Month: February 2020

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 8)

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

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 7)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Turn

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

A field of twelve maidens will kick off proceedings on an eleven-race card from Busan. (7) HONOR QUEEN is the on top selection after a good trial performance when coasting through the line. The filly was gobbled up late to run second but was never fully asked for by You-Hyun-Myung, who will ride her for her first start. She should be an each-way price with a few winning chances engaged. (6) DALLAE looks a main player coming off successive placings in this company. The Thunder Moccasin filly went down a length when trying to chase down leader/winner Aragaya Wangseong last start. (9) AMAZING GIRL has run on fairly at her past two starts to collect some minor money. The filly looks the best chance of the back markers and will be hitting the line strong, she will be aided if the pressure is piled on at the front of the field. (3) MIRACLE WIND comes off a third behind Linchpin last start which reads well for this race. She was beaten 7.5 lengths on debut but this is a much easier assignment.

Selections (7) Honor Queen (6) Dallae (9) Amazing Girl (3) Miracle Wind

Next Best 2, 1

Fast Start 2, 6, 7

 

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Not the strongest of maidens here although one or two have offered some hints at ability. All of them tackle the 1200M for the first time although most have raced at 1300M or further. (2) THE SUN OF GOD drops back in trip following a useful 4th over a mile last start. He briefly led that day and while he is one-paced, from a good draw, he can go closer. (10) FUSION PARK is two starts into a comeback following a lengthy absence. She looks to be on the correct trajectory and ran well at 1300M before her lay-off. The most experienced animal in the race is (7) BEAUTIFUL KOREA and while that is most certainly not a good thing at class 6, she ran above herself two starts bac to run 3rd in a better race than this at 1300M. She is inconsistent but if she gets off to a good start, she can figure. (11) GEUMA KAIROS didn’t do much on debut but previously trialed well and the connections will tempt plenty while the wildcard is (6) YEONGGWANGUI TEUKG. He raced three times without distinction and comes back in after almost a year off. He trialed competently.

Selections (11) Geuma Kairos (2) The Sun Of God (10) Fusion Park (7) Beautiful Korea

Next Best 6, 9

Fast Start 2, 4, 5, 7

 

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

There appears to be a short priced favourite in the third on the card. (3) DOCTOR GREY looks ready to breakthrough for his first win after finishing second last time out behind Future King. The colt has shown speed at his last couple of starts and looks one that can lead and win over the six furlongs. Don’t expect a price about him as his opponents haven’t shown much at all to date. (6) EAGLE STAR placed at big odds last time out. The gelding improved in the middle stages and was one-paced through the line. He can fill a place with the right run. (4) FAMILY DANCER lines up for her sixth start after finishing fourth over the five furlongs last time out. The Tout filly ran better when sitting near the speed last start, with Lee Hyo-Sik likely to do just that with a reasonable draw. (9) WISE GIRL debuts after running 1.03.0 in her qualifying trial. She will have to jump from the car park on debut but looks one forward enough to collect a cheque.

Selections (3) Doctor Grey (6) Eagle Star (4) Family Dancer (9) Wise Girl

Next Best 8, 7

Fast Start 3

 

Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It’s a new distance for all twelve of these maidens and there is plenty of promise throughout the field. (11) FASHION KEY has shown progress across his three starts so far, culminating in a narrow defeat last start when she and the winner were seven-lengths clear of the rest of the field. She’ll need to cross to get to the front but if she can do that then she is the one to beat. Needing to cross early is an issue that faces her main rival, (10) B.K. EUAN. His recent work has been at a mile and he only missed out by a nose two starts back before running a decent 4th last time. He surely has a win in him at some stage. Completing the trio who are likely to set the early speed is (4) ACE JACKPOT. She was considered promising enough to take her chance in a big juvenile race last autumn and although she found herself overmatched, she has gone close twice since. She steps up in trip and it may suit. (7) FLYING KINGS is another with near-misses to his name already while (6) WONDERFU EI also enters with his form reading well and with the potential to make more progress.

Selections (11) Fashion Key (10) B.K. Euan (4) Ace Jackpot (7) Flying Kings

Next Best 6, 1

Fast Start 4, 10, 11

 

Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

One of the best bets on the card is in the fifth where a compact field of nine will take to the track. (5) MR. VALOR comes off a last start second behind Power Train when going down a neck. The Ecton Park colt drops back a furlong for his fourth start with Lee Sung-Jae to be legged aboard. From barrier five it is expected he will sit in the first couple in running and will take some chasing down. (4) DOCTOR MAX run a much better race last time out when fourth behind Aragaya Wangseong. The Officer filly looked to be crying out for more distance last start and she gets that today. (2) KING BROTHER looks one that will be better third-up after feeling the pinch up the straight last time out. The colt is likely to sit in the first four in running with a lack of pace engaged. (6) FUTURE CHAMPION lines up for his second start after finishing midfield on debut. He may be one that adds some spice to your novelties. (more…)

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…)