Day: October 15, 2021

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview

Saturday’s racing is hopefully one of the last behind-closed-doors meetings at Seoul. There are 9 races from 11:00 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

A small field of juvenile maidens to kick things off with five of the nine racing for the first time. Two of those first-timers were trial winners and we’ll put them on top. Slightly favoured is (2) HATMURI, who sat just off the pace in his heat before improving and then being asked for effort in the final furlong which he responded to well. The time was good, and he has every chance from a good gate. Also impressive in the trial was (3) TES GO DAEBO. He emerged from a wide gate before settling behind the leading group. He hit the front at the 400M and went on comfortable with minimal encouragement. The time was a bit slower than Hatmuri’s although the track was a little drier and slower, but he has solid claims. (8) SANSO POWER can also go well first-up. He improved in the second of two trials when he was handy then midfield, then found the inside fence and finished off well in a reasonable time. Of those with experience, (9) DUSON FANTASTIC got a good start on debut before being found a touch one-paced and ultimately finished 6th. He should have come on for the experience. (4) RAON THE WILD may also improve.

Selections(2) Hatmuri (3) Tes Go Daebo (8) Sanso Power (9) Duson Fantastic
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies here with six of the ten racing for the first time. (7) BLACK MASK looked very accomplished in her trial, quickly establishing a lead and then cruising around to cross the line first by a substantial margin without having been asked a single question. If she brings anything like that to the races, then she wins. (9) HWANGGEUM CHEONJI won a June trial before debuting at this distance at the end of August when she emerged from the widest gate and got pushed wider before finding the rail on the turn and stealing a few lengths then working home well. She should have benefited for the experience and can be in the mix here. (2) THE FAVORITE won’t be favourite but she settled back on debut on September 11th and then put in a good effort from the 300M to run 4th. She can get closer today and can aim to be on pace. (8) SILVER STAR raced a touch greenly on debut, being slow out and not looking totally comfortable in the kickback. She finished off well enough and can improve today. Returning to the debut-makers, (5) MIRACLE K trialed up in 4th behind the very good Chief Indy and finished in a fair time.

Selections(7) Black Mask (9) Hwanggeum Cheonji (2) The Favorite (8) Silver Star
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start2, 5, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Standard class 6 here. We’ll take a chance on (7) DESK TAP, as he has been consistent across his seven starts to date which includes a 2nd and a 4th and the best time of any of these at the distance. He was a touch disappointing at his last start when he drew a wide gate and took a long time to get involved but he is worth another chance today. Based on his latest effort on September 12th, (2) JISANGUN will probably start as favourite. He showed significant improvement that day when coming from off the pace to run 2nd in a fair time at this distance. He draws much better this time around and has every chance. (11) SMART HIGH too looks to be on the right trajectory having improved with a 3rd place at her latest start. That was back in July, and she does draw an unfavourable gate, but she can challenge for a place again. Resuming after almost twice as long away is (1) SAMJEONG TAPAS. He is the only one in the field to have a win to his name, achieved at this distance almost a year ago, and he comes in having trialed pleasingly. He makes his first start for Tony Castenheira and can go well. (3) LONDON POWER another in the hunt.

Selections(7) Desk Tap (2) Jisangun (11) Smart High (1) Samjeong Tapas
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (1) BURUI YEOWANG. A winner of two from five so far, she comes in off a very smart 2nd place over 1300M on September 5th when handy throughout. She does come up 2kg in the weights but should benefit from the inside barrier and can lead from gate to wire here. Logical second pick is (6) LADY FIRST. She was a winner on debut on August 7th over 1000M and before running 6th in the Rookie Stakes at this distance on September 5th. She is in shallower waters today and should get closer. (10) SOEWAKKOT is perhaps a bit better than her first go at this class over 1300M suggests. True, she runs better on pace, so the draw today isn’t great, but she has outside placing claims. (8) LONDON QUEEN ran well for 3rd at class and distance on September 11th and while she does mix her form a little, should be in the finish while (9) BEST CHEONSANG also enters the calculations following a good runner-up finish at class and distance a month ago.

Selections(1) Burui Yeowang (6) Lady First (10) Soewakkot (8) London Queen
Next Best9, 3
Fast Start1, 6, 9, 12
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