The capital’s 2024 program gets underway on Saturday with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Three-year-old maidens in the opener with seven racing for the first time. (10) CHOEGANG TIME is the only one who has raced twice, finishing 4th on debut in September and then 5th at this distance in October. He has been back to trial since putting in an on-pace 2nd in his heat in a quick time, and he has solid claims here. The pick of the first timers is (6) MK LEE. It took him a couple of trials to get to the races, but he improved significantly in the second of them when an on-pace 4th in a decent time. Moon Se-young’s presence aboard ensures he won’t be missed in the betting market. (9) SEOBU TEUKSONG ran midfield on debut on December 3rd. She should have come on for that run and can get closer today. (1) HANGANG CAPTAIN was slow on debut to the extent that he was ordered back to trial. He got three months off after that and then won his December heat. That requalification run could have been clocked with a sundial, but he did it easy and should be a better proposition today. (7) LADY FOX another experienced one who can improve.
| Selections | (10) Choegang Time (6) MK Lee (9) Seobu Teuksong (1) Hangang Captain |
| Next Best | 7, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maiden fillies here. (3) GOLDBERG raced three times as a juvenile, registering two 3rd place finishes and a 4th. The latest was at this distance on December 2nd when overcoming a wide draw to sit handy and run on well. She comes into a better gate today and can finally jackhammer the field. (8) BELOTERO was an improved 3rd when well backed on start number two on December 9th when racing handy throughout. She has the challenge of a wider draw here, but she should be in the mix. (6) QUEEN ABIGAIL has been getting closer across three starts so far, most recently a close 4th place at this distance. The time was slow, but she seems to be on the right trajectory and in this limited company can place. (11) WONDERFUL SPIRIT and (5) SAMAEBEONJJEOK others in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (3) Goldberg (8) Belotero (6) Queen Abigail (11) Wonderful Spirit |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Not a strong maiden. (4) BEST KINGDOM has got a bit far back in each of his races so far, but he has run on pleasingly enough most recently for 5th over 1200M on December 2nd. He draws well, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he has as much chance as any. (3) SOLAIRE ran 6th on debut over 1200M before improving to 3rd when stepped up to this trip at start number two on December 12th. He has shown to have a fast finish on him and will be running on late again here. (8) GEUMAK JINJU showed good speed in her first two starts to run 3rd and 2nd over 1000M. She has since put in fair performances at 1200M will probably start as betting favourite. (10) HEY MAMA is yet to finish in the top-two but she has finished between 3rd and 5th on no fewer than six occasions in her thirteen starts to date and this is the kind of company among which she can pick up a cheque. (2) CHEONGHAE JEIL may improve on an inauspicious debut.
| Selections | (4) Best Kingdom (3) Solaire (8) Geumak Jinju (10) Hey Mama |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) GEUMBIT GANGHO got his maiden win in October over 1300M and has subsequently run 2nd in both his tries at this class, both at 1300M and both times leading. He comes up slightly in trip and while he was a beaten favourite last time out, he is worth another chance here. (5) RAON THE DAESE found herself overmatched in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy for juvenile fillies a month ago, but she has shown promise in her two runs leading up to it and in much more amenable company today, she is a danger. It would be a surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but (3) MY KHAN got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on December 10th when settling handy and running on strong in a quick time on a dry track. He comes up in class and in distance, but a repeat isn’t impossible. (11) ONE SPEAR has performed well since being belatedly promoted to this level and this is the kind of race in which he can pick up some prize money. (7) CLAIR POWER another in the minor hunt.
| Selections | (2) Geumbit Gangho (5) Raon The Daese (3) My Khan (11) One Spear |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Half of this small field are up in class, and it is wide open. (7) BEOLGYO VERITAS was a winner on debut over 1200M on December 3rd, stalking the leader for most of the way before running on. Despite having previously won a trial, he was sent off at big odds that day. Though up in class and slightly in trip, he won’t here. (4) GIPPEUM HAMSEONG scored his maiden win at start number three on December 3rd, making all over 1300M. He comes up in class but is nicely drawn to be in pace and in this a long way. If you prefer experience at this class, then (5) GLOBAL JINGYEOK is the one for you. He has two 2nd places and a 4th from his latest three, all at this level, and he has the fastest time over the trip. (6) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA and (8) GOLDEN DRAGON the next bests.
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