Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 28)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 112:50 to 19:25. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with five of the nine racing for the first time. (5) RACE NINE ran 2nd on debut over this distance on July 10th in a very similar juvenile filly maiden to this, showing on pace throughout. She should be on pace again here, she should have come on for the run, and she will be a short price to go one better. (3) GREY WIND was a fair 4th on her debut at this distance on July 24th when handy all the way. She too should have derived benefit from the experience, and she shapes as the main danger. Among the first-timers, (4) CHEONNYEON YEOJE was a close 3rd in her trial having led for much of the way and she can be on the speed here. (8) OASIS CELEB was well beaten by G2 Ttukseom Cup winner Fantastic Value in her trial but showed enough to suggest she has some promise. (1) PURPLE QUEEN another who hinted at ability in her trial.

Selections(5) Race Nine (3) Grey Wind (4) Cheonnyeon Yeoje (8) Oasis Celeb
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky one. (9) DOCTOR ATE dead-heated for 4th at start number two over 1400M on July 24th when coming from well off the pace. Third-up he can be peaking and the step up to a mile can be in his favour. He will need to overturn the form on (4) YONGBI CHEONMA, who ran 3rd in that July 24th race having shown close to the speed throughout. That was his second start, and he too can continue to make progress here. (5) GIROL SIDAE has already placed twice at this distance with a 2nd and a 3rd in June and July. She struggled from the widest gate last time out but is worth another chance here.  (3) ONE PLUS ONE and (10) RED KING – the latter having been the other horse in that dead-heat for 4th on July 24th – are among plenty of others with at least placing chances.

Selections(9) Doctor Ate (4) Yongbi Cheonma (5) Girol Sidae (3) One Plus One
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 5

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) BORYEONGUI SINYONG has six top three finishes from eight starts, missing out only in the second two legs of the Triple Tiara. She returned to shallower waters on June 21st and ran 2nd to Powerful Battle over a mile at this class, and coming in fresh after ten weeks off, she can return to winning ways today. (1) BEST TIGER broke through at start four over this distance on July 24th, scoring well from a handy position. An apprentice claim ensures that her carried weight comes down, and from the inside gate, she can measure up in this company. (5) NAMHAE MAGIC is yet to win in thirteen attempts, but he has no fewer than nine top four finishes including his latest when a very close 2nd at this class and distance on July 17th. He may find one or two too quick again but should be close. (3) FLEX KHAN and (7) WORLD TREE are the other main chances.

Selections(2) Boryeongui Sinyong (1) Best Tiger (5) Namhae Magic (3) Flex Khan
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It’s been a long time since (6) HANEUL POLPUNG got his sole win and he endured a run of very cold form, but his recent efforts have been goof with two 3rd places followed by a 5th at this class and distance on July 26th when he beat two of today’s rivals. He won’t need to improve much on that to win here. Nothing else enters in much form. (5) CHOEGANG HAPPY was 6th in that July 26th race. His sole win to date came over this trip and that’s enough to have him in the numbers here. (9) NEW LEADER was 3rd two outings back at this class and distance and while she got sent back to trial following her latest, she came through the heat well and should be challenging in this company (1) GAON BOSS and (11) BIG STAR other placing chances.

Selections(6) Haneul Pokpung (5) Choegang Happy (9) New Leader (1) Gaon Boss
Next Best11, 3
Fast Start1, 6, 8, 10

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT: AUGUST 21-23

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY A 1200M CLASS 2 WAS THE LAST OF THIRTY-FIVE THOROUGHBRED RACES ACROSS KOREA FOR THE WEEKEND AND RAON SILENCE recorded a comfortable win from an on-pace role giving jockey Jo Jae-ro a second winner of the day and a fifth winner for the weekend (writes Luke Humphreys).

Raon Silence (Musket Man) had been caught on the line at her previous start and chased home Roshe the time prior but proved too good by four-lengths as the 2.2 favourite with Drone Killer, 7.3, and Spalta, 6.8, doing the chasing for the minors with Excellent Tan, 8.1, and Star Trek, 7.5, in 6th and 8th places respectively.

Jo Jae-ro had earlier rode a winner that was just as impressive in the shape of SINGSING NASHE (Nashville) who produced one of the more impressive two-year-old performances of the season so far with an excellent seven-length front-running victory in Race 2 (1000M Class 4) which followed up his thirteen-length trial win on July 23. Whilst the track was fast the time of 58.8 seconds was outstanding and was just a half-second slower than both the class and course record.

Race 9 (1800M Class 3) saw GENERAL WIND (Yeonseung Daero) bounce back to form with a four-length success from the front under Furkan Yuksel justifying an odds-on quote of 1.6. General Wind has proven to be a smart type when controlling the race from the top however had bombed out at his previous start when unable to take the lead away from The Derby winner Hwang Geum Eo Jang and subsequently working hard but he had almost no competition this time not just in the run but also at the finish.

A Spanish named colt with a Spanish speaking jockey were the winners of Race 4 (1300M Class 5) with QUERENCIA (Concord Point) and Luis Quiroz eventually getting on top in a three-way photo finish. The winning trainer was Jung Ho-ik who completed a double when GLOBAL SERVE (To Honor And Serve) landed Race 7 (1200M Class 4) and that completed a double for Kozzi Asano as the Tony Castanheira trained FLYING SMART (Old Fashioned) earlier had won Race 5 (1300M Class 5) by a nose as the 3.0 favourite despite coming from midfield and receiving kickback.

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Seoul & Busan Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 23)

It’s daytime racing on Sunday with 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (6) LUNA SOCKS was a close 2nd in her trial, showing close to the pace throughout. She’ll be on pace here and if she brings that trial form to the races, she is the one to beat. (4) RAON CHARIS GIRL ran 2nd in her trial, sitting behind the pace and running through the line pleasingly enough and she can go well first-up. (8) TAEPYEONG SG went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them (which may not appear in all race cards, but he was 3rd in 61.8 seconds on July 23rd) and he should be nice and fit for this. (5) GWANAKSAN JUMP was 3rd in what was a fast heat and he too can be aiming to be prominent early and be a chance. (1) BLACK TIME is the only one with racing experience and while she finished 8th of eleven, it wasn’t a bad showing, and she can have derived benefit from it.

Selections(6) Luna Socks (4) Raon Charis Girl (8) Taepyeong SG (5) Gwanaksan Junp
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time. (2) SINGSING NASHE was a dominant trial winning, leading all the way and crossing the line thirteen-lengths to the good in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, the Nashville colt will take some beating. (4) CLASSIC AUTUMN is one of the two in the race with experience. It took him plenty of trials to get to the races and he led on debut over this distance on July 11th before finishing 5th in a fair time. He should have come on for the run and can be in this a bit longer. (1) G B FLASH was a solid trial winner, showing handy throughout and from the inside gate can go well first up. (9) NAREUSYA GOAT and (5) MIGHTY WONDER are other debut-makers who can be a threat.

Selections(2) Singsing Nashe (4) Classic Autumn (1) G B Flash (9) Nareusya Goat
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky opener on Busan and we can take a chance on one of the two debut-makers. (10) LOST KINGDOM took two goes to qualify but was much more accomplished at the second attempt when an on-pace 3rd in a good time. Franco is on and at a possible each-way price, he could make an immediate impact. (9) RANI did nothing on debut but was a much-improved 2nd at start number two over 1200M on July 26th, coming from off the pace and the slight step up in trip can benefit. (3) SMART YULIM has mixed his form across seven outings to date, but he does have a pair of 3rd places, including on his latest on July 19th, and that’s enough to have him in the numbers here. (4) WONDERFUL MUD can have a line through his latest when he was found to be lame in the near-fore. He has been back in work since August 1st and was 3rd over this distance in June. (8) YEONGGWANGUI HOPE did nothing on debut but has since been back to trial and looked much better, and he can be given another chance.

Selections(10) Lost Kingdom (9) Rani (3) Smart Yulim (4) Wonderful Mud
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

There are two debut-makers here and one is quite interesting. (10) CLUTCH WORLD took two goes to qualify but he did it well in the second of them when settling midfield and running on pleasingly. He was seven-lengths behind Mighty Log, whose own debut is even more hotly anticipated, but if he brings that form in here, he can go close. It helps that the main danger and probable favourite is drawn even wider. (11) DAEDONGYONGMA did nothing in his first four, but he has picked up with a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both over 1300M and he can continue to make progress here. (5) SONGDANG JILJU showed signs of figuring it out when 4th on her first try at this distance on July 25th and she can build on that here. (3) DELTA CHOEGANG and (4) SEOBU KING look to be the other main place chances.

Selections(10) Clutch World (11) Daedongyongma (5) Songdang Jilju (3) Delta Choegang
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It’s hard to go past (2) AEGIS CHEONMA here. In four starts, he is yet to be worse than 4th, getting his maiden win at start two over 1200M in May and then running 4th and 3rd on two tries at this class, the latter on July 24th. Seo Seung-un stays on and drawing well to pick his spot, the pair can win. They will need to overturn the form on (3) CALM FAST, who was a somewhat unexpected 2nd in that July 24th race. That was his best finish in twenty-eight attempts though and he has run once since without doing much. Nevertheless, in this limited company he can aim to place. (9) WIND SWORD enters off a fair 4th place at 1300M on July 26th and with an apprentice claim giving him a 3kg weight drop today, he should be firmly in contention. (1) POWER TIGER and the returning (5) BULBIT GANGJA are others in the frame.

Selections(2) Aegis Cheonma (3) Calm Fast (9) Wind Sword (1) Power Tiger
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) QUERENCIA has been working back towards another win since getting promoted to this class after his maiden, culminating in 3rd place over 1400M on July 26th, well-beaten by a good winner but not far off 2nd when racing handy throughout. He only comes up 1kg, Luis stays on, and he can win. (3) THE SUN MONSTER has been ultra-consistent without winning, with three 2nd places and a 3rd from his latest four, most recently at this class and distance on June 21st, when coming from a long way back. He draws nicely and today could be his day. (2) WINNER SOCKS was 4th behind Querencia in that July 26th race. He has four-lengths to make up but can beat plenty of these. (1) BULGEUN POKPUNG and (4) NAOL AURORA others who can make the placing frame.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 22)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(6) SENNA K was out the back in her first trial before a third in her second trial prior to leading throughout to score by two-lengths in her third trial on July 23. This Song Moon-gil trained Giant Run filly will be hard to beat with Seo Seung-un onboard. (7) NAREUSYA VICTOR has trialled once for a second on July 9 and looks the danger for trainer Jung Ho-ik. The Luigi Riccardi prepared (8) UNICORN ACE was very green on his debut but made up a lot of ground for fourth and will have come on for the experience and if doing everything right is a chance. (1) GHOST WIND is a Power Blade filly for Furkan Yüksel and Lee Shin-woo, who are both in good form, and rates over (4) HIGHLIGHT and (5) GEOLJAK YUNSEUL who both should not be totally dismissed.

Selections(6) Senna K (7) Nareusya Victor (8) Unicorn Ace (1) Ghost Wind
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) GRAND POKPUNG has been fourth, second, and fifth in three runs and has chased home some smart looking types of her own age group. She is the only two-year-old in the line-up but gets her chance to break through. (7) RAON EXTREME has had two runs with the first of them being a third in November before resuming last month which yielded a second. Seo Seung-un rides and he rates as the danger. (10) JEONGMUN KINGDOM was well turned over on debut but has been third in two runs since and is the other key player with (11) NEUNGRYEOK DORYEONG best of the rest over (8) PNS LEAF and (4) CHRYSOL HEELS.

Selections(2) Grand Pokpung (7) Raon Extreme (10) Jeongmun Kingdom (11) Neungryeok Doryeong
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(8) STEEL MORE was second and third in two runs at the end of last year and trialled up for this last month when second to the horse that will start favourite in the first event on this program. She looks hard to beat as does (10) QUEENS TIGER who at her third and most recent run was ridden for the first time by Seo Seung-un and ran second following a third and a fifth. (5) INDIE MINISTER outran her odds when making her debut and is an each-way chance as is (7) CHEONGGANG BOM who has been consistent enough in five runs with (3) CHALLANHANHAMSEONG, who was second two back, next best over (9) TWOTWO MAGIC.

Selections(8) Steel More (10) Queens Tiger (5) Indie Minister (7) Cheonggang Bom
Next Best3, 9
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) SAEROUN BISUL chased home some good horses last season as a juvenile and has resumed this year with a trial victory in June and a maiden victory in July both by narrow margins and will be hard to beat despite the widest draw. (6) PARKA SHINE looks a decent each-way chance at value especially with Kozzi Asano riding who could win on a rocking horse at the present time. (8) PIEONARI will be well fancied, and it would be no surprise if he were to break his duck at the fifth time of asking despite having his first run at one-win grade. (7) BROWN JACKPOT must be a good chance following a five-length course and distance maiden victory and Kim Hyo-jung retains the ride. (2) B.K. VIVACE and (1) HAKSAN HENNY are each-way chances and the best of the rest.

Selections(10) Saeroun Bisul (6) Parka Shine (8) Pieonari (7) Brown Jackpot
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 21)

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 12:50 to 19:25. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. (8) SPECIAL FIRST was the best in trials, showing on pace and crossing the line 2nd in a good time behind the vastly experienced Daehoma. If that form comes to the races, he can win. (5) PEGASUS YEOWANG ran 3rd in her trial, showing handily throughout and that’s enough to have her in the numbers here. (6) MODERN BOY took two goes to qualify and while he didn’t beat many at the second time of asking, he looked competent enough and he should be nice and fit for this. Of the experience, (9) OASIS SHACKLE and (10) SUPER WEEK are perhaps the best placed to improve from their respective debuts.

Selections(8) Special First (5) Pegasus Yeowang (6) Modern Boy (9) Oasis Shackle
Next Best10, 7
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Not the strongest of maidens. (8) OVER RAINBOW has been knocking on the door across seven starts so far with his best being a 3rd over 1200M in March and his best his latest when 4th at 1400M on July 19th He usually settles back and runs on, and he won’t need to improve by much to win this. (4) DOCTOR PRINCE was slow away on debut and finished well-back behind Seraph on debut over 1000M in June but was an improved 5th when sent up to a mile for start two on July 26th. The difference is split distance wise here and he can continue to get closer. (9) FANTASTIC ROYAL similarly improved to 6th at start two and Seo Seung-un riding for the first time will tempt some. (11) WORLD THUNDER CAT and (7) SHINING CLUTCH others in the frame.

Selections(8) Over Rainbow (4) Doctor Prince (9) Fantastic Royal (11) World Thunder Cat
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start5, 6, 9, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) DOCTOR QUE SERA broke through at start number three over 1400M on July 19th, leading from gate to wire. He is up in class and in trip here, but he comes down 2.5kg in weight, and he could make it two in a row. (6) REGINA VINCIT finished 6th of twelve in the Korean Oaks and then 7th of ten in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She returned to regular waters when beating a couple of these on her way to 4th place at this class and over 1800M on July 17th and back at a distance over which she got her two best results, she has the potential to return to winning ways. (10) GYEONGBOK PORTOS is up in class following a maiden win at this distance on July 19th and can measure up at this level. (11) SPACE GOLD and (7) MOST WANTED among plenty of other place chances.

Selections(4) Doctor Que Sera (6) Regina Vincit (10) Gyeongbok Portos (11) Space Gold
Next Best7, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 10

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) QUEEN WIND didn’t do much in her first four tries at this level, but she returned to winning ways in fine style on July 17th over 1400M, leading all the way around. She comes up a full 4kg in weight, but she has every chance of winning again. (2) FLASH COCO broke through at start number three over this distance on July 3rd with a similarly front-running effort. She is up in class here but there could be more to come and form a good draw, she can measure up at this level. (9) GREAT STAR has been close in her latest three, most recently when 3rd over this distance in a very similar race to this on July 19th and she can be there or thereabouts again (4) ARE YOU READY and (6) YEONGGWANGUIROOKIE are among others in the frame.

Selections(1) Queen Wind (2) Flash Coco (9) Great Star (4) Are You Ready
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 6

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT – AUGUST 14-17 (ROOKIE STAKES)

IT WAS ROOKIE STAKES DAY IN KOREA LAST SUNDAY AND THE SEOUL VERSION SAW HOPE K record a second success in the race for owner Kang Gyeong-un after his colours were famously carried to success by Lala K three years ago (writes Luke Humphreys).

Dubai Heart claimed the Busan Rookie Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Hope K (Mitole) landed the prize in much distinct style to Lala K’s viral victory however as he led throughout to land the money by five-lengths for jockey Lee Dong-ha and trainer Moon Byeong-ki. Hope K was recording his second win at start three and beat the 4.4 second favourite, and previously unbeaten, Major Fury into 2nd. The other favourites were South Carnival, 5.0, who had beaten Hope K at the end of May, who finished 6th and the Luigi Riccardi prepared Johan Victoire ridden Kkumui Yeonsok, 2.3, who was the popular pick with punters after his sensational win on debut, but he was slow at the start and was never closer than second last.

Trainer Moon Byeong-ki completed a double when winning the concluding Race 10 (1200M Class 4) with PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) who as the 4.2 second favourite led throughout from the inside gate to land the spoils by two-lengths at his first attempt at Class 4. Cheongsan Dolpung was 2nd whilst 3.9 favourite Sahara Khan did well to run 3rd after a poor start ahead of Ikkeulim, Ever Glory and Forever Gil in 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Whilst naturally the Rookie Stakes was the feature of the meeting Race 9 would have been the main race on the day on any normal card. It was an 1800M Class 1 and five-year-old mare GLADIUS (Boys At Tosconova) on her first run against the boys since February of last year, when she beat them by eight-lengths, proved way too good by a margin of nine-lengths despite being very wide throughout the contest. The grey mare is one of the most consistent horses in the country and no doubt her win would have been a huge confidence booster leading into the Queen’s Tour races this coming Autumn. Zetta Master, at this stage the only Seoul based horse entered in the Korea Cup, came from last as he always does to be 2nd whilst Musket Day, a Listed winner in May, was 3rd ahead of longtime leader No Problem in 4th. The disappointment of the race was the 2.9 favourite Best Race who had been best of the rest behind Roshe in the Owner’s Cup at his previous start. He had run over 1800M or further just twice in his career when 12th in both last year’s Derby and Minister’s Cup and the trip proved too far for him especially considering he was on pace in the run.

There were multiple trainers and jockeys that had winning doubles on the day, and they included Tony Castanheira who had a race-to-race double at that with HOT FEVER (Old Fashioned) in Race 3 (1300M Class 5) and BEONGAE LEWIS (Uncaptured) in Race 4 (1400M Class 5). Hot Fever was recording her first win at start ten and pinched the prize from the front under Kozzi Asano whilst Beongae Lewis followed up his twelve-length trial win and six-length debut win with a four-length score as the 1.6 favourite sixty-five minutes later and is a three-year-old colt to keep following.

Lee Hyeok was the winning jockey on Beongae Lewis, and he completed a double when YONGBIGYO (Nitrous) was a smart nine-length winner from the front in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) on her Class 4 debut. She comfortably accounted for the 1.8 favourite Raon Finalle who was finishing 2nd for the third consecutive start.

Kang Hwan-min trained a double with SAMJEONG YEOJE (Cowboy Cal) winning by four-lengths in Race 2 (1300M Class 6) before ONE DIA (Independence) won Race 5 (1400M Class 5) as the 2.8 favourite with Furkan Yuksel. The winning rider on Samjeong Yeoje was Kim Yong-geun and he completed a pair of wins on the day when NAMSAN ROCK (Known Agenda) scored by nine-lengths as the 1.9 favourite in Race 6 (1400M Class 4).

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Holiday Monday Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (August 17)

It’s a public holiday on Monday and that means a special 11-race Seoul card from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(2) GWANAKSAN BIGSTEP is a colt by Vics from the Song Moon-gil stable that won by a lazy thirteen-lengths in his one and only trial on July 16 where he led from start to finish in smart time. That will send him off as a long odds-on favourite for his debut. (5) BIG WIND is by Courvoisier with the in-form Lee Shin-woo stable and trialled once for a fourth on July 23 and rates as best of the rest under Andre da Silva. (9) TONNERRE DOS has never been better than midfield in two runs but rates next over (7) DU UM, who a similar comment applies to, with (6) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG and (1) SHARP GUY, a Moon Byeong-ki prepared Concord Point colt, potential place chances.

Selections(2) Gwanaksan Bigstep (5) Big Wind (9) Tonnerre Dos (7) Du Um
Next Best6, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) INFLATION has taken a while to get to the races as he had two trials last year for a fifth in July and a front-running victory in December before most recently trialling on July 16, this year, when second beaten a nose behind Geosen Daero, fourth in last year’s Rookie Stakes. If this Medici Glory colt out of a Canadian mare is good to go, he can go close. (8) RAON THE RIPON has trialled once, also on July 16, for a thirteen-length second to Gwanaksan Bigstep. That horse will be the odds-on favourite in Race 1 so supporters of Raon The Ripon will be keeping a big eye on what happens twenty-five minutes before this Musket Man colt with Lee Kang-seo makes his debut. (1) GEUMBIT YEONGUNG has a runner-up and two fourth places from three runs and will go close whilst (11) STUNNING SKET has a second and a third from his pair of starts. (6) WONPYEONG DREAM looks the other key player with (3) SPICY JERRY best of the rest.

Selections(2) Inflation (8) Raon The Ripon (1) Geumbit Yeongung (11) Stunning Sket
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start2, 5, 9, 10, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(1) MYUNG BRACING resumes since the winter when finishing second in a pair of maiden events in December and January. She was fifth in a trial on July 23 and should go close first up. (7) SILK SPECTER was fourth in a decent race for this grade two back and could be at decent value in this event. (2) GANGHAN GAMMA is a maiden who has struggled in two runs at this grade but had run minor placings just behind some decent winners in three of her maiden runs prior so should not be totally discounted. (6) EXCELLENT HANSEN has been third in each of her last two runs which have been at this level and rates as a solid chance as does recent dual runner-up (3) GEOLJAK TIARA, who will be well fancied, with (5) HAEMAJI best of the three outsiders.

Selections(1) Myung Bracing (7) Silk Specter (2) Ganghan Gamma (6) Excellent Hansen
Next Best3, 5
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 7, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) MR. DOR and (4) CLUTCH DERBY have both had one trial for one impressive win and one race for one impressive win so this looks set to be an exciting race for the grade. The former came from well back to win his trial by seven-lengths before pulling Kozzi Asano’s arms out when he attempted to ride him with a sit in the early stages on debut before pulling him to the outside a long way from home and eventually recording a sixteen-length score. The latter has been arguably the most impressive looking juvenile we have seen this year to date with front-running victories in his trial by seven-lengths before a winning margin of nine-lengths on debut, yet we do not seem him in the Rookie Stakes twenty-fours earlier but in a Class 5 where he will not get it all his own way against a smart looking rival two years his senior. However, Clutch Derby will start favourite over Mr. Dor in what should be a top match race with the rest all battling out third to ninth with (6) POWER BEST and (7) THUNDER FIRE the best of the bronze chances over (9) HYEWONYONGMA and (8) FINAL JILJU.

Selections(5) Mr. Dor (4) Clutch Derby (6) Power Best (7) Thunder Fire
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start1, 4, 7

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Rookie Stakes Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (August 16)

Seoul and Busan both hold their prep races for the Juvenile Series on Sunday as a small collection of the most promising two-year-olds at each track line up for the Rookie Stakes. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens although all but one have raced at least once before. (3) WONDER GRACE has raced twice, improving to 2nd at start two over 1000M on July 12th. The step up in trip can suit and third-up, she can be peaking. (8) ECLIPSE GOLDEN was 3rd on debut over this distance on July 19th, well beaten by the promising Clutch Derby, but nevertheless putting in a solid effort. He should have come on for the run and shapes as the main danger and possible betting favourite. (9) G B ACE was a beaten favourite on debut over 1000M on July 4th but showed enough in 4th place to suggest he is worth another chance here. (1) BONBON TIARA and (6) SEOGWI MENIQUEEN among others who hinted at ability on their respective debuts.

Selections(3) Wonder Grace (8) Eclipse Golden (9) G B Ace (1) Bonbon Tiara
Next Best6, 4
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) SAMJEONG YEOJE enters off back-to-back 3rd places over 1400M racing on pace both times. She draws a touch wider than ideal but se won’t need to find much improvement to win this. (5) JS LOVE did nothing in her first two starts this spring but having gone back to trial, reappeared on July 18th with a close 2nd place at 1200M. She draws well here and can match or better that today. (1) HWARYEOHAN YUSAN was an improved 2nd over this distance on June 7th when racing on pace throughout. He can lead ere again and can be in this a long way. (3) GEOSEN HAMSEONG and (9) ILGEUP BISUL are among others who can be aiming for the places.

Selections(10) Samjeong Yeoje (5) JS Love (1) Hwaryeohan Yusan (3) Geosen Hamseong
Next Best9, 11
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It’s hard to go far past (1) SWEET MAN here. Since switching to racing on pace two starts back, he has a 2nd and a 3rd both over 1400M and while he comes up to a mile for the first time, he can get a soft lead here and go all the way. (9) RIVER RUN was beaten by a couple of these two starts back but comes in following a 3rd place over 1400M on June 21st when coming from off the pace. He comes up to the mile for the first time, and it may well suit. (10) SHINY KOREA was an improved 2nd at 1400M on July 19th and is another who can benefit from the extended trip today. (8) VIRAL HIT and (11) HANGANG BRAVO are the other main contenders on a place line.

Selections(1) Sweet Man (9) River Run (10) Shiny Korea (8) Viral Hit
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) WHIZ POINT hasn’t won but has two 2nd places and two 3rd places from four starts to date and was most recently runner-up at this class and distance on July 11th when on pace and only going down narrowly. He is up 3.5kg in weight, but he can break through here. (1) HOT FEVER is yet to score in nine but got promoted to this class with back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M and 1300M in April and May. She comes in having run 4th at this class and distance on July 19th and she can be closer today. (9) ONNURI BIT beat Whiz Point two starts back when the pair came home 2nd and 3rd and while that was her best finish so far, she can be a place chance again. (4) CLOVER ONE and (6) INSPIRE others firmly in the frame.

Selections(2) Whiz Point (1) Hot Fever (9) Onnuri Bit (4) Clover One
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) PRIME JENNY was an all the way winner on debut over this distance on July 17th scoring with plenty in hand. She could have probably taken her chance in the Rookie Stakes later on, but instead is sent to face older rivals at class 5 and should really win again. (9) CLUTCH RUNNER has mixed his form since his maiden win, but he enters off a 3rd place over 1200M at this class on July 19th when settling midfield and running on. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time, and he will have backers. (10) SKYNEX was a maiden winner two outings back over 1400M before running a solid 3rd place over a mile on his first try at this level on July 12th. He is up 2kg but can be there or thereabouts again. (4) JEONGMUN FELIX is the best of the rest while (8) WONDERFUL LARK, racing for the first time since November 2024, is the wildcard having trialed fairly.

Selections(1) Prime Jenny (9) Clutch Runner (10) Skynex (4) Jeongmun Felix
Next Best8, 2
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 34 Million

(3) BEONGAE LEWIS won a trial by a distance and then scored by six-lengths with a front-running effort on debut over 1200M on July 4th. He comes up in class and in distance, but he is down 2.5kg in weight and the manner of that victory means he goes on top again today. (8) HAKSAN PRINCE is a non-winner of twenty-four and that probably won’t change here, but he has placed on no fewer than nine occasions, including his latest over 1200M on July 18th. He has been runner-up over this trip four times and this is the kind of race he can pick up a cheque in. (2) SINHAN ACE comes back in trip following 3rd place over 1800M on July 18th. He has a 3rd over this distance too and he will be running-on late again. (9) TEN BAGGER and (10) STUNNING SERVE are others in the hunt.

Selections(3) Beongae Lewis (8) Haksan Prince (2) Sinhan Ace (9) Ten Bagger
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start1, 3, 8, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

A bit of a battle of the non-winners. (7) QUEEN PERFECT comes in off 2nd place at this class and distance on July 12th in what was arguably a stronger race than this. That was her first go at both the class and the distance and with that experience in her, she can go one better today. (9) DUBAI DREAM is up in class having 2nd over 1400M on July 19th when settling midfield and running on. He gets a 2kg weight drop and the step up in trip can suit. (4) KISS THE RAIN was 4th on his first try at both class and distance on July 5th and just like Queen Perfect, can have come on for that. He’ll be on pace and can be in this a long way. Veterans (1) DORAON SAMSON and (10) COLONEL FLYING also find themselves in a race where they can win a prize.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 15)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(5) WHITE THUNDER was not far away on debut when sent off in the market and this Choi Yong-geon prepared Hansen filly can go close under Kozzi Asano. (7) QUEENS IMPACT was ridden by Asano in each of her two trials and her race debut which yielded a third to a subsequent winner and a subsequent runner-up. Franco da Silva picks up the mount and this Knicks Go filly looks the other key runner. (2) RAON POLIS has trialled once for a fifth beaten twelve-and-a-half-lengths and the Musket Man filly out of a Japanese mare with Lee Kang-seo rates next over (1) LOOM CHUKJE and (9) BLUE HORIZON who are best of the rest over (4) CITY OF DREAM.

Selections(5) White Thunder (7) Queens Impact (2) Raon Polis (1) Loom Chukje
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) CLAIR FREEDOM was out the back in each of her first three runs but looks to be knocking on the door with a second, third and fourth in each of her last trio of starts so under the in-form Kim Hyo-jung she can go close. (10) SAMJEONG BLUE is another that has continued to get better with more racing and has been just behind the placegetters of late. He gets a four-kilogram apprentice claim in this so that can help achieve an even better result here. (4) PERFECT GAME was second three back and finished fourth last start and Seo Seung-un rides whilst (5) THE QUEEN ROSE comes from the Luigi Riccardi stable and has been third at her latest two. Recent runner-up (1) ECLAIR WIND rates next over (6) WONDERFUL DARSHAAN.

Selections(3) Clair Freedom (10) Samjeong Blue (4) Perfect Game (5) The Queen Rose
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) MR. KAI draws to hold a forward role and with Seo Seung-un to ride he will be one of the main fancies. (5) VICAR DELLA dropped out after leading last start but at her prior two career starts had finished in third after being on pace and can be given another chance. (2) BIBA CHARM can go close on his third place three runs ago whilst (7) DANAEUN RUBY was third at her most recent run. (11) SAHARA ROSE and last start runner-up (10) RISING WIND rate next.

Selections(1) Mr. Kai (5) Vicar Della (2) Biba Charm (7) Danaeun Ruby
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(11) POINT I has been consistent without winning and despite coming up to one win grade for the first time as a maiden can go close with a light weight. (9) CHEONGGANG YEOREUM comes off back-to-back wins over 100M further and shorter and despite rising seven pounds and two-and-a-half kilograms on last start can complete the hat-trick. (6) POWER MAGIC comes off a course and distance maiden win and rates as one of the chances along with (1) POMADE on his effort three back. (3) TRIPLE S won her maiden over (2) SAENAE RANIA two back whilst the latter has been behind the former as well as Power Magic at her last two but drops two kilograms by coming up in class.

Selections(11) Point I (9) Cheonggang Yeoreum (6) Power Magic (1) Pomade
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) CHAOS led throughout to break her maiden when resuming on July 26 following a second to the subsequent impressive debut winner Clutch Derby, who we see on Monday, in a trial on July 2. That form should stack up well as she comes up to Class 5 and she can make it two for two this preparation. (8) SEVEN KAISER is still a maiden and comes off a career worst performance, but he had been consistent prior and rates as an each-way hope. (2) NINE SPEAR was a two-and-a-half length course and distance maiden winner last month and rates as the other main player with (10) TURBO CHARGE, (6) QUEEN ABIGAIL, and (9) MIGHTY AMI best of the rest.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 14)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 12:50 to 19:25. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with nine of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) ACE CROW was a solid 2nd in her trial, stopping the clock in a good time. She draws well to get forward early here and she has every chance first-up. (6) WILD D’ORO recorded the quickest trial time among the newcomers. She was helped in that by being in the same heat as champion mare Jeulgeounyeojeong, who she finished six-lengths in arrears of, but it was a good showing, nonetheless. In terms of the experienced pair, (11) DOCTOR ATLANTIC was a fair 4th on debut over this distance on July 10th and with some natural improvement, she can get close. (9) GOLDEN CODE was only 6th on her debut but previously ran well in trials and Seo Seung-un staying on will tempt plenty. (8) BREEDO GREEN is another debut-maker who hinted at ability in trials.

Selections(2) Ace Crow (6) Wild D’Oro (11) Doctor Atlantic (9) Golden Code
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) PILSEUNG WINNER took a few goes to figure things out but has finished inside the top four in each of her latest four with her best a close 2nd two starts back over 1300M when racing on pace. She came from off the pace to run 4th at that same trip on June 28th and the step up to a mile can suit. (3) SO FAST was disappointing when 6th having been well-backed over this distance on July 26th. She got a bit far back that day and didn’t make ground (her jockey that day described her as one-paced and doesn’t ride today) but was going well prior to that and is worth another chance in this company where there is nothing in the way of speed. (9) MORE QUICKLY needs to take his own name’s advice a bit more literally when it comes to finishing off his races but enters off 3rd last time and should be there or thereabouts again. (11) NICE POWER and (4) MACH DASH others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Pilseung Winner (3) So Fast (9) More Quickly (11) Nice Power
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) JOY OF QUEEN is still a maiden but was 2nd two starts back over this class and distance before running 4th having led in a race of upsets on July 19th. In this field, she should be on pace again and can win. The favourite will be (6) ROAD TO NUMBER ONE. Having scored on debut, she took a couple of goes to get used to this class but has run 3rd in her latest two, both at this distance and both times having led. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way and will be favoured market wise despite being beaten by Joy Of Queen two starts back. (7) THE POINT hinted at a return to form with a 4th place at this class and distance on July 24th. He is yet another who should be close to the speed. (11) BORYEONG ONE ROAD and (2) GLOBAL ONE PICK may offer some each-way interest.

Selections(9) Joy Of Queen (6) Road To Number One (7) The Point (11) Boryeong One Road
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (3) YEOUN weakened when stepped up to a mile at the end of June, but she previously ran 2nd at this class over 1400M in May. She has her fair share of weight to carry, but she draws well to be on pace, and this time she should stay on. (11) GLOBAL HEROINE is yet to win in twenty-five appearances but has no fewer than sixteen top five finishes including her latest two and this is the kind of race she can find the money in. (7) BACK TO THE DREAM was a maiden winner over 1400M two starts back but struggled with the pace when beaten by two of these on her hirst try at this class on July 19th. Nevertheless, with only four runs to her name, she is worth another chance here. (10) NICE MYEONGGA and (8) NORTHERN QUEEN are others in the hunt.

Selections(3) Yeoun (11) Global Heroine (7) Back To The Dream (10) Nice Myeongga
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) JADE PALACE ran three times last autumn, getting his maiden win in the last of them over 1200M before suffering a setback that kept him off the track until this July 5th when e was 3rd at 1300M. He clearly has some echoes of his early talent and stripping fitter; he can add another win to his bow here. (6) WINNING TREE returned from a similarly lengthy absence on July 19th and made all to score over 1200M. He is only up 2kg in weight and he has every chance of a repeat. (1) SUCCESS GOLD was 2nd in an all-filly race at this class and distance on July 12th and under the same apprentice claim, she can go very close again. (3) NOBLE WIND and (8) WORLD FIGHTER MAN are the other main ones in the market.

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