It’s turned very cold in Korea the past couple of days and temperatures in the capital are forecast to remain below zero for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the sun will probably be shining and there are 10 races in Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens here and every single one of the twelve is racing for the first time so we must head for the trial videos. Most of these took more than one attempt at qualifying and that applies to the probable favourite (5) BLACK MOTION, who wasn’t ready on his first attempt in July. He has since been gelded and looked much more assured when winning a heat on November 25^th sitting handy and then running on, crossing the line in a decent time ten-lengths to the good. If he can bring that form to the races, he can win. Going on times, (4) AGAPANTHUS is the second pick. His heat was first due to the presence of Grand Prix Stakes 4^th placed Saryeoni First and Korean Oaks 3^rd Chamjoeun Chingu but he stuck with both and can go well here. (8) DONGHAENG FIRST and (1) KARIZMA came through the same trial, and both hinted at ability while (9) VILLARRICA is another who offered some evidence of potential when 2^nd on his heat two weeks ago in a fair time.

Selections	(5) Black Motion (4) Agapanthus (8) Donghaeng First (1) Karizma
Next Best	9, 3
Fast Start	1, 4, 5, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens although this time only one of twelve is appearing for the first time with the rest all having raced once apiece. The three lowest drawn look set to dispute it. Of them (1) ACHIM DONGJA is the only one who debuted at this distance, starting slowly on November 5^th but running on strong for a good 3^rd place in a good time. He should have derived benefit for the experience and with a better start, is the one to beat. (2) STRENGTH showed speed when 4^th on debut in a quick time over 1000M on November 27^th. He finished off well and the additional furlong shouldn’t prove problematic from a good gate. Similarly, (3) NAOL GONI ran on for 4^th on debut over 1000M a month ago and looks to be the other legitimate winning chance. Among the rest, (8) SAVANA CHARLIE was also 4^th on debut, albeit in a slower time. He did though finish off very well and the step up in trip can benefit. Debut maker (12) THUNDER PRINCE went through two trials, improving in the latter, and may go well first-up at probable big odds.

Selections	(1) Achim Dongja (2) Strength (3) Naol Goni (8) Savana Charlie
Next Best	12, 6
Fast Start	2, 3, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

More juvenile maidens, all with racing experience. (1) G MOTION is the warm favourite, having finished no worse than 4^th in three starts so far, with two of them coming over this distance in good times. He draws very nicely here, and he won’t need to improve much to win this. (5) CHROMITE came home 5^th to G Motion’s 4^th when they raced each other on November 19^th. He has three lengths to find on the favourite but that was his first try at this distance and he may improve for the experience. (8) DALGEUM comes up in trip for the first time after back-to-back 3^rd place finishes over 1000M. Both times she was doing her best work late on and the additional furlong can suit here under a very light weight. (6) UNICORN KINGDOM is similarly up in class following an improved 2^nd over 1000M at start number three and along with (2) MISS WIN STAR is another in the frame.

Selections	(1) G Motion (5) Chromite (8) Dalgeum (6) Unicorn Kingdom
Next Best	2, 9
Fast Start	4, 6, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Regular maiden open to all ages. (12) EUREKA has never finished any better than 4^th but that is something he has achieved on no fewer than five of his nine starts so far. He draws wide here but given his running style, that may not be much of a problem. His times at this distance have not exactly been electrifying, but that’s true for everything else here too and he has as good a chance as any. (10) BEST BIG BANG has the fastest – though that’s relative – time of those who have attempted the distance before. That was achieved when beating Eureka as the pair ran 3^rd and 4^th on October 16^th. He remains nicely weighted under an apprentice and can go close. (6) DEVIL K has a couple of 3^rd place finishes to his name and that’s enough to put him firmly in contention in this company. In the absence of any early speed, he may lead and can be in this a long way. (4) CHOEGO POINT and (9) MADISON MOUNTAIN are others who could be in the mix.

Selections	(12) Eureka (10) Best Big Bang (6) Devil K (4) Choego Point
Next Best	9, 2
Fast Start	2, 6, 10, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (10) HIGH GRAND here. After back-to-back 4^th places over 1000M, he stepped up to 1200M on November 5^th and very nearly made all, ultimately coming home 2^nd in a quick time. He has the challenge of the wide gate here so may need a touch of luck at the stuck but if he can get a forward position, he will take some beating. (2) SERYUNG comes in off 4^th places in his latest two outings, both at 1200M. He draws nicely here to sit on pace or handy and the extra half furlong can suit. (1) MORNING PRINCE enters having run good times in his latest two at 1200M for 3^rd and 5^th. He has tended to get a bit far back in his races so far but runs on well and is another for who the additional trip can suit. (6) BEST PLAN and (12) HOUYHNHNM others with minor money claims.

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