History of a kind will be made at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday when racing over the distance of a mile returns to the capital for the first time in more than thirty years. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. 

While Busan Racecourse, which was opened in 2005, is home to the KRA Cup Mile, the opening leg of the Triple Crown, until now, the configuration of Seoul Racecourse hasn’t allowed for races over the Guineas distance of 1609M. Not since the old Ttukseom Racecourse closed in 1989 – and even there the “mile” races were in fact 1650M – has the distance been available in the city.

That’s all changed with the construction of a dedicated starting chute between the first and second corners which allows for a run-up of just over 100M, and the first pair of races using the new distance will be run on Sunday afternoon. In addition to the mile races there are valuable Juvenile events at both Seoul and Busan.

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

(2) GOLD HERO has run 3^rd in both starts so far, both at this distance. Her times haven’t been especially fast, but she looks to have improvement in her and won’t need to be much better to win this. (1) POWER PRIDE looks to be figuring things out with 4^th places in both his latest two. He has tended to give himself a bit too much to do but has run on well and can find the money again today. (9) DAE YONGWANG too has run well at this distance before and can be competitive here. (3) ROYAL CHUKJE can improve off an inauspicious debut.

Selections	(2) Gold Hero (1) Power Pride (9) Dae Yongwang (3) Royal Chukje
Next Best	4, 7
Fast Start	2, 3, 4

Race 2: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(2) TANGO TIME was a good winner on debut, making all over this distance. He’s up in class today but is nicely drawn to get on pace once more and has every chance of repeating. (10) BLUE DAEJAYEON is up in class as well, in his case following a pair of runner-up finishes. He will need to get a bit faster at this level but there’s nothing especially intimidating about this field so he should be competitive. (3) GEOM HONG is similarly up in class despite being winless and returns to action for the first time since January. While she’ll most likely need this, she looked sharp enough in a quick trial two weeks ago. (4) BEST EFFECT is one of those imports who began at class 4 but has found himself down in class. He is competitive at this level and can find the money.

Selections	(2) Tango Time (10) Blue Daejayeon (3) Geom Hong (4) Best Effect
Next Best	1, 5
Fast Start	1, 2, 7

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Having secured her maiden win at this distance in June, (4) CRAZY Q ran 4^th on her first try at this level last start. She carries a nice light weight under an apprentice jockey, and she could well be the one to beat today. (5) CHEONGSU BIG EAR finds herself up in class having run 2^nd in both her starts to date. She’s up in trip for the first time as well and it may suit. (8) SOLGAEBARAM is up in class having won over 1200M on July 14^th. That was somewhat unexpected so she will need to improve but she warrants respect. (10) RAON BRIAN and (11) GEUMSUNI STAR are others to consider.

Selections	(4) Crazy Q (5) Cheongsu Big Ear (8) Solgaebaram (10) Raon Brian
Next Best	11, 2
Fast Start	1, 2, 8, 12

Race 4: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) BLACK SPIRIT is a seventeen-race maiden but comes in off an encouraging 3^rd place at class and distance on July 20^th. Alan Munro knows her well and it’s not impossible that today could be their day. (2) TANTAN WINNER was a touch disappointing on his latest start at the end of last month but is better than that and should improve here. Similarly (4) QUEEN OF CAMP dropped back to 1300M last start and should be better for coming back up to two-turns today. (5) GEUMA SUPREME and (12) PARK BLADE are others who could feature prominently in a wide-open race.

Selections	(8) Black Spirit (2) Tantan Winner (4) Queen Of Camp (5) Geuma Supreme
Next Best	12, 3
Fast Start	1, 2, 8, 12

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(5) RAYMOND is a two-time winner at this distance including one at this class. He got slightly obstructed in the home straight last time when a slightly disappointing 5^th but is the pick to return to the winner’s circle today. (2) RAON KHAN is rapidly up in class having won his latest two. He made all last time and while he will need to be quicker at this level, he can be competitive. (1) STORMY has plenty of class and distance experience and can aim for the places here while (7) JEONGSANG MANSE and (9) MONSTER QUEEN look best of the rest.

Selections	(5) Raymond (2) Raon Khan (9) Monster Queen (1) Stormy
Next Best	7, 3
Fast Start	2, 3

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Competitive handicap here. (6) DONGBANG NARAE has impressed recently, following up her maiden win over a mile early last month with 2^nd place on her first try at this class on July 26^th, beating a couple of these in the process.  She can come from just off the pace and can win again. Her main danger may be her stablemate (4) TIZBE. She secured her maiden victory in fine style last month and looks to be on an upward trajectory with the increased distance today only likely to suit. (7) GWONTOJUNGLAE hasn’t quite lived up to early promise but races for the first times since May and could be interesting here. (10) ONNURI GANGJA is rarely far away and can challenge for the places along with (12) GIPPEUM DAY.

Selections	(6) Dongbang Narae (4) Tizbe (7) Gwontojunglae (12) Gippeum Day
Next Best	10, 9
Fast Start	1, 4, 5

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(10) EMORY SOCKS has been hovering around the minor money for some time now and while she carries a bit more weight today than in previous outings, that’s because Moon Se Young climbs aboard in place of an apprentice and that may be what she needs to see her back into the winner’s circle. She’ll be kept close to the pace and can win. (5) BLUE FIRE is becoming a 2^nd place specialist, having finished as runner-up in his latest three (more…)