Herald Business

Herald Business Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 17)

The Stayer Series gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon with last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit set to be sent off as the favourite for the Group 3 test over 2000M. We’ll have a full preview of the big race here soon. In the meantime, here are all the previews for Sunday at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 11:25 to 16:05):

Global Hit won last year’s Derby (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (1) PINK WIND will be the warm favourite. She has made steady progress across four starts to date, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on January 27th when settling midfield and running on. She draws nicely here, the slight raise in trip can suit, and she can win. The main danger is (4) JERAQUEEN. She too has raced four times with her best being a 3rd place in a similar race to this last October. She races for the first time since a front-running 4th at the end of December and should be on pace here and in the mix for a long way. (3) TAP DIA was an improved 2nd at start number two on February 4th. It wasn’t a quick race but with some more natural improvement here, she can go close. (7) GEUMSEONG REVERE and (5) CLAIR GOLD among other placing chances.

Selections(1) Pink Wind (4) Jeraqueen (3) Tap Dia (7) Geumseong Revere
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2:  Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Not the strongest of maidens. (1) MO CHUISLE is the only one of these to have a top-three finish on her resume, which she did at start number three last September. She then didn’t race again until February 24th when she was on pace before weakening back through the field. She should strip fitter here and from the inside gate, must have a chance. (9) DANGCHAN NANGBO was a much-improved 4th at start number ten on March 3rd when settling midfield and finishing well. Moon Se-young climbing on today means she probably starts as the betting favourite. (7) BLUE RACER has recorded the fastest time among these for the distance and that’s enough for him to go in the numbers. (3) STUNNING QUEEN and (5) BUGANGJILJU, the latter a well beaten favourite on debut who previously trialled well, others who could improve.

Selections(1) Mo Chuisle (9) Dangchan Nangbo (7) Blue Racer (3) Stunning Queen
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Franco Da Silva had a very solid book of rides – and plenty of winners – on Friday, and he continues here on probably hot-favourite (5) EUNSEONG CHAMPION. He has shown steady improvement across his six starts and most recently beat a couple of these on his way to 2nd place when stepped up to this trip on February 16th. He’ll race on pace and won’t need to be much better to win this. (6) LOLLY is the logical second choice. She was well back behind Eunseong Champion on that February 16th race but at the start before she ran 2nd over this distance so she warrants another chance. (2) AMZAING CURLIN beat a couple of these when an improved 4th at this distance on March 3rd and comes into a better gate in this small field. (3) SEOBU CAPTAIN and (7) BLUE POINT others who could dispute the minors.

Selections(5) Eunseong Champion (6) Lolly (2) Amazing Curlin (3) Seobu Captain
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

After running a fair 5th on debut, (1) DRAGON BULPAE beat four of these in a similar race to this over 1400M on February 25th when overcoming gate ten to get on pace. He draws much better here and will be a short price to come out on top this time. (5) SARANG WANGJA also overcame a wide draw in that race to come home strongly and finish in 4th. The followed a 3rd place on debut at this distance in a decent time and he shapes as the main danger here. (2) SOUL BEAT was 6th in the same race, showing on pace before dropping back and then running on. That was his debut having previously won a trial and he should have derived benefit from the experience. (4) DREAM RIDGE and (3) BONGHWA STAY, the latter a trial winner last month, are others to consider for the minors.

Selections(1) Dragon Bulpae (5) Sarang Wangja (2) Soul Beat (4) Dream Ridge
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Another short price favourite here and it’s Franco again. This time he is on (8) MONSTER DRAGON, who was a winner on debut over 1200M in January before following up with a smart 3rd place when stepped up to this class and distance on February 16th when he was on pace and beat a couple of these in the process. The Shackleford colt can lead again and this time they may not get past. (1) SEOGWI CHUKJE is yet to win in twenty-two starts but she has no fewer than nine top-three finishes. That includes her latest at class and distance on February 23rd when coming from well off the pace. She will probably find at least one too quick here, but this is the kind of race she places in. (11) BIG WILD remains a maiden but comes up in class here following two 3rd places and a 2nd, the latter being at this distance on February 25th. He comes down 3kg in the weights and his times have been quick enough to be more than competitive at this level. (5) SKY JILJU and (4) CAPTAIN CHARLIE other sin the placing frame.

Selections(8) Monster Dragon (1) Seogwi Chukje (11) Big Wild (5) Sky Jilju
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) STUNNING SKY remains a maiden, but he has three runner-up finishes from his four starts so far, including his latest which came at this class over 1200M on February 4th, when handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in the weights, but he can settle behind the speed again and the additional half-furlong could be exactly what he needs to see him home on top. (5) CHEONGUCHAT similarly remains winless but comes up in class here following too many near-misses. They include a 2nd place at this latest start over this distance on February 24th and down in the weights here, he can measure up. (6) SUNGANUI CHANCE also comes up in class, in her case having won over this distance on February 18th. She carries a light weight and can be competitive. (7) SSING SSING SSING and (4) MEOTJIN GIROK are others to keep safe.

(more…)

Winner’s Man Too Good In Successful Herald Business Defence

Winner’s Man won the opening leg of the Stayer Series a year ago on his way to a clean sweep, and at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, he demonstrated he has lost none of his superiority at the longer distances with a comfortable defence of the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3).

Winner’s Man goes clear of Tuhonui Banseok in the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)

The 2022 Korea Sprint and Grand Prix Stakes winner had been known to throw in the odd lackluster performance, such as when 3rd in last November’s G1 President’s Cup and especially when 4th in his tune up for this, a handicap over 1800M at Busan in February. Winner’s Man though returned to action this time leaner, having come down 15kg in body weight since that setback, and was sent off the 1.5 favourite in the local win pool.

Raon The Spurt, the only filly, set the pace as Winner’s Man slotted into 4th place among ten in the early exchanges with Black Musk and Tuhonui Banseok, the Grand Prix Stakes 3rd, between them. As the field made their way down the back straight, just after halfway, Seo Seung-un took Winner’s Man up closer to join Raon The Spurt and the rest was inevitable.

Winner’s Man struck the front shortly after they turned into the home straight and while Tuhonui Banseok briefly closed the gap up the inside rail, when Seo asked for an effort, Winner’s Man responded and opened up clear daylight again, ultimately crossing the line three-lengths to the good over the Bart Rice-trained Tuhonui Banseok. Barbarian made it a one-two-three for Busan-trained gallopers with Raon The Spurt a brave 4th the best of the Seoul home team.

Seo Seung-un and Winner’s Man (Pic: KRA)

Winner’s Man [Musket Man – Winner’s Marine (by Volponi)] moved on to fifteen wins from twenty-two starts. For jockey Seo Seung-un, it was a thirteenth Group winner, and his fifth on Winner’s Man.  For trainer Choi Ki-hong, who only has eighteen horses in training, it was a fifth Group win (a year ago, the Herald Business only had Listed status).

The next leg in the Stayer Series is the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) back at Seoul on May 21st before the series moves to Busan for the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on July 2nd. Winner’s Man won both those races in 2022 and barring setbacks, few will be betting against him repeating the feat this time around.

In other news, spare a thought for Lee Dong-ha. A week ago, the jockey got the biggest winner of his career to date when partnering Eodigana to success in the Donga Ilbo Trophy. He followed up with a winner this Saturday and another in race 1 on Sunday. Racing has a habit of bringing you crashing back down again – often literally. Lee suffered a heavy fall in race 5 on Sunday and was transported to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone.

Next week the three-year-old classics get underway with the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Tiara for fillies being run over a mile at Busan on Sunday.

Winner’s Man Set For Herald Business Defence

The Stayer Series gets underway at Seoul Racecourse this Sunday when Winner’s Man will head the field for the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3). With Raon The Fighter (successfully) and Raon First (unsuccessfully) having been pointed to different Group races over the past two weeks, the 2022 Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner’s task to win the race for the second year in a row is not as taxing as it might have been.

Winner’s Man won this race last year (Pic: KRA)

Winner’s Man didn’t make an auspicious start to 2023. Assigned 60kg under handicap conditions over 1800M on February 26th, he briefly struck the front in the home straight, but didn’t run on, ultimately finishing 4th behind winner Flat Babe, and also Tuhonui Banseok. It should be different this time and Choi Ki-hong’s stable star will be a short-priced favourite to win.

Tuhonui Banseok returns. After 3rd place in the KRA Cup Classic he repeated that feat in the Grand Prix Stakes and was gaining on Winner’s Man and Raon The Fighter with every stride. He has since followed up with two more 3rd-place finishes at class 1 level, including that one ahead of Winner’s Man and shapes as the greatest danger here.

The rematch between Winner’s Man and Raon The Fighter isn’t happening – the latter won the Busan Ilbo Sprint on April 2nd – and nor the President’s Cup rematch between Winner’s Man and Raon First – she was beaten in the Donga Ilbo Trophy last Sunday. But owner Son Chun-soo and trainer Park Jong-kon are represented by four-year-old filly Raon The Spurt. She won the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup against older fillies and mares over this distance last November and looks ready to take on the elite males here.

The Herald Business Cup is race 8 on an eleven-race program at Seoul on Sunday with a local post time of 16:35. There are eleven runners in total:

1. WARRIOR CLASS – Scored back-to-back wins over 1800M in January and February and while it was against class 3 and 2 opposition, he posted class 1 times. 3rd over this distance at class 2 on his latest on March 5th. Tough ask at level weights in this company.

2. CAPTAIN YANKEE – Winner of the KRA Cup Mile and Minister’s Cup and 3rd in the Korean Derby as a three-year-old last year, he has only raced twice since and not at all since an also-ran in the President’s Cup. Trialed up well in March and has a big race jockey on board but this is a very difficult assignment first-up.

3. MOONHAK CHIEF – Missed the start at his latest on March 18th and has since been back to trial. Not the same horse he was in 2019 when winning the Korea Cup and Grand Prix but he did run 2nd at class 1 over this distance behind Chief Indy as recently as Christmas Day when conceding 6kg. Not a winning chance but a minor money one

4. TUHONUI BANSEOK – Super 3rd in both the KRA Cup Classic and the Grand Prix and followed up with two more 3rds so far this year back at Busan. Can settle handy or drop back and run on, he seems to like racing at Seoul, and he can be a danger.

5. RAON THE SPURT – The only filly or mare in the race gets a 2.5kg allowance. After near misses in the Triple Tiara, she got her Group win in the final leg of the Queens’ Tour over this distance at Busan last November. She enters here off a class 1 win over 1400M on March 5th and while this is a different challenge, she can be a factor. She draws well and is a potential pacesetter.

6. CHIEF INDY – 6th in the President’s Cup then a class 1 winner on Christmas Day over this distance. Comes in off back-to-back 2nd places also at 2000M. Settles midfield and runs on and is among the favourites here.

7. BARBARIAN – Well back in the Grand Prix but bounced back with a class 1 win over a mile in January. Has also won at this distance in a fast time. He can race handy or come from behind, and he is a major player here.

8. WINNER’S MAN – The Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner last season, he was flat on his reappearance over 1800M on February 26th when giving away weight over 1800M. That race obviously wasn’t the target, this one is, so expect him to be fitter today and he is the one to beat. Can settle midfield or can go forward.

9. THE GUMPU – Solid class 1 campaigner, he was 4th behind Chief Indy last time out. Perhaps not quite at the elite level it takes to win a race like this but at his best can be aiming for a money finish. Goes best on pace or handy.

10. BLACK MUSK – Versatile horse who was an excellent winner over this distance at class 1 level in January, leading every step of the way before dropping back to 1400M and running 4th in early March. The draw is a touch wide but if he can find a forward position, he can’t be ruled out.

11. SHAMROCKER – The ten-year-old still picks up the occasional cheque and rarely runs a bad race but he has lost a yard of pace, and this looks too hard.

Selections: (8) Winner’s Man (4) Tuhonui Banseok (5) Raon The Spurt (7) Barbarian

Herald Business Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (May 1)

The opening leg of the Stayer Series is the feature race on the opening day of May. See here for a full preview. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan From 12:00 to 16:45. Here are the previews:

Winner’s Man, 2021 Derby winner, returns to Seoul for the Hearld Business

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

It is perhaps safe to assume that a future Korea Cup winner will not emerge from this opening contest. Something has to cross the line first, though. It might be (4) CUPID BELLE. She has the least slow time among those who have previously tackled the distance, recorded when 7th on March 26th. That was an improvement on her opening two appearances, and she won’t need to improve very much more to win this. (2) HAENGBOK YEOWANG finished in 8th place in the same race. It was an improvement of sorts and again, it won’t take much development to get closer here. (5) THAT’S MY GIRL has a pair of 6th place finishes from her latest two, leading in one of them at 1400M. She may get an easy lead here and it’s possible she could hold it the entire way.  (8) NAMSAN BYTE was a slow 7th on debut but did at least show on the front. The drop in trip may help. Given the standard of the race, a chance must be given to the first-timers. (10) HEEMANG WARRIOR perhaps is the more likely of the three.

Selections(4) Cupid Belle (2) Haengbok Yeowang (5) That’s My Girl (8) Namsan Byte
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

More three-year-old maidens and it’s hard to look too far past (9) TRIPLE JOY. While it took him three attempts to qualify, he looked the part on debut, coming from well back to run 3rd over this distance on a wet track on March 19th. With some natural improvement from that run, he will take some beating. (2) DONGBANGUI HON has been improving across her latest two at 1300M. She draws nicely again and can be in the mix here. (3) HIGH PARK ran an improved 2nd in an all-filly race at this distance on April 2nd when handy throughout. She will be on pace again and has claims. Also on pace will be (1) HWIPARAM. She weakened at her latest outing but had previously hinted at ability and can be given another chance here. (10) DISCO BOY is another with potential to go better.

Selections(9) Triple Joy (2) Dongbangui Hon (3) High Park (1) Hwiparam
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 8, 9

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

Tricky maiden this. On the strength of her latest outing, (10) LOST WAR has to go on top. She led for almost the entire way around at this distance, ultimately finishing a close 2nd in a good time. She comes down 3kg in the weights with an apprentice being engaged today and while the draw isn’t quite as favourable, she should be able to find the lead and can win. She is though thirteen starts for no wins. (1) BICHUI DAERYUK has a few less defeats behind her and ran a fair time for the distance when 6th last time out. Nicely drawn on the inside, she will be challenging for the early lead and has claims. (2) QUEEN LION was a good 3rd at this trip three starts back. She can settle handy here and has the fastest final furlong average time of any of these which should out her in good stead to challenge. (4) BITNANEUN JILJU and (5) EUNHYE DREAM among others in placing contention.

Selections(10) Lost War (1) Bichui Daeryuk (2) Queen Lion (4) Bitnaneun Jilju
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 10

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

(10) FUSAICHI put in a solid effort on debut on March 11th, settling in midfield and then running on well for 3rd place over 1200M. The slight step up in trip can suit, and she looks the one to beat here. (3) ETTEUMI comes back in trip following bit of a chastening time around a mile at his latest start. He has previously put in a couple of decent efforts over today’s distance though and can be considered for improvement here. (9) BABEL PHOENX has two 3rd places among three starts so far, including last time out over 1200M. He can sit midfield or better here and finish off strongly with another place finish a more than realistic aim. (11) DONGBU STAR and (1) WIND WINNER are others who can aim for at least the places.

Selections(10) Fusaichi (3) Etteumi (9) Babel Phoenix (11) Dongbu Star
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(9) NAMSAN KKOT comes up in trip here having run well in her second start on March 27th, which came a full five months after her first. She went right back that day, running on well for 4th and the additional half furlong may well suit with the wide draw not set to be a problem. The probable favourite is (3) K N SKETCH. He stepped up to this trip on her most recent start on March 26th and ran a good 5th, setting the fastest time among these for the distance in the process. She can settle midfield here and challenge late on. (1) HONEY PUNCH came from well back to score her second consecutive 3rd place finish on March 27th. It was at this distance and in a good time on a wet track. From the inside gate, Moon Seung-hyeok can pick his spot and she can go close. (10) BLACK INDY and (5) SWEET KAKAO others in the placing hunt.

Selections(9) Namsan Kkot (3) K N Sketch (1) Honey Punch (10) Black Indy
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 10
(more…)

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

Herald Business Seoul Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (June 21)

Listed action returns to Seoul Racecourse on Sunday when the Herald Business Cup headlines the behind-closed-doors meeting. There are 15 races from 10:25-18:00 while Busan also hosts a 5-race spectator-less program. The Herald Business is the main lead up race to the YTN Cup (G3), which has been re-scheduled for mid-July and features two-time winner Cheongdam Dokki facing the venerable Triple Nine and a host of the biggest names in Korean racing over 2000M. Here are the previews:

Cheongdam Dokki Herald Business KRA

Cheongdam Dokki won his second Herald Business Cup last year (Pic: KRA)

 

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Twelve two-year-olds line up in the first on Sunday where they are all on debut. (4) OXFORD KING was impressive when he trialed in April winning his heat in good time. He showed an abundance of gate speed and flattened out nicely hitting the line in professional style. (9) JEONGMUN JJANG clocked a good time in his trial when going up against the more experienced gallopers. He ran on down the centre of the track taking ground of some of his counterparts. (10) QUEEN OF BEST won her trial when showing early speed. The Purge filly crossed from gate eight to sit outside the leader before being nursed to the line suggesting she has more to offer. (2) FORT SEUONE looks next best with a handy draw. The filly was beaten a big margin in her trial but the time was respectable for the two-year-olds.

Selections (4) Oxford King (9) Jeongmun Jjang (10) Queen Of Best (2) Fort Seuone
Next Best 12, 3
Fast Start 4

 

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

More unraced maidens but this time it’s for the three-year-olds with ten fillies and two colts going over the 1000M. (2) WONDERFUL STORM is a half-brother to Dubai Carnival winner Main Stay and trialed the most convincing of this lot. He went through three heats in total, improving each time and he can make his debut a winning one against modest opposition. The only other one of these to even break 63 seconds in a trial is the other colt, (10) AROMA. He demonstrated decent gate speed and should be challenging from the start. So too should (4) BEST FAMILY, whose only trial saw her run 2nd having led for much of the way. (3) ROCK BEAT put in a credible time in the second of her two trials having weakened after leading in the first of them and she should have a good handle on what’s expected of her here. (6) HIT HEART another with a chance of going well first-up. Plenty of these will be looking to lead from the gate.

Selections (2) Wonderful Storm (3) Rock Beat (4) Best Family (10) Aroma
Next Best 6, 11
Fast Start 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

 

Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million 

A field of twelve are looking for their first win in the third event. (3) MAGIC PLAN lines up for her second start after finishing second on debut in February. The Plan filly ran through the line well and had the remainder of the field covered safely. She has trialed fairly of late and with some improvement can figure in a wide open race. (8) ULTRA ANNIE has placed on two occasions from four career starts to date. The filly has shown plenty of speed in her past couple of starts. She failed to impress in a recent trial but she has the runs on the board in this grade suggesting she can run into the money. (5) HYPER CAR is another that has collected some prizemoney to date. The colt has finished second at his past two starts. He has reeled off some reasonable sectionals previously suggesting the step up to the 1400m will be suitable. The last start performance of (11) HWARYEO cannot go unnoticed. The Hansen filly finished third behind Luisa who looks a nice type. Keep her safe in your wider selections.

Selections (3) Magic Plan (8) Ultra Annie (5) Hyper Car (11) Hwaryeo
Next Best 1, 12
Fast Start 3, 8, 11

 

Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(8) ILBO DEUNGCHEON improved across the course of three outings last year, culminating in 2nd place over 1300M in November. He’s just been the through the one trial since, in March, looking well and stepping up to 1400M today, he has a chance of going one better this time. (12) LUCKY SMILE ran twice last year finishing in 3rd place on both occasions. The Menifee filly has kept the consistency going by finishing 2nd in two trials this year, most recently in May. She ran on well in both her actual races, both of which were at 1000M and she may well appreciate the additional distance today. (2) KOREAN PEARL and (4) BOGO TTO BOGO are the only two in the field who have raced at this distance previously. Neither was especially fast but both ran through the line well and improvement is possible here. The latter trialed pleasingly enough in April. (5) AMAZING QUEEN and (7) ALPHA DOK have both performed promisingly at 1300M and both can come into contention at the extended trip today.

Selections (8) Ilbo Deungcheon (12) Lucky Smile (2) Korean Pearl (7) Alpha Dok
Next Best 4, 5
Fast Start 4, 7, 8

 

Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

We can approach the three-year-old fillies race on the card with some confidence as there looks a nice developing type engaged. (8) LION YEOJE showed a brilliant turn of foot at her most recent start when winning over the 1000m at her second start. She looks one that will appreciate the 1300m as she has already shown an ounce of versatility. (12) WONDERFUL HEART looks the likely pacemaker who will need to be run down. The Eurosilver filly was gobbled up in the final stages last time out to finish third over the 1200m in similar company. (4) LUISA broke maiden status last time out when chasing doggedly to the line. She appreciated the step up to the 1300m giving her time to wind up and gun the pacemakers down. She does need to improve a couple of lengths however as her time last start was comparatively slow. (6) LAST MAGIC is another that takes a while to wind up but flattened out in good style last start to break maiden status. Keep her safe in your wider selections.

Selections (8) Lion Yeoje (12) Wonderful Heart (4) Luisa (6) Last Magic
Next Best 2, 1
Fast Start 1, 5, 12

 

Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(9) JANGSAN BADA was an 8/1 winner on debut at this distance in the final day before the shutdown in February, coming from just off the pace to win handily. He’s never actually finished behind another horse having a 100% record in trials too and while he is up in class today, he’s the only winner at this distance and he can repeat. It won’t be easy though. Having scored on debut in December, (1) WANG TAENG I was sent off an odds-on chance for his first try at this level in January. He ran 2nd, unable to get to a good winner, but is certainly worth another chance today. (3) CHEONGDAM CURLING and (5) CARVING CROSS are both up in class following last start maiden wins. The latter looked sensational when blitzing an April trial and both should be competitive at this level. They have contrasting styles with Carving Cross set to attempt to lead all the way while Cheongdam Curling will come from off the pace. Plenty of others with promise as well including (4) GAGANA, who perhaps trialed the best.

Selections (9) Jangsan Bada (1) Wang Taeng I (5) Carving Cross (3) Cheongdam Curling
Next Best 4, 11, 7
Fast Start 1, 5

 

Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million 

A progressive bunch of Korean-bred gallopers will line up in the seventh with six of the runners last start winners. (7) JILJUUI KKUM is one of those last start winners who saluted in impressive style over the 1200m last time out. The Archarcharch filly ran (more…)

Cheongdam Dokki Takes Care Of Business

Cheongdam Dokki eased to victory in the Herald Business Cup on Sunday, dismissing seven rivals, including Clean Up Joy, in the most facile of manners.

RH7_6721

Cheongdam Dokki and Lim Gi Won in the clear (Pic: Ross Holburt)

It was only Cheongdam Dokki’s second outing of 2018, having beaten Clean Up Joy and Shamrocker over the same distance in January. That time there had been something of interest in that Shamrocker had taken the favourite on for speed early. Futile, but momentarily interesting. He didn’t do it again and in a race utterly devoid of any tension, Cheongdam Dokki eased to his ninth win on his fourteenth career start. Clean Up Joy and Shamrocker chased him home with Sinjo Daehyeop in 4th.

RH7_6735

Lim Gi Won partnered Cheongdam Dokki for the first time (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Bigger tests surely await although it is hard to imagine anything at Seoul challenging him, certainly up to 2000M. Having taken both the KRA Cup Classic and now Herald Business off Clean Up Joy, he could well add the YTN Cup to his name in late May – Clean Up Joy won that last year too. The Busan Metropolitan Mayor’s Cup could be interesting, as he would likely run into Power Blade – also owned by Kim Byeong Jin. The big target though, must be September’s Korea Cup.

Herald Business Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – April 22, 2018

1. Cheongdam Dokki (USA) [To Honor And Serve – Elusive Gold (Strike The Gold)] – Lim Gi Won – 1.4, 1.1
2. Clean Up Joy (USA) [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeux Danseur)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.1
3. Shamrocker (USA) [Dublin – Portera (Lemon Drop Kid)] – Jang Chu Youl – 2.2
Distances: 2.5 lengths / 1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Sinjo Daehyeop (USA) 5. Wonder Bolt (USA) 6. Cheonjeok (USA) 7. Storng Road (KOR) 8. Space Port (USA)

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Cheongdam Dokki / Race-By-Race Preview (April 22)

He’s currently the most exciting horse in Korea and on Sunday, Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor And Serve) will line up against seven rivals – six of whom he’s beaten before – in the Herald Business Cup over 2000M at Seoul Racecourse. He faces Clean Up Joy, who won the race last year, as well as Sinjo Daehyeop and Shamrocker. The Herald Business is race 9 on an eleven-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:45 to 18:00. At Busan, there are six races from 12:40 to 17:05.

Cheongdam Dokki

See below for Busan Selections:

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

Competitive opener and (5) SONGAM JEUNE beat a couple of these on her way to a solid 2nd place on what was just her second start on March 24th and has every chance of matching or even bettering today. She’ll be on pace early alongside (7) BAEKDUI TAEYANG, himself a good 2nd at the distance last time and likely to be well supported. The one to beat though might well be (1) HAENGBOK STAR. He’s come 4th and 3rd in his two prior outings and the extra half furlong today may be what he needs to get home in front. (9) GANADORA and first-time starter, the modestly named (3) THE KING, are others who can go close.

Selections (5) Songam Jeune (1) Haengbok Star (3) The King (7) Baekdui Taeyang
Next Best 9, 4
Fast Start 5, 7, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old fillies only here and almost any of them could win. Simon Foster’s (3) SURFING POINT ran poorly on debut but improved last time. David Breux returns to the mount today and she has as much of a claim as any of them. (7) BETTINA and (2) MORAN DONGBEAK came home 2nd and 4th respectively when they raced each other at this distance back in January. Bettina races for the first time since then here while Moran Dongbeak has gone on to put in another couple of promising performances and both may be considered here. (6) STAR LIST did little on debut but could improve today while (8) ENJOY MY SHOW has a 2nd place to her name and could repeat in what is a very modest contest.

Selections (3) Surfing Point (7) Bettina (2) Moran Dongbeak (6) Star List
Next Best 8, 4, 12
Fast Start 4, 5, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-olds only and it’s another rather weak maiden. There is, however, an interesting debut-maker in the shape of (3) PRINCE OF SUN. He’s a half-brother to US based Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Mind Your Biscuits and has trialled up impressively. His Korea-based half-brother Baeksan Yeowang hasn’t exactly pulled up trees so far but Prince Of Sun could well have enough to win this. (6) GANGSANUI ACHIM and (11) STRONG LIGHT both come in off 3rd place finishes last time in very similar strength races to this, so both should be looking to at least repeat. (10) RAON OPTIMUS races for the first time since running reasonably well over 1700M in January and can be considered for improvement. (12) RUSSEL showed his first signs of potential ability when running 5th of 12 in an admittedly slow race at this distance a month ago and is another one to take into consideration.

Selections (3) Prince Of Sun (6) Gangsanui Achim (10) Raon Optimus (11) Strong Light
Next Best 12, 5
Fast Start 5, 7, 8, 11

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Decent race with plenty entering having shown very solid recent form. The pick of them though is (3) WOOSEORA ICHEON who just came up short when favourite at class and distance on March 24th, his second consecutive runner-up finish. He is well drawn once more to get on pace early and can complete the job this time. (4) JEONGSANG DOLPUNG and (11) BOLD SHINING also come in having performed strongly at this class in their latest efforts and they should be close. Jeongsang Dolpung’s most recent was 2nd at 1000M and he looks ready to take on a longer trip today. Three of the field are up in class following maiden wins last time although for (5) RULE OF SUM, that was a full fourteen months ago. The pick of the up and comers is (10) FRENCH STAR, who also tries further than the minimum distance for the first time.

Selections (3) Wooseora Icheon (4) Jeongsang Dolpung (11) Bold Shining (10) French Star
Next Best 6, 12, 5
Fast Start 2, 4, 10

Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

A couple of standouts here although both will need to bounce back from slightly below-par showings last start. (6) YAHO SMART CAT won his first two races but could only manage 4th on his first try at both this class and at further than the minimum distance on March 24th. Hopefully he can have come on for that and can return to top form today. (more…)

Clean Up Joy Takes Care Of Business

Clean Up Joy struck once more in emphatic fashion with an easy win in the Herald Business Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Pre-race betting suggested that this would be little more than an exceptionally well-paid workout for Clean Up Joy and so it proved as the 2017 Grand Prix Stakes winner took command of the race turning for home and ran on for a four-length win.

Clean Up Joy and stablemate Shamrocker were separated at the finish by Sinjo Daehyeop who ran on for a very solid 2nd place.

The win was Clean Up Joy’s 13th and came on his 23rd start. The six-year-old gelding was a $14,000 purchase from the 2yo sales at Ocala in 2013.  He’s now won approximately $1.5Million in prize money.

Herald Business Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – April 16, 2017

1. Clean Up Joy (USA) [Purge – Greta’s Joy (Joyeux Danseur) – Djordje Perovic – 1.1, 1.0
2. Sinjo Daehyeop (USA) [Summer Bird – Cupid’s Revenge (Red Ransom)] – Moon Se Young – 2.1
3. Shamrocker (USA) [Dublin – Portera (Lemon Drop Kid)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.4
Distances: 4 lengths / 6 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Haemaru (KOR) 5. Best Run (USA) 6. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) 7. Strong Road (KOR) 8. Seonbong (KOR) 9. Cheonjeok (USA) 10. Royal Jibbly (USA)

Clean Up Joy Heads Herald Business Cup (Seoul Sunday Preview)

Grand Prix Stakes winner Clean Up Joy makes his second appearance of 2017 with the five-year-old set to be hot favourite to win the Herald Business Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

clean-up-joy

Clean Up Joy won last year’s Grand Prix (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

Clean Up Joy (Purge) was a dominant winner on his seasonal reappearance in February and with Djordje Perovic on board, will be expected to make short work of nine rivals over 2000M. The Herald Business is the highlight of an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:35.

English race cards are here, notes on the Herald Business and two other races which will be simulcast overseas (Australia) are below:

Race 9: Class Open “The Herald Business Cup” (2000M) Allowance / KRW 250 Million

1. SEONBONG – Well back behind Shamrocker and Strong Road at this distance in January and offered little over 1200M last month. On early pace but outsider here.

2. STRONG ROAD – Narrowly beaten by Shamrocker in January and 4th, a long way behind Clean Up Joy when enjoying a substantial weight advantage. Placing chances only. (more…)