Sunday’s racing is behind closed doors at Seoul (10 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:05 to 17:00). Betting outlets on Jeju Island as well as in Daegu and Gwangju will be open but all others are closed. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
(4) RUNNING KING may start as favourite here. He took a bump early last start on February 28th before racing keenly behind the leaders to be still running on strongly at the line. The previous time out he led for a strong 2nd and will be in the finish here. (3) NEW HOPE was 3rd in that February 28th race, marking a significant uptick in form and she can maintain that momentum today. The main danger though is set to be (1) DAECHEON EOLJJANG. He has run some good times over this distance and drops back after a decent showing over the 1300M last time. He has a nice draw on the inside which Johan Victoire can use to put him right in the mix here. (11) RAON GARAM has shown decent speed in both her races so far. That suggests the draw won’t be too much of a problem and she can be a factor. (8) ILGYEOK PILSAL was well back behind New Hope and Running King last start but we will disregard that and look back to his 2nd place on debut. Consider him for the exotics.
| Selections | (1) Daecheon Eoljang (4) Running King (3) New Hope (11) Raon Garam |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 12 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
(12) K N LIGHT is the favourite and the pick here after his win at the distance back on January 15th. He stepped up to 1300M on his return and worked hard to be on the lead from the widest gate but just seemed to tire in the closing stages, ending up in 4th. Despite another wide draw, back at 1200M he is the one to beat. (1) MAD BLADE ran 2nd to K N Light in January before weakening late over 1400M on his return to action a month ago. Just as with the favourite, being back to 1200M is in his favour. (5) HAECHAN continues the pattern of those dropping back in trip and into contention. Although some time ago now, there was plenty of merit in his last crack at this distance and he should be competitive here. (9) STAR RUSH is yet to place but has shown ability. He was wide early last time before battling on well and could sneak some money today.
| Selections | (12) K N Light (5) Haechan (1) Mad Blade (9) Star Rush |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
Fillies only here. (12) GOLDEN BADGE is the pick here after a good 2nd at this trip in a nice time four weeks ago. She’s been reasonably consistent across here seven starts to date and this looks to be the race she’s been waiting for to pick up a win. (6) ROAD ROSE can have a line drawn through her latest effort when wide from an unhelpful draw. Her previous class and distance form is good and she should be on pace today with claims to go close. (1) JILPUNG BAEKGWANG was very wide last start but still battled on for a midfield finish. Moon Se Young climbs aboard today and she can improve. (9) CHEONGDAM TANK and (10) HAPPY MONTH are others in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (12) Golden Badge (6) Road Rose (1) Jilpung Baekgwang (9) Cheongdam Tank |
| Next Best | 10, 13 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
(3) SPEED MATCH looks ready to win here. While his previous two goes around this trip weren’t ideal, he was a good 2nd back at 1000M last start, running on well and looks ready for another crack. He faces modest opposition here and can come out on top. (8) ADELE CROWN was exactly fast when 4th on debut a month ago but hinted at enough ability to suggest progression is on the cards and he can get close here. (2) SIMON TOP GUN has shown progress across four starts so far and is another who should be aiming to get in the places for the first time today. (11) JANGSAN MANGCHI has failed to build on an encouraging debut but still has the fastest time among any of these who have tackled the distance before.
| Selections | (3) Speed Match (11) Jangsan Mangchi (8) Adele Crown (2) Simon Top Gun |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 28 Million
Fillies (and two mares) here. (4) RAON PINK was a class 6 winner on debut and has followed up with two solid performances at this class, running on from midfield both times. She can settle handy here and run on strong. (7) DAUL QUEEN is the one set to challenge her for favourite status. She too was winner on debut and was a fair 2nd on her first try at this class. She never really looked like winning that day but should be in the finish today. (11) CHEONGDAM WICKED continues to enter the calculations based on the sub-one-minute five-furlongs she achieved back last November. She’s not pulled up trees since but hasn’t been too far away. (10) CAREER HIGH is worth some thought. She didn’t settle especially well last time out but the run had merit. (12) LUCKY SMILE is another in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) Raon Pink (7) Daul Queen (10) Career High (11) Cheongdam Wicked |
| Next Best | 12, 13 |
| Fast Start | 8, 9, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
(7) MENI GLORY has just come up short in both his starts to date, finishing runner-up at 1000M and 1400M. He was a beaten favourite last start but is drawn nicely enough to get the early advantage here and will be a short-price to make it third time lucky. This isn’t an easy race though. (13) AFLEET TAPIT improved last time out at start number two and while it was a slow race, he looks set to be competitive. (14) WONDER RUNNER has been consistent across four outings so far. The wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and he surely finds the places again. (6) STAR OF KING has been knocking on the door of the minor money in recent outings and could sneak a prize here. There is one solitary debut-maker but it is a notable one. (2) WILD INDIE is out of Wild Dixie Gal, dam of multiple Korean Stakes winners Beolmaui Kkum and Kkakjaengi and who also produced Dixie Again, winner of six from nine so far. By President’s Cup and Grand Prix winner Indie Band, Wild Indie trialed up nicely in March (after an unconvincing qualification a month earlier) and he will be backed.
| Selections | (7) Meni Glory (14) Wonder Runner (2) Wild Indie (13) Afleet Tapit |
| Next Best | 6, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 