Moonhak Chief Surges to Korea Cup Victory

Going into South Korea's biggest international races Sept. 8 at Seoul Racecourse, it appeared the local contingent had added a big measure of talent to the usual home-field advantage and, despite facing some talented U.S., European, and Hong Kong raiders, that's how things played out.

And Korea's putative top horse, Dubai hero Dolkong, didn't even figure in the outcome.

The 1,800-meter (about nine-furlong) Fourth Keeneland Korea Cup (G1) featured not only Dolkong, a breakthrough star for Korea during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, but also U.S. invaders Lone Sailor and Harvey Wallbanger and Hong Kong's Glorious Artist.

But it was Moonhak Chief, a Kentucky-bred, 4-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile, who surged to the lead as the field motored down the backstretch of the sandy course made even deeper than usual by the rains of Typhoon Lingling. With Moon Se Young riding, Moonhak Chief was well in command thereafter, winning by daylight over fellow local Cheongdam Dokki.

Ambassadorial, owned and trained by Jane Chappel-Hyam, was third. The late effort by the 5-year-old Elusive Quality gelding was by far the best showing of the day for any of the foreign interests.

Harvey Wallbanger and well-backed Lone Sailor were never involved, finishing sixth and 10th in the 11-horse field.

Moonhak Chief came into the race off a second-place finish behind Dolkong in the Busans Mayor's Cup (G2), beaten less than one length, and now has 10 wins from 19 starts. He became the first local winner in the fourth running of the Cup. The first three went to Japanese runners and Japan did not participate in the 2019 international races because of diplomatic issues between the countries.

If there was a disappointment for the Koreans, it was Dolkong's fifth-place in the Cup. The 5-year-old son of Afleet Alex  was beaten 10 3/4 lengths. He moved the Korean racing program up several notches early in the year, winning the Curlin Handicap Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City District One at Meydan, then finishing third in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).

Vincent Ho, who traveled from Hong Kong to partner with Glorious Artist for trainer Frankie Lor, summed things up for the various international raiders, saying the track was too much to overcome. "It was so deep, there wasn't the turn of foot like there is in Hong Kong," the rider told the South China Morning Post.

The Korean contingent was even more dominant in the Korea Sprint as Blue Chipper overcame an outside post, won a stretch battle, and pulled away comfortably in the final 100 meters. Dia Socks held for second with Gaon Champ third as the first seven finishers were from the home team.

Of the foreigners, Heartwood, with John McKee up for trainer James Chapman, finished eighth; Brazilian-bred Holy Legal, now trained in the U.S. by Ignacio "Nacho" Correas IV, was 10th under Martin Chuan; Peter Walder-conditioned Fast Pass beat only two in the 16-horse field for jockey Gerard Melancon; and Hong Kong's Ugly Warrior was 13th.

Blue Chipper, a 4-year-old by Tiznow , improved his record to seven wins from eight starts and seems a likely candidate to follow Dolkong's path to Dubai.