Day: April 12, 2024

SBS Sports Sprint & International Trophy Exchange Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (April 14)

The second leg of the Sprint Series, the SBS Sports Sprint at Seoul, takes centre stage on Sunday, but there are plenty of other valuable races spread across both the capital and Busan with Trophy Exchange races for the Singapore Turf Club (evidently for the final time), Jockey Club of Turkey, Tokyo City Keiba, Royal Western India Turf Club and the China Horse Industry Association. There is also a big money race to mark the end of the Cherry Blossom season. There are 11 races at Seoul on Sunday from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 in Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:

Raon The Point won the opening leg of the Sprint Series (Pic: KRA)

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

(5) SEOBU CHAMP comes in off a 3rd place over this distance on March 16th when settling back and running on strongly. She comes in here carrying the same weight and has every chance of coming out on top this day. It’s a competitive maiden though. (4) TAP DIA has a 2nd and a 3rd among her own three starts so far. In this company, she may be further forward than in those races and the slight step up in trip can suit. (8) PROCEED showed improvement to run 3rd at start number two over 1300M on March 2nd. He too may like the increased distance and CC Wong climbs up. (3) EUMSEONG POWER and (10) ALL EYES ON ME among others capable of at least challenging for the places.

Selections(5) Seobu Champ (4) Tap Dia (8) Proceed (3) Eumseong Power
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 10

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

Three-year-old maiden fillies here and it’s hard to go past (3) APPLE QUEEN. Having run 4th on debut, all the way back last June, she didn’t race again until this March 16th when she was an on-pace 3rd over 1400M. She should strip fitter for that run and will be strongly fancied to lead from gate to wire. (6) SHINE BOLT has shown steady improvement across three starts so far, culminating in a 4th place over 1200M on February 24th over this distance. She comes into a better gate here and can continue to get closer. (8) COMPLETE PARTY has two 3rd places among her four appearances. That means that any top-three finish will get her a rating and see her at class 5 next time and she could well match or better. (4) SMILE GOLD and (7) BYLONG STAR, the latter having been back to trial since a chastening debut, are others to consider.

Selections(3) Apple Queen (6) Shine Bolt (8) Complete Party (4) Smile Gold
Next Best7, 11
Fast Start2, 3, 4 ,7

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

Competitive opener. (10) GANGSEO PRIDE ran 2nd on debut over this distance on March 8th, when on pace throughout. It wasn’t a quick time, and he was well beaten by a good winner, but he should have derived benefit from the experience and with some natural improvement, he has as good a chance as any here. (9) GIANT MARINE raced three times without distinction up until July last year. He was then put away and returned on March 15th this year and ran much better, finishing 3rd in a decent time over 1200M. He should strip fitter for that run and can challenge here. (11) ONE WAY ROAD has been getting steadily better in recent outings and can continue his upward trajectory here. (5) CHOEGANG CHONGAL and (8) DREAM WAY others in at least the placing hunt.

Selections(10) Gangseo Pride (9) Giant Marine (11) One Way Road (5) Choegang Chongal
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start4, 8, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) LOVE COWGIRL returns to action for the first time since last September. After winning on debut, she finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd in three subsequent starts before her layoff and going by her all the way trial win two weeks ago, she can pick up from where she left off. (8) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA got his maiden win at this class and distance on March 3rd, settling handy and running on. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights today, but he can be competitive again. (6) THE SUN FIGHTER got his maiden win at this distance three starts back and has since run 4th and 5th in two tries at this level, most recently over 1700M. He looks nicely in here and should go close. (4) SINUI YEOJE and (11) GOOD SEONGBONG the other logical place chances.

Selections(3) Love Cowgirl (8) Seoul Choegangja (6) The Sun Fighter (4) Sinui Yeoje
Next Best11, 9
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) I AM LEGEND got her maiden win two starts back over this distance before running 2nd at big odds on her first try at this level on March 8th settling right back and running on. She seems to be hitting her groove and she can win this. (3) RAON THE TANGO enters off a useful 3rd place at this class over 1400M on March 8th. The same apprentice jockey keeps the edge off his carried weight and from a good draw, he can go close again. (11) HANEUL EUTTEUM scored a close 2nd place at this class and distance on March 15th. He comes up 2lg in the weights and he draws a touch wider than ideal, but he should be running on to be a danger once more. (2) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL and (7) JEOLDAE BOSS are others who can enter at least the placing calculations.

Selections(5) I Am Legend (3) Raon The Tango (11) Haneul Eutteum (2) Yongsan Keunbyeul
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 13)

Saturday’s racing is an afternoon and evening meeting at Seoul with 11 races from 14:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

The Seoul Racecourse blossoms are on the way out now, sadly, although evening racing continues

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

Maidens in the opener with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on one of the first timers and (5) GOLD SIDAE. He took two attempts to qualify but did so in some style at the second time of asking, racing on pace and crossing the line 2nd in a decent time. He draws well to be on pace here and if he brings that form to the races, he can win. Of the experienced ones, (4) CANVASEN GO will be the best fancied and will probably start as favourite, having run a fair 5th of twelve on debut on February 18th. He should strip fitter for that run, he comes into a better gate, and he has solid claims. (11) HERO GOLD improved from 7th on debut to 5th at start number two and can continue to make progress here. (9) BEST MAYA and (1) CAPTAIN MUSIC are other debut-makers who warrant consideration first-up.

Selections(5) Gold Sidae (4) Canvasen Go (11) Hero Gold (9) Best Maya
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

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

(3) SOLAIRE has four top-four finishes from five starts so far and comes in off the best of them, when runner-up over this distance on March 16th. She likes to settle back and run on and if she shows the same sort of late speed here, she should go past this lot comfortably. (1) ASSI JANGGUN enters off a 3rd place in a very slow race over this distance in February. She had previously shown more in the way of speed though when 2nd over 1200M three starts back and from the inside gate, shapes as the main danger here. (4) JURING SKY was an improved 4th at 1200M on March 9th and in the absence of much in the way of early speed in this race, may find herself much further forward today and can be in this a long way. (5) MK LEE and (9) DAEWONYONGMA others who may improve.

Selections(3) Solaire (1) Assi Janggun (4) Juring Sky (5) MK Lee
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 9

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

Weak maiden. (2) MO CHUISLE has a 3rd and most recently a 4th place to her name across five starts so far, generally racing best when on pace. From a great draw today, she should get a comfortable run to the lead, and she can go all the way. The main danger is (4) YEJIMONG. Her best from fourteen starts so far is a 2nd but she has finished either 4th or 5th on no fewer than seven occasions, including her latest three, all at this distance. She is an unspectacular type but should be close to the pace and be there or thereabouts again today. (1) TESTA RUBY ran a much-improved 4th at this distance on March 9th and a similar run will see her in the finish again. (6) BAEKDU DAEMUL and (9) TOHOMARKET other minor money hopes.

Selections(2) Mo Chuisle (4) Yejimong (1) Testa Ruby (6) Baekdu Daemul
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 8

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

(3) BLOOD MOUNTAIN will be a warm favourite. He has been getting closer in his seven starts so far, culminating in a 3rd place when stepped up to this distance for the first time on March 16th when racing against plenty of today’s rivals. He should have benefited from the experience of racing around two turns and he comes into a much better gate today. He will need to overturn the form on (5) COSMO KING, who ran a very good 2nd place in that March 16th race having tarted at odds in excess of 60/1. That was by far his best finish to date, and he warrants more respect here. The rest don’t inspire much confidence. (1) YONGBICHEON was 5th in that March 16th races and that’s enough to make her the next best. (9) QUEEN ABIGAIL and (4) EVER THE CROWN are minor money hopes.

Selections(3) Blood Mountain (5) Cosmos King (1) Yongbicheon (9) Queen Abigail
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

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

(2) SSEULMO remains a maiden after eleven attempts, but he has seven top-four finishes, including a last start 3rd at this class over 1300M on March 10th when he overcame gate ten to race handy and run on. He draws much better today and with similar tactics, he can make the breakthrough. That will mean overturning the form on (7) GREEN VIVACE, who was 2nd in that March 10th race, having led for much of the way around. She got her win at this distance, she should be on pace, and third-up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness wise. Plenty of others enter with recent form reading well, but the wild card is (8) BEAT UP. He hasn’t raced since a 2nd place at class and distance just over a year ago, but he looked very well when going through a trial in March and he can go well first-up here. (3) GOLDBERG and (9) JAEWOO SIDAE are others to keep safe.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 12)

The Stakes racing action moves to Seoul this weekend with Sunday’s SBS Sports Sprint. The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday though with 8 afternoon and evening races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maiden fillies in the opener. (4) MARIA’S CALL went well in trials and debuted fairly in 5th place over 1200M on debut on March 8th when racing handily throughout. It wasn’t a quick race, but she should have come on for the run and she has as good a chance as any here. (2) WORLD ANGEL CAT was a much-improved 3rd on her latest appearance on March 10th, leading for much of the way. She draws nicely here, and a similar effort will see her in the finish again. (9) ROSE DRAGON improved to 4th place at start number two over 1400M on March 15th having been slowly away and run on well. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can get closer here. (3) BORAM and (5) RUNNING FASHION others in the minor money frame.

Selections(4) Maria’s Call (2) World Angel Cat (9) Rose Dragon (3) Boram
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 6

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

(5) FLYING THE FORD didn’t do much in two starts around the turn of the year, most recently in February, but he went back to trial in late March and led all the way around, stopping the clock in a quick time. If he can bring that form to the races, he’ll be the one to beat here. (6) FLASH DAY beat a couple of these when racing on pace on his way to an improved 4th place on his second start over 1200M on March 15th. In this company, he should be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (9) BREEDO PELL did nothing on debut last October but looked a much better prospect when trialling up again in March. He can go well first-up here. (10) WHITE FALCON and first timer (4) GLORY GANGSEO are others in the hunt.

Selections(5) Flying The Ford (6) Flash Day (9) Breedo Pell (10) White Falcon
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start5, 6, 8, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG is a sixteen-race maiden. But he has no fewer than nine top-five finishes on his record including a last start 4th over this distance on Mach 22nd when settling midfield and staying on. He draws nicely here and today can be his day. (3) HERE THE QUEEN got her maiden win two starts back over 1400M before running 4th on her first try at this class, again at the 1400M, three weeks ago. She looks nicely in here and can be competitive again. (7) MAJESTIC DANCER came from well off the pace to get his maiden win over this distance on March 15th. He comes up in class here but is slightly down in the weights, and he can measure up in this company. (12) B.K. ZENA and (11) CHOICE ROAD are others who can go close.

Selections(2) Success Yeonggwang (3) Here The Queen (7) Majestic Dancer (12) B.K. Zena
Next Best11, 9
Fast Start1, 5, 10, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) OVER THE TRIPLE was a beaten favourite over a mile on March 22nd when he led for much of the way and then weakened late on. He comes back down to a distance at which he has a win and a runner-up finish at in two prior attempts, and from a good draw, he can lead again, and this time go all the way. (1) DOCTOR CAPTAIN won that March 22nd race, settling handy from the widest gate and running on for a narrow score. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but that is balanced a little by a much better draw, and he can be competitive again. (7) MORNING FLOW was a winner at this class and distance two starts back and with an apprentice claim here, can go close. (11) ROAD TO TOP and (10) CAPTAIN CHARLIE are among others to be considered.

Selections(2) Over The Triple (1) Doctor Captain (7) Morning Flow (11) Road To Top
Next Best10, 4
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 7

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) SUCCESSFUL has been ultra consistent, finishing in the top five in all ten of his starts so far. He comes in having run 3rd in a quick race over 1200M on March 1st which he led at one point, and under the same weight today and up slightly in trip, he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (4) SKY ROJO. He was the winner of that March 1st race, settling midfield and proving too strong in the closing stages. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights, but he is not to be dismissed here. (5) SKY JILJU led every step of the way to win in a decent time over this distance on March 17th. He is up in class here but should be competitive again. (2) NICE BIG GUY and (11) WISE KING are other placing chances.

Selections(7) Successful (4) Sky Rojo (5) Sky Jilju (2) Nice Big Guy
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start1, 4, 10, 11

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) MASARANGGIL won back-to-back races over the turn of the year with the most recent being at this class and distance in January. She didn’t really feature on her latest start over 1800M at the start of February, but she comes in here fresh and back at a mile and drawn well, she can win. (1) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK doesn’t win out of turn, but he enters in very solid form with two 3rd places and a 4th from his latest three at this class, all over 1800M. He draws nicely here, he carries a light weight, and he should go close again. (2) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE is up in class having won over 1400M on March 3rd. He has placed at this distance before, and he can measure up here. (6) PURPLE LINE and (12) BLACK VOLT others who can enter the calculations.

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