Day: February 1, 2020

Seoul & Busan Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 2)

There is Sunday racing at Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and at Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05). Here are the previews:

Ace Korea - KRA

Ace Korea carries 60kg in Sunday’s feature at Busan

Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A maiden to kick things off and there are a couple here with the potential to win. Chief among them is (4) YEOLRIN MUN who has run 3rd in both his latest two starts, barely beaten a length on both occasions. He steps back slightly in trip today but it is well drawn to lead and looks the one to beat. (6) WANGINHAENGCHA showed improvement on his second start four weeks ago. He ran on well over the 1000M and is set to appreciate the additional distance today. (10) HOEBOK and to a slightly lesser extent (11) SPEED FLYING also hinted at ability in their respective latest outings and can continue to make progress here. There are two debut-makers in the field and of them (8) CHEONGSU RIDER looks the most promising at this stage. He ran 3rd in a fast trial on an admittedly wet track in January and can go well first up here.

Selections (4) Yeolrin Mun (6) Wanginhaengcha (10) Hoebok (8) Cheongsu Rider

Next Best 11, 3

Fast Start 3, 4, 5, 10

 

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

A field of twelve maiden gallopers will line up over the 1300M in the second. (7) RUFFIAN PARK takes on an easier assignment today after finishing 4th last start over the same distance. The son of Ecton Park has been running on strong at his past few starts and there appears to be minimal speed engaged suggesting Antonio Da Silva may be able to settle him closer to the speed before unleashing his turn of foot. (9) BOMNALUI GIEOK comes into the race in good form having placed at his last two starts. The Colors Flying colt has been settling midfield in his races before hitting the line well. He will get the services of star jockey Moon Se Young, who may have to settle further back than wanted from an awkward draw. (1) BAEKDU GEOPO finished 2nd behind Sun Fighting last start early in December and was then trialed in early January. He has been in work quite some time so fitness is not a query, however, Song Jae-chul will need to be mindful of not getting too far back from a good draw as the horse lacks early speed. (8) SIN ROK has shown enough at his past couple of races to suggest he can finish in the money.

Selections (7) Ruffian Park (9) Bomnalui Gieok (1) Baekdu Geopo (8) Sin Rok

Next Best 6, 12

Fast Start 2, 10

 

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

A maiden for three-year-old fillies only and it’s (7) ONE AND ONLY who is set to be the favourite. After running 4th on her first two starts, both over 1000M, she was stepped up to 1300M last time and duly ran 2nd to Athena V. She gets out of the gate well so expect her to be on top early and go all the way. (8) LUISA was 3rd on her belated debut in December, running on pleasingly over 1000M. The extra trip today has every chance of suiting and she is to be considered. (10) HWA SSI BYEOK has shown progress across her two outings so far and can continue to develop today. Those three are the clear standouts and the Trio on them will be a short price. As for the others, (1) HWARYEO and (3) CHEONJI YEOGEOL, the latter more promising in a trial than on a woeful debut, have perhaps the most potential to improve.

Selections (7) One And Only (8) Luisa (10) Hwa Ssi Byeok (1) Hwaryeo

Next Best 3, 12

Fast Start 1, 7, 8

 

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

The fourth on the card has an abundance of speed where it appears the winner will come from sitting in the first four when they take the turn for home. (7) ROAD RAN was a superb winner back in October, scoring by a big margin. With just 52kg on her back, she looks hard to beat. Song Jae-chul will be legged aboard and she should sit in the leading division. (1) BIG CLASSIC has started her career well wit one win and two minors from four starts. The Officer filly resumed last start to finish 2nd behind Looking Good over the 1300M. You can expect further improvement with the first-up run under her belt. (2) GIANT GIRL broke through last start in Class 6 company for her first win. She ran a reasonable time but will need to improve further to be a winning chance. (9) FLYING JOY looks best of the rest coming off a last start 3rd behind Royal Smarty.

Selections (7) Road Ran (1) Big Classic (2) Giant Girl (9) Flying Joy

Next Best 8, 6

Fast Start 1, 2, 7, 9

 

Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race here but we’ll side with (4) SUPER ECTON. He came from off the pace to secure a somewhat unexpected maiden win over 1300M just before Christmas and while he is up in class today, he can back up that form today with an extra half furlong to play with. (2) NOLBU CHEONHA is the primary danger. He was a winner at 1700M in November and while he didn’t go especially well on his first try at this class a month ago, also over the extended trip, that was a significantly stronger race than this and he should find things more amenable today. (3) KINGLY too faced superior opposition last time and should be better in today’s shallower waters while in the case of (5) SUNSHINE TEUKGEUP, a drop back in trip here could be just what she needs to find her form again. As for the others, (6) BLACK GINGA is a nineteen-race maiden but occasionally picks ap a cheque and should be competitive in this company.

Selections (4) Super Ecton (2) Nolbu Cheonha (3) Kingly (5) Sunshine Teukgeup

Next Best 6, 8

Fast Start 1, 7

 

Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Punters will watch the sixth with intrigue as there appears to be a couple of handy Korean-breds in the field. (7) GEUMBIT JANGIN looks as if he is in for a good preparation. The Menifee colt won when resuming before finishing 3rd last start behind the talented Legend Storm. He was beaten a big margin, but this looks an easier assignment for the four-year-old. (12) RAON TAP MAN has also showed plenty of ability early on in his (more…)