Seoul

Seoul Derby Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 14)

Sunday is Korean Derby Day 2017! (preview here). There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. There is also a 6-race card at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10. English racecards can be found here. Notes on Seoul races below:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

1. SUN SMART – Improved 3rd last time and big chance to go better here.

2. ILDEUNG YEOGEOL – Never better than 5th in seven outings. Looks fifth choice today too.

3. MINDEULRE CHUKJE – Slight improvement in three goes to date. Needs more here.

4. CHODONG RACE – 5th on debut a month and can have come on for it. (more…)

Busan Ilbo Cup Day – Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 7)

It’s arguably the race of the year so far at Busan Racecourse on Sunday as a field of 15 top class sprinters line up for the Busan Ilbo Cup. Macheon Bolt, last year’s Korea Sprint hero, joins several top line contenders for the Six-furlong Listed race.

Beolmaui Kkum

Beolmaui Kkum goes in the Busan Ilbo – but he won’t be one of the favourites (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Macheon Bolt ran 2nd to Hong Kong raider Super Jockey in the inaugural Korea Cup in Seoul last September and while he could only manage 4th when top weight in a handicap last time out, he looks set for a big run this time under British jockey Darryll Holland.

There are plenty of others in contention too. Recently returned from the Dubai Carnival where his participation was restricted to one 4th place due to lameness, Seoul Bullet can beat anyone on his day while last year’s Korean Dubai star Success Story is a dangerous front-runner who is firmly in the hunt.

Then there is the wildcard. US import King Of Ace has only raced three times but he has won all three with ease and looks a potential star. We’ll see the measure of him here. Then there is the likes of Triple Five, a smart class 1 winner over this distance a month ago, not to mention the Stakes winners Perdido Pomeroy and Beolmaui Kkum. It’s set to be a fascinating contest.

There are 6 Sunday races at Busan from 12:40 to 17:10 while at Seoul there are 11 from 10:45 to 18:00. English race cards can be found here. Notes on all races to be simulcast overseas are below:

Busan Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

1. SMART LADY – 5th behind Lady Chartered and Main Vicar last time and can look to match that today. Should be able to get on speed this time.

2. LADY CHARTERED – Occasionally pulls a big run out, something she’s done twice in her last four outings. Place not impossible once more.

3. LUCKY JILJU – 6th behind Keun Mabeop last start and plenty to find today. (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 6)

It’s a sunny – albeit very dusty – morning in Seoul. 11 races in the Korean capital today from 10:45 to 18:00. English race cards are here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:

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

1. YEONGDONG DAERO – Offered few clues when last of 11 on debut a month ago.

2. UNAK HABIO – Up in class following a win and a 2nd place over this distance. Will need more here but not impossible.

3. STORM NAVY SEAL – A A$70K purchase from Inglis Yearlings last year, he debuts here. Average in trials.

4. RAON CONDOR – Yet to follow-up her winning debut, she is though up in class today having never been worse than 4th in six class 5 attempts. Can go close again.

5. DAEHAN CHEONHA – Best in three starts so far is a 5th. Matching that would be a good performance. (more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Preview (April 30)

Plenty going on at both Seoul & Busan on what is set to be a beautiful Spring Sunday in Korea. 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. English race cards are here. Notes on overseas simulcast races below:

Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

1. FRUGAL GAME – Struggled in three starts at this level since a class 4 win last October.

2. VIVA TRINITY – Last, well back behind Anyang Lion on latest run.

3. ARGO HWANGGEUMKKOT – Last in both tries at this level since class 4 win in January.

4. REWARD HIGH – Solid 3rd place over 1400M on April 8th and regular money winner (more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 29)

Saturday at Seoul sees 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00. English racecards can be found here. Notes on races to be simulcast overseas are below:

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

1. YEOKDAE CHOEGANG – Class 6 winner over 1000M in November. Just one start since, 7th of 12 in February. First try at further than the minimum today.

2. COLORS TROUBLE – Back to back 2nd place finishes, both at this class. Solid chance here.

3. MIRACLE MAN – Struggled on first attempt at class and distance at the beginning of the month but can be given another chance.

4. GUTONGSA – Stepped up to 1700M for first try at this level in March. Should be more comfortable stepped back in trip today. (more…)

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…)