Dangdae Bulpae

Dangdae Bulpae Does It Again

Tenth Stakes Win For Busan Star / Gamdonguibabda Makes Successful Return / Feel So Good Wins At Seoul

Dangdae Bulpae keeps on making history. Recording an unprecedented 10th Stakes win under an unprecendented weight for a Stakes winner and taking his earned prize money to an unprecendented 2.9 Billion won, the 6-year-old cruised to victory in the Busan Ilbo Cup this afternoon.

Pre-race, the weight was an issue. The three-time President’s Cup winner had never been successful when carrying more than 59kg but, as soon as the gates opened, any doubts disappeared.

Jo Sung Gon took Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) straight to the front and there they stayed. A passenger for most of the race, Jo needed to work a little to keep his mount going straight in the final two furlongs but there was never any question of him not winning.

At the line, the margin of victory was 3 lengths, with Dongseo Jeongbeol and Gyeongbudaero, Classic winners both, filling the placings.

Because of the weights he needs to carry in handicaps, we;ll likely only see Dangdae Bulpae a couple more times before this summer target; successfulyy defending the Busan Metropolitan City Stakes. After that, it may be that an attempt on a 4th straight President’s Cup is on the cards. It would take a brave punter to take him on.

One of very few horses who does have a recent victory over Dangdae Bulpae to her name is Gamdounguibada. And the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner was back for her season debut in the finale at Busan.

And it proved to be the easiest winner Joe Fujii will ever ride as
Gamdonguibada (Werblin) recorded a 5 length victory over the always game Viva Ace (Macho Uno). The Champion filly & mare and Champion foreign horse of 2012 is going to be one of the horses to watch in 2013 too.

Perhaps the most exciting – and certainly the most intriguing – horse in Korean racing was on show up at Seoul this afternoon. Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton) was bred in Korea but spent his early years in the US and won a race at Calder Racecourse last year. He returned home last autumn and was an easy winner on his Korean debut.

Feel So Good returns a winner

Feel So Good returns a winner

It was equally easy today as Feel So Good romped to a 6 length win over 1700 metres without seeming to get out of second gear. This year is going to be an interesting one.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – February 24, 2013

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.7, 1.1
2. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar – Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] – Joe Fujii – 1.3
3. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee p Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.6

Distances: 3 lengths/Neck
Also Ran: 4. Alpha Myeongjang 5. Road To Prince 6. Born To Win 7. Yeonseung Daero 8. Powerful Korea 9. Geumsangeo

Dangdae Bulpae Heads Strong Busan Ilbo Cup Field

Busan hosts its first Stakes race of the year this coming Sunday as nine horses go to post for the Busan Ilbo Cup.

Stakes races usually end up with Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the winner's circle

Stakes races usually end up with Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the winner’s circle

It has attracted a high quality field with last year’s winner Yeonseung Daero set to have his work cut out to retain the trophy as three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae the likely favourite. Here’s a full run down of the runners with name, pedigree, sex, age, weight (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) and Jockey:

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday February 24, 2013 – 16:15

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] H 6 61kg (28/18/2/2) – Jo Sung Gon
One of the best Korean bred horses there has ever been. A three-time winner of the President’s Cup and the winner of more Stakes races than any other horse in Korean history. Against Korean bred opposition he should always be favourite at any distance between 1400 metres and 2000 metres and he will be here. The only consolation for his rivals is that he has never won when carrying more than 60kg and when he’s not on form, he’s really not on form. If he’s anything close to his best, he wins.

2. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar – Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] H 5 55.5kg (21/9/3/0) – Kanichiro (Joe) Fujii
Minister’s Cup winner in 2011, he struggled for form last year although he did finish 2nd in this race and picked up a win over the distance. He ended the year in good shape but will have to improve to win here but taking into weight and jockey, cannot be ruled out.

3. Road To Prince (KOR) [Pico Central – Ransom Bay (Red Ransom)] C 4 58kg (9/6/2/0) – Lim Sung Sil
A horse who has really crept up to class 1 under the radar. This will be his debut at this level and as such is a slightly unknown quantity. Seems to have plenty of improvement in him and will like the distance.

4. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] C 4 58.5kg (16/5/4/5) – Choi Si Dae
Remarkably this colt hasn’t won since he took the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown, last April. The reason is that he only ever runs against the best. 3rd in the Derby, 2nd in the Owners’ Cup, 3rd in the Minister’s Cup, 3rd in the President’s Cup. He usually runs into just one or two who are faster. That could well be the same here.

5. Alpha Myeongjang (KOR) [Pico Central – Lend (Coronado’s Quest)] C 4 61kg (16/7/5/0) – You Hyun Myung
An out-and-out sprinter he was very exposed in the Minister’s Cup last year. If the race was 400 metres shorter, he’d be favourite. It’s not, so he is an outsider. The consitions of the race also land him with 61kg, the same as Dangdae Bulpae.

6. Born To Win (KOR) [Archer City Slew – Bayou Blues (Cure The Blues)] M 5 54.5kg (25/4/5/3) – Narazaki Kosuke
She may well be Born To Win but she doesn’t do it very often and he’ll not do it here either. A pair of class 2 victories last autumn propelled her into the elite class and she beat some useful horses when finishing second over 1900 metres last month but there’s not much in her favour here.

7. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] H 7 56.5kg (47/17/9/5) – Park Geum Man
A wonderfully game horse and the defending champion. Yeonseung Daero has been campaigned almost exclusively against foreign-bred horses, hence “only” having 17 wins to his name. Struggled for much of 2012 but was right back in form at the end of the year, he can never be written off. Stablemate of Gyeongbudaero.

8. Geumsangeo (KOR) [Volponi – Dactique’s Quest (Coronodo’s Quest)] M 5 52kg (20/3/5/3) – Chae Gyu Jun
A relative unknown who has risen to class 1 through placing more than winning. Has never faced a field of this quality before and while she does have a big weight advantage, it would be a surprise to see her involved at the business end of the race.

9. Powerful Korea (KOR) [Distilled – Bound To Score (Quick Score)] G 5 58kg (20/6/3/4) – Kim Dong Young
He spent his 2-year old season in the USA and even ran in 3 races in Florida but Powerful Korea has never really lived-up to his potential. He has just a solitary class 1 victory to his name and while he has undoubted ability, will need to find a lot of improvement to win here.

Gyongmaman’s verdict: Even taking into account the weight (which is too high – horses do not need to be carrying this kind of weight in a race that isn’t even a handicap but this is an argument for another day) it is difficult to look beyond Dangdae Bulpae for the win but there won’t be much value in that. Therefore, Gyongmaman will probably leave him alone in the betting and look for options involving Yeonseung Daero and Dongseo Jeongbeol both of whom are carrying reasonable weights, have good jockeys and are almost certain to run solid races.

Weekend Preview: The Big Boys (& Girls) Are Back

Dangdae Bulpae, Gyeongbudaero, Jigeum I Sungan, Feel So Good, Gamdonguibada, Lion Santa, My Key All in action!

A spectacular weekend of racing by Korean standards is in store this weekend as a whole host of the nation’s top horses will be on show at Seoul and Busan.

Will Yoo Byung Bok be greeting Dangdae Bulpae like this again on Sunday?

Will Yoo Byung Bok be greeting Dangdae Bulpae like this ahgain on Sunday?

The feature race of the weekend is the Busan Ilbo Cup, the first Stakes race of 2013 to be run at Busan. Defending champion Yeonseung Daero (Creek Cat) will be there but it will be a tough ask for him to retain his title with competition in the shape of three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) and KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee). We’ll have a full preview of the race, including a run-down of each entrant’s chances, up on the blog on Friday.

Friday is when things start off at Busan and there will be a couple of horses worth keeping an eye on. Being the half-brother of US champion Game On Dude, My Key (Macho Uno) has had plenty of expectations placed on him. He’s just started living up to them with two consecutive wins. He goes looking for his 3rd in race 8.

Also on Friday, US import Yonggwanguijehyun (Rockport Harbor) will look for his 6th straight victory when he goes in the finale over 1600M.

Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada and Joe Fujii will be reunited on Sunday

Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada and Joe Fujii will be reunited on Sunday

In addition to the Busan Ilbo Cup, Sunday at Busan sees a big class 1 handicap and it is in that race where current Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada (Werblin) will make her 2013 debut. The 4-year-old filly won’t have things easy though as she’ll take on Lion Santa (Lion Heart) who returned to the track in style after a long lay-off last month.

He has a record of 11 wins from 15 starts and if he’s in the kind of form he’s capable of, he’ll be tough to beat. Throw the ever dependable Viva Ace (Macho Uno) into the mix as well and ou Grand Prix Champion faces a challenging start to her campaign.

His moment again...Jigeum I Sungan

His moment again…Jigeum I Sungan

Up at Seoul there is plenty to keep us occupied too. On Saturday, 2012 Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) heads the feature race. He won his season debut last month and while he faces New Year Stakes victor Global Fusion (Menifee), as well as tough campaigners Singgereounachim (Exploit) and Geuma Champ (Vicar), he should be favourite.

On Sunday at Seoul, possibly the hottest property in Korean racing right now makes his second appearance. Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton) spent nearly 2 years in the US and was a winner at Calder in Florida last autumn before being brought back home. He won his Korean debut by 10 lengths and steps up in class and distance in race 7. He should romp it.

Check back tomorrow for the full handicap of Sunday’s Busan Ilbo Cup but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday February 22

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 23

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday February 24

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:05 including the Busan Ilbo Cup at 16:15

Jigeum I Sungan Starts 2013 With Easy Win

Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) was a comfortable three-length winner on his season debut at Seoul Race Park on Saturday.

Winning Start to 2013: Jigeum I Sungan

Winning Start to 2013: Jigeum I Sungan

The colt, who won two legs of the Korean Triple Crown in 2012, was sent off at slight odds-on for the 1900 metre feature Handicap.

With regular rider Moon Se Young currently in Macau, the four-year old was partnered by young up-and-comer Seo Seung Un for the first time and it didn’t take the pair long to gel.

Kept in the middle of the pack for much of the race, Jigeum I Sungan still had five horses in front of him as they entered the final furlong. One after another they were picked off as he eased to the front and ultimately won going away from the field. Magnifique (Menifee) was second with Singgereounachim (Exploit) in third.

Despite his double Classic triumph and subsequent Horse of the Year award, today’s win was only Jigeum I Sungan’s 7th from 16 starts. However, throughout last year he got better with every run and the feeling is that the best is still very much to come from him.

On his last start, Jigeum I Sungan was well beaten into 2nd as Dangdae Bulpae strolled to his third consecutive President’s Cup. November is a long way away but stopping Dangdae Bulpae securing a historic fourth win in Korea’s richest race is surely the season goal for Jigeum I Sungan. The preparation has begun well.

Sunday January 20

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Grand Prix 2012: The Runners And Riders

It might be sub-zero but it doesn’t get bigger than this in Korean racing. After public vote decided upon the invitations, thirteen horses will line-up for the Grand Prix Stakes, the traditional end of season showpiece, at Seoul Race Park this Sunday.

Defending champion Tough Win heads the Grand Prix field (KRA)

Defending champion Tough Win heads the Grand Prix field (KRA)

Last year’s champion Tough Win returns to defend his title but he’ll face stiff competition from three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae. They are joined by a host of other Stakes winners in Korea’s most prestigious race.

Dangdae Bulpae: Three time President's Cup winner now chases the Grand Prix

Dangdae Bulpae: Three time President’s Cup winner now chases the Grand Prix

The conditions are going to be challenging. The first of this winter’s extreme cold snaps is crossing the peninsula right now with temperatures not expected to reach anything higher than -6C during the day. Ground staff will be working through the night to ensure the track is raceable.

Here is the full list of runners and riders (name [pedigree] Sex Age (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd) – Jockey):

Grand Prix (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 9, 2012, 16:15

1. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] F 4 (18/6/6/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
She won the Korean Oaks in 2011 but while she’s been a solid money winner since, she’s always found one or two quicker and this will probably be the same again.

2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] F 3 (9/5/2/2) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
A real potential star in the making. She’s the champion filly & mare of this year and should have no trouble with the distance. In Joe Fujii, she has one of the best jockeys in the peninsula on board and if the twi favourites have a bad day, she could be the one to capitalize.

3. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat – Freddy Fenter (Fenter) C 4 (20/9/3/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok (Seoul)
Upset Tough Win in the KRA Cup Classic and therefore must command respect. Will love the distance and, while we must assume that Tough Win will be given a better ride than he was that day, he could be one to watch.

4. Seungniuihamseong (KOR) [Vicar – Hug And Kiss (Commander In Chief)] F 4 (19/6/2/1) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
She was a creditable fourth in the President’s Cup but she’s going to have to show some improvement to match that performance here.

5. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] H 5 (27/18/2/1) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
Now a three-time President’s Cup winner and has won more prize-money than any other horse in Korean racing history. The only question is the distance. Two years ago, he didn’t stay. Last time he didn’t even try. If he stays, he wins.

6. Nolbu Manse (USA) [Simon Pure – Reason To Fear (Kris S.)] C 3 (15/5/3/3) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
A very nice looking colt who was second to Sing Sing Cat in the KRA Cup Classic. The distance is a slight concern but he is a potential value bet for at least a place.

7. Sydney Jewelry (AUS) [Lion Heart – Rivendelle (Charnwood Forest)] C 3 (9/6/1/0) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
A real up and comer, he was a surprise entry. He comes off the back of two consecutive wins over 1900 metres and looks eager for more. This might be a few months early for him but the big names are going to need to be at their best to beat him

8. Smoking Gun (USA) [Hat Trick – Desdemona’s Dream (Announce)] C 3 (8/5/1/1) – Narazaki Kosuke (Busan)
Won his first four starts and has been lightly campaigned. Has been beaten by a number of his rivals here but is highly thought of and in Narazaki Kosuke, has aruguably the most in form jockey on the peninsula on board.

9. Tamna Hwangje (USA) [Montbrook – Morada Bay (Cape Town)] C 4 (17/8/3/0) – You Hyun Myoung (Busan)
Is generally at his best over shorter distances though has wins over many of his rivals here. Will likely be an outsider.

10. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] G 5 (24/18/2/1) – Jun Duck Yong (Seoul)
The defending champion. If he is on his game, then he will be very hard to beat. He’ll have a different jockey on board for only the second time but, after he was given an awful ride in the KRA Cup Classic, that may be no bad thing. He will need to be at his absolute best to beat Dangdae Bulpae.

11. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] H 5 (33/9/7/6) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
A regular runner-up, the half-brother of 2005 winner Subsidy is almost guaranteed to be in the mix at the end. It’s unlikely that he’ll win, but he is always competitive.

12. Sangnyu (USA) [Broken Vow – Midtown Miss (Yes It’s True)] F 3 (12/3/3/1) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
Winner of the YTN Cup in the summer and third behind Gamdonguibada in the Governor’s Cup last time out, she has plenty of talent but will be an outsider here.

13. Nobel Pokpung (KOR) [Didyme – Shar Baby (Talinum)] C 3 (13/4/3/2) – Kim Do Heon (Busan)
This colt really should have a far better win record. Second in the Korean Derby and seemingly crying out for more distance, he’ll certainly have that here. Others should be faster though and disappointing performances in both the Minister’s and President’s Cup make him a hard horse to back.

Sunday December 8

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:55 including the Grand Prix Stakes at 16:15
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40

Dangdae Bulpae Completes President’s Cup Hat-Trick In Emphatic Style

Dangdae Bulpae sent records tumbling as he cruised to a dominating victory in the President’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the President’s Cup winner’s circle for the third consecutive year

Not only was it the five-year old’s third consecutive win in Korea’s richest race, an unprecedented feat, it was also his ninth Stakes win and took him to close to 3 Billion Won in career prize money, neither of which have ever been achieved by any other horse on the peninsula.

In the betting ring, punters sent Dangdae Bulpae off as the slight favourite in chilly, wet and blustery conditions, just ahead of Korean Derby winner Jiguem I Sungan. On the track, however, no-one even got close. Under Jo Sung Gon, Dangdae Bulpae hit the front as the field started to turn for home and once he did, the contest was over.

Moon Se Young may have left Jigeum I Sungan’s late run a little too late but he was never going to catch the winner, with the margin four lengths on the line after Jo had eased down the defending champion in the final furlong. Jigeum I Sungan held off KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero by a head to claim third.

The victory was the eighteenth of Dangdae Bulpae’s career. As a three-year old he disappointed in the Cup Mile before finishing third in the Korean Derby. He made his breakthrough in the final Classic of the season, the Minister’s Cup before going on to claim his first President’s Cup. He finished the year on a low note, however, failing to get the trip in the Grand Prix Stakes, ending up in eleventh.

Although Busan based, he returned to Seoul as a four-year to win the Ttukseom Cup before a summer wobble saw him taste back to back Stakes defeats. He was back in form for the President’s Cup, however, winning comfortably.

Trainer Yoo Byung Bok greets his horse after training him to his third President’s Cup

Defeated by the late Mister Park early this year, Dangdae Bulpae beat an out of sorts Tough Win and a found to be lame Smarty Moonhak to win the Busan Metropolitan Cup and then claimed the Busan Owners’ Cup before returning to Seoul for today’s triumph.

The only thing missing now is the Grand Prix. Uniquely, invites to run in the Grand Prix are decided by public vote. If Dangdae Bulpae’s name is on the ballot, he’ll surely be voted in in top place and, with no Mister Park or Smarty Moonhak and an inconsistent Tough Win, it will be difficult for connections to keep him away a second year running.

Jigeum I Sungan has a shot at being there too. The Derby winner looks like he will be a very tough proposition next year. Gyeongbudaero too showed once again that he can compete among the best. There was a scare, however, for Rising Glory. Jockey Joe Fujii dismounted from the Oaks winner as soon as they crossed the line and although superficially no injury was apparent, she was sent for a full vet’s check-up.

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 11, 2012

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Deed (Alydeed) – Jo Sung Gon – 1.9, 1.2
2. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire-Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Moon Se Young – 1.4
3. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee-Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – 2.2

Distances: 4 length/Head
Also Ran: 4. Seungnuihanseong 5. Magnnifique 6. Powerful Korea 7. Nobel Pokpung 8. Special Win 9. Yeonseung Daero 10. High Point 11. Cheot Insang DQ. Golden Rose DQ. Rising Glory.

Dangdae Bulpae Bidding For Third President’s Cup

Dangdae Bulpae will line up at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon bidding to claim an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the President’s Cup.

Dangdae Bulpae in the President’s Cup winner’s circle last year

Though not as prestigious as the Grand Prix Stakes due its being restricted to Korean bred horses, the President’s Cup is the nation’s richest race.

Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) first won this race as a three-year old and, if he’s going to complete the hat-trick, he’s going to need to defeat all of this year’s Classic winners.

Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup victor Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) will be there, as will KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee) and Oaks winning filly Rising Glory (Menifee) among thirteen rivals. It is set to be one of the highlights of the year

Today at Seoul, the Turkey Jockey Club Cup was won by two-year old US import Watts Village (Forestry-Edey’s Village). The youngster beat 13 older horses by an impressive four lengths over 1800 metres.

It was the second time in as many years that the race was won by a juvenile. Last year, Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones), currently sidelined indefinitely with tendinitis, stormed to a ten-length win that saw him ultimately become the first two-year old to enter the season ending Grand Prix Stakes.

Whether Watts Village will even appear on the ballot for the Grand Prix is open to question, however, the manner of his gate-to-wire victory suggests that there is plenty to come from this young talent.

Sunday November 11

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00 including the President’s Cup at 16:15
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45

Dangdae Bulpae Owns Busan

Easy win for Dangdae Bulpae in Owners’ Cup / Gerrit Schlechter wins Gold Circle Trophy in Fine Fine / Jigeum I Sungan takes victory in Seoul / Game On Dude’s half-brother debuts

It was one of very few Stakes races he was eligible for that he hadn’t won but today, Dangdae Bulpae added the Busan Owners’ Cup to his massively impressive resume in almost contemptuous fashion at a rainswept Busan Race Park.

Sent off as the overwhelming favourite in the 12-strong field, the two-time President’s Cup champion was taken straight to the front by jockey Jo Sung Gon and the pair never looked like giving up that position, Jo easing Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) to a 2 length victory on the line.

Behind them, KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee) got the best of a competitive battle for second place, just edging out Powerful Korea (Distilled).

Dangdae Bulpae moves on to 17 wins from 26 starts and with today’s victory he becomes the first Korean horse to win more than US $2Million in prize-money and has won a record-breaking 8 Korean Stakes races. His next target looks set to be an attempt on a third consecutive President’s Cup at Seoul in November, after which connections will have to decide whether to pit him against Tough Win in the Grand Prix Stakes.

Busan Owners’ Cup (KOR.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – September 9, 2012

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon 1.2, 1.0
2. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Narazaki Kosuke – 1.5
3. Powerful Korea (KOR) [Distilled – Bound To Score (Quick Score)] – You Hyun Myung – 4.5
Distances: 2.5 lengths/0.5 lengths – 12 ran

Dangdae Bulpae isn’t the only one with an impressive record in big races. Before today, two of Gerrit Schlechter’s 30 Korean winners had come in Stakes races – the KNN Cup and Geyongnam Governor’s Trophy. Today the South African jockey added a third, appropriately enough in the Gold Circle Trophy, a race sponsored by South Africa’s Gold Circle Turf Club.

Schlechter guided second favourite Fine Fine (Forest Camp) to an extremely comfortable 7 length victory in the 1400 metre race.

Longest shot on the board Pull Queen (Giacomo) was second while pre-race favourite Myeongun Jewang (Forest Camp), who fetched the highest bid at last year’s Jeju Sales, was third. Fine Fine now has 6 wins from his 13 starts and looks set to be in class 1 company next time.

Gold Circle Trophy – Busan Race Park – 1400M – September 9, 2012

1. Fine Fine (KOR) [Forest Camp – Dream Fantasy (Manlove)] – Gerrit Schlechter – 3.4, 1.4
2. Pull Queen (KOR) [Giacomo – Gold Buzz (Touch Gold)] – Jo Chan Hoon – 11.1
3. Myeongun Jewang (KOR) [Forest Camp – Fully Approved (With Approval)] – 1.3
Distances: 7 lengths/0.75 lengths – 9 ran

Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan back in the winner’s circle at Seoul

It may have been a dreadful day weather-wise at Busan but up in the capital Seoul, it was quite beautiful. In the feature race, Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since his victory in the Korean Derby in May.

The colt was far too quick for his rivals in his first attempt among older class 1 company and stretched away for a 4 length victory.

Jigeum I Sungan will now be prepared for the final leg of the 2012 Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup at Seoul next month, when he will likely meet Gyeongbudaero, who ran second to Dangdae Bulpae today, as well as Oaks winner Rising Glory.

*There was a notable debut at Busan today. Two year old gelding My Key (Macho Uno) is a half-brother of American champion Game On Dude. He is one of two foals to be delivered by their dam Worldly Pleasure during her time at Nokwon Farm on Jeju Island before she was sold to Japan’s Shadai Operation just prior to Game On Dude’s second place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year.

My Key’s debut today was low-key. He finished was 5th of 12 over 5 furlongs in the opening race at Busan

Weekend Preview – Busan Owners’ Cup

Dangdae Bulpae at Busan, Jigeum I Sungan at Seoul while Game On Dude’s little brother debuts

It’s a big weekend on the south coast as Metropolitan City Stakes winner Dangdae Bulpae heads the field for a competitive renewal of the Busan Owners’ Cup.

Dangdae Bulpae will most likely be back in the winners’ circle this Sunday

Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) is a two-time President’s Cup winner and beat both Smarty Moonhak and Tough Win to claim the Metropolitan in July. He should be a strong favourite to take his sixth Stakes win but that doesn’t mean he’ll necessarily have it all his own way.

KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee), who was third in the Korean Derby, takes his chance as does another three-year old with a good set of wins to his name, Himchan Jilju (Kwaedo Nanma). The evergreen Yeonseung Daero (Creek Cat) is there while Peter Wolsley’s tough Khaosan (Sunday Well), winner of this race last year after the disgqualification of Cheonnyeondaero, is always due respect.

The big race is off at 15:50 on Sunday afternoon and is immediately followed by another Stakes race, the Gold Circle Trophy.

Up at Seoul, Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) heads Sunday’s feature race in what will be only his second start since claiming the Classic in May. He was second in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup in July and is the only three-year old in a ten furlong test.

Back at Busan, there is a notable debut on Sunday as two-year old gelding My Key (Macho Uno-Worldly Pleasure), a half-brother of US Champion Game On Dude, makes his racecourse debut over five furlongs in race 1.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 7

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:50 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 14:30 to 18:35

Saturday September 8

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:15

Sunday September 9

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45

Tough Win Roars Back Into Form At Seoul

Grand Prix Champ Sees Off Rivals Haedongcheonwang and Jumong

After a difficult couple of months which saw a bleeding attack and then a disappointing defeat in the Busan Metropolitan Stakes, Tough Win (Yanaguska) returned with what was perhaps one of his most impressive performances to date to win the feature race at Seoul Race Park on Sunday.

In doing so he not only beat his regualr foe Jumong (Johar) but also Haedongcheonwang (West Acre) the three-year old with six wins from right starts to his name and the horse now thought most likely to be able to wrest Tough Win’s Grand Prix crown from him.

Tough Win did it the hard way. After Jung Pyeong Soo set a seemingly inadvisable early pace on 25/1 chance Kkochyeoul, Cho Kyoung Ho found himself a full 25 lengths off the pace as they began the turn for home. After receiving a couple of gentle reminders, Tough Win started to make up ground but he still had an awful lot of traffic to get though as they entered the straight with Haedongcheonwang clear in front and seemingly headed for the win.

Once Tough Win found his run though he was irresistible. he passed six horses in the final furlong and still managed to sweep home two lengths ahead of Haedongcheonwang, who was carrying five kilos fewer. Jumong tagged along in third.

Haedongcheonwang will surely improve but he’s not likely to get such a weight advantage again as the weights will be much more evenly distributed the next two times these horses meet; likely to be the KRA Cup Classic and the Grand Prix itself.

Meanwhile, Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki), who bested both Tough Win and an injured Smarty Moonhak in the Busan Metropolitan returns to action next weekend in the Busan Owners’ Cup. While it is questionable as to whether the Korean bred horse will come to Seoul for the KRA Cup Classic – a tilt at an unprecedented third consecutive President’s Cup looking more likely – with any luck a Grand Prix appearance and another meeting with Tough Win will be on his agenda this year.

Class 1 Handicap – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sunday September 2, 2012

1. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] – Cho Kyoung Ho
2. Haedongcheonwang (USA) [West Acre – Sienna’s Honor (Honor Grades)] – Park Sang Woo
3. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – Jo In Kwen
Distances: 2.5 lengths/2 lengths – 12 ran