Saturday sees a bumper 13-race card at Seoul runing from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A maiden to kick things off with only two of the twelve having raced more than once. Both will be contenders here as both showed improvement on their respective second appearances. (5) CLAY WINNER ran 2^nd on his second appearance at the end of November, well beaten by a very good winner but nonetheless showing he has plenty of ability himself. The Hansen colt is not a natural front-runner but can find a handy position here and finish sternly. (1) RAON BLOOD was a touch more impressive when 3^rd on her second start just before Christmas. She will be expected to lead here and is the slight pick to hold on all the way. (4) SONGAM TIZ did absolutely nothing on debut back last September. He was put away after that and looked a completely different horse when returning to win a trial just last week. He made all and assuming he didn’t leave his race back in that trial, he’s well drawn to be on speed here and he can have serious claims. (9) MISS ELITE and (12) GWANGYA SIDAE are others who should be going close.

Selections: (1) Raon Blood (4) Songam Tiz (5) Clay Winner (12) Gwangya Sidae

Next Best: 9, 11

Fast Start: 1, 4, 11

 

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

A field of twelve maiden fillies will line up over the short course in the second. (8) HANSEN CHOICE lines up for her third career start coming off some promising performances. At her first start she lined up in a strong two-year-old event, when settling in the leading division and finishing second. She was slightly disappointing at her second start when finishing fourth, she lost considerable ground when taking the turn for home before running on strong once again. (6) CUPID BISANG is considered a winning chance. The Thunder Moccasin filly finished second to K Top King on debut in a two-year-old event, who has since gone on and saluted again. (2) SHINE FIGHTER lines up for her third start coming off some solid performances. The Rock Hard Ten filly has sat on speed in her runs to date and is drawn well to do so once again. (4) BIG RIVER didn’t appear ready for the 1300m at her second start but handed in a good performance on debut when third over the 1000m.

Selections (8) Hansen Choice (6) Cupid Bisang (2) Shine Fighter (4) Big River

Next Best 12, 3

Fast Start 2, 8

 

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A weak maiden gives a chance to a number who otherwise wouldn’t look likely to get a win. (9) GOLD FIELD is one of those. She’s been hovering on the verge of a place in recent starts, all of which have been in stronger company than this. She is a front-runner and taking the initiative here may be enough to see her home on top today. (8) FLYING THOR and (10) DONGJJOK GLORY will be two others who challenge for the early lead. Both have hinted at ability across their four starts apiece and both have top jockeys engaged today. (12) THE BEAST has a great name and began his career promisingly enough with back to back 4^th place finishes. His latest two at this distance haven’t been great but again, they have been in better races than this and he should improve. (2) A.P. PATEK went back to trial after his last start five weeks ago. He looked much better in his heat and is another who can show more today.

Selections: (9) Gold Field (2) A.P. Patek (12) The Beast (10) Dongjjok Glory

Next Best: 8, 7

Fast Start: 8, 9, 10, 11

 

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

There appears a lack of speed in the fourth event on the card where a field of twelve will line up over the 1300m. (6) SAENAE CHOICE comes out of a set weights two-year-old event where she ran second to Big Plan. Whilst she found one better on the day, she stretched out nicely holding off the remainder of the field. This looks a winnable assignment, with limited speed drawn on the inside off her this will allow Antonio Da Silva to roll forward on the Simon Pure filly. (3) BIANCA has finished in the money at her past few starts and is capable of a forward showing in this event. The Hansen filly is likely to sit just off the speed with a better draw. She was forced to spend too much petrol early on last start. (12) GOSOK PEDAL can improve on his most recent effort. The colt worked forward last start before being run down in the straight. Kim Yong-Geun jumps aboard for the first time, expect a positive ride from an awkward draw. (1) COMPLETE MOTION looks best of the rest and may add some value to your exotics.

Selections (6) Saenae Choice (3) Bianca (12) Gosok Pedal (1) Complete Motion

Next Best 2, 11

Fast Start 3, 6, 12

 

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

Wide open handicap here and while (9) MONEY CHAMP remains a maiden, he’s been promoted to this class on the back of consecutive runner-up finishes behind good horses. The times he has run in those defeats are likely to be more than competitive at this level and he could well be the one to beat. (1) WONDERFUL HENNESSY comes in fresh here for her first start since September. She’s proven herself a threat at this level with two 3^rd place finishes and from the inside gate is likely to be on pace from the start with solid claims to go all the way. (4) WIN BLADE was 5^th last start in a better race than this and should go close again while (5) GIVEN RUNNER too has been competing in stiffer company of late and is capable of running the kind of time necessary to win here. (11) CHEONEUN JJANG rounds out the most credible contenders. She led last time over 1300M, weakening late on, and may appreciate the drop back in trip today.

Selections: (9) Money Champ (1) Wonderful Hennessy (4) Win Blade (11) Cheoneun Jjang

Next Best: 5, 2

Fast Start: 1, 3, 4, 11

 

Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

There appears plenty of early speed engaged in the sixth on the card. (8) GEUMSUNI STAR has been ultra-consistent of late filling a top four position at his past four starts. He drops back to the 1300m for the first time in August. His record over the 1300m has been good in the past. Lee Hyeon-Jong is promising rider who is likely to urge his mount forward in the early stages. (6) TIZ ROSE is one of those early speedsters who looks to map on speed. She has ran promising races at her past two starts finishing third on both occasions behind some progressive types. With the departure of Masa Tanaka Park Byeong-Yun picks up the ride. (2) CHEONHA YEOJE finished second behind East Jet two starts back and can bounce back after a disappointing performance last start. (1) GLORY VERN showed improvement last time out when finishing second in a time considered good for this grade. Johan Victoire is likely to kick up and use gate one to his advantage. (more…)