It’s The Grand Prix Stakes 2016. Full runner by runner guide to the big race is here. There are plenty of other races going on as well. English race cards are here. Notes on every overseas simulcast race are below:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 10:40
(10) GOLDEN STEP was a much improved 2nd on his second start and can make the breakthrough here under Djordje Perovic. Gate 10 isn’t idea though so many punters may look to (1) DEO MIREO BUCHEO, another one who has shown improvement across three prior starts. Among the others with experience, (8) GEOCHIN OREUM and (9) RAON ROCKY both have 3rd places to their name while of the two debut-makers, (5) HUNTER HAWK looks the best.
Selections: (10) Golden Step (1) Deo Mireo Bucheo (9) Raon Rocky (8) Geochin Oreum
Next Best: 5, 3
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 9, 10, 1, 8, 6
Start-200M: 9, 10, 1, 8, 6
200M-Finish: 2, 12, 10, 9, 8
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 11:05
(10) DANBI comes in having been 4th in both her last two starts and despite the outside gate, really should be getting a career best finish here. She can win against underwhelming opposition. Main danger could come from the other side of the gate as (1) ENDLESS LOVE also finds herself in against weaker opposition than she’s used to and she too should be getting her best finish to date. (2) FIRE BALL has been one-paced but reliable so far and can find the money while other factors may be (5) UNAK HABIO and (9) LITTLE WING.
Selections: (10) Danbi (1) Endless Love (2) Fire Ball (5) Unak Habio
Next Best: 9, 6
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 3, 5, 10
Start-200M: 10, 2, 3, 5, 8
200M-Finish: 4, 10, 2, 1, 5
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 11:30
(11) DONGHAE VICAR has a win and a 2nd place to her name at this class and should be going very well here once more. (3) HALO BIRD got her maiden win at the eighth attempt on November 19th and despite being up in class today can be competitive from a fast start. (1) HAENURI, 2nd to Donghae Vicar in October, (6 ) SANGBIGUN and (7) DESERT EAGLE look to be best of the rest.
Selections: (11) Donghae Vicar (3) Halo Bird (7) Desert Eagle (1) Haenuri
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: 11, 3, 6, 1, 4
Fast Starters: 1, 2, 3, 4
Start-200M: 3, 4, 11, 2, 6
200M-Finish: 7, 9, 10, 8, 1
Seoul Race 4: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 11:55
Busan jockey Seo Seung Un, in town to ride the favourite in the Grand Prix later today picks up the mount on (12) LOST IN DRAMA and the filly is favoured to score here, coming in as she does following a 2nd and a 3rd in her last two starts and the outside draw may be in her favour. Seoul’s champion jockey Moon Se Young gets on the unraced (1) CHICAGO ART and the US import by Put It Back is likely to be second in the betting having won a trial last month. (3) AEMA BISANG is a Korean-bred who has won her way up to this level and will be on speed early while another debut-maker (4) ARACH CHI and the more experienced (11) DAESEONG MALLI are others to look out for.
Selections: (12) Lost In Drama (1) Chicago Art (3) Aema Bisang (4) Arach Chi
Next Best: 11, 6
Rating: 6=11, 12, 1, 4
Fast Starters: 3, 10, 11
Start-200M: 3, 11, 10, 6, 12
200M-Finish: 8, 7, 6, 11, 3
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:15
A class and distance winner in September, (1) BELLA LAURA is favoured to win again here. She was 3rd last start in a similar race three weeks ago and has shown she has the beating of a number of these. (8) SONGAM GANGJA enters in solid form and can be a threat as can (3) SAETBYEOL ACHIM who, unlike the other favourites, is likely to be on the pace early. (9) YEOKDAE CHEOSANG struggled on her first try at this class a month ago but gets another chance today while (12) NEW CASTLE Is up in class with plenty to find.
Selections: (1) Bella Laura (8) Songam Gangja (3) Saetbyeol Achim (9) Yeokdae Choesang
Next Best: 12, 11, 6
Rating: 1=8, 10, 3=6
Fast Starters: 2, 3, 6, 7
Start-200M: 7, 3, 6, 2, 4
200M-Finish: 9, 5, 8, 1, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 13:40
(1) BLUE DANCER comes in following a pair of 3rd place finishes at 1300M and while a previous try at a mile ended in 5th behind (10) LUCKY HANMA, she can get things right today. She will be ridden patiently and has a strong finish. It’s a really competitive race though. (8) FRENCH GIRL is up in class and distance following a soft win at 1300M last month and can improve but it’s (11) TRIPLE PARTY who is the most interesting rival. She was a 25/1 winner, beating three of these, over 1300M three weeks ago and will be much shorter today. (6) SVADILFARI and (7) USEUNG CHOEGO are also to be considered while David Miller’s horses seem to be coming good so (3) JEONGMAL JOA looks an interesting outsider.
Selections: (1) Blue Dancer (8) French Girl (11) Triple Party (3) Jeongmal Joa
Next Best: 6, 7
Rating: 11, 5, 7=10, 2
Fast Starters: 6, 8, 10, 11
Start-200M: 11, 10, 6, 9, 2
200M-Finish: 1, 2, 7, 9, 4
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:05
In five starts, (8) DREAM SLEW has never finished any worse than 3rd, is a winner at the distance and looks well placed to repeat here and will look to lead all the way. Main danger is (5) FOREVER QUEEN, class and distance winner of an all-filly race a month ago and a strong finisher. (6) HI EUREKA can build on the 3rd he scored last month while from the outside gates the two “bests”, (11) BEST DRAGON and (12) BEST QUEEN can also be dangerous.
Selections: (8) Dream Slew (5) Forever Queen (11) Best Dragon (6) Hi Eureka
Next Best: 12, 4
Rating: 8=12, 4=5, 1
Fast Starters: 1, 4, 8
Start-200M: 4, 8, 6, 1, 7
200M-Finish: 5, 12, 9, 10, 8
Busan Race 3: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:30
(2) GOOD CASTING, 2nd on both his prior starts, will be strong favourite to get his maiden win here. He steps up to 1300M for the first time and that should be ideal. (8) DAEBOREUMDAL finally got her own maiden win at the 21st time of asking last month and she can go well again while (10) SUPER MATCH, who finished 4th in that race in what was his debut, can improve today. (5) BAEDARI GOSU and (7) CHOEGO JILJU look best of the rest.
Selections: (2) Good Casting (10) Super Match (8) Daeboreumdal (5) Baedari Gosu
Next Best: 7, 3
Rating: 2, 11, 8, 1, 7
Fast Starters: 3, 4, 7, 8
Start-200M: 3, 7, 8, 11, 2
200M-Finish: 9, 10, 12, 3, 8
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 14:55
It’s about time (9) HYERI ON got back in the winner’s circle. She has a 2nd and three 3rd place finishes from her last four outings and should be making all here. Plenty of threats though. (6) PROPOSE may appreciate the drop back to the minimum distance while (8) WHIZ SPARK is up in class following a victory at 1000M over an all-filly field last month. (4) TIZ KING and (7) SEONGBULOREUM also look like possibles.
Selections: (9) Hyeri On (8) Whiz Spark (6) Propose (4) Tiz King
Next Best: 7, 11
Rating: 6, 4, 3=11, 9
Fast Starters: 1, 2, 9, 10
Start-200M: 2, 1, 9, 10, 3
200M-Finish: 7, 12, 11, 9, 4
Busan Race 4: Class 4 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 15:20
(9) DANGCHAN JILJU was a winner at this class over 1400M a month ago and while he carries more weight today, he is a proven winner at a mile too and can win this from the front. (6) THE STARS was beaten by Dangchan Jilju in September but has shown signs of a return to form in his last two outings and can continue to improve here while (5) MUJEOK VICAR tries the distance for the first time and may be a factor. (3) FIRST KING and (8) SONATA ZONE are others to consider.
Selections: (9) Dangchan Jilju (5) Mujeok Vicar (6) The Stars (3) First King
Next Best: 8, 2
Rating: 7, 10, 9, 4, 5
Fast Starters: 1, 9, 11
Start-200M: 5, 9, 11, 1, 7
200M-Finish: 8, 6, 5, 9, 10
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 / 1700M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 15:45
(5) HWANGGEUM DEULPAN beat four of these when finishing a close 2nd at class and distance on November 19th and that should be enough to make him favourite here in what is quite an open race. (6) BARAMI BUNDA was 3rd that day and will be backed to go close once more as will the 4th place-getter (4) DALLYEORA GANGJEOK. (11) DAEIL SHINHWA finished in 6th that day but could improve here. His solitary win came at this distance when he beat (12) TOKTOK YEOJANGGUN by a length in September. Both those two can compete here.
Selections: (5) Hwanggeum Deulpan (6) Barami Bunda (12) Toktok Yeojanggun (11) Daeil Shinhwa
Next Best: 4, 2
Rating: 4, 3=6, 2, 5
Fast Starters: 1, 3, 9
Start-200M: 9, 3, 5, 1, 8
200M-Finish: 11, 12, 7, 2, 1
Busan Race 5: Class 3 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 16:10 (SIN)
Another strong favourite at Busan and that’s (3) YUSEONGCHEOREOM. He’s won three form four prior to today and is up in class following a nine-length procession over this distance last month. He should lead from gate to wire. Among the rest, (4) GOLD SKY beat (2) YEONGTO DAEWANG and the pair races 3rd and 4th at class and distance three weeks ago and will probably be second-favourite. There are a couple of wildcards though, principally (6) HAEUNDAE GISANG, who returns following six months off and also (8) YEONGWON CHUKJE, who disappointed on his first try at this level in November but can improve today.
Selections: (3) Yuseongcheoreom (8) Yeongwon Chukje (6) Haeundae Gisang (4) Gold Sky
Next Best: 2, 11, 9
Rating: 9, 5, 2, 3, 1
Fast Starters: 1, 2, 3
Start-200M: 2, 1, 3, 10, 12
200M-Finish: 7, 8, 12, 4, 4
Seoul Race 9: Class Open “The Grand Prix Stakes” (KOR G1) / 2300M / Weight for Age / KRW 700 Million / 15:40 (SIN)
Click here for runner by runner form comments
Two-time President’s Cup winner (5) TRIPLE NINE will be favourite to win the traditional year-end finale. He has beaten his main rival, stablemate and Triple Crown winner (3) POWER BLADE, twice this autumn and is favoured to do so again. (16) CLEAN UP JOY finished 3rd last year and can come from off the pace once more while (7) SUCCESS STORY and (12) BEOLMAUI KKUM are front-runners who can’t be ruled out. There is a host of other talent present. (13) WINNER RED is an up and comer whose time may be yet to come while (1) DONGBANG DAERO enters in great form. The reliable (11) HEBA and last year’s runner-up (6) GUMPO SKY could also be involved.
Selections: (5) Triple Nine (16) Clean Up Joy (3) Power Blade (7) Success Story
Next Best: 13, 1, 6, 11
Rating: 5=12, 16, 3, 7
Fast Starters: 3, 7, 9, 12
Start-200M: 12, 7, 9, 13, 3
200M-Finish: 16, 1, 8, 5, 11
Busan Race 6: Class 1 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 105 Million / 17:05
He’s won 8 from 13 and was 2nd on his first try at class 1 three weeks ago, beating three who go here, and that makes (5) GASOK ENGINE favourite to strike here. (2) INDIAN STAR was favourite that day having won the Jeju Governor’s Cup and gets another chance today while (1) TAPIPOINT and (10) MIRACLE LINE, the latter dropping back to the distance for the first time in a long time may also be considered. (4) MAC AND CHEESE, two starts into his comeback and 5th behind Gasok Engine and Indian Star last time, can improve too.
Selections: (5) Gasok Engine (2) Indian Star (4) Mac And Cheese (1) Tapipoint
Next Best: 10, 6
Rating: 2, 6, 10, 1, 9
Fast Starters: 2, 7, 10
Start-200M: 2, 1, 10, 5, 7
200M-Finish: 8, 10, 6, 1, 5
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 60 Million / 17:30
(11) SUN MASTER got turned over when favourite at class and distance on November 13th but gets another chance to get it right today and he’ll be a warm favourite to do so. The wide barrier shouldn’t be a problem. (9) MASANG GWIJAE enters a class and distance winner from four weeks ago and must be accorded respect. He’ll be on the speed from the start. Those two look a cut above the rest with any of (2) SHINE CLOVER, (5) CHEONUI GANGJA and (6) ONGNYEOBONG among candidates for the places.
Selections: (11) Sun Master (9) Masang Gwijae (6) Ongnyeobong (5) Cheonui Gangja
Next Best: 2, 3
Rating: 2, 8, 9, 4, 6
Fast Starters: 1, 2, 3, 9
Start-200M: 9, 4, 3, 6, 2
200M-Finish: 12, 7, 8, 10, 2
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 75 Million / 18:00
(6) JINDALLAE was a four-length class and distance winner on November 12th, with four of these finishing behind him and as such, has to be favourite today. He’ll most likely try to lead all the way. After an indifferent debut, (4) CHEONJIGA produced an eye-catching performance to win by seven-lengths over the minimum distance on November 6th. He is up in class and back up in distance today and is one to watch. Also up in class is (12) DIA SOCKS and he also has scope to improve while (8) KOREA JEONGSANG and the much more experienced (5) GALACAT are also capable of finding the money in this company.
Selections: (6) Jindallae (12) Dia Socks (4) Cheonjiga (5) Galacat
Next Best: 8, 1
Rating: 5=6, 7, 10, 3
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 6, 9
Start-200M: 9, 4, 7, 12, 10
200M-Finish: 6, 1, 5, 8, 10