Eleven Saturday races at Seoul with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Top jockey Moon Se Young is suspended this weekend so plenty of chances for the rest. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

It has to be (2) BEST CHAPEL here. Her 2^nd and 3^rd across her two starts to date were not especially quick but were in excess of anything achieved by most of the others here and he should win this time. (3) BLESSING ROAD is the only one who has put in a similar performance with her much-improved 3^rd place last time and she’s the clear next best. Beyond those we’re scratching around a little bit. (1) MIDAS CHIEF ran twice unimpressively last summer before being put away for nine months. He trialled up nicely enough alongside some experienced horses at the end of January and should be better this time around. (4) MERLIN debuted all the way back last July in reasonably creditable fashion but hasn’t been seen since. He trialled well enough too. (9) INDIAN ECO and (7) OPI RIVER perhaps the other two with the best chance of improving.

Selections	(2) Best Chapel (3) Blessing Road (1) Midas Chief (4) Merlin
Next Best	9, 7
Fast Start	2, 3, 12

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Just three-year-olds here and ten of the twelve are racing for the very first time. Of the two who have raced before, (1) GANGHWA CHONGGAK did ok, finishing 4^th of 8 at this distance at the end of January. It’s to the debut-makers we turn to find our picks though. (4) HAMBAK MISO won his trial in good fashion and will probably be favourite given that he was the only one of these to finish on top in a heat but there are a few others who showed promise too. (12) CHOIN DAEBO trialled all the way back in November. He’s half-brother to a Korean Oaks winner as well (the 50/1 chance Euro Fighter back in 2010) and should go well first-up. (7) ROMAN BLADE is another well-bred one sporting the “Blade” name and colours of Kim Hyeong Ran and will be sure to be backed – she showed promise in a couple of trials at the end of last year but has taken a while to be ready to race. (11) HADALRAE is another who went well in the mornings.

Selections	(4) Hambak Miso (12) Choin Daebo (7) Roman Blade (11) Hadalrae
Next Best	1, 2
Fast Start	2, 4, 6, 12

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens again although this time there are only two first-time starters. One of those, (3) GONG SAN will be well supported having shown some ability in a trail just last week, finishing 2^nd in a competitive time. We’ll certainly have her among the contenders here although not necessarily on top as one or two have hinted at talent in actual races too. (11) HANYANG GONGJU wasn’t fancied at all on debut at the end of January but ran very nicely, coming home in 3^rd place at 1000M. She ran through the line well and the additional trip today may benefit. It certainly benefitted (1) CUPID STORM when he stepped up to 1300M last start and registered a much-improved 2^nd. He can build on that today. (2) SPECIAL DREAM was sent up to 1700M early in his career but also looked far more comfortable back at this trip last time. (4) MONEY ZIF’s latest two haven’t been special but she has previously shown she knows what to do.

Selections	(11) Hanyang Gongju (1) Cupid Storm (3) Gong San (4) Money Zif
Next Best	2, 5
Fast Start	4, 9, 10

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Fillies only here. (12) DAECHEONUI SARANG was a narrowly beaten 3^rd in a similar race at the distance on February 3^rd beating four of these in the process. She doesn’t have the ideal draw today as she’ll want to be close to the early speed, but she can overcome it and pick up her maiden win. Among those who were behind her that day, (4) ARGO UNIQUE and (8) CHAMP STORM perhaps have the best chance of overturning that form – in fact, Daecheonui Sarang caused Champ Storm to have to be checked five furlongs out but she still recovered to finish well. (5) FOREVER WINNER steps up to run further than (more…)