Segye Ilbo

Segye Ilbo Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 18)

The 2024 Stakes program gets underway on Sunday as the long road to the Korea Sprint starts with the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:

Daehan Jilju (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) STUNNING FLATTER didn’t catch the eye in trials but instead saved it for races, running a good 3rd on debut on January 7th over this distance, settling back and running on. He should have derived benefit from that experience and with some natural improvement, he is the one to beat here. (12) STAR CHANGER has made progress across four starts so far and enters off a close 3rd place in a slow race over this distance on January 14th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can get closer this time. (4) SOLAIRE has a 3rd and a 4th from his latest two, both at 1300M. He has the best finish on him among these and can be a danger late. (10) BLUE RACER and debut-maker (3) MR. TROT others who may feature.

Selections(8) Stunning Flatter (12) Star Changer (4) Solaire (10) Blue Racer
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start3, 7, 10, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) CHEONMA BULPAE comes in having beaten a couple of these on his way to a to date best finish of 3rd over this distance on January 21st when racing handy throughout. He is under the same weight today and comes out of the same gate and with Breux climbing up, he can make the breakthrough. (5) FLYING KING has been getting steadily better across four starts, culminating in 3rd place last time over 1300M. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time today and should be on pace and in this a long way. (1) BLOOD MOUNTAIN was 4th behind Cheonma Bulpae in that January 21st race, coming from off the pace. That was his best finish so far and he should be there or thereabouts again. (6) CRAZE CHANG and (12) TONNERRE others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(4) Cheonma Bulpae (5) Flying King (1) Blood Mountain (6) Craze Chang
Next Best12, 7
Fast Start5, 7, 9, 12

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Three first-time starters in this field and we’ll take a chance on one of them (1) THE GREY MAN ran 2nd in a quick trial two weeks ago, running on pace. He draws nicely to be on pace and the apprentice engaged means both a light weight and probably a slightly better price than otherwise. (9) WORLD MAID CAT will probably jump as the favourite. She came from well off the pace to run 2nd over this distance on debut on January 12th with a couple of today’s opponents behind her. She should have come on for that run and can be a big danger late on here. (6) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE ran 4th behind World Maid Cat in that race having led for much of the way. She should be on pace, and she too should show some natural improvement. (4) MR.KEYMAN and (12) MASTER ROAD are others who have hinted at ability and can be considered.

Selections(1) The Grey Man (9) World Maid Cat (6) Yeonggwangui Rose (4) Mr.Keyman
Next Best12, 10
Fast Start3, 6, 8, 12

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

Weak maiden here. (4) ASSI JANGGUN has a 2nd place to her name over 1200M in a decent time back in December when coming from off the pace. She wasn’t completely horrible when 6th on her return on January 14th and won’t need much improvement to win this. (5) YEONGWON POTEN overcame a wide draw and a slow start to run on for a midfield finish on debut on January 6th. With a bit more experience, a better draw and hopefully, a better start, she can get much closer here. (3) GALSAEK DOJEONJA has a 3rd place to his name over the distance and while he has been ordinary in two subsequent starts, that’s enough to put him in contention in this company. (2) AWESOME BRAIN did nothing on debut on New Year’s Eve but has since been back to trial and looked better. (6) FEDERAL PRESS another who may improve.

Selections(4) Assi Janggun (5) Yeongwon Poten (3) Galsaek Dojeonja (2) Awesome Brain
Next Best6, 11
Fast Start3, 8, 9, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

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Wow Wow Stuns Raon Pair in Segye Ilbo

Wow Wow came from off the pace to score a 46/1 upset in the Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, leaving the green colours of the hotly fancied “Raon” pair, Raon First and Raon The Spurt, back down the track behind him.

Wow Wow came from off the pace to win the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy under Song Jae-chul (Pic: KRA)

After a year where owner Son Chun-soo’s Raon stable had dominated, his progressive four-year-old filly Raon The Spurt, was sent off as favourite for the Segye Ilbo (1200M KOR-Listed), the first Stakes race on the 2023 calendar, with stablemate and President’s Cup winner Raon First second in the market, ahead of Jeju Governor’s Trophy winning mare Wish Me.

While Raon First was slow out of the gate, Raon The Spurt cruised into the lead alongside fellow Group winner East Jet. But on a rare day at Seoul where the track was not kind to front-runners – nine of the eleven winners on the card emerged from the rear – the leaders were in trouble entering the straight and by the furlong pole, both had wilted.

Raon First launched a home straight challenge through traffic but the longshot pair of Wow Wow and Jangsan Laser were quicker, flashing down the outside with Wow Wow, who had settled right back in the pack in the early exchanges, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good. Raon First was 3rd.

With the race being restricted to Korean-bred runners, the Nasca organization’s Korea Sprint winning star Eoma Eoma was ineligible but they also own Wow Wow, a four-year-old colt by Cowboy Cal and out of the Forest Camp mare Jjak Kkung, who did her racing in Korea, winning six of twenty-six starts.

Wow Wow was on last year’s Classic trail and overcame gate fifteen to run 5th in the Korean Derby before an indifferent run in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup. Before Sunday, the highest level he had won at was class 4. He is trained by Song Moon-gil and was ridden by Song Jae-chul, who was winning just his third Stakes race after successes in the YTN Cup (then not a group race) in 2015 on Areumdaun Donghaeng and then guiding Saenae Town to victory in the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy last November.

There are no Listed or Graded races in Korea in February, with the next big events on the calendar the three-year-old Classic trials at Seoul and Busan on March 19.  

2023 Stakes Schedule Underway Sunday as Raons Clash in Segye Ilbo

Horses with the word “Raon” in their names took home eight Korean Listed or Graded races in 2022 and as the 2023 Stakes race season kicks off at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday with the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), two of those winners in the green silks of owner Son Chun-soo are set to be at the top of the market as the six-year-old mare and defending champion Raon First, clashes with up-and-coming stablemate and potential heir-apparent, four-year-old filly Raon The Spurt.

Choi Bum-hyun rode Raon First to President’s Cup glory but he gets on Raon The Spurt in Sunday’s Segye Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Last year’s winner RAON FIRST is the top filly or mare in Korea, with twelve wins from twenty-two starts and a hugely versatile repertoire as shown by her 3rd place in the Korea Sprint (1200M – IG3) last August and then her sensational victory in the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) in November. It was a first ever victory for a filly or a mare in the nation’s most valuable race for older in-country bred runner, with Korea Cup champion Winner’s Man back in 3rd. Raon First finished off what had been a remarkable campaign with an in no way disgraced 6th place in the Grand Prix Stakes (2300M KOR-G1) as Winner’s Man returned to the summit.

In the early half of her three-year-old campaign, RAON THE SPURT was forced to play second fiddle in the Triple Tiara (filly Triple Crown) races, running 3rd in the Luna Stakes and then 2nd to Tiara winner Golden Power in both the Korean Oaks and Gyeonggi Govenor’s Cup. She finished off the season strongly though, winning the Singapore Turf Club Trophy at 1200M, running 2nd to Wish Me in the Jeju Govenor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) and then winning the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan. Her star is very much in the ascendency.

Jockey Choi Bum-hyun has ridden both of the Park Jong-kon trained pair in recent starts. For their first head-to-head meeting, he rides Raon The Spurt.

It’s not necessarily a two-horse race though. WISH ME has done something she never usually does and drawn a good gate for a front-runner. She had to contend with gate eleven when 2nd to Raon The Spurt in the Singapore Turf Club Trophy over 1200M in September, before reversing the form with a stunning track-record breaking performance in the Jeju Governor’s Cup from gate twelve. She found 2000M was not her go last time out, but back in sprinting territory and from the plum barrier two, she can’t be ruled out.

While it’s the fillies and mares who are most favoured, the race is open to males as well and a strong set have shown up. DAEHAN JILJU was a break-out 4th in the Korea Sprint last September before running 2nd to that day’s winner Eoma Eoma in the Kookje Shinmun Trophy (1400M Listed) at Busan on October. He is capable of running fast times and the wide draw should prove no distraction. Group winner EAST JET as well as the in form JANGSAN LASER, 4th in the President’s Cup, are among others who can provide testing material.

Only one Busan-trained horse has made the trip to the capital. That’s HAPPY FEVER, a six-year-old who, while he doesn’t win out of turn, enters in consistent form and has posted fast times. At his best he can challenge for some minor money. Jockey Kim Hye-sun has come with him to ride at her former track and has picked up five additional rides across the weekend.

The Segye Ilbo Cup is race 8 on an 11-race program at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with a local post time of 16:35.

Selections: (4) Raon The Spurt (1) Raon First (2) Wish Me (12) Daehan Jilju

Seoul Bids Farewell To Moody Dongbanui Gangja While Indian Blue Romps To Segye Ilbo Victory

Dongbanui Gangja Retirement Ceremony / Segye Ilbo Stakes / Treble For Fujii At Busan

Dongbanui Gangja was in typically combative mood as he passed into Korean racing history with a retirement ceremony at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Dongbanui Gangja was in mischievous mood at Seoul Race Park

Dongbanui Gangja was in mischeivous mood at Seoul Race Park

The 8-year-old looked as though he’d rather be anywhere else than the Seoul Race Park winner’s circle that he graced so many times over the years after big race wins.

Although eventually coaxed into posing for photographs for the hundreds of well-wishers who crowded around, he made clear his displeasure by bucking and kicking his way through a canter down the home-straight accompanied by a track pony.

For jockey Choi Bum Hyun it must have been a reminder of the grief and the brilliance he got from Dongbanui Gangja as the pair won back-to-back Grand Prix Stakes and an Owners’ Cup among 20 career victories. Yet when he lost, he tended to do it in style with some monumental displays of petulance over the years costing him victories.

He will be greatly missed. Dongbanui Gangja [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)], who was bought for $20,000 at OBS in 2007 retired with career earnings of $1.3 Million. He will go to stud at a private farm on Jeju Island.

On the track, Indian Blue produced an impressive come-from-behind run to sweep to a convincing victory in the Segye Ilbo Cup.

Indian Blue and Yoo Seung Wan, both in the Stakes winner's circle for the first time

Indian Blue and Yoo Seung Wan, both in the Stakes winner’s ciircle for the first time

The 7 furlong race, one of few big races specifically for foreign-bred fillies and mares, saw 3-year-old Indian Blue (Henny Hughes) make up 11 places in the penultimate furlong before stretching away to win by 8 lengths from Dashing Platinum (Macho Uno) and Pureun Miso (Malibu Moon).

Indian Blue, a $26,000 purchase from Fasig Tipton last May, now has 3 wins from 6 starts and has never finished worse than 3rd.

Segye Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – February 17, 2013

1. Indian Blue (USA) [Henny Hughes – Gamblers Passion (Prospectors Gamble)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 2.2, 1.2
2. Dashing Platinum (USA) [Macho Uno – Forbidden Kiss (Tocuh Gold)] – Lee Hyeok – 3.0
3. Pureun Miso (USA) [Malibu Moon – Marina De Chavon (Exploit)] – Jun Duck Yong – 2.0

Distances: 8 lengths / 0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. January Queen (KOR) 5. Seocheonha (NZ) 6. Daehwahap (USA) 7. Big Power (USA) 8. Raonjena (USA) 9. A Wanted Affair (USA) 10. Yaho Dolphins (USA) 11. Golden Socks (USA) 12. Winner Trophy (USA) 13. Silent Dashing (USA) NR: Happy Dancer (USA)

* At Busan it was a great day for Joe Fujii. Since finishing 2012 on a high with his Grand Prix Stakes win on Gamdonguibada, the Japanese jockey has had a quiet start to 2013 with suspension ruling him out of the first few meetings.

It all came right today, however, as Fujii notched up a treble, all for trainer Kim Young Kwan. First up was filly Raon Bally (Pico Central) in race 3, quickly followed by Raon Boss (Pico Central) for the same owner in race 4. His final triumph came in race 6 on Myeongun Jewang (Forest Camp).

Narazaki Kosuke was also among the winners today meaning 4 out of the 6 races on the card at Busan were won by Japanese riders.

Next week sees the first Stakes action of the year at Busan in the shape of the Busan Ilbo Cup. Dangdae Bulpae and Gyeongbudaero are set to be among a very strong field.

Xicar Stalls As Wonderday Seizes Segye Ilbo Cup

Fillies took centre-stage at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and there was a shock as highly rated Aussie import Xicar came unstuck in the feature Segye Ilbo Cup.

Wonderday gets the better of Mighty Mammy to win the Segye Ilbo Cup

Making light of an unfavourable barrier draw, Xicar, who came into the race with three wins from her six starts, looked to have vindicated punters who sent her off the odds-on favourite as she appeared on the shoulder of the leaders heading into the home straight.

But then there was nothing. Xicar, so impressive in her last outing over a much further distance than today’s seven furlongs, had no sprint and it was left to 9/1 shot Wonderday to take the honours ahead of Mighty Mammy and long-shot A Wanted Affair

Wonderday, a three-year old filly bred by Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky and bought for $20,000 at the Ocala Spring Sale last year, now has three wins from her five starts. For jockey Lee Joon Chel, it was a first ever Stakes win since he made his debut as a jockey in 1999.

As for Xicar, she returned not displayng any obvious signd of injury. She’s proven already that she can compete in strong company and will no doubt be back.

Segye Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Feb 19, 2012

1. Wonderday (USA) [El Corredor-Alpine Ice (Forestry)] – Lee Joon Chel – 9.5, 1.8
2. Mighty Mammy (USA) [After Market-Red Lifesaver (Victory Gallop)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 2.3
3. A Wanted Affair (USA) [Ten Most Wanted-Noble Affair (Melodisk)] – Mai Beppu – 33.2

Distances: 1.75 lengths / 1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) 5. Fortunata (USA) 6. Raonjena (USA) 7. Teukbyeolhwanhui (JPN) 8. Xicar (AUS) 9. Winner Trophy (USA) 10. Blueband Mama (USA) 11. Worincheongang (USA) 12. Rockin Ruler (USA) 13. Golden Socks (USA) 14. Haengun Party (USA)

* Down at Busan, it was another good day for Peter Wolsley. The Australian trainer saddled Pegasus Farm’s filly Secret Whisper (Sea Of Secrets) to her seventh victory in fourteen starts in the afternoon’s feature race.

Weekend Preview: Segye Ilbo Cup

Xicar Heads Up And Comers

Stakes action returns to Seoul Race Park this weekend as a full field of foreign-bred fillies and mares contest the Segye Ilbo Cup.

Last year's Segye winner Kkakjaengi went on to win more Stakes races

The race sees a mixture of up and coming fillies along with mares who have reached class 2 level but have never quite managed to break through to the elite level of Korean racing. Last year’s winner Kkakjaengi went to become a multiple Stakes winner.

This year it is Aussie filly Xicar (Written Tycoon) who looks to be the one to beat. The three-year old has three wins and two seconds from her six starts and, with her wins coming at 1300M, 1400M and 1900M is a versatile and promising talent. Also among the up and comers are US filly Mighty Mammy (After Market) and lightly races four-year old Haengun Party (Broken Vow).

See below for a full list of runner and riders but first of all, here’s what’s happening when and where on the peninsula this weekend:

Friday February 17

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 18

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:20
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:20

Sunday February 19

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:50 including the Segye Ilbo Cup at 16:15
Busan Race Park: 8 races from 11:50 to 16:50

Here’s a full list of runners and riders (Name [Pedigree], age, sex, (Runs/1/2/3) – Jockey:

Segye Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Sunday Feb 17, 2011 – 16:15

1. Raonjena (USA) [Flower Alley-One Kid Act (Lemon Drop Kid)] 3 F (8/2/0/3) – Seo Seung Un
2. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge-Meadow Bryte (Meadowlake)] 4 F (15/2/4/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
3. Winner Trophy (USA) [Wildcat Heir-Paintyourwagon (Pioneering)] 4 F (10/1/2/1) – Choi Bum Hyun
4. A Wanted Affair (USA) [Ten Most Wanted-Noble Affair (Melodisk)] 4 F (11/2/2/2) – Mai Beppu
5. Teukbyeolhwanhui (JPN) [White Muzzle-Western Edge (Woodman)] 5 M (22/2/1/5) – Jo In Kwen
6. Rockin Ruler (USA) [Peace Rules-Shar’s Smile (Peaks And Valleys)] 4 F (18/2/1/4) – Park Eul Woon
7. Worincheongang (USA) [Act Of Duty-Silver Path (Silver Buck)] 5 M (19/2/2/0) – Han Sung Youl
8. Wonderday (USA) [El Corredor-Alpine Ice (Forestry)] 3 F (4/2/1/0) – Lee Joon Chel
9. Mighty Mammy (USA) [After Market-Red Lifesaver (Victory Gallop)] 3 F (5/2/2/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
10. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) [Put It Back-Diamond Heirloom (Pembroke)] 3 F (4/1/1/1) – Lee Gi Hweoi
11. Haengun Party (USA) [Broken Vow-Dutch One’s Storm (Stormin Fever)] 4 F (7/3/1/0) – Ham Wan Sik
12. Golden Socks (USA) [Dehere-Final Flag (Northern Flagship)] 4 F (12/1/3/3) – Moon Jung Kyun
13. Fortunata (USA) [Eurosilver-Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] 5 M (23/2/1/4) – Kim Ok Sung
14. Xicar (AUS) [Written Tycoon-Grand Jewel (Brocco)] 3 F (6/3/2/0) – Park Tae Jong