After an unseasonably mild day on Saturday, temperatures are set to fall back to normal and rain is expected on Sunday. Nevertheless, there is plenty to get stuck into on track with 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:00 to 15:40. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener. (1) EUNBIT DOLPUNG will be the favourite. Hopes weren’t high on her debut after some inauspicious trials, but she ran well enough when it counted, finishing 4th over 1200M on February 4th. There should be some natural improvement from that run and if so, she will be hard to beat. (2) DAERYUN SIDAE has made progress across dour prior starts with her latest two being a 4th and a 3rd, both at 1200M. She did her best work late on each occasion and the additional half furlong can be in her favour. (9) RED TAEPUNG has hinted at ability with three 5th places among her first five appearances, including her latest which was at this distance. She is another who has finished off her races fairly and can run into a higher spot today. (7) SWEET PLAY and (6) MUJANG others to consider.
| Selections | (1) Eunbit Dolpung (2) Daeryun Sidae (9) Red Taepung (7) Sweet Play |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
A maiden for three-year-old fillies kicks things off on the South Coast. (5) WONDERFUL PHONE has a 2nd, 3rd and 4th from three starts so far, with the 3rd being at this distance when away slowly from a wide draw and finishing strongly. She looks nicely in here, and from a good gate can set up camp behind the speed and prove too good. (3) U PING was never a factor after being very awkwardly away when well fancied on February 10th. Her previous two efforts were solid though and from a much better draw, she warrants another chance here. (7) WONDERFUL RUNNING was a much-improved 3rd when tried at further than the minimum distance for the first time back in January. She has had nine weeks off since and she is another who the extra distance may suit. (6) B.K. NUMA enters off a close 2nd place at this distance on February 17th and will have plenty of backers. (4) VELOCIRAPTOR another who seems on the right trajectory.
| Selections | (5) Wonderful Phone (3) U Ping (7) Wonderful Running (6) B.K. Numa |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
A maiden for three-year-olds and another race with a warm favourite. This time it is (8) CHOEGANG HYEONMA. He has made good progress over his three starts so far culminating in runner-up finish over 1300M on February 11th, four-lengths adrift of the favourite and good winner, Daewang Socks, but a full six-lengths clear of anything else. That same performance should win this. There are three first-time starters and (2) SILVER PURGE is the pick of them. She won a trial from off the pace in February, stopping the clock in what was only a fair time, but was far clear of the rest. She draws nicely here and a bold showing first-up is possible. (3) GEUMBIT CHEONHA comes in off back-to-back 3rd places, most recently behind Choegang Hyeonma on February 11th. That means he has six-lengths to make up, but he draws better today and can get closer. (12) CHOEGANG NICE and (7) LEMON BLADE others in the frame.
| Selections | (8) Choegang Hyeonma (2) Silver Purge (3) Geumbit Cheonha (12) Choegang Nice |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
A very competitive maiden. The pin we’ve stuck in landed on (11) QUEENS LANDING who has shown signs in her latest couple of outings of having figured things out. They have ended in a 4th and a 3rd place finish, most recently over this distance on February 19th and while she is up 3kg in the weights here, that can be balanced by Park Jae-I climbing aboard and she can win. (8) TWOTWO FLYING has also been showing good form of late, particularly last time out when runner-up over this distance in a good time. She too comes up in the weights here, but she surely goes close again and may well start as the betting favourite. (6) SEONGSIL TAESOON was an on-pace 4th on debut over this distance on February 10th. She should have come on for that run, should be on the speed again and can match or better that finish here. (7) VEREUDA gets a better draw than she has in her last couple of appearances. She also comes back in trip and can be competitive. (9) PLAY THE INDY one of a number of others who can’t be discounted.
| Selections | (11) Queens Landing (8) Twotwo Flying (6) Seongsil Taesoon (7) Vereuda |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 6, 8, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Small field here with (3) THUNDER BRAVO the one to beat. He has been consistent so far with six of his seven starts seeing him finish 4th or 5th. That includes his latest on February 11th when he led for much of the way around over 1300M, weakening late on. He comes back in trip here, draws nicely, and can go all the way this time. (4) SEONGEUN CROWN has two 3rd places to his name, including most recently on February 12th when running on from midfield. He has a strong finish on him and can be a danger late here. (8) DREAM SKY enters off an encouraging 4th place over this distance on February 5th. She will probably challenge Thunder Bravo for the early lead here and should be in the mix all the way. Solitary first time starter (7) MENI WIN trialed positively enough, crossing the line 3rd in a fair time and he can make his presence felt first-up. (2) SMART SOCKS another who could improve.
| Selections | (3) Thunder Bravo (4) Seongeun Crown (8) Dream Sky (7) Meni Win |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 8 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
After losing in the stewards’ room on debut in December, (9) GEUMA DEFT came out and put things right at start number two on January 27th, settling behind the leader early before taking things up a long way out and going on to win by five-lengths. He comes up in class and slightly in trip as well, but neither should be an issue and he can make it three from three in terms of crossing the line first here. The most logical danger is (5) JEOLDAE BOSS. He remains a maiden but comes up in class courtesy of having run 2nd in his latest two at 1300M and 1400M. He has the fastest time of any of these for the distance and under a light weight and a good gate, he should be on pace here and can go close. (7) GALLOP BOY enters off a 4th place in a very fast race over 1400M on February 10th when he drew wide and settled back. He has gone well at this distance in the past and remains nicely weighted. (8) SPECIAL TOGETHER and (1) PILGRIM others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (9) Geuma Deft (5) Jeoldae Boss (7) Gallop Boy (8) Special Together |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) GLOBAL CHANGA got her maiden win at start number two over 1000M last October before running 5th of ten in a decent time over 1200M behind Raon Giant in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy for juveniles in November. She hasn’t raced since and hasn’t trialed either, but if she has retained her form, she will be hard to beat here. (11) CATS EYE similarly returns to action for the first time since November when he made all to win over 1000M. He therefore comes up in class and in trip here. He trialed in February in fair fashion and looks like the main danger. The rest of the form is patchy. (2) JANGSU NABOM and (4) LUCKY CROWN both have some decent results in their past although both will have to be forgiven their respective latest outings. The same goes for (9) TAKE MONEY who did at least have the excuse last time of being first-up after a lengthy lay off and can improve today.
| Selections | (3) Global Changa (11) Cats Eye (2) Jangsu Nabom (4) Lucky Crown |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(12) BLACK MAMBA was a winner on debut over 1300M on February 10th when settling handy and running on for a narrow score. He comes up in class here and slightly in trip and he does draw the widest gate. But he doesn’t need to lead, and he comes down in the weights and he is favoured to maintain his 100% record. Black Mamba isn’t the only won up in class after a good maiden win last time out though. (8) STAR FURY ran 2nd on debut in December before winning at the second time of asking over 1200M on January 13th by a big margin. He comes in following eight weeks off and is down in the weights here. He can get on pace and be in this a long way. (5) FAST GUN too comes up having won at his second start. In his case, it was over 1300M on January 29th when settling midfield and steadily improving. He too should measure up in this company. As for those with prior class 5 experience, (3) GREAT ONE and (2) WONDERFUL BOBCAT look best.
| Selections | (12) Black Mamba (8) Star Fury (5) Fast Gun (3) Great One |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (4) PEERLESS is up in class despite being winless in three, having finished 3rd twice and then most recently 2nd over 1200M on February 11th. On each occasion, she’s been beaten by good winners while posting good times that should see her competitive at this level. Moon Se-young gets, the carried weight comes down, and she can make the breakthrough. It’s a very similar story with (6) ILDONG BAKSU, who remains a maiden but is up in class having run 3rd in all three starts so far, most recently having led for much of the way over 1300M on January 28th. She too comes down in the weights, she draws well to challenge to be on the early speed, and she can measure up. (2) CONCORD QUEEN is rarely too far away and has a solid record at this class. From a good draw she may well be ridden forward today and can be in this a long way. (1) CAMP SAVER enters off a last start class and distance 2nd and warrants consideration here. (5) KKANGDORI another in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Peerless (6) Ildong Baksu (2) Concord Queen (1) Camp Saver |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 75 Million
This is wide open. (3) WONDERFUL WORLD comes up in class having got a win and a runner-up finish in his latest two, both over today’s distance/ His times have been good, he comes down 3kg in the weights, and from a good gate, he has as good a chance as any. A few of these raced each other at class and distance on February 9th. Then as now (11) LUCAS SUN drew the widest gate. He ran on well late for 5th having down similar for 4th at his previous start. There isn’t very much early speed this time around so he may be able to get a bit closer a bit earlier and will surely be traveling home strongly again. (2) SUNLIGHT BOY had a poor day at the office in that February 19th race, leading for much of the way before weakening. From a good draw and with Choi Si-dae in the saddle, he can be given another chance here. (5) TRIUMPH KING and (6) YEONGGWANGUI FIGHT among plenty of others who can enter at least the placing calculations.
| Selections | (3) Wonderful World (11) Lucas Sun (2) Sunlight Boy (5) Triumph King |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(10) S.I. COCO ran 2nd on debut before getting his maiden win at start number two over 1200M on February 4th. Scoring by an eye-catching ten-lengths, making all. He comes up in class and in trip and once again draws a wide gate, but none of those three things should be a problem and he should be winning again. (9) META BLADE is also up in class following her maiden win. It had been coming as she already had a 2nd and a 3rd among her opening three appearances before making the breakthrough over 1300M on February 5th. Coming from off the pace. She comes down in the weights and the additional half furlong can suit. (7) JEOMSUNI GO ran 4th on her first try at this class over 1300M on January 29th. She too carries a light weight and steps up to 1400M for the first time with solid claims to go close. (5) FLYING LIGHT and (2) WONPYEONG TOWN others who can have a say.
| Selections | (10) S.I. Coco (9) Meta Blade (7) Jeomsuni Go (5) Flying Light |
| Next Best | 2, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
The only class 1 race in the country this weekend is a competitive affair devoid of any dominating names. (8) YES PERFECT is a three-time class 1 winner including at his latest start on February 12th when coming from off the pace to beat plenty of these over 1200M. The concern would be that all three of those wins have come under the featherweight of 51kg and he comes up 5.5kg here. Nevertheless, he has as good a chance as any. (5) HIT YEGAM was well back in that race, but the two-time Classic winner was on pace before weakening. From a good draw he can get on speed again and back at 1200M can be in for longer. (7) HAPPY FEVER ran 5th of twelve in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul at the end of January. He is nicely weighted here and can be a threat. (6) BUSANHANG GALMAEGI and (10) DOCTOR FASHION others to keep safe.
| Selections | (8) Yes Perfect (5) Hit Yegam (7) Happy Fever (6) Busanhang Galmaegi |
| Next Best | 10, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A maiden win had been coming for (4) RAON AMERICAN and it duly arrived over 1300M on February 11th when he was handy throughout and went on to score by four-lengths. He comes up in class here but is well in the weights, draws well, and in a race where the rest of the form doesn’t run very deep, he will be a warm favourite to strike again. It’s not a strong set of rivals. (2) MY WIN seems to have found his level but he is capable of running well in this kind of race. He missed five months of last season and is three starts into this preparation. He showed improvement last time when 5th over a mile and while since his return he has tended to get too far back in his races, he draws a better gate today and can improve. (6) JEJUUI YOJEONG is up in class after a couple of near-misses in recent starts. The way she has been racing suggests she is ready to come back up to this trip and the big drop in weight can help. (3) DAESAN TEUKGEUP and (1) DREAM SPEED others to keep safe.
| Selections | (4) Raon American (2) My Win (6) Jejuui Yojeong (3) Daesan Teukgeup |
| Next Best | 1, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race. (2) SUPER ECTON comes in following a class and distance win on February 5th when handy throughout. He comes up 2kg in the weights but draws very nicely and another win isn’t out of the question. (6) YONGHOJIMA remains a maiden after thirteen attempts despite a remarkable ten top-four finishes – seven of them with him as runner-up. He should be going close again here and will almost certainly be on the pace and today could be his day. (5) THE REAPER is another perennial runner-up with eight of them to his name although he does have one in the win column too. He comes up to two turns following a 2nd place (what else?) over 1600M on February 26th when settling midfield and running on. He carries his fair share of weight but should have the beating of most of these. (7) HWARANG TODAY and (11) SONGAM TIZ among others in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Super Ecton (6) Yonghojima (5) The Reaper (7) Hwarang Today |
| Next Best | 11, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only and it’s another very competitive race. (2) GREEN SPARK is a winner of three from six so far and was an all the way winner at this level over a mile two starts back. She comes in off a front-running 3rd over that same 1600M on January 29th and while back in trip, she has won at this distance too and won’t be far away here. She’ll be vying for favourite status with (6) HIGH RUNNER. The last time she ran at this distance she was a winner at class 5 level last October and has shown she can be competitive in three subsequent runs in this class including a good 3rd at 1200M. She’ll be on or close to the speed here and is a big chance. (11) HUIMANG GADEUK comes up in class after a maiden win over 1200M in early February. That win had been coming, she comes down in the weights and the wide draw shouldn’t prevent her from measuring up at this level. (1) SEONGSIL MONEY and up in class last start winner (4) WONPYEONG QUEEN are others in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Green Spark (6) High Runner (11) Huimang Gadeuk (1) Seongsil Money |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
It’s hard to look past (8) LEEWOLMA here. After five starts, he is yet to finish outside of the top-two and has three wins under his grith strap. He ran 2nd to a surprise winner on his first try at this class on January 14th on what was also his first go at 1400M and should be fresh after eight weeks out. He is very much the one to beat. (1) ROYAL ROAD may not have lived up to his early promise but he is a winner at this class and comes in after a fair 6th alongside plenty of today’s rivals on February 12th at class and distance. He comes into a better gate today which can allow Antonio to pick his spot and he shouldn’t be far away. (3) GRAY THOR comes up in class after a comfortable win at 1200M on February 11th when he made all. From a good gate, he should be on speed again and down 3.5kg in the weights, looks right in this. (2) MAGIC JUNIOR and (6) CHEONGDAM TANK among others to keep safe.
| Selections | (8) Leewolma (1) Royal Road (3) Gray Thor (2) Magic Junior |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 90 Million
(9) MIGHTY POP was a winner over this distance at class 3 level last November and has since registered a 2nd and 5th in two starts at this class, both also at 1800M. Last time out on January 29th he was favourite but from a wide draw wasn’t able to get his favoured forward position and had to try to come from behind. While not drawn ideally again, he should get an easier run this time and with a touch of early luck, he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (10) GLOBAL SOCKS, who ran 3rd in that January 29th race. Ultra-consistent, he is a class and distance winner already, he likes to come from off the pace so the draw is of little concern and while he is up in weight, he will be a danger. (5) BEST TAP is another who goes back and runs on as he did when 4th over 2000M at this class on February 12th. He can leave himself a bit much to do but can be in the finish again here. (4) WINNER BROWN and (7) JANGSAN FOREVER among others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (9) Mighty Pop (10) Global Socks (5) Best Tap (4) Winner Brown |
| Next Best | 7, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 8, 9 |
Horse Racing in Korea 