Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 16)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9-races from 11:15 to 17:55. The juvenile series continues as Lavender Crown heads a full field of fourteen in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy, race 6 on the card. Here are the previews:

Lavender Crown will bid to take out the second leg of the Juvenile Series (Pic: KRA)

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

Maiden juvenile fillies with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) DUBAI TIME was a trial winner, leading all the way and stopping the clock in a fair time. She draws nicely to lead again and has every chance first up. Among the experienced ones, (1) DANALDA is the only one who has raced twice and she has finished 3rd on both occasions, both at 1200M and both times racing handy to the speed. She should have a fitness edge on her rivals here and can win. (8) WILD MAY was the quickest in trials, running 3rd behind the experienced World Top Tier and if she brings that form to the races, she can be in the finish and that time may make her the betting favourite. (3) GLOBAL LUNA and (10) MIRACLE PACE ran 5th and 7th respectively when facing one another on debut over this distance on September 18th, and both can improve second-up.

Selections(2) Dubai Time (1) Danalda (8) Wild May (3) Global Luna
Next Best10, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (5) SPECIAL FIRST trialed well and was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on August 21st when he ran an on-pace 2nd. He should have come on for that run Seo Seung-un gets on, and he will be favourite to go one better here. (11) B.K RICH debuted over this distance on September 18th, showing close to the pace throughout and while beaten a full nine-lengths by winner Royal Pride, showing plenty of promise. He too can have come on for the run and be close despite the challenge of the widest gate. (10) UHANRYUNG and (4) CLUTCH POTTER both caught the eye in their respective trials and can be considered. (2) BUHWARUI SEOMAK was four-lengths behind B.K. Rich on debut on September 18th and can aim to get closer.

Selections(5) Special First (11) B.K Rich (4) Clutch Potter (10) Uhanryung
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11

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

Decent maiden. (1) BRAVO YOUNG was 5th on debut in August and then an improved 2nd at start number two over 1200M on September 11th when coming from off the pace. He was well beaten by a good winner, but he was doing his best work late and the slight step up in trip can see him home on top here although there may not be much speed to run at. The modestly named (3) INVINCIBLE debuted in June, finishing 3rd over 1000M in a race where the runner-up subsequently won and the winner has finished 2nd at class 5. He won a trial last week in a quick time and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, he is a chance. (10) COWBOY LOOK returned from ten months off to beat three of today’s rivals over this distance on September 4th, and stripping fitter for that run, he can be a danger. (7) GYEONGBOK ARAMIS and (8) OASIS YEONGCHEON among plenty of others with placing chances.

Selections(1) Bravo Young (3) Invincible (10) Cowboy Look (7) Gyeongbok Aramis
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 10

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) HEAR WE GO was 3rd on debut in August and then 4th at start two over 1300M on September 11th when handy throughout. She draws well and third-up, she can be peaking. So can (5) MISS FALCON. She did nothing on debut over 1200M but came from a long way back to run 3rd over 1000M on August 28th in what was a very quick race. She steps up significantly in trip and it may suit. (7) GEORGE PRINCE seems to be figuring things out with a pair of 5th places from his first two, followed by a 4th over 1300M on September 4th and he can continue to make progress in this company. (2) DOCTOR PRINCE and (10) GEUMBIT SPRING others who may improve in a race were there is quite a big drop off in form after the first couple of favourites.

Selections(3) Hear We Go (5) Miss Falcon (7) George Prince (2) Doctor Prince
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

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

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GANGPUNGMA SOARS TO PRESIDENT’S CUP GLORY

Gangpungma backed up his July KRA Cup Classic victory with an even more commanding performance to win the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The “Big Four” who all skipped last month’s Korea Cup, filled out the first four positions with 2024 winner Global Hit in 2nd, 2025 winner Speed Young 3rd, and Success Baekpa 4th.

(Pic: KRA)

Ridden for the first time by Jang Chu-youl in the absence of the injured Jo Jae-ro, who had been his jockey in all but one of his previous twenty-nine starts, Gangpungma was sent off as the 2.3 market elect for the season’s penultimate Group 1 test.

Having settled right at the back of the field, Gangpungma eased into contention on the home turn and then cruised away seemingly effortlessly for a six-length win on the line. 

It was a first Group 1 success not only for Gangpungma but also for jockey Jang, trainer Kim Dong-chul and owner Park Nam-sung. At six-years-old, Gangpungma is the oldest President’s Cup winner since Triple Nine won his fourth in 2018.

“I felt very comfortable right from the start” winning jockey Jang told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Really not a single moment of unease, (Gangpungma) traveled so well that I thought he was going to take off and start flying. The start was good and the pace was perfect so I could afford to take it easy. It was a lot of fun.”

(Pic: KRA)

Three-year-old Funny Wild was well supported as fourth favourite in the market but while the double Classic winner did set the early pace, he was among the first beaten when the established stars started to press, ultimately finishing in 9th place.

For Global Hit it was a 5th runner-up finish in as many starts in 2026, while Speed Young and Success Baekpa ran their usual solid races.

The seven-lengths between Success Baekpa and Giant Step, who led home the rest in 5th, was perhaps indicative of the gulf in quality that exists in the longer distance races at the moment. With no Clean One, there is little reason to believe that any others besides the big four (assuming that up and coming imported star Roshe does not run) have any serious winning chance the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1), the final Group 1 race of the season on December 6.

Korea Racing Report: October 9-11

GANGPUNGMA RULED THE SHOW GAINING GROUP ONE GLORY IN THE PRESIDENT’S CUP IN SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT ON THE UNDERCARD AN 1800M CLASS 3 FOR DOMESTIC REARED HORSES WAS THE MAIN HANDICAP AND THE EVER-CONSISTENT FLYING HONOR proved he is only getting better and better with an outstanding runaway seven-length victory over two other smart three-year-old’s in Live Star and Concord Codie.

Flying Honor (To Honor And Serve) scored by seven-lengths, and it could have been further if jockey Johan Victoire wanted it to be, as the 4.1 second choice with Live Star who was the 5.8 third favourite finishing one-and-a-half lengths ahead of the 2.4 favourite Concord Codie in 2nd and 3rd places. Johan Victoire is the regular partner of Flying Honor and he was completing a double after a similarly easy victory on GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA (Union Rags) who lived up to her name in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) running away from her rivals like an express train in the home straight to score by six-lengths and in doing so the American bred filly was recording her first win at start twelve following multiple minor placings.

Race 11 (1400M Class 3) was the concluding contest and JJARITHAN HAENGBOK (Maximus Mischief) was another winner for the combination of jockey Kozzi Asano, trainer Choi Yong-geon and owner Woo Tae-yul which have a winning strike of almost 40% across the past couple of months. Jjarithan Haengbok was a winner at odds of 30.6 when ridden for the first time by Asano in August before a 2nd last month, where he attempted to bite the rival that kicked back to beat him as they crossed the line, but made no mistake here scoring by two-and-a-half lengths at odds of 4.6 over the Australian bred three-year-old South Carnival which was the 2.5 favourite. Cheongung Storm, who was the horse that Jjarithan Haengbok went to bite last month, was the 9.0 third choice and finished 6th after leading.

TIGER MANGCHI (Old Fashioned) was stepping right up in trip when running in Race 9 (1700M Class 4) and was also ridden very differently by Kim Yong-geun with front-running tactics applied but that did not stop the three-year-old gelding from bouncing back into the winners list by four-lengths as the 2.1 favourite. He only made his debut in June and is now the winner of three races from four starts.

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President’s Cup Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 11)

The penultimate local Group 1 of the season takes place on Sunday with the President’s Cup at Seoul. The big race is the 8th on an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 17:55. There are also 6 races at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Speed Young won the President’s Cup a year ago (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (11) CYBER TIGER settled handy in his trial, before running on for 2nd behind a nice-looking winner. The draw shouldn’t be a problem, Maia stays on, and he has every chance of winning first up. (6) VERY LUCKY was a close 2nd in his trial, showing on pace throughout. From a central draw, he can aim to lead here and could go all the way. (7) LUCKY EUNPA won her trial, leading all the way around and stopping the clock in a fair time. If she brings that form to the races, then she can be a big chance here. (4) RUN TO WIN trialed up fairly, seven-lengths behind G B Queen, who was a debut-winner last week. Seo Seung-un’s booking means he will have backers. (2) GHOST PLASH another who hinted at ability in his heat.

Selections(11) Cyber Tiger (6) Very Lucky (7) Lucky Eunpa (4) Run To Win
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Fillies only in this maiden with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) RAON POLIS has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, at 1000M and most recently at this distance on September 12th, coming from off the pace. Third-up she can be peaking and she has as good a chance as any here. (3) FOREVER HIT raced twice last autumn for a 3rd and a 4th but then didn’t re-appear until this September 5th when she ran a solid 4th place over 1300M in a similar maiden to this. She should have come on for the run, and she can get closer today. (7) MIGHTY MULAN was an improved 3rd at start number two in a very quick race over 1000M on August 29th, showing on the speed. She comes up in trip for the first time and can be in the finish. Those are the three main chances, with (9) TAKE CHARM looking the best of the first timers, while from a good draw, fellow debut-maker (2) CHEONGUN BISANG could also challenge.

Selections(10) Raon Polis (3) Forever Hit (7) Mighty Mulan (9) Take Charm
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 9

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

After a couple of solid trials, (7) WORLD OF DREAM was a good winner on debut over this distance on September 13th, racing handy throughout and running on well. He comes up in class here but is down in weight, draws fairly, and he can maintain his 100% record. (6) MYEONGSEONG PARTY was similarly a winner on debut, in her case over 1000M on September 6th when close to the speed and taking things up late. She is up in class and in trip and while she can’t get a weight break, she can measure up. (8) SEVEN KAISER broke through at this class and distance on August 15th, racing on pace throughout. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but Andre stays on and is not to be dismissed. (1) SUNGLASS and last start winner (4) B.K. DEVIL are others in the frame.

Selections(7) World Of Dream (6) Myeongseong Party (8) Seven Kaiser (1) Sunglass
Next Best4, 3
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 9

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

(1) COSMO LONG went around in all three legs of the Triple Tiara and while she was well back in all of them, she returned to shallower waters and ran 5th on August 15th. She has placed at this distance and with Franco on for the first time, this looks winnable. (5) HAKSAN SWORD is a bit of a form mixer, but he got his solitary win to date over this trip, and he enters following a close 2nd at class and distance on September 13th. He has his fair share of weight but can sit behind the speed and be a danger. (3) SONGDANGMANGCHI races for the first time since winning at this class and distance on January of 2025.  Caution must be applied to any horse returning from an eighty-nine-week lay-off, but he certainly looked well enough when 2nd in a summer trial to suggest that in this company he can go well first-up. (2) SAMJEONG YEOJE and (7) INSPIRE others in the hunt.

Selections(1) Cosmo Long (5) Haksan Sword (3) Songdangmangchi (2) Samjeong Yeoje
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 7, 10, 11

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) DUBAI DREAM can have a line drawn through his latest on September 18th when the reins broke with five furlongs left to travel. He had won his two races leading up to that over 1400M and a mile and he heads to Yeongcheon for the first time and looks nicely in ere to recoup and then some the 3 Million Won fine Lim Sung-sil copped for the faulty gear. It’s not a strong race. (3) OVER RAINBOW was a winner over this distance two starts back and then ran 5th from a wide gate at big odds on his first try at tis class on September 11th. He draws better today and can be close. (5) SINCHEON FREEDOM should be on pace and this is the kind of race were she can pick up some prize money. (1) CHOEGANG LOUIS and (4) BEOLGYO MABEOPSA other place chances.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 10)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55. The Autumn Festival will continue after racing until 9pm. Here are the previews:

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

(11) DAON HUNTER was best of the rest on debut behind a smart winner on Korean Cup Day and on that form alone looks hard to beat despite the tough draw. (5) CRAZY BLUE was not far away on debut when finishing fourth and can be expected to go close once more. (9) YEONGWONHAN BOSS has had the one trial for one score and although the time was slow you cannot do anymore than win. (3) MR. BULLS and (4) POINT WIND, from the stables of Lee Shin-woo and Kim Dong-chul respectively, are two of the other debutantes and rate next with (7) NAREUSYA VICTOR, which has trialled once for a second, and (8) MAGIC TOUCH.

Selections(11) Daon Hunter (5) Crazy Blue (9) Yeongwonhan Boss (3) Mr. Bulls
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

(6) MY CITY has trialled twice for two front-running victories, and the form does not look at all bad out of those two heats so this Park Byeong-il trained colt by Improbable with Andre da Silva on board looks as if he will be very hard to stop. (7) MIGHTY HUNKY and (9) SINGSING MORNING came home third and fourth separated by one-length in the feature juvenile race over international weekend and both have to be given outstanding chances as does (3) SPEARS who was third on debut prior to making up ground from last to run fourth in the Rookie Stakes. (10) GWANAKSAN BIGSTONE was third in the most recent of his pair of trials and rates next over (4) EAST WINNER in an enthralling race for the foreign bred, they are all Americans, juveniles.

Selections(6) My City (7) Mighty Hunky (9) Singsing Morning (3) Spears
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 10

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

(9) ECO BOLT was best of the rest behind Clutch Derby on debut which led him to be sent off a 2.1 favourite for his second race where he made a mess of the start and subsequently did too much work to find a position. If he begins with them today, he can make up for last time. (4) BLITZ CARA comes off a fourth in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy four weeks ago so naturally rates as a strong chance as does (7) STAR PLAY who had been in front of Blitz Cara in his first two starts before racing very greenly in that Listed race and subsequently finishing last. They do the look the main three with (10) SEMYEONG FAKER perhaps next best over (5) DU UM and (6) MASK GIRL.

Selections(9) Eco Bolt (4) Blitz Cara (7) Star Play (10) Semyeong Faker
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) YONGBI SINSEONG is a two-year-old that has had three runs for a second and a fourth with a tenth sandwiched in-between. This is a winnable maiden and despite the draw he can make his presence felt. (8) LOVING PURPLE was going to go close to winning two starts ago before dumping her pilot and was stood down to trial on two occasions prior to resuming at the races with a fifth. (10) WALLSTREET has some inconsistent form but the form of her two third place finishes gives her a chance with (1) PASA ACE, (2) DREAM DIA and (3) NIGHT CAPTAIN not hopeless and neither are (7) ROAD TO SPEAR, (4) CHRYSOL TEN and (5) WONDERFUL CATHY.

Selections(11) Yongbi Sinseong (8) Loving Purple (10) Wallstreet (1) Pasa Ace
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 11

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

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 9)

President’s Cup weekend gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(7) INDIAN CATCHER is a Race Day filly with Thomas Gillespie that has trialled twice with the best of those being her most recent heat on September 17 when a finishing a one-length second and she can go close on debut under Seo Seung-un. (10) ALL OKAY is a Hansen colt with Kim Do-hyun that has also trialled twice with the most recent of those being a front-running two-and-a-half length win. He finished a head in advance of Indian Catcher when they competed in a trial on August 13, Indian Catcher gets a weight swing here, and must be respected. (9) BODY AND SOUL was fourth in a trial on August 27 whilst (8) BREATHLESS has one-and-a-half lengths to find with Indian Catcher from her one and only trial on September 17. (1) MODERN BOY is arguably the best of the quartet of raced runners going on his fifth on debut with (2) MALIKA next best.

Selections(7) Indian Catcher (10) All Okay (9) Body And Soul (8) Breathless
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(2) DAESEONG SKY has trialled once and raced once for a second on each occasion and if he does not race as greenly as what he did on his debut, he can go one better with Seo Seung-un riding. (1) PEGASUS YEOWANG has also trialled once and raced once and in her case, she has finished in third on each occasion and rates as a chance. (8) PERFECT NORTHERN made up some ground in the second of her trials behind a subsequent impressive winner so should not be denied a chance with the Franco da Silva ridden Thomas Gillespie trained debutante (9) BLACK QUEENS, an Old Fashioned filly that has trialled once for a seventh, rating next over Baik Kwang-yeol prepared newcomer (7) DOCTOR SPICY, which has also trialled once for a seventh, and (5) B.K BIG AIR, who has raced once for a fifth.

Selections(2) Daeseong Sky (1) Pegasus Yeowang (8) Perfect Northern (9) Black Queens
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) RUSH WILD bounced back to her best last start with a brilliant eight-length victory from the front following a couple of below par performances. Her confidence should be sky-high following that win and from the inside draw she is a good chance of leading throughout once more despite coming up in class. (8) DAISY TIARA remains a maiden but continues to finish close to the mark and can do so again. (3) SUN LIGHT has proven to be a non-winner to date but from a place perspective always has to be considered whilst (5) P.D SPECIAL and (9) PACHOUI KKUM finished second and fourth at feature level last time and have as good a chances as any and (2) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE is far from hopeless in an excellent race.

Selections(1) Rush Wild (8) Daisy Tiara (3) Sun Light (5) P.D Special
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) TIGER BLUE has raced twice for a seventh and a fifth and did win a trial back in June and that form is good enough to go close in this for Franco da Silva and Bart Rice. (9) CAPTAIN WARRIOR is first-up since January when he pulled up lame in the near fore but was well fancied in a few of the races he contested in his first campaign and was a narrow runner-up in a trial at the end of August. Masa Tanaka rides (7) FLYING SKY which was second three weeks ago when having his first run for six months and on that run will likely start as the popular pick. (2) OASIS TIME is only a juvenile but has the most consistent form so is not to be denied with (1) FANTASTIC BEACH the other main runner over (3) HANGANG BRAVO.

Selections(6) Tiger Blue (9) Captain Warrior (7) Flying Sky (2) Oasis Time
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start4, 8, 9, 10, 11

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT – October 2-5

ON SUNDAY AT SEOUL A LISTED RACE TOOK PLACE IN THE RUNNING OF THE ILGAN SPORTS TROPHY OVER 1800M FOR DOMESTIC BRED HORSES WITH NO HIGHER THAN A KOREAN HANDICAP MARK OF 85 AND THE INCREDIBLY PROGRESSIVE CLUTCH MAGIC produced his best performance yet with a gutsy victory for jockey Johan Victoire and trainer Luigi Riccardi (writes Luke Humphreys).

Clutch Magic takes the Ilgan Sports (Pic: KRA)

Clutch Magic (Uncaptured) raced on the outside of the longtime leader No Problem throughout the contest before putting him to the sword at the top of the straight. However, this was when the 3.0 favourite Musket Day, who had easily won the spring equivalent of this race earlier in the year, was launched by Jang Chu-youl to challenge and looked to have the measure of the three-year-old colt. But the 3.6 second favourite was not to be denied and determinedly fought back to win the prize by a head from Musket Day whilst Yongam Sesang, who was a further neck back in third, may have beaten them both in another fifty metres.

“I knew that No Problem was going to go in front and that he was going to want to stay there” said Victoire “so even though my horse has natural speed, I did not want to go too fast so that it would help the horses behind to get into the race. So, I settled in the second spot and Clutch Magic was a little upset at first to not be in front but then he quickly relaxed. In the home straight, I saw Musket Day coming on my outside and he may have even overtaken me, but my horse was able to give another effort, he has a big heart. Right after crossing the finish line, I was not sure if I had won but I was happy after finding out that I had won. He was a little bit lost when he ran in the Minister’s Cup, but he is gaining more experience, and I too am getting to know him better. Clutch Magic is a horse I have been riding since the beginning, so it is even more meaningful, and I have lofty expectations for the rest of this year and even next year with this horse.

Of the rest Eclipse The King, 13.3, came home in fourth, with Taepyeong Hero, 9.6, in sixth ahead of No Problem, 11.5, who folded for seventh whilst Sling Star, 5.2, was eleventh of the thirteen runners.

The day was a big one for both Victoire and Riccardi as they followed up in Race 9 (1800M Class 1) with another impressive three-year-old in the shape of American-bred gelding G B VAULT (Rock Your World) who enhanced his reputation as a stayer of the future even further with a six-length win as the 4.0 second favourite. Just like Clutch Magic did seventy-five minutes earlier G B Vault raced on the outside of the leader but in his case, he could not have won any easier with 2.6 favourite Pepper X, who was having his first run since finishing down the field when fancied in the KRA Cup Classic, finishing second ahead of Black Belt in third. The other favourites included Vics Go, 5.0, Hero Fighter, 8.6, and Zetta Master 8.6, and they came home in fifth, sixth and seventh. Riccardi was actually completing a treble of wins on the day as juvenile filly G B QUEEN (Hansen), who just like G B Vault is raced by Son Byung-seok, followed up her impressive five-length trial score with success from the front in Race 1 (1000M Class 6) as the 1.4 favourite under Kim Hyo-jung.

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Holiday Monday Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (October 5)

There has just been a string of public holidays in Korea and Monday is another. A Monday holiday means there is a 10-race card at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(10) LUNA SOCKS ran second in her one and only trial prior to her debut where she was a beaten odds-on favourite but was not disgraced finishing a two-and-a-half length third. (11) SENNA k was also relegated to third as the odds-on chance on her respective debut, but both fillies can be given another chance despite drawing the widest gates. The Tony Castanheira trained (3) B WORK has made up some ground from the rear in both his solitary trial and race and rates next over (8) HAENGUN STAR which was fourth on debut with (9) BAEKSAN RACE, who was not far away in his first start, an each-way chance with (1) SMART BIGBANG, which has trialled twice for a fifth and a fourth,

Selections(10) Luna Socks (11) Senna K (3) B Work (8) Haengun Star
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start2, 5, 9, 10, 11

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

(3) ROAD TO PERFECT has only finished outside of the top five once in eight starts and the closest she has come to breaking through was her most recent run when finishing third, so she rates as a solid each-way chance. (10) GEOSEN HAMSEONG has the best performance out of all of these with a last start second so naturally he must be given a strong chance. (4) FLYING CHIEF was well turned over on debut when pulling up lame but if he has come on for the experience he can do better with (2) HONEY SKY, a last start third, next best over (6) GEUMSEONG SHINY and (5) BULPAEUI YEOWANG.

Selections(3) Road To Perfect (10) Geosen Hamseong (4) Flying Chief (2) Honey Sky
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

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

(4) SURPRISE was an outstanding winner of his second career start at the beginning of the year but subsequently suffered a fracture in the near hind sesamoid and has been off the scene since. He resumed with a trial on September 17 where he was only beaten a nose by the Listed Segye Ilbo runner-up from February in Yeonggwangui World which is outstanding form and he should pick up where he left off and hopefully the sky is his limit. (5) RAON KINGSMAN has two fifth places as his best efforts so far from three runs at this grade and rates as one of the key place chances with (7) STEPPING STONE, who was a debut winner before finishing ninth and fourth in two runs at this level, next best over (11) GLOBAL CARD, (8) BIBA CHARM and (6) BLACK SPECTER with (3) YONGBI SHINHWA, (9) MUHAN ARGO and (2) EODIDEUNJI all solid place chances as well.

Selections(4) Surprise (5) Raon Kingsman (7) Stepping Stone (11) Global Card
Next Best8, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 7, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) SAEROUN BISUL ran a placing to this year’s Minister’s Cup runner-up Mr. Taeyang at the end of his juvenile campaign before beginning this preparation with a victory in July. He was then second when having his first Class 5 run at his most run and can go one better. The main danger is the Tony Castanheira prepared (10) BLUE HAWAII which caught the eye on debut coming from well back for second, one place ahead of a subsequent winner, before confirming that promise when again coming from well back to win his second race start by three-lengths. That pair clearly have the best form with (11) COWBOY QUEEN perhaps not a bad place chance with a featherweight on her back thanks to a two-kilogram claim from Kwon Jung-seok whilst (3) JOY CHEONHA, (8) SEUNGNI BAROWS and (7) JIJON BULPAE are next best.

Selections(5) Saeroun Bisul (10) Blue Hawaii (11) Cowboy Queen (3) Joy Cheonha
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Ilgan Sports Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 4)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 17:55) and at Yeongcheon (6 races from 12:45 to 16:30). The feayure is the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy which is race 8 at Seoul. Here are the previews:

A past edition of the Ilgan Sports (Pic: KRA)

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

(9) G B QUEEN led throughout to win her trial impressively by five-lengths on September 3 and looks a good chance of stepping out on debut to land the spoils for Kim Hyo-jung and Luigi Riccardi. (1) WILD CAVIAR also won her trial on the same day by a lesser margin and in a slower time but should be respected from the Tony Castanheira stable. (2) CLOVER SOCKS trialled once for a narrow second to (7) MEMENTO but with a weight swing from that trial could reverse the form. (8) RAON THE SKY and (10) ADI SOCKS rate next.

Selections(9) G B Queen (1) Wild Caviar (2) Clover Socks (7) Memento
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) GOLDEN DIVA comes up to Class 4 for the first time following a second beaten a half-length over this distance a month ago. It is a race of many chances, but she can acquit herself well. (9) ECLIPSE TANGO has been disappointing this preparation, but his best form would probably win this. (5) STORM TROOPER was a Class 5 winner over this distance three runs ago whilst (7) UNJU TIME is knocking on the door for a win with (3) MY SUPERMAN and (4) PICTURE other each-way chances along with (10) BREEDO PHOENIX.

Selections(1) Golden Diva (9) Eclipse Tango (5) Storm Trooper (7) Unju Time
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) SINCHEON HEART comes off a last start second on Korean Cup Day in a race over this distance and at this grade and looks to be getting closer to breaking through for a victory but will be well under the odds. (7) KATARINARA finished in the second half of the field in her first two runs when well fancied but was better last start when making up ground for third. It will be interesting to see how she goes rising in trip by 400M. (4) RISING WIND has been sixth in each of her last two starts but was second three runs ago so that form would give her a chance. (6) BEOLGYO SIGNATURE outran odds of 22.0 on debut before only finishing midfield as a 2.2 favourite at his second run. The only juvenile in the field is (8) FLYING DREAM and whilst he has finished in the second half of the field in both of his runs, he should be kept safe whilst (5) GANGHAN PRINCESS rates next.

Selections(2) Sincheon Heart (7) Katarinara (4) Rising Wind (6) Beolgyo Signature
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) MIGHTY CHAMP has the widest draw to overcome but can be given a good chance on his debut third on August 8 although he was not quite as good last start when finishing midfield as favourite on September 13. Two-year-old (4) RAON THE RIPON was behind Mighty Champ in that September race and only managed midfield at his other prior run but they both strike a winnable race here. (5) CUPID DREAMER is another juvenile, and she is by Race Day on debut and has trialled twice with the best of those being a third place on September 3 where she made up ground. (7) THUNDER RUN is hard to catch but gets a four-kilogram apprentice claim which keeps him in contention with other juveniles (10) ECLIPSE EAGLE, who will be well fancied, and (9) NEWBAL SOCKS the other chances.

Selections(11) Mighty Champ (4) Raon The Ripon (5) Cupid Dreamer (7) Thunder Run
Next Best10, 9
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10                                                                     

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) OASIS GIJEOK could never get into the thick of things at his last run three months ago when running at Class 5 for the first time but his two second places prior to Brown Choco and Lightning Force are the best piece of form on offer in this race so he can break his maiden here if running to that form. (8) TOHAMSAN DRAGON has up and down form but his third two runs ago behind a subsequent winner rates as good enough to win this if he runs to a similar level. (4) TRICK SHOT won a trial at the end of August before finishing fifth over class and distance at Busan at the beginning of September and he will start as the favourite. (7) CHAMP GIRL has had three runs finishing out the back in two of them, but she did win her other run. (5) WONDERFUL LARK has had her issues but from the Thomas Gillespie stable should be respected with (1) GOLDEN POINT next best in a tricky race to assess.

Selections(2) Oasis Gijeok (8) Tohamsan Dragon (4) Trick Shot (7) Champ Girl
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

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

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 3)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55. It’s also the first day of the Autumn Festival which continues after racing with obligatory drone show. Here are the preview:

Malma beer is back for the autumn Festival

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

(2) RUN CROWN has trialled three times and the best of those was his most recent when running third on August 6 beaten two-and-a-half lengths behind a subsequent debut winner. Andre da Silva rides and the Hansen colt can close at value. (8) SLING SMILE is one of only three in the field that has had a race and based on that third place on July 12 can go close under Seo Seung-un. (10) CUPID LUCKY and (9) WONPYEONG CAT, the mounts of Luiz Quiroz and Ruan Maia respectively, came home third and fourth separated by three-lengths in a trial on September 3 and can run well whilst (5) CENTI FORCE is next best over (11) LUMINOUS which has had plenty of trials but has improved markedly along the way.

Selections(2) Run Crown (8) Sling Smile (10) Cupid Lucky (9) Wonpyeong Cat
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 8, 11

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

(6) MACHEON MAMA was second favoured in the market on debut and was far from disgraced finishing in that place chasing home a decent winner. Ruan Maia retains the ride on the juvenile filly, which had led throughout to win a trial by seven-lengths prior, and she is the one to beat. (3) POWERFUL MR. has been close in each of his three starts behind some decent winners and whilst that may be the case again in this it is possible that he could break through at the fourth attempt. Seo Seung-un rides (5) OPUS ONE which has been just worse and just better than midfield in two runs whilst a similar enough comment can be made for (7) FULL STRIKE. (11) INTO THE GALAXY is a roughie chance if not getting too far out of his ground with (2) TOO BIRD HIT next best.

Selections(6) Macheon Mama (3) Powerful Mr. (5) Opus One (7) Full Strike
Next Best11, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

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

(6) LEGEND MONSTER is a two-year-old colt that is taking on the older horses for the first time following three starts for two minor placings behind smart winners and a fifth when favourite. This is a winnable race for him, and he is the one to beat under Furkan Yüksel. (9) MYEONG POWERFUL has finished in front and behind Legend Monster in each of his two runs making up good ground on each occasion and if not getting too far out of his ground will go close. The two juveniles look clearly the pair to beat with (2) PNS GUNS next best over (8) ILGEUP BISUL, (10) PERFECT GAME and (7) GLOBAL HANAM.

Selections(6) Legend Monster (9) Myeong Powerful (2) PNS Guns (8) Ilgeup Bisul
Next Best10, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11

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

(3) STEEL MORE has been placed in each of her three runs and that brings her up to one-win company for the first time. She was first-up for eight months last start when attempting to lead throughout and was only beaten a narrow margin and can go one better. There are plenty of dangers though and amongst them is (6) NAOL AURORA who led throughout to win her maiden very easily at the end of April but has been a beaten favourite in three of her next four runs, all at this class. Seo Seung-un rides for the first time which is interesting. (10) ECLIPSE MARVEL won her maiden last November and at her only run since in August was fourth in perhaps a stronger race than this. (11) HAKSAN SAMMY will do her best work late whilst (2) BINNALEEDS and (5) HAKSAN WINNER, who will perhaps be favourite, are the other main chances.

Selections(3) Steel More (6) Naol Aurora (10) Eclipse Marvel (11) Haksan Sammy
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10

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

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