There’s no Listed or Graded racing this Sunday but still plenty of action to get stuck into. There are 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 maidens in the opener. (5) NONSTOP THUNDER will be the one to beat. She almost led the entire way around on February 18th over 1200M, ultimately being taken down by the favourite in the closing stages. She comes up slightly in trip but draws nicely to be on pace again and this time she can go all the way. (10) AKKAENGI races for the fist time since December when he was an improved 3rd over 1200M. He’ll therefore have to be taken on trust fitness wise but the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and he can sit behind the early speed and run on. (6) WORLD FASHION came from off the pace for 3rd at this distance on February 25th. The additional half-furlong can suit and if he can continue on the same upward trajectory, he’ll be in the mix here. The form drops off a bit after that although (9) JEONGSANG LUCKY has a 2nd place to her name which gives her the right to be considered here. (8) NANGJU YEOGEOL another potential improver.
| Selections | (5) Nonstop Thunder (10) Akkaengi (6) World Fashion (9) Jeongsang Lucky |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 9, 12 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies. (11) MIRACLE ONE has shown steady progress across four starts to date, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on February 3rd in a tight three-way-go on the line. That was the second time in a row that she overcame the widest gate to go close and while the draw does her no favours again, this time she can go one better with an additional half furlong to play with. (10) HAPPY TAEYANG was a much improved 2nd at start number three over 1200M on February 19th when coming from off the pace to run 2nd. She was well back behind a good winner but she is another who may apprentice the slight rise in trip and she can be a danger. (8) ACE GOOD JOB ran 3rd on debut at 1200M on February 24th having barely scraped through a trial. The time was painfully slow, but she beat three of today’s rivals coming from off the pace and she may well pass plenty late again here. (5) SOLEDAD and (2) FLYING DIA others to look out for.
| Selections | (11) Miracle One (10) Happy Taeyang (8) Ace Good Job (5) Soldedad |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
A weak maiden and it’s hard to go past (5) CLUB D. He only went down by a nose at start three over this distance on February 26th when settling midfield and almost catching the all the way winner. He comes into a better gate today and a similar run surely sees him home on top. (12) NEVER AGAIN has shown definite improvement over his four starts and came home 5th in a fair time at this distance on March 4th. The wide draw may not be too much of an issue as that day he went back and ran on and he can improve once more today. (7) SECRET WANGJA was the longest shot on the board when 3rd over this distance in January in a time faster than any of the others here have managed (albeit on a weekend when the track was playing very quick). He wasn’t much better fancied when 5th of nine over 1300M on February 11th. He will be shorter today and can keep the positive momentum going, probably taking a sit and finishing strongly. (11) TWO ACE and (3) HERO QUEEN other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Club D (12) Never Again (7) Secret Wangja (11) Two Ace |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(12) GLOBAL SKY has a couple of 4th place finishes and last time out improved to 2nd place over this distance when sitting handy and running on stopping the clock in a time quicker than of the rest here have achieved for this distance. She draws a touch wider than ideal but with a touch of luck at the start can sit behind the speed and run on. (7) FANTASTIC CHAMP ran once last May and ran well, coming from well off the pace to finish 2nd. He then had a setback and has had forty-three weeks off. He ran at his own pace earlier this month in a trial that was blitzed by Beolmaui Star, who was preparing for next week’s Busan Ilbo Sprint, so we shan’t read too much into that but Seo Seung-un being aboard means he is sure to be very well backed. (11) BAEDARI DOLPUNG was on pace a long way on debut over this distance on March 12th, beating a couple of these in 4th. She is another who may need some luck in the early stages but can be a danger. (2) WORLD POINT and (6) MIRACULUM among others in at least the placing frame.
| Selections | (12) Global Sky (7) Fantastic Champ (11) Baedari Dolpung (2) World Point |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(1) EUREKA was a beaten favourite on his latest start on February 26th when handy throughout but only finishing 4th – a finish he has achieved on no fewer than six occasions now. Two starts back he beat plenty of these on his way to 2nd place at this distance and from a great draw, today really should be his day. If he does find one (or three) too quick again then it might be (10) EURO GANGJA. He has done it before having been 3rd in that February 26th when he sat midfield and ran on. That was a big uptick in form but in this company there is no reason why he can’t repeat. (5) PURPLE STORM comes up to two turns for the first time having been 2nd and 5th in his latest two, both at 1400M. Both times he has gone right to the back before making up good ground and the additional distance may well suit. (6) HOUYHNHNM and (7) TRES VITE others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (1) Eureka (10) Euro Gangja (5) Purple Storm (6) Houyhnhnm |
| Next Best | 7, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) SUCCESS MOCCA has finished no worse than 3rd (a dead heat on debut) in three starts so far. His win came over this distance at class 6 level in January before he was then a close 3rd from a wide draw on his first try at this class on February 17th. He likes to be on pace, so he has a much more favourable draw today, and he may prove hard to hold out. (11) NORTHERN BID was an emphatic winner on debut over 1200M on February 19th stalking the leader early before taking command a long way out. He comes up in class and has the challenge of a wide draw, but with a bit of luck early, he can be on pace and in this a long way. (2) PHANTOM ACE got his maiden win three starts back and has subsequently held his own in two starts at this level, both over 1200M. He can take a sit behind the early speed – of which there should be plenty – and can launch a late challenge here. (9) SKY MOUNTAIN and (8) THUNDER FURY are others to keep safe.
| Selections | (1) Success Mocca (11) Northern Bid (2) Phantom Ace (9) Sky Mountain |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(12) ARGO RICH remains a maiden but after finishing 4th on debut, has since run 2nd on three consecutive occasions, most recently at his class over 1300M on February 25th. He as run 2nd from on the pace and from off the pace so the wide draw isn’t too much of a concern and he can go one better today. (10) SAENAE HWANGJE also remains a maiden, in his case after seventeen attempts but on the strength of his latest effort at class and distance on February 26th when he was handy throughout and ran on for 2nd in a good time, he must be right in this. He also has the fastest time among those who have tackled this distance, and he should be close. (4) QUEEN OF BEST has run fairly for 4th and 6th in her latest two. She is another who has posted a quick time for the distance and who can be running on strong at the business end here. (11) WORLD KING MAN and (9) BLUE INDY others in the hunt.
| Selections | (12) Argo Rich (10) Saenae Hwangje (4) Queen Of Best (11) World King Man |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 8, 10, 12 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive race. (7) CUTE GUY returned from eight months out on February 24th to run 3rd at this class over 1200M. His win last year came at this trip and he should stripper for the run and can go close here. (10) WONDERFUL ANDOVER had a couple of wobbles over the turn of the year but put those right in a fast trial in February and then a smart 2nd on his return to the races on March 3rd overcoming the same wide draw as today to be a close 2nd at class and distance. Seo Seung-un climbs on and he looks a big danger. (8) RAON THE HARLEY comes up in class and in distance after a narrow win over 1300M on February 24th. He comes down in the weights, he should be on pace, and he can be in this a long way. (3) TAEWANG SINGI was a winner on debut four weeks ago at 1200M. He comes up in class and in distance but carries next to no weight and shouldn’t be overlooked. (2) CHEONMA HASEO among others with at least placing chances.
| Selections | (7) Cute Guy (10) Wonderful Andover (8) Raon The Harley (3) Taewang Singi |
| Next Best | 2, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies and mares only and it’s a competitive race. (11) ARA MOA returned from four months out to run 2nd on her first try at this distance on February 25th. She is yet to win but she should have derived benefit from that outing, and while she comes up in class, in this filly and mare company, she has every chance. (4) MACH BISANG was a winner on debut over this distance on February 26th. The time wasn’t quick but she won handily enough and there is nothing to suggest she can’t go quicker. She remains under a light weight and draws well. Like Ara Moa, (1) TOUCH CHARM comes up in class despite remaining winless. She comes down in weight and from the inside gate, Lee Hyeok can pick his spot and she should be in this a long wat. Among those with experience of this level, (9) ARCH MEMORY and (7) MUSTANG CHARM look the best.
| Selections | (11) Ara Moa (4) Mach Bisang (1) Touch Charm (9) Arch Memory |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 7 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million
(6) BARAMBARAM will be a warm favourite here. An also ran in the Breeders’ Cup for juveniles last November he came back into form when overcoming the widest gate to get on the lead and score by a full thirteen-lengths over a mile on February 24th. He comes up in class and up to two turns here but the manner of that victory suggests that tilt at the Triple Crown races is still possible and he really should win this. (5) HAPPY JAZZ was a winner over this distance at class 5 level two starts back before running 4th on her first try at this level on February 24th when overcoming gate ten to get to a handy position and then run on. She draws better here, remains under a light weight, and can get closer today. She gets a full 5.5kg swing in the weights on (3) ADELE BOSS, who won that February 24th race, sitting on pace throughout. The weight aside, he draws well and can’t be dismissed here. Another last start winner who is up in the weights is (4) SORI TAEPUNG, who made all on March 3rd. He draws well and surely leads again. (11) LINE BREAKER another in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (6) Barambaram (5) Happy Jazz (3) Adele Boss (4) Sori Taepung |
| Next Best | 11, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(9) COMPLETE FORCE will be the one to beat here. He has only raced four times with his win coming over 1000M, but e enters here off a 3rd place at class and distance in a fast race on January 14th. He has had ten weeks off since, so he comes in fresh and he should be too good. The main danger is (7) UNJUUI BOM. That’s based on her latest effort on March 4th when a close 2nd at class and distance when racing handy and running on only to go down narrowly. She was the longest shot on the board that day but warrants far more respect this time around. Recent form falls off a bit after that (11) YESULIYA could be a wild card. He returns to action a full forty weeks after we last saw him but he looked well enough when trialling up in mid-February. He can go well first-up in this company. (3) GREEN SHIELD was a winner at class 6 level in January before struggling on her first try at this class over 1300M on February 26th. She draws nicely here and in this modest company is worth another chance (12) SPRING WATER another who needs his latest forgiven.
| Selections | (9) Complete Force (7) Unjuui Bom (11) Yesuliya (3) Green Shield |
| Next Best | 12, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 1 (2000M) Special Weight B / KRW 110 Million
(9) JESSIEUI KKUM struck over 2200M to get his first class 1 victory on January 29th beating both Flat Babe and Tuhonui Banseok, who both went on to beat Winner’s Man when the former of them won in February. A winner of six from thirteen, he remains very nicely treated under today’s conditions and he can win again. (5) DOCTOR TAKE comes up in class but down in the weights after a good runner-up finish over this distance on March 5th. He has had experience in level before, with a 3rd and 5th in December and January when running out of class and back under a light impost and from a good gate, he can go close. (7) CRAZY CONTI was 4th in that January race behind Tuhonui Banseok before finishing in the same position over 1800M on February 26th. He may be ridden a little closer today and can be a danger, (1) MACH TITAN and (8) BLUE POWER among plenty of others with placing chances.
| Selections | (9) Jessieui Kkum (5) Doctor Take (7) Crazy Conti (1) Mach Titan |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) PHOENIX SERVE came back into form in fine style when winning an all-filly and mare race over this distance at class 5 level on February 26th, racing on pace throughout. She comes up in class today but there is not much to fear here and while she draws a touch wide, she comes down in the weights and can get to the lead and be competitive again here. (10) NAOL YEONGUNG returned from nine months out to run 5th at class and distance on February 26th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He should strip fitter for that run and can get closer today. (2) GUEOKMAAL was a class and distance winner on February 5th when coming from well off the pace to score at big odds. She comes up 3kg in the weights here but draws very nicely and shouldn’t be overlooked. (1) TOP CLASS and (11) GLOBAL GOLD among others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Phoenix Serve (10) Naol Yeongung (2) Gueokmaal (1) Top Class |
| Next Best | 11, 12 |
| Fast Start | 4, 9, 10, 12 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s hard to go past (4) POWERFUL HWASEONG here. He won back-to-back races in December and January to get rapidly promoted to this level and then beat a couple of these on his way to 2nd place on February 25th at this class and distance having led almost the entire way around and beaten only a nose by Magic Hour, who got a start in last week’s Listed Sports Seoul Trophy. He won’t need to improve much to win this. (7) RAON THE GOLD ran 3rd behind Powerful Hwaseong in that February 25th race when settling midfield and running on. She has plenty of experience at this level and can go close again. (6) ICE STAR also enters with his recent form reading well and comes back in trip after a good 3rd over a mile last time. He’s posted quick times at this trip and can be a danger. (11) JAY TROSS and (1) HWA SSI BYEOK others not without chances on their day.
| Selections | (4) Powerful Hwaseong (7) Raon The Gold (6) Ice Star (11) Jay Tross |
| Next Best | 1, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 12 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million
(10) SAENAE TOWN won the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy last November but has since been a beaten favourite in two starts at this class, first when 5th at 1400M and then most recently 4th at 1800M on February 18th. He didn’t run badly in either and he can make it third-time lucky as favourite today. (1) CHEON GUN beat Saenae Town on his way to 3rd place in that February 18th race with a couple of the other of today’s rivals also back in the pack, he doesn’t win out of turn and he carries his fair share of weight but he draws well and he can be in this a long way again. (4) MISS YANGO ran out an impressive class and distance winner on March 4th racing handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in the weights as a result but is in this again. (11) STAR BLADE and (5) TITAN SOCKS among others in the frame.
| Selections | (10) Saenae Town (1) Cheon Gun (4) Miss Yangho (11) Star Blade |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 75 Million
(7) TIZ BAROWS was 4th in last year’s Korean Derby and was the winner of a valuable race over this distance on December 18th. He was a beaten favourite when stepped back to a mile on February 19th, and he certainly carries plenty of weight here, but he can return to winning ways here, possibly from a forward position. (1) BIG YAK has been a revelation in recent outings and was a winner over this distance at class 4 level two starts back before running 3rd at this level on February 5th. He comes up 2kg in the weights but draws the inside gate, which can allow him to be on pace and be a danger again. (9) HATMURI comes up in class having come from well off the pace to score over this distance on January 14th. He has only finished outside the top-three on two occasions, the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can measure up in this company. (10) GREEN DRAGON is a winner of four from ten and won at this class over 1400M on February 25th. He tackles two turns for the first time and has to contend with an additional 3kg but shouldn’t be ruled out. (12) TIZ BLACK another to look out for.
| Selections | (7) Tiz Barows (1) Big Yak (9) Hatmuri (10) Green Dragon |
| Next Best | 12, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 10, 12 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
It’s been more than three years since there was class 1 race over a mile at Seoul but we have two runners here who have 100% records at the distance with the awkward start. (6) JANGSAN LASER looks the one to beat. He made all on his solitary 1600M start at class 3 last summer but enters in excellent form having been 4th in the G1 President’s Cup and then getting a win over 1400M and two runner up finishes at 1200M, including in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy. He might be too good here. (3) VICS GO was an on pace winner at this distance at class 2 level in December. He then ran out a solid winner over 1800M on February 25th to get promoted to this level. He comes down a full 5kg in the weights, he draws well here, and he will be a danger. (9) SOUL MERIT needs his latest effort to be forgiven but has plenty of ability and could go well at the mile. (8) HEUNGROK DAEBU is very nicely treat under today’s handicap conditions and beat Soul Merit two starts back when the pair ran 2st and 2nd over 1800M. The up in class and down in weights, as well as very nicely drawn (1) LORD BAN is another to consider in a fiendishly competitive finale.
| Selections | (6) Jangsan Laser (3) Vics Go (9) Soul Merit (8) Heungrok Daebu |
| Next Best | 1, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Horse Racing in Korea 