Lala K brushed off his first career defeat a month ago and showed his formidable late speed to return to the winner’s circle in the second leg of the Juvenile Series, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
But at Busan, hot favourite Baekduui Kkum suffered a shock defeat as Hangang Class secured victory in the southern track's equivalent race, the Gimhae Mayor's Trophy (1200M KOR-L).
Lala K's come from behind win in the Rookie Stakes at the end of August bizarrely went around the world even beyond racing circles, but the eccentric grey youngster couldn't follow up when sent off as favourite for the opening leg of the Juvenile Series proper, the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, on October 8th. However, with that day's winner and runner-up, Nice Time and Eclipse Berry, both absent, Lala K once more began the prohibitive favourite.
This time there was no mistake. Lala K was slow to begin but there was no panic from jockey Yoo Seung-wan who kept him inside with cover as Flying Star set the early pace. Once the field straightened up, jockey Yoo unleashed Lala K down the centre and he proved far too strong, running on to win by a full five-lengths from Ziggurat in 2nd and the previously unexposed Geuma Momentous in 3rd.
"Lala K has become somewhat famous, so I admit I was nervous." Jockey Yoo Seung-wan, one of the quieter members of the weighing room who is known for his self-deprecation, told in-house broadcaster KRBC after the race. "But (Nice Time and Eclipse Berry) were absent so it was easier this time. There was a lot of early speed in this race so my idea was to get out as forward as possible. It didn't work out like that but just like in the Rookie Stakes, the horse was able to save energy."
"(Lala K) is two years old. We don't want to do too much or try to force things." Yoo continued. "We want him to run at three and at four and five, so if you ask too much of them as a juvenile, they get injured or sick. So, we are just training and looking ahead to the future."
At Busan there was a surprise as Baeukduui Kkum, the dominant winner of both the Rookie Stakes and the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes, the latter the first leg of the Juvenile Series on the south coast, came unstuck in the Gimhae Mayor's Trophy. The filly was sent off the 1.6 favourite, but it was Hangang Class, a 10/1 chance, who won on debut but was 4th in the Areumdaun Jilju, who took a comprehensive five-length win.
"What particularly pleased me today was how he dealt with the kick back" winning jockey Park Jae-I told KRBC. "He hadn't experienced that before, and it is a true test when they receive that sand. He came through it well."
Doctor Kingdom, 2nd in both the Busan Rookie Stakes and Areumdaun Jilju Stakes took a third consecutive runner-up finish as Baekduui Kkum could only manage 3rd.
Seoul and Busan will come together for the concluding leg of the Juvenile Series in the Breeders's Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday December 10th. Lala K and Hangang Class will be there.
Race Videos:
NACF Chairman's Trophy: https://youtu.be/m35asElT9DQ?si=QyLyqmIJQK0E4aui
Gimhae Mayor's Trophy: https://youtu.be/i3aHseSoptc?si=8zDW0BaJeGBof6Er
