It’s Korea Cup and Korea Sprint Day. The big features are races 7 and 8 on a 10-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:50 to 17:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener with six of the ten racing for the first time. The exposed form isn’t great, so we’ll side with first timers. (4) SPALTA was much improved in the second of two trials, crossing the line in front having led all the way. The time wasn’t quick, but he did what he needed to and if he brings that form to the races, he has an excellent chance first-up. It’s a similar story with (7) DANCING GANGJA, who failed to qualify first time around but led all the way at his second attempt. He too didn’t post a fast time but won’t need to improve much to be competitive here. (10) HAMPYEONG JANGMI has raced twice, finishing 7th on both occasions. They were both at 1000M and he can improve third-up here. (8) GEUMAK STAR and (1) LADY CODI others with potential to get better.
| Selections | (4) Spalta (7) Dancing Gangja (10) Hampyeong Jangmi (8) Geumak Star |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maiden fillies. (8) SPECIAL FORCE will be a hot favourite, having only gone down narrowly on debut in a quick race over 1000M on August 12th when she was handy throughout. She previously made all in a trial and the step up in trip can suit. She is favoured to lead all the way this time. (6) ANYANG CHEONDUNG only really started to run on when the race was gone on debut over 1000M on August 13th. She should have come on for the run and may appreciate and extra furlong to get stuck into. (4) LOVE MUNMAK trialled up behind Special Force and then debuted behind Special Force, running 7th of eleven on August 12th. She began slowly but did find some late speed and with some more maturity and an additional furlong, she may go better. (5) HAPPY ICTUS and (3) WONDERFUL PAGO others who may improve.
| Selections | (8) Special Force (6) Anyang Cheondung (4) Love Munmak (5) Happy Ictus |
| Next Best | 3, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Wide open maiden. (3) COLITAS has mixed his form across six starts so far. He has a bit of a tendency to get too far back in his races, but he does run on. He draws well here and if Kim Yong-geun can have him in contention at the top of the straight, he has as much chance as any. (1) DINSI CHAMP and (8) EFFEL TAP came home 2nd and 4th respectively when they raced one another at this distance on August 12th. For Dinsi Champ that was a sharp improvement while Effel Tap is generally consistent, and both should be among the main chances here. (10) SHARP SUNSHINE is another who is unspectacular but consistent. She steps up to 1400M for the first time and can run into some money. (4) GRAND SILVER among others in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Colitas (1) Dinsi Champ (8) Effel Tap (10) Sharp Sunshine |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 6, 8, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Two standouts in this maiden. (6) SKY JILJU will probably be favourite. He has raced twice so far, both at 1000M, improving in the second of them in terms of both time and finishing position. Both times he did his best work late suggesting that the step up in trip can suit. (5) MADE HEEMANG has also raced twice but in his case, over this distance. He too improved in the second of them, running 3rd and why Sky Jilju may have a little more potential for improvement at this stage, he can be a danger again. What form there is, drops off after this two but (4) LIGHT BROWN ran well enough on debut behind Sky Jilju over 1000M. She was slow away but ran on well and there could be some progress in the tank. (7) GREAT INDY and (9) DREAM BIGGER others who have hinted at ability.
| Selections | (6) Sky Jilju (5) Made Heemang (4) Light Brown (7) Great Indy |
| Next Best | 9, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive race. (8) FLYING LIGHT is a form-mixer but based on his latest, when a strong 2nd at class and distance on July 23rd having overcome gate ten to settle midfield and run on well, he must be given a very good chance here. He can sit behind the speed again and run on. (4) SILVER BOOSTER beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class over 1300M on August 12th. He comes up slightly in the weights, but draws well, and can be considered again. (10) GEUMSEONG SIDAE is yet to win in eleven starts but has finished in the top-four on no fewer than eight occasions including an on-pace 2nd over a mile last time out. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but with a little luck at the start can get to the front and should be in this a very long way. (1) STAR RUSH and (3) ARGO GONGJU among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (8) Flying Light (4) Silver Booster (10) Geumseong Sidae (1) Star Rush |
| Next Best | 3, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(3) COLONEL FLYING shapes as a warm favourite here. That’s based on his latest effort on August 20th when he came from well off the pace to run a very close 2nd at this distance, in the process recording a quicker time than any of the others here have done for the 1400M. He draws well and in this modest company, can win. (6) EONJENA YEONGUNG mixes his form, but he has also posted a quick time for the distance and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he can go close today. (8) UNMATCHED was slow away last time before running 6th behind Colonel Flying. There is little in the way of early speed here so if she can get a better start, she may be able to get on pace and if she does, she has a chance. (9) BLUE CAVIAR and (4) MIRACULUM the best of a limited rest.
| Selections | (3) Colonel Flying (6) Eonjena Yeongung (8) Unmatched (9) Blue Caviar |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Tricky one. (7) BIG BLED may not have the most attractive of names for a racehorse (with the greatest respect to Slovenian lakeside resort towns) but she has shown ability. She was a good winner in a quick time at 1200M at class 6 level two starts back before finishing midfield on her first try at this level on July 23rd. She likes to sit on or close to the pace and she can win here. (4) BEST CLONE is yet to score in eight but has a 4th and a 2nd in two tries at this class, both at 1200M. She’ll be on the speed here and she steps up to 1300M looking set to be close again. (11) TANGJA has plenty of experience at this class and has been a model of consistency of late, positing quick times at this distance. While he has the challenge of the widest gate and he may once more find one or two too quick, he will be there or thereabouts again. (1) V QUEEN and the up in class (5) SAEBYEOK ANGAE others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Big Bled (4) Best Clone (11) Tangja (1) V Queen |
| Next Best | 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(5) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG is yet to win in nine attempts but comes in off a string of near-mises including back-to-back runner-up finishes in his latest two, both at this class and distance and both times having led almost the entire way around. He can be on or close to the speed here and can potentially go one better at last. Should he find one too quick again (and frankly, he might) then (9) DOCTOR BROWN seems the most likely contender. A smart win over 1000M on debut was followed up by a solid 3rd place over 1200M on his first try at this level on July 30th. He tries the 1300M for the first time, he likes to be on pace, and he still has scope for further development. Those look to be head and shoulders above the rest but (10) BEST WIND has shown well in her latest couple and can go close. (1) BUILD UP and (6) CHEONGMA YEONGUNG others who can enter the calculations.
| Selections | (5) Success Yeonggwang (9) Doctor Brown (10) Best Wind (1) Build Up |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(2) NICE TIME ran out a good winner on debut in a quick time over 1000M on August 6th having previously shown ability in trials. He comes up in class and also in trip, but he draws very nicely and while he won’t necessarily lead from the start, he can finish strongly and can maintain his 100% record here. (4) RAON THE COBRA got his maiden win over 1300M two starts back when making all from a wide draw in a fast time. That was his first start back following a lengthy absence and he followed it up with a fair 5th at this class, again at 1300M on July 22nd. He carries the same weight today, draws nicely, and should be close. (8) MAPARAM arrested what had been a bit of a slump with a good 2nd from a wide gate at class and distance on August 6th. (1) FIRST USER and the up in class (10) SESANG APEURO others in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Nice Time (4) Raon The Cobra (8) Maparam (1) First User |
| Next Best | 10, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) BREAD HIT beat three of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on August 11th when on pace throughout. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights but he will be expected to be on the early speed again and he can win again. (2) SEOBU BIGSTEP was a class and distance winner two starts back under a light weight before running 3rd when carrying similar to what he does today. That was back in May so he comes in fresh here and from a good gate, can sit on pace or handy and can be a danger. (8) GOLDEN WAVE ran 2nd to Bread Hit in that race on August 11th, coming from behind the pace. She has 3 lengths to make up, but she gets a slight weight swing in her favour and can be closer here. (1) LA CARTA has been back to trail since her latest start and she looked very well, winning a heat on August 26th in fine style. That brings her into contention here. (5) HANEUL JEWANG another in the minor money hunt.
| Selections | (7) Bread Hit (2) Seobu Bigstep (8) Golden Wave (1) La Carta |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1200M) Weight For Age / KOREA SPRINT (G3) / KRW 1.4 Billion
Japan sends a pair of world class short distance specialists, (6) REMAKE ran 3rd in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200M G3), he was slow away in the Golden Shaheen (1200M G1) at Meydan in March and ran 5th. Ran 2nd to Don Frankie in the Procyon Stakes (1400M G3) at Chukyo in July before overturning that form in the Listed Cluster Cup in August, coming from a seemingly impossible position to score easily. He is a big chance and probable favourite. (1) BATHRAT LEON won the 2022 Godolphin Mile winner added another big prize this March in the 1351 Turf Sprint (1351M G3) in Riyadh. Enters off a 3rd place in a Listed race to Igniter at Urawa at the end of May when handy throughout. Excels on both turf and all-weather, he hasn’t raced at 1200M but that isn’t a problem as the Seoul sand favours those who can stay further, and he is a big chance. (3) SSONSAL is in the form of his life and comes in having won the SROA Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-G3) in June, when settling right back from a wide draw and sweeping home with Eoma Eoma 3rd, half a length behind. He has run consistently fast times and he will be finishing strongly and is one of the best local hopes. (5) EOMA EOMA faces a tougher task then he did twelve months ago when he passed Japan’s Raptus late on. He has only one win from four starts in 2023 and that was in a class 1 handicap in February, with three Group level defeats following, most recently 3rd to Ssonsal in the SROA Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-G3). Still has plenty of quality and speed though, he should be on pace or handy and can be competitive again. (9) RAON TAP MAN and each-way chance.
| Selections | (6) Remake (1) Bathrat Leon (3) Ssonsal (5) Eoma Eoma |
| Next Best | 9, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 9 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) MA GUN got rapidly promoted to this level with back-to-back wins over 1400M and a mile in March and April. He has established himself as competitive at class 4 with two consecutive 4th place finishes, both at 1800M, and back in trip here, he can come out on top. (10) VEREUDA was a good winner over this distance at class 5 level in July. She never really got into the race on his first try at this class at 1800M on July 29th – similar to her run in the Oaks – but she can be given another chance here. (2) MIGHTY STORM comes in off a close 2nd at this level over 1400M at the end of July when handy throughout. She draws nicely to go close again. The form drops off after those three, but (6) GUARDIAN ANGEL and (1) CHEONGMA POWER are other potentials for the minor money.
| Selections | (4) Ma Gun (10) Vereuda (2) Mighty Storm (6) Guardian Angel |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1800M) Weight For Age / KOREA CUP (G3) / KRW 1.6 Billion
The three visitors have drawn the three widest gates but that shouldn’t be a problem. (14) CROWN PRIDE won last year’s UAE Derby winner returned to the Middle East earlier this year and ran 5th in both the Saudi Cup (1800M G1) and Dubai World Cup (2000M G1). He then ran a desperately close 2nd to Meisho Hario in a thrilling Teio Sho (2000M Listed) at Oi in June. Will probably be on or close to the pace here and looks the one to beat. (15) GLORIA MUNDI has only raced twice in 2023 but won both in fine style most recently the Heian Stakes (1900M G3) at Kyoto in May when handy early before easing away for an easy win. Expect to be on pace or close again and he has a big chance. (12) TUHONUI BANSEOK has made progress with each Group race start over the past year, breaking through when making all to beat Winner’s Man by 11-lengths in the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) in May. He followed it up by rallying to beat the same horse in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) in July. He will be on pace and could be the best of the local hopes. (4) GLOBAL HIT is the big up and coming local and having won both the Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup, he is this year’s outstanding Korean three-year-old. He likes to settle midfield and has an explosive finish, and while this is a significantly sterner test, he does get a weight allowance for his age. Defending champion (8) WINNER’S MAN has suffered two reverses to Tuhonui Banseok in his latest two starts although he was found lame after the second of them. He returned to training in mid-August and at his best is a chance, but fitness must be in question. One to watch in the parade ring, if he looks well, then he is right in this.
| Selections | (14) Crown Pride (15) Gloria Mundi (12) Tuhonui Banseok (4) Global Hit |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 12, 14, 15 |
Busan Race 6: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
It may get a bit lost in the Korea Cup aftermath, but it shouldn’t because this is a really good race with cases to be made for plenty. We’ll take a chance on (6) CAPTAIN YANKEE. The winner of two legs of last year’s Triple Crown, he has had a stop-start career since then but has been working back into form in recent starts, culminating in 3rd place over 1800M beating a couple of these, on July 30th. He likes 2000M and today can be his day. (9) JESSIEUI KKUM races for the first time since finishing down the field behind stablemate Tuhonui Banseok in the YTN Cup at Seoul in May. He likes to settle back and come from off the pace, and he will be a danger here. (11) GANGSEO GIANT comes up in class following a very good win over a mile in late July. Expect her to work up to sit close to the lead and the three-year-old can measure up in this company. (2) MAHAMERU beat Gangseo Giant as the pair finished 2nd and 3rd behind Calm Strong in the KNN Cup in June. She is rapidly up in class but can be competitive. (1) GALAXY ROAD another in the hunt.
| Selections | (6) Captain Yankee (9) Jessieui Kkum (2) Mahameru (11) Gangseo Giant |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) COMPLETE STEP is two for two having won both starts so far, racing on pace over 1200M. That brings her rapidly up in class, but she still looks very nicely in here. It’s her first time at 1300M but she draws very well, she carries a very light weight, and she can continue on her merry way. The main danger and possibly the betting favourite is (7) GEUMA ALLURE. She got her sole win at this distance at class 5 level in April and has a 3rd and two 4th place finishes in three tries at this class. She consistently runs good times and will be close again today. (4) NEULGAEUL comes up in class following a good win over 1400M on August 5th when settling just behind the speed and running on. He can measure up at this level. (2) WONPYEONG KILLAR and (8) FLY DAY others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (3) Complete Step (7) Geuma Allure (4) Neulgaeul (2) Wonpyeong Killar |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) J MOTION is the one to beat. Since returning from five months out, he has won at class 5 level and then finished 2nd in two subsequent starts at this level, at 1400M and last time on August 20th, over a mile, when he led for most of the way around. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights but today can be his day. (6) WIDAEHAN GUNJU was a surprise winner at class and distance on August 19th when unusually for him, he was taken to the lead. He comes up in the weights today but expect similar tactics and he will warrant more respect this time. (2) YEONGUNG DAEMA enters off a smart 2nd over a mile and from a good draw and still under a light weight, should be in the finish again. (3) SPEEDY ROOKIE and (11) OKRYONG are others to keep safe.
| Selections | (9) J Motion (6) Widaehan Gunju (2) Yeongung Daema (3) Speedy Rookie |
| Next Best | 11, 8 |
| Fast Start | 5, 7, 9, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 