Seoul

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Always Winner, Haeya Among Those In Action

Always Winner headlines a big Sunday of racing in Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) while down at Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05), the hitherto unbeaten Haeya returns to action for the first time since January.

Always Winner

Always Winner winning the Owners’ Cup in March (Pic: KRA)

Always Winner was a a solid if unspectacular sprint handicapper as he entered his 5th year in January. However, 2017 has found him find top form with gate to wire victories in both the Segye Ilbo Cup in January and the Group 3 Owners’ Association Trophy in March. Both times he’s been allowed off at big prices but he’s bound to get more respect from punters this time.

That’s not to say it will be easy as Choegang Schiller, El Padrino’s conqueror in the 2015 Asia Challenge Cup looks ready to hit form once more while the likes of Parang Juuibo, Dynamic Jilju and Brian Dean’s Jangsanjewang can’t be ruled out.

At Busan, the feature sees unbeaten US import Haeya (Flatter) race at class 1 for the first time having won all four of her races to date. She was last seen in January but breezed through a barrier trial last week looking in very good shape. She may not be favourite though for the 1400M feature with Doraon Pogyeongseon, a winner at class and distance, beating no fewer than seven of those who return again for this race, last month.

English race cards are here. Notes on the three Seoul races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Race 9: Class 3 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

1. VALLEY STAR – Unimpressed in latest two but is carrying significantly less weight today.

2. MR. MOUNTAIN – Three 2nd place finishes at this level and while he disappointed when well backed last start, he’s worth another go today. (more…)

Clean Up Joy Heads Herald Business Cup (Seoul Sunday Preview)

Grand Prix Stakes winner Clean Up Joy makes his second appearance of 2017 with the five-year-old set to be hot favourite to win the Herald Business Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

clean-up-joy

Clean Up Joy won last year’s Grand Prix (Pic: Alex Cairns/The Winning Post)

Clean Up Joy (Purge) was a dominant winner on his seasonal reappearance in February and with Djordje Perovic on board, will be expected to make short work of nine rivals over 2000M. The Herald Business is the highlight of an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:35.

English race cards are here, notes on the Herald Business and two other races which will be simulcast overseas (Australia) are below:

Race 9: Class Open “The Herald Business Cup” (2000M) Allowance / KRW 250 Million

1. SEONBONG – Well back behind Shamrocker and Strong Road at this distance in January and offered little over 1200M last month. On early pace but outsider here.

2. STRONG ROAD – Narrowly beaten by Shamrocker in January and 4th, a long way behind Clean Up Joy when enjoying a substantial weight advantage. Placing chances only. (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 15)

So cherry blossom season has been and gone and Seoul Racecourse returns to the man business of racing! Saturday sees 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00. English racecards can be found here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas can be found after this rather fetching picture:

cherry blossom

They are nice, aren’t they?

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

1. SEONGBULOREUM – Holds a class and distance win but just dropped off of late. 9th behind Aema Bisang latest start.

2. TODAY WINNER – Class and distance winner in February. Sent up to 1300M for his reappearance but it didn’t work. Much better chance today.

3. V KHAN – Started very greenly but has figured out what to do in his latest two. Looks not far from a maiden win. It could come here. (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (April 9)

The blossoms are finally out! More importantly there are big cards of racing at both Seoul and Busan. In the capital there are 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00 while down south, it’s 6 from 12:40 to 17:05.

cherryblossom2017

Cherry Blossom festival got underway at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday night (Pic: Let’s Run Park Seoul Instagram)

English race cards are here, notes on all overseas simulcast races are below:

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million 

1. SOKBO GANGJA – First start of 2017. Ended last year indifferently but did win a trial in February.

2. SMART JOE – 5ht behind Jangbi Haengun and Choego Money last start and capable of similar today.

3. EOUL DEOUL – Not beaten many in two starts so far. (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 8)

There are 11 races at Seoul on Saturday with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on races 5-11 are below:

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

1. SEOUL BOLT – Up in class following her maiden win at this distance at the end of February. Every chance of a repeat.

2. EVA ROAD – Her solitary win came at this distance last summer and she comes in following a creditable 5th of 12 last time out.

3. SHINE QUEEN – Struggled a little last time on a sloppy track but is competitive at this level and can look for the places. (more…)

Sunday Seoul Simulcast Comments (April 2)

Sunday is KRA Cup Mile Day at Busan. There are 6 races on the south coast from 12:40 to 17:10. Meanwhile at Seoul there are 11 from 10:45 to 18:00. See here for a full preview of the Cup Mile, the opening leg of the 2017 Triple Crown.

English language race cards are here. While the Cup Mile itself isn’t being simulcast overseas, three of the late races at Seoul are. Form comments for those are below:

Race 9: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 150 Million

1. WONDER BOLT – Last win was his last try at this distance in the corresponding race last year. Has a hard time in handicaps due to high weight but better chance today. (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Preview (March 5)

Fillies take centre-stage at Seoul & Busan on Sunday as the most promising 3-year-olds race for big prizes in the Sports Seoul and Gyeongnam Sinmun Cups. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05.

English racecards can be found here. Notes on the three overseas simulcast races are below:

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million

1. MR. FORTUNE – Winner of 3 from 5 including one at this class. First time around two turns but can make all. Big chance. (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 4)

Moon Se Young is Singapore-bound in the next few weeks and Seoul’s champion jockey has the ideal opportunity to put himself in the shop window as he gets on a number of likely favourites on Saturday’s Seoul card which will be simulcast to Singapore. There are 11 races from 10:40 to 18:00.

moon-se-young

Open for business: Moon Se Young (Pic: Ross Holburt)

English racecards are here. Notes on simulcast races below:

Race 5: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million 

The soon to be Singapore-bound champion jockey Moon Se Young has found himself in a tussle this year with Djordje Perovic and the pair go head to head here on the two fancies. Perovic partners (9) GEUM BONGHWANG, who is already established at this level and comes in following decent 3rd place at class and distance last time. Moon may just have the edge though with the up in class (12) JINGYEOGUI CHEONMA, a four-length winner at this distance on February 4th and seemingly with plenty of potential. (4) YAHO GIANT was an unexpected winner at this class on January 8th and must be respected here while (3) BAEKSAN ISLAND and (7) THANKS BEAN are others who could go close. (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 26)

Grand Prix winner Clean Up Joy, who downed both Triple Nine and Power Blade at Seoul in December, will make his seasonal debut in the capital on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile last year’s Meydan Hero Success Story looks to have winning chances at Busan. 11 races at Seoul from 10:40 to 18:00. There are 6 at Busan from 12:35 to 17:00.

clean-up-joy

Clean Up Joy won the Grand Prix Stakes in 2016

English race cards are here. Read on for notes on every horse on the cards (except Busan race 1 which is the only race not being simulcast overseas):

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million

1. TAEHUI NALGAE – 3rd on debut, 2nd last time, should go one better.

2. SUPER FLY – Didn’t do much on debut. Can improve today.

3. URIUI HAENGBOK – Two 3rds and a 4th among four outings. In the frame. (more…)

Seoul Sunday: Donga-Ilbo Cup – Full Preview

Last year in the snow, Pint Noir won the Donga Ilbo Cup just before another blizzard forced racing to be abandoned for the day. There should be no weather issues this time around as she returns to defend her title against nine rivals over 1800M.

img_20160228_172713.jpg

Pinot Noir in a snowy Donga Ilbo Cup winner’s circle last year

She probably won’t be favourite, with the likes of Meni Money and Touch Flying among a competitive field in the Donga. There’s plenty going on elsewhere as well with a total of 11 races at Seoul from 10:40 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:35 to 17:05.

English race cards are here. Notes on the three overseas simulcast races, including the Donga Ilbo Cup are below:

Race 8: Class 5 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million

1. LION ROCK – Full brother to Triple Nine who is currently racing at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Two for two so far and favourite to maintain his 100% record today. (more…)