The blossoms may not be quite out yet but racing has moved to its Cherry Blossom Festival schedule for Saturdays. There will be 11 races at Seoul from 14:45 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and it’s one of the two debut-makers who is set to be the warm favourite. (9) KKUMUI HYANGGI went through a couple of trials last summer without making it to the races but came back into training this year and went through a quick trial in February, settling back and working home well. This is a very soft race to start in and if she brings the trial form, she should win. The other first-timer is (5) KOTAP. She went through three trials getting it right in the 3^rd of them in a fair time (albeit a full three seconds behind Eoma Eoma). Again, that should be enough to put her in the places here. The exposed form is lacking. (8) THUNDER STORM ran 4^th on debut and while she was well back on her reappearance on February 17^th, she still beat a couple of these. (11) CUPID DREAM and (10) P N S ME others who may improve.

Selections	(9) Kkumui Hyanggi (5) Kotap (8) Thunder Storm (11) Cupid Dream
Next Best	10, 4
Fast Start	1, 4, 10, 11

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

Another weak maiden. (3) GALSAEK DOJEONJA is one of only two here with a top-three finish to his name, recorded over 1200M last October. He has raced fairly in three subsequent appearances and from a good draw and among weak company, he may be further forward today. He has as good a chance as any. (5) GLOBAL CODIE will also be on pace. His best so far is a 4^th place on debut and comes in following a 5^th and a 6^th from his latest two. CC climbing up today will probably give him favourite status. (8) ARNOLD QUEEN has hinted at ability across her three starts so far and has trialled up fairly since her latest appearance in January. (1) CROQUIS is the other to have achieved a to-three and that’s enough to put her in the hunt here. (2) THUNDER YEOGEOL another in the hunt for the minors.

Selections	(3) Galsaek Dojeonja (5) Global Codie (8) Arnold Queen (1) Croquis
Next Best	2, 6
Fast Start	1, 3, 5, 11

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

(3) BEST DAERO ran 4^th on debut over 1200M in January and followed up with a 2^nd place at this distance on March 2^nd when racing prominently throughout from a wide gate. He draws nicely to lead this time and he will be a short price favourite to go one better. (6) SAHARAMONG ran an improved 3^rd place at start number three over 1200M in January. She comes in after eleven weeks out here and given her running style so far, the slight step up in trip can suit. (4) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER is yet to finish in the top-two in twenty-two starts but he has finished between 3^rd and 5^th on no fewer than ten occasions. He should be in the prize-money mix again here. (2) GLORY CHARM and debut-maker (7) MK STAR others who can compete for the minors.

Selections	(3) Best Daero (6) Saharamong (4) Hampyeong Fighter (2) Glory Charm
Next Best	7, 1
Fast Start	3, 5, 6, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) THE PLAYER was thought of highly enough to be given his chance in the G2 Breeders’ Cup for juveniles last December. He only beat one home, but he returned to form when 2^nd on his first try at this distance on February 25^th. He comes up 2kg in the weights, and he draws a touch wider than ideal, but he’ll be a strong favourite. (7) DONGHAENG FIRST is yet to win in twelve attempts but has no fewer than ten top-five finishes. That includes her latest just two weeks ago when 4^th over 1400M. She remains under a light weight and stretches out to two-turns for the first time. (2) STAR CHANGER is also winless but comes up to this class for the first time following three consecutive 3^rd place finishes. She comes up significantly in trip too, but she draws well, carries a light weight, and she can be competitive. (3) PLAN B and (6) HAENGUN BARAM others in the frame.

Selections	(10) The Player (7) Donghaeng First (2) Star Changer (3) Plan B
Next Best	6, 9
Fast Start	2, 5, 10, 11

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

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