Queens Tour

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup – Full Preview

Fourteen fillies and mares will line up for the final leg of the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup, the final leg of the 2015 Queens Tour, at Busan this afternoon.

Heba won the KNN Cup (Pic: Ilgan Sports)

Heba won the KNN Cup (Pic: Ilgan Sports)

They are headed by Heba, 5th in the Ttukseom Cup and then the winner of September’s KNN Cup and Seoul raider Bichui Jeongsang, 3rd in the Ttukseom Cup but unraced since a 5th place finish in the KRA Cup Classic at the end of August. Oaks winner Jangpung Parang and KNN 2nd place-getter Hay Queen also go in the 2000M test.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 2000M – November 1, 2015 (15:40)

1. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) [Wildcat Heir-Persimmon Honey] (15/5/4/2) – Choi Bum Hyun
Last seen racing 5th in the KRA Cup Classic over this distance at the end of August, she was 3rd behind Esmeraldina in the first leg of the tour. She doesn’t usually go forward early but if well placed entering the home straight, has every chance.

2. Hay Queen (USA) [Hold Me Back – Jack’s Touch] (12/3/6/1) – Seo Seung Un
She was 2nd to Heba in the KNN Cup; her third consecutive 2nd place finish. She can certainly handle the Busan track. Beaten by Silver Wolf in the HRI Trophy at the end of August, she should be close again but may once more find one or two too quick.

3. Ms. Margaux (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sixtyone Margaux] (20/2/77) – Jo Sung Gon
Through her career she has excelled at just getting beaten into 2nd or 3rd and she is up against it here. A solid campaigner though who can’t be ruled out of sneaking into a place.

4. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) [Bluegrass Cat – Island Rhythm] (32/0/34) – Lee Gi Hweoi
Yet to win in 32 starts and that’s not going to change today. Hasn’t finished any better than 6th for more than a year. Her defence is that she always races in top class company and that defence will be used again here.

5. Sharp Lady (KOR) [Sharp Humor – Gentlemen’s Lady] (13/4/1/4) – Lim Sung Sil
From the Kim Young Kwan stable, it is always difficult to tell just what his second string is. It is probably her and she is only one race into a comeback after almost a year away. She was 5th in her return race and should have come on for it. Dangerous outsider.

6. Jangpung Parang (KOR) [Creek Cat – Ascend The Throne] (11/4/2/4) – Kim Yong Geun
The Korean Oaks winner was 3rd in the KNN Cup behind Heba and Hay Queen and there will be those who will back her to overturn that form today. She is a front-runner who will likely look to lead and has every chance of staying on.

7. Rising Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Cozzie Maxine] (31/3/4/4) – Pasquale Borelli
Quite a step up in competition for this one who is yet to win at a higher level than class 3. Distance shouldn’t be a problem but the minor placings would be the most realistic aim.

8. Halla Chukje (USA) [Gottcha Gold – C D Player] (21/3/4/1) – Lee Hyeok
She came a very creditable 5th in the KNN Cup at odds of 140/1 on her last start and that encouraging performance on her first trip to Busan encourages connections to have another go. That minor prize will again be the aim.

9. Gyeoul Wangguk (USA) [Any Given Saturday – Collodia] (12/2/4/0) – Masakazu Tanaka
She takes her chance having landed her second win, over a mile at class 3, in September. She tries this distance for the first time but has run adequately enough over 1800M before. Likely to be close to the front early on, she will need to find plenty of improvement here.

10. Jangsan Lion (JPN) [Eishin Sandy – Kogane Sengan] (13/4/1/3] – Lee Joon Chel
She was 3rd behind Silver Wolf and Hay Queen in the HRI Trophy at the end of August before a decent 4th of 12 over 1800M at class 2 last start. Another who will look to be close to the front early on and another who has a bit to find here.

11. Haengbok Cheonsa (KOR) [Menifee – Missed The Tower] (17/5/4/0) – Choi Si Dae
A class 3 winner over 1800M in August, she comes in following a 4th place, ahead of Sharp Lady over 1200M last month. She has plenty of speed but will find it diffiult in this company.

12. Silver Wolf (AUS) [Orotorio – Ready For More] (6/4/1/0) – Yoo Seung Wan
A real up and comer from Seoul, she won the HRI Trophy at the end of August, beating Hay Queen and Jangsan Lion. That was her 4th win from 6 starts and she led from gate to wire to win by three lengths. She could well compete for the lead early and look to make all once more. It is going to be much much harder to do that today though.

13. Areumdaundonghaeng (USA) [A.P. Warrior – Legacy’s Silver] (9/4/1/1) – Park Eul Woon
Seoul’s final entrant won the YTN Cup over this distance in June before running 7th in the KRA Cup Classic at the end of August. Today’s field is more similar to the latter in terms of strength and therefore any improvement on that 7th will be a good result.

14. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper] (34/8/5/2) – Song Keong Yun
Having been 5th in the first leg and then winning the second, she is well placed to win the overall Tour. While one of the favourites unseated her jockey in the KNN Cup, Heba was still a solid three length winner and is likely to be the betting favourite. She will most likely be settled just behind the early pace

Heba Wins KNN Cup After Jockey You Hyun Myung Falls From New York Blue

Heba ran off with a three-length win in the KNN Cup, the second leg of the 2015 Queens Tour at Busan Racecourse this afternoon. However, that came after You Hyun Myung, on hot favourite New York Blue, was one of two riders unseated midway through the race.

The incident came as the field began the long turn for home. Winner’s Marine, under Ikuyasu Kurakane shifted in slightly causing Heba to check and clip heels with New York Blue, resulting in jockey You going over the top. Lee Hyeok would also be unseated from Who’s Perfect. Lee was relatively unharmed, however, You was taken to hospital with leg and back injuries.

Heba comfortably beat the rest of the field with Seoul visitor Hay Queen running second and Korean Oaks winner Jangpung Parang taking third. Winner’s Marine, who came home in fifth place was disqualified with jockey Kurakane receiving a four-day ban.

A five-year-old mare, Heba was third in this year’s Busan Mayor’s Cup and today recorded her 8th career win from 34 lifetime starts.

KNN Cup – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – September 20, 2015

1. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] – Song Keong Yun – 15.7, 2.1
2. Hay Queen (USA) [Hold Me Back – Jack’s Touch (Touch Gold)] – Seo Seung Un – 4.0
3. Jangpung Parang (KOR) [Creek Cat – Ascend The Throne (Silver Charm)] – Kim Yong Geun – 2.2
Distances: 3 lengths / 3 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Super Surf (USA) 5. Halla Chukje (USA) 6. Ms. Margaux (USA) 7. Bear Queen Trophy (USA) 8. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) 9. Hwanggeumbitjijunghae (KOR) 10. Nauryz (USA)
DNF: New York Blue (USA) Who’s Perfect (USA)
DQ: Winner’s Marine

Weekend Race Times – KNN Cup

It’s the final weekend of racing before the short Korean Thanksgiving break and it’s a big one with the KNN Cup, the second leg of the 2015 “Queens Tour” for fillies and mares at Busan on Sunday.

The big race of the weekend is at Busan

The big race of the weekend is at Busan

You can generally judge the chances of the horses who travel to the other track by the jockey who goes with them and with Seoul’s champion jockey Moon Se Young giving up a weekend’s prize money at Seoul to ride Bear Queen Trophy in the KNN Cup, the filly who has won three of her four races so far, must be considered.

Korean Oaks winner Jangpung Parang will go as will New York Blue, 2nd behind Japanese-raider Esmeraldina in the first leg of the tour, the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul in June. In total, thirteen will line up for the race, which will be run over 1600M.

English language race cards for all this weekend’d meetings are available here

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 18
Busan Racecourse: 12 races from 12:50 to 19:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 13:15 to 17:25

Saturday September 19
Seoul Racecourse: 14 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:20

Sunday September 20
Seoul Racecourse: 10 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:30

Japan’s Esmeraldina Just Too Good In Ttukseom Cup

Esmeraldina was dominant in winning the 27th Ttukseom Cup for Japan at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon. Under jockey Joe Fujii, the 4-year-old swept to a 3-length in the first leg of the 2015 Queens’ Tour.

Esmeraldina and Joe Fujii return to scale

Esmeraldina and Joe Fujii return to scale

Korean punters sent the sole Japanese raider off as the odds-on favourite. She was the quickest out of the gate to such an extent that it drew admiring gasps from the huge crowd but it would be Fly Top Queen who would quickly come across to take things up.

In the end, this set things up perfectly for Esmeraldina who when Fly Top Queen inevitably faded in the home straight, was left with a clear run for home. A burst of acceleration gave her an unassailable lead by the time they hit the furlong pole and while New York Blue valiantly tried to chase her down, she won by three lengths on the line, pulling ever further clear.

The winning time was just one tenth of a second outside El Padrino’s track record in the Asia Challenge Cup. New York Blue was 3rd that day last August, today once more chasing a visitor, she showed her sprinting class by running 2nd. Bichui Jeongsang got the best of a tight finish for 3rd.

The 27th Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – June 7, 2014

1. Esmeraldina (USA) [Harlan’s Holiday – Tasha’s Star (Spanish Steps)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 1.4, 1.1
2. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The Moon (Deputy Minister)] – You Hyun Myung – 2.4
3. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) [Wildcat Heir – Persimmon Honey (Colonial Affair)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 2.0
Distances: 3 lengths/5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. My Day (KOR) 5. Heba (USA) 6. Ms. Margaux (USA) 7. Halla Chukje (USA) 8. Cheonnyeon Dongan (KOR) 9. Fly Top Queen (USA) 10. Ua Deungseon (KOR) 11. Golden Lass (KOR) 12. Joy Lucky (KOR)

Esmeraldina is owned by Ms. Kazumi Yoshida, who also owned Testa Matta, who now stands at Nokwon Farm on Jeju Island. She is trained by Makoto Saito out of the Miho Training Centre.

For jockey Joe Fujii, a man who has won the Grand Prix Stakes, the Korean Derby, the Korean Oaks and the Jeju Governor’s Cup this victory today – riding a horse for a Japanese owner and Japanese trainer in Seoul – may well be one of the most significant of his career to date. After the race, he played down his role, putting all the credit on the horse. He still had to do the job though.

Fujii will leave Korea at the end of June to return to Japan and hopefully this win today will go someway to burnishing his reputation in his home country – a place he has never ridden professionally before. Fujii will ride initially in the NAR and will take the JRA exam to try to enter Japan’s elite racing circuit. He has been a true ambassador and has bounced back from both injury and accidental controversy in fine style. Today was a fitting reward.

Esmeraldina and smartly dressed travelling head lad in the winner's circle

Esmeraldina and smartly dressed travelling head lad in the winner’s circle

It was an important day. The Ttukseom Cup race was an international open race, not an invitational meaning that Esmeraldina’s connections paid their way here. There were no gala dinners (although by all accounts, the bars and restaurants of Anyang have been on high alert the past few days) and they didn’t come for the fresh air. They came for business and they came for sport. Their courage paid off.

Where does this leave Korea? Our sprinters are supposed to be our strong point and although there were no stars in the line-up today, being outclassed by a talented but by no means superstar Japanese horse is less a wake-up call than a cacophony of alarm bells.

The next big international weekend in Korea is the final weekend of August. Seoul Racecourse will host the Asia Young Guns Apprentice Jockey Challenge, the Asia Challenge Cup, which will remain an invitational race, plus two more Open races, the KRA Cup Classic and the Singapore Turf Club Trophy. Before that, Korean horses are expected at Kranji in Singapore for the Korea Cup on July 26.

The JRA is Coming! Ttukseom Cup Attracts Two Raiders From Japan’s Premier Racing Circuit

Primary nominations were made this Friday for June’s Ttukseom Cup and the stand-out names among the 22 early entries are two Japanese-trained horses. If they run, they will be the first horses from the Japan Racing Association to run in Korea and also become the first overseas-trained horses to run in a regular Korean Open Stakes race.

Esmeraldina

Esmeraldina

Four Korean Stakes races have this year been designated as open to overseas-trained runners this year and it’s the two from Japan who have stepped up to take on the challenge.

The Ttukseom Cup, which will take place on Sunday June 7, is a 1400M race open to fillies and mares and is the first leg of the “Queens’ Tour”. US-bred Esmeraldina and Japan-bred Robe de Soie are both experienced runners in the JRA.

Esmeraldina [Harlan’s Holiday – Tasha’s Star (Spanish Steps)] is a four-year-old who has won three of her eight races to date. She won her only start as a 2-year-old at Tokyo Racecourse in November of 2013 before starting 2014 successfully with a victory at Nakayama before finishing 3rd in the Group 2 Hochi Hai Fillies’ Revue, a Japanese 1000 Guineas Trial, at Hanshin last March.

Her biggest prize was earned through victory in an NAR/JRA Exchange race at Kawasaki, the Kanto Oaks, in June with Craig Williams in the saddle. Since then she’s raced just three times without success, most recently at Nakayama on April 19 this year. Her best (and only) time recorded over the Ttukseom Cup distance of 1400M is 1:22.5 – inside El Padrino’s Seoul Racecourse track record – and was recorded on turf.

Robe de Soie

Robe de Soie

Robe de Soie [Special Week – Velvet Robe (Gone West)] is also a four-year-old. She has four wins from nine career starts. A winner on her debut at Chukyo, she went on to win the Yamaboushi Sho at Hanshin in September 2013. As a three-year-old, she was an also-ran behind Esmeraldina in the Kanto Oaks but would finish the year with back-to-back wins at Hanshin and Kyoto.

She was 7th on her most recent start at Hanshin on April 4. Her best time over 1400M is 1:23.3 on dirt. A dedicated sprinter to the all-rounder Esmeraldina, Robe de Soie comes in here with the more imposing recent form while Esmeraldina has won far more prize-money over her career. It is likely we will see some familiar jockeys riding both of them.

And it’s prize-money that they come here looking for and that is what makes this race so significant. The Korea/Japan Goodwill Cup in 2013 and last year’s Asia Challenge Cup were both invitational races meaning that the hosts picked up the bill. Win or lose, they couldn’t actually lose. In an Open race that isn’t the case and connections will be paying a substantial proportion of the costs involved in bringing their horses to the race.

The Asia Challenge Cup, which will also feature horses from Singapore and possibly Dubai, remains an invitational and on that weekend in August there will be two further races open to overseas-trained runners; the Singapore Turf Club Trophy and the KRA Cup Classic, as the internationalization program for Korean racing continues to gather momentum.

Korean connections have decided to meet the challenge head-on. In Primary nominations for the Ttukseom Cup, there were a total of 20 domestic entries; 10 from Busan and 10 from Seoul and includes most of the best fillies and mares in the country. We’ll have much more on the race over the next few weeks.

Gamdonguibada Completes The Queen Sweep

Gamdonguibada was back to her dominant best at Busan on Sunday as she crushed her opposition to win the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup and in doing so, complete the full Queens’ Tour set, having won the Ttukseom Cup and KNN Cups earlier in the season.

Gamdonguibdada wins the Gyeongnam Governor's Cup (Pic: KRA)

Gamdonguibdada wins the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

She was sent off as the slight odds-on favourite for the 2000 metre, with New York Blue, who had beaten her over the same distance last month – albeit carrying less weight – second in the market.

In the end, it wasn’t even close. While outsider Silver Classic set the pace for much of the race, Gamdonguibada was always on her shoulder and pounced as they entered the home straight.

A slight drift over to the stands side barely registered as the 5-year-old sprinted away for a 4-length win. New York Blue was 2nd while prolific placer Ms. Margaux was 3rd.

It was a 6th Stakes win for Gamdonguibada and the $31,000 purchase from Ocala in 2011 has now earned almost $2Million in prize money. He biggest win came in the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes and her name is on the ballot for this year’s event too.

New York Blue in 2nd showed that she too is of high quality at any distance while it was another superb training performance from Peter Wolsley to send out Ms. Margaux into 3rd. Yereobunuiyeowang, under Japanese jockey Nozomu Tomizawa was 4th while Dragon Hill led home the Seoul contingent in 5th.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 2000M – Nov 16, 2014

1. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.7, 1.1
2. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For the Moon (Deputy Minister)] – You Hyun Myung – 1.2
3. Ms. Margaux (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sixtyone Margaux (Cozzene)] – Park Geum Man – 3.1

Distances: 4 lengths / Neck
Also Ran: 4. Yeoreobunuiyeowang (JPN) 5. Dragon Hill (USA) 6. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) 7. SIlver Classic (USA) 8. Shining Future (KOR) 9. Big Power (USA) 10. Heba (USA) 11. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) 12. Winner’s Marine (USA) 13. Changiparang (USA)

Queens’ Tour Finale: Gamdonguibada Goes For a Clean-Sweep in Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup

The Queens’ Tour series of three races to decide the nation’s champion filly or mare, the first of which was all the way back in March, finally concludes at Busan this Sunday.

Gamdonguibada in the Ttukseom Cup winner's circle, the first leg of the Queens' Tour. She won the 2nd leg too

Gamdonguibada in the Ttukseom Cup winner’s circle, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour. She won the 2nd leg too

Gamdonguibada, the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner, claimed victory in both the Ttukeseom Cup at Seoul and the KNN Cup at Busan in August and has the chance to complete a clean sweep in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

It’s been an up-and-down year for the five-year-old mare but she will have plenty of backers to complete what would be a creditable hat-trick in races over seven, eight and ten furlongs. Of those out to stop her, New York Blue, who she beat in the KNN Cup in June, but who has since beaten her, looks the most interesting.

Here is a full run down of the field for a race which will be simulcasted back to Seoul and will also be shown live on the KRA’s international telecast to Singapore. (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) Korean Rating figure – Jockey (Home Track):

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 2000M – November 16, 2014 (16:15)

1. Dragon Hill (USA) [Afleet Alex- Caracara (Nashwan)] (20/2/3/5) 110 – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
2nd in the YTN Cup behind stablemate Big Power, who also goes here, she was 5th in her only outing since and despite Seo Seung Un coming down to ride her, it’s tough to recommend her to beat the Busan horses.

2. Silver Classic (USA) [Chapel Royal – Psychic Friend (Star de Naskra)] (28/4/4/2) 103 – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
A big jockey booking in the shape of Jo Sung Gon but this mare has found life difficult at class 1 and has struggled in two starts to date at this distance. She was 4th in the KNN Cup in June and a similar result here would be a realistic target.

3. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] (22/11/4/4) 123 – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
She hasn’t won in three starts since the KNN Cup and was three lengths behind New York Blue last time out over this distance. She was conceding almost 6Kg that day though and will only be conceding 2kg this time. A strong chance of completing a clean sweep.

4. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) [Bluegrass Cat – Island Rhythm (Skip Trial)] (20/0/3/4) 90 – Lee Dong Kug (Seoul)
She hasn’t won any of her 23 starts and that won’t change. Well beaten in both the Ttukseom Cup and the KNN Cup, she’s yet to graduate from class 2 and doesn’t have the speed to compete strongly here.

5. Yeoreobunuiyeowang (JPN) [Gold Allure – Meijino Joketsu (Silver Hawk)] (13/3/1/4) 89 – Nozomu Tomizawa (Busan)
She was 3rd behind Miss Margaux on her most recent start at 1900M – a filly she beat when winning the Gold Circle Trophy in July – but was tiring in the closing stages and will need to show improvement here. That Gold Circle win was in a quick time and she showed good late speed. She’ll need to get back to that form if she is to compete here.

6. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For the Moon (Deputy Minister)] (13/5/5/1) 115 – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
Finished 3rd behind El Padrino and Wonder Bolt in the Asia Challenge Cup at Seoul in August over 7 furlongs and then surprised some with a strong 2nd behind Beolmaui Kkum and ahead of Gamdonguibada at this distance a month ago. For that reason, she has the second highest rating in the race, as well as being the fastest, and has every chance.

7. Shining Future (KOR) [Silver Train – Juliet’s Kiss (Kissin Kris)] (29/4/4/2) 101 – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
6th in the Ttukseom Cup and 7th in the KNN Cup. With the exception of a 2nd place in August, recent results haven’t been encouraging and she was sent off at odds of over 170/1 on her last start. An outsider.

8. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperance Hill) (24/6/4/1) 109 – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
4th in the Ttukseom Cup and 6th in the KNN Cup, she has a quick finish and may be in line for a place if she can find a good position as they head for home. Scored a win over Gamdonguibada at this distance back in January when she benefitted from an 8kg weight advantage. They carry the same here though.

9. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sea Gift (A.P.Indy)] (13/3/4/1) 105 – Kim Ok Sung (Seoul)
Kim Ok Sung was riding in Tokyo in midweek when he rode the 11th horse home in the Korea/Japan Interaction Cup. He could well be finishing 11th in this one too. She’s only run twice since finishing in that position – 11th – in the Ttukseom Cup and those runs do not inspire confidence.

10. Big Power (USA) [A.P.Warrior – Dixie Satin (Dynaformer)] (26/4/2/2) 107 – Lee Hyeok (Seoul)
A good winner of the YTN Cup back in August, she was (a well-beaten) 6th of 13 against a competitive field on her class 1 debut the following month. She won the YTN Cup from just off the pace but there are plenty here who can finish strongly she’s going to need to find improvement.

11. Winner’s Marine (KOR) [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] (11/5/2/1) 105 – Lee Sung Jae (Busan)
This 3-year-old won her first five races before coming 9th in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown. She hasn’t won since although she did manage 3rd in the Korean Oaks in August before finding things very tough at Seoul in the Minister’s Cup last month. She should do better here but is tough to recommend for the win.

12. Miss Margaux (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sixtyone Margaux (Cozzene)] (13/1/6/6) 103 – Park Geum Man (Busan)
Peter Wolsley’s filly had recorded six 2nds and six 3rds before finally breaking her maiden at the 13th attempt last month. The line only just came in time that day in what was a slowly run race and she steps up a further 100 metres here. She’s demonstrated she has plenty of speed in the past though and she may well be up there competing for a place again.

13. Changiparang (USA) [Touch Gold – Victory Roll (Deerhound)] (27/2/5/3) 105 – Shin Hyung Chul (Seoul)
She’s spent the past year running at sprint distances at which she regularly picked up minor places until graduating to class 1 where she has found herself out of her depth. Her return to racing around two-turns of the track is likely to be no easier.

Gamdonguibada Crushes KNN Cup Field

Gamdonguibada, New York Blue and Star Bolt were the quickest out of the gate – Joy Lucky was the slowest. And over the course of a mile nothing changed as Gamdonguibada proved a class apart from the rest, cruising to the 2nd leg of the Queens’ Tour at Busan this afternoon.

Gamdonguibada leads New York Blue in the home straight (screengrab - better picture to follow)

Gamdonguibada leads New York Blue in the home straight (screengrab – better picture to follow)

Sent off the odds-on favourite after her dominant display in the Ttukseom Cup and with Joe Fujii back in the saddle, 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada didn’t for a single stride look like getting beaten.

She traded 1st place a couple of times with the young up-and-comer New York Blue but once they were in the home straight, 15 fillies and mares appeared to go backwards while Gamdonguibada strode away from them. The margin on the line was 11 lengths. It could have been 111.

Behind her New York Blue stayed on well for second under Masa Tanaka to make it a Japanese jockey 1-2. Star Bolt also stayed on for 3rd, a place ahead of 170/1 outsider Silver Classic.

Indian Blue was the best of the visitors from Seoul, picking up the last money spot of 5th on another dismal day for the capital contingent. Joy Lucky, so impressive two weeks ago at Seoul, could manage ni better than 15th in running and eventually finished last.

Gamdonguibada moves onto 11 wins from 19 starts, 5 of those wins coming in Stakes races. The Queens’ Tour reconvenes at Busan in October. She is likely to be heavy favourite to add the final leg to her collection too.

It’s yet another Stakes win for the remarkable Kim Young Kwan, fresh from training another filly, Queen’s Blade to win the Derby last month. For Joe Fujii meanwhile, it’s a 5th Korean Stakes win and his 128th overall in the country.

KNN Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – June 8, 2014

1. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 1.6, 1.2
2. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The Moon (Deputy Minister)] – Masakazu Tanaka – 2.5
3. Star Bolt (USA) [Fusaichi Pegaus – Do’Oro Doll (Touch Gold)] – Kim Dong Young – 3.3

Distances: 11 lengths/3 lengths
Also ran: 4. Silver Classic (USA) 5. Indian Blue (USA) 6. Heba (USA) 7. Shining Future (KOR) 8. Black Dia (KOR) 9. Sangnyu (USA) 10 Nulpurunchongnyong (KOR) 11. Seungni Laser (KOR) 12. Chiming Vicar (KOR) 13. Kalma (USA) 14. Baedari Yeongung (KOR) 15. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) 16. Joy Lucky (KOR)

The KNN Cup: Full Preview

The top fillies and mares on the peninsula are in Busan this weekend for the KNN Cup, the 2nd-leg of the 2014 Queens’ Tour.

Gamdonguibada won the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens' Tour

Gamdonguibada won the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour

Ttukseom Cup winner Gamdonguibada will renew hostilities with Indian Blue and Joy Lucky as a full field of 16 takes on the mile-long test.

Scroll down for a full preview but first, here’s what’s happening when and where on this holiday weekend:

Friday June 6
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday June 7
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:10

Sunday June 8
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:05

KNN Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – June 8, 2014

1. Baedari Yeongung (KOR) [Yehudi – Recondite (Silver Deputy)] 5 (31/5/2/4) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
She wins from the front and will likely look to get there early. It’s been a long time since she’s done so successfully though and on recent form is very unconvincing.

2. Shining Future (KOR) [Silver Train – Juliet’s Kiss (Kissin Kris)] 5 (24/4/3/2) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
She was 6th in the Ttukseom Cup and that would appear to be the extent of her ambitions here as well. The booking of Holland is a bonus but even so, a place seems her best hope.

3. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The Moon (Deputy Minister)] 3 (9/4/3/0) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
The only 3-year-old in the field, she was a smart winner over 1400M last up. She has the speed and looks like she can go further but company of this calibre may be a little too much too soon.

4. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] 5 (18/10/3/3) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
Exceptionally impressive leading from gate to wire in the Ttukseom Cup, she’s not been seen on the track since except for a race trial in early May – exactly the same prep she did for the Ttukseom. Joe Fujii, who won the Grand Prix on her, returns to the saddle and she’ll be tough to oppose.

5. Star Bolt (USA) [Fusaichi Pegasus – D’Oro Doll (Touch Gold)] 4 (19/3/6/0) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
4th in the Gukje Sinmun Cup last month, she usually goes close but rarely wins. That’s likely to be the same here.

6. Chiming Vicar (KOR) [Vicar – Chiming In (Fasliyev)] 5 (25/6/2/1) – Park Sang Woo (Seoul)
Came from just off the pace to grab a class 2 victory in March but was poor last time out on her class 1 debut. Likely to find the going similarly tough here.

7. Silver Classic (USA) [Chapel Royal – Psychic Friend (Star De Naskra)] 5 (24/4/3/2) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Was 10th first up after a long layoff last month. Desperately needed the run but is unlikely to have come on well enough to challenge here.

8. Nulpurunchongnyong (KOR) [Master Command – Sea Button (Sea Of Secrets)] 4 (12/5/4/0) – Jun Duck Yong (Seoul)
A nice looking filly who comes into the race in good form. She likes to start slow and then pick them off in the straight with good late speed. Could be a threat although this is by far the toughest field she’s faced.

9. Heba (USA) [Peace Rules – Sue’s Temper (Temperence Hill)] 4 (20/6/4/1) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
She has two class 1 wins to her name and was 4th in the Ttukseom Cup. She’s not been seen since – indeed her only other run this year was a nothing to write home about 5th – but is a contender here. She’s won from the front and from clsoing late

10. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gambler’s Passion (Prospectors Gamble)] 4 (16/5/4/4) – Ikuyasu Kurakane (Seoul)
2nd in the Ttukseom Cup, she came back out and won last time over a tough class 1 field. She’ll be looking to go past the frontrunners in the home straight but can’t give Gamdonguibada such a head start this time. A chance.

11. Kalma (USA) [Dehere – Leeward Passage (Captain Bodgit)] 5 (20/4/1/3) – Kim Hyun Joong (Busan)
Bart Rice lets Kalma take her chance again but there’s little in her recent form to suggest she has any chance here. She’s only monied once in 6 tries at class 1.

12. Joy Lucky (KOR) [Vicar – Proper Gun (Prosper Fager)] 4 (14/10/1/0) – Moon Jung Kyun (Seoul)
2nd to Secret Whisper on her only previous visit to Busan but was poor in the Ttukseom Cup. She bounced back to win the Owners’ Trophy in April and was an impressive class 1 winner last month. She’ll be at the front but can she hold off Gamdonguibada? The suspended Seo Seung Un is replaced by moon Jung Kyun in the saddle.

13. Seungni Laser (KOR) [Menifee – First Base (Grand Slam)] 4 (12/7/0/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
Bart Rice’s better chance is an intriguing prospect who comes into the race off the back of 4 straight wins. Likes to close from just off the pace but is untried at a mile. Her only starts at 1500M have met with failure there is a question mark as to whether she will stay – but that was last year under a different trainer. If she does stay, she’ll be dangerous, especially if the leaders race themselves out of contention.

14. Black Dia (KOR) [Vicar – Blossom Again (Awesome Again)] 5 (25/5/4/1) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
A closer who has quietly made her way to class 1. A mile has proved slightly beyond her to date and this could be her weakness here too.

15. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA) [Bluegrass Cat – Island Rhythm (Skip Trial)] 4 (19/0/3/4) – Park Si Cheon (Seoul)
Never won and as she is yet to graduate from class 3, that’s not likely to change here.

16. Sangnyu (USA) [Broken Vow – Midtown Miss (Yes It’s True)] 5 (22/5/3/3) – Bang Choon Sik (Seoul)
Well established at class 1 and another who has an outside chance to close late for a place if the pacesetters blow themselves out early.

No Joy For Seoul As Gamdonguibada Lands Ttukseom Cup

Gamdonguibada made all to win the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the 2014 Queens’ Tour, at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Gamdonguibada in the Seoul Winners Circle

Joy Lucky was sent off as the heavy favourite and joined the 2012 Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada in setting the early running. Meanwhile another big fancy, Indian Blue missed the break and found herself 10 lengths adrift just seconds into the race.

With few challengers asserting themselves behind, it looked like the stage was set for Gamdonguibada and Joy Lucky to duel all the way to the line. Instead, however, the Korean-bred filly faded, allowing Gamdonguibada an unchallenged 7-length victory.

Behind, Indian Blue flew home under Ikuyasu Kurakane to snatch an unlikely 2nd and leave connections with a real case of what might have been had she not given herself too much to do at the start. Grand Teukgeup, who had always been close to the front stayed on well for 3rd, just ahead of Heba and the spent Joy Lucky.

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

Big race jockey: Lim Sung Sil

It was another top quality training performance from Busan’s Kim Young Kwan, his instructions to jockey Lim Sung Sil to go to the front and engage Joy Lucky early paying off spectacularly.

Trainer Kim and jockey Lim have now won the past three big Seoul Stakes races – with Indie Band in the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes and then Gamdonguibada today. Kim’s horses ensure that Busan continues to dominate Seoul in the big races – in addition to those recent wins, he also trains the winners of the latest renewals of the Derby, Oaks and KNN Cup.

For Gamdonguibada, it was a 10th win from 18 starts and her 4th in Stakes races. A $31,000 purchase from the Ocala Spring 2-Year-olds in Training sale in April 2011, she’s now won $1.3Million in prize money.

The Ttukseom Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – March 16, 2014

1. Gamdongibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] – Lim Sung Sil – 3.7, 1.4
2. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gambler’s Passion (Prospector’s Gamble)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane – 1.6
3. Grand Teukgeup (KOR) [Menifee – Saratoga Campaign (Mt. Livermore)] – Jeong Dong Cheol – 4.5

Distances: 7 lengths/Neck
Also ran: 4. Heba (USA) 5. Joy Lucky (KOR) 6. Shining Future (KOR) 7. Star Bolt (USA) 8. Kalma (USA) 9. My Day (KOR) 10. Sun Blade (NZ) 11. Jangmi Eondeok (USA) 12. Xicar (AUS) 13. Seungbu Sinhwa (USA)