This weekend’s racing in Korea will follow the same pattern as the past few weeks with Jeju running on Friday, Busan n Saturday and Seoul on Sunday. The Jeju and Busan Racecourses will be open to customers at 20% of indoor seating capacity as will the Off Track Betting centres in Busan (both of them), Daegu, Changwon, Daejeon, Gwangju and Cheonan. Seoul Racecourse and all off-track locations in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province will remain closed. Here are the previews for Jeju’s Friday card which involves 10 races from 13:30 to 18:00:
Race 1: Class 6 (800M) Allowance / KRW 9 Million
1
CHOEGOSAYANG – First time starter. Trialed well enough but a watching brief is advised first up.
2
KKUMUIGEURIN – Beaten by three of these when 7th at this trip on January 29th. That equaled his best finish to date. Has run good times though and can get closer today.
3
ABEURAM – Beta three of these when 5th behind Gwanghaejeonseol on January 29th. That was a big improvement and he can aim to match it today.
4
HANBYEOLLARA –Disappointing last of ten behind four of these on January 29th having led early. Well drawn again but likely to weaken late on.
5
YEOKDAEJEIL – First-time starter. Ran well in his trial for a fast time and looks right in this first-up. A chance.
6
GWANGHAEJEONSEOL – The best of those who went on the January 29th race, finishing in 4th place. That was a big uptick in form for him and his best result to date. Under the same conditions today, he can go close once more.
7
CHEONGNYONGSINHWA – The likely favourite. He has by far the quickest time of any of these at the distance and is the only one to have a runner-up finish to his name. He’ll come from just off the pace and can win here.
8
CHEONGUNDAE – First-time starter. Trialed up behind Choegosayang and we’ll just watch today.
9
NAEONEUTTEUM – 6th in the January 29th race behind Gwanghaejeonseol. That was first-up six months on from his debut. Likely to be on pace and has each-way chances.
10
WHANGGUEMYEOLCHA – Last of ten on debut back in October. Not seen since and will likely need this.
MYEONGGAUIHIM – A winner on debut last August, he has followed up with back to back runner-up finishes beating four of his rivals here last start on January 22nd. He holds the fastest time in the field at the distance and with only 1kg extra to carry today, is the hot favourite to win.
2
GYEONGCHEONG – 6th last start behind three of these including Myeonggauihim. Yet to win in twelve but has three top-three finishes and the second fastest time. Placing chances.
3
MISOJEOLLYAK – 5th behind Myeonggauihim last start continuing a consistent run of form that has seen him miss the top five only once. Should be close again. Place chance.
4
ILSONGJEONGGI – An all the way winner over the distance last November, she was slightly disappointing when 7th on reappearance in January. Top jockey returns to the mount and she’s well drawn to lead. Place chance.
5
BAMAKJEONGGI – Yet to finish any better than 3rd in fourteen attempts but he has achieved that on four occasions including his last start. Times have been consistently not good enough to suggest competitive here though.
6
NAKCHEONMULGYEOL – A winner at the distance last July but he hasn’t looked like following up in three outings since. Obviously some ability but times not convincing.
7
HWANGGEUMMUNMYEONG – A winner over the distance in a fast time last July. She’s struggled in five attempts since though with a best of 5th. 5th would be a realistic target today.
8
KWANGAUICHAMP – Won at start number two last July and then returned after six months off to run a good 4th behind Myeonggauihim in January. Likely to be on pace and strong place claims.
9
HALLASANGBONG – Yet to win but decent minor money record. 9th behind Myeonggauihim last start and lots of form to overturn here.
10
DEOMJANGPAWO – Interrupted career so far with three starts spread over thirteen months. Managed to win at start two last July but struggled on return in January. Watching brief today.
DALBICHYOJEONG – Decent enough 5th of ten at class and distance last start. One of only four who have raced at 1000M previously. Will need to be quicker here though.
2
SURYUHWAGAE – Beat two of these on her way to 4th place at class and distance which is enough to bring her into each-way contention today. Yet to win in twenty-to starts but has nine top-three finishes.
3
CHOESANGWI – A winner on debut, he’s been knocking on the door since without threatening a repeat. Generally finishes between 4th and 7th and that seems the most likely outcome today.
4
HARRYKING – A long time since his solitary victory but he does know how to pick up a minor check. Could sneak into 4th or 5th here.
5
CHEONGMACHAEMPEU – Still a maiden but has finished top five on nine of twelve occasions. Good 3rd over 800M running on strong and looks an each-way contender here.
6
SAMHWANGOJE – A winner on debut, he’s followed up with two runner-up finishes and 4th since. A front-runner, he steps up to 1000M for the first time and has solid claims. A real chance.
7
JEONGSEOKDAERO – The likely favourite coming in off the back of three consecutive wins. In non-Covid times he would be up in class but instead just has 4.5kg extra to carry today. The weight and tackling the distance for the first time are perhaps the only questions but he can make it four in a row.
8
HIMCHANJILJU – Began his career well before losing his way slightly. Decent 5th last start suggests he may be back on track but he won’t be among the favourites here.
9
JAGEUNHYANGGI – Very competitive over 800M at class 6 picking up a win and a handful of place finishes. Struggled on first go at 900M and class 5 last start though. Even further and tougher competition today.
10
HANBAEKMUJEOK – Has the fastest time of any of these at the distance and was a winner over 900M just two starts back. Well back behind Suryuhwagae last start though and others favoured here.
LYCAN – Last made the placings last August and recent form cold. Should get close to the early speed this time but others favoured.
2
MINYEONGSINHWA – A class 6 winner over 800M last August but has been soundly beaten in three starts at this class since. All three times behind one of today’s rivals.
3
OLLEYOJEONG – Clear favourite and possibly odds-on. Only finished outside the top three once and comes in after a very close 2nd at class and distance on January 22nd. Carries an extra 2kg today but should be on pace from the start and lead all the way around
4
EUTTEUMKKUM – 2nd to Olleyojeong in December and beat him prior to that. While ordinary at this distance on reappearance in January, did beat a couple of these. Place line today.
5
BAEKDUSESANG – Up in class and distance following a win over 800M in January. Form had been up and down prior to that but she ran on well that day and some minor money here is not impossible.
6
BAEKJEOMYEOWANG – Has some good performances at this distance but most were some time ago. Managed a 4th over 800M two starts back but struggled last time out.
7
DONGBANGJEONSEOL – Won at this class over 900M last August and comes in with recent form reading well. 3rd behind Olleyojeong last start and a likely the main danger here.
8
GEUMBITMORAE – Returned from an eighteen-month hiatus to run a strong 4th of ten at 900M in January and has fast times at today’s distance in his record. Place chance.
9
BAEKDUGOEUL – Class 6 winner at 800M in November but well back behind Olleyojeong and Eutteumkkum on first try at this class. Minor money chance here.
10
BIBAAKSENTEU – Fastest time of any of these at the distance but recent form has been indifferent and others are favoured today.
Horse Racing in Korea 