There are 15 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10.45 to 18.00. Most of the top jockeys including Moon Se Young, Park Tae Jong, Kim Yong Geun and Alan Munro are absent as they are in Busan for Sunday’s Busan Ilbo Cup, but there is still plenty to get stuck into. Here are the previews:

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

A field of twelve three-year-olds will kick Saturday’s monster card off with eleven of them on debut. (8) LEROY BLANC is the on top selection after some handy trial performances. The Forest Camp filly has been ridden by Ha Jung-hun in her trials, and will partner her on debut. She was ridden with minimal urging in her heat and clocked a good time for the debutants. (4) HAEK SOCKS produced a fair trial and is considered an each-way chance on debut. The Hansen colt was given a soft trial qualifying with ease. He should position near the speed with a good draw. (9) ROSEDAY MARINE was well beaten in her trial but managed to produce a reasonable time. (3) DEKABRIST is next best after finishing fourth in her trial when clocking a fair time on a wet surface.

Selections (8) Leroy Blanc (4) Haek Socks (9) Roseday Marine (3) Dekabrist
Next Best 11, 7
Fast Start 4, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Twelve unraced two-year-olds go around here No eagerly awaited debuts here but we do at least have some trials to go on. (6) YEONGGWANGUI MISO looked the best of them with the Hansen filly finishing well ahead of a couple of her rivals here in a reasonably well run heat at the end of May. One of those was (9) SOARA BABA, who failed to qualify that day, but she made a quick return to have another go two weeks ago and this time did much better, running 3rd in her trial and looking altogether more ready to race. (5) BAEDARI CANDY ran prominently in her trial and while she weakened a little late on, should have come on for it and can go well first up. (3) DDAENGBEOL and (10) FIGHTING GIRL others who didn’t disgrace themselves.

Selections (6) Yeonggwangui Miso (9) Soara Baba (5) Baedari Candy (10) Fighting Girl
Next Best 3
Fast Start 6, 11

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

The Korean-breds go over the 1200m in the third where nine of the twelve are on debut. We will watch with interest the performance of (5) PIEONADA. The three-year-old trialed in good fashion finishing close up behind the likes of Uri and Raon Tough Man. The Tiz Wonderful filly clocked one of the faster trial time when compared to her opposition. She sat on speed in her trial suggesting she will be gifted a good run from barrier five. (6) MASTER FUTURE has had two starts to date finishing fourth on both occasions. The three-year-old at his last start was somewhat one-paced in the run home when beaten seven lengths by Nunbit Eunyak who has since placed in stronger company. (8) SUPER LUCKY BOY improved at his second trial in May. The Gyongbudaero colt clocked 62.6 on a dry track for the 1000m, looking at his conformation he looks one that may appreciate a longer journey with time. (2) RAON FASHION is next best coming off a nice trial four weeks back. Expect the Old Fashioned gelding to position on speed after showing plenty of speed in his trial.

Selections (5) Pieonada (6) Master Future (8) Super Lucky Boy (2) Raon Fashion
Next Best 9, 3
Fast Start 2, 5

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(8) GLOBAL GOLD ran a front-running 3rd place over this distance on his most recent outing back in January, marking steady improvement on what was his third career appearance. He showed he’s still in form with a good trial in April and if he can get to the front here, he has every chance of winning. (5) HAECHAN ran far better than his 80/1 odds suggested he would on debut last September, leading most of the way before tiring late on. He trialed up well enough behind Global Captain back in February but hasn’t been seen since. Nevertheless, he can run well first-up. (7) DREAM FASHION put in a promising effort on his second start back in January, running 4th on a wet track at this distance. He wasn’t pushed when finishing back in the pack in an April trial and there’s no reason why he can’t pick up from where he left off here. (12) ALCHAN NURI was well back behind Dream Fashion in that January race but previously ran 2nd over 1000M and put in an encouraging trial. There are two first-time starters and of the pair, (2) JANGSAN PARK looks the more likely first-up.

Selections (8) Global Gold (7) Dream Fashion (5) Haechan (12) Alchan Nuri
Next Best 2, 4
Fast Start 5, 8

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The Korean-bred gallopers line up in the fifth all looking for their first victory. (7) EAST ONE is the on top selection in a wide open race. The colt has finished in the top four on three occasions from four starts including a last start third over this distance. His trial in April was rather average but we take him based on his efforts earlier this year and towards the end of 2019. (10) NEVER WALK ALONE is the omen bet of the weekend after Liverpool claimed the Premier League Championship on Thursday evening. The three-year-old placed last start in February behind Arirayo when coming from well back. Based on his closing sectional the step-up to the 1300m looks suitable. (1) YAHO GOLDEN CAT trialed in a fast time earlier this month clocking 61.7 seconds for the 1000m on a dry track. His most recent start was disappointing when well back but it was a tougher affair. He finished second two start back over this distance, a similar performance to that day will see him run into the money. The lightly raced (9) NAUI SINHWA trialed respectably in April. The Old Fashioned colt has had the two starts finishing fifth on both occasions. This looks a weaker assignment hence a forward showing would not surprise.

Selections (7) East One (10) Never Walk Alone (1) Yaho Golden Cat (9) Naui Sinhwa
Next Best 4, 11
Fast Start 3, 7, 11

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

As weak a maiden race as you’ll find and we’ve had some weak ones already today. We’ll go with (10) RUFFIAN PARK, who has managed to finish no worse than 6th in any of his five appearances so far with his best being a 3rd. That came over 1300M and he stretches out to seven-furlongs today with as good a chance as any of breaking his duck. (6) BEST TAP has a 3rd and a 4th place to his name, and is another who may appreciate the additional half furlong. He ran well in an April trial and is a clear contender here. Also showing well in a trial was (8) THROUGH THE SKY. He’s never been in the first-five in an actual race but offered a little bit in his recent heat and should improve here. Likewise, (2) SEONGPAJANG and (11) HIT THE PACE also have the potential to improve off the back of the layoff.

Selections (10) Ruffian Park (6) Best Tap (8) Through The Sky (11) Hit The Pace
Next Best 2, 1
Fast Start 1, 7

Race 7: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The seventh on the card is likely to leave punters with a cracking headache after doing the form. (3) DAEHYEONG HOJAE was the eventual on top selection. The chestnut comes off a last start fifth behind Our Simon over the 1000m. The Park Dae-heung trained three-year-old trialed fairly in April, expect him to sit just off the speed and be given every chance at the top of the straight. (5) GOLD FIELD is a thirteen start maiden who has managed a placing just once. In saying that the filly is never too far away and this is an extremely weak race. She gets the services of Yoo Seung-wan who is arguably the best jockey riding Seoul Saturday with other topliners making tracks to Busan for the Busan Ilbo Sunday. (2) MAD DIVA has placed twice from the seven starts. The One Cool Cat filly has shown the ability to sit on speed previously, if she can jump clean from barrier two she is capable of finishing in the money. (9) SPEED DANCER reeled off a good last 600m last start running into fifth behind Ganghojeil. The filly gets well back in her races and ideally connections would be hoping she can muster a bit quicker.

Selections (3) Daehyeong Hojae (5) Gold Field  Mad Diva (9) Speed Dancer
Next Best 7, 10
Fast Start 5, 8

Race 8: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(5) SUNSHINE TEUKGEUP came from off the pace to run a decent 3rd over 1400M back in February. It’s been a long time since she ran at such a short distance as today’s but she looked sharp in a May trial and is a leading hope today. (6) BLESSING ROAD also drops back in trip although only slightly with all the mare’s recent appearances having been at 1300M. She made all to win a trial last month in a fast time and if she gets the lead here, she may well go all the way again. Also winning a recent trial was (9) GOLDEN JAY. He’s another front runner who has won on a wet track and can be considered today. (7) BLACK PUPIL has also won in the wet and performed very pleasingly in a trial at the beginning of this month. He’s drawn better than he did when performing abysmally at 1200M back in January. (12) CAMP TOUCH has the fastest time of any of these at the distance although it is fair to say that wasn’t an especially quick time itself. Nevertheless, she too looked in good touch in trials and has to be a chance here.

Selections (5) Sunshine Teukgeup (6) Blessing Road (9) Golden Jay (12) Camp Touch
Next Best 7, 4
Fast Start 4, 6, 9, 10

Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Tactics will play such an important role in the ninth with an abundance of speed engaged to go over the six furlongs. (11) BLACK ZAPPER is the on top selection after a promising start to her career. The daughter of Tiz Wonderful has placed twice in this grade including a third last start behind the talented Dia Road, who went on to win the Donga Ilbo Cup beating Silver Wolf. She was given an easy time of it in her trials but her previous form is strong enough to suggest she can win. (6) TANGO TIME is another Korean-bred that has started his racing career in good fashion. The Hansen gelding is likely to catapult out of the gates and end up in the first couple in running. He ran a good second behind Choegang Team bacak in January and a similar performance will see him go close. (5) LUCKY SANGUN lines up in Class 4 company for the first time coming off a two length victory when clocking a solid time. He’s built with a sprinter’s stature, muscly through the hindquarters. (7) YEONHUI ILCHUL has finished close up in this grade at his past three starts. He clocked 60.6 on a dry track earlier this month suggesting he is forward at the moment and can figure.

Selections (11) Black Zapper (6) Tango Time (5) Lucky Sangun (7) Yeonhui Ilchul
Next Best 2, 4
Fast Start 1, 4, 5, 6

Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

A field of imported three-year-olds tackle the six-furlongs here. There’s only one previous race winner among them. That’s (5) SHARK JJANG, who scored in a tight finish at 1300M on a wet track back in December. His two starts since then haven’t been great but he was beaten by good horses both times and looked well in a trial last month. (4) ROCKUI JEWANG beat Shark Jjang on his way to 3rd place on debut in February. After a slow start he came from well back to run on well and can build on that today. (1) SOMETHING EXPECT was sent off at 120/1 on debut in December but he defied that by finishing 3rd behind Shark Jjang. He was accordingly sent off only slightly better than even-money on his reappearance in February when he finished 3rd again. He will be on pace from the start and should be there or thereabouts once more. Of the others with experience, (7) ACE CHAN is perhaps the most likely to figure. There are three debut-makers but bearing in mind their trial performances, we’ll take a watching brief with all three of them first-up.

Selections (5) Shark Jjang (1) Something Expect (4) Rockui Jewang (7) Ace Chan
Next Best 2
Fast Start 1, 11

Race 11: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

The Korean-bred gallopers line up in the eleventh over the 1400m. Going with the inexperienced (3) CHOEGANG TEUKGEUP who broke maiden status last time out over the 1400m. The time was reasonable for this grade, with the good draw the Tiz Wonderful colt is likely to lead and give them something to run down. Yoo Seung-wan is the beneficiary of Moon Se-young riding at Busan this weekend. (1) GLORY VERN has had plenty of racing but looks a chance of figuring in a weak race. The mare has placed on multiple occasions over similar distances and should be able to settle closer from the inside draw. Veteran galloper (2) HAETBINNA gets a good opportunity to collect another cheque at start seventy-three. He has been campaigned over the middle distances in his later years suggesting the 1400m should be suitable first-up. (5) GEUMBIT TANHWAN is next best coming off a fifth over the 1300m back in February. The chestnut is still looking for his first win after fourteen starts.

Selections (3) Choegang Teukgeup (1) Glory Vern (2) Haetbinna (5) Geumbit Tanhwan
Next Best 8, 9
Fast Start 3

Race 12: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(1) BIG TRIPLE beat three of these on his way to 3rd place at class and distance on February 9th, coming from behind the pace and running on strongly. He trialed competently enough in April and while he does carry and additional 2.5kg today, he looks firmly in the hunt for the win today. (6) SUN START was among those beaten that day but he has a 2nd and a 3rd to his name at this distance and looks to be a major contender. He won an April trial. (7) CUTIE BARBIE won back to back races last autumn, both of them at this distance. She was slow to get involved on her only 2020 start so far but if she gets away a bit better, has every chance of going close once again. (11) COLORS KING has also won at this distance and drops back in trip having come close over 1800M in February. He is another who carries a little bit more weight today but shouldn’t be discounted. The wildcard is (2) GLOBAL LUCKY. She’s only raced four times for a best finish of 4th, all at shorter distances but she has run well through the line and could well appreciate her first try at two-turns today.

Selections (1) Big Triple (11) Colors King (7) Cutie Barbie (6) Sun Start
Next Best 2, 10
Fast Start 7, 10, 12

Race 13: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

A compact field of ten will go over the two turns in the thirteenth event. (3) ROYAL SMARTY has been a model of consistency over his thirteen start career to date. The Any Given Saturday colt was a last start winner over this distance when clocking a fast time. He is a unique type as he solely relies on his turn of foot, rarely settling near the speed. (4) RAON SERENA has had the five starts in Class 3 grade for three minor placings. She did go off the boil at her past couple of starts but with the freshen up she needs to be considered. She won her trial in April in good time. (10) SARYEONI HEALING is most experienced galloper in the race with forty starts under his belt. He rarely wins but in an even race he is capable of running into the money as he is never too far away. (9) FAST FASHION has won four from seventeen and needs to be kept safe. The lightly raced five-year-old resumed in February when running midfield before Covid-19 hit. There is a slight query with a poor trial in April but if sound he can figure.

Selections (3) Royal Smarty (4) Raon Serena (10) Saryeoni Healing (9) Fast Fashion
Next Best 7, 8
Fast Start 1, 4

Race 14: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(6) BRIGADIER GENERAL and (2) GLOBAL ACE came home in 3rd and 4th places respectively when they raced one another over a mile on February 2nd. Global Ace had been the more favoured that day on the back of some very encouraging performances at the start of his career. It may have been a little too much too soon and the break may have done him good so he is favoured to overturn that form today. Brigadier General will still be a danger though. He too tackles two turns for the first time but his running style suggests it should suit. (1) MR. TURNER registered back to back 3rd place finishes at class and distance around the turn of the year and while his most recent effort in February wasn’t good, he clearly has ability at this level. So too does non-winner (3) DONGBANGUI GIEOK, a horse who always finds a way to get beat but who has nevertheless racked up plenty of money finishes. (12) K.N ACE looks best of the rest.

Selections (2) Global Ace (6) Brigadier General (3) Dongbangui Gieok (1) Mr. Turner
Next Best 12, 10
Fast Start 2, 12

Race 15: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

A handy bunch of gallopers will line up in the last to cap off the big day of racing. Last year’s Derby winner (7) WONDERFUL FLY is the on top selection as he looks set for a good preparation. The four-year-old was outclassed when lining up in the Segye Ilbo in January but now lines up in restricted company. He has won five races from eleven starts and is a Class 2 winner in this grade two starts back. (11) YEOKJEONUI USEUNG trialed well in April. The six-year-old comes off a last start third behind Seongpa, who lines up in the Busan Ilbo tomorrow. With the lightweight on his back he can figure fresh over the 1400m. (5) KILIUI JEWANG has had the nine top-three finishes from thirteen career starts. He finished third behind Munhak Ariari in February which reads well for this race. He is one of the likely pacemakers and has drawn well. (9) SUPER FLUID looks next best, being a class and distance winner previously. He is unlikely to match his opposition’s early speed so look for him rattling off a quick last sectional.

Selections (7) Wonderful Fly (11) Yeokjeonui Useung (5) Kiliui Jewang (9) Super Fluid
Next Best 12, 6
Fast Start 4, 5, 10