Global Hit suffered his first defeat on home sand since last year’s Korea Cup when handily defeated by Success Baekpa in the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Success Baekpa and Jin Kyum triumph in the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)
Just five weeks out from this year’s international races, Global Hit was sent off as the odds-on favourite to successfully defend the Cup Classic, which he won a year ago on his route to 3rd place, the best of the locals, in the Korea Cup.
In a race with no obvious early speed, jockey Kim Hye-sun opted to take Global Hit to the front from the widest gate. Challenged in the back straight by Money Crown, they quickly regained the lead but once the field hit the straight and Jin Kyum on Success Baekpa, who had been stalking the favourite the whole time, made his move, Global Hit had no response.
The margin was four-lengths on the line with Speed Young a further four back in 3rd.
“In training this week I had been thinking, why not race (on pace)?” winning jockey Jin Kyum, who was winning his third Group race of the year – and of his career – following victories on Oasis Blue in the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby, told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Global Hit drew wide and then went forward so I thought, if I just stick with him, I won’t go too wrong. I wasn’t really expecting Success Baekpa to finish as well as he did though.”
“If you look at how Success Baekpa ran today, even if Global Hit had been at his very best, I am not sure the result would have been different.”
“We had a really bad run in the Owners’ Cup last time” winning trainer Min Jang-gi told KRBC. “I was hoping for this to be somewhat of a recovery race, so obviously it is very good to win. I am hoping for even more from him in future.”
A four-year-old, Success Baekpa [Purge – Baekpa (by Revere) is a winner of seven of his seventeen starts, four of them now having come at Group level, having won the KRA Cup Mile and Minister’s Cup in the Triple Crown last year and the Herald Business earlier this.
Success Baekpa is off and gone from Global Hit and Speed Young (Pic: KRA)
Global Hit’s rider would would probably like this one back. “I am upset” Kim Hye-sun told the camera crew that was following her around. “I knew there was going to be no pace in the race, and we know he can lead like he did in Dubai. But it went wrong (in the back straight) when he was challenged by horses both sides of him. It took a long time to settle him again after that.”
As for the Korea Cup, Kim said that the performance changed little. “As far as I am concerned, he is fine for the Korea Cup, that’s always been the target. The Japanese (horses) will be there, and we know how fast they are so if anything, it may suit him more than this did.”
It’s the main domestic prep race for September’s international Korea Cup on Sunday as Global Hit defends his KRA Cup Classic crown against 10 rivals. Seoul is the only track racing on Sunday with 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00. We’ll have a full preview of the big race shortly, for now here is the race-by-race:
Global Hit won this race last year (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with six of the twelve racing for the first time. (2) DAEHAN POWER beat a couple of these rivals on debut over 1000M on June 21st, settling just behind the speed and running on for 3rd. That day’s second place getter has gone on to win and from a good draw, Daehan Powers can do the same. (4) REVERENCE also ran 3rd on debut, in his case on July 5th, also beating a pair of today’s rivals. Moon Se-young stays on and that’s enough to mean he will probably begin as favourite. Among the newcomers, (3) BLACK PEPE was a trial winner in a good time and if he brings that form to the races, he will be close (10) STORM TROOPER and (11) MASTER PLAN can improve from their respective debuts.
Selections
(2) Daehan Power (4) Reverence (3) Black Pepe (10) Storm Trooper
Next Best
11, 9
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 10
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (4) APATEU ran a solid 3rd on debut over 1000M on July 12th, running through the line well. She should have come on for that run, the step up in trip can suit, and she should have too much for this set of opponents. (2) GHOST GALE led for much of the way around 1300M on July 19th, ultimately registering a best to date of 4th. That was her first start since last November and she can strip fitter here and be on pace again. (1) TRIPLE JENNY has made progress across her three starts so far, culminating in 2nd place in a similar race to this over 1400M on June 29th. She can sit behind the speed and run into some money here. (6) GIDAEHARA and (5) HYEWONYONGMA are others to consider on a place line.
Selections
(4) Apateu (2) Ghost Gale (1) Triple Jenny (6) Gidaehara
Next Best
5, 11
Fast Start
2, 4, 7, 9
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) HERO CHICE is yet to finish in the top two but has five top five finishes from eight starts, including his latest on July 13th when he overcame gate eleven to race handy and beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 3rd place at this distance. He draws much better for an easier run to the lead and he is the one to beat. (8) GLOBAL GISANG was a solid 3rd on debut over 1200M at the end of May, starting slowly and running on. She should have come on for that run, CC climbs on, and she can be a danger. (1) GRAND PARK enters off an improved 2nd at this distance on June 28th and from the inside gate can be in the mix again. (11) CHEONGHAE STAR and (3) RAON THE BELMONT others who have shown ability and can compete.
Selections
(2) Hero Choice (8) Global Gisang (1) Grand Park (11) Cheonghae Star
Next Best
3, 9
Fast Start
2, 6, 10, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) QUANTUM K has a win and two 2nd places across his five starts so far, most recently when runner-up over 1400M at this class on June 28th. He got shuffled back a bit further than usual that day before running on but in this company should get a straightforward run to the front and can win. (1) CHOEGANG SPEED is the danger. He can get a bit far back in his races but has a nice turn of foot and has run 2nd and 4th in his two starts at this level since his maiden win, most recently on July 5th when he led in the closing stages over 1400M. Moon Se-young is on for the first time. He will need to overturn the form on (8) MINT PLAY, who beat him when 3rd in that July 5th race. The veteran enters in consistent form and should be there or thereabouts again. (10) GLOBAL HAMSEONG and (4) SEOBU SKY others in the hunt.
Selections
(2) Quantum K (1) Choegang Speed (8) Mint Play (10) Global Hamseong
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
2, 4, 5, 8
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Small but competitive field. (7) MENI WIN enters off a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this distance and both times racing on pace. He can lead here, and he can win. (6) DAEWONYONGMA remains a maiden after sixteen attempts, but he has gone close plenty of times with seven top five finishes. He comes in following a 4th and a 3rd from his first two tries at this class and continuing under a light weight, today could be his day. (4) SAENAE CLASSIC got a win and a 3rd in three starts last year. He returns from almost eight months off here and having looked well in a July trial, he can be competitive first up. (5) MENI SHARK and (8) CANVASEN GO the other main chances.
Selections
(7) Meni Win (6) Daewonyongma (4) Saenae Classic (5) Meni Shark
Next Best
8, 3
Fast Start
4, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
The KRA Cup Classic, the only midsummer Korean Graded race, is the feature of a Sunday where Seoul is the only track staging live racing. There are 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00.Here are the previews:
Jeulgeounyeojeong is among those tackling the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Eleven juvenile maidens, all racing for the very first time. The favourite, and a warm one, will be (6) LEMON K. She went through two trials improving in the second of them on July 11th when she showed on pace and crossed the line in 3rd place in a decent time behind two horses with racing experience. If she brings that form to the races, she will take some beating. (3) RISING MO recorded the second fastest trial time, when showing towards the front in her heat. She draws nicely to be on pace and can be in this a long way. (11) SEMYEONG STRONG and (4) GEOLJAK HAPPY trialled up together on July 11th coming home in 3rd and 4th respectively in fair times and both can be considered first up. (7) RAON THE IMPACT perhaps another who could go well.
Selections
(6) Lemon K (3) Rising Mo (11) Semyeong Strong (4) Geoljak Happy
Next Best
7, 9
Fast Start
3, 4, 6, 11
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) BEST MAYA debuted back in April and finished so far back he earned himself not only a re-trial but also a trip to be gelded. That seems to have had the desired effect as he blitzed trials in consecutive weeks in early July, winning both and leading every step of the way. He draws nicely here and on that trial form, he wins. (7) SEOHAE BADA registered a 3rd and a 5th in two outings around the turn of the year. She hasn’t raced since but looked well when trialling on July 19th and can make a positive return here. (8) SPARKLING registered a much-improved 2nd at start number four on July 13th when for the first time ridden on pace and stopping the clock in a good time over 1300M. Moon Se-young getting the leg-up here means he will probably start as second favourite. (1) YEOGEOL BISANG and (4) CANVASEN GO are others in the placing hunt.
Selections
(2) Best Maya (7) Seohae Bada (8) Sparkling (1) Yeogeol Bisang
Next Best
4, 11
Fast Start
1, 2, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) VIVA CHEONGSU hasn’t finished outside of the top five in five attempts so far. She is yet to win but has a 3rd place finish to her name at this class and distance two starts back. In this company, she can sit just behind the early speed and may prove too strong. (2) QUEEN ABIGAIL got her maiden win two starts back over this distance and then ran 3rd on her first try at this class on July 7th, coming from well off the pace and running on. She comes in under a light weight, draws well, and can go close again. (6) MAGIC STRONG can mix his form but enters off a smart 4th place oat this class and distance on June 1st and coming in fresh after nine weeks off, can go close again. (11) CHEONJANGSA and (10) MISS QUEEN FLY others in the placing hunt.
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (7) BAZOOKA BOY got his maiden win over 1700M in April and has since run 3rd and 4th at that same distance in his first two tries at this class. He has a 2nd place to his name over this distance and in this company can settle behind the pace and has every chance of running on. (5) SEOBU CHAMP has had her best results at this distance with a win and a runner-up finish, both at class 6. She showed he can measure up in this class with a 4th place over 1300M last time out on July 7th when slow away and coming from well back. She carries a light weight and can be a big danger. (8) GOLDEN DRAGON hasn’t raced since finishing down the field in Seoul’s Classic Trial in February. He is a winner at this class and during his layoff, he has been gelded. He looked well in a trial in late June and could provide some each-way interest. (4) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG and (2) CHOEGANG HYEONMA others to consider.
Selections
(7) Bazooka Boy (5) Seobu Champ (8) Golden Dragon (4) Seongsil Yeongung
Next Best
2, 1
Fast Start
1, 4, 6, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) SHADOW HUNTER won back-to-back races in March and May to get rapidly promoted to this class and then proved he can be competitive in this company with a 3rd place over this distance on his first class 4 effort on June 29th when coming from midfield. Expect similar tactics today and under a fair weight, he will be favoured to win. (3) AMAZING ROCK has won her latest two to emulate Shadow Hunter in being rapidly promoted to this class. Her latest was a narrow score in a good time over this distance on July 21st and she returns quickly here under a light weight and very well drawn with every chance to measure up. (5) ILDONG BAKSU returned form over five months out to run a solid 3rd at this class and distance on July 7th – her seventh 3rd place finish in eleven starts. She should strip fitter for that run and can match or better today. (7) FLY DAY and (2) DALMAJI others in the frame.
Winner’s Man may not have been able to retain the Korea Cup he won in 2022 when faced with the might of Japan’s Crown Pride and Gloria Mundi a month ago, but this year’s international race 3rd placegetter franked the form as he defeated his principle local rivals to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Seo Seung-un and Winner’s Man draw clear of Success Macho and Franco Da Silva (Pic: KRA)
Six of the local contenders who lined up for the Korea Cup on September 10th returned for the KRA Cup Classic, a key pointer towards December’s season-ending Grand Prix Stakes. They included Tuhunui Banseok, who had defeated Winner’s Man to win both the YTN Cup and Busan’s Mayor’s Cups in the summer. Success Macho and Haengbok Wangja, 4th and 5th respectively in the Cup, also lined-up again.
In the end, none could get near Winner’s Man. With Seo Seung-un on board, he sat alongside Tuhonui Banseok throughout the early half of the race as outsiders The Gumpu and Vics Go set the pace ahead of Success Macho who stalked in 3rd under Franco Da Silva.
As the field turned into the straight, the outsiders would fall away leaving Success Macho briefly in front, but he was no match for Winner’s Man, who cruised past to take an unassailable lead with a furlong to run. Ultimately, he would lead home Success Macho by three-lengths with Haengbok Wangja emerging from the back to claim 3rd ahead of Simjangui Godong. Tuhonui Banseok was 5th.
Pic: KRA
Winner’s Man [Musket Man – Winner’s Marine (by Volponi)] moved on to sixteen wins from twenty-six starts and in the process claimed his seventh victory at Group level. Likewise, it was a seventh Group win for trainer Choi Ki-hong – all with Winner’s Man.
For jockey Seo Seung-un, the victory also brought up a personal milestone as it marked his 700th career winner. “I am really happy I could share this moment with Winner’s Man” Seo told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Every winner is important but this one does mean more than most. He (Winner’s Man) is a different horse to what he was when he was four years old, he doesn’t necessarily want to dictate pace, so we did what we did in the Korea Cup. We’ll go back to Busan and see how he comes out of this and then all being well prepare ultimately for the Grand Prix.”
For Success Macho, it was confirmation, as if further was needed, that he belongs in the elite level and jockey Franco Da Silva was pleased. “The race wasn’t as I expected because the number 6 (Vics Go) went forward and the horse who I expected to lead (Tuhonui Banseok) jumped out slow, so it was a little bit confusing early, and I just had to wait a little bit more to challenge coming into the straight. I expected to run a good race because the last time he got very close to Winner’s Man but today Winners’ Man looks like he is back to his normal self, his condition was very good. Success Macho has improved a lot but still not 100% (at Winner’s Man level) yet so I’m very pleased with the results today.”
As Korean-breds, both Winner’s Man and Success Macho are eligible to run in the next race in the Korea Premier Series, the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1). Winner’s Man did precisely that last year and was beaten, running 3rd behind Raon First and Simjangui Godong (who won the race in 2021). It remains the only Group 1 in the country (Korea Sprint aside) that eludes him. This year’s edition is at Seoul on Sunday November 19th and the 1 Billion Korean Won purse may prove very tempting. Trainer Choi Ki-hong confirmed as much: “We’re aiming for Winner’s Man to get a career Gland Slam of Korean Group 1’, so we will think about the President’s Cup.”
The season-ending Grand Prix Stakes (2300M KOR-G1) is a month later on Sunday December 17th.
The top-four local placegetters from September’s International Korea Cup will meet again at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as the race towards the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes picks up full steam with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2).
Tuhonui Banseok holds two wins over Winner’s Man this year (Pic: KRA)
While Japan’s Crown Pride may have emphatically ended the chances of WINNER’S MAN retaining the Korea Cup that he won in 2022, the five-year-old led home the Korean challenge with a smart and fast finishing 3rd place, banishing any pre-race question marks over his fitness. Winner’s Man won the Herald Business Trophy over the same 2000M at Seoul in April and while he then suffered two setbacks, his Cup performance showed he is still to be taken seriously. He will probably start as favourite on Sunday.
The setbacks that Winner’s Man endured came in May and July in the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) both times at the hands of TUHUNUI BANSEOK. The Verrazano five-year-old entire made all for an emphatic win in the YTN before being passed late on by Winner’s Man in the Busan Mayor’s only to rouse himself again and fight back and win. He led the Korea Cup until the Japanese pair of Crown Pride and Gloria Mundi went past and ultimately finished in 6th place. The Bart Rice-trainee is not to be ruled out of overhauling Winner’s Man again.
SUCCESS MACHO won nine out of his first ten races but appeared to have been found out at the elite level. A ten-month layoff between last October and this June appeared to do him the world of good though as just second-up on his return, he won the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) to claim his first Group success and then ran a strong 4th in the Korea Cup, just half a length behind Winner’s Man. With Franco Da Silva aboard, he will drop back and run on late.
The Korea Cup also marked a return to form for HAENGBOK WANGJA. The 2021 Grand Prix Stakes winner never really kicked on from that success and endured a challenging and fruitless trip to the Dubai World Cup Carnival earlier this year. He shrugged that off though with a strong 5th place in the Korea Cup, just a length off 3rd and almost two-lengths in front of Tuhonui Banseok, marking a welcome return to form.
SIMJANGUI GODONG and THE GUMPU were further back in the Korea Cup but back in just local company, both are entitled to have a say on Sunday.
The KRA Cup Classic is race 8 on an 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.
Raon The Fighter delivered a consummate display of excellence at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, effortlessly crossing to the front and proceeding to run the rest out of the race to win the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) in front of a raucous 27,000 strong crowd.
Having duelled with Japan’s Sekifu throughout the majority of last month’s international Korea Cup (1800M-IG3) but ultimately tire late on as Winner’s Man came through to take a spectacular victory, Raon The Fighter was sent off as the odds-on favourite to return to winning ways in the principal lead up to the season finale Grand Prix Stakes. The only questions were whether he could get a good position from the widest gate and whether he could see out the extended trip of 2000M, a distance he was tackling for the first time. Those who posed those questions, quickly regretted doing so.
Other than in the Korea Cup, Raon The Fighter’s only defeats had come in sprint races when stumbling at the start and then working too hard to get on terms. This Sunday, he broke beautifully from gate thirteen and jockey Moon Se Young was able to steer him across to the front immediately.
Had anything even wanted to take him on for early speed, it is doubtful whether they could have done such was Raon The Fighter’s authority, although King Of The Match and Tuhonui Banseok would gamely sit within striking distance exchanging 2nd and 3rd positions throughout. Two little accelerations from Raon The Fighter, first at the top of the home straight to put him firmly in the clear, and then again a furlong out when into unchartered territory distance-wise at the furlong pole, and Moon Se Young was left looking behind him to see if there were any dangers.
There were no dangers. Raon The Fighter was eased home for a five-length win with King Of The Match getting closest in 2nd and then a seven-length gap back to Tuhonui Banseok in 3rd. Behind them, 2021 Grand Prix Stakes winner Haengbok Wangja was 4th while Geuma Mystic and Moonhak Chief came home in 5th and 6th.
Raon The Fighter debuted in November 2020, just after racing resumed behind closed doors and for severely restricted prize money. He would have five wins on the board before prizes were restored to meaningful levels the following July and didn’t get to run in a Group race until November 2021 when he destroyed Eoma Eoma in the SROA Chairmans Trophy (1200M KOR-G3).
The KRA Cup Classic is Raon The Fighter’s third Group win having also won the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) this July. The four-year-old entire, who is by Bayern and out of Empire Maker mare Clarinda, is owned by Son Chun-soo of the ever-growing Raon racing empire which stands the stallion Musket Man. He is trained by Park Jong-kon, who now almost exclusively trains Raon horses. For trainer Park, it was a fourth KRA Cup Classic after Mari Daemul in 2013 and Cheongdam Dokki in 2017 and 2018. For jockey Moon Se-young, it was a third win in the race, having partnered Pocketful Of Money in 2007 and Cheongdam Dokki in 2017.
The logical next step for Raon The Fighter would be the Grand Prix Stakes in December and a possible rematch with Winner’s Man, who will most likely be contesting the President’s Cup next month. There are two big stars in Korean racing right now, and they will collide again soon enough.
Sunday is KRA Cup Classic day at Seoul with Raon The Fighter heading a field of thirteen, six of whom come out of September’s international Korea Cup. See here for a runner-by-runner preview of the big race. There are 11 races in total at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:15 to 16:45. Here is the race-by-race:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maiden fillies in the opener with all but three of the twelve racing for the very first time. (7) SHINE ON ME came through two trials, posting decent times in both. She should be nice and fit for her debut outing here and with Moon Se-young aboard, is sure to have plenty of backers. (4) SEONGSILGONGJUPINK is a Hansen filly who won her trial at the end of September coming from off the pace. She draws well here and also looks set for a bold showing. (3) DASI TAEEONADO was on pace in her trial, ultimately crossing the line 2nd. She draws well to get forward again and can be considered first up. As for the experienced ones, (12) JEONGSANG LUCKY posted the fastest time while (6) GLORY AND HONOR didn’t do too much wrong and both can hope for improvement here.
Selections
(7) Shine On Me (4) Seongsilgongjupink (3) Dasi Taeeonado (12) Jeongsang Lucky
Next Best
6, 5
Fast Start
3, 5, 7, 12
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens. (7) META BLADE came from off the pace to run 2nd on debut over 1000M on August 20th. He should have come on for the experience, and the additional furlong can suit. It certainly suited (4) WONDERFUL INDY, who is the only one in the field to have tackled the distance. Having run 9th on debut at 1000M, he came back out on September 4th and ran a strong 2nd, settling midfield and running on. From a good gate and with that experience, he will surely be a big danger here. (2) SECRET PLAY is another who has been coming from off the pace in his two previous outings, both over 1000M. He should be doing his best work late on here and is another to consider. (3) G MOTION, a likely front-runner, and (5) SUPEREME STAR others in the hunt.
Selections
(7) Meta Blade (4) Wonderful Indy (2) Secret Play (3) G Motion
Next Best
5, 12
Fast Start
3, 5, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Competitive maiden. It’s not often we take a chance on the only first-time starter in this kind of race, but we’re prepared to do precisely that here with (3) BLACK CHOCOLATE. He trialed up twice, running 2nd in the first of them before winning the second in September when handy throughout and running on well. The 1200M should suit first-up and he draws well. If you prefer experience, then (2) MAGIC MOCCASIN could be the one. She led for part of the way around over this distance on September 25th, her second runner-up finish. She draws well to lead again and can be in this a long way. (9) GOLD KAISER has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before. She returned from eight months off to run a solid 4th at this distance on September 18th and should have come on for it. She is another who likes to be on pace. (8) TOP POSITION and (6) YEONHUI SARANG are among other placing chances.
Selections
(3) Black Chocolate (2) Magic Moccasin (9) Gold Kaiser (8) Top Position
Next Best
6, 5
Fast Start
2, 3, 6, 9
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens open at Busan with three of the eight racing for the first time. Here we will side with experience and (2) BARAMBARAM, who came from the back of a similarly small field on debut on September 23rd over this distance. He should have derived benefit from that and can go one better today. (4) ONE MIND similarly showed ability on her debut in late August when from a handy position, she ran on well for 3rd place, also at 1000M. She looks set to be on pace here and has solid claims. (7) HOTFLEX has run fairly in both starts so far, only beating a couple home each time but with the margins in front not too big. He can improve here. (5) DALLILLAEYO won a trial in September, running on pace throughout and looks to have the best chance among the first-time starters of making an impression. (3) ROAD TO DREAM too put in a fair time in his trial and can go well first up.
Selections
(2) Barambaram (4) One Mind (7) Hotflex (5) Dallillaeyo
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
3, 4, 5, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(2) GOMANARU has improved across three starts so far, culminating in a runner- up finish over 1300M on September 18th when settling back in midfield and running on. He stretches out to 1400M for the first time, and it could be what he needs to land himself in the winner’s circle. After an indifferent debut, (1) PERFECT GUN MAN has hinted at ability with back-to-back 4th place finishes in fair times at 1000M and 1200M. He too has been running on in his races and may appreciate the step up in trip today. (8) SARANG DAMOA is one of four racing here who does have experience of the distance already and among those, she has the fastest time. She is yet to win in eleven, but her recent form reads well, and despite being drawn widest, she can settle close to the pace here and she will run on. (7) PAX NURI and (3) TWO ACE the others in the placing frame.
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(9) ETERNAL ACE has made steady progress across nine starts so far and registered a 3rd place over this distance on September 18th having led throughout and posting a time almost a second faster than anything else here has managed over the distance and he should be hard to hold out here. (5) COME ON FIRST races for the first time since running 2nd at start number two back in May. He looked well when coming through a fast trial at the start of September and has every chance of a bold showing first up here. (1) POLE TO WIN also returns from a spell out having not raced since July. He ran fairly in September trial and can get on pace from the inside gate and be in this a long way. (4) ECTON POWER and (2) FLEX SHINHWA both need their latest starts (in the same race) forgiven, but both can go better here.
Selections
(9) Eternal Ace (5) Come On First (1) Pole To Win (4) Ecton Power
Next Best
2, 8
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 9
Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(7) ALL FOR YOUR DREAM returned from nine months out to run 3rd at this distance on September 17th when handy throughout. He should have derived plenty of benefit from that run, strip a bit fitter here, and he can get his maiden win. (1) EUREKA had four 4th placed finishes from seven starts so far. He suffered a reverse behind a couple of these last time out on September 3rd but draws nicely here and can be aiming for improvement. (8) LUXSEN was one of those who finished ahead of Eureka on September 3rd. He subsequently ran 6th over 1200M three weeks ago but this can suit a little more and he can go close again. (3) ROCK IMPACT comes up to this trip for the first time and it may well suit, while (4) P N S KING has mixed his form across twelve starts so far but can enter the calculations in this company.
One of the longest standing races on the modern Korean racing calendar returns to Seoul on Sunday when thirteen line up for the 37th edition of the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2).
Korea Cup runner-up Raon The Fighter will be favoured to add his name to a list of winners that include Dae Kyeun, Saegangja, Tough Win, Cheongdam Dokki and Dolkong, in a race which serves not only as a big prize in itself, but also a key step towards December’s season finale Grand Prix Stakes.
A total of six emerge from the Korea Cup with Raon The Fighter, King Of The Match and Haengbok Wangja all having finished in the top-five. They are joined by up and comers Good Pilseung, Tuhonui Banseok and Daeam Janggun, while the in-form Lil’ Patron, an also-ran in the race last year, comes in looking much more dangerous this time.
The old guard is there too. Moonhak Chief, Shamrocker and Dolkong may have their best days behind them but can’t be completely ruled outr of still being able to put in strong runs:
1. CRAZY CONTI finished 7th in the Korea Cup after settling midfield. He is a recent class 1 winner over 1800M but this is much harder.
2. GEUMA MYSTIC is yet to win in Class 1 but did manage a 3rd place in the YTN Cup albeit over eight-lengths back behind the winner. That was in similar company to this and he could be thereabouts.
3. KING OF THE MATCH is an improving type who made a good impression in the Korea Cup when settling midfield and while he was well beaten, he ran on resolutely. He previously ran a bottler when dead–heating with President’s Cup winner Simjangui Godong for 2nd place behind Raon The Fighter in the Busan Owner’s Cup. Well drawn and plenty of upside.
4. HAENGBOK WANGJA ran a fair 5th in the Korea Cup after settling midfield. He was the winner of the 2021 Grand Prix Stakes over 2300M and has demonstrated solid form since. He goes better when able to settle forward and back up to 2000M, and having drawn well, he is right in this.
5. MOONHAK CHIEF is a top liner who has won the Korea Cup among many other Group races but who has been a little disappointing in recent starts. At his top, he is right in this but has to be taken on trust at the moment.
6. TUHONUI BANSEOK won his latest start by four lengths on what was his class 1 debut over 2000M with some smart ones behind him. He is very much up in class here and it is on level weights but he is a winner of five from ten and can be considered for more improvement.
7. SHAMROCKER is a grand old campaigner who always gives his best. At his last start he was a distant 4th in the YTN Cup when settled back in the field. This is equally hard but he will be running on late as ever.
8. DAEAM JANGGUN is another who won last time out on what was his class 1 debut. That was over 1800M and he raced forward, stopping the clock in a good time. This is much harder and it is at level weights.
9. LIL’ PATRON has recent form that reads extremely well with three successive wins at class 1 over 1800M. Each time he has settled midfield and run on strongly. He hasn’t had to run elite level times to win those races but he is fit, in top form and could sneak into the calculations in what is a much sterner test.
10. DOLKONG resumed in the Korea Cup after a long layoff and was well back the way. He will have derived benefit from that outing but may still need to lift at this stage. Won this race in 2019.
11. GOOD PILSEUNG ran 2nd in the JRA Trophy over 1800M on international weekend when racing forward. A truer indication of his ability was at the start before though when a close 4th in the Herald Business Cup against this type of opposition. He raced forward on that occasion and can’t be left out.
12. DORAON POPEYE ran a nice 3rd in the JRA Trophy on international weekend when midfield and running on. He is yet to win in class 1 and this is much harder. Watching brief.
13. RAON THE FIGHTER is an outstanding racehorse at seemingly any distance although this will be his first test over 2000 metres. He has huge natural speed and is able to set a pace few can match. He dueled with Japanese raider Sekifu throughout the majority of the Korea Cup at 1800M in September, ultimately seeing him off, only to be caught by local rival Winner’s Man in the very closing stages. He has drawn very wide again and the additional furlong does pose a question, but Raon The Fighter will be a justifiable favourite here.
The Group 2 KRA Cup Classic is race 8 on an 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with a local post time of 16:20.
Selections: (13) Raon The Fighter (3) King Of The Match (4) Haengbok Wangja (9) Lil’ Patron
Eoma Eoma finally got the Graded race win his talent has always promised in the SBS Sports Sprint while Australian trainer Peter Wolsley saddled his fifth Korean Graded winner as Mr. Afleet took out the KRA Cup Classic on a big Sunday afternoon of action at Seoul Racecourse.
The SBS Sports Sprint (1200M-KOR G3) was one of the few Graded races that managed to get run in 2020 and on Sunday, Morfhis returned to defend his title while East Jet and Blue Chipper took their place in a star-studded lineup. Eoma Eoma was only 3rd in last year’s race but had progressed to such an extent in the meantime, including smashing the 1400M Seoul track record, that he was sent off as hot favourite, despite drawing the widest gate.
In the event, that draw meant that Eoma Eoma would be wide all the way around and would be tested every step of the way by East Jet as Alan Munro kept his Strike Again gelding, winner of last year’s SROA Trophy on the rail and in the lead throughout. Moon Se Young meanwhile on Eoma Eoma simply couldn’t find his way inside with not only East Jet but also Blue Chipper and Yeongung Louis keeping him outside.
Class told, as in the home straight and still wide, Eoma Eoma was relentless and despite a very game run by East Jet, Eoma Eoma eventually swept by just meters from the finishing line to win by half a length. It was a tenth career win on his twelfth start for the American bred four-year-old colt, who is by Algorithms and out of the Run Away And Hide mare Lignite.
East Jet was a strong 2nd while there was a potential breakout performance by lightly-raced three-year-old Yeongung Louis [Violence – Don’t Stop To Shop (Unbridled’s Song)] in 3rd. It proved a hard day at the office though for defending champion Morfhis, who ran 5th, and even harder for Blue Chipper, who faded to 9th. It’s a first Graded win for Eoma Eoma, but few would back it being the last.
An hour later, once more the widest gate prevailed as Mr. Afleet won the 36th running of the KRA Cup Classic (2000M-KOR G2).
The 2019 Korea Cup winner Moonhak Chief led from the gate, but Mr. Afleet [Afleet Alex – In Escrow (Vindication)] took command in the home straight and saw off the attentions of the up and comer Haengbok Wangja to claim victory by a nose in a photo-finish.
Moonhak Chief would fade to 7th while Cheongdam Dokki, seeking a third win in the race after victories in 2017 and 2018 briefly showed just behind the leaders but ultimately weakened to last (an initial post-race check showed no obvious issues). With Tiz Plan also misfiring, there was a sense of a possible changing of the guard although the six-year-old Jjang Kong running 3rd and the evergreen eight-year-old Shamrocker, a remarkable 4th quickly belied that idea.
Speaking after the race, winning jockey Seo Seung-un told in-house broadcaster KRBC that everything went to plan “The draw wasn’t good, but I was surprised how easy it was to get to the position that I wanted to be in. I followed Moonhak Chief across and from then on it was simple.” When quizzed on whether he thought he and Mr. Afleet would be back in the winner’s circle at Seoul in December’s Grand Prix Stakes, Seo had something else in mind. “Of course, the Grand Prix is the target but he is eligible for the (Busan) Owners’ Cup (1600M on November 21st) so they might go there, but I just hope for the Grand Prix” before adding: “it isn’t up to me, anyway.”
Seo Seung-un will be traveling back to Busan minus a substantial percentage of his winnings after stewards penalized him to the tune of $1,000 for unacceptable whip use in the home straight. Haengbok Wangja’s jockey Kim Yong-geun was also found guilty and punished for the same offence. In their ungainly windmilling, both were lucky they didn’t unbalance their mounts to the extent of taking them out of contention and both thoroughly deserve their (lenient) punishment.
It was another training triumph for Peter Wolsley, who back in 2007 became the first foreign trainer to be granted a license in Korea. It took him several years of sheer hard graft to establish himself, but in January last year Mr. Afleet chalked up Wolsley’s 500th Korean winner. On Sunday, the same horse gave him his fifth Korean Graded Stakes winner and his first since Bold Kings came to Seoul and won the Grand Prix Stakes in 2015. This coming Boxing Day, Mr. Afleet may just make the unassuming man from Bendigo a two-time Grand Prix winner.
There is double Group race action at Seoul on Sunday afternoon (sadly behind-closed-doors) with the SBS Sports Sprint at the KRA Cup Classic. There are 9 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:10 to 17:30.
Cheongdam Dokki on his way to his second Cup Classic 3 years ago (Pic:KRA)
Blue Chipper returns to Seoul Racecourse on Sunday for the first time since winning the Korea Sprint in 2019, a victory which punched his ticket to Santa Anita where he went on to run 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He’s back at the Sprint distance of 1200M but runs slap bang into a host of Korea’s top sprint stars, including new star Eoma Eoma in the SBS Sports Sprint (KOR-G3).
Algorithms four-year-old Eoma Eoma took part in this race last year and ran a strong 3rd but has only got better in the intervening time, breaking the track record at 1400M and putting in a string of fine runs. He has drawn the outside gate but there is every reason to believe that won’t matter.
Blue Chipper draws well and after a frustrating campaign of giving away vast amounts of weight in handicaps during the Covid-relief racing period, finally gets to run at level weights. But even if he manages to see off Eoma Eoma, there is still plenty of other talent to deal with.
Morfhis won this race last year, powering home late under Johan Victoire. The draw doesn’t matter for him and in a race with lots of early speed, he may well take advantage. East Jet, from the inside gate is also a huge danger. He won the SROA Trophy last year at this distance and has posted formidable times.
Morfhis won the 2020 SBS Sports with Eoma Eoma in 3rd
An hour later, Cheongdam Dokki will bid for an unprecedented third victory in the KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) over 2000M at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as the popular chestnut heads the field for the 36th running of the race.
Winner in 2017 and 2018 before running 2nd to Dolkong in 2019 (there was no race in 2020 due to the pandemic), the now seven-year-old Cheongdam Dokki made his first start for trainer Tony Castenheira three weeks ago when successfully holding off the fast-finishing Jjang Kong to return to the winner’s circle over 1800M. He faces a star-studded set of rivals on Sunday.
Korea Cup 2019 winner Moonhak Chief returns to action for the first time since May as does Tiz Plan, who knows a thing or two about lowering Cheongdam Dokki’s colours, having defeated him in last year’s Busan Mayor’s Cup. All three horses will very much appreciate being back running under weight for age conditions after a year of giving away significant weight in handicaps.
The up-and-coming Haengbok Wangja enters off a seven-race winning streak, made even more remarkable by the fact that he failed to win any of his first seven starts. The Daerdevil colt dips his toe into elite waters for the first time, but such has been the manner of his recent rise that he may even start the race as betting favourite.
Five horses have travelled up from Busan and the two best south-coast hopes are both trained by Peter Wolsley. Mr. Afleet is a winner of nine from fourteen and while he will have to overcome having drawn the widest gate, he enters in form and will have plenty of backers. So too will his stablemate Hunch, the biggest winner from the barrier draw, and a big winner at this distance in Busan in the summer.
Here is the race-by-race for both meetings:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens to kick things off with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. We will side with experience for the top two picks though. (5) LUCKY INDY ran 5th on debut on September 19th, sitting handy and briefly leading before being passed. It was promising enough, and she draws well to get forward today and has fair claims. So too does probable favourite (10) RAON THE WEEKEND. Having won a trial in August, she led for much of the way around on debut on September 18th, ultimately weakening and finishing 5th. The draw is not ideal for her here but if she can get to the front here, she may be difficult to pass. Among the first timers, (4) YONGHOJIMA is the pick. He went through a couple of trials and significantly improved in the second of them, running 3rd in a decent time on a dry track He draws nicely here and surely goes well. (6) TEUKBYEOL trialed up behind the likes of Moonhak Chief and Tiz Plan. She didn’t get involved with those and went around at the back, completing the course competently and in a fair time. The jockey booking will cause plenty to take note. (1) GRAND POWER went through two trials, going well in both.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Quite a good standard maiden this with plenty looking capable of winning. We will go with (9) STELLA ROAD, who has been knocking on the door across her four starts so far, finishing between 2nd and 4th in each of them. She has the fastest time among these at the distance and in a race devoid of much early speed, she can get on pace or handy and is just about the one to beat. (5) GEOSEN GISANG has finished in 5th place in both starts so far, both at this distance and in fair times, beating a couple of today’s rivals last time. She has a fast start comparable to most here and from a good draw can be on pace and improve. (6) SWEET CAMP was an improved 2nd at start number two on September 19th when she led for much of the way around. She’ll be on pace again and can go close again. (1) YES I CAN came from well back to run on well for 2nd in good time on September 4th and he too has claims to match or even better that from the same gate. (4) FAST TRACK comes up in trip for the first time and may benefit.
Selections
(9) Stella Road (5) Geosen Gisang (6) Sweet Camp (1) Yes I Can
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
1, 5, 6, 9
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(9) BYEOLBIT MARU broke through at start number three with a comprehensive score over 1000M on September 19th when she settled just behind the leaders before taking things up at the top of the straight and running away from the field. She comes up in both class and in distance today, but the manner of that win suggests there is more to come. (6) DAEJIUI YEOGEOL was a class and distance winner on September 18th, settling back in the field and making good ground in the straight. She has mixed her form but has run consistent times and can be a threat here. (12) GWANGYANG EUTTEUM got his maiden win at this distance at class 6 level and then ran a good class and distance 3rd place having led for much of the way on October 2nd. The draw is not ideal here, but she has run good times already and has a winning chance again. (11) POWER BOX has shown plenty of speed in a 4th place and a win at class 6 level. He led during that win, so the draw isn’t ideal, and he is up in both class and distance but looks to have potential for more development. (4) GREAT THUNDER is consistent and another sure to be involved at the business end of the race.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile filly maidens here with nine of the twelve racing for the very first time. It’s from those first timers that we find our favourite and top pick, (3) ILBEONJI. The Cowboy Cal filly looked very assured when leading all the way in her trial, cantering home with minimal urging in a good time. Drawing well here, she can lead all the way. On the same day, (4) SEOGWI PLUS also trialed up. She was ridden a little harder in her heat but once she had shaken off the rest was allowed to cruise to the line, stopping the clock in the exact same time as Ilbeonji would thirty minutes later. Ilbeonji goes on top here due to having done the same time in less effort, but it would be no surprise if Seogwi Plus put up a stiff challenge. (8) GREEN PAPAGO trialed up nicely behind an experienced trial winner, running on pleasingly enough. With an apprentice claim she has a feather weight on her back and can run well first-up. Among the experience (12) QUEEN’S DAERO ran a good 4th on debut over 1000M in a fair time three weeks ago. She drew wide that day too and should be aiming to match or better here. (11) WISH LUCK took a while to get going on debut but should have come on for the experience and can improve on her 8th place.
Selections
(3) Ilbeonji (4) Seogwi Plus (8) Green Papago (12) Queen’s Daero
Next Best
11, 6
Fast Start
3, 4, 5, 12
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies only here and a very competitive race with all but one having finished no worse than 6th in their latest outing and with four up in class last start winners. Really a case can be made for any of them, but we have to decide so we will go for the least experienced, (3) MENIFEE MUSIC to continue to improve. She is one of the up in class ones following a maiden win at start number two over 1200M on September 11th. She worked her way from gate nine to get on the speed that day and ran on well and can be competitive here. (11) DIECO is super consistent with eleven top-five finishes from sixteen starts. She comes in off a good 2nd place over 1300M last start and her solitary win to date came from this gate three starts back. (7) BAEDARI CANDY didn’t run badly when tried at 1700M last time out but should be better today. She won at class and distance in a fast time on August 15th and while she carries more weight this time, should be firmly in the hunt. (12) MAGIC TIDE remains a maiden after six attempts but ran on very strongly from the back for 3rd over 1200M at this class on her latest start and may appreciate the step up in distance here. (1) LAPEIO BAN, another up in class, is one of several others with equal claims.
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Maidens, and stepping up to a mile for the first time, (11) CATCH THE SUN is the favourite. She has finished in the top five on all five of her starts so far and looks to be working towards a win following a good runner-up finish over 1400M on October 3rd, when she settled handy and ran on well behind a good winner. Her times have been consistent, the draw doesn’t look a problem and she may take some beating. (5) MAJOR FORCE came home in 3rd place behind Catch The Sun in that 1400M race three weeks ago, when she came from well back in the field. That was her best finish in eleven starts and she may well be ready for another attempt on a mile here. (3) NORTHERN LIGHTS has been consistent in recent outings and beat a couple of these on her way to 5th place over 1400M on September 19th. From a good draw, she should be aiming for better here. (4) ANY LINE and (8) OMEGA GIRL are others in the placing frame.
Selections
(11) Catch The Sun (5) Major Force (3) Northern Lights (4) Any Line
Horse Racing in Korea 