Well the typhoon completely missed Seoul but temperatures have eased off from the heatwave that has consumed the peninsula for the past month. We’re into the penultimate weekend of afternoon/evening racing now and there are 12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 14:25 to 21:00.

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

A competitive opener with lots in the hunt and (5) MAX THUNDER, who beat three of these on her way to 3^rd place at the distance on July 21^st has as much chance as any. She’s well-drawn to get off to a fast start here and at the tenth time of asking, this could be her day. (3) CUPID GANGJA steps back in trip after some reasonable efforts at 1300M. He’s the only one of the twelve to have as much as a 2^nd place to his name (over 1700M) and he should be a danger. (6) MONEY SHARP has shown progression over three outings to date culminating in 3^rd place last time and can continue his development here. (1) KAILLUM YEOJE and the debut-maker (7) TOUR BROTHER are others who could make an impression.

Selections	(5) Max Thunder (6) Money Sharp (3) Cupid Gangja (7) Tour Brother
Next Best	1, 2
Fast Start	1, 5, 7

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

There are twelve juvenile fillies all racing for the very first time here. The most impressive in trials was (12) CHEONNYEON VIKING, who finished well clear of a couple of others who debut here in what was a fast time. She’s a half-sister to New Partner, who won four of his first six starts, and she can overcome the widest gate to go well first-up here. (1) GREEN DARC was the only one to actually win her trial, making all and looking easy on the eye in the process and she’ll have backers while (2) DADDY GLORY and (5) INDY LADY both performed creditably in their respective heats as well. For a longer shot, (8) MISS GELLA finished behind Daddy Glory in her trial but did lead for the first half of the heat and could improve on race day.

Selections	(12) Cheonnyeon Viking (1) Green Darc (2) Daddy Glory (5) Indy Lady
Next Best	8, 9
Fast Start	1, 8, 11, 12

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

(8) TAEWANG SINHWA is set to be a relatively warm favourite here. Although he was beaten by, among others, (10) MAIN EVENT when the latter ran 2^nd over this distance at the end of June, he recovered to turn the tables on that one on his way to 3^rd place again at this distance on July 28^th. He just needs one more top three finish to find himself up in class 5 and he can settle behind the early speed and finish strongly. (5) MEGA CITY has been inconsistent across his four starts so far but registered a 3^rd place at this distance at the end of April and while he disappointed in his only start since, can go better today. (2) SPECIAL DREAM too has run 3^rd at the distance and while he was well back behind Taewang Sinhwa on his last start can also improve. (7) HWANSANGUI BIT steps back up in trip today and can go better than she did last time she tried this distance.

Selections	(8) Taewang Sinhwa (5) Mega City (2) Special Dream (7) Hwansangui Bit
Next Best	10, 1
Fast Start	4, 5, 7

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) SAGWARANG ran a close 3^rd on what was her first try at this class on July 21^st. She was sent off favourite that day having broken her maiden with a nine-length all the way score a month earlier. She looks set for an easy lead here and once in front, she’ll be difficult to overhaul. (1) JUNGJEON MAMA is two starts into a comeback following nine months out and she looks to be getting back into the swing of things with a 3^rd place at the distance last start. She’ll be a danger here. (8) LAST CONCERT drops back in trip following a good 3^rd over 1300M on July 21^st and she too should be in at least the placing hunt as will (4) CHUKBOGUI YEOLMAE and (7) VICAR SCOOP.

Selections	(3) Sagwarang (1) Jungjeon Mama (8) Last Concert (7) Vicar Scoop
Next Best	4, 6
Fast Start	3

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

(5) DAEGIL SANGJON returned from ten months off to record his maiden win over the distance on July 22^nd and while up in class again, has solid claims to score again. He will settle just behind the early lead and could be too strong late on. It’s a competitive race though with both (9) ULTRA CHAMPION and (10) POX RANGER also up in class for the first time and while they both have a little more to find, can also be competitive. There are plenty with experience at this level to contend with too. (1) GANGHWA CHONGGAK comes in off a decent 4^th over the distance last start in a similar strength race to this with (8) GONG SAN finishing just half a length further back. Both can go well here while (6) WITH FRIENDSHIP ran 3^rd over 1300M at the end of June and returns slightly back in trip following eight weeks off and is another who should be in at least the placing frame.

Selections	(5) Daegil Sangjon (1) Ganghwa Chonggak (9) Ultra Champion (6) With Friendship
Next Best	8, 10
Fast Start	1, 9

Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The very experienced (1) WHITE CUPID ran 2^nd at class and distance on July 1^st before dropping back to 1300M at the end of the month and finishing a decent 4^th of 8. Back up in trip today, he’s a little one-paced but he can put himself in the middle of the field early and could well out-stay them all. (8) BARAM KING was 4^th behind White Cupid in that 1300M race at the end of last month. That was his first go at the level following a maiden (more…)