On Saturday at Seoul, Choinma won the capital’s top juvenile race. On Sunday it’s Busan’s turn to find the best among its latest crop as eight 2-year-olds contest the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05.

Just as Seoul’s race was yesterday, the Gimhae Mayor’s looks a fascinating contest. GC Trophy winner World Sun produced a remarkable finish to win that race, beating two of his rivals here and likely enters as favourite. However, Sin Stealth got the better of him back in August ad is likely to be a danger again. Thomas Gillespie saddles a promising pair in the shape of Yeonghui Sidae and Gyeongjuui Durebak while Kim Young Kwan’s duo of Ecton Blade and Captain Force both have claims of their own.

Only Seoul is available on international simulcast (North America/Australia) today. Notes on the races as follows:

Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) JANGSAN JEPAE stepped up to 1300M last time but weakened a little late on and ended up in 4^th place. Dropped back to the minimum distance today, where she already has a win and a 2^nd place to her name – the latter at this class – she is going to be hard to beat. The up in class (3) HWANAE JANGSEONG made all for her maiden win over 1300M last start and should be on pace once more here with good claims to be competitive while (10) BULHUUI SEUNGJA is yet to win but also finds herself up in class after a few too many near misses. Likewise there is no reason why she can’t cope with this level. The more experienced pair of (8) DESERT EAGLE and (11) EVER A ONE don’t look likely winners but are capable of finding the money in this company.

Selections	(4) Jangsan Jepae (3) Hwanae Jangseong (10) Bulhuui Seungja (11) Ever A One
Next Best	8, 12
Fast Start	3, 4, 9, 11

Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) CALLIOPE was a convincing four-length winner on debut over 1000M a month ago and returns today up in both class and distance but still favourite to score in what is quite a strong looking contest for this level. Aside from the favourite, four others are also up in class following their maiden wins and among them (4) MAGIC TEN, looks the best. True, she won her maiden in the Stewards’ room but her and the “winner” were a full nine lengths clear of the rest of the field and she shows promise as does (11) SEUNGRI SIDAE, a three-length winner over 1300M on September 30^th. Among those already at this level, (3) JANGSAN JEGUK’s latest was in tough juvenile company so he gets another chance while (10) BLUE LANCE returned from almost a year out at the start of this month and ran encouragingly enough to suggest there is improvement in store.

Selections	(1) Calliope (4) Magic Ten (3) Jangsan Jeguk (11) Seungri Sidae
Next Best	10, 9
Fast Start	1, 6, 7, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles only here and just four of them have raced before. It’s among those we find out top two though with (3) J.S. STORM the pick. He debuted in 4^th place all the way back at the end of July but returned to action in a swift September trial and can score here. (8) VICTORY STAR was 3^rd on debut on September 23^rd, beating (6) CHEONGDAM QUEENS in the process. She ran on very nicely over 1000M after a slow start and should appreciate (more…)