Day: March 24, 2023

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 25)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Top jockeys Moon Se-young, Choi Bum-hyun, Lim Gi-won and Jang Chu-youl all find themselves with two-day bans this weekend. Here are the previews:

Park Tae-jong finally got his 2200th career winner last week and is one of few top local jockeys not suspended this weekend – although he only has one ride Saturday and four Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies here. One of four first-timer starters, (1) GREEN VIVACE took four trials to qualify but in the latest of those on March 3rd, pinged the start and then led all the way under a hold and ask for very little. The time wasn’t quick, but she was well clear of the rest and didn’t get out of first gear. It was a big improvement on her previous trials and if she brings that form to the races, she may be hard to hold out. (4) TI AMO ran on gamely for an improved 3rd at start number two over this distance on February 18th. A similar performance will put her firmly in the frame here. Returning to the debut-makers, (2) BRIGHT WINNER was still somewhat green in her second trial but ran through the line well and can make an impact first up in this company. (7) FIRST USER and (10) BEATRIZ potential improvers.

Selections(1) Green Vivace (4) Ti Amo (2) Bright Winner (7) First User
Next Best10, 8
Fast Start1, 7, 10, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies but imports this time and nine America breds face the starter. All have raced at least once before including the top pick (9) POWER VICTORY. She beat several of these on her way to 2nd place on debut on February 25th in a very similar race to this over the same distance. With some natural improvement from that run, she may prove hard to beat. (2) MOONHAK SONG came 3rd in that race on what was for her, start number five. She has a length and three-quarters to make up on Power Victory but she led that day and draws well to do so once more. She can get closer this time. (3) MEDICI WOLF was well backed in that February race but was no better than midfield throughout. She was 3rd in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy behind Raon Giant and Furiosa last November though and in this company should be given another chance. (4) DUSON CHAMP is another to keep safe while if you want something that didn’t go in that February race (6) MIGHTY Q, who beat a fair few of these on Christmas Day, would be the pick.

Selections(9) Power Victory (2) Moonhak Song (3) Medici Wolf (4) Duson Champ
Next Best6, 7
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

A maiden for three-years-old, this time open to the boys as well. (6) FINAL CHUKJE just about gets the edge, based on an improved 3rd place when stepped up to this distance on February 19th when he led for most of the way. That was the first time he had been ridden forward and from a central gate we can expect similar tactics today and for him to be in this a long way. The main danger is (3) SAVANA CHARLIE. Aside from two starts back when he drew the widest gate, he has run well including a 4th place last time out on February 11th when settling back and finishing strongly. The additional half furlong should suit, and he will be a danger running on late. (7) RUBY AGAIN comes into the calculations based on her run two starts back when 2nd over 1200M. She is another who likes to get back and run on. (5) THUNDER PRINCE and (8) DASI TAEEONADO others to keep safe.

Selections(6) Final Chukje (3) Savana Charlie (7) Ruby Again (5) Thunder Prince
Next Best8, 11
Fast Start4, 6, 8, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and there are no Oaks contenders here. That means that the 4th place registered by (3) MADISON MOUNTAIN in her latest effort at this distance on February 5th is enough to make her the top pick. She has a tendency to get a bit far back, but today’s competition is softer and there should be less danger of her leaving herself too much to do. Second pick is (7) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER. She comes back in trip following a spin around 1700M just two weeks ago when she was handy before coming home 5th. She’ll be on pace here and despite the quick turnaround can be in this a long way again.  The form drops off the proverbial after those two. At a push, (4) SINPUNG YEOGEOL might be expected to kick on following a career best 6th place last time out. (9) ZIRCON and (1) GEOLJAK TOUR others for whom we can’t have much confidence in but in this race should really be looking for improvement.

Selections(3) Madison Mountain (7) Hampyeong Fighter (4) Sinpung Yeogeol (9) Zircon
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 10

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

(7) POWERFUL SOCKS got his maiden in two starts back over this distance making all at class 6 level before running a useful enough 5th on his first try at this class on February 25th when handy throughout. He has the fastest time among these for the distance, he has a smart finish on him, and he has every chance of returning to winning ways here. (3) LEGAL HIGH comes up in class following a maiden win over 1200M on February 18th when settling just off the pace and running on. The class rise is balanced by a much better gate and a very slight drop in the weights, and she can measure up in this company. (2) K N TIZWON comes back down in trip following recent work over 1700M including a 2nd and a 3rd at this class. He can get a bit far back in his races but from a good gate can be ridden further forward today and he should be dangerous. (10) TANGJA and (6) DAECHEON CHAMP among others in the placing frame.

(more…)