Tiz Barows unleashed a burst of acceleration that none of his twelve rivals could match as he fully justified his odds-on status to run away with the Sports Chosun Trophy (2000M Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Tiz Barows won the Sports Chosun with plenty to spare (Pic: KRA)
Having finished 4th in last year’s Korean Derby and entering off two strong wins from his last three outings, Tiz Barows was sent off at odds of 1.5 locally for the Sports Chosun, which was restricted to horses rated 80 or less, and under in-form jockey Antonio Da Silva, the four-year-old obliged in style.
Jeongmun Bolt set the early pace, but Tiz Barows was always handy and once Da Silva squeezed the accelerator in the home straight, the response was instant and devastating as the pair quickly left the field in their wake to win by a full four-lengths. Queens Tour, the only filly or mare in the race and the only runner to have won at the ten-furlong distance before, closed strongly for 2nd, half a length ahead of Choego Black in 3rd.
(Pic: KRA)
For Tiz Barows, who is by Tizway and is out of the Jambalya Jazz mare Kaylan’s Rose, it was a fifth win on his eleventh start and his third from his last four. Trained by Seo In-seok he is owned by Japanese owner Inokuma Hirotsugu, whose colours were famously sported to victory by Roger Barows in the Tokyo Yushun – Japanese Derby – in 2019. While Tiz Barows hadn’t quite reached his peak when he had his own Derby shot, he looks class 1 bound at the very least.
Antonio Da Silva speaks to in-house broadcaster KRBC after the Sports Chosun (Pic: KRA)
While all but one of Seoul’s Saturday races were lost to a flooded track, on Friday at Busan, in similarly wet conditions, a former double Classic winner did make a somewhat unexpected return to form. Hit Yegam beat Winner’s Man in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Minister’s Cup in 2021 and ran second to the future Korea Cup winner in the Korean Derby.
Since winning that Classic, which was held in December of 2021 due to pandemic restrictions earlier in that year, Hit Yegam had drawn a blank in nine consecutive outings and had finished no better than 10th in any of his latest four. With Friday’s track conditions heavily favouring front-runners though, jockey Choi Eun-gyeong took full advantage of Hit Yegam’s inside draw and early gate speed and he led from gate to wire in the class 1 1200M handicap, holding off the closing pre-race favourite Daemangui Gil by half a length to record his tenth win from twenty-one starts.
Next Sunday there is a double helping of Stakes race action at Seoul. Raon The Fighter and Eoma Eoma renew their rivalry in the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Sprint series, while stablemates Raon First and Raon The Spurt headline the second leg of the Queens’ Tour, the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2).
Sunday sees racing at both Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00), and at Busan (6 races from 11:50 to 16:35). It is a rare Sunday without any Graded races but there is a Trophy race at Seoul in the shape of the Listed Sports Chosun Trophy. Saturday’s rain should have long since stopped but the track will still be very wet. Here are the previews:
Tiz Barows could be the one to beat in the Sports Chosun (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maidens. (6) BEST CLONE will be favoured having shown promise across five prior starts culminating in a runner-up finish on April 9th when on pace throughout over this distance. He won’t need to improve much on that to win here and will take some beating at what will probably be a prohibitively short price. (8) SEUNGNI GONGJU ran 4th behind Best Clone in that April 9th race. That was a big improvement from her debut and if she continues to make progress, she can get closer today. (7) GLORY AND HONOR hasn’t shown much in the way of speed but has got a little closer in her latest two, with a 3rd place last time out. She should be joining Best Clone at the head of the race early and can match or better that 3rd here. (3) HAYAN TAEYANG and (5) DAONDI others in the money hunt.
Selections
(6) Best Clone (8) Seungni Gongju (7) Glory And Honor (3) Hayan Taeyang
Next Best
5, 4
Fast Start
5, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
The second division of the three-year-old maiden. (3) GHANA DREAM has raced twice, improving significantly in the second of them on April 1st when running on from midfield to finish runner-up at this distance. She can settle behind the speed here and can go one better this time. (6) NEW POINT is the main danger. She ran a solid 5th of eleven on debut in a quicker time than Gana Dream did. She doesn’t benefit from an apprentice claim this time, but Antonio’s services should compensate for that, and with some natural improvement, she will be right in this. There are a couple of Debut-makers and (2) NURI TAEYANG qualified well at the second time of asking in a fair time and a close finish on April 14th. She did her best work late and the 1200M first-up may suit. (4) VISION POWER and (1) MOONHAK EDEN other potential improvers.
Selections
(3) Ghana Dream (6) New Point (2) Nuri Taeyang (4) Vision Power
Next Best
1, 7
Fast Start
4, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(1) WONPYEONG CHUKJE will be a hot favourite to score here. He has been working towards a win in recent starts, culminating in an on-pace runner-up finish over this distance on April 1st in a time quicker than any of the others here have clocked. He draws well, he should be on pace, and he should have too much. (5) SAEROUN BITKKAL has picked up in his latest couple and enters off a career-best 3rd over this trip on April 8th. This is no harder and he can be competitive again. (4) DALMAJI also hinted at improvement on his latest on April 15th when coming from midfield to run on for 4th. He comes up slightly in the weights but draws well and may be ridden a little further forward a little earlier today. (6) MAGIC MOCCASIN and (2) EURO GANGJA among others in the minor money hunt.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Weak maiden to kick off the south coast action. (4) YEONGGWANGUIHAMSUNG didn’t exactly pull up trees on debut over this distance on March 24th, but he ran well enough for 6th of twelve in a time a full second faster than any of the others have achieved for the 1200M and that’s enough to make him the pick here. (2) WORLD BEST CAT showed improvement when 5th at start number two over this distance on April 7th. She has raced on pace in both her starts so far and from a good gate, she can do the same here. There is two debut-makers and (7) LUCKY BAND put in a fair trial three weeks ago. He couldn’t ask for a softer race to debut in and can be considered for a money finish first-up, probably racing on the speed. (8) HAPPY BRIANNA and (5) NAMYANG DORI may improve.
Selections
(4) Yeonggwanguihamsung (2) World Best Cat (7) Lucky Band (8) Happy Brianna
Next Best
5, 3
Fast Start
1, 2, 4, 7
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(8) CLAIR BEST has seven top-five finishes from nine starts and enters off a smart 3rd place at this class over 1200M on April 1st. He comes up 1.5kg in the weights but could well be on the speed here and can potentially go all the way. (3) HUIMANG OREUM too comes in off a last start 3rd, in her case over this distance and defying odds of in excess of 30/1. She carries the same weight, draws well, and will warrant more respect here. (9) YONGCHEON JISANG is another last start 3rd. He was a winner at this level over 1200M two starts back, and while he carries 3kg more than when he won, he can settle back and be a danger late on. (2) KKANGDORI and the up in class last start winner (7) ACE TIARA are among others to keep safe.
The Listed Sports Chosun Trophy at Seoul is the feature race of the day but there is plenty going on across the cards, including appearances by the likes of Eoma Eoma, Morfhis and East Jet in a big handicap. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 plus 6 at Busan from 12:00 to 16:40. All betting locations are open, however, attendance must be pre-booked through the MyCard app. Here are the previews:
Eoma Eoma runs in Seoul’s feature Sunday handicap
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies kick things off and we’ll be happy to side with the solitary first-time starter. That’s (7) DREAM ROSE who comes in having performed well in a trial two weeks ago when she led for much of the way around, ultimately crossing the line just half a length behind last year’s Oaks winner Choegang Black in a decent time. If se brings that kind of form to the races, she can produce a bold showing first-up here. (6) CONCORD QUEEN will dispute favourite status. After an indifferent debut, she has done well in her latest two, racing prominently throughout. She’ll be on the speed here and has every chance. So too (4) SONGAM BEST, who has run 3rd in both starts so far at 1000M and 1200M. She too is likely to be up on the early speed and can go close. (1 ) ARCH RIVER ran through the line well enough on debut and may appreciate the additional trip today. (8) TOP POSITION another one in the frame for improvement.
Selections
(7) Dream Rose (6) Concord Queen (4) Songam Best (1) Arch River
Next Best
8, 9
Fast Start
4, 6, 7, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
More maidens here, this time with three of the twelve racing for the first time. (3) CONCORDE SPURT is the one to beat having finished no worse than 4th in three starts so far including his latest when coming from midfield to run on well for 2nd place. He draws a better gate today and should have too much. (2) EUREKA has run well for 4th in both his latest two aces, the most recent of which was over today’s distance. He ran the same time for the 1200M as Concorde Spurt and looks one of the more credible dangers in this field. (8) PURPLE WORLD ran a good 2nd on debut over 1000M on January 29th. He should have come on for the experience and there is no reason the additional furlong can’t suit. Of the first timers, (9) CHAPEL PRINCESS looks the best placed to make an immediate impact having won a trial at the end of January. (1) RAON THE CHUKJE can potentially improve having received a good draw for the first time.
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
It’s hard to go past (2) KING CRUSH here. He has been consistent across his seven starts so far with his best being 3rd place two starts back over 1300M. He has run fair times and from a nice draw should be hard to beat. (4) DONGSEO YEOGEOL is the only runner in the race with a 2nd place to her name, which she achieved four starts ago in early December. She can be on pace here and should be in this a long way. (5) P N S HER has three 4th place finishes from six starts so far, including her latest two. She has also recorded the fastest time among these for the distance and should be aiming for a career-best finish in this company. (10) SINJURYU has a best finish of 3rd. He tends to settle back and tries to run on so the wide draw may not be a concern. (8) MYEONGJIN CANDY the only other one in the race to have hinted at much ability so far.
Selections
(2) King Crush (4) Dongseo Yeogeol (5) P N S Her (10) Sinjuryu
Next Best
8, 1
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
One of two first-time starters, (1) HAMYANGEUN SANSAM looks the one to beat here. He wasn’t ready when trialed for the first-time last September but looked a totally different prospect when on pace throughout and crossing the line first in another heat in February. Drawn nicely on the inside, he won’t need to improve much on that to win. (2) SEOGWI CHUKJE ran fairly for 5th at start number two on February 11th, going right back and then running on over 1200M. The slight step up in trip can be a bonus here. (7) SPECIAL WIND was 6th in that same race on what was his debut. He should have come for that and with natural improvement can be aiming for the places here. (4) ALL CROWN and (8) UNJU STAR look the best of a limited rest.
Selections
(1) Hamyangeun Sansam (2) Seogwi Chukje (7) Special Wind (4) All Crown
Next Best
8, 3
Fast Start
1, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (4) MAGIC TIDE was a winner at this class over 1200M two starts back before finishing 4th on her latest outing, again at 1200M, on February 19th in what was arguably tougher company than this. She has run a fair time at this distance and while she comes up in the weights, she gets a better draw than last time and will be favourite to strike here. (7) COOL PRINCESS has also run a good time for the distance and comes in looking as though she is working towards another victory with a 4th and a 3rd from her latest two outings at 1200M and 1300M. She has settled back in midfield in those but may be ridden bit further forward today and can be a danger. (3) HAPPY SOCKS will need a line drawn through her latest when she struggled from a wide gate. Much better drawn and slightly down in weight she can be given another chance here. (10) CHEONEUNCHONG comes up in class having got her maiden win at start three on February 13th. She is up in trip too but in this company should measure up. Also up in class, (11) LAGERTHA is another to consider.
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
A very tricky race. (9) BLUE CARSON has been as consistent as any across her eight starts so far – i.e., she has mixed her form but has a 3rd and a 2nd to her name at this distance as well as fair times. The draw won’t matter so much, and she can make the breakthrough here. (4) WIND CROSS comes in following a good 3rd place over 1400M during which he led at times. He should be on pace again today and can be in this long way again. (11) INDIE MAGIC was a good 2nd on debut and while he had a hard time on his second appearance on February 25th, that was his first try at 1200M and he can have come on for that run and be in the mix here. (10) B.K. HANA and (2) ARTIE’S GAL are others who should be in at least the placing frame.
Selections
(9) Blue Carson (4) Wind Cross (11) Indie Magic (10) B.K. Hana
Next Best
2, 1
Fast Start
2, 4, 7, 10
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Good race. (6) TITAN SOCKS is the top pick and probable favourite. He is yet to finish outside the top-five in four starts which includes a win over 1200M at class 6 level back in January. At his latest start on February 26th, he stepped up to this class and distance and sat midfield before running on for 3rd. He carries the same weight today, draws better, and may take some beating. (3) DAEMUL comes up in class and distance having got his maiden win at start number two on February 19th when handy throughout and running on to win very well. He comes down a couple of kilos in weight and there is not reason why he can’t measure up in this company. (5) RUNNING NUMBER ONE was a winner at this distance at class 6 level two starts back and while he could only manage 6th on his first try at this class on February 19th, he can be given another chance today. It’s been a while since (4) AMAZING WHIZ was in the winner’s circle, but she is a model of consistency and this is the kind of race she knows how to find the minor money in. (10) BRAVO SOCKS and (1) THAT’S MY BOY, the latter along with Running Number One the only previous winner at this distance, are others to consider.
Selections
(6) Titan Socks (3) Daemul (5) Running Number One (4) Amazing Whiz
Horse Racing in Korea 