A year ago, Eoma Eoma struck the line at just the right time to claim a last gasp victory in the Kookje Shinmun, and on Sunday afternoon he did exactly the same to take out the 1400M, and this year Group 3 affair, at Busan Racecourse.
Eoma Eoma duels with Calm Strong (Pic: KRA)
Eight of the sixteen who faced the starter on Sunday came out of the international G3 Korea Sprint at Seoul in September and following his superb runner-up finish in that race, Beolmaui Star was sent off as the favourite, ahead of the defending champion. Beolmaui Star though would see his race falter at the beginning when slightly fly jumping as the gates opened and then failing to get on terms at any time.
Calm Strong, the exciting four-year-old filly, would lead in the early stages with Black Musk and Raon Tap Man on pace with her and Eoma Eoma setting up camp under Antonio Da Silva, riding him for the first time, just behind. Into the straight and Black Musk and Raon Tap Man both fell away, leaving Calm Strong and Eoma Eoma on top with last year’s runner-up Daehan Jilju and SROA Chairman’s Trophy winner Ssonsal in hot pursuit.
Calm Strong held out for a long time but ultimately a relentless Eoma Eoma ground her down, just like he had done Daehan Jilju last year, pulling away by three-quarters of a length as they hit the line. The filly was an excellent 2nd with Daehan Jilju 3rd and Daemangui Gil – who had started almost as badly as Beolmaui Star – pipping Ssonsal for 4th.
Eoma Eoma and Antonio Da Silva in the Kookje Shinmun winner’s circle (Pic: KRA)
Winning trainer Song Moon-gil said that fans didn’t get to see the best of Eoma Eoma when he was 5th in the Korea Sprint. “At the Korea Sprint he didn’t perform like he can, and he didn’t come out of it 100% so it was important to get some rest and recovery into him and he was in a much better place going into today” Song told in-house broadcaster KRBC.
Song said that made him confident this time. “I thought that so long as he made no mistakes then the others would have to be at their absolute best to have a chance of beating him. There were a few nervous moments in the race but none where I thought Eoma Eoma wouldn’t win.”
“He is really racing against himself. Eoma Eoma is (almost) seven years old, and it is about managing his workload and making sure he stays injury free. His rating is so high that normal (class 1 handicaps) races are not suitable for him because of the weight he has to give away, and the pattern races are quite few so it is about picking his schedule and making sure he can be at his peak. Then it is up to him. He has loads of experience and he knows what to do.”
Eoma Eoma [Algorithms – Lignite (by Run Away And Hide)] is a horse who has been sensibly campaigned with six starts in 2022 and six in 2023. It therefore seems unlikely, despite the hope of many, that he will be on a plane next month to the Dubai World Cup Carnival (although those in charge still have 48 hours left for persuasion until nominations slam shut on Wednesday). Unless they dip into handicap waters – and most will – the sprinters are done for 2023, with the next chance for the elite to reassemble for a big prize not being until the 2024 Sprint Series gets underway with the Busan Ilbo Sprint in early April.
Beolmaui Star will get a full vet check but at first glance it looked just a bad start and a bad day in the kickback. He had issues at the start in some previous outings, but the bad habits looked to have been banished with the Korea Sprint. Jockey Seo Seung-un reported to Stewards afterwards that his mount had become increasingly fractious prior to the start and attributed the bad performance to that. At just four-years-old, he will have plenty more chances.
Next week, Winner’s Man aims to write himself into the history books as he bids to be the first horse to complete a set of four different Korean Group 1’s. He has already won the Korean Derby, the Korea Cup and the Grand Prix Stakes and he will head the field for the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse next Sunday. With the field restricted to Korean-bred horses, at anything like his best, it is hard to see him not prevailing in the Billion Won race.
The sprinters have their final chance of 2023 of a big prize at Busan on Sunday afternoon when the likes of Eoma Eoma, Beolmaui Star and Ssonsal line up over 1400M in the local G3 Kookje Shinmun Trophy. See here for full preview. The big race is race 5 on a 6-race card at Busan that runs from 11.50 to 16:35. There are also 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are all the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener and there will be a hot favourite. That’s (3) HERE I AM who after an ordinary debut has registered a 2nd and a 4th in two subsequent starts, both over this trip, and both times racing on pace. He has the fastest time of any of these at the distance and from a good draw, he should have too much here. The second quickest time belongs to (10) GEOLJAK EUTTEUM. That was recorded on his second start when coming from off the pace and finishing as runner-up, a long way behind a good winner but well clear of 3rd. He did nothing on his reappearance in October, but that 2nd is enough to give him a chance here. (1) HAKSAN DAESE has finished off both his races to date well and was 5th when stepped up to this trip. Expect him to be running on and threatening the places here. (6) LONDON VICTORY and first-time starter (8) SOLAIRE other place chances.
Selections
(3) Here I Am (10) Geoljak Eutteum (1) Haksan Daese (6) London Victory
Next Best
8, 5
Fast Start
3, 5, 6, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Fillies (and one mare) in this maiden. (8) TAEPYEONGMU shapes as a probable favourite here. She has six top-five finishes from nine starts and has posted consistent times at this distance. She likes to race on or close to the pace, and today can be here day. (7) HAYAN TAEYANG raced twice in the spring for 6th and 4th and then returned after five months off to run 5th of nine over this distance on October 14th. She should strip fitter for that run and is potentially the danger. In a race with not much early speed, (9) GOLDEN FLYING may well find herself up with Taepyeongmu setting the pace. Her form his fair and she can be competitive. (2) CHONGAL COLONEL and (10) YEJIMONG among other minor money hopes.
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(5) ACRO MARINE has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over 1200M on October 8th when he was ridden much further forward than in his first two starts. Moon Se-young climbs aboard today and he can settle behind the early speed and prove too strong. (2) HANGANG TSAR was an improved 2nd over this distance on October 14th. He hasn’t exactly set the stopwatch alight but from a nice draw he can go close again. (1) THEME TANSAENG will be expected to be on pace here and enters with a 3rd and a 4th among his latest three. A repeat of either of those performances will see him challenging for better in this company. (10) BULGEUN POKPUNG and (4) WONDERFUL REGAL among others who could make it into the minor money.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Juvenile maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (6) HUIMANG CANDY will be the hot favourite. After finishing 5th on debut, she was an improved 2nd at start number two on October 13th racing on pace and leading in the closing stages only to be narrowly beaten. She can be on pace or handy here and prove too strong. (11) OVER THE TRIPLE looks an interesting debut-maker from the Bart Rice stable. He came from well back to easily win an October trial in quick time and if he can bring that form to the races, he is a chance. (7) DOCTOR ERICA was 3rd behind Huimang Candy when debuting in that October 13th race and was on the speed throughout. With some natural improvement she can go close again. (2) POWERFUL DASH actually beat Huimang Candy on the latter’s debut and along with (9) KOHINOOR is another in the hunt.
Selections
(6) Huimang Candy (11) Over The Triple (7) Doctor Erica (2) Powerful Dash
Next Best
9, 3
Fast Start
2, 5, 7, 8
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies only and it’s a competitive race. (1) SINUI YEOJE was a winner over 1000M at start number two in September before running 5th of eleven when favourite for her first try at this class over 1200M on October 22nd when handy throughout. She comes into a much better gate tonight so could well get a softer run to the lead and if she does, she can win. (5) GALSAEK HYANGGI enters off a 2nd and a 4th from her latest two at this class with the 2nd being at this distance. She likes to settle back and run on, and she should be a danger late here. (3) LADY CODI has similar form to Sinui Yeoje with a win over 1000M followed by a really good 4th at this class on October 14th in a similar all-filly race at 1200M. She is well drawn and should be in the mix. (10) GEOLJAK ONE and (7) SESANG APEURO the others in the hunt.
The first eight local horses home in September’s international Korea Sprint will reassemble on Sunday afternoon at Busan Racecourse among a full field of sixteen going a furlong further in the final big prize of the year for the speedsters, the Kookje Shinmun Trophy (1400M KOR-G3). While nothing could trouble Japanese star Remake in the Sprint, runner-up Beolmaui Star will take his place in the line up as will 2022 Korea Sprint winner Eoma Eoma and SROA Chairman’s Trophy victor Ssonsal.
Eoma Eoma won the Kookje Shinmun in 2022 (Pic: KRA)
EOMA EOMA is the defending champion, having won last year’s Kookje Shinmun shortly after his Korea Sprint win, and also holds victories in similar Group races, the SBS Sports Sprint and Busan Ilbo Sprint. He was 5th under a conservative ride when attempting to defend his Korea Sprint crown on September 10th, a full ten-lengths behind winner Remake and six behind Beolmaui Star, who he faces again. Antonio Da Silva climbs aboard for the first time and given their respective draws, plenty will be expecting Eoma Eoma to overturn the form at a distance over which he is the track record holder at Seoul.
BEOLMAUI STAR was the standout local in the Korea Sprint. Under bold tactics by jockey Seo Seung-un he overcame gate ten to lead and while there was nothing he could do to repel Remake, who went on to win by four-lengths, he held off the challenge of Goldolphin Mile and Saudi 1351 Turf Sprint winner Bathrat Leon by a comfortable margin with Hong Kong’s Duke Wai and Eoma Eoma further back down the track. He is still only four-years-old and has trialled very well since the Korea Sprint. He is done no favours by the draw as he won’t get an easy lead but heh overcame gate thirteen in the Korea Sprint, and with an additional furlong, there is plenty of time before they reach the bend for him to find position.
Beolmaui Star (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
SSONSAL had a strong summer with 3rd places in the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports Sprints followed by a victory in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint when as is his style, he arrived late with a last gasp burst of speed to deny Raon First and Eoma Eoma. That led him to be sent off fourth in the betting for the Korea Sprint and while he ultimately came home in 8th place, it wasn’t a bad run. A return to 1400M can suit.
Plenty of other big names fill out the field. Grand old galloper MORFHIS may have lost a yard of pace since his two SBS Sports Sprint wins, but he remains competitive and was 8th in the Korea Sprint. He is another for who the step back up to 1400M can suit and will be running on late. DAEHAN JILJU was 6th in the Korea Sprint and very nearly won this race last year before being overhauled by Eoma Eoma in the shadow of the post. He certainly loves the 1400M with six wins and two runner-up finishes from eight attempts at it.
CALM STRONG, RAON TAP MAN and BLACK MUSK finished 9th to 11th in the Korea Sprint and all return too. Calm Strong in particular followed up the Sprint with an eye-catching class 1 win over a mile in October when she came close to Blue Chipper’s track record for that distance. She draws much better than she did in the Sprint and receives the filly and mare allowance. Among the eight who didn’t go in the Sprint, the three-year-old filly GANGSEO GIANT looks the most intriguing.
The Kookje Shinmun Trophy is race 5 on the 6-race card at Busan on Sunday with a local post time of 15:45. There are also 11 races at Seoul on the day.
Korea Sprint winner Eoma Eoma returns to action on Sunday having traveled down to Busan to tackle the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy over 1400M. That’s the final race on a 6-race card at Busan which runs from 12:15 to 16:40 while there are 11-races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
Imported Juvenile fillies with just two of the eight having raced before and anything could win. We’ll side with experience though and (7) ACCOUNT, who has raced twice already. After an inauspicious debut over 1200M in August, she looked more assured when 5th of eight in a fair time in a similar race to this on October 2nd, settling back and running on. With some natural progression here, that experience should stand her in good stead. Pick of the first timers is (3) WINNER CALL. The most expensive of these at auction in the US (although hardly sale-topping at $50K), she was on pace in her trial and stopped the clock in a fair time. She draws nicely and looks set for a bold showing. (1) T.C. FAMILY is the other one who has raced before, and she ran 6th to Account’s 5th in that October 2nd race. She was on pace but weakened late on. She should have derived benefit from that and draws very well to lead again and be in things much longer. Returning to the debut-makers (2) LOTUSMIREU and (6) RACE WINNER look the next best.
Selections
(7) Account (3) Winner Call (1) T.C. Family (2) Lotusmireu
Next Best
6, 8
Fast Start
1, 3, 4, 6
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. Unusually we are going against the experience and siding with debut-maker (8) BEST SUN. That’s on the strength of a string of three trials since May this year where he has been showing more ability each time, culminating in crossing the line 2nd behind the experienced Beolmal Daejang in a good time in heat on October 7th. If he brings that form to the races, he will win. (11) GWANGCHIGI led for much of his debut back in July, ultimately running 4th. He reappears here without having trialed, but that showing, and the apprentice claim today, is enough to keep him safe. (9) UNICORN KINGDOM has raced twice, posting a good time on his second start on September 3rd. He can continue to make progress here. (5) BLUE ARCH can improve on his debut performance when running 7th. Returning to the first timers, (2) GEUMBIT CHEONHA came through a very slow trial but did what he needed to do and could go well.
Selections
(8) Best Sun (11) Gwangchigi (9) Unicorn Kingdom (5) Blue Arch
Next Best
2, 7
Fast Start
2, 3, 9, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile filly maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. Some of the experience is good though and (9) GLORY K will be favourite. Having trialed well, she was 2nd on debut on October 1st, when handy throughout and running on well. That experience should stand her in good stead here and she is the one to beat. (8) WONDERFUL WEEK debuted in the same race. She sat midfield and then ran on 4th, not too far in arrears and she too should have benefited from the run. Pick of the newbies is (3) PHOENIX SERVE. She made all to win her trial in a good time on September 30th and is well drawn to get on pace and be in this along way. Another trial winner is (7) DORIPO. The time was a little slower than that of Phoenix Serve, but she looked competent enough, settling handy and running on. (6) HERO QUEEN another who hinted at ability in trials. As ever with these kinds of races, watch the market for any clues.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(7) MIGHTY STORM will be hot favourite to prevail here. His best finish so far was 3rd two starts back over 1200M and comes in here having beaten a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 5th place in a fast race over 1300M on October 2nd. He tackles seven-furlongs for the first time, and it can suit. (8) SPECIAL FACT similarly beat some of these when 4th at this distance on September 30th. The time was fair, and she should be aiming to at least match her best finish of 3rd today. (4) MORNING MUSE was 5th in that race behind Special Fact. There was very little between them that day and that could prove to be the case again this time. (6) YEONSEUNG GO hasn’t shown much in two starts over 1000M but the increase in trip may be beneficial and the jockey booking suggests improvement is possible. (9) NAREUCAT, disappointing behind Special Fact and Morning Muse last time out, can be given another chance for the minor money here.
Selections
(7) Mighty Storm (8) Special Fact (4) Morning Muse (6) Yeonseung Go
Next Best
9, 1
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(7) JILJU DAESE will be a warm favourite here, having run a good 2nd on her debut at this distance on October 2nd when settling midfield and finishing well. In this company expect her to be on pace and she should be winning. (8) CHOEGANG MIRAE made his only start in April but finished last. He has since moved to Tony Castanheira and looked very well when winning a trial with an on-pace performance last week. So long as he didn’t leave his race in the heat, he should be a very different prospect to the last time we saw him. (2) BEST PLAN enters off her best result in eleven starts, when 3rd over this distance on October 1st. She has the best time among these for the distance – recorded that day – and from a good draw can be close again. (9) P N S HER and (12) GRACE LEE among others who can enter at least the placing calculations.
Selections
(7) Jilju Daese (8) Choegang Mirae (2) Best Plan (9) P N S Her
Next Best
12, 4
Fast Start
3, 7, 9, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Wildly competitive handicap for fillies (and one mare) with plenty of winning chances. (9) HONOR CAL was an all the way winner at start number two over 1200M on September 25th to get his maiden win. He comes up in class and up slightly in trip here but while his draw is not ideal, he perhaps enough early speed to see himself to a good position and he can win again. So too can (12) HANSEN COD GIRL She is even less favoured by the draw but has shown good speed in her two outings to date; a 3rd place and win at class 6 level. She too is up in trip as well and while she may need a bit of luck at the start position-wise, she should be very competitive. (7) BLUE CARSON is yet to win in fifteen attempts but has five top-three finishes, including her latest when handy all the way and 3rd over 1200M. Expect her in the mix once more. (4) LOUD COLOR and (10) TWO OF US come in having run 3rd and 4th respectively when they faced each other in a similar race at this class over 1200M on September 25th. Both can be competitive again.
Selections
(9) Honor Cal (12) Hansen Cod Girl (7) Blue Carson (4) Loud Color
Next Best
10, 6
Fast Start
1, 7, 9, 12
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) GO GO STAR took nineteen goes to get her maiden win, which came at class and distance in July, but she has maintained her form since with a 4th and a 3rd in two subsequent outings, last time beating a couple of today’s rivals when coming from off the pace in a good time. She has the fastest time of any of these for the distance, an apprentice means she comes in carrying 2kg less than she did last start and she draws very well. There is plenty to like. If she may have peaked there are a couple of up and comers who may be preferred. (11) FLY STAR has five top-five finishes from seven starts and enters off a good class and distance 3rd last time out. She doesn’t need to lead and with a bit of luck at the start can find a good position and run on. So too (10) KINGS EYE, who comes up in class following his maiden win at start number five over 1300M on September 18th. He led for most of that race but has run well from behind too and has a fast final furlong average time. (6) NEW STAR YEONGCHEON mixes his form but goes well on his day and Munro aboard is a plus. (4) RAON THE WILD another in the frame.
Selections
(3) Go Go Star (11) Fly Star (10) Kings Eye (6) New Star Yeongcheon
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
1, 4, 6, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(4) WIND WINNER comes in off the back off three consecutive 3rd place finishes at this class, most recently at this distance on September 30th when settling just behind the leaders and running on well, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He carries the same weight today, draws nicely, and has solid claims. (7) PISTOL STAR comes up in class and significantly in distance following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1000M and 1200M. It’s a bold move but he ran on well after overcoming gate twelve on his latest effort on October 2nd, and it could pay off. (8) SMILEY LARRY is also yet to win but ran pleasingly enough on his first try at this class on September 23rd when 4th over a mile having raced handy. Expect similar tactics today and he can be in the finish. (9) SUNSHINE STAR and the up in class (2) STAR MATTA among others who may be considered for the places.
Horse Racing in Korea 