COVID-19 restrictions in Korea remain unchanged which means that this weekend’s racing will follow the same pattern as last week’s. There will be pony racing at Jeju on Friday, with thoroughbreds at Busan on Saturday and Seoul on Sunday. The Seoul meeting will be behind closed doors and all betting locations within the Greater Seoul area remain closed. However, Busan Racecourse and Jeju Racecourse may admit customers along with off-course betting locations in Busan, Changwon, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon and Cheonan. Attendance at these locations is capped at 20% of indoor seated capacity and must be booked in advance using the “MyCard” app. Jeju kicks things off on Friday with a 10-race card from 13:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Friday is pony day at the moment
Race 1: Class 6 (800M) Allowance / KRW 9 Million
1
BLACKCHAMP – Ran once last August without distinction. Not impressed in two subsequent trials. Outsider here.
2
CHUNJESEON – Went through two trials and was a close at hand 4th in a fast time having led in the most recent. Top jockey remains aboard and a good draw to get forward again. One of the favourites.
3
JANGBACKCHEONJU – Did little in two starts last year but looked a bit more promising in a useful trial performance in February. Not among the favourites but can improve.
4
SINSAETBYEOL – Offered little in two outings so far, well back both times. Significant improvement needed to challenge here.
5
DAEBYEORWANG – Mixed his form with a 2nd and a couple of 3rds mixed in with some poorer efforts. Has the fastest time of any of these at the distance. Others favoured but keep safe in the exotics.
6
DANGDAEHAN – Has run some consistently good times over his five starts so far despite not getting any closer than 3rd. Comes from off the pace and should be in the placing mix again.
7
ILSAMANRI – Ran 2nd on debut to Bongseondaero having been bested by him previously in a trial. Didn’t get the smoothest of trips and should be challenging to overturn the form here.
8
WOORISIDAE – Creditable showings in all three starts so far. Should be knocking on the door of the palces again.
9
BONGSEONGDAERO – A winner on debut beating Ilsanmari. Had things his own way that day drawing the inside gate and staying on the rail so today may not be so easy but he looks to have more in the tank and every chance of winning again.
10
JEONGUISESANG – Just the one start and it was over a year ago. Trialed up well enough last weekend but a watching brief is advised first up today.
JEWANGUIBOBAE – Made the breakthrough at start number five on January 15th and it had been coming. A front-runner, she’s drawn beautifully to have the run of the race again and it would be a surprise if she didn’t back up here with another win.
2
JINGYEOGUIHIM – Did little on debut but improved to run 3rd to Jewanguibobae on his second start on January 15th. Has a full twelve lengths to overturn though and looks more a place chance again.
3
KKUMUISEONMUL – Best of 5th from three outings to date. Should be on pace from a good draw but will need to improve to place.
4
JEGURYEOK – Started slowly on debut but passed a few late on to run 7th of 10. Watching brief again today though.
5
BIGSTONE – The solitary debut-maker, he impressed in his trial, running 3rd in a good time. Looks nicely in first-up with at least minor money claims.
6
BALSAENERGY – Yet to finish better than 5th from seven starts. That was on his latest but expect to find a few too quick again.
7
MIRAEYEOWANG – A front-running winner on a muddy track on debut on January 22nd. It was a solid time and she beat a number of these in the process. Will need to improve to beat the favourite but should go close.
8
KKUMUIHWANGJE – 3rd on debut is her best to date and comes in having been a slightly disappointing 8th behind Miraeyeowang last start. Capable of running a time so a potential place line here.
9
KWAESEUNGMIDEUM – Well back behind Jewanguibobae last start, she’s gone ok in three starts so far without looking like breaking through. Minor money at best.
10
YONGUINALGAE – Best of 3rd was achieved last August but form has been drifting since then. Well back behind Miraeyeowang last start.
WOODOQUEEN – First time starter who went through two trials, looking very good in the second of them. Should be on pace from a great draw and should go close.
2
EUNDUNGOSU – Yet to finish any better than 4th in five starts. Tended to be a bot one paced and minor money looks the best chance here.
3
MISOGONGJU – Latest two efforts haven’t been great but she has ability and has the fastest time of any of these at the distance to her name. Place line.
4
SHINGEOM – had a hard time first-up after five months off but has shown ability in the past and may improve here. Placing chances.
5
TAMRAJEGUK – Ran 7th of ten on debut beating Shingeom. Solid base to build on but will need to improve to figure.
6
CHEONGMABOBAE – Best finish of 2nd was all the way back last summer. Consistent but perhaps not quick enough to threaten here.
7
JEJUYEONGUNG – Beat three of these when 4th at this distance on January 15th. That was his best finish so far and he will need to improve here. Place chances.
8
UNGJINCHAEMPEU – First time starter. Won a trial in impressive fashion in early February before another solid showing later in the month. Looks nicely in on debut here and can go close.
9
REONG – 8th on debut before being beaten by a couple of these when 6th on his latest start. Plenty to find today.
10
BOLTMIIN – A warm favourite. She led almost gate to wire being taken down close to home by Miraeyeowang on January 22nd. Similar performance today in weaker company and she should win.
DEOPPAREUGE – Yet to win but good consistency across seven starts so far. Decent speed and a good draw makes for placing chances.
2
DONGGWANGEUTTEUM – Mixed his form so far but usually not too far away. Likely to find a few too quick again but a minor money chance.
3
SSANGYONGJEONSEOL – Managed a 3rd place at the distance two starts back but has been inconsistent. Only beat a couple home last time and an outsider here.
4
DANGCHANBOSEU – A 2nd and two 4th place finishes from three starts so far, all at this distance. Has run good times and looks to have potential for more. A danger from off the pace.
5
GALSAEKMULGYEOL – A winner over this distance in August last year, she’s only run twice since. Last start ran 5th of 10 and with Mun Hyeon-jin returning to the mount today, will be expected to be closer. Solid place chance.
6
GWANGAUIYEOGEOL – She won back to back races at the distance in October and November and were it not for the Covid-19 affected prize-money, would be at a higher class than this. She suffered an unexpected reverse last start in December but she really should be too good for this lot.
7
HAECHANNARAE – Won at the distance a year ago and has the fastest time of any at it too. First start since October, she looked good in a February trial. Others favoured but she is the wildcard.
8
WANGDOL – A winner on his second career start all the way back on June 2019, he returned from almost a year off to run 6th of 10 in January. Can build on that today but not among the favourites.
9
ENTRY – Another one who won in the dim and distant past. Ran 8th of 10 first-up in January and any improvement on that today would be a plus.
10
HALLAGOEUL – Managed a 3rd place four starts back but has struggled since and can’t be recommended here.
HWAYANGYEONHWA – A winner of three from four, all of them at 800M, in any other race at this level she would be hot favourite. The presence of Byeolbitnuri makes her hot second favourite, however.
2
HIMCHANMIRAE – A class and distance winner two starts back, she runs best when on pace and is well drawn here. This is such a stacked event though that it may be hard even for her to make the placings.
3
DARUICHANGA – Ran 3rd at class and distance two starts back and is rarely far away. This is a stiff ask though.
4
SAMDASOSIK – Just the one win from twenty-nine attempts but he is consistent and is capable of running a time. A place is a hard ask but minor money not impossible.
5
HALLAKKUM – Yet to score in eighteen and that won’t change today. Light weight to carry but an outsider.
6
ANDEOKGUNJU – Winner of three from nine and drops back in trip following solid 2nd place over 1000M in January. Clear third-favourite here.
7
BYEOLBITNURI – Five from five prior to today. If it weren’t for the Covid-19 caused reduced prize money, he would be at a much higher level and he should win again.
8
CHOINJEONSEOL – Ran well last summer but has gone very cold in his latest efforts. Outsider today.
9
HWANGGEUMBOSEOK – Front-running filly who has ability but has seemingly just lost her way in recent outings. Tough ask for her to return to form in this company but minor money a possibility.
10
SEONGSANDAERO – Yet to win in twenty-five and it’s been a while since he troubled the scorers.
SEOBUPAWER – A winner of four in a row and five from seven in total, he steps up in class today but under a very light weight, should be winning again. He’ll be hot favourite.
2
GWANGMYEONGJIJON – 5th last time was an improvement on recent form but much more required here.
3
HYEOLGIBANGJANG – 9th behind Homerunsinhwa last start but beat a handful of these the time before and does have the fastest time at the distance. Light weight but tough ask today.
4
SAMDAJANGGUN – Put in three good performances at the end of last year but never got going ay class and distance in January. Minor money chance here.
5
BAEKJEONBULTAE – 5th behind Homrunsinhwa last start coming from well off the pace and beating plenty of these. Placing line here.
6
GWANGMYEONGILHO – Recent form has been very cold and hard to make a case. Big outsider.
7
SEGYEYEOWANG – Loads of experience but has mixed for of late. Others favoured today.
8
BOGEUMSAN – Managed a class and distance 3rd place three starts back but has been beaten by too many of these in two starts since to be recommended today.
9
CHAMBOBAE – Not too far away in recent efforts but minor money chance at best here.
10
SEONGGONGSEUTA – The main danger. She has won five from seven including one at this class. 4th last start having led and will be second favourite here.
11
PUREUNSEOM – Beaten by plenty of these in recent outings and probably too much form to overturn today.
12
HOMERUNSINHWA – Strong class and distance 2nd last time our\t beating six of these in the process. Draw not ideal but should have the beating of most again.
WANGGEON – Really consistent recently and looks ready to win again. Ran 3rd behind Bulgeunmae last start but every chance of overturning that form today.
2
MUSOBULWI – Winner of two good races last year he comes in after a disappointing showing last time out and the weight do him no favour. Never rule out on class alone but this is a hard ask.
3
HYEOPGAEK – Well back in recent outings and needs a big uptick in form to be competitive here.
4
SAEONGJIMA – Good class and distance 3rd four stats back but beaten by too many of these in three subsequent efforts to come into the reckoning here.
5
YESMAN – Well back in recent outings. No, man.
6
HEUNGGUKGANGTA – 5th behind Bulgeunmae last start and a solid 2nd the time before. Settles in midfield and runs on strong. Place chance.
7
HEUKHOHWARANG – Class and distance winner as recently as December, he has put in two ordinary performances since then but if he gets off to a good start, he can be a factor. Top jockey booked.
8
ARANGJOA – Fast starter who always leads. Class and distance winner three starts back and at least a place chance today.
9
BULGEUNMAE – Beat several of these when winning at class and distance on February 4th. Carries a little more weight today and that win was a bit of an uptick in form but every chance of following up here.
10
JEULDAEJA – Winner at class and distance under 52kg two starts back but only 6th at a similar weight to today on reappearance. Place line today.
11
INGICHOEGO – Ran 2nd to Heukhohwarang in December but struggled in two starts since. Plenty to find here.
12
SECHAN – Very experienced but recent form has been cold and hard to make a case for today.
JEOLDAEJEOK – Beaten by too many of these recently to come into the reckoning.
2
GWANGAUIJYOI – Last start class and distance winner although it was a weaker race than this and the time wasn’t fast but he carries a light weight here and could place.
3
HANRAYEONGSAN – 5th behind Oraseuta on Feburary 5th and that would be a reasonable target again today.
4
GODZILLA – Class and distance winner two starts back before running 4th behind Chosidae on January 15th. Solid place chance here.
5
ILRYUEOCHEON – Been well back in recent races and will need a significant uptick in form to be competitive in this company.
6
GUNJASAMRAK – 4th behind Oraseuta on February 5th with plenty of these behind him. Knocking on the door of the places in his latest few and could be good for minor money here.
7
CHOSIDAE – Two wins followed by four consecutive runner-up finishes at this level. Mun Hyeon-jin gets off him to ride Oraseuta but he’ll be favored to beat all but that one today. Second Favourite.
8
MIRAEHWANGJE – Generally leads his races but since his latest win last November, he has suffered reverses to Godzilla, Chosidae and Oraseuta. Place at best here.
9
WONDANGBONG – Winner of a big race last August before running 2nd and 3rd in two subsequent starts, the most recent behind Taewangbyeol. Knows how to deal with a big weight and while this is his first start since November he has solid placing claims.
10
ORASEUTA – Nine from nine so far, she’s the latest phenom on Jeju. She has been pushed a couple of times but has always been equal to it and she should make it ten in a row today.
11
JANGTAWANGJA – Yet to win at this level but has been consistent. Minor money at best in this company though.
12
TAEWANGBYEOL – Winner of a good race beating plenty of these last November, but has seen the form overturned in three outings since. Place chance.
SEONJINGONGJU – 7th behind Seongeupsesang and others on his latest start and plenty to find if she is to be competitive here.
2
DURU – Won a big race last November at 1800M and while he has mixed his form in three starts since, he carries a little less weight today and looks a place chance at least.
3
GYEONINBULBAL – Consistently close in his recent outings, she is a front runner and has drawn well to get to the lead again. She will stay on and can go close.
4
SEONGEUPSESANG – A win and two runner-up finishes from his latest three beating plenty of these in the process, he is the one to beat again today. Generally comes from well back and finishes strong.
5
JEONNONGWANG – Lost his way a little since a good win last August and has been beaten by lots of his rivals here. Big improvement needed.
6
GANGNYEOKCHUCHEON – Recent form reads adequately enough with a good 5th last start. Beaten by a couple of the favourites here and a place would be the extent of her ambitions today.
7
JINJUMAN – First start since November. From prior to the layoff was up and down and a watching brief is probably best today.
8
GWANGSANDAERO – 5th behind Myeongmungndan and Gyeonginbulbal on his latest start. Nice light weight here suggest he could match or better that today.
9
MYEONGMUNGUNDAN – Showed a big uptick in form to run 2nd on her latest start on February 19th. Same weight today and a repeat not impossible.
10
MIRAEYEOKSA – Well back in recent outings and it would take a big form reversal for her to get close today.
CHEONJESARANG – First-time starter. Ran 5th in her trial but considerably slower than Tamrabyeol in the same heat. Watching brief first up.
2
SAJAHU – Runner-up on debut before winning second-up on December 12th beating four of these in the process. First outing since then and hot favourite to prevail once more today. She’ll sit handy and should be too strong late on.
3
EOLLUKGANGJA – Struggled in two outings so far. Outsider here.
4
DAEBAKMUDAE – Well back behind Sajahu last start and has a lot of form to overturn to get close today.
5
GANGNAMDAERO – 7th behind Sajahu and Reonji last start. She has though been very consistent with her times and in this company should be looking for a career best finish of 5th or better.
6
REONJI – 6th behind Sajahu last start continuing her average start to her career. Likely to be on pace here she has placing claims.
7
UNGJINCHANGA – Already a winner, she’s the logical second choice here. 5th in her latest two in better races than this, she can push the favourite.
8
NALINYOJEONG – Last of ten in both starts to date. The only way is up.
9
WHASANDO – 7th behind Sajahu last start and while improvement is possible, minor money looks her best chance.
10
TAMRABYEOL – The better of the two first-time starters. Her trial was average but this is a nice race to debut in.
Horse Racing in Korea 