Saturday racing is at Seoul with 12 races from 10.45 to 18.00. Potential racegoers should be aware that an external Union is planning to enter the racecourse to demonstrate at some stage so it may not be the most pleasant of days to attend:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The first on Saturday will see a field of twelve maidens go over the short course. In a race that lacks form, (1) SIBERIA looks ready to strike at her first start after a solid trial. The Chapel Royal filly settled midfield before working through the line nicely when untouched by Kim Jeong-jun who rides her for her debut. (2) BEST PARTY was well beaten at her firs couple of starts as a two-year-old but has trialled reasonably since. The chestnut took up the running in the trial before going down a length. Look for improvement here. (5) SPRING COME lines up for his third start after being well beaten at his first couple of attempts. His times have been good enough to suggest he can run into the money. (9) BAEKDUWA HALLA ran a fair trial when qualifying for her first run. The Old Fashioned filly was slightly green but ran through the line reasonably.
Selections (1) Siberia (2) Best Party (5) Spring Come (9) Baekduwa Halla
Next Best 12, 11
Fast Start 2
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Tricky little maiden this with no standouts but plenty having shown a bit of ability. Others have been faster over the distance than (4) ARARIYO but the colt has a 3rd and a 2nd from three starts so far. He was well back behind a good winner last time but has shown he knows what to do and from a good draw can lead from the start. (11) SHINY FIRE showed improvement when runner-up on what was her second career start. She led until the closing stages that day and will look to do similar here. She comes in after three months off and if she can overcome the wide draw, will be a danger. Moon Se Young climbs aboard (12) NONGBUI SUCHEAHWA. The filly has never been worse than 5th in five outings to date and should at least continue that run here. (6) HANSEN CHOICE and (9) NEVER WALK ALONE are others in the hunt.
Selections (4) Arariyo (11) Shiny Fire (12) Nongbui Sucheahwa (6) Hansen Choice
Next Best 9, 7
Fast Start 4, 11
Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
The three-year-old Korean-bred gallopers line up in the third all looking for their first win. (6) HEUNG CAPTAIN was good on debut when finishing 2nd behind Dream Po Re over the 1000M. The son of Colors Flying bounced out of the gates well and found the fence early on. Expect him to work forward once again with limited speed engaged. (3) RAON HIGH is another on speed galloper who comes out of a three-year-old event where she finished 3rd. She was beaten 2.5L when clocking a time that should see her be competitive in this event. She placed in a juvenile event prior to her last run. (11) BARBELL looks one that can improve on his first couple of starts. The Old Fashioned gelding is likely to settle midfield or worse but can run into the money based on previous efforts. (2) SOJUNGHAN GOLDEN made up ground in the straight when debuting in a juvenile event in December. The Cielo Gold gelding gave the impression he will appreciate the extra furlong and perhaps longer in future starts.
Selections (6) Heung Captain (3) Raon High (11) Barbell (2) Sojunghan Golden
Next Best 9, 1
Fast Start 1, 3, 6
Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(2) DREAM PO RE was an impressive winner on debut on January 5th. The Shackleford colt is up in both class and distance today but the manner of his win suggests he should be firmly in the frame again. It took (4) DONGJJOK GLORY a few more goes to figure things out, but he was a very nice winner last month, coming from off the pace to score over 1300M. He too is up in class and is a contender. (11) WONDER K is yet to win but has run 2nd in his latest two. That has resulted in him being bumped up to this level, but Moon Se Young’s presence aboard means he is sure to be backed. Completing the list of those up in class is (9) STRONG RED, who made all to see off a somewhat limited field over 1300M in December. All four of those have claims here but if you prefer one with experience at this class then (5) DIA KEY is the one to go for. Having got his maiden win at 1000M in December, he stepped up to this level and ran 3rd, beating a couple of these, at 1200M a month ago.
Selections (2) Dream Po Re (5) Dia Key (9) Strong Red (4) Dongjjok Glory
Next Best 11, 6
Fast Start 2, 11
Race 5: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
A field of maidens will go over the two turns in the fifth where there is a lack of form engaged. That means the form of (2) A ONE KING looks good enough to take this race. The Exploit four-year-old ran on strong over this distance last time out when finishing 4th behind Colors De Lago. His times have been far better than his rivals engaged. (9) WONDERFUL ORANGE has been hitting the line well of late when the race has