Month: November 2024

Kookje Shinmun Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (November 10)

The sprinters get their final shot at Group race glory for 2024 on Sunday with the Kookje Shinmun Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Busan. There are 8 races at Busan from 11:00 to 17:30 while there are 9 races in Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Eoma Eoma will bid to defend his Kookje Shinmun Cup 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 and it is a debut-maker who will be favourite. (4) FREE TIME qualified at the second attempt and he did it in style, running handy in his trial before crossing the line in front in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races then, from a good draw, he will be hard to hold out. (10) SAINT WINNER also took a couple of goes to qualify and was much improved in the second of them, when 3rd in a fair time. This is a nice race to debut in and the 1200M first up can suit. Among the experienced ones, neither (5) EAST GANGJEOK nor (1) BURUI SEGYE set the world alight on their respective debuts, but both showed enough to suggest they can improve second up. (6) CHEONJI LADY didn’t do much on debut but previously hinted at ability in a trial and in this company can do better.

Selections(4) Free Time (10) Saint Winner (5) East Gangjeok (1) Burui Segye
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 9

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

Fillies only in this juvenile maiden with two of the eight racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on (8) ASSEMBLE, who was slow away on debut before running on pleasingly enough for 6th of eleven over 1200M. She’ll have to be taken on trust that she doesn’t get as far back this time, but the extra half furlong can see her home. (1) FAST MELODY could inpy manage 8th on debut over 1000M on August 2nd, but the time was good and from the inside gate she can be on pace and has every chance. (3) STAR FORCE was the best of the two debut-makers in trials and from a nice draw can race handy and make an impression. (6) ILLUSION has raced twice, both over 1000M and posting the same time in both when finishing midfield. She has finished off well and can appreciate the step up in trip. (7) B.K. MAGIC the best of the rest.

Selections(8) Assemble (1) Fast Melody (3) Star Force (6) Illusion
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but three racing for the first time and with the experience offering little appeal, we must head to the trial videos. (7) GOOD CHOEGANG went through three heats, qualifying in the first but then doing two more in which he got progressively better, most recently 2nd place in 62.2 seconds when on pace on October 4th. If he gets on pace here, he may go all the way. (1) PALATINO similarly went through two heats, winning the first in a slow time but was then much quicker in a second on October 4th when overcoming the widest gate and running on well for 3rd. Drawn well, he can put in a bold showing. (11) STORM CROWN won his trial, settling handy and running on well in a quick time. He faces the challenge of a wide gate here can go well. (8) GWANAKSAN BLACK and (3) ART CATCHER trialed up together and both showed potential.

Selections(7) Good Choegang (1) Palatino (11) Storm Crown (8) Gwanaksan Black
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start3, 7, 8, 12

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

(10) TAMNA SUPER enters off his best finish to date when 2nd at this distance on October 11th, beating a couple of these in the process. He has the challenge of a wide draw here, but with a little luck at the start, he can find a forward position and he can go one better. (6) SHACKLE LAUD has made good progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3rd place behind Tamna Super in that October 11th race, coming from well off the pace. He shapes as the main danger to overturn that for. (5) BABEL COME ON was 5th on debut over 1000M on October 11th, running on after a slow start. She should have come on for the run, and the additional furlong can suit. (9) MORNING DEW and (4) SPEED BOY, the latter trailing well five months on from an inauspicious debut, are others to consider.  

Selections(10) Tamna Super (6) Shackle Laud (5) Babel Come On (9) Morning Dew
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 9, 10

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

(9) DRAGON K has two 4th places from three starts so far, including his latest over 1200M on October 19th when close to the pace throughout. His times haven’t been world beating but he should have enough about him to get on or close to the speed here and the slight step up in trip can suit. (4) HANURI has made progress across three outings so far, culminating in a 3rd place on October 27th at 1400M, when ridden at the front for the first time. Expect similar tactics today and he has every chance of going even closer. (3) B.K. BELLE came from well off the pace to run 4th at this distance on October 5th. She doesn’t benefit from an apprentice claim this time, but that’s balanced by Kim Yong-geun being up, and she should be close. (2) MERIT SUNSHINE and (1) BULGUKSIDAE others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(9) Dragon K (4) Hanuri (3) B.K. Belle (2) Merit Sunshine
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 9

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

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 9)

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

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

Juvenile maiden fillies with four of the eight racing for the first time. (5) STUNNING PEARL ran 3rd on debut over this distance on October 5th, settling midfield and running on, stopping the clock in a fair time. She should have come on for that run, and rates as a chance here. (2) I AM GO has raced twice, both at 1000M, and she showed ability, coming home 3rd and 2nd, having raced on pace both times. She returns here from a seventeen-week layoff so must be taken on trust somewhat, but she will probably start as favourite. (7) SWITCH POWER and to a lesser extent (8) B.K. LOVE have hinted at ability in their respective two starts and may improve stepped up to 1200M. Among the debut-makers, (4) GRACE ROUTE was the best in trials.

Selections(5) Stunning Pearl (2) I Am Go (7) Switch Power (8) B.K. Love
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 8

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

(4) GLOBAL SERVE ran 4th on debut in September before improving to 2nd at start number two on October 19th when he led for much of the around and was only narrowly beaten. Third-up, he can be peaking fitness wise, and from a good gate can be on pace and go all the way. (8) ORION ALPHA comes in off a 2nd place on her third start over this distance on October 12th. She too was on pace the entire way around and she shapes as the main danger. (10) SEMYEONG STRONG has shown improvement across his three appearances to date, most recently when 2nd at this distance on October 13th. He has the challenge of a wider draw this time, but his style isn’t to lead so if he can sit off the pace, he can play a part in the finish. (7) HAKSAN DAESE and (3) WANGCHOEGO among others in the hunt.

Selections(4) Global Serve (8) Orion Alpha (10) Semyeong Strong (7) Haksan Daese
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

A few chances here but (1) PROCEED gets the nod. He is yet to finish in the top two but has five finishes in the 3rd to 5th range, up to 1400M. His running style suggests that the step up to two turns for the first time can suit, and he is the one to beat. (2) GANGCHEOL DRAGON is similar in that he hasn’t troubled the quinella but has no fewer than eight top five finishes. His one previous try at this distance ended in 4th back in September and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he should be looking to go better here. (3) POETIC NUBI comes in off back-to-back 3rd places over 1300M. He is another for whom the step up to 1400M can suit, and Maia climbing on is a plus. (5) MARUBYEOL and (4) COSMO KING the other place chances.

Selections(1) Proceed (2) Gangcheol Dragon (3) Poetic Nubi (5) Marubyeol
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 6

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

(4) AQUA LINE was a winner on debut over 1000M in September before running 2nd on his first try at this class at 1300M on October 19th. Both times he has settled right back before running on strongly, so the step up in trip can suit a nd he can win here. The danger is (3) KKUMUI HYANGGI. She’s yet to win in seven starts but has five top three finishes, including her latest on October 13th when coming from midfield to run 3rd over this distance. She has the fastest time among these for the 1400M, and she should be in the mix again. (10) ELDORADO NOLBU was a winner on debut in August and has since run 2nd and 3rd in two tries at this class. He comes from off the pace so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can threaten late again here. (5) MAX PARTY and (11) MOMO K will be the others backed on a place line.

Selections(4) Aqua Line (3) Kkumui Hyanggi (10) Eldorado Nolbu (5) Max Party
Next Best11, 1
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 11

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

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 8)

Busan will host Stakes race action this weekend with the Kookje Shinmum Trophy on Sunday. A full field of sixteen will be lining up for that, but first there is an 8-race card on the south coast on Friday from 11:50 to 18:00. Trainer Baik Kwang-yeol, currently on 999 career winners, has several chances to get winner number 1000. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with five of the ten racing for the first time. (6) FANTASTIC BLUE raced on pace in the second of his trials, crossing the line 1st in a decent time. Franco is engaged and if he can bring that form to the races, he has every chance. (3) NAMYANG RUBY is the best of the experienced ones, having run 3rd on debut in an all-filly maiden over this distance on September 29th when settling back and running on. She should have come on for that run and can improve here and will probably be the betting favourite. (9) FAIRY was no better than fair when 5th of nine in a pedestrian time on debut in October. She too can be expected to show some natural improvement. (5) GLOBAL HIGH and (7) SINCHEON FREEDOM are other newcomers who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Selections(6) Fantastic Blue (3) Namyang Ruby (9) Fairy (5) Global High
Next Best7, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

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

A full field of maiden fillies. (5) SHASHA ran 3rd on debut before following up with a 2nd place over 1200M on October 4th when she led for most of the way around. She will be on pace again here and she can make it third time lucky. (7) LIME TREE also has a 2nd and a 3rd on her record and has finished no worse than fifth in four outings so far. She can settle behind the speed here and she has shown she has a good turn of foot in the final furlong. (4) RAON FLATTER was an improved 4th when ridden on pace for the first time on October 11th and with similar tactics today, can be in this a long way. (1) BLACK WAVE and (6) SIMON STAR among plenty of other placing chances.

Selections(5) Shasha (7) Lime Tree (4) Raon Flatter (1) Black Wave
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Small field for this maiden. (8) GEUMA REJOICE finally showed some ability when sent up to this trip for the first time on October 25th and running 2nd. She was well beaten behind a good winner, but she won’t need to improve much at all to win here. (4) BANGTANUI JEONSA has also shown some aptitude for this distance with a 3rd and a 2nd since being stepped up to it, most recently beating three of these on October 13th. (6) RAON THE LEGEND has been a little ordinary in her latest two, but she has a 3rd place to her name and the step up to the mile may suit. (5) USANG RYUNG and (2) FLYING ICE others who can be considered for at least the places.

Selections(8) Geuma Rejoice (4) Bangtanui Jeonsa (6) Raon The Legend (5) Usang Ryung
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race. (7) BACKTOTHECHAMPION has two 3rd places from four attempts at this distance, most recently last time out on October 25th, when handy and running on. He carries his fair share of weight today but looks nicely in against this lot and he can win. (1) RICH TREE comes up in class having got his maiden win oat start number three on October 11th over 1400M. He comes up in trip too, but his running style so far suggests that it can suit, and he can measure up here. The wildcard is (6) LEMON DRAGON. He is the only one in the field to have won at this distance which he did all the way back in March. He then ran twice more without distinction before a layoff, during which he was gelded. He didn’t offer many clues in an October trial but Franco, who won on him, is up and he can be considered first-up here. (4) RED JASPER and (9) EONJENA YEONGUNG the others in the hunt.

Selections(7) Backtothechampion (1) Rich Tree (6) Lemon Dragon (4) Red Jasper
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 10

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

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Seoul & Busan Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 3)

Sunday racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00, and at Busan with 6 races from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:

Can Raon The Point return to winning ways on Sunday? (Pic: KRA(

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

(4) KHAN NUT has finished between 3rd and 5th in each of her three starts so far at 1200M and most recently at this distance at the end of August. She’s had nine weeks off since then so comes in fresh, she draws well, and she will be favoured to win this. (1) TROLL seems to finally be figuring things out, coming in off a career best finish to date when 3rd over this distance on October 6th. In this company a similar performance will see him very close. (7) DAZZLE RUSH hinted at ability when 5th on debut over 1200M on October 5th. The time wasn’t quick, but he should have come on for the run and can build on it here. (10) LUCKY SUNNY and (5) RUNNING ARTIST others to consider.

Selections(4) Khan Nut (1) Troll (7) Dazzle Rush (10) Lucky Sunny
Next Best5, 9
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 10

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

(10) HANSEN BRACING has improved across three starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place over this distance on September 14th. He was well beaten by a good winner, but the time he recorded was a full second faster than any of the others here have managed and he is the one to beat here. (11) LEGEND TANSAENG returned from nine months off to run 3rd at this distance on September 28th, settling back and running on. He should strip fitter for that run and shapes as the main danger. (6) MG FIRST has a 3rd and a 4th among four starts so far and he can be there or thereabouts again. (7) UMA DACHI is the sole debut-maker and having taken a long string of trials to get to the races, can be ready to perform well first-up. (2) GANDAGO is another to look out for.

Selections(10) Hansen Bracing (11) Legend Tansaeng (6) MG First (7) Uma Dachi
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start4, 8, 9, 10

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

Juvenile maidens with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. The curiously named (3) GOOGLE CAR will be favourite. After winning a trial, he ran well for 3rd place on debut over 1000M on September 13th, settling back and running on. He should be better for the run, the step up in trip can suit, and he can win here. The rest of the experience isn’t great, so we’ll turn to the first-timers. (9) GREAT LUCKY ran 3rd in his trial earlier this month showing on pace. He can be on pace here too and in this a long way. (5) ROAD TO ACE similarly was 3rd in his trial, held together nicely enough. He ran through the line well and the 1200M can suit first up. Returning to those who have races, (12) WONDERFUL LARK and (2) YULIM SESANG perhaps have the best chance to improve.

Selections(3) Google Car (9) Great Lucky (5) Road To Ace (12) Wonderful Lark
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 9

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

(3) APPLE STYLE has two 4th places from three starts so far, most recently on October 6th when trying this distance for the first time settling back and running on. He comes into a better gate here and he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (9) YES MADAM, who ran 2nd in that October 6th race, her best finish to date when racing on pace. She has the challenge of the widest gate, but in this small field, that shouldn’t prove too problematic, and she has every chance. (2) CHEONJU MARKET was further back in that same race, but he does have a 2nd place to his name over this class as recently as August and he can be in the mix here. (6) SUNSHINE QUEEN and (8) THUNDER LUCKY other place chances.

Selections(3) Apple Style (9) Yes Madam (2) Cheonji Market (6) Sunshine Queen
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 9

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

(2) NEW LEADER has a 2nd and a 3rd on her record with the latter being just two starts back at 1200M. She draws well here, Munro returns to the mount, and she can win.  (4) CRAZY LEO has finished between 2nd and 4th in each of his three starts so far, most recently when beating a couple of these on October 6th. The time wasn’t quick, and he was a long way behind the winner, but he could have enough for this lot and will probably start as the betting favourite. (10) BEOLGYOUI HIM has raced just twice, improving in the second of them to run 4th over 1200M. That was back in August so he comes in here fresh and can continue to improve. (3) CANCAN STEP and (5) DALBITWIE others on the frame.

Selections(2) New Leader (4) Crazy Leo (10) Beolgyoui Him (3) Cancan Step
Next Best5, 7
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 11

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

(1) K POWERFUL got his maiden win at start number four on September 28th, making all over 1400M and scoring with plenty to spare. That win had been coming, and while he comes up in class here, his time for the 1400M was much quicker than any of the others here have achieved and from the inside gate, he will be expected to win again. (5) CHEONJI SKY looks the best of a limited set of opponents. It’s been a long while since his solitary win, but he comes in with recent form reading well with back-to-back 3rd places from his latest two, both at this class and distance. He should be in the mix again here. (2) CHROMITE was 7th behind Cheonji Sky last time out but he has a 3rd place over this distance to his name and from a better draw, can be given another chance. (3) THEME TANSAENG and (4) NEMO SPIRIT other place chances.

Selections(1) K Powerful (5) Cheonji Sky (2) Chromite (3) Theme Tansaeng
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 9

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

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (November 2)

Sunday sees 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener with five of the eleven racing for the first time.  After improving over three trials, (1) REMEMBER AGAIN ran a fair 6th of ten on debut over this distance on September 29th, racing handy throughout. It wasn’t a quick time but still quicker than any of the others with experience here and from a good gate and with some natural improvement, he is the one to beat. The rest of the exposed form isn’t great. (3) DONGBANG FORCE is the only one to have raced twice and she did improve to 4th in the second of those, albeit a long way behind the winner. If she continues on that trajectory she can go close here. Of the debut-makers, (7) YEONGGWANGUI SKY will be the most fancied following a fair trial and Moon Se-young up. (9) WILD HAPPY and (11) DIXIE MAN also hinted at ability in their heats.

Selections(1) Remember Again (3) Dongbang Force (7) Yeonggwangui Sky (9) Wild Happy
Next Best11, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 9

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

Filly maidens only here and it will be hard to go past (2) RAON THE KEISHA. After an ordinary debut in August, she was a close 2nd at start number two over 1000M on September 28th, settling midfield and running on well. The step up in trip can suit and she won’t need to find much improvement to win here. The danger is in the adjoining gate. (3) BEAT DOKKAEBI was similarly indifferent on debut but has since registered a 3rd and a 4th, most recently when stepped up to this distance on September 28th when ridden on pace. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (9) GAMUN PARTY has made similar progress across four outings with her latest a month ago when 3rd over 1300M and she should be there or thereabouts again. (1) GEOLJAK HAPPY and (10) MODERN DANCE others in the frame although the former will need a line through her latest.

Selections(2) Raon The Keisha (3) Beat Dokkaebi (9) Gamun Party (1) Geoljak Happy
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 9

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

(2) AMAZING STAR has already crossed the line in front first but had that win stripped after a post-race sample was beyond a threshold. She then struggled on her return in August but after going back to trial, she was much better on October 5th when 2nd over 1300M in a very similar race to this (although it was just fillies that day). She draws nicely and will be strongly fancied to go one better today. After three trials, (9) GWACHEON QUEEN finally debuted on September 28th over 1000M and after a slow start ran through the line well for 5th. She should have come on for that, and up in trip, she can go closer. (1) ARNOLD QUEEN will need to be forgiven her latest, but if we go on her effort two starts back when beating a couple of these on her way to 3rd place over this distance, she has to be considered. (5) KOTAP and (7) BEAUTIFUL HWASEONG are other potential improvers.

Selections(2) Amazing Star (9) Gwacheon Queen (1) Arnold Queen (5) Kotap
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 6

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

Fillies and mares only here. (5) BEAUTYWONDERFUL remains a maiden after ten attempts but has plenty of near misses, including her latest when 3rd over this distance on October 13th. She will be favourite to go one better here. (1) GLORY AND HONOUR is a consistent type who is rarely far away with multiple money finishes at this class. From the inside gate, she can settle just behind the speed and can be a danger late on here. (8) META got her maiden win at start number two over 1200M on August 17th before running 4th on her first try at this class on September 29th. She will be racing on pace, and she can be in this a long way again. (6) SPECIAL FORCE and (3) DREAM SKY are the other placing chances.

Selections(5) Beautywonderful (1) Glory And Honor (8) Meta (6) Special Force
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 8, 9

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

She is yet to win in eight attempts, but (4) BIG BRIDGE will be a short price favourite to put that right this time. She comes un for two 2nd places and a 3rd from her latest three, all at this class and most recently on her first try at this trip on Octobert 6th when settling handy and running on. She is nicely weighted, she draws well, and it should be her day. (7) EUREKA has only won once but has no fewer than nineteen top five finishes from twenty-nine appearances. Last time out she was only beaten into 2nd very narrowly and with an apprentice claiming 4kg here, she can go close again. (8) SERGEANT LIGHT is winless but is up in class following too many near misses. She comes down in weight by 3kg and can measure up in this company. (2) WHIZ LOVER and (10) SINUI YNMYEONG others to consider.

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