Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 13 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

 A field of twelve Korean-bred three-year-old maidens line up over the 1300m in the first on the card. (10) ALCHAN NURI looks the one to beat coming off a good debut performance. The Federalist gelding flew from the tail of the field to finish second behind High Wonderful. The time was good for this grade and Kim Dong-Soo retains the ride. (7) NAUI SINHWA comes out of a strong form line where he finished fifth behind Lady Kelly who has since gone on and saluted once again. He has drawn slightly better in this event which may result in Kim Jeong-Jun being able to position the three-year-old closer to the speed. (8) DREAM FASHION is another that comes out of a strong race. The Old Fashioned colt was one-paced in the final stages when ending up fifth behind Dia Key. This is easier and he will benefit from the debut run. (3) A TO Z trialed last Friday finishing second in good time. His last run was at the start of December when running fairly over the 1300m. His performances in his trials suggest he can run into the money.

Selections (10) Alchan Nuri (7) Naui Sinhwa (8) Dream Fashion (3) A To Z

Next Best 5, 2

Fast Start 3, 8

 

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Competitive race. (11) MIRACLE ICHEON has finished 3^rd in both starts so far, both of them over this distance and last time in arguably better company than this. He’s not a fast starter though which may be of some concern but he has run on well both times – just running out of track. If he’s close at the top of the stretch, he should win. If he does leave himself too much to do again, (4) MAD DIVA could be the one to take advantage. She was beaten less than a length on her latest outing over this distance just before Christmas and from gate 4 should be on speed from the start. (5) P.K. DOLPUNG ran well for 4^th on his first try at this distance last start and can better from a more favourable draw today. (3) LAST MAGIC steps up to the distance for the first time after a useful 3^rd over 1000M a month ago while the solitary debut-maker, (6) TIZ CITY, did nothing wrong in trials and can go well first-up.

Selections: (11) Miracle Icheon (4) Mad Diva (3) Last Magic (5) P.K. Dolpung

Next Best: 6, 9

Fast Start: 3, 4, 5, 8

 

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

Twelve Korean-bred maidens will go over the 1300m in the third event. (5) EAST CHAMP had his first go over 1300m last time out when finishing fourth behind Strong Red. The Ecton Park colt finished less than two lengths behind the winner last time out and this looks an easier assignment. (7) KOREA DAEJANGBU comes out of the same race where finishing fifth. The four-year-old is still looking for his first win after ten starts but he has run some reasonable races. (8) SPECIAL AGAIN maps to settle in the second half of the field and produce her turn of foot late. The filly will get the services of Alan Munro for the first time which is a positive. (6) SANARAE handed in her best career performance to date last time out when second behind Best Lucky. The Any Given Saturday filly ran only a fair time and will need to find a few lengths to be considered a winning chance.

Selections (5) East Champ (7) Korea Daejangbu (8) Special Again (6) Sanarae

Next Best 3, 4

Fast Start 6

 

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(6) SAENAE SPURT recorded his maiden win at this distance in November and then ran a very good 2^nd on his first try at this class on December 22^nd. He comes from just off the pace with a good turn of foot and he could well be returning to the winner’s circle here. (11) GEOMPO’s maiden win last start had been coming and he made all to win very handily over 1000M. He’s up in class today but has already performed well at 1300M. He is a front-runner so the draw isn’t ideal but if he can get to the front then he has claims. (1) DASHING CANOE has proven competitive at this class. She goes well back at the start and her manners have been an issue but she could well run into some prize money late on. (8) MONEY SILK remains a maiden but is up in class following back to back runner up finishes and should be competitive from on the pace. (10) LUCKY MIDAS was 4^th behind Saenae Spurt last time out and can aim to match that today.

Selections: (6) Saenae Spurt (11) Geompo (8) Money Silk (1) Dashing Canoe

Next Best: 10, 3

Fast Start: 8, 10, 11

 

Race 5: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

 There is a severe lack of exposed form in the fifth where they will line up over the short course. (4) DANGCHAN BARAM appears to start favourite after finishing second behind Our Simon last time out. The filly crossed from barrier twelve to sit on speed and clock a good time for this grade. With the better draw today she should take up the running and prove hard to run down. (11) DREAM GIRLS will line up for her second start after a fair (more…)