Following a dominant Rookie Stakes performance, Giant Punch faced thirteen rivals but was sent off at even money in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy (1200M – Listed). However, he was forced to play catch-up right from the start after breaking fractionally slowly and found himself behind a wall of horses throughout. A 12/1 chance, Hangang Ace broke well from gate ten under Park Tae-jong and was quickly on the pace which was set by the filly Ranut.
Ranut, who was racing for just the second time, faded quickly in the home straight, leaving Hangang Ace alone in front and while Giant Punch would finally find a way through and launch a late challenge, he never looked like arriving on the scene in time, ultimately finishing 3rd with another late charger, 27/1 Kwaehyang grabbing 2nd.
Hangang Ace [Tapiture – Purring To Music (Tale Of The Cat)] is trained by Kwak Yong-hyo and owned by Na Gi-dou. He was imported in-utero and fetched 65 Million Korean Won at auction last November. As an in-utero import, he can run in Korean-bred Listed races, but not Group races, so he won't be eligible for the final leg of the Juvenile Series or for the Triple Crown next year.
On the South Coast, none of Fantastic Kingdom's vanquished rivals from the Busan Rookie Stakes bothered to show up to face him again in the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes (1200M-Listed). The form of that race, however, had taken a boost when Rookie runner-up Jeulgoeunyeojeong scored a facile victory at class 4 level on Friday, a week after 4th placed Betelgeuse had obliged comfortably at Class 5. Their decisions were fully vindicated.
Fantastic Kingdom was sent off at 2/1-on and with Korea Cup winning jockey Seo Seung-un aboard, was scarcely troubled, leading from gate-to-wire for a five-length victory.
Fantastic Kingdom [Concord Point – Union Belle (Dixie Union)] is trained by Lim Keum-man and moves on to three wins from four starts with his only defeat coming on debut. Bred by Jung Hwan of Taesan Farm, he was purchased for 157 Million Korean Won by owners Moojigae Rentcar at the October 2021 Breeders' Association Yearling sale. Concord Point stands privately for the MaYong Agricultural Co-operative at Royal Farm on Jeju Island.
The next rounds of the Juvenile Series will take place on November 6th with the NACF Chairman's Trophy (1200M-Listed) at Seoul and the Gimhae Mayor's Trophy (1200M-Listed) at Busan, before the two tracks come together for the finale, the Breeders' Cup (1400M-KG3) at Busan on December 4th.
Next weekend, fillies and mares take top billing with the Jeju Governor's Cup (1400M-KG3) at Seoul. Filly Triple Crown winner Golden Power heads the line-up of thirteen who remain in at this stage.
Race Videos:
Munhwa Ilbo Trophy: https://youtu.be/xj9pI0BINQw
Areumdaun Jilju Stakes: https://youtu.be/OK4AmZdvU0Q
