Lala K

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 20)

There are 11 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Lala K will be the main attraction as he kicks off his three-year-old campaign in the class 3 race 10. Here are the previews:

Lala K goes around on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. After winning an October trial, (2) RUN WILD debuted over 1200M on December 10th and raced on pace before running a very close 2nd in a fair time. He gets a good draw here and has every chance of going one better. (6) DONGJIN BULPAE was a close 4th on his debut at 1200M on December 31st. He was doing his best work late and like Run Wild, should have derived benefit from the experience. (5) YONGAM SESANG debuted last August and ran 2nd to Hangang Crown over 1000M in a quick time with a very fast final furlong. He hasn’t raced since but looked well in a trial last month and he can be competitive first up. (1) RAON THE SPRINTER likewise returns five months after his most recent start. He won a trial at the turn of the year and can also be involved. Among the first-timers, trial winner (11) GIANT STEP perhaps offers the most appeal.

Selections(2) Run Wild (6) Dongjin Bulpae (5) Yongam Sesang (1) Raon The Sprinter
Next Best11, 8
Fast Start1, 2, 9, 11

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (7) QUERER ran 2nd on debut over 1000M in October and has subsequently finished in 6th place twice, most recently on Christmas Day when beating a couple of today’s rivals. That form, while not exactly world beating, is significantly better than anything else here has produced, and she will be a heavy favourite. The only other one to have picked up any prize money at all is (3) B.K. BELLE. She could only manage 9th place in that Christmas Day race but if we go on her 4th place at start number two in November, then she has to be in with a shout here. It gets patchy after that, but something has to finish 3rd although it really is hard to make a case with any conviction. (1) JILJU CHEONHA should at least be on pace from a good draw, and they might not all get past. (2) NATURAL SOUND and (5) MAGIC SOUND – the latter on the grounds of having done the least wrong by only racing once – other potentials.

Selections(7) Querer (3) B.K. Belle (1) Jilju Cheonha (2) Natural Sound
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start1, 5, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

The form here is much better than in the previous race but there will still be a warm favourite. That’s (1) SMART CLAIR who comes in off a close 2nd place over this distance on December 23rd when handy throughout. He has only missed the top-five on one occasion and today should be his day. Plenty of others come in with a win in them though. (7) STUNNING MONEY came close on December 10th when well beaten by a good winner (My Khan) but with clear daylight back to 3rd. A similar run here will put him in the finish. (11) GROUPER is done no favours by the draw here but if he can get a bit of luck at the start and find a decent position close to the pace, he can be in this a long way. (6) NAEGILUI LEADER and (5) TESTA BLUE among others who it would be no surprise to see in the mix.

Selections(1) Smart Clair (7) Stunning Money (11) Grouper (6) Naegilui Leader
Next Best5, 9
Fast Start2, 6, 9, 11

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

Twelve three-year-old imported maidens go around here with six of the twelve racing for the first time. (4) BULTANEUN SIMJANG is the one to beat. After impressing in trials, he was sent off as favourite on debut in a similar race to this back on November 18th but while he finished off well, he could only make it up into 2nd place. He’s had nine-weeks off since then, and with some natural improvement, he can go one better. (10) GLOBAL CLASS came from well off the pace to run 5th in a very quick race on debut on December 16th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can be a danger late here. (1) YEONGWON BIG MAN was similarly 5th on debut the same day but comes into a much better gate this time and can get closer. Among the first-time starters, (12) DRAGON BULPAE and (3) MIGHTY NIC ran 1st and 2nd in a December trial with little between them and both can go well first-up. 

Selections(4) Bultaeneun Simjang (10) Global Class (1) Yeongwon Big Man (12) Dragon Bulpae
Next Best3, 11
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

Lala K Bounces Back in Style at Seoul While Hangang Class is all Class at Busan

Lala K brushed off his first career defeat a month ago and showed his formidable late speed to return to the winner’s circle in the second leg of the Juvenile Series, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But at Busan, hot favourite Baekduui Kkum suffered a shock defeat as Hangang Class secured victory in the southern track’s equivalent race, the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L).

Lala K dominated the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Lala K’s come from behind win in the Rookie Stakes at the end of August bizarrely went around the world even beyond racing circles, but the eccentric grey youngster couldn’t follow up when sent off as favourite for the opening leg of the Juvenile Series proper, the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, on October 8th. However, with that day’s winner and runner-up, Nice Time and Eclipse Berry, both absent, Lala K once more began the prohibitive favourite.

This time there was no mistake. Lala K was slow to begin but there was no panic from jockey Yoo Seung-wan who kept him inside with cover as Flying Star set the early pace. Once the field straightened up, jockey Yoo unleashed Lala K down the centre and he proved far too strong, running on to win by a full five-lengths from Ziggurat in 2nd and the previously unexposed Geuma Momentous in 3rd.

NACF Chairman’s Trophy finish (Pic: KRA)

“Lala K has become somewhat famous, so I admit I was nervous.” Jockey Yoo Seung-wan, one of the quieter members of the weighing room who is known for his self-deprecation, told in-house broadcaster KRBC after the race. “But (Nice Time and Eclipse Berry) were absent so it was easier this time. There was a lot of early speed in this race so my idea was to get out as forward as possible. It didn’t work out like that but just like in the Rookie Stakes, the horse was able to save energy.”

“(Lala K) is two years old. We don’t want to do too much or try to force things.” Yoo continued. “We want him to run at three and at four and five, so if you ask too much of them as a juvenile, they get injured or sick. So, we are just training and looking ahead to the future.”

At Busan there was a surprise as Baeukduui Kkum, the dominant winner of both the Rookie Stakes and the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes, the latter the first leg of the Juvenile Series on the south coast, came unstuck in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy. The filly was sent off the 1.6 favourite, but it was Hangang Class, a 10/1 chance, who won on debut but was 4th in the Areumdaun Jilju, who took a comprehensive five-length win.

“What particularly pleased me today was how he dealt with the kick back” winning jockey Park Jae-I told KRBC. “He hadn’t experienced that before, and it is a true test when they receive that sand. He came through it well.”

Doctor Kingdom, 2nd in both the Busan Rookie Stakes and Areumdaun Jilju Stakes took a third consecutive runner-up finish as Baekduui Kkum could only manage 3rd.

Seoul and Busan will come together for the concluding leg of the Juvenile Series in the Breeders’s Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday December 10th. Lala K and Hangang Class will be there.

Juvenile Series Part 2 Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (November 5)

The Juvenile Series continues at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday afternoon with the two tracks having their final separate races before they come together for the Breeders’ Cup finale in December. Baekduui Kkum will be hot favourite for the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy at Busan having won both the Rookie Stakes and Areumdaun Jilju Stakes, while at Seoul, with the first two home in the Monhwa Ilbo Trophy not in attendance, Lala K will be favoured to get back to winning ways. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:50 to 16:35. Here are the previews:

Lala K will be expected to return to winning ways at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies in the opener with all but one racing for the first time. (3) WONDERFUL PASS gets the nod having won her trial in a fair time on October 20th when racing handy throughout. She draws nicely here and if she brings that form to the races, she can win. (9) NESSUN DORMA came through the same trial, finishing 2nd lest than a length in arrears. She had led for much of the way around so she has to contend with a slightly wide draw here, but she should be competitive. (7) RAON PANORAMA went through two trials and showed a bit more maturity in the second of them when a close 3rd in an average time. That’s enough to put her in contention here. (6) SHACKLE POINT and (2) BRGHT HANSEN others who hinted at ability in their respective heats.

Selections(3) Wonderful Pass (9) Nessun Dorma (7) Raon Panorama (6) Shackle Point
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(3) WINNER DRAGON looks the one to beat here. He has a 2nd place to his name and comes in off a last start 3rd over this distance on October 7th when he settled midfield and ran on, not going down by much. He has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin and may prove hard to beat this time. (8) HAKSAN MACHO has shown steady progress across three starts so far, most recently 4th over this distance on October 7th when settling right back and running on. He has a good finish on him and can run into some money again. (10) HEY MAMA has a couple of 3rd places in her recent form and with Johan climbing aboard today can aim for the places. (11) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG and newcomer (4) DREAM CARD are others who could potentially go close.

Selections(3) Winner Dragon (8) Haksan Macho (10) Hey Mama (11) Seongsil Yeongung
Next Best4, 1
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies and mares only here (7) STARTER was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on October 7th and duly obliged, leading every step of the way and crossing the line three-lengths to the good in a quick time. She comes up in both class and distance today, but neither should be an issue, and in restricted filly and mare company, she will be strongly favoured to maintain her 100% record. (11) TAEPYEONG FIGHTER got her maiden two starts back over this distance before running 2nd on her first try at this class on October 9th. She likes to race handy so she has to deal with the wide draw as well as an additional 3kg on her back, but she can go close again. (4) AL SIMON has been working her way back into form in recent efforts and there is no reason why she can’t come off the pace to at least match her last starts 3rd. (10) SMART SOCKS and (3) HAPPY PLAY others to keep safe.

Selections(7) Starter (11) Taepyeong Fighter (4) Al Simon (10) Smart Socks
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start5, 7, 8, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(3) CHARMING BEST took a couple of goes to find his feet but has looked to be figuring things out in his latest two with a 4th and most recently a 2nd place over this distance. Last time out he led for much of the way and stopped the clock in a time significantly quicker than any of today’s rivals have managed. He draws well and should win. (7) KING FIGHTER too comes in off a good 2nd place at this distance on October 6th when he led until the closing stages. An apprentice keeps the weight down and he should be on pace and in this a long way once more. (6) WONDERFUL ONE raced well for 3rd over 1300M two weeks ago. He makes a quick return here and can be in the finish again. (8) LAND BANK and (11) COLONEL FLYING are among plenty of other placing chances.

Selections(3) Charming Best (7) King Fighter (6) Wonderful One (8) Land Bank
Next Best11, 5
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 9

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

The favourite here will be (4) ONE SPEAR. He got his maiden win two starts back over 1400M and then ran a strong 3rd over this class and distance on October 7th when settling right back and then finishing off smoothly.  He draws slightly better today to be ridden perhaps in midfield and he can use his strong finish to return to the winner’s circle. (8) ARGO MUJEOK comes back in trip after middling efforts at slightly further. The last time he raced at 1300M he won, albeit at class 6, and he can be a danger here. (10) EINSPANNER hasn’t quite lived up to his impressive debut but comes in off a front-running 3rd place over 1200M and will probably cross and attempt to lead again. If he can find a forward position and save some energy, then he can be in this a long way. (3) NAOL SKY and (11) CHADOL RUN other possibles.

(more…)

JUVENILE SERIES: LALA K ROLLED AS NICE TIME CLAIMS MUNHWA / BAEKDUUI KKUM SCORES AT BUSAN

A precocious, slightly uncontrollable, and still unbeaten grey two-year-old made his way into the winner’s circle as expected following the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, the first leg of the Juvenile Series at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But it wasn’t Lala K, whose exploits in August’s Rookie Stakes went around the world. Instead, Nice Time was the grey who emerged with his reputation enhanced and unbeaten record intact.

Lala K can only manage 3rd as Nice Time defeats Eclipse Berry in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Last to first Rookie Stakes winner Lala K was sent off as favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo (1200M KOR-L). There was never any likelihood of the same kind of fireworks as in the Rookie Stakes, a situation that came about because of an unfortunate start leaving him a long way behind. This time, Lala K began well but from gate nine was quickly caught in no-man’s land four-wide. It was not a promising platform from which to launch any kind of challenge.

Outsider Gana Power led from the gate with Eclipse Berry joining him. Gana Power gave way at the top of the straight leaving the Rookie Stakes 3rd placegetter along with Vincero Cavallo out in front. The latter was quickly beaten and with Lala K struggling to go through the gears, it seemed Eclipse Berry was set to win.

Nice Time is another…eccentric…grey (Pic: KRA)

That was to reckon without Nice Time. Like Lala K, he came into the race two for two and was sent off as second favourite. Under Kim Dong-soo, he tracked Lala K in the early stages, also racing wide, before coming past on the turn and launching a late charge, catching, and passing Eclipse Berry in the shadow of the post.

Nice Time is by Overanalayze and is out of the Tenpins mare Country Club Sue. He was a KRW 105 Million purchase by his owner, Park Nam-sung, at last year’s KTBA October Sale. He is trained by Moon Byeong-ki, who only gained his license last year and was winning his first Listed race. For jockey Kim Dong-soo, it was a second big race win having won the Busan Ilbo Sprint on Silver Wolf in 2018.

As for Lala K, while he won’t be going viral this time, he may benefit from the experience of having been in the kickback for the first time. He still finished strongly for 3rd place and there is plenty more racing to come.

Busan also hosted its first leg of the Juvenile Series, the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (1200M KOR-L). On the south coast the Rookie Stakes winner did oblige as filly Baekduui Kkum, sauntered to an easy victory.   

Sent off as the odds-on favourite following her four-length score in August’s Rookie, this time it was even more straightforward for Baekduui Kkum. Franco Da Silva, who is enjoying a golden year in the saddle, stalked the early leader before briefly giving Badauui Kkum her head in the home straight and she didn’t need long to establish her superiority, cruising across the line five-lengths to the good of Doctor Kingdom, who also chased her home in the Rookie.

Baekduui Kkum and Franco Da Silva win the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Baekduui Kkum is by Uncaptured and is out of the Discreet Cat mare Baekdu Cat. She was a KRW 30 Million purchase from the KTBA November 2022 sale by owner Hong Kyung-pyo, who is best known for top sprinter Ssonsal. She is trained by Lee Sang-young, also the current trainer of Ssonsal.

Seoul and Busan will also hold separate races for the second leg of the Juvenile Series on November 5th, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul and the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy at Busan, both over 1200M. The best of the two track’s two-year-olds will then come together at Busan on December 10th for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) and a huge KRW 700 Million purse. Nice Time and Baekduui Kkum will surely be there, but will Lala K?

Next week the there is Stakes race action at Seoul on Sunday afternoon with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) with rivals Winner’s Man and Tuhonui Banseok set to clash once more.

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 8)

The viral superstar Lala K returns to the track as the Juvenile Series kicks off with the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon (live on the KRBC International YouTube channel). Busan also hosts its opening leg of the Juvenile Series with the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes. See here fore a preview of both races. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 17:00, Here is the race-by-race:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with all but one having raced before. (4) HERE I AM will start the hot favourite having improved to 2nd place in a quick time at start number two on September 3rd when racing handy throughout. He draws well here and should prove too strong. (10) HWASANGWIHWA similarly improved last time out at what for him was start three in which he raced around in 2nd position all the way. The time was good, and a repeat will put him in the finish again. (9) SMART CLAIR has run fairly across three starts so far. She has been a touch one-paced but if he can settle midfield, he should pass a few late to take some money. (7) BAEDARI HYANGGI and (5) SMART CAT others in the minor money frame.

Selections(4) Here I Am (10) Hwasangwihwa (9) Smart Clair (7) Baedari Hyanggi
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Two standouts here. (10) GRAND SILVER gets the nod with steady improvement in recent outings culminating in a runner-up finish at this distance on September 10th when handy all the way. He won’t need to improve much here to win this. (1) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA came from off the pace to run an improved 3rd over 1300M on September 17th. He has looked like he may appreciate a touch further and today he gets the chance to show it and is the main danger. (7) HEY MAMA beat Grand Silver two starts back and then beat three of the others who go here when repeating that finish on September 2nd over this distance. She’ll be on pace here and should be there or thereabouts again. (11) GEOMOON and (2) SANGIM DAEPYO among others in the placing hunt.

Selections(10) Grand Silver (1) Heuimangui Changa (7) Hey Mama (11) Geomoon
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 1: Class (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener on the south coast with all but two having raced before and it’s a tricky puzzle. As a result, we’ll take a chance on the solitary first timer. That’s (2) WORLD DRAGON who looked good when making all to cross the line first by a big margin in a decent time in a late-August trial. He draws nicely to lead on debut and can put in a bold first up showing. (7) BLACK SPRING ran 2nd in a quick time over 1000M on debut in July before finishing last in the Rookie Stakes on August 27th. His time wasn’t bad though and coming back into more amenable company, he can be given another chance. (3) BEOLMAUI MONSTER came from off the pace to run 2nd over 1000M on debut on September 1st. He was well beaten by a good winner, but he should have benefitted from the experience and the extra furlong can suit. (9) STRIDING MAN and (5) MACH MAN among plenty of others with the possibility of improvement.

Selections(2) World Dragon (7) Black Spring (3) Beolmaui Monster (9) Striding Man
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 5

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Having won a trial, (4) BRAVO PLAY was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on August 19th. He raced handy throughout, briefly touching the front in the straight but ultimately finished a close 3rd. He should have derived benefit from that experience and with some natural improvement, he looks the one to beat here. Both (5) GEOLJAK ONE and (2) MAGIC STRONG had poor days at the office when they came home 8th and 9th respectively when racing one another over this distance on August 27th. Both had shown ability prior, especially Geoljak One, who has a 2nd and a 3rd among four starts and the pair look to be the biggest dangers here. (6) STORM GUY did nothing on debut but has since been back to trial and looked well so could improve. (8) HAMPYEONG JANGMI another in the minor money frame.

Selections(4) Bravo Play (5) Geoljak One (2) Magic Strong (6) Storm Guy
Next Best8, 3
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(3) GOOD DADDY was unfancied on debut over 1200M and having come out of the widest gate, it looked as though that pessimism was justified as he sat at the back of the twelve-runner field and did little. Then came the closing stages where he made up excellent ground and finished 5th. He should improve for the run and the early step up to a mile could be very much in his favour in this very weak maiden. (4) COLONEL FLYING ran 2nd in August and then beat plenty of these when 3rd over 1400M on September 10th. We’ll need to draw a line through his latest on September 24th, but his prior form was superior to the rest here and he can be given another chance. He’s not alone in needing forgiveness for his most recent outing. (2) SINHAN GAMBLE was well back in the same race but his 5th at the start before is enough to make him a money chance here. Likewise (7) ROCKS and (8) TOMYRIS have had minor money finishes and could repeat.

Selections(3) Good Daddy (4) Colonel Flying (2) Sinhan Gamble (7) Rocks
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 8

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

Competitive race. (4) V QUEEN enters with recent form reading well with a 4th and a 3rd from her latest two, most recently at class and distance on September 10th when she settled right back and ran on well. She draws nicely here, she remains lightly weighted, and she has as good a chance as any. She has though won just one from thirty-three. (1) MR QUALITY may be yet to win at all, but he has proved competitive at this class in his latest two. He likes to get on pace and from a good draw he can lead and be in this a long way. (6) FINE DAY is another maiden but comes up in class here after too many near-misses at class 6. She comes down in weight and should be prominent here. (2) GEOSEN CHAMP and (8) BEST SUNSHINE among other placing chances.

(more…)

Lala K To Defend 100% Record as Juvenile Series Starts Sunday

Lala K, the striking grey two-year-old who shocked the world with his scarcely believable last to first run to win the Seoul Rookie Stakes in August, returns to action at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday as he seeks to maintain his 100% start to his career in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), the capital track’s first leg of the Juvenile Series.

Lala K (Pic: KRA)

Although the overall race time was not especially quick, Lala K’s figures as he went from out of sight at the back to out of sight at the front in the Rookie Stakes certainly held up to scrutiny. He may have been running at tiring and inexperienced young horses, but his final furlong time was one-tenth of a second quicker than that clocked by Remake when the Japanese star set a new track record in the International Group 3 Korea Sprint two weeks later.

Don’t necessarily expect a repeat of those come from behind antics on Sunday though as Lala K’s extraordinary finish was only rendered necessary after he received a big bump coming out of the gate which put him a long way back. On his debut appearance over 1000M in July, he broke cleanly and sat in 2nd place before pulling away from the field to win comfortably and jockey Yoo Seung-wan will probably have little appetite to do things the hard way again as Lala K seeks to go three for three.

LALA K will be sent off as hot favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo with Rookie Stakes 3rd ECLIPSE BERRY perhaps the main danger. She overcame the same wide gate as today to get on pace and ran on well. Aside from Lala K the only other unbeaten horse in the race is NICE TIME. The Overanalyze colt won on debut over 1000M in August before following up with a victory at class 5 level at today’s distance when settling midfield and running on. He has shown a decent final furlong turn of speed – not Lala K speed – but he looks to have scope to get better.

HANGANG CROWN was sent off as favourite for the Rookie Stakes but after showing prominently early endured a dismal final furlong to ultimately finish last. She had previously shown good speed and will be given another chance by plenty. VINCERO CAVALLO ran out a seven-length winner at this distance to get his maiden win on September 16th and is another who has potential.

While only two come back to face Lala K from that Rookie Stakes, some pointers to how that form is holding up will come on Saturday. Runner-up Dalbitjogaksa, who led all the way under Lala K cleaned her up, goes in Saturday’s class 4 race 7 over 1400M. while 4th place Flying Star runs in race 6 also at 1300M at class 5. One race earlier on Saturday, 5th place Geosen Bangyeok goes in race 5, also at class 5 over 1300M. All three are likely to be sent off as favourite.

For all the attention lavished on Lala K, Busan’s equivalent Rookie Stakes was probably the better race although only three who come out of it are among the eight who will contest Sunday’s Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (1200M KOR-Listed), Busan’s equivalent race to the Munhwa Ilbo (the two tracks’ juveniles only come together for the final race of the series, the Breeders’ Cup at Busan in December). They are headed by the impressive winner, BAEKDUUI KKUM, who having been handy throughout, eased away from his rivals to score by four-lengths.

Baekduui Kkum will be a strong favourite to score again. That day’s runner-up DOCTOR KINGDOM returns for another crack while the Bart Rice trainee CONTROLLER, with a win and two placings from three outings so far, is given his chance. The potential main danger though is Thomas Gillespie’s YEONGGWANGUI GLORY, a winner of both his starts so far at 1000M and 1200M and who draws very nicely on the inside to get to the lead again.

The Munhwa Ilbo Trophy is race 8 on the 10-race Sunday card at Seoul and will be broadcast live on the KRA’s KRBC International YouTube channel.

The Areumdaun Jilju Stakes is race 6 on the 7-race Sunday card at Busan.

Munhwa Ilbo Trophy Selections: (9) Lala K (11) Eclipse Berry (10) Nice Time (2) Vincero Cavallo

Areumdaun Jilju Stakes Selections: (2) Baekduui Kkum (1) Yeonggwangui Glory (3) Controller (6) Doctor Kingdom