The wait for a successor to Power Blade will stretch to at least a decade as KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Oasis Blue could only manage 5th as MY DREAM DAY won the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the final leg of the Crown, at Seoul Racecourse last Sunday afternoon.
My Dream Day and Seo Seung-un win the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
After his Cup Mile and Derby romps, Oasis Blue was sent off as the prohibitive 1.4 favourite even after a similarly short-priced prospect, Fantastic Value, failed in her bid to complete the Triple Tiara a week ago. Coming out of gate six, Jin Kyum positioned Oasis Blue prominent racing just behind the early pace which was set by Wonderful Groom and the favourite’s stablemate, Oasis Red.
My Dream Day, who was being partnered by Seo Seung-un for the first time since January, settled just behind the leading group, much closer than he had been in the Derby. Wonderful Groom gave way fast as they turned for home but instead of Oasis Blue, it was My Dream Day who made his move, striking the front just inside two furlongs out.
Storm Fighter and Young Skywalker would emerge as the closest challengers but never looked like getting on terms with the winner, who crossed the line three-quarters of a length to the good. Oasis Red was 4th with Oasis Blue 5th, a full eight-lengths behind My Dream Day.
While it was yet another big race win for jockey Seo Seung-un, making up perhaps for missing out on the Tiara last week, it was a first Classic for trainer Thomas Gillespie and his second Korean Group win since opening his stable in 2015.
Thomas Gillespie and My Dream Day connections (Pic: KRA)
Gilliespie has trained 367 winners from just under 3000 starters in Korea maintaining a win percentage of 12.5%. His previous Group win was in the 2016 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup with Ms. Margaux.
My Dream Day is by Save The World (by Menifee), who was campaigned by My Dream Day’s owner Shin Woo-cheol and who won the Covid-delayed 2020 Korean Derby in which he suffered an injury that led to his retirement. He is out of Coming Soon (by First Samurai). Runner-up in the Cup Mile and 4th in the Derby, his only previous win came at class 5 level over 1400M just before Christmas.
The wait for a successor to Power Blade goes on although there could be plenty more to come from Oasis Blue. Global Hit could only manage two out of the three Classics two years ago and so could Success Baekpa last year. They are currently the two best two-turn horses in the country.
Korean racing is about to enter its summer slumber, at least in terms of Graded Stakes, with only the Busan Owners’ Cup at the end of this month and the KRA Cup Classic at the start of August before the big international races at the start of September.
There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year with the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby having been won by Success Baekpa and Eunpa Sarang respectively, however, there is plenty to look forward to on Sunday as a full field of sixteen contest the final leg, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse. The big race is race 8 on an 11-race program at Seoul that runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:
Eunpa Sarang saluted in the Derby. He returns for Sunday’s Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience though and (5) RUN WILD, who raced twice across the turn of the year with a very close 2nd on debut at this distance followed by a midfield finish over 1300M. He trialled up fairly at the end of May settling back from a wide draw before running on and back at 1200M first up, can win. The best of the debut makers is (3) COING. It took him two trials – in consecutive weeks – to qualify, but he was much better in the second of them, winning it ahead of none other than Run Wild, leading all the way. He draws nicely and can put in a bold showing from the front here. (7) WITH DIS KURO ran 3rd on debut at this distance in April. It wasn’t a quick race but nine weeks on, he can have derived benefit from the experience and should be in this (2) SAEROUN GUY is next best but after that it is a struggle to make a case for another. Perhaps (6) COMMAND BLUE who trialled fairly could sneak a minor money finish.
Selections
(5) Run Wild (3) Coing (7) With Dis Kuro (2) Saeroun Guy
Next Best
6, 1
Fast Start
1, 2, 3, 5
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(11) MR. POWER enters off a much-improved 3rd place over this distance back in March when slow out and coming from well off the pace. He has had fifteen weeks off since then, so he comes in fresh, the wide draw won’t matter, and with Moon Se-young climbing up for the first time, today can be the day. (5) KHAS was a useful 4th on debut back in April. He has since been back to trial, coming through it in fine style, and he can be a danger here. (6) HANGANG CAPTAIN has shown progress across his three outings to date, most recently a 5th place on May 25th over this distance. That was his first appearance since January, and he can strip fitter here. (2) SMART NOTION and (9) YEONGWON GIANT are others in the hunt.
Selections
(11) Mr. Power (5) Khas (6) Hangang Captain (2) Smart Notion
Next Best
9, 10
Fast Start
2, 5, 8, 9
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) BINNANEUNGIL has raced four times, all of them last year and registered a 2nd place and three 4th place finishes despite racing very erratically on a couple of occasions. He has since been gelded and returns here having trialled up well in April. With better manners, he will take some beating. (8) SKY ARCH will be the second favourite. While only ordinary in her latest, she has a 2nd and a 3rd to her name as recently as April and she can settle back and be a danger late on here. Best of the first timers is (3) OASIS GREEN. She went through two trials, improving significantly in the second (which as a voluntary trial, may not appear in all racecards) when on pace and crossing the line 3rd in a fair time. From a good gate she can be on pace and in this a long way first-up. (6) WHITE OIL similarly trialled well enough and can be considered. (4) BORA CHAMP another of the experienced ones who can go well.
Selections
(2) Binnaneungil (8) Sky Arch (3) Oasis Green (6) White Oil
Next Best
4, 1
Fast Start
2, 3, 10, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) GREEN VIVACE enters off a 3rd place in a similar class and distance filly only race on May 18th when she drew gate ten and worked hard to get on pace. She comes up slightly in the weights but into a better gate and in this company should get a much easier run to the front and can win. That will mean overturning the form on (9) GANGCHEOL YEOGEOL, who won that May 18th race coming from off the pace. She comes up a full 4kg in the weights, but she warrants respect here. (6) BIG BRIDGE is yet to win but comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1200M and under a light weight she can measure up in this company. (5) TESTA RUBY and (3) BEAUTYWONDERFUL, also both up in class, are others in the hunt.
Selections
(7) Green Vivace (9) Gangcheol Yeogeol (6) Big Bridge (5) Testa Ruby
Next Best
3, 1
Fast Start
2, 3, 7, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Small but competitive field. (6) CHEONHA SARANG is yet to win in five but comes in having run a close 3rd over 1300M in his first try at this class on April 19th. He comes up 3kg in the weights in the absence of an apprentice claim, but Choi Si-dae climbs up and the colt has run well at this distance before. (1) OVER ENERGY is the main danger. The same apprentice who rode Cheonha Sarang last time gets on, keeping his weight similar to when he ran 2nd in a quick race at 1300M at this class on May 12th. He’ll be on pace and in this a long way. (3) DOCTOR WICKY is the other winning chance. He defied long odds to run 2nd at 1300M on May 26th having briefly led in the straight and warrants more respect today. (2) NAMDO ILDEUNG and (7) ZET CASH are the other placing chances.
Selections
(6) Cheonha Sarang (1) Over Energy (3) Doctor Wicky (2) Namdo Ildeung
Next Best
7, 5
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 6
Seoul Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s about time (5) RAON THE MAN returned to winning ways. Having won two of his first four to get promoted to this level, he is zero for five at class 4. He hasn’t run badly though with two 2nd places and two 3rd places and with CC climbing on, today can be his day. (1) CHAMJOEUN JILJU is the main danger. She comes in having beaten three of these on her way to 2nd place behind Baden Baden at this class and distance on May 18th when slightly slow away from a wide gate and then racing on pace. She carries the same light weight today but draws much better, and she should be in the finish. After two ordinary efforts at this level, (2) PURGE KING ran an improved 2nd when only narrowly defeated at class and distance on May 11th. He comes into a better gate today and Harry Kasim, who rode him for the first time that, day stays on. (9) YONGAM MARENGO and (8) DAEBAK STAR others in the frame.
Selections
(5) Raon The Man (1) Chamjoeun Jilju (2) Purge King (9) Yongam Marengo
Next Best
8, 3
Fast Start
1, 5, 6, 8
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Global Hit sealed his status as the nation’s top three-year-old as the Korean Derby winner produced another late surge up the inside to win the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday evening.
Global Hit beats stablemate Speed Young in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as third favourite in a full field of sixteen, Global Hit was unable to get to a forward position coming out of the gate when Uptown Whiz drifted in front of him. Instead, jockey Kim Hye-sun had to be patient and settle the Derby winner in midfield as Dokki Bulpae and betting favourite Naol Sniper set the pace.
Global Hit steadily improved as the field made their way down the backstraight and joined the leaders as they turned for home. Once in the straight, Global Hit quickly accounted for Naol Sniper and Dokki Bulpae and was left with only stablemate Speed Young to see off. This he did with a final furlong burst of speed that saw him cross the line two-lengths to the good. As ever late on the scene, Nut Play came home 3rd a full seven-lengths further in arrears.
“I am really happy. Global Hit is a very good horse and he proved that the Derby wasn’t just luck” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “I don’t really think I gave him due credit in my interview after the Derby, but I expected him to win this time. He has so much talent, and while his legs are not the strongest, the stable staff did such a good job in managing him and allowing him to show his ability.”
Asked about the start when Uptown Whiz crossed, impeding Global Hit from getting their desired position and whether it forced her to change tactics, Kim said she noted it. “As we came out the gap narrowed, I hesitated a little but decided not chase it, so we settled back a little bit further than planned, but ultimately it didn’t matter.”
Pic: KRA
For trainer Bang Dong-suk, it was a remarkable one-two with last year’s champion juvenile Speed Young running a redemptive race following lacklustre showings in both the Cup Mile and the Derby.
“I have to praise my jockeys.” Bang told KRBC. “They were great, but this is a whole team effort by everyone back at the stable. They worked hard to prepare this.” As for the future, the trainer was non-committal: “Global Hit has been through a lot with his legs, but they are both young and I am looking forward to what’s next.”
Jockey You Hyun-myung rode Speed Young to win the Breeders’ Cup and following a lengthy spell out after a bad injury in a race fall, was reunited with him in the Minister’s Cup. “The staff had told me he was back in form, and they were right. Global Hit was just too strong in the last 200M.”
Global Hit is by To Honor And Serve and is out of Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor). With the win he moved on to five wins from seven starts.
The Triple Crown concludes under the floodlights at Seoul on Saturday evening with the running of the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) Korean Derby winner Global Hit returns at the head of full field of sixteen. There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 14:45 to 18:00.
Global Hit won the Derby (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile filly maidens in the opener with all eleven racing for the first time. The hot favourite will be (5) DALBITJOGAKSA. She sat handy in her trial before running away from the field in the closing stages to cross the line in front by as many as she pleased in a quick time. She draws well, and if she brings anything like that form to the races, she will take some beating. (9) HAENGBOKHAN SEUNGJA showed a good bit of speed in her trial too, running 2nd behind an experienced racehorse. She sat just behind the early leaders and ran on well and should be in with a shout here. (6) GEUMAK JINJU similarly was 2nd in her heat, showing on the speed and should have supporters. (10) TAEPYEONG VISION won her heat and while the time wasn’t hugely quick and she does draw wide, that showing is enough to put her in the numbers here. (1) HAPPY ICTUS, who improved in the second of two trials (it may not be on all race cards) another who hinted at ability.
Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million
Maidens with northern hemisphere juveniles and southern hemisphere three-year-olds. Eight of the eleven race for the first time. (3) UWARYUNG was 2nd on debut at this distance on June 10th when settling midfield and running on. She was well beaten by the favourite, Spurt Bit, who has since gone on to win again, but she posted a good time and with some natural improvement, she can be the one to beat here. Of the first-time starters, (11) I’M JJANG is the pick. He went through two trials, running fairly for 4th in the first of them and then going through a voluntary one (which may not appear in all race cards) in May, which he won. In a quick time, settling midfield and running on. Moon Se-young is aboard, and he will have plenty of backers. (10) ULTRA DRAGON was slowly away in his first trial and missing the qualifying time, but he was much improved in a second one, leading all the way to win the heat in a good time. The draw is not ideal but if he brings that form to the races, he can go close. (4) MIGHTY JJANG and (8) ENDING FIRE others in the hunt.
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(1) GANGPUNGMA debuted on June 11th and having settled back in midfield, finished strongly for a creditable 3rd place. The time was quicker than any of the others have posted for this distance, and he should have derived benefit from the experience. He draws better this time, he should be closer to the speed, and he has solid claims. (4) AUSTIN LEADER may sound like a regional Texas newspaper, but he’s shown some ability across three starts so far, especially in his last start 2nd over this distance when he led almost the entire way around, just getting headed late on. He comes into a better gate today, can lead again, and can once more be in things a long way. (3) NAOL DAEWANG has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, both at this distance. In the first he came from well off the pace while in the second he was ridden much handier. Expect the latter today and he has a strong finish on him. (11) GEOMUI JEONSEOL and (2) TAEPYEONGMU others who come in with recent form reading well.
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(10) SIDAEUI MYEONGJAK’s last start 2nd in a good time over this distance is enough to put him on top here. He has only put in one bad run in five and that latest effort on June 25th saw him race handy and only go down narrowly to a long shot. The draw isn’t the best, but he should have enough about him to find a decent position again and if he does, he is the one to beat. (11) DAONDI beat Sidaeui Myeongjak two starts back when the pair ran 2nd and 5th over 1200M on May 28th. He didn’t run on in his subsequent start at this distance in June but is worth another chance here. (1) JANGHEUNG CLASS is another who will need a line drawn through his latest when he had a wide gate and used up plenty of energy getting close to the lead before weakening. Form a better draw and with Moon Se-young aboard, he will be backed. (5) NAOL JEONGSANG, who returns for the first time since a promising debut last Christmas Day, is the wildcard, while (3) FLYING ZEST was a useful 4th at start number two last time out and can build on that here.
Sunday sees the final leg of the 2022 Korean Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup. Click here for a full preview of the big race. The Cup is the highlight of a 10-race Sunday program at Seoul which runs from 10:45 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:35 to 16:30. Here is the race-by-race:
Might Cup Mile winner Captain Yankee appreciate the 2000M of the Minister’s Cup? (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Maiden three-year-olds to open the card. (5) CHADOL RUN will be the favourite based on his 3rd place over this distance on May 15th when he settled back in a similarly small field and then ran on well. He has previously posted a faster time at this distance and in this limited company looks the one to beat. (3) CASH BACK has two 3rd places to his name including at this latest start at this distance on March 6th. That’s enough to put him in contention here and he comes in fresh and down 3kg with an apprentice claim. (1) JEWELRY BEST was an improved 4th and from the inside gate can drop back and run on here. (4) BARAMSAL and (2) TIGER ZONE other potentials.
Selections
(5) Chadol Run (3) Cash Back (1) Jewelry Best (4) Baramsal
Next Best
2, 7
Fast Start
3, 5, 6, 8
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(3) FLASH THUNDER went back to trial following his debut race in March and looked assured on his return when leading for much of the way around over 1300M on May 14th. He should have come on from that, will benefit from the slight drop in trip, and from a good draw can lead all the way this time. (1) POSA POSA has mixed his form across eleven starts to date with the best being a 2nd place over 1400M back in March. An apprentice claims 3kg here and from a good draw, he should be in this a long way. (2) MIGHTY ANN ran an improved 3rd at start number three over 1200M on May 14th. She looks nicely in here and won’t need to improve much to match or better that finish. (4) BIG ENERGY has found some consistency in his latest starts with a 3rd and two 4th placed finishes. He has run fair times at this distance and from a decent draw looks to have a chance here. (6) BURUI SINHWA has been back to trial since his latest outing and looked well enough when running 2nd in a fair time in a decent heat in May.
Selections
(3) Flash Thunder (1) Posa Posa (2) Mighty Ann (4) Big Energy
Next Best
6, 7
Fast Start
2, 3, 7, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(10) WIND CROSS has shown consistency across his four starts so far culminating in a runner up finish at this distance at his latest start on April 24th. He has the fastest time among these at the distance by some margin and looks hard to go past here and will be a hot favourite. (1) HOLLYWOOD PARTY did improve at start number two, running 5th of ten over this distance on April 29th. She draws nicely to get a soft run to the lead and should be going closer today. (9) SINUI JEONSA ran 3rd behind Wind Cross in that April 24th race. Unlike the favourite, he has raced since and while he didn’t go well that day, weakening badly after leading, he can be given another chance in this company. (4) PRETTY CHARM has hinted at ability across her four outings so far and along with (7) SORI TAPEUNG looks a place chance here.
Selections
(10) Wind Cross (1) Hollywood Party (9) Sinui Jeonsa (4) Pretty Charm
Next Best
7, 3
Fast Start
1, 9, 10, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Tricky race. We’ll take a chance on (10) ONLY WINNER. True, he has been anything but a winner in fifteen starts so far, but he has eight top-four finishes to his name, and he runs on well. The wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and he can be considered here. The probable favourite is (12) JISANGUN. He can mix his form but has posted some decent times over 1200M and 1400M. This is his first try at 1300M. He does tend to go best when on pace so he may need a touch of luck in the early stages from the widest gate, but he has the speed to get a good position. (3) BARAMGWA HAMKKE had a poor day at the office on his latest start back in April. He has since been back to trial which he won, making all in a fair time, and from a good draw can be back to some semblance of form today. (7) WONDERFUL STORM and (9) DESK TAP others in the minor money frame.
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies only here and (4) YASAENGHWA looks the one to beat. She got her maiden win at start number two over this distance on April 29th when she sat handy early, before taking the lead turning into the home straight, and then running away from the field to score as easily as she pleased. She then ran a good 2nd on her first try at this class over 1400M. She comes back in trip, gets a much better gate and should be hard to get past. (9) PYEONGHWA CHUKJE comes up in class after registering her maiden win on her third career appearance on May 13th when she led early, then sat handy, before rallying strongly. Nicely weighted here, she should be challenging for the early lead and can surely measure up at this level. (11) NAMED enters off back-to-back 4th places at this class and has run a decent time from a wide draw over this distance before. (3) BORAMI beat Named two starts back and while up 4kg from her 4th place at 1200M on May 13th, can be considered too. (2) PICTURE JASPER another in the placing hunt.
Selections
(4) Yasaenghwa (9) Pyeonghwa Chukje (11) Named (3) Borami
Next Best
2, 8
Fast Start
3, 4, 9, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(9) SOJUNGHAN DANGSIN got promoted to this class without a win but showed she belongs with a runner-up finish at class and distance on May 8th when she was in 2nd place the entire way around. Like a number of others here, she is very nicely treated by the handicap here and has every chance of getting that maiden win today. That applies to (2) K N POST too. It took her a couple of goes to figure things out, but she gets promoted to this level following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M. Her style has been to go back and then tun on and the extended trip today may just suit her. (3) NINE EYE is another maiden but has run 2nd on no fewer than five occasions. He hinted at a return to form when 4th over 1300M at his latest start on May 28th and he can be close here. (7) SMART POWER and (8) GOLD WING are others who can enter the calculations.
Selections
(9) Sojunghan Dangsin (2) K N Post (3) Nine Eye (7) Smart Power
Next Best
8, 4
Fast Start
5, 7, 8, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Small but competitive field. (4) LINE BREAKER comes up in class having secured her maiden win over 1300M on May 15th. That win had been coming as she had been getting progressively closer and while this is harder, she has run well at this distance before. She should be on pace and can win. (5) CHEONNYEONUIGUREUM is yet to win in a full twenty-three starts but has twelve top-five finishes and has been a model of consistency of late. She overcame the widest draw to run a very good 5th at this distance last time out on May 29th and she will be there or thereabouts again today. (6) GREAT CAPTAIN comes up in class having made all to win over 1300M on May 8th. Just like Line Breaker, that win had been coming and she should measure up at this class especially with the same apprentice who partnered her last time, claiming 3kg. (9) GOSUUI POWER and (2) ECHO LADY among others who can go close.
Selections
(4) Line Breaker (5) Cheonnyeonuigureum (6) Great Captain (9) Gosuui Power
The Korean Triple Crown of 2022 reaches its climax on Sunday afternoon and while the Triple Crown itself isn’t on the line, champion three-year-old honours very much are as KRA Cup Mile winner Captain Yankee and Derby winner Winner Star are among a full sixteen-strong field in the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2).
Winner Star won the Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
Captain Yankee was a 40/1 winner of the first jewel, the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan on April 17th, launching a late run to thread through leaders Complete Value and Seungbusa to score. Winner Star was an impressive winner of the Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul on May 15th, swooping from a handy position and winning by two lengths from Seungbusa and Captain Yankee.
This time they have an additional furlong to contend with as well as a maximum field of sixteen. In addition to Winner Star and Captain Yankee, Seungbusa, with a 3rd and a 2nd from Cup Mile and Derby returns, as does Complete Value, last year’s champion juvenile, who was sent off as favourite for both races, finishing 2nd and 6th. A bold showing in the final leg can’t be ruled out from the son of Girolamo and he could end up being sent off as favourite again.
Wow Wow and Tiz Barows produced strong Derby performances and may appreciate the additional distance while among those who skipped one or both of the first two legs of the series, Beomi Naeyeo Onda and Burui Geom look perhaps the most likely to step up.
Beomi Naryeo Onda will be ridden by Franco Da Silva, one of four foreign jockeys to have rides in the race. Djordje Perovic will partner Winner Star, as he did in their Derby success, while Johan Victoire will be aboard Tiz Barows, and David Breux on Nubi Gangja.
The Minister’s Cup is race 8 on a 10-race program at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. Here is the horse-by-horse:
1. FLYING THE CHAMP [Cowboy Cal – Thebignbadestbunny (Smart Strike)]
5(2/1/1) KRW 62,800,000
O: Kim Hyeong-sun T: An Woo-sung J: Park Jae-i
Class 5 winner over 1400M at Busan before stepping up to 1800M at class 4 and running 2nd to Burui Geom. Top jockey comes up from Busan to ride him and a money finish is possible.
2. TEN BAGGER [Cowboy Cal – Sugar Victory (Peace Rules)]
Two and a half months of behind closed doors action was brought to an end of Sunday when Touch Star Man confirmed his status as Champion Three-Year-Old by adding to his KRA Cup Mile win with victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup at Seoul Racecourse. Following the conclusion of the meeting, Korean racing entered its most uncertain period since the Korean War with the sport going on indefinite hiatus from September after a rise in Coronavirus cases ended any prospect of any spectators – and therefore betting – being permitted for the foreseeable future.
A strong winner of the KRA Cup Mile in early July, Touch Star Man was never a factor in the Derby earlier in August though did rally late on to make it into 5th place. He was dominant in the 2000M Minister’s Cup, however, always racing prominently before leaving his rivals trailing in the home straight to record a four-length win.
It was an extremely turbulent race. After long-shot Miracle Icheon refused to leave the gates, Touch Star Man was involved in an incident himself when he crossed sharply causing a chain reaction that disadvantaged A To Z, Complete Kingdom and Top Day to all be impeded. Jockey Seo Seung-un picked up a five-day ban and was perhaps a touch fortunate that the incident was so early in the race and that his ultimate winning margin was so great.
More was to come on the second corner when at the back of the field, Derby runner-up Raon Tough Man took it upon himself to suddenly try to hurdle the inside rail. He achieved it and continued running on the empty inner-track but left jockey Choi Bum-hyun requiring hospital treatment for three fractured ribs after a heavy fall.
Thankfully the rest of the race passed off without incident and Touch Star Man [Testa Matta – Useung Touch (Menifee)] proved his superiority in the home straight. He moves on to five wins from nine starts. For jockey Seo Seung-un, it was a third win in a Classic race, having taken the KRA Cup Mile on Cheongnyeong Bisang in 2014 and the Korean Oaks on Deep Mind in 2019.
As for trainer Kim Young-kwan, Touch Star Man was his fifth Minister’s Cup winner. His previous ones were Namdo Jeap in 2009, Dongseo Jeongbeol in 2011, Rock Band in 2015 and Power Blade in 2016.
One of very few positives to come out of this wretched year is that the three-year-olds got to have their Triple Crown races (although the fillies have missed out on the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup, the final leg of the “Tiara” which was scheduled for this coming Sunday).
This year’s juveniles look set to miss out on most, if not all the rest of the season but at Seoul, they gave us a glimpse of what to look out for in next year’s Triple Crown in the inaugural running of the “Rookie Stakes”.
Thirteen juveniles went around in the 1200M test and it was Heungbaragi [Old Fashioned – Grand Marketing (After Market)] who led from gate to wire, just as he had done on debut a month ago. Will he get further? Which of the ones he beat will emerge as threats as the distances get longer? And what about Busan which was due to run its first big juvenile race later? Those are questions about which we can only speculate on the answers.
So what now? The new shutdown will encompass at least all of September and will likely include the Chuseok holiday in the first week of October. After that things will be dependent upon whether there has been an improvement in the Coronavirus situation to the extent that there is a real prospect of spectators being allowed on course or if the legislation to legalise online wagering is making progress.
The majority of KRA staff have been placed on furlough three-days a week, however, trackwork is for now continuing as normal so that if things do go well, the horses are ready to race right away with just a week’s notice to be given for resumption.
Sunday sees the final leg of the Korean Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup, taking place at Seoul Racecourse. (Seoul 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00, Busan 6 races from 12:40 to 17:10). There’s no Triple Crown on the line but the 2000M showpice nevertheless promises to be a fascinating affair as KRA Cup Mile winner Global Chukje and Korean Derby winner Wonderful Fly face-off.
Wonderful Fly won the Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A filly-only maiden to begin with and (4) PRIMA NIKE steps back up in trip after a strong 2nd place over 1000M a month ago looking the one to beat. A good apprentice jockey keeps the weight nice and low and she’s only ever finished outside the top four on one occasions. She can win here. (7) GOLD LEVEL beat a couple of these on her way to 2nd over 1200M on May 19th and shapes to be the main danger here. (1) HAWK ARIRANG finished 5th in that same race which was marked improvement from prior efforts and she can continue to make progress here. (2) SERA YEOJE is best of the rest.
Selections
(4) Prima Nike (7) Gold Level (1) Hawk Arirang (2) Sera Yeoje
Next Best
3, 9
Fast Start
4, 5
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
A two-turn maiden and (3) RAON JEWANG is set to be firm favourite. Though yet to win in nine attempts, he’s raced at this distance four time already and has finished no worse than 4th. This should be his day, likely leading from gate to wire. (4) TAP MUSIC showed some promise when stepped up to this trip on just his third start a month ago, running 4th. He should have come on for that run and can continue to improve today, likely trying to close late. (7) RAON STELLA’s best performance to date came at this distance and he steps back up to it today with placing claims, while both (2) INCHEON LION and (11) CHEONJI GISANG can compete for minor money too.
Selections
(3) Raon Jewang (4) Tap Music (2) Incheon Lion (7) Raon Stella
Next Best
11, 8
Fast Start
5, 7, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million
Kim Yong Geun partners (1) SMARTY BLUE for the second time, having ridden the colt to a good 4th place at class and distance on May 11th. He looks nicely in here and has every chance of getting what would be a second career win. (7) CHEONGDAM TIGER was a strong class and distance 2nd on a wet track last start and if he can get close to the early lead again, has every chance of a repeat or better. (6) WELLBEING STORY enters with recent form reading promisingly and has the services of Moon Se Young today. (4) SEOUL SIDAE saw his rating slide sufficiently to drop back in class last start. He promptly won and while back up in grade today, find himself nicely in under a light weight and he can go close again.
Selections
(1) Smarty Blue (7) Cheongdam Tiger (6) Wellbeing Story (4) Seoul Sidae
Next Best
9, 3
Fast Start
1, 2, 7, 9
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) L CHOICE is the pick here. An admittedly distance 3rd behind a very good winner las start, she’s nicely drawn to get to the lead and if she does, she’ll be hard to catch. Main danger is (7) LUCKY SOCHEON. She drops back in trip after good work around 1300M last start and shouldn’t be far away here. (4) FULL MOON OCEAN was slowly away when well backed for her first try at this level on May 11th. She never had a chance after that but ran on ok and is worth another go today. (11) UNMYEONGE FALLING is up un class after an all the way win on May 5th on just her third career outing. She’s drawn the widest gate but should be competitive at this level. (1) PARTY POWER, going around for the 52nd time today, is more than capable of running into some prize money in this company.
Selections
(5) L Choice (7) Lucky Socheon (4) Full Moon Ocean (11) Unmyeonge Falling
Next Best
1, 2
Fast Start
2, 4, 5, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(11) PRIVATE MAN enters after a 3rd and a 4th in his latest two and while both times he’s been well back behind good winners, could have enough about him to make the breakthrough here. He’ll come from off the pace so the wide draw is no problem, and he can win. (10) LAO JIN steps back up in trip following two solid 3rd place finishes over 1000M while (3) HEY DREAMER and (5) GEOMBIT YEOLJEONG are both up in class and should be competitive. (4) WANY K was a shock winner at class and distance three weeks ago and while a repeat would be a surprise, she warrants more respect today.
Selections
(11) Private Man (10) Lao Jin (5) Geombit Yeoljeong (3) Hey Dreamer
Next Best
4, 6
Fast Start
5, 8, 10, 12
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Having secured his maiden win in April, (7) GIMABUDAEJANG ran 4th on his first try at (more…)
World Sun, the hard-luck story of both the KRA Cup Mile and the Korean Derby, finally tasted Classic glory coming through with a late – and this time unimpeded – run to win the final leg of the 2018 Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup, at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.
Jockey Lee Chul Kyung reacts as he realises World Sun has beaten his mount, 80/1 chance Sharp Kaylan, in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: Korea Racing Authority)
Under Choi Si Dae, the Officer colt was taken right to the back of the field from the gate but this time, unlike in both the Cup Mile and the Derby, World Sun managed to find a clear run in the home straight and overhaul 80/1 long-shot Sharp Kaylan in the final strides. Korean Derby winner and odds-on favourite Ecton Blade was 3rd.
Sharp Kaylan set the early pace but it was a sensible one and jockey Lee Chul Kyung looked somewhat surprised to be four-lengths clear at the top of the stretch. Ecton Blade meanwhile had to ridden along by Franco Da Silva around the home turn. He would come into contention briefly at the top of the stretch but ultimately was out of it by the furlong pole.
World Sun defeated Sharp Kaylan (Pic: Korea Racing Authority)
Unlike in the Derby, when he found himself in between two horses coming together and blocking his route, this time World Sun found clear track in front of him and it came down to a final furlong duel between him and Sharp Kaylan. The Busan horse was too strong though, going past to win by half a length on the line., Sharp Kaylan’s jockey Lee Chul Kyung emitting an anguished howl as they crosses the line in recognition of just how close he had come to riding his first Classic winner.
Kim Young Kwan missed out on training the winner of all three legs of the Triple Crown – Ecton Blade’s stablemate Captain Force could only manage 5th., one place behind Derby runner-up Mask.
World Sun in the Minister’s Cup winner’s circle (Pic: Korea Racing Authority)
For trainer Baik Kwang Yeol it was a second success in the race and came ten years after his previous win when Gaeseon Janggun scored in 2008. He also won the Derby in 2015 with Yeongcheon Ace for the same owner as World Sun, Lee Jong Hun., who also owns Group winners Beolmaui Kkum (who was trained by the same trainer) and Success Story (with Min Jang Gi).
Jockey Choi Si Dae was winning the race for the first time to go along with previous wins in the Korean Derby, Korean Oaks, Busan Mayor’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes.
Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – June 17, 2018
1. World Sun (KOR) [Officer – Dancing Desire (Mr. Greeley)] – Choi Si Dae – 8.4, 2.2 2. Sharp Kaylan (KOR) [Sharp Humor – Kaylan’s Rose (Jambalaya Jazz)] – Lee Chul Kyung – 11.3 3. Ecton Blade (KOR) [Ecton Park – Vyung Ty Grr (Regal Intention)] – Francisco Da Silva – 1.0 Distances: 0.5 lengths / 1.5 lengths Also Ran: 4. Mask 5. Captain Force 6. Choinma 7. Hiddden Champ 8. Cheonnyeonui Gang 9. King Jjang 10. Yeonggwanguiwinner
So three Triple Crown legs yielded three different winners. With a win an 2nd and a 3rd, Ecton Blade is the overall “winner” of the series, Now we’ve got the rest of the season to find out who’s the best.
Sunday sees the final leg of the 2018 Korean Triple Crown and while there is no clean-sweep on the line in the Minister’s Cup at Seoul Racecourse, there is still plenty of anticipation for what should be a very good race. Derby winner Ecton Blade heads the field for what is the feature on an 11 race card at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. At Busan, there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:10.
Ecton Blade & Franco Da Silva won the Derby and go again in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: Ross Holburt)
Derby 2nd and 3rd place-getters Mask and Choinma return for another crack with the extra distance possibly to Mask’s advantage. World Sun, who got shut out in the home straight in the Derby will also take his chance again. Cup Mile winner Divide Wind suffered a setback after his 4th place in the Derby and stays at home so another stablemate of Ecton Blade’s, Captain Force, gets an opportunity. If he were to win, it would mean trainer Kim Young Kwan had won all three legs of the Triple Crown with three different horses.
Franco Da Silva keeps the ride on Ecton Blade and there is further foreign interest with Australian trainer Peter Wolsley saddling Cheonnyeonui Gang while Irish jockey Fergus Sweeney gets his first taste of racing at Seoul aboard Hiddden Champ.
Previews of all Seoul races are below (with horse by horse for the Minister’s Cup). Selections for Busan at the bottom:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies to begin with and while it’s a small field, plenty have hopes. (3) STRONG LIGHT was 4th at the distance in a marginally stiffer contest than this a month ago and should get on pace early. Another good starter is (4) HUIMANG STAR, who drops back in trip after recent good efforts at 1300M and should be competitive. (5) BODEURAM has a 2nd place to her name at this distance and returns following ten weeks off. She trialled nicely enough a couple of weeks ago and should be in the hunt. (2) STEEL RUN and (6) ALEXANDROS not without hope either.
Selections
(4) Huimang Star (3) Strong Light (5) Bodeuram (6) Alexandros
Next Best
2
Fast Start
2, 3, 4
Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(8) GLOBAL KINGDOM returned from six months out on May 12th looking much better than the horse who ran twice without distinction last autumn. He won his comeback by three lengths and steps up in both class and distance today. Neither should be a problem for him. (3) CAMP TOUCH was an improved 5th last time and can compete here while the slight drop back in trip may benefit (1) DURGA. The recent form of (4) SKY MARINE and (5) CONKER may not exactly impress but they find themselves in slightly weaker company today and both could improve.
Selections
(8) Global Kingdom (3) Camp Touch (5) Conker (1) Durga
Next Best
4, 6
Fast Start
3, 5, 8
Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(4) JANGSAN JEGUK may have finished a cool seventeen lengths behind winner Simcheong Sadal when 2nd to the surprisingly convincing winner at class and distance four weeks ago but that performance, in what was his first race since Christmas Eve, was a good one and he can go one better today. (2) SKY DOLPUNG enters off back to back 3rd place finishes in two races since being promoted to this class and a repeat should be a minimum target here. (8) CHEONHA HYEONGGUK comes in having been beaten half a length into 2nd on May 19th. He should be on pace early along with (10) SPEED YEONGUNG and both have a chance of staying on. (3) CHEONWANG BYEOL looks best of the rest.
There was a full seven months between (3) PALDO DAEJANG’s 3rd place on debut last October and her maiden win three weeks ago. She made all to score by four-lengths over 1000M and while she’s up in class and distance today, she may well get an uncontested lead here and can win again. Best chance of stopping her lies with (6) HANYANG GONGJU, who didn’t run well when favourite on her first try at this level at the end of April but has shown ability and can be given another chance today. (2) NILUI BADA and (4) RAON MIRACLE came home 3rd and 6th at class and distance on May 20th. The latter (more…)
Horse Racing in Korea 