Day: September 27, 2024

Ilgan Sports Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 29)

Sunday sees 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00, while at Busan there are 6 races from 11:25 to 16:05. The feature race is at Seoul in the shape of the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy. Busan, meanwhile, will host a retirement ceremony for the first horse to win the Grand Slam of Group 1 races in Korea, Winner’s Man.

Winner’s Man will be honoured with a retirement ceremony at Busan on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener, with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. For the top choice we’ll side with experience and (9) GEOSEN GANGHO who debuted over 1000M on August 4th and raced on pace to finish 2nd, ahead of a couple of the others here, who also made their debuts. He finished off very nicely and can be expected to improve here. Among the debut-makers, the standout is (8) COMPLETE TOUGH. He won his trial in mid-August, racing handy before striking the front in the final furlong and running on pleasingly. If he brings that form to the races, he will have every chance. They will be most people’s top two but (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG looked competent enough when qualifying in the second of two trials and could put in a good showing. (4) RAON ECLIPSE and (11) CHALLAHANYEONGUNG both hinted at ability on their respective debuts, the latter behind Geosen Gangho, and can improve.

Selections(9) Geosen Gangho (8) Complete Tough (6) Heunghaeng Dolpung (4) Raon Eclipse
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start2, 8, 9, 10

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

Fillies only in this maiden and it is very competitive. (8) DAESEUNGMA comes in off back-to-back 4th place finishes, most recently at this distance on August 17th when she led for much of the way around. She should be on pace again and this time can go all the way. The most experienced in the race is (5) KYLIE. That’s not necessarily a good thing in a maiden, but going on her 2nd place two starts back, she should be firmly in this. (1) ECO WORLD enters off a spin around in the Rookie Stakes and while she only beat one home, her time was fair, and she had shown enough ability to be given her chance there. This is far more amenable company. (2) ARCH DAY was 3rd on debut and should have come on for the run while (10) DIA ROOK is another coming in off a last start placing and can be considered.

Selections(8) Daeseungma (5) Kylie (1) Eco World (2) Arch Day
Next Best10, 9
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 8

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

Juvenile maiden fillies with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. (6) CRUELLA was slow on debut in June finishing last of eight, but she has since been through two trials on July 20th and August 17th, posting quick times in both and finishing 2nd (albeit well back behind an experienced horse) in the latter. She has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K MAGIC led for most of her trial, ultimately crossing the line in 3rd. She draws nicely to lead again here and can be in this a long way. (9) WORLD TAEYANG was slow away on debut over 1000M on September 6th but did run on pleasingly enough. She should have benefitted from the experience and the additional furlong may suit. (4) DOLPHIN KICK and (8) NAMYANG RUBY other first timers who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Selections(6) Cruella (1) B.K Magic (9) World Taeyang (4) Dolphin Kick
Next Best8, 2
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 11

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

Competitive maiden. (11) SPLENDID was slow away on debut before finishing 6th and was then an improved 4th at start number two at this distance on August 24th, settling midfield and running on. The wide draw shouldn’t pose too many problems and third up, he can win here. (10) ELDORADO HEUNGBU is also third-up, having improved significantly when 3rd at this distance on August 31st. Both times he has settled right back before running on and he can be a danger late. (6) SOFT POWER came from off the pace to run 2nd at this trip on August 24th on what was her fifth career start. She has since been back to trial, in which she performed fairly, and can be a danger here. Those three have all come from behind in their races so if you prefer a front-runner, (5) CHRYSOL MAJOR may be the one from a good gate. (4) EAGLE WINGS the best of the rest.

Selections(11) Splendid (10) Eldorado Heungbu (6) Soft Power (5) Chrysol Major
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) PEACE BE WITH YOU has raced three times so far with her best being her latest when 3rd over 1300M on August 16th having settled midfield and run on well. She draws nicely, the step up to the mile should suit, and she shapes as the one to beat. (8) GOLDEN NICE came from well off the pace to run 3rd over 1400M on August 30th. That equaled her best finish in nine starts and while she only managed 5th on her previous try at this distance, she is ready for another shot here. (9) HI LEGEND enters off a 2nd place at 1200M on August 25th. The distance is the question here but Tanaka getting on offers some cause for optimism. (4) DREAMING BOY has a 3rd place and the quickest time among these for a mile and that’s enough to put him in the mix. (10) HEUIMANG YEOSIN another in the hunt.

Selections(3) Peace Be With You (8) Golden Nice (9) Hi Legend (4) Dreaming Boy
Next Best10, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 10

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

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 28)

Racing returns to Seoul on Saturday with a daytime meeting of 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Eunpa Sarang, the Derby winner, will be in action at Seoul – though on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with all but one racing for the first time.  (10) MIGHTY AMI trialed up in July and while she finished ten-lengths behind the experience Sinui Yeoje, she posted a good time and showed some maturity at the head of the chasing pack. Moon Se-young rides and she has as good a chance as any. On trials, (4) ELDORADO PARTY is the logical danger. She led for most of her heat and was only passed late to finish 2nd in a good time. She draws well to be on pace and can be in this a long way. She may well start the betting favourite. (2) GWACHEON QUEEN steadily improved across three trials with the best being her latest on August 29th when 3rd. She too draws well to sit on speed or handy and can go close. The sole one with experience is (7) RAON THE KEISHA, who only managed 6th of nine on debut but should have derived some benefit from real competition. Returning to the debut makers, (8) GEUMBIT RUNNER posted the next quickest trial time.

Selections(10) Mighty Ami (4) Eldorado Party (2) Gwacheon Queen (7) Raon The Keisha
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. There is some useful experience here though, and (12) DUSON OPEN shapes as the favourite. She debuted over 1000M on August 25 leading for most of the way around before having to settle for 2nd in a good time. She should have come on for the run and while she has the challenge of the widest gate, she won’t need to find much to win this. (2) TAEPYEONG LEGEND is the only one in the field who has raced twice. After a fair debut, he improved to a close 3rd in a good time at this distance on August 17th. From a great draw, he will be on pace, and he has every chance. Turning to the first timers, (3) REMEMBER AGAIN went through three trials, improving each time, most recently with a close 4th place in a good time on September 12th. 1200M can suit first up. (1) ONE PUNCH DRAGON took two goes to qualify but looked competent in his second attempt on July 25th, coming from off the pace and posting a good time. If he brings that form to the races, he will be in the mix. (6) SMART MUSIC, 5th on debut was a long way behind the winner, but previously won a trial, and may have a say.

Selections(12) Duson Open (2) Taepyeong Legend (3) Remember Again (1) One Punch Dragon
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Class 4 but for juveniles so we have a field of imports with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. The two experienced ones showed ability, and they go on top. (10) KONGNAMUL ran 4th over 1200M on August 18th, racing handy throughout and clocking a good time. He should have come on for the run and Moon Se-young stays on. (12) WORLD PEOPLE made his debut at 1000M on September 1st, showing on pace and briefly leading late on before finishing 4th. He too should have derived benefit from that and with some natural improvement can have an edge over the debut-makers. As for those, (4) FINAL K looked the best in trials. He was a well beaten 2nd but that was behind only Ultra Galaxy, a five-time winner. He ran on well and can be a threat. (7) ELDORADO HAENAM won his heat and, along with (2) PRIME CROWN, is another first-time starter to keep safe.

Selections(10) Kongnamul (12) World People (4) Final K (7) Eldorado Haenam
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start2, 8, 11, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Standard maiden. (4) K POWERFUL has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over 1300M on September 1st, when stalking the lead throughout. From a better gate he can be expected to lead, or at least be very close to the lead, and he can go one better today. (1) BEST KINGDOM returned from seven months out to run a fair 5th over this distance on August 18th. He should strip fitter for that run, and he has a smart finish on him. (8) MEGA STEP comes in off back-to-back 3rd place finishes at 1200M. She has come from off the pace to do her best work late in all three of her starts so far, and it is possible that the step up in trip can be in her favour today. (7) ARNOLD QUEEN and (9) SAVANA CHARLIE other place chances.

Selections(4) K Powerful (1) Best Kingdom (8) Mega Step (7) Arnold Queen
Next Best9, 6
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) YONGBI TAEYANG did nothing on debut but was a much-improved 2nd at start number two on August 24th, when coming from off the pace and beating a couple of these over this distance. He won’t need to improve much on that to win here, and he will start as a warm favourite. (3) BEAT DOKKAEBI is the clear second pick. She too was ordinary on debut but perked up at start two on August 25th when ridden handier and running on for 3rd place. Both her outings have been over 1000M, and she may welcome the step up in trip today. (5) KING WARRIOR debuted behind Yongbi Taeyang in that August 24th race and while he ultimately weakened, he did lead for the middle part. He should have derived benefit from that experience and can stick around a bit longer this time. (1) LEGEND TANSAENG is the best of the rest before the form drops off precipitously. Perhaps (2) YONGAM KANTHAKA can improve having at least hinted at ability in a trial prior to debut.

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