Cheongdam Dokki

Yeonggwanguilegend & Complete Value Land Juvenile Prizes While Cheongdam Dokki Wins First-Up For Tony Castenheira

Juvenile honours were handed out at both Busan and Seoul on Sunday afternoon before one of the grand old gallopers of the track took to Seoul Racecourse to produce a timely reminder that he may not be done just yet.

Cheongdam Dokki (KRA)

The inaugural Areumdaun Jilju Stakes at Busan resulted in a procession for Yeonggwanguilegend [Concord Point – Perfect Scip (Scipion)], the only runner in the race who had participated in the track’s Rookie Stakes a month earlier. Exciting from the widest gate. Djordje Perovic guided the Concord Point colt to an early lead and from then on it was a one-act affair with much of the field behind him racing greenly and immaturely, including pre-race favourite Clifton King.

On the line the winning margin was five-lengths, jockey Perovic – notching his third winner on the card – able  to spend the last 20 metres posing for the still Covid-enforced sparse crowd. Besides Yeonggwanguilegend, the only two to emerge with much credit were Hwarang Best and Daeji Choice, who both closed strongly to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.

That’s to take nothing away from Yeonggwanguilegend, as he booked his place in the Korea Breeders’ Cup on December 5th with a fine performance in a fast time. Moreover, he ran as thugh he will be able to take on far more lengthier assignments than today’s 1200M and even beyond the 1400M of the Breeders’ Cup.

At Seoul thirty minutes later, Complete Value [Girolamo – Ft. Sduction (Ft. Stockton)] made it a perfect four from four to start his career as added to his success last month in the capital’s division of the Rookie Stakes by taking out the Munhwa Ilbo Cup. While he had begun the Rookie Stakes awkwardly and then almost got caught up in traffic in the Rookie, this time jockey Lim Gi-won made sure luck – or lack of it – would not be an issue as he took Complete Value straight to the shoulder of early leader Wonpyeong Gasok.

While Wonpyeong Gasok battled on gamely, Complete Value got his nose in front at the furlong pole and ran away to a three-length win on the line. Bencal Princess, 2nd in the Rookie Stakes, came home in 3rd place. The time for the 1200M was slower than that of Yeonggwanguilegend at Busan, but faster than that of the preceding 1200M race in the capital.

If all goes to plan, they will meet at 1400M in Busan on December 5, a distance that looks like it will suit both and they will be joined most likely by plenty who skipped today’s races. For now, Yeonggwanguilegend and Complete Value lead the race to become Korea’s overall Champion Juvenile.

It wasn’t just horses at the beginning of their careers who starred on Sunday. Now seven-years-old, Cheongdam Dokki began the latest chapter of his storied career as he made his first start for his new trainer, Tony Castenheira, in Seoul’s class 1 finale over 1800M.

Cheongdam Dokki has never been straightforward. A brilliant talent but with an equally brilliant temper, even back in his juvenile days dueling with the likes of Dolkong, he was not the easiest to handle or to ride.  Lining up today for the first time since June, when he finished 4th behind Jjang Kong, much of the local racing media didn’t fancy his chances, while local win-pool punters stayed loyal.  

The chestnut sweated profusely on his way to the gate but once the race was underway and jockey Antonio Da Silva had taken him straight to the front, Cheongdam Dokki was strictly business as the pair controlled the race down the back and into the home straight. Looming up though was Jjang Kong and while he was only getting 5kg from Cheongdam Dokki this time compared with the 8kg when he beat him four months ago, it was clear he posed a serious threat.

Under Alan Munro, Jjang Kong chipped away at Cheongdam Dokki’s advantage through out the final two furlongs. At one point it looked inevitable that he would go past but Cheongdam Dokki and Da Silva dug deep and found enough to repel him, crossing the line a neck to the good. It was his by no means the finest of his eighteen wins, but the time was good and the manner of it encouraging.

The Grand Prix Stakes still eludes Cheongdam Dokki with him having recorded a 4th, a 2nd and a 3rd in his three attempts so far. It still remains unlikely given the amount of talent he will have to contend with, but for Castenheira and Cheongdam Dokki, a Boxing Day miracle no longer looks completely impossible.

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Cheongdam Dokki, Morfhis, Dia Road, Dokki Blade – Race-By-Race Preview (April 25)

There is a treat in store in the very final race of the weekend as Cheongdam Dokki faces off with Morfhis over 1400M. The pair have the likes of Dia Road and Do Kki Blade also in attendance in what should be a thrilling climax to Sunday’s card at Seoul (10 races from 1:45 to 18:00). There is also a card at Busan (6 races from 12:05 to 17:00). Both racecourses are closed to spectators with only betting outlets in Jeju, Daegu, Gwangju, Cheonan and Changwon in operation. Here are the previews:

Cheongdam Dokki will attempt to fend off Morfhis and Do Kki Blade on Sunday

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

Three-year-old maidens get the day underway and (1) NORWAY THIRD will be a hot favourite She was a fair 2nd on her only start to date when she worked her way around from a wide draw. She’s got the inside today and should prove hard to beat. (7) NONGBON BADA was 3rd on her debut at this distance back in January and while she could only manage 9th on her return at 1200M in March, the margins weren’t huge and back down in trip today she should be a factor. (11) NAMSAN CHOCOLATE too can have her last start disregarded when keen, wide and hampered on a wet track and should be better today. The other dangers look set to come from the first timer starters. Of them, (12) DONGHAENG looks the best having led for much of the way around in her trial before running solid 2nd in a good time. (2) BIG ENERGY and (10) LEGEND BOURSE could also go well first-up.

Selections(1) Norway Third (7) Nongbon Bada (11) Namsan Chocolate (12) Donghaeng
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 11, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(3) THUNDER CHAMP is ready to win following two consecutive runner-up finishes. Last start he led easily over 1300M only to be grabbed on the line. He is nicely drawn again and should frank his good form with a maiden win. The betting market will no doubt reflect that so if you are inclined to take her on, (8) CINDERELLA may be the best chance. She was a good 2nd on debut and did little wrong when 6th over 1300M last start. She has her Prince Charming Antonio aboard and while she may well end up the ugly sister again, a trip to the ball doesn’t look to be too far in the future. (9) SMARTY TREM showed improvement on his second start and if he continues on that trajectory then he should be in the placing frame today. (1) BORAQUEEN and (2) JISANGUN are others in the minor money hunt.

Selections(3) Thunder Champ (8) Cinderella (9) Smarty Trem (1) Boraqueen
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 9, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) GREEN POKJU gets her chance here after a good run last start when she stumbled at the stat before working forward to be in a handy spot on battled on gamely. She comes into barrier 1 today and has a great chance. So too does (2) RED PINE. She’s run on very well for 3rd and 2nd in her last two starts. She is back to 1200M where she hasn’t done her best work but she looks sure to make her presence felt here and will be running on strong. (13) RULES CLASS has been a touch inconsistent across four starts to date but did beat three of these on his way to 2nd place last start at this distance. He may need a bit of luck from the outside gate but should be in the mix. (3) BLUE HAMMER ran a good 3rd on debut settling well back before powering home. A repeat of that run, even without any improvement should see him firmly in the placing frame. (11) NUBIGO looks best of the rest.

Selections(1) Green Pokju (2) Red Pine (13) Rules Class (3) Blue Hammer
Next Best11, 5
Fast Start1, 4, 10, 13

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

Ten of these have raced once before, one of them once and three of them not at all. The only previous winner in the field is the one with two starts under her belt, (14) APRIL QUEEN. She scored on debut over 1000M but failed to follow up when well back over today’s distance on her return. Nevertheless, her experience does earn her some respect and she should be competitive. The favourites though will come from the first-time starters. (8) B J MISS caught the eye in trials. She ran 2nd to an experienced filly in a fast time and if she brings anything like that form to the races then she will be hard to beat. (10) RUN FIGHTER won his trial, running through the line well and looks the primary danger. Completing the trio of newcomers with chances is (9) TRIPLE JILJU, who wile a little slower than the other pair, was on pace throughout his heat and stayed on nicely. Returning to the prior experience ones, (2) ALIVE STAR did little on debut but has since trialed up twice and looks set to improve.

Selections(8) B J Miss (10) Run Fighter (14) April Queen (2) Alive Star
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

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

(5) GHOST VILLAGE comes in following a solid 3rd place behind Raon Beat and Alpha Dok over 1400M. He faces nothing like the pair of them today and could well be the one to beat. (9) JOEUN GWANGYE made up a lot of ground last start to run 3rd at this distance. Disregarding the start before that when he was an impeded by a horse who had dislodged its jockey, he is yet to finish outside the top five and should be in the mix here. (6) GEUMA FLAWLESS has been finishing off his races well and may appreciate the slight increase in trip today. And looks a placing line while (8) STAR RUSH ran his best race to date last start when 3rd over 1200M. His times haven’t been especially quick but he’s by no means alone in that in this company. (2) SARANG DAMOA and (3) ACHILLION are others in the frame.

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Cheongdam Dokki Makes Winning Return / Munro Lands Four-Timer

Local legal betting resumed on a limited scale in Korea this past weekend and those lucky few admitted into a small number of betting branches in the south of the country were treated on Sunday to two masterclasses beamed live from Seoul Racecourse – one from Cheongdam Dokki and another from jockey Alan Munro.

Making his first appearance as a seven-year-old, Cheongdam Dokki was sent off as a heavy faovurite for Sunday’s feature class 1 handicap over 1800M. With the race run under handicap conditions, Korea’s favourite chestnut was not only giving away 8kg to his thirteen rivals but also had to contend with the widest draw.

Neither mattered a jot. David Breux opted to jump out fast on Sun Lighting giving Park Tae-jong on Cheongdam Dokki a perfect lead across to the head of the field. With five-furlongs remaining, Park allowed Cheongdam Dokki to pass Sun Lighting as the field became ever more stretched out and from then on it was a formality with the son of To Honor And Serve going away to win by five-lengths on the line.

David Breux’s tactics on Sun Lighting were thoroughly vindicated with his mount staying on for an excellent 2nd while there was a pleasing 3rd from the locally bred Mask.

For Cheongdam Dokki it was a seventeenth win on his thirty-second career start and a reassuring statement after he had stuttered a little – but still won – on his final appearance of 2020. He had spent the summer dueling with Tiz Plan, defeating him in the Herald Business and YTN Cups in June and July, before suffering a reverse in the Busan Mayor’s Cup in August.

The 2019 Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Moonhak Chief missed the short 2020 summer season through injury but returned to action at the end of January to thump Tiz Plan by six-lengths. While this year’s Stakes schedule is still to be confirmed due to COVID-19’s continuing interference, the trio of Cheongdam Dokki, Moonhak Chief and Tiz Plan are sure to square off sooner or later. At this stage, Moonhak Chief remains favourite but few will be writing off Cheongdam Dokki.

While Cheongdam Dokki completed a double on the day for veteran jockey Park Tae-jong, another fifty-something put on a riding clinic for those paying attention. Alan Munro began his day with victory on Spot Flatter in race 4 and then came out later in the card to win on both East Ban in race 11 and Lord Ban in race 13, both for owner Lim Jong-geun and trainer Seo Bum-seok.

Munro then completed a four-timer by guiding the very promising Jangsan Missile, an American import by Will Take Charge, to an easy win in race 14. It might have been five as when trainer Tony Castenheira was seeking a late replacement for the indisposed Antonio Da Silva in race 2, Munro was his first port of call. However, the English jockey, not due to begin until race 4, could not be roused from his nap and Kim Dong-soo duly did the business on The King Blade.

In other Seoul news from Sunday, trainer Hong Dae-you, saddled his 300th career winner when filly Grace Queen scored in race 5. Hong gained a license in 2006 with his solitary Group success to date coming a year later with Bally Brae in the 2007 Grand Prix Stakes, a horse he had previously ridden as a jockey.

Next weekend’s racing in Korea is scheduled for Busan on Saturday 27th with ten races and Seoul on Sunday 28th with fifteen races.

Seoul Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 21) – “Dokki Day”

Cheongdam Dokki makes his seasonal re-appearance at Seoul on Sunday and the now seven-year-old will have a weighty task to overcome in the Class 1 feature if he is to make a winning start to the season. There are 15-races at Seoul on from 10:45 to 18:00. The meeting is behind closed doors although betting locations in Busan, Jeju, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, Changwon and Cheonan will be open for betting. Here are the previews:

Seasonal reappearance – Cheongdam Dokku

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

A filly maiden to begin with and of the twelve, seven have raced before. They have all been extremely slow, so we’re going to pass on all of them and focus on the debut-makers and if (4) NAMSAN CHOCOLATE brings his trial form into the race itself, he should be winning fairly easily. She finished 3rd in a creditable time and the Tony Castenheira filly can lead all the way from a good draw here. (10) SMART DAEBO was 4th in the same trial not too far behind and that automatically makes her the second pick on debut as well. (2) FIRENZE CASTLE and (8) LOVE ARCH both posted decent enough times when finishing in midfield in their respective heats, while (1) SWEET KAKAO was a little slower but came out of a trial where there wasn’t much pace and she looks to have a good chance of aiming for some money on debut too.

Selections(4) Namsan Chocolate (10) Smart Daebo (1) Sweet Kakao (2) Firenze Castle
Next Best8, 9
Fast Start2, 4, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(9) THE KING BLADE has never been outside the top three in three starts so far and got his maiden win on December 20th at this distance. His winning time was more than a second faster anything else in the field has achieved and he really should be backing up with another win today and complete what should be an early double for trainer Tony Castenheira. (6) GEOSEN DOLPUNG looks next best. He ran a useful enough 4th of fourteen on debut a month ago having previously won a trial. While those two jump off the page of the form guide, not much else does. (7) GRAND FLY ran on to record a creditable enough time on what was his second start on December 19th and that may be enough to put him in contention here. (14) RAON THE CHOEGANG was last in that race but previously showed a bit of speed over 1000M and can be included in the numbers here. In such a weak race, it’s worth looking at the first-timers, and of the pair, (4) MAGIC MANJEOM looks the more likely to make an impact first-up.

Selections(9) The King Blade (6) Geosen Dolpung (4) Magic Manjeom (7) Grand Fly
Next Best14, 13
Fast Start6, 8, 9, 14

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Good little race this and having come close to leading all the way his second start on December 6th, (3) DAEHAN JILJU returns to action here extremely well drawn to get to the lead again this time to hold on.  He’ll be joined on pace by (1) ELITE POWER, who has the fastest time of any of these at the distance. She has tended to weaken late on but looks a potential place line today. (4) GEUMA FLAWLESS is another who looks to be approaching a win.  He ran a solid 2nd place over this distance last start and while a touch consistent should be right in this. The main danger, however, could be (9) GRAND CASTLE. The only one of the fourteen to have visited the winner’s circle already, he stuck on debut last October and followed up with a 3rd and a 2nd. His times have been consistent, and he is another who should be competing for the early lead. (10) CHEROKEE MARINE and (14) NONSTOP CAT are others who are in at least the placing frame.

Selections(3) Daehan Jilju (9) Grand Castle (10) Cherokee Marine (4) Geuma Flawless
Next Best14, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 5, 9

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

Another class 6 with one previous winner in it. That’s (9) SEO E BEONJJEOK and he achieved it last time out at start number three, running on strong from midfield for a tight score at 1200M. The additional half furlong today shouldn’t matter, and he can win again. We’re going to look elsewhere though and in particular to (1) SPOT FLATTER. He was well beaten into 2nd by a good winner last time out but ran on well and with Alan Munro remaining aboard, looks to have solid claims to make the breakthrough this time. (2) TEUKGEUP YEOWANG was 3rd in that same race just before Christmas and can get close again here. The only one of the fourteen to have tackled this distance before is (13) BRAVO MAY. He did it in a reasonable time too and then ran 3rd back at 1200M last start. The draw shouldn’t matter, and he has placing chances. In a race in which overseas jockeys should do well, (4) MAGICUI HAMSEONG, to be partnered by David Breux, looks best of the rest.

Selections(1) Spot Flatter (9) Seo E Beonjjeok (13) Bravo May (4) Magicui Hamseong
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start1, 3, 9, 10

Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here and it looks wide open. We have one previous winner in the shape of (10) GRACE QUEEN, who bested three of these on her way to victory over 1200M on December 20th. Can she do it again? She’ll certainly have her supporters and while she hasn’t tried this distance before, she does have a 3rd place at 1300M. Nevertheless, the runner-up that day (4) ABOUT SOMETHING, has to be strongly considered. She is yet to score in seven but has run very well at this distance and today could well be her day, coming from off the pace. With an extra furlong, she may well have got there last time. (3) SEMYEONG NARAE come sin of a decent 2nd place over 1200M last start. She’s been relatively one-paced so far but sticks to her task well and she may appreciate the additional trip. Similarly, (5) SPEED FLYING doesn’t exactly fly home but does persevere and is consistently close. (9) TELOS has recorded the fastest time of any of these who have tried the distance before and along with (6) REMEMBER WHEN, has place chances here.

Selections(4) About Something (10) Grace Queen (3) Semyeong Narae (9) Telos
Next Best5, 6, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 10

Race 6: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

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Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (November 8)

Sunday sees full cards at Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:00). Cheongdam Dokki headlines Seoul’s class 1 feature race. The race meeting is open to the public, however, there is an attendance cap of 20% and seats must be reserved in advance through the “My Card” app – there is no admission on the gate. Here are the previews:

Cheongdam Dokki goes at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A field of twelve to line up in the first where all but two runners are on debut. Watching the vision of (12) LONDON ACTIVE suggests the Colonel John filly is ready to perform at her first race start. The two-year-old bounced out of the gates in good style in her trial before running through the line in good fashion. The outside draw is a concern, but she should be able to muster quickly and sit on speed. (4) K N MAGIC is another debutant that trialed up in good style. The Kantharos filly clocked a good time on a rain affected track. She is drawn well and should be able to sit just behind the leading division. (5) RAON GARAM appears to be an each-way chance in a field with plenty of unknown ability. She is by the progressive stallion Musket Man whose progeny have been performing well early on in their careers. (8) CHEROKEE MARINE is one of just two gallopers engaged that has had a previous run. The Thunder Moccasin gelding finished fifth behind the very talented East Jet on debut but was beaten from here to Gangnam. 

Selections(12) London Active (4) K N Magic (5) Raon Garam (8) Cherokee Marine
Next Best10, 3
Fast Start8, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Maidens go around here with four of the twelve racing for the first time. We’re going to stick with experience though and (3) HAPPY SOCKS perhaps has the edge. The Tiz Wonderful filly ran on very nicely for 3rd behind a couple of promising ones on debut over 1000M in August and the additional furlong should suit. It’s a similar story with (8) LUCKY WORLD who ran very similarly for his own 3rd place on debut and can be expected to run on strongly again and go close. (1) MAGICUI HAMSEONG could only manage 6th but nevertheless put in a fast time on a sloppy track on his August debut and is another who may have some promise. (9) GO GO STAR has raced twice with solid 3rd and 4th place finishes to her name, each time with a contrasting running style and she should be there of thereabouts again.

Selections(3) Happy Socks (8) Lucky World (9) Go Go Star (1) Magicui Hamseong
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start6, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A field of twelve lightly raced maidens will take to the track in the third event. (10) LEGEND WIN is the on top selection albeit he has had six previous attempts to break maiden status. The Old Fashioned colt comes off a last start third when sitting on speed and being passed by a couple quicker in the run home. His opposition today is not overly strong, and he looks like an each-way chance who will get every chance sitting on pace. (12) CHEONJI ULLIM has finished close up at his two starts to date. The three-year-old hasn’t raced since February when he finished fourth behind Ice Punch. He trialed up in a few weeks ago and clocked a good time. The draw is a concern, but he needs to be treated as a winning chance. (5) SPECIAL STORY has notched placings at his past two starts. The filly’s time wasn’t overly fast in these performances, but her competition today looks even. (1) SPEED FLYING comes off successive minor placing during the mid-part of the year. The filly is likely to settle closer to the speed as per last start, from the good draw.

Selections(10) Legend Win (12) Cheonji Ullim (5) Special Story (1) Speed Flying
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 4 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(1) UNCLE BELL made all for a commanding maiden win at start number five back in August with a couple of these a long way back down the track behind him. He’s at the same class today and although he carries a whopping additional 5kg he remains hard to bet against. There are a couple who could beat him though. (4) PINE TOUCH has come close on a number of occasions over his five starts so far and has shown he has a strong finish. The slight step up in trip today may suit. (11) FULL BOOSTER comes in off a last start runner-up finish and if jockey Ueda Masashi can overcome the wide draw to get him close to the pace, he could be in with a shout. (2) SIRIUS A and (8) EAGLE EAGLE are among a number of others who could aim for the places, the latter a strong contender to challenge the favourite for the early lead.

Selections(1) Uncle Bell (11) Full Booster (4) Pine Touch (8) Eagle Eagle
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 8, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The maiden gallopers go over the seven furlongs in the fifth event on the card. (9) POWER MUSIC has shown enough previously to suggest she can figure. The Winchester filly has settled both rearwards and on speed in her past couple of starts, from barrier nine she may have to settle midfield or worse. She has placed at two of her past three starts including a last start second over this distance. (7) ONE PUTT handed in a better performance last start back in August when finishing second over this distance. The three-year-old hit the line with gusto and is likely to settle towards the tail once again, before reeling off a good sectional. (8) ACE HAMSEONG is another who has finished close up at his past few starts. His times have been competitive enough to suggest a forward showing, he should be benefited from a lack of early speed engaged in the event. (4) TRUE looks best of the rest in a race where there is no standout.

Selections(9) Power Music (7) One Putt (8) Ace Hamseong (4) True
Next Best5, 12
Fast Start3, 9, 11

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

The speed map for the second looks to be sluggish suggesting riders that wish to work forward should be able to do so. (7) HAPPY WITCH lines up for her third start after a good start to her career in the mid-part of the year. The Officer filly won on debut in June in good time before finishing second over the six furlongs in July. She looks to be one of a few runners who can work forward and sit in the first few in running. (11) DOCTOR GREY has shown that he is capable of reeling off a good sectional. He finished off strongly last time out running into third behind VIP King last time out in August. He looks one to watch as he steps out over a long journey down the track. (10) PARTY LION has not raced since January but trialed up in good style in August. The filly has finished in the top three on three occasions from eight attempts but is yet to break maiden status. The horse looks best suited if Jo In-kwon can get her to work forward early. (4) QUEEN OF ADELE looks next best and one worth including in your novelty bets.

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Tiz Plan Denies Cheongdam Dokki In Busan Mayor’s Cup

Tiz Plan ground down Cheongdam Dokki in a seesaw stretch duel to win the Busan Mayor’s Cup on Sunday afternoon, sealing his first Group level victory and denying Cheongdam Dokki a second sweep of the Korean Stayers’ Series.

Whereas in the first two legs of the Series, the Herald Business and YTN Cups at Seoul, Cheongdam Dokki had simply run away from his rivals and put both races to bed before his , this time jockey Johan Victoire, with a furlong less to worry about, kept Tiz Plan much handier in the early stages and while Cheongdam Dokki did lead, at no time did the gap look insurmountable.

Leading by just over a length at the top of stretch, Cheongdam Dokki was reeled in by Tiz Plan and the two went nose to nose. Dokki briefly regained the upper hand before a final effort from Tiz Plan saw the younger horse draw level once more and finally pull away to win by a length and a half. As usual, Shamrocker came home in 3rd place.

Tiz Plan [Tiznow – Amusing Plan (Pleasantly Perfect)] was bred by Three Chimneys Farm and arrived in Korea as a two-year-old in 2017. His win was his tenth from twenty starts.

For trainer Park Jae-woo, who gained his license in 2011, it was a first Group race victory. Jockey Johan Victoire was winning this race for the second year in a row having been successful on Dolkong a year ago. Victoire also won the G3 SBS Sports Sprint last month.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic preventing any wagering from taking place in Korea and with the Korea Cup accordingly not being run this year, the racing calendar remains somewhat up in the air. However, it is possible that Tiz Plan and Cheongdam Dokki could meet again in the KRA Cup Classic at 2000M in early October.

Cheongdam Dokki Monsters YTN Cup Rivals In Record Busting Romp

For the second time in a month, Cheongdam Dokki savaged his rivals over 2000M at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday, claiming an easy win in the G3 YTN Cup and in the process broke Dongbanui Gangja’s eleven-year-old track record for the distance.

Just four weeks after his dominant victory in the Herald Business Cup and facing a largely similar set of opponents, Cheongdam Dokki was always set to be a prohibitive favourite in a race which served as the second leg of the “Stayer Series”. And just as he did in the Herald, he stamped his authority on the race right from the start, crossing from gate eight under jockey Park Tae Jong and straight into the lead.

At his best, Cheongdam Dokki’s cruising speed is so superior to his local rivals at least in the absence of Moonhak Chief – that there was never a danger of him doing too much too soon and being caught. Instead he continued to run away from them, recording a nine-length winning margin on the line and taking six tenths of a second off the mark set by Dongbanui Gangja in the Owners’ Association Trophy in June 2009.

Behind Cheongdam Dokki, Tiz Plan and Shamrocker came home 2nd and 3rd in a repeat of the Herald Business trifecta. Buhwarui Banseok ran 4th.

The final leg of the Stayer Series is the G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup which is currently scheduled for August 16th at the slightly shorter distance of 1800M. All being well, Cheongdam Dokki would then likely be pointed to the Korea Cup on September 13th, the KRA Cup Classic on October 11th and then conclude his year taking another crack at a race that so far eludes him, the Grand Prix Stakes.

A six-year-old American-bred gelding by To Honor And Serve and out of Elusive Gold (by Strike The Gold), Cheongdam Dokki has now won 15 of 29 career starts for prize money of just over KRW 2.8 Billion.

Sensational Cheongdam Dokki Silences Sceptics In Herald Business Hat-Trick

Cheongdam Dokki rolled back the years, crushed all-comers and silenced the sceptics by completing a sensational hat-trick in the Herald Business Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

The six-year-old’s most recent win prior to Sunday was the exact same race, run in April last year with the race being re-scheduled this term after the Covid-19 forced suspension of racing.

Cheongdam Dokki was transferred back to Park Jong-kon after his most recent run in December last year.

Trainer Park was Cheongdam Dokki’s original handler, preparing the chestnut for his first nineteen career starts, yielding thirteen wins.

Park Tae-jong was aboard the six-year-old Sunday, when the flashy type brought up his third win in the listed feature.

Cheongdam Dokki was asked to work forward early by jockey Park, eventually taking up the role of pacemaker.

The To Honor And Serve gelding maintained the lead in the back straight, travelling strongly before being asked to improve at the top of the Seoul home straight.

Heuk Jeonsa, World Today and Great King all sat on speed in the race whilst Tiz Plan’s rider Johan Victoire improved his position in the middle stages of the 2000m feature.

As the field balanced up for the run home the only danger to Cheongdam Dokki was Tiz Plan but Victoire and his mount were unable to bridge the gap, with Cheongdam Dokki winning by four lengths.

Triple Nine and World Today appear to be the disappointments to come out of the race, both finishing well beaten.

The ever reliable Shamrocker, partnered by Alan Munro, came home 3rd in the race for the third time in three years with Bart Rice’s Rock Hard Seven coming home in 4th under Francois Herholdt.

The next staying feature to take place will be the YTN Cup in July where last year’s Korea Cup winner Moonhak Chief is nominated to make a return.

Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Moonhak Chief, nemesis of Cheongdam Dokki last year, is back in work having recovered from a fetlock injury that ruled him out of Sunday’s feature.

 

Round-Up

– Potentially on his way to the YTN Cup is Buhwarui Banseok. Bart Rice’s seven-year-old warhorse scored a superb all the way win over 2000M in Busan’s feature Class 1 handicap on February. Despite giving significant weight to most of his rivals, Buhwarui Banseok dominated throughout, shrugging off lighter weighted pretenders with ease to win by a remarkable five-lengths under jockey Seo Seung-un.

– Buhwarui Banseok’s victory meant that all three foreign trainers were on the board at Busan on Friday, with Peter Wolsley and Thomas Gillespie both training two winners apiece.

– The 2019 Korean Oaks winner Deep Mind has had an interrupted career since winning the fillies’ Classic. She offered little in two starts earlier this year but put that all behind her when romping away with Busan’s Sunday class 2 feature over 1800M.

– On Saturday at Seoul the star of the show was Morfhis, who like Buhwarui Banseok at Busan a day earlier, defied a high impost to see off an excellent class 1 field. Johan Victoire brought the five-year-old Stephen Got Even gelding through just in time to roll Gangtoma on the line in the seven-furlong Class 1 feature with Lil’ Patron and Spring Back a further two-lengths in arrears. Morfhis moves on to 7 wins from 22 starts, however, four of those successes have come at Class 1.

– Also, on Saturday, Ji Yong-cheol reached a career milestone when he became the fourth trainer in local racing history to saddle 900 winners. The landmark win came when three-year-old filly Milky Sherry took out the 1700M race 13. Only Kim Young-kwan and Park Dae-heung, along with the now retired Shin Woo-chul, have trained more winners in Korea.

– In breeding news, the Korean Mainland Breeders’ Association will hold its second Two-Year-Old sale of 2020 at the KRA Jangsu Stud Farm this coming Tuesday (June 23rd). A total of 72 lots are being offered with juveniles by Hansen and Take Charge Indy among those likely to be in demand. The

the sale will be streamed live on the KRBC YouTube channel from 10am (KST).

The catalogue can be found online at

http://studbook.kra.co.kr/neweng/html/eng_auction_list.jsp

Moonhak Chief Bosses YTN Cup As Cheongdam Dokki & New Legend Falter

All year the YTN Cup has had a red ring around it as the day when Cheongdam Dokki and New Legend would meet. Not on the agenda was that both would be beaten. However, that’s what happened at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as Moonhak Chief thoroughly trounced all rivals to win they 2nd leg of the Stayers’ Series by 12-lengths.

The doubts had started to creep in about New Legend, a Korean-bred horse who began his career in the USA, picking up a win at Arlington Park before returning to Korea in early autumn last year. He won his early domestic contests with ease before coming up short when tried at 1200M in April’s Busan Ilbo Cup. Nevertheless, he was sent off as the 4/1 second-favourite in the thirteen strong field.

Cheongdam Dokki had also struggled when asked to sprint in March but the phenom had returned to form with a facile victory in the Herald Business Cup, the first leg of the Stayers’, a month ago and that led him to begin as the long odds-on favourite to claim his second YTN.

Moonhak Chief finished as runner-up in the Herald Business, a full six-lengths behind Cheongdam Dokki, but on Sunday he looked a winner all the way.

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It wasn’t close…

“I actually had no intention to lead” said jockey Moon Se Young, after partnering Moonhak Chief to a gate-to-wire win in strikingly similar fashion to how the rider won the Korean Derby on Wonderful Fly two weeks ago. “But Cheongdam Dokki didn’t go like I expected him to, so I found myself in front and took it from there”.

That was somewhat modest from Moon when talking about what was a very good ride. Once in front, he shut the race down in the back straight conserving plenty of energy before asking for an effort after turning for home that put his mount out of sight. The winning time was just half a second outside the track record for the 2000M and it is debatable as to whether an even in top-form Cheongdam Dokki could have caught him.

As for Cheongdam Dokki, he didn’t have his usual zip from the gate and to his outside  Argo Brain made a nuisance of himself for the first hundred metres or so. Subsequently though, always at least three wide and non-responsive to his jockey’s urgings rounding the final turn, he never looked a winner, ultimately trailing home in 5th.

Cheongdam Dokki passed the immediate veterinary examination and unless something shows up later, it seems likely that Antonio Da Silva will end up the unlucky fall guy. He didn’t do anything wrong at all – Cheongdam Dokki was simply not in the mood for racing on Sunday – but this is Korean racing and Dokki’s owner is not renowned for being shy about changing things up on a regular basis.

New Legend ran a solid, if one-paced race in 4th. He was in 3rd or 2nd most of the way around but failed to kick on at the business end of the race. A month ago, he was Korea’s biggest hope for the International races in September, there are now plenty of question marks hanging over him. He will hopefully get a chance to show recent form has been a blip, in the Busan Mayor’s Cup at the end of June.  That will likely be Cheongdam Dokki’s shot at redemption too.

Old campaigner Shamrocker did what he does and mopped up the pieces late on to snatch 2nd place. It was the six-year-old’s tenth runner-up finish on his 34th start. He spent his three and four-year-old season chasing Clean Up Joy and then his five-year-old season in futile pursuit of Cheongdam Dokki. In Moonhak Chief, there is perhaps another whose posterior he can watch vanishing into the distance. Not many others will beat him though.

Revelation of the race was Jumbo Blade. The four-year-old was, along with the winner and Shamrocker, the only one truly going well in the closing stages and the four-year-old Mineshaft colt got up for 3rd under Franco Da Silva on what was just his thirteenth career start. He has the same owner as Cheongdam Dokki.

Moonhak Chief is four-year-old American-bred colt by Pioneerof The Nile and out of Tallullah Lula (by Old Trieste).

Next weekend there is a double-helping of Graded Stakes action at Seoul with both the SBS Sports Sprint and Ttukseom Cup taking place on Sunday.

Cheongdam Dokki Bounces Back To Retain KRA Cup Classic

Cheongdam Dokki successfully defended his KRA Cup Classic crown at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, taking victory on the 2000M Korean Group 2 event by two-and-a-half lengths and taking the first steps to putting defeat in the Billion Won Korea Cup International race last month firmly behind him.

Dolkong was a morning scratching, the Korea Cup runner-up having injured the frog of his hoof in a gallop this week. Although close to making the race, discretion proved the better part of valour and he was withdrawn as a precaution with the future in mind but that still left a high-quality field for Chongdam Dokki to defeat if he was to bounce back from the humbling he received when trying to match Japan’s London Town for pace in the Cup.

Defeat them he did. Sent off at long odds-on, Cheongdam Dokki led from the gate under jockey Lim Gi-won, who was restored to the mount, and looked a winner every step of the way. Triple Nine, racing for the first time since finishing 3rd behind him in the Busan Mayor’s Cup three months ago, hit his top gear late to come home 2nd while three-year-old US import Munhak Chief (by Pioneerof The Nile) scored a very promising 3rd.

Champion mare Silver Wolf came home 4th but there was no luck for two-time SBS Sports Sprint winner Doraonpogyeongseon, who ended up 6th of the 8 on his first try at 2000M.