Busan

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (June 2)

Evening finishes get underway at Busan this Friday. There are 10 races from 14:55 to 21:00. (Seoul will switch to evening finishes in July and August but will retain its daytime schedule on weekends throughout June). Hot prospect King Of Ace is the top attraction on the day, looking for his 4th win in 5 starts in race 6.

English racecards can be found here. Notes on races for overseas simulcast are below:

Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million 

1. NEW TREND – 8th in both outings so far. Steps up to 1200M for the first time. From the top stable so don’t rule out a big improvement on first start since March.

2. UICHEONGEOM – First-time starter. Didn’t catch the eye in trials.

3. KKEUTPAN TURBO – 7th of 11 in slow race on debut two weeks ago but ran on well and extra furlong may suit.

4. ALECTO – Improved 6th on second start and could improve again.

5. GHOST WARRIOR – Offered few clues in running 9th of 12 on debut. First start since March. (more…)

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Clean Up Joy in YTN Cup: Preview (May 28)

The best horse in Korea will make his third start of 2017 on Sunday afternoon and Clean Up Joy looks odds-on to add the YTN Cup to his ever growing collection of big race wins. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10. English race cards can be found here.

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Clean Up Joy will bid to make it 3 out of 3 for 2017 (Pic: KRA)

The 6-year-old son of Purge won the KRA Cup Classic last October and then went on to defeat Triple Nine and Power Blade in the season ending Grand Prix Stakes in December. While the vanquished pair went on to race with distinction at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Clean Up Joy stayed home.

Clean Up Joy has raced twice so far in 2017 although “raced” is a rather strong word so superior has he been, sauntering to a handicap victory in February before claiming the Herald Business Cup in April and it would be a brave punter who takes him on in the YTN.

After long-time regular jockey Ham Wan Sik relocated to Busan at the start of the year, Djordje Perovic has been the lucky one to replace him on Clean Up Joy. To do that he’s had to get off Shamrocker, who ran 3rd to Clean Up Joy las month – albeit ten lengths behind – and it’s Shamrocker who looks to be the closest thing to a rival to the favourite on Sunday.

It is racing of course and anything can happen but having beaten seven of this field across his last four starts, Clean Up Joy will surely be recording his 14th career win.

Here are notes on races to be simulcast overseas, including the YTN Cup:

Race 9: Class Open “The YTN Cup” (2000M) / Allowance / KRW 200 Million

1. UNBEATABLE – Not unbeatable but he rarely misses by much. 3rd behind Clean Up Joy and Soting Sidae at the distance last time, he carries lots more weight today but can place again.

2. BICHUI JEONGSANG – One of the best mares in Korea. 6th behind Clean Up Joy and Shamrocker last time, she is a strong closer who could get nearer today.

3. HWANGGEUMBIYUL – Last on solitary start of 2017 so far and a big ask here.

4. SHAMROCKER – 3rd behind Clean Up Joy last start and a strong winner of two class 1 races prior. May opt to set the pace here and is the biggest danger to the favourite.

5. WINNER RED – Hasn’t quite pushed on as expected but comes in following two creditable outings since being well back behind Cheonjeok in March. Minor money possible. (more…)

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:

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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…)