The first Listed action of the year in Korea gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon as Gaon Champ heads a field of 14 in the Segye Ilbo Cup over 1200M. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00.  Down at Busan, where there are 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05, four-time President’s Cup winner Triple Nine makes his first start in thirteen months in the feature race 6.

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

Not the strongest of maidens to open proceedings and having run 2^nd on debut on December 21^st, (5) THE KING CLASS gets the pick. True he was beaten eight-lengths by a useful looking winner, but he showed plenty of late speed to finish well. He must take care not to get too far back and if he does that, he can win. (4) MASTER FUTURE debuted the same day in a different maiden, running a competitive 4^th and he can build on that here, in his case from the front. He’ll be joined on speed by (2) NUNBIT EUNYAK, who has had an interrupted career so far but should have come on for his run over 1300M in December to come into contention here. (12) BLACK SILVER has the fastest time of any of these over the distance and despite the wide draw, can be considered. There are three debut-makers and of them (11) ACE CHEONHA looks to have the best chance of making a positive impression first up.

Selections (5) The King Class (12) Black Silver (4) Master Future (2) Nunbit Eunyak

Next Best 11, 10

Fast Start 1, 2, 3, 4

 

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

Twelve fillies line up in the second over the 1300m. (4) JEONJEONGSAGUEM comes off a solid performance last time out when finishing third behind Heunghaeng Jilju. The Tiz Wonderful filly ran through the line strongly on that occasion in a respectable time for this class. She’s drawn ideally to sit in the first half of the field before finishing off strong. (3) WIND HILL lines up for her second career start. The Colors Flying filly will step up to the 1300m for the first time which looks to suit based on her debut. She finished third behind Lady Kelly on debut when the margin was three and a half lengths. She will be better for the run and should be considered an each-way chance. (11) BORN TO GLORY ran on well last when debuting over the 1300m. The filly is likely to settle back from and awkward draw but can run on strong to collect some prize money. (7) SOARA YEOJANGGUN showed some improvement last start when finishing fifth and is another that can collect some minor money.

Selections (4) Jeonjeongsageum (3) Wind Hill (11) Born To Glory (7) Soara Yeojanggun

Next Best 10, 8

Fast Start 4, 7

 

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

(6) WONDERFUL PLEASURE was a beaten favourite over 1300M on December 2^nd, leading for part of the race but getting headed late on and ultimately finishing in 6^th place. The margins weren’t huge though, he has Alan Munro on board today and he should be on speed from the start with solid claims to overturn the form. (8) DIECO finished in 3^rd place in that race, a couple of lengths ahead of Wonderful Pleasure. That continued a solid run of form for Dieco who, while a bit one-paced, should have enough about him to go close once more today. (7) JEONGMUN BOLT raced most ungenerously in his latest start but still managed to finished in midfield against a set of rivals superior to those he faces today. (11) KING KANMOREU has shown steady progress over three outings to date and is another who can aim for at least a place. (3) GLOBAL SUN did nothing wrong on debut at 1000M and may appreciate the additional trip today

Selections (6) Wonderful Pleasure (8) Dieco (7) Jeongmun Bolt (11) King Kanmoreu

Next Best 3, 5

Fast Start 2, 6, 8, 11

 

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

There appears a lack of early pace in the fourth on the card. A beneficiary of the limited speed engaged is the last start winner (9) WANG TAENG I. The chestnut was impressive on debut when winning by an impressive seven lengths and clocking 1:21.1 for the 1300m. Shin Hyoung Chul is likely to shoot straight to the lead and should prove hard to catch. (3) MISSILE CANDY has been stuck in Class5 company for quite some time but has ran some reasonable races of late. The Twirling Candy entire comes off a last start third behind Ace Win when finishing the race of solidly. It is expected that Ham Wan-Sik will settle in the first four. (2) BISAYEON was unlucky last time out when having to overcome a wide draw and eventually finishing well beaten. The four-year-old has drawn better for this assignment and punters should refer to his effort two starts back when running second to Meni Hero. (12) JEJUI YOJEONG backed up her maiden win with a fair performance last start when fifth behind Clean Up Trio. She is a natural backmarker so the gate should not be an issue. Look for her late rattling off one of the faster sectionals.

Selections (9) Wang Taeng I (3) Missile Candy (2) Bisayeon (12) Jejui Yojeong

Next Best 8, 5

Fast Start 9

 

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

(3) GO UP ran out a winner on debut in November, making all over this distance before running 2^nd on her first try at this class in December, beaten seven-lengths by Eagle Eye. She’s nicely drawn to lead here and can return to the winner’s circle. It won’t be easy though. (10) SIMPLE STYLE was just half a length behind Go Up in 2^nd place in that November race, before returning to register a win of his own a month ago. He’s up in class today and with Munro aboard, will be a big danger. (7) CLEAN UP TRIO comes in following an unexpected class and distance win four weeks ago. He carries an additional 3kg today, but his stable has remained in good form and a repeat isn’t impossible. (5) GAGANA was an eye-catching six-length winner over this distance on December 1^st and while he steps up in class and into deeper waters today, he should be competitive. (12) GALAXY PEACE is two starts into a comeback following seven months out and can challenge for minor money.

Selections (3) Go Up (10) Simple Style (5) Gagana (7) Clean Up Trio

Next Best 12, 1

Fast Start 2, 3, 4, 7

 

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (9) SECRET ILLUSION is up in class having won on debut over 1000M at the end of December, but she is going to have to improve significantly on that run to be competitive in this company. (2) FIRST STAR is perhaps the one to beat. Having registered her maiden win at this distance in early December she (more…)