KOrea Racing Report

KOREA RACING REPORT – AUGUST 14-17 (ROOKIE STAKES)

IT WAS ROOKIE STAKES DAY IN KOREA LAST SUNDAY AND THE SEOUL VERSION SAW HOPE K record a second success in the race for owner Kang Gyeong-un after his colours were famously carried to success by Lala K three years ago (writes Luke Humphreys).

Dubai Heart claimed the Busan Rookie Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Hope K (Mitole) landed the prize in much distinct style to Lala K’s viral victory however as he led throughout to land the money by five-lengths for jockey Lee Dong-ha and trainer Moon Byeong-ki. Hope K was recording his second win at start three and beat the 4.4 second favourite, and previously unbeaten, Major Fury into 2nd. The other favourites were South Carnival, 5.0, who had beaten Hope K at the end of May, who finished 6th and the Luigi Riccardi prepared Johan Victoire ridden Kkumui Yeonsok, 2.3, who was the popular pick with punters after his sensational win on debut, but he was slow at the start and was never closer than second last.

Trainer Moon Byeong-ki completed a double when winning the concluding Race 10 (1200M Class 4) with PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) who as the 4.2 second favourite led throughout from the inside gate to land the spoils by two-lengths at his first attempt at Class 4. Cheongsan Dolpung was 2nd whilst 3.9 favourite Sahara Khan did well to run 3rd after a poor start ahead of Ikkeulim, Ever Glory and Forever Gil in 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Whilst naturally the Rookie Stakes was the feature of the meeting Race 9 would have been the main race on the day on any normal card. It was an 1800M Class 1 and five-year-old mare GLADIUS (Boys At Tosconova) on her first run against the boys since February of last year, when she beat them by eight-lengths, proved way too good by a margin of nine-lengths despite being very wide throughout the contest. The grey mare is one of the most consistent horses in the country and no doubt her win would have been a huge confidence booster leading into the Queen’s Tour races this coming Autumn. Zetta Master, at this stage the only Seoul based horse entered in the Korea Cup, came from last as he always does to be 2nd whilst Musket Day, a Listed winner in May, was 3rd ahead of longtime leader No Problem in 4th. The disappointment of the race was the 2.9 favourite Best Race who had been best of the rest behind Roshe in the Owner’s Cup at his previous start. He had run over 1800M or further just twice in his career when 12th in both last year’s Derby and Minister’s Cup and the trip proved too far for him especially considering he was on pace in the run.

There were multiple trainers and jockeys that had winning doubles on the day, and they included Tony Castanheira who had a race-to-race double at that with HOT FEVER (Old Fashioned) in Race 3 (1300M Class 5) and BEONGAE LEWIS (Uncaptured) in Race 4 (1400M Class 5). Hot Fever was recording her first win at start ten and pinched the prize from the front under Kozzi Asano whilst Beongae Lewis followed up his twelve-length trial win and six-length debut win with a four-length score as the 1.6 favourite sixty-five minutes later and is a three-year-old colt to keep following.

Lee Hyeok was the winning jockey on Beongae Lewis, and he completed a double when YONGBIGYO (Nitrous) was a smart nine-length winner from the front in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) on her Class 4 debut. She comfortably accounted for the 1.8 favourite Raon Finalle who was finishing 2nd for the third consecutive start.

Kang Hwan-min trained a double with SAMJEONG YEOJE (Cowboy Cal) winning by four-lengths in Race 2 (1300M Class 6) before ONE DIA (Independence) won Race 5 (1400M Class 5) as the 2.8 favourite with Furkan Yuksel. The winning rider on Samjeong Yeoje was Kim Yong-geun and he completed a pair of wins on the day when NAMSAN ROCK (Known Agenda) scored by nine-lengths as the 1.9 favourite in Race 6 (1400M Class 4).

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KOREA RACING REPORT: AUGUST 7-9

THE MAIN RACE THIS WEEKEND IN KOREA WAS THE CONCLUDING CONTEST AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY IN THE SHAPE OF A 1200M CLASS 1 HANDICAP AND WITH LESS THAN THREE-LENGTHS COVERING THE FIRST EIGHT HOME IN THE ELEVEN-RUNNER FIELD IT WAS KING HONOR who landed the prize completing a treble on the day for rider Kim Yong-geun (writes Luke Humphreys).

The consistent King Honor (To Honor And Serve) came from midfield to score at his very first attempt at the grade over 2.6 favourite Hansen Bracing with the ever-consistent Ziggurat in 3rd. One of the roughies in the field in Geosen Bangyeok looked the winner for most of the way down the straight before peaking on the run in the final 100M with Daehan Jilju, Mighty Look, Yongam Sesang, and J S Road, 4.0 second favourite, filling the next four places in an outstanding finale to the weekend.

The Oaks winner CATCH RACE (Afleet Express) bounced back to winning ways in Race 9 (1600M Class 3) with an effortless five-length victory as the 1.3 favourite. She had put the writing on the wall in the Luna Stakes (Korean 1000 Guineas) prior to her last gasp Oaks victory before being beaten in similar fashion to the way she defeated Clearly Winner in The Oaks when 2nd to Sunrise in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She never looked like losing and defeated co-favourites Namsan Belt, 7.7, and longtime leader Baro Danaeun, 9.2.

MUJEOK HAMDAE (Mischieviously) scored for Furkan Yuksel as the 3.1 favourite in Race 7 (1800M Class 4), one of multiple wins across the weekend for trainer Lee Shin-woo. Mujeok Hamdae was first up since the beginning of April when chasing home Gwanaksan Sky and came from midfield to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

TIGER BULPAE (Power Blade) broke through at the ninth time of asking in Race 6 (1400M Class 5) and justified punters confidence winning by two-and-a-half lengths as the 1.7 favourite. The three-year-old filly had finished either 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th in each of her eight previous runs but finally was able to better all those results and did it well. Kim Yong-geun was the winning jockey and that was the first of his three wins on the day.

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KOREA RACING REPORT – JULY 24-26: KOZZI TREBLES, DERBY WINNER BEATEN, SUPER AERO MAKES WINNING RETURN

ON SUNDAY AT SEOUL GANGPUNGMA FINALLY BROKE HIS BLACK TYPE DUCK WITH A BRILLIANT VICTORY IN THE PRINCIPAL LOCAL PREPARATION RACE FOR THE KOREA CUP.  ON THE UNDERCARD JAPANESE JOCKEY KOZZI ASANO rode A TREBLE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE HERO CHEETAH his main winner in the concluding 1200M Class 3 (writes Luke Humphreys).

Gangpungma beat Global Hit in the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)

The Tony Castanheira trained Hero Cheetah (Yaupon) MADE it three wins from five starts and that one loss aside. he has looked very smart. He was the 4.6 second favourite and scored by one-and-a-quarter lengths over the 2.8 favourite Korean Dream who attempted to lead throughout and lost no admirers in 2nd.

The other two victories for Asano came with CHAOS (To Honor And Serve) who won Race 2 (1200M Class 6) before MUNHAK CHUKJE (Blame) made it back-to-back course, distance, and grade victories in Race 7 (1600M Class 4). After finishing 3rd at his previous two attempts Chaos broke through at the fourth time of asking, leading throughout to score by three-quarters of a length as the 3.6 second choice over the 1.9 favourite Pieonari whilst Munhak Chukje scored by one-and-a-quarter lengths over the resuming 2.4 favourite JD Gangja.  Other favourites included KRA Cup Mile 3rd placegetter Chocolate, who was a never nearer 7th.

The other jockey with multiple success on the day was apprentice Woo In-cheol who led for most of the way to score by four-lengths on 3.7 favourite ISIMNYEON SEWOL (Mischieviously) in Race 5 (1400M Class 5) before landing Race 8 (1800M Class 4) on GLOBAL COMPUTING (Cloud Computing) who was recording his first win at start nine. That was the upset of the day with Global Computing returning 24.4. He defeated the hat-trick seeking 5.4 second favourite Pasa Spark by a half-length with 7.5 third favourite Shining Road in 3rd. The two pacesetters in the race were the 2.0 favourite Gwanaksan Sky, who was previously unbeaten bar his 9th place in the Derby, and 7.6 fourth market choice Parisui Bulkkot and they burned their petrol too early and were beaten a long way from home ending up in 7th and 10th places in the full field of eleven.

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KOREA RACING REPORT (JULY 17-19) – HERO FIGHTER, BIWOL CLAIM CLASS 1 VICTORIES / SLING STAR MAKES IT FIVE IN A ROW / MOON SE-YOUNG TRAINS FIRST WINNER

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY A HYBRID CLASS 1 WAS THE MAIN EVENT WITH HERO FIGHTER landing the prize for Kozzi Asano and Tony Castanheira (writes Luke Humphreys).

Hero Fighter (American Freedom) scored by a narrow margin over One Punch Dragon who was returning to form after a couple of average runs following five consecutive wins last season. Vet Captain, who was dropping back in trip after racing over further in better races at his previous two starts, was a never nearer 4th whilst the 1.4 favourite G B Vault disappointed at his first Class 1 run only running 5th and never really looking like a winning chance.

SPARK THUNDER (Hansen) was a two-and-a-half length winner for Andre da Silva in Race 7 (1600M Class 3) proving too quick for the Oaks and Gyeonggi Governor’s 3rd placegetter Tiger Roar who was a two-and-a-half length 2nd as the 1.6 favourite. Tiger Roar after not the cleanest of starts was ridden through to lead from the inside gate by Jo Jae-ro, who was riding for the first time, but was eventually caught for speed over a distance short of her best. To her credit she did kick back in the final 200M after looking unlikely to get anywhere near Spark Thunder.

The victory of Spark Thunder completed a double for trainer Lee Shin-woo after the in form YONGBIGYO (Nitrous) earlier won Race 4 (1300M Class 5) from the front as the 2.0 favourite and that was the first of two wins on the day for owner Jung Sung-jin who later had YONGBI HERO (Goldencents) score in Race 8 (1400M Class 4). Yongbi Hero had gotten close to Sling Star, to be mentioned later, and Comeback Holymoely at his previous two starts and continues to race in good form. Kim Yong-geun was the winning rider on Yongbi Hero and he completed a double when SMILING PRINCE (Smiling Tiger) was a soft three-length winner of Race 10 (1400M Class 3). Lala K could not follow up his previous 1200M victory as he finished 9th of the ten runners.

Owner Lee Kang-woon had a race-to-race double on the card in Race 2 and Race 3 with his charges winning both divisions of the 1300M Class 6 maiden with BROWN JACKPOT (Shackleford) landing the first of them by five-lengths under Kim Hyo-jung, who has bounced back from injury in good form, before WHITE JACKPOT (Hansen) was a four-length winner for Johan Victoire and Luigi Riccardi.

An exciting juvenile prospect was unleashed in Race 1 (1200M Class 6) with this year’s Derby winning jockey Lee Dong-ha riding CLUTCH DERBY (Cairo Prince) to a brilliant nine-length front-running victory in impressive time. Clutch Derby only pulled further clear from his rivals and followed up his trial victory on July 2 where he led and won by seven-lengths. The Choi Yong-geon prepared colt looks one to keep a close eye on. 

Lee Dong-ha followed up in Race 6 (1400M Class 4) on RAON NIZHINSKII (Shackleford) which drew clear late to score by five-lengths over 3.3 favourite Flutter who attempted to lead throughout and was looking to bounce back to winning ways after defeats in his previous two starts, including the KRA Cup Mile (Korean 2000 Guineas), with Kim Hyo-jung returning as his rider but was grabbed in the last 200M and finished 2nd.

AT BUSAN ON SUNDAY WHAT WILL EFFECTIVELY BE THE BUSAN TRIAL RACE FOR THE KOREA SPRINT TOOK PLACE AS RACE 7 AND THE PROGRESSIVE BIWOL scored by two-and-a-half lengths as the 5.6 second favourite.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: JULY 10-12

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY TWO 1400M CLASS 3 RACES WERE THE MAIN EVENTS ON THE CARD AND THE CONCLUDING RACE OF THE PAIR WAS WON BY GREAT STORM, who despite being the outsider of the field bar one got the prize by one-and-a-quarter lengths (writes Luke Humphreys).

Great Storm (Overanalyze) was an important winner for both jockey Jo Seong-hwan and trainer Lee Kang-seo with his one-and-a-quarter length victory proving enough to beat the 3.9 favourite Cheongryongui Cal. Great Storm was down in class but will presumably find himself straight back to class 2.

Latin American riders had a race-to-race double on the card with Luis Quiroz riding 23.2 chance THUNDER A ONE (Thunder Moccasin) to victory in Race 8 (1600M Class 4) whilst fifty minutes earlier Andre da Silva recorded his second Korean victory on his eighth ride with BLUE PIORA (Take Charge Indy) who landed Race 7 (1400M Class 3) by an impressive eleven-lengths in a time that was 2.2 seconds faster than standard for the class and grade.

The last victory for jockey Kim Hyo-jung before a trackwork injury in early June wason THE SUN STORY (Shackleford) on May 30. As it turned out her first weekend back of riding saw The Sun Story take his place in Race 5 (1700M Class 5) and they duly scored by three-lengths. The Sun Story had no issues with the extra 300M in distance and will now be up to Class 4 grade after completing this hat-trick of wins.

Kim Hyo-jung completed a double when riding HIGH FOLLY (The King) to an upset victory in Race 9 (1800M Class 4). That race saw 2.1 favourite Musket Cleaver, who had run a great 6th in the Derby in May in what was the final ride for Moon Se-young, run a disappointing 5th.

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Korea Racing Report: July 3-5

SUNDAY AT SEOUL SAW A 1200M CLASS 1 AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND AND THE POSSIBLE LAST RUN FOR SOME OF SEOUL’S BEST SPRINTERS BEFORE SEPTEMBER’S INTERNATIONAL KOREA SPRINT AND IT SAW KOREA’S BEST SPRINTER BOMB OUT WHILST THE ENIGMATIC NICE FORCE showed that on his day, he can really match it with the best of them as he produced a win from the top under Ruan Maia (writes Luke Humphreys).

Nice Force (Mor Spirit), 9.6 fourth favourite, had gone into the inaugural running of the KRA Sprint on Grand Prix Day last year as an odds-on favourite but bombed out and had been inconsistent in five runs since. On Sunday he showed his best form and it was good enough to run the legs off his rivals and score by three-quarters of a length. Haksan Speed, who had run very well in the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports Sprints, put his poor SROA Chairman’s Sprint run behind him with a 2nd place finish as the 4.3 second choice with Something Lost in 3rd. The 4.9 third favourite Crown Hamseong has been up and down in form this year and was only 6th after receiving every chance in the run.

However, the talking point out of the race is the performance of Korea’s best sprinter Vincero Cavallo who was never closer than midfield and ultimately finished 9th of ten. He got himself out of a tricky rearward position on the rail in the run to finish a never nearer 3rd in the SROA Sprint and was in a similar position in this race, but there appeared to be fewer excuses this time. Vets found no abnormalities.

SU BU TAI (Concord Point) came from off the pace to score in Race 6 (1400M Class 5). The 7.4 chance provided the first Korean winner for former Selangor Turf Club champion jockey Andre Luis Da Silva, the pair overturning the favourite and long-time leader Pasa Queen in the last half-furlong. The Brazilian rider landed 72 winners in Malaysia in 2025, a full twenty-seven clear of his nearest rival. It had been a lengthy visa and insurance process for Da Silva who has now hit the ground running in a license that initially runs to the end of this year.

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Korea Racing Report: June 26-28

WHILE ROSHE STOLE THE SHOW ON THE SOUTH COAST ON SUNDAY, AT HIS HOME TRACK OF SEOUL THE MAIN ACTION WAS A 2000M CLASS 1 WHICH WAS WON BY PEPPER X who justified evens favouritism under Lee Hyeok (writes Luke Humphreys).

Pepper X (Speightster) loves to lead and the last time he had led was his last victory which was a strong 1800M Class 1 score in February. He was reversing form with a few reopposing rivals after being behind them at his last couple of runs and whilst it looked as if he did not have much left early in the home straight, he had enough in hand to hold off his rivals by two-lengths. East West was 2nd with Vics Go in 3rd. The latter did not have the greatest of running room over the concluding stages, but it is hard to make a case that he would have run down the winner even with a clear run. Musket Day, winner of last month’s LR Sports Chosun Trophy was 4th, whilst Satang Sonyeo did not appreciate the drop in trip from her previous 2300M victory as she certainly made rider Jeong Jeong-hee earn his fee. She finished one place ahead of her stablemate G Motion who was 6th.

Six trainers across Seoul and Busan on Sunday (more on them later in the week). Woo Chang-ku’s final career runners in THUNDER MARVEL (Hansen) and Chang Chang Socks gave him the quinella in the concluding Race 10 (1400M Class 4) and they did it in great style with both coming from the rear of the field. Thunder Marvel beat Chang Chang Socks by three-quarters of a length with a half-length back to the 2.7 favourite Young Fighter who was 3rd. Lee Dong-ha was the winning rider on Thunder Marvel as he was in Race 5 (1300M Class 5) with GEUMJEOKSAN (Concord Point) who scored by one-and-a-half lengths as the 2.9 favourite, also for retiring trainer Woo.

Kozzi Asano was on the board riding 3.1 favourite MUNHAK CHUKJE (Blame) to an easy success in Race 8 (1600M Class 4). The Park Jae-woo prepared four-year-old colt was recording his third win at his thirteenth start.

JECHUK SANJIRO (Shackleford) landed Race 3 (1400M Class 6) under Ruan Maia, drawing clear to score by one-and-a-half lengths. He had been quite green in his previous races but was the most professional he has been to date.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: JUNE 19-21

IT WAS A STAKELESS SUNDAY IN KOREA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR MONTHS BUT THERE WAS A NAMED FEATURE ON THE CARD IN SEOUL AND THE 15TH SPORTS DONG-A CUP WAS WON BY ROYAL SOCKS under apprentice Kwon Jung-seok (writes Luke Humphreys).

However, the main talking point of the race was the late scratching of Di Ne, one of the country’s top three-year-old’s, his subsequent stand down from racing for twelve months. He did not look right on the way down to the start and was eventually withdrawn and a post-race physical examination found him to have a bowed tendon.

Whilst this year’s Korean three-year-old crop has produced some fine performances from the likes of Roshe, Hwang Geum Eo Jang, Funny Wild and Clearly Winner it has lost plenty of spark. Supex Winner sadly had to be put down after suffering a ligament and sesamoid injury in the week leading up to the KRA Cup Mile, whilst Geudaemaniddamyeon fractured a cannon bone whilst preparing for the YTN Cup. Di Ne, like Geudaemaniddamyeon, will no longer be seen in his three-year-old campaign.

This left Royal Socks (Hansen) to run the 2.0 favourite and he led for most of the way to score by four-lengths. He recorded his sixth career victory at start eleven and will now be up to Class 2 grade. Baro Danaeun was the other favourite, 2.7, but just like she did when last seen in the G2 Ttukseom Cup she finished 7th.

Royal Socks completed a riding double for Kwon Jung-seok after landing Race 2 (1700M Class 6) on the 3.8 favourite THE SUN COMING (Cowboy Cal) which after racing on pace won by four-lengths and was breaking through at the eighth time of asking. It also was part of a treble for trainer Kang Sung-o after success with BLACK SIDAE (Chrysolite) who won Race 6 (1800M Class 4) by an extending eight-lengths as the 5.2 second favourite before FEDAYKIN (Audible) proved too strong in Race 10 (1200M Class 4) running away late to score by one-and-a-half lengths as the 3.5 favourite.

Black Sidae was beating the 1.8 odds-on chance Ghost Chrysol into 2nd place in what was a slowly run race. Jockey Jo Jae-ro and Black Sidae put some pace into the race when taking off at the end of the back straight and they were never caught. Fedaykin broke through at the third time of asking after a 6th on debut in April before a 3rd in May.

Race 9 (1600M Class 2) was the highest graded race on the day, and SUPREME SOCKS (Flameaway) got the prize by a neck for Johan Victoire and Luigi Riccardi. The race was primarily dominated by the favourites with Tap Tier, 3.1, coming from a long last to run 2nd over Jeongsang Ace, 8.7, in 3rd with Useung Concord, 4.2, in 4th. Ace K, 5.8, was disappointing for the third consecutive time at Class 2 grade as he ran a long last of the nine runners.

Race 8 (1400M Class 3) was one of the more competitive races on the card and it saw TOHOMARKET (Revolutionary) get up late on to score by a half-length at odds of 29.6 over 15.5 chance Nano Masin with 7.1 fourth choice Cheonmahoryeong at her second 1400M attempt once again just getting caught in the closing stages finishing 3rd after leading. The other favourites were Magic Strong, 7.7, who was 6th, Navy Captain, 6.2, who finished 7th whilst the main two in the market Teukgeup Party, 4.1, and Free The One, 5.2, were 8th and 10th in the eleven strong field. The consistent Teukgeup Party produced the worst run of her career whilst Free The One, whose best form has seen him place behind Roshe at black type level, was disappointing for the second straight start.

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KOREA RACING REPORT (JUNE 12-14)

SUNDAY AT SEOUL SAW SUNRISE WIN THE CLOSING LEG OF THE TRIPLE ON THE UNDERCARD THE MAIN HANDICAP WAS WON BY THE PROGRESSIVE DRAGON KILLER (writes Luke Humphreys).

Dragon Killer (Power Blade) had been a beaten favourite in three attempts at Class 3 level before breaking through at that grade last time out. He went straight into Class 2 company with a dominant front-running display over the 1800M and while tiring late, had enough in hand to score by almost two-lengths. Dragon Killer was the 4.1 second pick and beat his co-favourites in Tanseongui Banseok, 3.0, and Zetta Master, 5.1, who both had too much to do from their rearward positions. The former was a neck ahead of the latter for 2nd and 3rd.

The victory of Dragon Killer completed a double for trainer Kang Hwan-min as he earlier prepared ONE DIA (Independence Hall) to win Race 7 (1400M Class 4) by two-lengths at odds of 17.2. That race saw Unju Prince start a 1.9 favourite, but he dropped out after having every chance in front.

PURGE STEP (Purge) bounced back to her best form in Race 6 (1800M Class 3) leading for the majority as the 3.3 favourite. She had won two in a row before taking her chance in the Listed Dong-a Ilbo Trophy against the best older Korean fillies and mares where she finished 13th of fourteen runners. Only 6th at her next start, she bounced back to winning ways in determined fashion after initially being headed by the eventual 2nd placed Storm Breaker halfway up the home straight.

COMPLETE STEP (Girolamo) struck a very winnable contest in Race 10 (1200M Class 4) as the only mare against the boy. A debutante was sent off as a 1.7 chance in Phantom Prince, but he had no match for Complete Step who drew clear for an easy seven-length success as the second favourite at 5.0.

RAON THE TONY (Musket Man) proved too good in Race 5 (1300M Class 5) leading throughout to break her maiden status at start six by one-length. Except for her previous start she had been consistent and paid an each-way price of 10.3.

FLYING SMART (Old Fashioned) had proven an enigma for favourite backers in her three starts prior to stepping out in Race 3 (1400M Class 6) with slow starts and rearward positions in the run doing her no favours. However, this time she began well and led under Kozzi Asano and the Tony Castanheira prepared filly scored by three-quarters of a length. Naturally, punters had not retained faith and sent her off as the 5.5 third market choice. Clair Freedom started favourite at 2.1 and finished 3rd.

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Korea Racing Report: June 5-7

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY THE 26TH RUNNING OF THE MINISTER’S CUP PRODUCED A DRAMATIC FINISH WITH FUNNY WILD PRODUCING A VERY GAME PERFORMANCE TO SCORE BUT, ON THE UNDERCARD, THE MAIN HANDICAP WAS THE CONCLUDING CLASS 2 AND REMEMBER AGAIN ran out an easy five-length winner under CC Wong (writes Luke Humphreys).

Remember Again (Chrysolite) had failed at his first run at Class 2 level in April when using too much petrol in the run, but under a conservative ride by CC Wong, who was aboard for the first time, he pulled away to score. King Honor continued his recent good form with a 2nd place finish for him whilst The Player was a neck behind him in 3rd. The 1.9 favourite More Than Joke could only managed 6th.

Whilst Funny Wild was the star of the day the most well-known horse running on the day was LALA K (Hansen) and he recorded his first victory since his famous juvenile days when holding on to win Race 9 (1200M Class 3) by a head as the 2.6 favourite.

Lala K went viral on the internet when winning the 2023 Rookie Stakes coming from an incredibly long last and had only won once since in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy later that year. That changed on Sunday as he raced on pace and fell in to score, the total opposite of his famous Rookie Stakes victory. Haksan Dark Horse, attempting to replicate his course, distance, and grade victory from April, was narrowly denied whilst the Japanese bred Gwanaksan Rickey, 4.2 second choice, did his chances no good with a horrible start and was a never nearer 5th.

CHEONGSAN DOLPUNG (Shackleford) had been knocking on the door for a victory after chasing home some decent types in recent starts and he got his elusive first win in Race 3 (1200M Class 5) with a comfortable four-length score as the 2.0 favourite. Fifty minutes later in Race 4 (1300M Class 5) LOVERMAN (To Honor And Serve) took advantage of the leaders going too fast too soon with a last to first victory at much bigger odds of 22.0 completing a race-to-race double for jockey Jang Chu-youl and trainer Lee Gwan-ho. That race saw the 3.0 favourite Stepping Stone miss the start before being rousted up to take a forward role and was one of the first beaten finishing 9th of the eleven runners.

Jang Chu-youl completed a treble in Race 6 (1600M Class 4) on SLING STAR (To Honor And Serve) who was excellent in completing four victories in a row with a one-and-three quarter length score under the topweight of 58kg. Yongbi Hero was 2nd and is surely close to a win whilst the 3.2 favourite Mighty Choice was 3rd.

The victory of Sling Star completed a double on the day for trainer Kim Dong-kyun as STUNNING BOLT (Cowboy Cal) scored for him and Furkan Yuksel in Race 2 (1300M Class 6).

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