Day: February 1, 2024

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 3)

Saturday’s action is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener. (9) BREEDO GIRL ran 4th on debut over 1200M on December 2nd, having been slowly away before making up good ground late. She should have come on for the run and has as good a chance as any here. It’s a similar story with (8) SEOBU CHAMP, who was also slowly away on debut on December 30th before running on well. For 4th place. She went through a lot of trials before that so she should be fit, and she too should have derived benefit from that experience. (5) SHARKTEN didn’t do much on debut last summer but was then put away and returned to action on January 7th to run a solid 5th over 1300M. He is another who should strip fitter this time and can appreciate the slight step up in trip. There are two first time starters and of them (2) DRAGON KINGDOM looks to be the best. He won a trial last September although never made it to the races and trialled again in fair fashion last week. In a race with no obvious early speed, he should join (1) CHOGANGBULPAE, another potential improver, on the pace.

Selections(9) Breedo Girl (8) Seobu Champ (5) Sharkten (2) Dragon Kingdom
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5

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

(6) BELOTERO will be a hot favourite here. She has steadily improved across three starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on January 6th when she settled midfield and ran on well behind Goldberg. Moon Se-young climbs up for the first time today and she won’t need to improve much – if at all – to win this. (7) HERO JEONSA stepped up to this distance for start number four on January 6th and was an instant improver, racing much handier than he had before and finishing a close 2nd. He can sit close to the speed here and can go close again. (4) GOLDEN BALL is another last start improver, coming from off the pace to run 2nd over 1200M. She can be there or thereabouts in this company. (3) SEOUL DOLPUNG and (9) CROQUIS others to consider.

Selections(6) Belotero (7) Hero Jeonsa (4) Golden Ball (3) Seoul Dolpung
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 9

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

(2) GEUMAK MYEONGJANG did nothing on debut back in October but after going back to trial, he looked a much better prospect when returning on January 6th and running 3rd over this distance, settling midfield and running through the line well. He comes into a much better gate today and Moon Se-young being engaged will probably be enough to make him the favourite. (10) BUNDANG TSUNAMI has raced on pace in all four of his starts so far with his best finish being 2nd over 1000M. Despite the wide draw he should be on the speed again and can be in this a long way. (6) SPINNING BOOM and (9) WONDERFUL PASS have identical form each having a 7th and a 4th from their two respective starts. Both should be in the mix here too. (7) SUNNY ROAD another with the potential to improve.

Selections(2) Geumak Myeongjang (10) Bundang Tsunami (6) Spinning Boom (9) Wonderful Pass
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start3, 7, 9, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(12) TAENGGEURI has been getting progressively closer and ran a very close 2nd when stepped up to two-turns for the first time on Christmas Day. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but doesn’t need to lead so with a patient ride, today can be his day. The main danger is (7) VICAR NAREUMA, who has two 5th places and a 3rd from three starts so far up to 1300M. His times have been good and running style suggests the step up in trip can suit and he will be vying for favourite status. (2) NATURAL CLASS races for the first time since last June. She had hinted at ability in coming from off the pace in her first couple of starts and she looked well when running 2nd in a trial three weeks ago. 1700M is a hard ask first up but there is not a whole lot to fear in this company. (4) NEXTLEVEL and (1) MAGIC K other placing chances.

Selections(12) Taenggeuri (7) Vicar Nareuma (2) Natural Class (4) Nextlevel
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start4, 6, 8, 10

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

(4) URUS KHAN was a winner on debut over 1200M in November before running 2nd on his first try at this level over 1300M on New Year’s Eve when he raced handy throughout. He draws nicely here to be on pace again and he can go one better. (1) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA will be the second favourite. His debut was the only time in seven starts that he has finished outside of the top four and he is already a winner at this class having scored at 1200M in December. He carries 3kg more than he did that day, but he should be more than competitive in this company. (2) CHADOL RUN has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin and her recent form reads fairly. She can sit behind the early speed and looks a decent chance on a place line at probably a good price. (11) ARGO MUJEOK and (5) CLOUTER among plenty of other minor money hopes.

Selections(4) Urus Khan (1) Tamra Choegangja (2) Chadol Run (11) Argo Mujeok
Next Best5, 9
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 11

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) SSEULMO is yet to win in nine attempts, but he came very close in his latest, at this class over 1200M on January 6th when he settled midfield and almost got there. He is third-up this preparation so he should be peaking fitness-wise and today can be his day. The main danger is also a maiden. (1) HWASANGWIHWAN was similarly promoted to this level following too many near-misses and he comes in following a solid 3rd place over 1200M on January 6th when he led for much of the way. He draws very nicely to be on pace again and he may take some getting past. (12) MYEONGJINBULLPAI had been working towards a win and she got it at start number four on December 30th over 1300M, coming from well off the pace. She comes up in class here but is nicely weighted and can measure up. (8) RAON AIR FORCE and (11) SINUI HAMESONG are others in the placing hunt.

Selections(9) Sseulmo (1) Hwasangwihwan (12) Myeongjinbullpai (8) Raon Air Force
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) DOKKI DRAGON is a winner of two from five and is up in class after a comfortable score over 1300M on January 7th when he settled just behind the speed and proved too strong. He draws nicely, the mile can suit, and he has every chance of winning again. (4) DREAM PLAY comes in off a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two starts at this class at 1300M and 1400M. He has posted some very good final furlong times, and he is another for whom the step up in trip should be ideal. (2) MY KHAN has won his latest two at 1300M and 1400M to get rapidly promoted to this level. He comes down in the weights and looks to have plenty of scope for more development. (8) MEGA DRAGON and (1) GEUMBIT CHEONHA, the latter just one of two who have tackled the mile already, are among others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(3) Dokki Dragon (4) Dream Play (2) My Khan (8) Mega Dragon
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 9

Seoul Race 8: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (5) GEOLJAK SKY will be favourite having won over this distance at class 6 level in October before recording back-to-back 4th place finishes in two attempts so far at this class. In this company she will probably settle on or close to the speed and she should be too strong at the business end. (3) GOLDBERG is up in class having registered her maiden win at start number four over this distance on January 6th when she beat Belotero, who we saw in race 2. That win had been coming and she should be able to measure up in this company. (10) LADY TAEPUNG defied big odds to run 2nd at class and distance on December 9th and is this company rates as a place chance again. (12) GEUMAK STAR and (4) GEOMIBULU are among others who shouldn’t be far away.

Selections(5) Geoljak Sky (3) Goldberg (10) Lady Taepung (12) Geumak Star
Next Best4, 9
Fast Start3, 5, 10, 11

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(9) FARCIARZ was a super winner at class and distance on New Year’s Eve, settling just better than midfield before running on well and stopping the clock in a quick time. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but don’t rule out a repeat here. (8) GLOBAL POWER also comes in off a class and distance win on January 7th. He too is up significantly in the weights but nevertheless shapes as the main danger. (3) COWBOY TANGO may be something of a veteran now abut he enters in arguably the best form of his career with two wins from his latest three appearances. That means a class rise but he is down in the weights, he draws nicely, and he can continue his good run of form. (4) GIANT KILLING and (12) MY CENTER, the latter another last start class and distance winner, are among others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(9) Farciarz (8) Global Power (3) Cowboy Tango (4) Giant Killing
Next Best12, 11
Fast Start5, 10, 11, 12

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) META BLADE has just the one win from eleven starts so far but has likewise only finished out of the top-five on one occasion. In two starts at this class and distance, she has finished in 4th both times, most recently when favourite on Christmas Eve when she led for much of the way. She remains lightly weighted, she should lead again, and she has every chance here. The big danger is (7) POWER GUNJU. The Ghostzapper import go this maiden in at start number three over 1400M on December 30th, running on well for a narrow victory in a good time. He comes up a full 4kg in the weights, but the two turns can suit, and he can go back-to-back. (3) ORAEDAHAMKKE comes up in class having won over 1700M on January 7th when settling handy. That was his first try at two turns and he comes down 3kg in the weights which should being him into contention. (9) KING SIMBA and (8) SKY HAMSEONG among others to keep safe.

Selections(4) Meta Blade (7) Power Gunju (3) Oraedahamkke (9) King Simba
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 6

Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(3) RAON THE GOLD was a winner at this class over 1200M two starts back before running 4th last time out on Christmas Day when unable to get to the lead. She remains under a light weight here, she draws very nicely, and she has won at this distance in the past. She is a big chance. (8) SOMETHING LOST ran 2nd in the KRA Cup Mile last April before running 7th and 5th in the two subsequent legs of the Triple Crown series. He races for the first time since the Minister’s Cup last July, but he looked very well in a trial two weeks ago and he can go well first-up here. (2) WONDERFUL KITTY doesn’t win out of turn but placed at this distance in filly and mare Group company last September. She is beautifully weighted and drawn here and should be close. (11) FLYING GOLD and (1) BEOLMAL DAEJANG among others in contention for the minors.

Selections(3) Raon The Gold (8) Something Lost (2) Wonderful Kitty (11) Flying Gold
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 8, 9

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 2)

The final weekend of racing before the one-week Lunar New Year holiday gets underway at Busan on Friday when there are 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A

Three-year-old maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. It’s hard to go past (2) CHEONHA SARANG. He debuted on January 5th and ran a very good 3rd place over 1200M racing handy throughout and stopping the clock in a decent time. He won’t need to improve very much on that to win here. The main danger could be a first timer. (8) PINE BLUE didn’t qualify at his first attempt at the end of last year but looked much better when tried again on January 13th, settling midfield before running on to win his heat in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he can put in a bold showing first up. (3) RAID HIT and (9) STEALTH MODE both hinted at ability in their respective debut efforts, and both can be considered for improvement here. (11) BLISS MARINE another who can improve.

Selections(2) Cheonha Sarang (8) Pine Blue (3) Raid Hit (9) Stealth Mode
Next Best11, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 9, 11

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

Competitive maiden. (12) MORPHEUS comes in having run a much-improved 2nd over 1200M on January 5th when leading for much of the way around and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He is done no favours by the wide draw here, but he has shown plenty of speed at the start so if he can get a bit of luck and a good position, he could be the one to beat. (4) MACH MAN has shown steady progress across five starts to date and was a close 3rd behind Morpheus in that January 5th race. He gets the better of the draw this time and the slight step up in trip can suit. (9) SANGIM BOLT improved to 2nd on his latest over 1200M on New Year’s Eve. It wasn’t a quick race but a similar showing here, should see him in the finish. (8) RAON TAIVA is the only debut maker and he acquitted himself well enough in his trail when 3rd in a fair time alongside some experienced horses, to suggest he should be kept safe first up. (10) JUMBO ROCKET another in the hunt.

Selections(12) Morpheus (4) Mach Man (9) Sangim Bolt (8) Raon Taiva
Next Best10, 7
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

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

(2) GREEN CHIEF returned from eleven months out to run 2nd and 3rd in two December outings, both over 1200M. They were in restricted filly only company, but both the times and the performances were good. Third-up she can be peaking fitness-wise and from a good gate, she looks to be the one to beat. (10) RAON STROKE has shown improvement over three starts, culminating in a runner-up finish at 1300M on December 31st when coming from off the pace. She had got a bit far back in her previous two, but she should be doing her best work late again here. (12) VALHALLA weakened late having led over 1400M last time out. He does have a runner-up finish to his name though and can be given another chance here. (7) KWAEHAN YEONGUNG and (9) AMAZING BOSS among others who can go close.

Selections(2) Green Chief (10) Raon Stroke (12) Valhalla (7) Kwaehan Yeongung
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (11) TEAM PERFECT comes out of the Listed Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Trophy for juvenile fillies at the start of December where she only beat one home. She is though a winner at this distance and has placed at this class as well. She likes to race on pace so if she can get a forward position from the wide gate, she should be very much in the frame. (8) ROAD STAR went much better in that Listed race, finishing a decent 3rd behind Baekduui Kkum. She did struggle in one subsequent appearance but is worth another chance here. (12) UNJU JILJU raced a couple of times without distinction last summer. She looked a much better prospect when winning on her return from almost six months out in December, making all over 1200M. She is up in class here but should stirp fitter for the run, and she shouldn’t be dismissed.  (7) B.K. ZENA and (1) PIMI among other placing chances.

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