Day: May 19, 2023

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 20)

There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Winner’s Man will be in town on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

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

Three-year-old maidens in the opener with four of the eleven racing for the first time. There are two stand outs, and the better draw means the nod goes to (2) MR QUALITY. His best was his 2nd on debut but he has run fairly in both starts since and both were from wide gates. He should get a much easier early run today and he can win. (11) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA is the main danger. He’s shown good progress across his three appearances so far, culminating in a 3rd place over this distance on April 15th. He has finished off his races well and while he may need a touch of luck from the barrier, he will have plenty of backers. (7) AUSTIN LEADER ran fairly for a midfield finish on debut over this distance in February, having previously shown some speed in his trial. He returns fourteen weeks later and better will be expected. (5) POWERFUL VISION looks the best of the first-time starters, while (8) PEARL POINT is another who can improve.

Selections(2) Mr Quality (11) Tamra Choegangja (7) Austin Leader (5) Powerful Vision
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(4) TI AMO looks the one to beat here. She has two 3rd places among four starts so far including her latest on April 22nd when she overcame gate ten to lead until the closing stages. She comes into a better gate today and this time can lead all the way. (8) TOUGH YEOJE has some fair efforts on her resume including a 4th place last time out over this distance. She can settle behind the speed here and should be pressing late. (10) SECRET WANGJA has the fastest time among these for the distance. He comes back in trip after a couple of recent spins at 1300M and he is a another who can challenge in the closing stages. (9) APEX and (6) WONDERFUL RULES are among others with placing claims.

Selections(4) Ti Amo (8) Tough Yeoje (10) Secret Wangja (9) Apex
Next Best6, 1
Fast Start4, 7, 9, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens. (11) RAON THE COBRA raced twice las summer for a 4th (dead-heated) and 3rd at 1000M and 1200M. He hasn’t raced since September 4th so returns for the first time in thirty-seven weeks, but he looked well enough when crossing the line midfield in a trial which wasn’t fast but where the field pretty much all come home together at the end of April. He’ll need this but a bold showing first-up is a possibility. (9) EUNBIT DOLPUNG has shown steady progress across three starts so far, with a close 2nd in her latest over 1200M on April 22nd when making ground late. She comes back up to 1300M here, the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue, and she has a big chance. (8) MENI POCKET has three top-four finishes among four outings to date including a runner-up finish at this distance. Expect her to be on pace here and in this a long way. (6) SINUI YEOIN beat three of these on her way to 2nd place on April 9th. She was sent off at big odds and it was a big improvement, but third-up this preparation, she may be peaking fitness wise and can go close again. (7) MADE STAR, one of those behind Sinui Yeoin in that race, is another in the minor money hunt.

Selections(11) Raon The Cobra (9) Eunbit Dolpung (8) Meni Pocket (6) Sinui Yeoin
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start5, 6, 8, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) HEY CUPID debuted inauspiciously last October but then returned on April 22nd to make all for a comfortable win over 1200M. He was gelded during the layoff and the win wasn’t unexpected after he dominated a March trial. He comes up in class and slightly in distance here, but he is very much the one to beat. (5) G STAR shook off a run of middling form to run 2nd at class and distance on April 15th when ridden on pace for the first time in a while. He comes up 2.5kg here but with similar tactics, can be considered. (10) HANGANG HERO is yet to win in fifteen attempts but enters off a third runner-up finish on April 9th when settling midfield and running on. She may find a couple too quick again but may make for some each-way interest. (9) PEERLESS and (8) ARCH MEMORY others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(6) Hey Cupid (5) G Star (10) Hangang Hero (9) Peerless
Next Best8, 11
Fast Start5, 6, 10, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Special Weight B / KRW 40 Million

(8) EUREKA was a winner over this distance at class 6 level two starts back before running 3rd on his first try at this class, again over the 1700M, on April 23rd. He has run well from the front and from settling back and while his time may need to be a bit quicker, he has every chance here. (6) THUNDER HORSE was dropped back to 1200M last start but quickly got caught in kickback and by the time he found a clear run in the home straight the race was over. He has solid form over this trip though and should be far happier back up at two turns. (1) BITNANEUN JILJU and (5) NEOREUL EUNGWONHAE came home 4th and 6th when they raced one another at class and distance on April 24th. Both are recent winners at the distance, and both should be competitive again here. (7) ROSE GOLD another to keep safe.

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