Day: November 29, 2024

Grand Prix Stakes Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (December 1)

It’s the big one. The final Group 1 of the year, the Grand Prix Stakes is at Seoul on Sunday. We’ll have a full guide to the big race soon, but in the meantime, here is the race by race for the 11 race card at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and the 6 race card at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05:

Last year’s Grand Prix had quite the finish with the now retired Winner’s Man holding off this year’s favourite Global Hit (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time.  We’re going to go with that one though and the delightfully named (8) WONDERFUL FAPPY. She didn’t run on when debuting over 1300M on October 27th but previously looked very goof when winning a trial. She should have derived benefit from that debut run and with a bit more maturity here, is worth another chance. (4) TAPDINE took a couple of goes to qualify but when he did, he looked very well, leading every step of the way in a trial on November 1st and stopping the clock in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he will go close and Moon Se-young aboard means he will probably start as favourite. (2) MUNHAK BELL improved in the second of two trials while (5) SSOARA STAR and (6) NURI EUTTEUM are other first-timers with claims.

Selections(8) Wonderful Fappy (4) Tapdine (2) Munhak Bell (5) Ssoara Star
Next Best6, 1
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 8

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

Maiden fillies here and (11) CHOWON DOLPUNG will be the warm favourite. She debuted with a 2nd place before taking her chance in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo which was perhaps a bit much a bit soon. She then bounced back with a very close 4th place in a blanket finish in a filly maiden over 1000M on October 12th. Despite the wide gate, she should be on pace here and may take some beating. (3) SWITCH POWER has two 4th places among three starts so far most recently at 1200M on November 9th. She has finished off her races well and the slight step up in trip can suit. (2) KOTAP raced three times without distinction this Spring. She was then off for five months, returning to action on November 2nd with a solid 3rd. She should strip fitter for that effort and can go close here. (10) RAON THE BELMONT and (4) P N S PA others in the hunt.

Selections(11) Chowon Dolpung (3) Switch Power (2) Kotap (10) Raon The Belmont
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(5) YOUNG SKYWALKER was a beaten favourite on debut when 2nd over 1200M on October 13th and then a beaten favourite at start two when 3rd over 1300M on November 17th. He has raced on pace both times and in this company, with very little early speed, he can get to the front and the force really should be with him this time. (1) ANN BUNNY was a promising 3rd on debut over this distance on November 1st. She should have derived benefit from that, she draws well, and she can be in the mix here. (6) BREEDO COMET was 3rd behind Young Skywalker when they debuted together on that October 13th race, settling back and running on. He has had seven weeks off since and should have benefited for the run. (3) FLYING THE KHAN and (4) SEUNGCHUNHANEUNHAE are others who can improve.

Selections(5) Young Skywalker (1) Ann Bunny (6) Breedo Comet (3) Flying The Khan
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start2, 5, 7, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Very tricky maiden. We’ll go with (3) LUCKY SUNNY who, after an ordinary debut, was an improved 4th at start two over 1300M on November 3rd, racing handy. She draws nicely to sit behind the speed again here and third-up she can be peaking. (2) FLASH GOLD had a poor day at the office when well supported over this distance on October 27th, slowly away and never a factor. Instead, we go on his effort two starts back when on pace and a good 2nd then he is right in this from an in-form stable. (1) NAMCHON TOWN had a hard time in the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy at start two in October, but he had posted a good time when 5th on debut back in July. That Listed race was his first outing since then and he should have come on for it. Munro is up. (11) JISAN FORCE and (8) TAEGISAN KING are others in the frame.

Selections(3) Lucky Sunny (2) Flash Gold (1) Namchon Town (11) Jisan Force
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 7, 9, 11

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

Competitive maiden. (7) BIG JAWS has shown steady progress across three starts to date, culminating in a 3rd place over 1400M on November 1st when he raced close to the pace. Expect similar tactics today and back in trip, he has as good a chance as any. (3) SIX HERO will also be challenging for the lead early. His best finish so far is a 3rd place which came over this distance on October 6th. Franco climbs on and from a good gate he should be right in this. (11) WIND TIME was an improved 3rd at start number two at this distance on October 27th when she briefly led close to home and stopped the clock in a quicker time than any of the others here have achieved. She has the challenge of the widest gate but with a bit of luck at the start can find a good position and can be a danger. The form drops off significantly after those three. (10) HANEUL POKPUNG and debut-maker (4) BARBELL MOMO are perhaps the best of the rest.

Selections(7) Big Jaws (3) Six Hero (11) Wind Time (10) Haneul Pokpung
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start3, 7, 9, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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