Just like last week, the three Korean tracks will take it in turns to race this weekend with Jeju on Friday, Busan on Saturday and Seoul on Sunday. Racecourses and OTB’s in the south of the country will be open to spectators with advance reservations (made through the MyCard app) at 20% of the indoor seated capacity. The open locations are Jeju Racecourse and Busan Racecourse as well as the off-track betting centres in Busan (both of them), Changwon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju and Cheonan. Seoul’s Sunday meeting will be behind closed doors and all betting locations in the Greater Seoul area remain closed. Jeju kicks things off with a 10-race pony meting on Friday. Here is the preview for those so-inclined:
Jeju Ponis kick off the weekend’s action on Friday (Pic: KRA)
Race 1: Class 6 (800M) Allowance / KRW 9 Million
1
YANGDAEBAK – Offered little in three starts so far. Big outsider.
2
EOLLUKBOBAE – Began career well with 2nd and a 3rd. Need to forgive latest outing on a muddy track and down in weights he can be a place chance here.
3
TEAYANGSINGONG – 2nd and 5th in two starts so far and beaten by the two favourites here. Decent speed and placing chances.
4
NAEONYEOSIN – 2nd on debut before winning on January 15th beating three of these in the process. His times haven’t been that special but he is clear 2nd favourite here.
5
SANGGODAE – A long last on debut and. Any improvement today a plus.
6
BONGSEONGYEOJE – Offered little in two starts to date.
7
OHRAYEOGEOL – Won her first two outings very smartly indeed before narrowly failing to complete a hat-trick when 2nd last start. Has run consistently fast times and should lead gate to wire here. Strong favourite.
8
TEUKBYEOLSUSADAE – Best finish of 8th was on debut and little to recommend today.
9
BIYANG – Solitary debut-maker, looked competent when trialing and could be in the placing mix first up here.
10
BONGGAEJARANG – Improved across three starts so far and was 3rd behind Naenyeoshin on January 15th. Wide draw not a problem and placing chances again.
DUMOAK – Consistent over five starts so far finishing 3rd to 5th and running into a couple too quick each time. Similar today.
2
JAGEUNBYEOL – Good winner over the distance on January 12th making all. Well drawn to lead again and while this is tougher, she’s firmly in the hunt again.
3
NAKCHEONGISANG – Best finish was a 5th in debut. Yet to show she is capable of running the kind of time that can trouble the scorers.
4
JANGGUNDAEJWA – Best finish of 5th. Has tended to get a bit too far back in races. 5th would be a realistic aim here.
5
MYUNGINHWANGJAE – First time starter who trialed up ok. Others favoured but no reason she can’t go well.
6
SARAGONGJU – Promising 5th on debut at this distance last November. Can match or build on that here.
7
CHACALL – 5th and a 9th from two starts so far. Well back behind the winner on both occasions and not among the favourites here.
8
EUTTEUMYEONGWUNG – First-time starter. Looked well in his trial and with an in-form jockey aboard, is sure to have plenty of backers first-up. Place chance.
9
IMMYEONGJANG – 2nd and 3rd in her first two starts she blotted her copybook somewhat with a poor effort in January on a sloppy track. Worth another chance today but only for a place.
10
MYUNGSEONGYEOGEOL – The likely favourite. She has a win and a 2nd from two starts and the fastest time among these. Front-runner, if she crosses the field to lead, she will be hard to beat.
JUNGMUNSINHWA – Recent form has been consistent. Settles midfield and runs on well with a place a realistic target here.
2
CHUGYEOKJEON – Ran 2nd to Nokwonjeil in December before beating three of these on his way to 3rd over this distance last start. Yet to win in twenty-three attempts a place looks more realistic again.
3
HWANGGEUMJEGUK – Got his maiden win at start thirty-one in December before running 4th behind Chugyeokjeon last month. Outside chance of placing.
4
SEOBUPYEONGJEONG – Found himself overmatched but not disgraced when 9th of 12 in Stakes company last time. He has the fastest time at the distance and is the highest rate. Giving weight away but his class may see him through. Big chance.
5
GANGNAMJAEBEOL – Still lightly races, she should benefit from returning to the distance at which she recorded her only win to date. Others may be favoured but can go well.
6
BIRYONGGISANG – 4th in each of her latest three outings, all of them at 800M. This looks a tougher ask and she’d do very well to match those finishes today.
7
GOSUCHEONHA – Beaten by plenty of these in recent outings and while he occasionally snatches a money finish, he has plenty of form to overturn today.
8
SINHEUNGYEOSIN – Class and distance winner last start, he can mix his form but while he is up in weights and this is a tougher race, he should be in the hunt again.
9
NOKWONJEIL – A win and two runner-up finishes from his last three. He steps up an additional half furlong today but he should be able to cope with that. A real chance.
10
YONGSEOLLAN – Super experienced and along with Sinheungyeosin, is the only one to have won at this distance. Not too far away in recent outings but others surely favoured.
PUREUNJANGGUN – Managed a 3rd place two starts back but otherwise has struggled of late. Others favoured today.
2
TAMNAGOEUL – Two wins from her latest four and she comes in having beaten plenty of these on her way to 3rd place at class and distance on January 15th. Well drawn to lead, she has a big chance here.
3
SEOGWIMYEONGGA – Knocking on the door in his latest few outings but the weights do him no favours here. Outside place chance.
4
BOLTMACHINE – Highest rated among these and fastest time at the distance. Weight may stop him from being a winning chance here but on recent form he looks good for a place.
5
GEOSEOGAN – Has posted a fast time at this distance and enters in good form with a 3rd and a 2nd from latest two. Not impossible he goes one better today.
6
GANGRYEOKSINHWA – Ran 3rd three starts back but otherwise recent form has been patchy and he’s an outsider here.
7
SUNYANGEUTTEUM – Recent two outings haven’t been great but may appreciate going back up in trip. Remains one of the highest rated of these and has outside placing chances.
8
AEWOLCHANGA – Class 6 winner over 800M on November he struggled on his first go at this class behind Tamna geowul but was then much netter when 4th – with Tamnagoeul in 3rd – last time. Potential for more development and not without a chance of a money finish here.
9
GEUMCHONDAEBU – First start since last July. Was in dreadful form before the layoff.
10
GEUMBITSIDAE – Recent form no better than average and doesn’t look among the contenders here.
SIOREUM – Well back behind lots of these last time and a lot of form to overturn here.
2
NOEULJILJU – Recent form has been cold and will need to improve to be competitive today.
3
HANBAEKCHAMP – A winner of six from eight and three of his last four, the latest two at class and distance. Fastest time of any of these at the distance by some margin. Concern is the weight but he has strong claims again.
4
DAECHEONDAESE – Mixes his form and was beaten by a few of these last start. Outsider.
5
DALBITSESANG – 5th behind Yuktanwangja last start continuing a consistent run of form. Nice light weight and placing claims.
6
BONGSEONGJARANG – 4th to Yuktanwangja and ahead of plenty of the others who go here on January 29th. 3rd to Hanbaekchamp the time before. Difficult to overturn that form but should be close again.
7
CHOIGOJANGSA – A winner of two of his latest three, he is up in class here but carries a very light weight and should be on speed from the start. Clear third-favourite but could pull off a surprise.
8
YUKTANWANGJA – Beat lots of these when wining at class and distance on January 29th to make it three wins from his latest four. Like Hanbaekchamp he carries more weight but can overcome it and can win again.
9
TAEHEUNGSANSEONG – Lots of experience and is the highest rated. That means a big weight and a minor money finish looks the best chance here.
10
GEUMMAEK – 6th behind Yuktanwangja last month. That would be a par finish again today.
11
SEGYEEUTTEUM – Well back behind Hanbaekchamp last start continued a run of poor showings since winning last January. Needs a few runs.
12
ARAJILJU – Showed signs of returning to form with 3rd last start but up in class today and a big ask.
BAEKSACHEONGSONG – Just the one win from eleven starts so far but plenty of near misses and has beaten lots of these in recent starts. Goes close.
2
ARABONNEUNG – Yet to win in ten but equaled her best finish when 2nd to Taeyanguigyejeol on January 22nd ahead of a number of these. Placing chances again.
3
TAEYANGUIGYEJEOL – Comes in having won her latest two, both at class and distance and beating plenty of these in the process. Concern is that she carries an additional 7kg today but she can be equal to it and is the likely favourite.
4
JILPOONGGADO – Recent form has been very cold. Outsider.
5
BOMULMANCHAN – First start since November when 3rd behind Taeyanguigyejeol. Minor money claims here.
6
HWANGJESIDAE – Much improved 3rd behind Taeyanguigyejeol on January 22nd but may need to improve again to match that here.
7
CHEONMANRI – A winner on debut before running 2nd on her first try at this class on December 20th. A front-runner, nicely weighted and with plenty of scope for further development, she has solid claims here.
8
SUPERWOMAN – No worse than 5th in her seven starts so far. Doesn’t look a winning chance here but should maintain that consistent record.
9
DUJEONGGAP – Betaen by a lot of these in recent outings and hard to recommend here.
10
GANGHANJIJIN – Won on debut last August but struggled behind plenty of these on her return in November. First start since a watching brief is recommended today.
11
SEOMMUNHWA – Returned from six months off to run a promising 2nd of twelve over 1000M in January. This is tougher but minor money can’t be ruled out.
12
KEUMKWANOKJO – 6th behind Taeyanguigyejeol on January 22nd and probably just a bit too much to overturn here.
CHEONGJEONGSIDAE – Managed 4th place three starts back but beaten by lots of these in latest two.
2
HOSEUNGGOEUL – Recent form reads very well. 4th behind Tyson and Baekhobeongae last start and in the placing frame today.
3
TYSON – Beat lots of these on his way to 2nd place at class and distance on January 29th continuing a strong run of form. He looks to be the one to beat here.
4
HWANGGEUMUISIN – Best days are probably behind him but even so, he is rarely too far away. Minor money finish his best chance.
5
GWANGAUIMYEONGSEONG – Really good 2nd place last time at class and distance when carrying the same weight as today. That continued a run of good form and he could be the main danger to the favourite.
6
HWANGHAEMUJEOK – Mixed his form slightly at this class. 5th behind Tyson and others who go here on his latest outing and perhaps has a bit to make up on them here.
7
WONDONGHIT – 7th behind Tyson last start was slightly disappointing. Beaten by a lot of these recently and a minor money finish would be a very good result.
8
YURANGBYEOL – 3rd behind Beakhobeongae two starts back is his best recent result. Light weight but looks up against it here.
9
BAEKHOBEONGAE – A class and distance winner in December but Tyson has had the better of him twice recently and may well do so again. Nevertheless, he goes close.
10
GANGHOILDEUNG – Recent form has been very cold and he’s a big outsider here.
11
JANGBAEKGISANG – Improved 3rd last start over 1000M. This looks a tougher ask though.
12
MIDEUMBISANG – Good class and distance 2nd in November but well beaten by plenty of these in two subsequent outings.
HANULMIREU – Seems to have found her level consistently knocking on the door of the minor money without threatening the places. Similar today.
2
CHEONSAPYO – Well beaten by plenty of these in recent outings and a lot of form to overturn here.
3
CHEONMAJAERIM – An all the way winner at this class over 1400M in December before a 3rd and a 4th, both times beaten by Daonuijeonseol in her latest two. She goes close again.
4
KWAENAMSIDAE – Enters in good form with 5th and 3rd behind Daonuijeonseol in his latest two. Looks good for another place finish today.
5
GANGNAMKINGDOM – Best recent result was 2nd four starts back at this class. Beaten by plenty of these in three outings since.
6
HOBONGI – Two wins and a 3rd between November and January got him promoted to this level. Struggled on his first crack at it and a watching brief is advised today.
7
GUKNAESEONG – Useful 4th and 5th from her latest two but both times she was beaten by rivals here and has form to overturn.
8
BANJIYEOWANG – A winner three starts back at this class over 1400M but had a hard time in two outings since. Weight doesn’t help.
9
GEOGADAERO – Well back behind most of these in recent starts and one of the longest shots on the board here.
10
HWANGYONGUIBYEOL – Solid class and distance 5th last start in a good time and minor money or placing chances today.
11
DAONUIJEONSEOL – Hot favourite. After winning three in a row to get promoted to this level, she registered back to back 2nd places beating lots of these in the process. She does carry an additional 4kg today but has won under almost as much before.
12
BLADERUNNER – Finished no worse than 5th in three tries at this class since a win over 1110 at class 3 last July. Strong place chance under a light weight with top jockey.
ORAJEONSEOL – Came from off the pace to beat a handful of these at this class over 1110M on January 29th. That took him to seven wins from fourteen starts and with only a small weight increase, he has solid claims again.
2
UNGJINSINHWA – 4th behind Orajeonseol last start, his third consecutive solid performance. Should be on pace from a good draw and has placing claims again.
3
BAEKHOBOBAE – Well back behind plenty of these in both his latest two and plenty to find today.
4
SANJEONGMUHAN – Managed a 3rd place three starts back but has a lot of form to overturn on a number of his rivals here.
5
HAMJIBAK – 3rd behind Orajeonseol on January 29th maintaining a run of consistent form. Slight rise in trip today should be to his advantage and he has a winning chance here.
6
DONMASINHWA – Recent form has been very cold and will require a big improvement.
7
GWANGHAECHEONGMYEONG – Well beaten by plenty of these in latest two appearances and too much to overturn.
8
MIRAEDONGSAN – Very experienced, nice light weight and comes in off decent 6th last time. Others favoured though.
9
PUREUNMULGYEOL – Somewhat unexpected class and distance winner two starts back but could only manage 9th on reappearance behind Orajeonseol last month. Place line at best.
10
JANGBAEKJILJU – Class and distance winner last August but struggled in two subsequent starts. Considerably down in the weights today though so may get closer.
11
CHEONILSU – Beaten by Hamjibak in both his latest two but is very consistent and won’t be far away. Likely to be on pace despite the wide draw.
12
BAEKDUWANGJA – Up in class having won his latest three in a row. This is undoubtedly a stiffer challenge but he carries a very light weight and another win isn’t impossible.
MIDEUMKKUM – Won on debut all the way back in November 2019 but struggled a bit since. Ran 3rd on last appearance of 2020 and then looked promising when 2nd in a trial last week. Watching brief today though.
2
MISOGONGWON – Nicely drawn to get on speed but has tended to fade a little in recent outings. Minor money a realistic aim.
3
HALLASORI – 5th behind a couple of these last start. Knocking on the door but needs to improve to challenge for the win.
4
JEJUSINHWA – Just the two starts so far and she’s acquitted herself well with a 5th and a 3rd. Will need to improve in a tough race for the level though.
5
ILGEUPBISANG – Class and distance winner two starts back and then a very solid 2nd on latest appearance in December. Clear second favourite here.
6
UNGJINDAESEONG – After an inauspicious debut, he’s gone close in each subsequent starts. Looks to have a win in him at some point but today is a bit stiff.
7
GWANGAUIGOLD – 3rd behind Ilgeupbisang on latest appearance continuing a run of near-misses. Placing claims again.
8
SASANGCHOEGANG – Hot favourite. After running 2nd on debut, he’s run out an easy winner twice over this distance. Consistently fast times – the fastest three times at the distance in the race all belong to him and it would be a big surprise were he to be beaten here.
9
MIRAEGANGJA – Yet to finish any better than 3rd in sixteen outings and that’s unlikely to change here.
10
SEGYESEUTA – 3rd behind Ilgeupbisang in December, she looks to be figuring things out. She will cross to try to get to the lead and if she can then she is in the placing frame.
Horse Racing in Korea 