Sunday’s racing comes from both Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05). Here are previews for Seoul with selections for Busan underneath:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

 A field of twelve three-year-olds line up in the second over the short course. Nine of them are on debut whilst three have had a race start. (3) GREAT KHAN is one of those who have previously raced when finishing second on debut behind Heunghaeng Jilju. On that occasion he lined up against some smart two-year-olds over the 1300m when he sat on speed before being run down. He drops back to the 1000m in this assignment and looks one that can lead throughout. (6) RAON HIGH is another that has previously raced. The Musket Man filly finished third on debut over the 1000m. She overcame a wide draw and ran through the line well to finish third. She was beaten over four lengths but with natural improvement she should be considered an each-way chance at her second start. (5) YONGMARU GU trialed fairly and a forward showing on debut would not surprise. The Federalist colt ran 62.9 seconds in his 1000m trial which is comparatively good looking at his competition. (4) NOKRICHONG comes out of the same race as Raon High where she finished seventh. She can improve and collect some minor money.

Selections (3) Great Khan (6) Raon High (5) Yongmaru Gu (4) Nokrichong

Next Best 10, 11

Fast Start 3, 6

 

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

One of the banker favourites of the day goes around here in the shape of (3) UARYUNG. The Testa Matta filly ran a close 2^nd on debut at this distance on December 14^th in what was a stronger maiden than this. There’s no point in her hanging around here so Song Jae-chul will most likely take her straight to the lead and she will take some beating. (11) NAUI JEONSEOL also showed promise on debut a month ago. That was over 1000M, but he ran on well through the line to finish 3^rd and the step up in trip can help him match or build on that today. (2) BEST TAP has hinted at ability across three outings to date and while he was a well-beaten 4^th last start, he demonstrated that he can run a time at this distance. (6) ROYAL BLADE improved last time out and steps up to 1300M for the first time having already shown some promise over the 1200M. He can run into some minor money as can (8) J.S. POWER. His 4^th last time was in an arguably even weaker affair than today’s, but he seems to be on the right trajectory.

Selections (3) Uaryung (11) Naui Jeonseol (2) Best Tap (6) Royal Blade

Next Best 8, 9

Fast Start 3, 5, 8

 

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

 Several of the runners have claims in the third where a field of twelve Korean-breds line up over the 1300m. (3) AN MOK HANG looks to be one of the main chances that has drawn well for her assignment. The Exploit filly does her best racing when sitting in the leading division, which she did last start when jumping fast from a central drawn and going on to win in this class. She goes up 3.5kg on her last start but one thing’s for sure, if she jumps well, she will look a winning chance at the top of the straight. (11) YEONGGWANGUI BEAT has placed at his two starts this preparation. He lacks early speed but is capable of running home strong. He has drawn awkward once again suggesting punters will be relying on his turn of foot to run in to the money. (12) INDIAN BOSS has the early speed to overcome a wide draw. He has finished third at his past three starts and a win in this type of company would not surprise. (8) FEDERAL KING looks next best and will appreciate stepping back up to the 1300m after a disappointing performance last start when dropped back to the five furlongs.

Selections (3) An Mok Hang (11) Yeonggwangui Beat (12) Indian Boss (8) Federal King

Next Best 6, 1

Fast Start 3, 12

 

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

No fewer than four of these are up in class having registered their maiden wins in their respective latest starts. Two of them, (5) LADY KELLY and (6) BIG PLAN did it on debut. Big Plan was the more eye-catching, making all to win by five-lengths, but Lady Kelly was faster and ground out victory in her race by half a length. Both should be more than competitive at this level and both will be on the early speed, with Lady Kelly more favoured at this point. (4) OUR SIMON and (9) CHOEGANGMA are the other two promoted following maiden wins. Choegangma led from gate to wire for an easy score while it was a similar story for Our Simon. It’s hard to choose between the two of them but neither will have such an easy time getting to the front today so the advantage is probably still with Lady Kelly. As for those with prior experience at this level, (3) CHODONG ROSE ran a very good 2^nd last start in October and resumes fresh after twelve weeks off while (8) SINBU comes in a class and distance winner for a bang in form stable. Sinbu is another who won’t be able to dictate pace here like he did last time but still warrants respect.

Selections (5) Lady Kelly (4) Our Simon (3) Chodong Rose (8) Sinbu

Next Best 6, 9

Fast Start 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

 Winning chances look limited in the fifth with the main players drawn wide. US import (10) BEST GUNHAM looks well suited albeit failing to win a race from his nine starts to date. The chestnut maps well in the event with limited speed engaged. He has posted fast times in his past couple of starts and a similar performance will see him go close in this. (more…)