Hong Kong’s hopes of international success with Computer Patch and Kings Shield were clinically snuffed out on Seoul’s gruelling sand track in the face of inspired performances by local gallopers Eoma Eoma and Winner’s Man, respectively, in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m) and G3 Korea Cup (1800m) on Sunday (4 September).

While Jimmy Ting reflected positively on Computer Patch’s fifth behind Eoma Eoma in the Korea Sprint, Frankie Lor lamented Kings Shield’s inability to avoid kick back after being unable to secure the lead before finishing ninth, beaten more than 25 lengths by Winner’s Man.

On a triumphant afternoon for Korean racing, Computer Patch and Kings Shield struggled to cope in the deep river sand.

After jumping away smoothly under Matthew Chadwick, Computer Patch was shuffled back to sixth place approaching the turn before angling into clear air and rallying into fourth place only to be pipped out of fourth place by Daehan Jilju on the line.

Ting said Computer Patch resented the kick back before regrouping gamely in the straight.

“He didn’t handle the surface because it was a bit deep for him. He jumped out well and was in a good position, but the Japanese horse (Raptus) crossed him and he then got kick back and he didn’t like it. He was then chasing all the way,” Ting said.

“In the straight, when he had a clear run, he was able to keep going – then he was fine.

“The horse has come through the race fine. At least he’s got some prizemoney. I think he ran well but he couldn’t handle the surface.”

Computer Patch earned approximately HK$236,000 for his efforts but all honours were with Eoma Eoma who sat three-wide from barrier 12 – the outside gate – before tenaciously wearing down Japan’s Raptus to win by half a length in 1m 11.2s.

Another Korean runner, Raon First was six lengths further back in third place, while Computer Patch was beaten just over seven and a half lengths.

Five-year-old Eoma Eoma’s triumph left the Seoul crowd rapturous as jockey Moon Se Young celebrated enthusiastically after the colt doggedly overhauled race favourite Raptus to secure his 12th win from 18 starts for trainer Song Moon Gil.

Rated 105 internationally, the US-bred was sold twice Keeneland Sales – for the second time in 2018 for HK$110,000 (US$14,000).

Lor said he had hoped Kings Shield would lead from the inside gate in the Korea Cup but when he was crossed by Raon The Fighter into the run into the turn leaving the straight the first time, his fate was effectively sealed.

“I said to Matthew to lead if he could but, if not, to try and get away from behind the leader to avoid the kick back,” Lor said. “You could see him trying to do that, but he was unable to do so.

“The horse doesn’t like kick back and you could see that.”

Also by an American sire, Winner’s Man stormed home from midfield on the turn to down Raon The Fighter to give Korea a famous quinella, while Japanese raider Sekifu was third.

With his 13th win from his 18th attempt, Winner’s Man – a son of Musket Man completed the trip in 1m 53.1s to give jockey Seo Seung Un and trainer Choi Ki Hong a momentous victory.

Computer Patch and Kings Shield are scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong on Monday (5 September).