Busan was struck by monsoon rains during the early part of Friday’s card but while there is the possibility of showers, there should be no such problems at Seoul for Saturday’s behind closed doors fixture. There are 13 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews: 

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

A field of inexperienced fillies and mares kick off proceedings at Seoul where they are all looking for their first victory. (4) WONDERFUL LIGHT gets her best chance to date to break maiden status coming off a good effort behind Hansen Choice three weeks back. The Tiz Wonderful filly hit the line with gusto last time out where they clocked a reasonable time. She drops back to the 1000m where Moon Jung-kyun will need to ensure she sits closer to the speed this time around. (3) PRIME SUMMIT comes off a midfield performance when debuting three weeks ago. The Chapel Royal filly got tired in the final stages after positioning directly behind the speed. She should take improvement from the run and be gifted a nice run from a good draw. (5) AMAZING WHIZ is first up since the enforced break. She has had the two previous starts, the most recent of them she finished fourth over the 1300m when finishing off strong. It is unknown if the drop back to the 1000 will suit her, but she did clock a reasonable trial time over the five furlongs during the break. (10) MARU CASTLE is one of three debutants lining up in the event. Her recent trial was encouraging when finishing second in a fair time. Keep her safe in your exotic bets.

Selections	(4) Wonderful Light (3) Prime Summit (5) Amazing Whiz (10) Maru Castle
Next Best	1, 2
Fast Start	3. 6

 

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

Maiden two-year-olds go around here with just two of the eight having raced previously. They went in the same race and of the pair, (1) NINE EYE was the one to emerge with some credit, running 5^th of twelve and through the line strongly. He can be expected to have come on for that run and to improve today. The main dangers are likely to emerge from the first-timers. (4) ADELE MUSTANG looks the most likely, having run well in a May trial posting a good time on what was admittedly a fast track. He’s the second foal from his dam, who won here five times and the jockey/trainer combination will tempt plenty. He can win. (3) JOEUN GWANGYE, who should be on speed from the start, and (8) LUCKY WORLD are others who performed well enough in trials to be considered place chances first-up.

Selections	(4) Adele Mustang (1) Nine Eye (3) Jeoun Gwangye (8) Lucky World
Next Best	6
Fast Start	3, 7

 

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

The third on the card will see the three-year-old maiden gallopers go over the 1200m. (1) KING KANMOREU resumes and will line up for his fifth start. The Hansen chestnut placed over the 1300m last time out behind Jeongmun Bolt in January. He trialed in April and clocked a fair time when comparing it to the strength of this race. (3) WONDERFUL MAMBO looks the next best of the runners engaged coming off a last start fifth behind Big Plan. Her last start was prior to the hiatus, with the filly performing only fair in a trial in April. (5) SEOUL CROWN is another that resumes and is capable of running into the money. The colt has the ability to position on speed and should hold out quite a few. (2) CUPID KOREA is next best with a handy trial in May. He lines up for his fourth start with his best performance a fifth two starts back behind High Wonderful.

Selections	(1) King Kanmoreu (3) Wonderful Mambo (5) Seoul Crown (2) Cupid Korea
Next Best	6, 7
Fast Start	1, 5

 

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(1) CHODONG ROCKET ran twice last autumn for 3^rd and 2^nd, the latter in a useful time on a sloppy track at this distance. He’s not raced since and while he was only average in an April trial, he’ll not need to do too much to win this. Kim Yong-geun, who rode him in both those 2019 starts, remains aboard, and he is the one to beat, most likely leading from the start. After an encouraging trial, (7) SANARAE ran a solid 4^th on her return to action on June 20^th over this distance. She is slightly one-paced but that will be enough to see her go close today. (8) HYPER CAR recorded back to back 3^rd place finishes at the turn of the year and while he only managed 6^th over 1400M on his return two weeks ago, he too should have enough about him to challenge for a place here. (6) SUN WINNER and (9) BAEKDU GEOPO are others with claims on the minor places.

Selections	(1) Chodong Rocket (7) Sanarae (8) Hyper Car (9) Baekdu Geopo
Next Best	6, 2
Fast Start	1, 7

 

Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

As is the theme of the day, another small field lines up in the fifth where they will go over the 1200m. (2) GIANT GIRL is second-up after a nice performance when resuming to finish third behind Wish Me over 1300m. She clocked a good time for this class and a similar performance will see her go close. She missed the kick last start, but if she can jump with them she should be ready to strike at the top of the straight. (5) GO UP looks the main danger coming off a solid trial. The Tiz Wonderful filly has had three starts for a win and a minor placing. Her last start was in this grade where she was somewhat one paced, in saying that she is capable of running into the money. (1) SET THE PACE looks a place chance after a midfield performance before the racing hiatus. She got too far back at her first try in Class 5 grade but if she can jump well from the inside she can run into the money. (4) LUCKY SMILE sneaks into this grade after finishing third at all three of her starts to date. The Menifee filly is capable of filling a minor place with a good run from barrier four.

Selections	(2) Giant Girl (5) Go Up (1) Set The Pace (4) Lucky Smile
Next Best	7, 8
Fast Start	4,5

 

Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Tricky little race here. (8) NONGBUI SUCHEAHWA ran a decent 2^nd place at this class over 1200M on June 20^th, running on well late on. She’s yet to win in seven attempts but that was her third runner-up finish and it’s not impossible the breakthrough could come here. (6) A TO Z was 5^th in that same race but has posted fast times at this distance in the past and should have come on for that run. With little early speed engaged today, he may find himself on pace from the start. (5) GOSOK PEDAL steps up in class off the back of a February victory over 1400M having gone close over this distance in January. He didn’t do too much in his trial a month ago but nevertheless looked well and has claims here. (7) ROCK LINE’s previous attempt at this distance didn’t go well but he looked among the sharpest of these in trials and could be ready for another crack at it. (2) LUCKY MIDAS and (4) VIRTUS both have good experience at this level and it would be no surprise were either of them to run a place.

Selections	(5) Gosok Pedal (7) Rock Line (8) Nongbui Sucheahwa (6) A To Z
Next Best	2, 4
Fast Start	1, 6

 

Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Just the eight Korean-bred gallopers line up in the seventh where they will go over 1300m. (4) GEOMPO looks a good chance for Lee Hyeon-jong, who has a nice book of rides today. The chestnut comes off a second placed performance behind Elite Lady. The three-year-old has speed to burn early on, he is likely to work towards the front of the field to sit prominent. He had to overcome the outside gate last start but with a handy draw should get a softer run. (7) YULONG FLYING has his first run since the hiatus coming off the back of a good trial. The consistent type finished third behind Raon Light Man and is up in grade in this event but carries the featherweight of 52kg. (8) MAGPIE is another lightweight chance that has placed twice from four attempts in this grade. The lightly raced mare normally settles rearwards so if they set a decent clip up front she should be steaming home. (2) ENDURANCE is second-up after finishing fourth when resuming over the 1400m. The form line behind Money Zif doesn’t read all that strong hence we will squeeze him in for a minor placing.

Selections	(4) Geompo (7) Yulong Flying (8) Magpie (2) Endurance
Next Best	1, 5
Fast Start	3, 4

 

Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) MASEONG JILJU headed into the shutdown with a 4^th place on what was his first try at this class over 1300M behing Raon Tough Man and K N Road. He has posted that kind of consistently competitive times that suggest a win at this level is within him and he looked well enough when trialing in May. His two victories so far both came under Kim Gui Bae and another is possible here. (3) CHEONGANG SEONG had a miserable 2019 recording a best finish of 5^th from eight starts. The enforced break may have done him some good though as he looked very good when winning a trial in June offering some hope he may have recaptured some of his old form. (4) WUJEONGUI HYANGGI has a win at this class to her name already. That was at 1700M, which is where she does her best work and while that suggests today may not be the ultimately goal, she may have enough about her to find a placing finish in this company. (7) SOLGAEBARAM wasn’t disgraced when 4^th at class and distance a couple of weeks ago and can build on that today. (5) FIRENZE HILL another who is usually not too far away.

Selections	(2) Maseong Jilju (3) Cheongang Seong (5) Firenze Hill (7) Solgaebaram
Next Best	4, 8
Fast Start	2, 3,

 

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

A compact field of eight will face the starter in the ninth where there appears only a couple of winning chances. (1) PINE TOUCH looks a good chance from the inside draw. Whilst he is first up, his form when third behind Munhak King last time out reads well for this company. He should be able to sit in the first half of the field and reel off a good final sectional. (7) LEVEL TAP clocked a good trial as he is being prepared for his first up run. He has shown speed at his last couple of starts over the 1300m before being run down in the straight. The 1200m fresh looks ideal for the lightly raced four-year-old. (6) SAMDAN GASOK lines up for his second start with the two-year-old carrying the light weight of 52kg. He showed a nice turn of speed over this distance two starts back and is capable of running into the money once again. He will need to improve on his last start performance to be a winning chance. (3) SHARK JJANG is the most experienced galloper in the field with nine starts under his belt. He has had the one run since the hiatus where he finished fourth behind Something Expect. Keep him safe in your wider selections but it does look a tough ask with the 58kg on his back.

Selections	(1) Pine Touch (7) Level Tap (6) Samdan Gasok (3) Shark Jjang
Next Best	5, 8
Fast Start	2, 7

 

Race 10: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) LOOKING GOOD looked precisely that when coming from well back to win at class and distance on June 21^st. That run did not escape the attention of the handicapper, however, as he carries an additional 3.5kg today. (4) DIA KEY was well back that day in what was his first try at both class and distance but he has shown ability and should have come on in fitness for that making him worth another go here. (3) FEDERAL CAT hasn’t found it easy since being promoted to this level but didn’t do too much wrong over 1700M three weeks ago. He drops back in trip today and looks nicely in here. The wildcard is (1) JEONGSANG ETTEUM, who was in dreadful form leading up to the shutdown but is another one of those who could have benefitted from an enforced break – otherwise he runs every month without fail. He looked well when trialing up in the Spring and a fresh start could see the experienced campaigner go close. There’s not much in the way of early speed and that could help (7) HANYANG GONGJU get on pace from the start.

Selections	(5) Looking Good (3) Federal Cat (4) Dia Key (1) Jeongsang Eutteum
Next Best	7, 9
Fast Start	7

 

Race 11: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

A field of ten will go over the two turns in the eleventh where one of the better bets on the card comes up. (4) IRON SOCKS finished off well last time out over 1400m when finishing third behind Clean Up Bella. The Mineshaft colt is stretched out to the 1700m for the first time but his previous runs suggest it should not be a problem. (3) CHEONJI MYEONGJANG broke maiden status over this distance some time ago. Since then the Orb colt has mixed his form but showed a turn of foot last time out hitting the line strong behind The Gumpu. It is hard to gauge how he will fare first up but he has some runs on the board. (7) CITY SONGNAM is another that has done plenty of racing over the middle distances. The chestnut has had a run since the hiatus where he finished second behind Daejiui Yeoin, they didn’t go all that hard in the early stages on that occasion. He looks well weighted in the event. (8) LITTLE BOY FLASH is also second up after somewhat disappointing when resuming. The grey settled well back in the race that Iron Socks comes out of as well, before hitting the line one paced. He has run some handy races over this distance and hence will appreciate the step up.

Selections	(4) Iron Socks (3) Cheonji Myeongjang (7) City Songnam (8) Little Boy Flash
Next Best	1, 6
Fast Start	7

 

Race 12: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 150 Million

Last year’s KRA Cup Mile winner (7) GLOBAL CHUKJE steps up to class 1 company for the first time after a good win over this distance at class 2 level in February. He participated in a very fast trial a month ago and at today’s weights, he has to be given serious consideration. (5) EAST PALOS is a multiple class 1 winner and has a lovely turn of foot about him. Today’s distance though would seem to be at the very upper limit of his capability though and that may make him a risk. On the same note but even more extreme, (1) SANGGAM MAMA is a 1400M specialist to the extent that he holds the track record over that distance and it’s been more than two years since he ran at any other – and he last raced at this distance when he was three-years-old, a full five years ago! There is no doubt he’s a quality horse though and his class coupled with a sensible ride may just see him through and into some money. A safer selection therefore might be (2) JANGSAN POWER. He’s consistently in the frame at a variety of distances at class 1, including a runner-up finish in a useful Trophy race at 1800M last September. Bit of a raffle this race.

Selections	(7) Global Chukje (2) Jangsan Power (5) East Palos (1) Sanggam Mama
Next Best	9, 6
Fast Start	1, 7

 

Race 13: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

A ripping race to close off the day with some handy types going through the grades. (3) BAREM has shown plenty of ability in her five starts to date. The Flat Out filly has also run into some handy gallopers as well when finishing second behind both Preemax and Mark Story at her most recent two starts. She gets a good draw in this event and the services of Yoo Seung-wan for the first time. (10) SLEEP WELL is yet to be beaten and should be treated as a winning chance by punters. The colt has clocked very quick times with some fuel left in the tank at his two wins to date. The query lies with the 1200m for the first time but he is looking a very nice galloper in the making. (4) PRO HAMSEONG has been a model of consistency in this grade for sometime and cannot be discounted upon resuming. The four-year-old should be able to map behind the speed and finish off well as previously shown. (6) GEUKGI SANGJIN looks next best with three top three finishes from five starts.

Selections	(3) Barem (10) Sleep Well (4) Pro Hamseong (6) Geukgi Sangjin
Next Best	9, 7
Fast Start	9