty of experience but little suggest a first win is on the cards.

5. ASTRA – Best of 4th so far. 6th of 11 last time and could improve today. (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 12)

It’s Derby weekend! The big race is at Seoul on Sunday afternoon and we’ll have plenty of build up over the next couple of days. Before that, however, there is the regular Friday card at Busan to negotiate and it features 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here while notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

1. JIBONG YEONGUNG – Decent 4th over 1200M in March but well back behind Sharp Bell last start.

2. CHOEGANG BOLT – Last of nine on debut in February and sent back to trial. Nothing special in the trial but the yard is to be respected so improvement today is possible.

3. SHARP BELL – Much improved 4th latest over a muddy track on April 7th. Could look to match or better that here.

4. JUNE MORNING –2nd at 1200M a month ago on just her second start, running on nicely. Strong chance here.

5. MADOBIYEON – Offered little in six starts so far although his most recent, a 5th of 11 on first try at this distance, was his best to date.

6. CHEONGCHUN DAERO – 4th in a slow race in January but last of 11 on only subsequent outing three weeks ago. (more…)

Busan Ilbo Cup Day – Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 7)

It’s arguably the race of the year so far at Busan Racecourse on Sunday as a field of 15 top class sprinters line up for the Busan Ilbo Cup. Macheon Bolt, last year’s Korea Sprint hero, joins several top line contenders for the Six-furlong Listed race.

Beolmaui Kkum

Beolmaui Kkum goes in the Busan Ilbo – but he won’t be one of the favourites (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Macheon Bolt ran 2nd to Hong Kong raider Super Jockey in the inaugural Korea Cup in Seoul last September and while he could only manage 4th when top weight in a handicap last time out, he looks set for a big run this time under British jockey Darryll Holland.

There are plenty of others in contention too. Recently returned from the Dubai Carnival where his participation was restricted to one 4th place due to lameness, Seoul Bullet can beat anyone on his day while last year’s Korean Dubai star Success Story is a dangerous front-runner who is firmly in the hunt.

Then there is the wildcard. US import King Of Ace has only raced three times but he has won all three with ease and looks a potential star. We’ll see the measure of him here. Then there is the likes of Triple Five, a smart class 1 winner over this distance a month ago, not to mention the Stakes winners Perdido Pomeroy and Beolmaui Kkum. It’s set to be a fascinating contest.

There are 6 Sunday races at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10 while at Seoul there are 11 from 10:45 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on all races to be simulcast overseas are below:

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

1. SMART LADY – 5th behind Lady Chartered and Main Vicar last time and can look to match that today. Should be able to get on speed this time.

2. LADY CHARTERED – Occasionally pulls a big run out, something she’s done twice in her last four outings. Place not impossible once more.

3. LUCKY JILJU – 6th behind Keun Mabeop last start and plenty to find today. (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 5)

10-race Children’s Day card at Busan on Friday with the first at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million 

1. WIDAEHANGWANGGYONG – Up in class following three consecutive 3rd place finishes. Will have to improve to match that here.

2. NAMBANG JEONSEOL – 6th behind Dream Jilju and King Simon latest start. Can match or better today.

3. GOLD RUSH – Up in class following maiden win at the eleventh time of asking on April 7th. Can be competitive but a few others may be too strong.

4. SAMJEONG AGAIN – A four-length winner over 1200M on debut on April 7th, he’s every chance of scoring again. (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 28)

There are 10 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on all overseas simulcast races are below:

Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million 

1. NEPTUNE – Offered little in two prior starts.

2. GAO – Ran twice last autumn without distinction and returned in similar fashion a month ago.

3. ONNURI GANGJA – Much improved 2nd place last start. Not sure where that came from but it stands him in good stead here and he’ll be one of the favourites.

4. RICH BOLT – 6th of 11 last time was above expectations. First try at the distance today. (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Always Winner, Haeya Among Those In Action

Always Winner headlines a big Sunday of racing in Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) while down at Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05), the hitherto unbeaten Haeya returns to action for the first time since January.

Always Winner

Always Winner winning the Owners’ Cup in March (Pic: KRA)

Always Winner was a a solid if unspectacular sprint handicapper as he entered his 5th year in January. However, 2017 has found him find top form with gate to wire victories in both the Segye Ilbo Cup in January and the Group 3 Owners’ Association Trophy in March. Both times he’s been allowed off at big prices but he’s bound to get more respect from punters this time.

That’s not to say it will be easy as Choegang Schiller, El Padrino’s conqueror in the 2015 Asia Challenge Cup looks ready to hit form once more while the likes of Parang Juuibo, Dynamic Jilju and Brian Dean’s Jangsanjewang can’t be ruled out.

At Busan, the feature sees unbeaten US import Haeya (Flatter) race at class 1 for the first time having won all four of her races to date. She was last seen in January but breezed through a barrier trial last week looking in very good shape. She may not be favourite though for the 1400M feature with Doraon Pogyeongseon, a winner at class and distance, beating no fewer than seven of those who return again for this race, last month.

English race cards are here. Notes on the three Seoul races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Race 9: Class 3 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

1. VALLEY STAR – Unimpressed in latest two but is carrying significantly less weight today.

2. MR. MOUNTAIN – Three 2nd place finishes at this level and while he disappointed when well backed last start, he’s worth another go today. (more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 21)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards – now complete with silk colours – are here.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million 

1. MEISTER – Two starts so far, one last September and one a month ago. Offered little.

2. BOUND KOREA – Not beaten many in three outings but improvement possible.

3. MISWICK MYEONGUN – First start since last October. Finished last in recent trial. (more…)

King Of Ace Has A Good Friday At Busan

King Of Ace provided the standout performance on an otherwise low-key Good Friday card at Busan. The three-year-old American import maintained his 100% record with a dominant showing in the class 3 race 9.

Having won his previous two starts by a combined 11-lengths, the Kwan Seung Joo trained colt was always going to be strong favourite for the mile-long test and having assumed command of the race early under jockey Jo Sung Gon, King Of Ace never looked like being beaten, running on to win by a margin of his choosing; 7 lengths in the end.

Pangpang Hero, down in class today was a surprise 2nd while Peter Wolsley’s Cottinpickingood, the mount of Darryll Holland got up for 3rd. They might as well have been running a different race to King Of Ace though, a $50,000 purchase from Fasig Tipton last year, who confirmed his status as one of the Busan track’s hottest properties.

In other races, it was a good day for South African trainer Bart Rice. His gelding Que Sera Sera (Concept Win) provided the banker of the day, comfortably scoring in race 2 under in-form Cypriot jockey Marios Mina. Later on, Fivefold (Ecton Park) got the better of Thomas Gillespie’s Segi Gangja for the second time in race 8. Like King Of Ace, Fivefold is now three for three.

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 14)

There are 10 Good Friday races at Busan from 11:30 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on every runner in the simulcast races below:

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

1. ARAGAYA SINGSING – 4th in all three outings last year. First start since November. Trialled up ok and from a top stable.

2. SWAG – Hasn’t earned much swag since a 4th on debut last year. Only beat one home latest but may improve stepped back to 1000M today.

3. STAR GOLD – Top jockey booking but seems to have gone backwards since debut.

4. HAROLD – Never likely to be a star with a name like that and he’s beaten few in three goes so far. Top jockey on and stablemate of Swag.

5. DALKOMHAN INSAENG – Has come close a few times with a best of 3rd. 4th of 9 last start and should be a factor here.

6. THE WONDERFUL – 3rd on debut last month, beating Haedong Yeogeol. Big chance today.

7. HANEULUI TTEUT – Raced once last autumn, impressing few. Trialled up indifferently in March and hard to back first-up.

8. JANGHAN JILJU – A pair of 5ths and a 4th in three races so far. Can go better today.

9. URIDEULUI YEONGUNG – Drops back in distance following a 2nd and 3rd place in his last two and this looks very winnable.

10. HAEDONG YEOGEOL – Much improved 4th on her most recent start, beaten by The Wonderful, and can match that today.

11. MANSUN – Been sent off at three-figure odds for all outings to date and probably should be here as well.

Verdict: 3rd on debut six weeks ago, (6) THE WONDERFUL is set to be sent off the strong favourite here. He quickened well and was only a head shy of 2nd. (9) URIDEULUI YEONGUNG has shown signs of figuring things out with a 2nd and 3rd from his latest two. With Darryll Holland on board, he’ll be well backed. Also figuring things out is (8) JANGHAN JILJU, who ran a solid 4th last start at 1200M and with a good start, can go well here. The returning 4th place specialist (1) ARAGAYA SINGSING looks a good bet for 4th while improvement from (2) SWAG is not impossible.

Selections (6) The Wonderful (9) Urideului Yeongung (8) Janghan Jilju (1) Aragaya Singsing
Next Best 2, 3
Fast Start 1, 5, 8, 9

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

1. NAMYANG YEOGEOL – Showed significant improvement last start to run 5th of 12 over this distance. Still more to find.

2. JUMARUI MYEONGHWA – Not beaten many in recent starts. (more…)