Month: January 2024

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (January 7)

There are 11 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:

Choi Bum-hyun rode his 900th career winner last week – he isn’t riding on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) HEART K comes in off back-to-back 3rd places, most recently at this distance on December 2nd when settling handy and running on having overcome hate eleven. He gets a kinder draw this time and could well have too much. (7) HEUNGHAENG BULPAE ran 4th in that same December 2nd race, sitting midfield and finishing well. That was his second 4th place in just three starts to date and he can get closer here. (9) E.H. COCO comes in following a best to date runner-up finish over this distance on December 10th when leading for most of the way around. He has the challenge of the widest draw this time but can be competitive again. (1) ÉCLAIR STAR and (8) BEAT RACER others who can challenge for the minors.

Selections(6) Heart K (7) Heunghaeng Bulpae (9) E.H. Coco (1) Éclair Star
Next Best8, 3
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) THE SUN FIGHTER will be a short-priced favourite here. He has been getting closer across his three starts to date and comes in off his best so far, a close 3rd over 1200M in a quick time on December 10th when coming from off the pace. He draws nicely here, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he should win. The logical danger is (4) FIRST CHOUX. He is yet to win but has seven top-five finishes and his latest was his best, when 2nd over this distance on December 17th having led for part of the way. He is nicely drawn and should go close again. There isn’t much else in the way of exposed form but (11) THUNDER SPEED has hinted at having a bit of speed and if we go on his 4th place on debut instead of his poor effort last time, he can be considered. (7) CRAZE CHANG and (2) MR. POWER are the others who will get some support on a place line.

Selections(1) The Sun Fighter (4) First Choux (11) Thunder Speed (7) Craze Chang
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) RAINBOW ROAD has finished no worse than 4th in three starts to date most recently coming home 3rd when tried at this distance for the first time on December 17th. Her style is to race on pace and handy and with not much early speed to contend with here, she should get an easy run to the front and can go all the way. (7) FLYING DIA has mixed her form across seven outings but going on her latest when 3rd in a quick time over 1300M, she has a chance here. She’ll be one of those up with Rainbow Road on the speed. (1) BLACK FALCON was an improved 2nd at start number three over 1300M on December 10th. The step up in trip can suit and he is very nicely drawn. (8) VALHALLA and (11) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE others to keep safe.

Selections(2) Rainbow Road (7) Flying Dia (1) Black Falcon (8) Valhalla
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) BEST WHIZ has a 5th and a 4th so far at 1200M and at 1300M, racing on pace both times. He looks nicely in here, Moon Se-young climbs on, and today could be the day. (6) SAENAE PARK was slowly away on debut over this distance on December 3rd but rallied well late on to get up for 2nd place, albeit a decent distance behind a good winner. He should have come on for the experience and if he can put himself in a better position a bit earlier, he could go one better. (10) SAHARAMOND has two 4th places and two 4th places from four total starts so far. He has been racing on pace, but he has coped well from a wide gate already and he should be in the mix here. (2) PINK MELODY won a trial and from a good gate can be considered first up. (3) FEDERAL PRESS another in the placing frame.

Selections(7) Best Whiz (6) Saenae Park (10) Saharamond (2) Pink Melody
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start2, 7, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) RAON VIBE MAN ran 4th on debut over 1200M in November before following up with a 2nd place, again at the six-furlong trip on December 10th, settling handy and running on. He can be peaking fitness-wise third up here and the slight step up in distance can see him home on top. (1) WONDERFUL ONE is yet to finish in the top two but has run some decent times including when 6th over this distance on December 3rd. He comes in under a light weight with an apprentice claiming and he can be in the mix here. (10) HI WINNER has finished 3rd to 5th in her three starts so far. She seems to like to be on pace so the draw is a little wider than ideal, but she shouldn’t be too far away. (5) TAP BOLT and (8) CHRYSOL HERO look the best of a limited rest.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 6)

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

2023’s racing ended in the snow but it should be a clear start to 2024 (Pic: KRA)

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 Best7, 11
Fast Start3, 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 Best5, 7
Fast Start3, 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 Best2, 1
Fast Start5, 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 Best7, 8
Fast Start1, 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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Beolmaui Star To Make Meydan Debut in Dubawi Stakes Friday

Korean runners return to the Dubai Racing Carnival on Friday evening (early Saturday morning Seoul time) as Beolmaui Star lines up in the G3 Dubawi Stakes over 1200M on the dirt at Meydan.

Beolmaui Star and Seo Seung-un at the Korea Sprint last year (Pic: KRA)

Trained by Baik Kwang-yeol at Busan, Beolmaui Star is a five-year-old entire by To Honor And Serve and is is a winner of five of his seventeen starts. His standout performance came in last September’s Korea Sprint where he overcame gate thirteen to lead for most of the way, ultimately finishing in 2nd place, four-lengths adrift of the Japan-trained winner Remake. In his only subsequent start, in November’s Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy, Beolmaui Star became anxious in the gate and missed the break, never featuring.

In the Dubawi Stakes, Beolmaui Star has drawn gate nine and as ever for him, the start will prove crucial. If he gets away well – and if he takes to the dirt instead of the Seoul and Busan sand – then anything can happen. In a departure from the usual Korean practice of booking the best available local, regular rider and reigning Busan Champion Jockey Seo Seung-un has been flown in to ride.

Beolmaui Star is available at between 12/1 and 20/1 in fixed odds markets. Favourite is the Doug Watson trained Sound Money.

Beolmaui Star is one of two Korea-trained horses at this year’s carnival with the other being 2021 President’s Cup winner Simjangui Godong who is expected to be targeted at two-turn races on the dirt. The pair of them flew to Dubai in early December.

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (January 5)

The 2024 racing season gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

The New Year kicks off with a full field of three-year-old maidens with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. Both the two with prior experience did well, coming home in 3rd place in their respective debuts and they will be the top picks. (4) FLEX DAY settled midfield on her debut on October 29th, settling midfield and running on well in a fair time. She has had ten weeks off so comes in fresh again and looks the one to beat. (10) BLACK JILJU raced on pace on her debut on December 1st. Her time was slower than that of Flex Day and she has the challenge of a wide draw here, but she is the man danger. As for the first-time starters, (9) MIRACLE MARINE won a trial in December leading all the way and shapes as the most likely to make and immediate impact. (12) BLAZING MAN and (7) NAEPYEON others who hinted at ability in the mornings.

Selections(4) Flex Day (10) Black Jilju (9) Miracle Marine (12) Blazing Man
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start1, 5, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) KWAEHAN YEONGUNG will be a short price favourite here. He ran 3rd on debut back in August and then didn’t return until December 10th when he repeated the trick over this distance and with three of today’s rivals behind him. He may need some early luck from the wide gate, but he won’t need to improve much to win this. (9) SHACKLE ZONE comes in having run a much-improved 2nd over this distance on December 1st. The time wasn’t quick, but he finished off well and can be given another chance here. (3) OAK RIDGE and (8) MACH MAN came home 4th and 5th respectively behind Kwaehan Yeongung in that December 10th race and both can be considered to match or better that here. (4) MORPHEUS among others in the placing hunt.

Selections(10) Kwaehan Yeongung (9) Shackle Zone (3) Oak Ridge (8) Mach Man
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start4, 8, 10, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA has a pair of 4th places and a 3rd from three starts so far, most recently over this distance on December 8th when coming from well off the pace. She has proven capable to race on the speed as well and she is the one to beat here. (10) QUEEN’S FLETAR comes into contention following a strong 2nd place at this distance on December 8th. In doing so she recorded the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before, and she has proven herself to have a strong finish. That makes her second pick here. (7) HEUIMANG FLYING was 3rd behind Queen’s Flatter in that race, having led for part of the way around. That continued a consistent start to her career, and she should be there or thereabouts again today. (2) LIGHT BROWN and (6) SMART SMILE the others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(8) Daejiuiyeojeonsa (10) Queen’s Fletar (7) Heuimang Flying (2) Light Brown
Next Best6, 1
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) ROAD STAR was a winner over 1200M at class 6 level in November before running 3rd behind Baekduui Kkum in a Listed race for juvenile fillies at the start of December at big odds. She has run consistent times; she has been versatile in her running style and the slight step up to 1300M can suit here. (4) HANEUL EUTTEUM ran out a winner on debut over 1200M on December 1st, settling handy and running on. He comes up in class and slightly in distance here but draws well and a repeat isn’t impossible. (7) GUKDAE HERO is up in class following a win at start number four in a quick race on a very wet track over this distance. He doesn’t get a weight drop, but a repeat of that effort will put him in the mix again. (11) BLUE CAPTAIN and (1) TWO TWO LIME others in the minor money frame.

Selections(10) Road Star (4) Haneul Eutteum (7) Gukdae Hero (11) Blue Captain
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 10

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) LEMON PIE was a winner back on debut and has since run well for a pair of 4th places and a runner-up finish in three goes at this level. She draws well to get a nice run to the lead here and she is very much the one to beat. (1) YONGBI STAR comes up in class having scored her maiden win at start number six over this distance on December 3rd, when slowly away but quickly on pace and proving too strong. The win had been coming and she can measure up in this company. (2) DOCTOR KONGDOLI can mix his form, but he has loads of experience at this level and looks nicely in under a light weight and in a good gate. (4) CHAS PALPAL and (6) MOST RAPID among others in the hunt.

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