The juvenile series kicks off at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday with the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy in the capital and the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes on the South Coast. Both will have hot favourites with the respective track’s “Rookie Stakes” winners Giant Punch and Fantastic Kingdom both expected to kick on. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 with 6 at Busan from 12:15 to 16:40. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

An unusual start to the day in that it is for juvenile fillies at class 4 level, so it is targeted at imported horses, the first such race here for a while. Five of the eight race for the first time but they find themselves up against a proven winner in (1) FIRE GIRL. She made all to win over 1200M on debut on August 28^th and from the inside gate, the Pioneerof The Nile filly will be odds-on to make it two from two. The main dangers are set to be first timers. (6) MEDICI WOLF won a trial having been handy throughout. The time wasn’t quick, but she did it well and should have derived benefit from it. (2) MOONHAK SONG and (8) BS POWER both went faster than Medici Wolf in their heats and can go well first up. (7) MISS HIGH FLY another who hinted at ability.

Selections	(1) Fire Girl (6) Medici Wolf (2) Moonhak Song (8) BS Power
Next Best	7, 3
Fast Start	1, 2, 6, 7

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

The first division of two juvenile maidens and six of the twelve are racing for the first time. (1) DRAGON STAR gets the nod following a 3^rd and a 5^th in his opening two races, both in decent times when coming from off the pace. He draws very well here and with some natural improvement can win. The draw doesn’t favour (12) HIGH GRAND. He comes in off a solid 6^th and a 4^th in his latest two most recently behind Naol Sniper, who has gone on to win again. With a bit of luck at the start, he can find a good position and he can tun on well. (5) JANGBI MUJIGAE ran on well for 5^th place in a fast race on a wet drack over this distance on debut and a repeat of that would put him right in this. As for the debut-makers, (9) TOUR QUEEN and (3) CUPID WARRIOR look best equipped to make an immediate impression.

Selections	(1) Dragon Star (12) High Grand (5) Jangbi Mujigae (9) Tour Queen
Next Best	3, 2
Fast Start	2, 5, 6, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The second division of the juvenile maiden sees five of the twelve making their racecourse debuts. There are a couple of standouts and given the draw, we’ll side with (1) SINUI YEOIN. She ran on for a close 4^th on debut over this distance on August 14^th in a fast time on a wet track. She can be on pace or handy here and could prove too strong. (10) GLOBAL CHANGA was well-backed on debut when he ran 2^nd to Ranut, who takes his chance in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy later today. He overcame gate eleven that day and while he scarcely draws any better here, he may well start as favourite. (8) DALGEUM is the logical third pick, following an improved 3^rd in her second outing on August 20^th when sitting in midfield and then running on over a wet track. She can finish strongly again here. (4) GIPPEUM HWANHO didn’t do too much wrong when 5^th on debut and should have come on for the run. The debut-makers don’t really jump out here although (5) AMAN BAROWS went through a lot of trials a registered a couple of decent times.

Selections	(1) Sinui Yeoin (10) Global Changa (8) Dalgeum (4) Gippeum Hwanho
Next Best	5, 12
Fast Start	1, 4, 8, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens open proceedings on the south coast. (3) HANSEN COD GIRL was a close 3^rd on debut on September 2^nd just getting the worst of a desperately tight three-way finish. She draws well to be on pace again and won’t need to improve much on that to win. (12) PISTOL STAR also suffered a near-miss on debut. That was back in July when handy throughout and just narrowly being beaten into 2^nd over 1000M. He races for the first time since and if he can get a bit of luck position-wise from the wide draw, he can have a big say in this. There are three first timers and (1) META QUEEN looked good when winning an August trial. She draws well and could sneak a place on debut here. Likewise (9) GEMIJIN was a distance 2^nd in his heat to an experienced racehorse but stopped the clock in a fair time and can be competitive. (11) ARTHUR KING IJI is one of a few with the potential to improve on their debut effort.

Selections	(3) Hansen Cod Girl (12) Pistol Star (1) Meta Queen (9) Gemijin
Next Best	11, 8
Fast Start	3, 9, 11, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(6) ARGO TAP has shown potential across three starts to date with a best of 3^rd. He has led all three including his latest when he tackled 1200M for the first time and led for most of the way, before ultimately finishing 5^th of nine. He should have come on for that experience, can lead again, and this time go all the way. Any top-three finish will put (3) HWANGWOO GANGJA up to class 5 and it could well be a win. He has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, both over today’s trip. Last time she was on pace, something that will be expected again from a good draw, and an apprentice jockey keeps the weight down. He has solid claims. There was a full ten months between (7) CUPID WOW making his debut and re-appearing. He was better the second time around, running 3^rd on his return. That was in early July so he has had another three months off since, but a repeat of that run will put him close at the finish. Solitary debut-maker (1) JILJU DAESE and two-time placegetter (8) GEUMA ALLURE are others in the frame.

Selections	(6) Argo Tap (3) Hwangwoo Gangja (7) Cupid Wow (1) Jilju Daese
Next Best	8, 4
Fast Start	3, 5, 6, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A big field of maidens but (9) MIGHTY STORM will be expected to score. After three consecutive 4^th place finishes, he managed 3^rd on his latest outing at 1200M on September 4^th when settling midfield and running on. The slight step up in trip today might be what he needs, and he is the one to beat. (11) GOLDEN RACER has finished off both her races to date very well over 1200M, especially last tie out when running on for 4^th. The wide draw shouldn’t matter to her, and the additional half furlong should be appreciated. (5) TEUKGEUP CAMP is another up slightly in trip having done his recent work over 1200M. He ran good times at this distance and may well be ridden a bit further forward today with there being not much genuine speed in this race. (10) HALLA BAEKDU and (3) ECTON POWER among others in the minor money hunt.

Selections	(9) Mighty Storm (11) Golden Racer (5) Teukgeup Camp (10) Halla Baekdu
Next Best	3, 1
Fast Start	2, 5, 9, 10

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