Day: October 21, 2023

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (October 22)

It’s a rare Stakes race free Sunday but there is still plenty of action at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00, and Busan with 6 from 11:50 to 16.35. Here are the previews:

Yongam Boss – one of several contenders in an interesting class 1 finale at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juveniles (and one southern hemisphere three-year-old) here. The most experienced, with three starts to her name already, is (3) UWARYUNG. She hasn’t finished outside the top four and has run consistently good times. From a good draw, in this company she should be on or close to the speed and she can make the breakthrough here. (10) OHRA KHAN beat a couple of these on his way to 3rd place over 1200M on debut when starting slowly but running on well. He should have derived benefit from that experience and can match or better today. (1) WHIZ RUNNER was 6th in that race on what was his debut too. He rana fast time at this distance in his trial and can improve today. There are four first-time starters and of them, (9) VELOX BOY and (6) TRAUM QUEEN look the most likely to make an immediate impact.

Selections(3) Uwaryung (10) Ohra Khan (1) Whiz Runner (9) Velox Boy
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with all tackling the 1300M for the first time. (1) YEONGWON GIANT was a much-improved 2nd at start number three on September 16th over 1200M when he raced further forward than he had done previously and finished off well. He beat several of today’s rivals in the proves and from a great draw, he can go one better today. (4) LUCKY PARTY was 4th in that race having been sent off as favourite following a strong 3rd place on debut. He’ll be on pace again here and can be given another chance. (9) PURGE KING came home in 3rd place on September 16th. That continued the steady progress that he has made since his debut, and he is another who should be in with a shout. As for those who didn’t go in the September 16th race, (6) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA looks the best. He comes in off a solid 3rd place in a good time at 1200M a month ago and Moon Se-young climbing on will tempt plenty. Newcomer (3) NAEGILUIKING another to keep an eye on.

Selections(1) Yeongwon Giant (4) Lucky Party (9) Purge King (6) Seoul Choegangja
Next Best3, 11
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

More juvenile maidens. (2) EUNPA SARANG has a 3rd and two 5th place finishes from three starts to date and has posted a couple of very good times. He has got a bit far back in his races so far but he finishes off very well and if he is in striking distance at the top of the straight, he could be the one to beat. He will need to get past (4) CHEONHAENGCHAT. She has a 2nd and a 3rd on her record, both times racing on pace. She draws well to get forward here and should be in this a very long way. There are a couple of first-time starters and (6) RUBY PORT looked good in her trial, leading almost the entire way around and crossing the line a close 2nd. She can go well first up. (9) OSONGEUI BYEOL and (7) DONGJIN TEUKGEUP are potential improvers.

Selections(2) Eunpa Sarang (4) Cheonhaengchat (6) Ruby Port (9) Osongeui Byeol
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start3, 4, 9, 12

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

Juvenile maidens and (4) FLYING KHAN will begin as hot favourite. After a good trial, he overcame gate ten on debut to run 3rd over this distance in a quick time. He comes into a much better gate today and should get an easier run to the front. He will take some beating. (1) AUTUMN BREEZE was an improved 3rd at 1300M on September 17th, racing handy throughout. From the inside gate, she should be close to the pace here and can be competitive again. (2) ARA NURI made good progress on her second start, finishing 3rd over this distance in a good time. She can settle just behind the leaders here and finish strongly. (11) DOCTOR CAPTAIN looks to be on the right trajectory too and along with first time starter (7) HARVEST MOON, is another to consider for the places.

Selections(4) Flying Khan (1) Autumn Breeze (2) Ara Nuri (11) Doctor Captain
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) GOLDEN DRAGON remains a maiden after three starts but comes up in class here having secured back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M, both in quick times. He comes down 2kg in the weights, and from a good draw, he can make the breakthrough here. (1) MUNHAK CENTRAL got her maiden win at the seventh time of asking over 1200M on September 16th when she made all. She too comes up in class and while she only gets a 1kg weight drop, she draws well and can measure up in this company. (7) MY CENTER has placed at this class and distance and also ran a fair 6th in the Rookie Stakes at the end of August. He has consistently run good times and he should be in the mix again here. (5) DAONDI was very close 2nd to Munhak Central last time and accordingly joins her up in class with every chance of being competitive. (10) BEST CLONE another in the hunt.

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