Updated accepted nominations of overseas-trained horses for September’s Keeneland Korea Cup & Sprint have been posted on the KRA’s English language homepage here. After the sad passing of Franklin D, another horse from the UK, Solar Deity, is set to make the trip. There are also alterations to horses from Japan and the UAE. Today in Korea, there are 11 races at Seoul from 10:50 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 13:00 to 17:00.
Seoul Racecourse has really changed…A “Baskin Robbins”: outlet opened in the grandstand this weekend
English racecards can be found here. Notes on selected races (overseas simulcast) are below:
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 13:25 (KST)
(9) SPIRIT OF HANSEN led until just before the very end of his debut race on July 10th and he’s the pick to hold on this time at the same distance. Chasing him down will be (1) ACE RUNNER, a creditable 3rd on his own debut last month and a decent prospect himself. Korean-bred (13) SEUNGNI ANGEL, winner of her last two in the domestic ranks, takes her chance against perceived weaker imports here and should go well although she likes to be prominent early and will have to work hard from gate 13. (10) DALLYEORA BEONGAE, 4th to Seungni Angel last time, can match or better that here. A note too for debut-maker (2) COMPETIR, a rare NZ bred in Korea by Mr. Nancho, looked quick in her trial.
| Selections | (9) Spirit Of Hansen (13) Seungni Angel (1) Ace Runner (2) Competir |
| Next Best | 10, 7, 11, 14, 5, 6 |
| Outsiders | 3, 4, 8, 12 |
| Fast Starters | 1, 3, 4, 7, 13 |
Busan Race 2: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:45 (KST)
(9) JERAJIN got her maiden win at the third time of asking last start and while up in class here, has claims to follow-up right away in this all-filly affair. She may not be favourite though. That should be (7) TEXAS RUSH who, while yet to win in seven outings, comes in following three consecutive 2nd place finishes, last time at class and distance and she’ll be well backed to make the breakthrough here. Having won on debut, (5) CHALLAUI JUIN was very disappointing when favourite on her reappearance last month but gets another chance here while (2) MAKGANG JILJU and (3) WINNING GILI, the latter 3rd behind Texas Rush last time, should be competing for places.
| Selections | (7) Texas Rush (9) Jerajin (5) Challaui Juin (2) Makgang Jilju |
| Next Best | 3, 8 |
| Outsiders | 1, 4, 6 |
| Fast Starters | 5, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:10 (KST)
No fewer than eight of these are up in class for here, six of them following wins last start. Among them, we’ll go for (11) JANGSAN CITY, three length winner of a decent race in June, ahead of (7) KING AHEAD, to follow up. (14) INTO THE WILD prevailed by an eye-catching eight lengths at this distance on July 16th and needs to be considered while (13) CHEONJI SEONGGONG was promoted without a class 5 win but still looks competitive at this level. Of those with prior class 4 experience, Brian Dean’s (8) CHEONGCHUN YEOLCHA, a winner at this class three weeks ago is the pick ahead of (1) TOKTOK YEOJANGGUN.
| Selections | (11) Jangsan City (8) Cheongchun Yeolcha (14) Into The Wild (13) Cheonji Seonggong |
| Next Best | 1, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4, 12 |
| Outsiders | 2, 9, 10 |
| Fast Starters | 3, 10, 12, 14 |
Busan Race 3: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:30 (KST)
Banker favourite of the day here as (1) EUROPA, two for two so far steps up in class but should have little difficulty in handling this filed. A gate to wire win seems most likely. The two others up in class, (5) JANGGUNEUI HUYE and (6) GIGA SPEED, both looking for winning hat-tricks of their own, look best placed to stop him with (2) FIRST KING and (3) CLEAN CHOEGANG set to compete for the minor money.
| Selections | (1) Europa (6) Giga Speed (5) Jangguneui Huye (2) First King |
| Next Best | 3, 4, 8 |
| Outsiders | 7, 9 |
| Fast Starters | 1, 5 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:55 (KST)
(3) SOKBO WANGJA defeated (11) RAON ROUIS by a length as the pair ran 1st and 2nd at class and distance on July 24th and they will be the market leaders. Sokbo Wangja’s victory that day was unexpected and the tables may well be turned today. It’s no two-horse race though, (6) SUN MASTER comes in following back to back 2nd places at class 5 and while up a level here, will be competitive with (1) STAR BONNY BEE and (5) DOLJIN among others with claims. (12) MONGGEULMONGGEUL, winner of two from four returns up in class from a couple of months off and can go well too. There will be quite a dash for the first corner with lots of these wanting to be on the early speed.
| Selections | (11) Raon Rouis (3) Sokbo Wangja (6) Sun Master (5) Doljin |
| Next Best | 12, 1, 9, 8, 9, 10 |
| Outsiders | 2, 4, 7, 13 |
| Fast Starters | 2, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 15:45 (KST)
(6) SUN ROK should get back to winning ways here following a surprisingly comprehensive reverse at the hands of Suseong Captain on a muddy track last month. He will lead here and this time can make all. (2) RAON BOLAVEN, also rather disappointing last time out, looks to be the main danger although the experienced (4) CARDIFF HWANHUI unexpectedly returned to form with a 3rd place over this distance on July 24th and must be respected a little more today. (3) GRAND CAMP and (7) VALLEY STAR are others who can improve.
| Selections | (6) Sun Rok (2) Roan Bolaven (4) Cardiff Hwanhui (7) Valley Star |
| Next Best | 3 |
| Outsiders | 1, 5, 8 |
| Fast Starters | 3, 6 |
Horse Racing in Korea 