Its been a very cold week in Seoul although it should warm up a little before the weekend program gets underway. There are 11 races on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maidens with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. The experience is by and large good though and (8) AFLEET RUN will be the favourite. He raced handy on debut over 1200M on December 8^th ultimately running home in 3^rd place. He should have derived benefit from that experience and won’t need to improve too much to win this. Nor though will (12) TAPDINE. After winning a November trial, he led for much of the way on his debut on December 1^st, ultimately finishing 3^rd. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he should be equal to it. (10) BEOLGYO LAVA has raced twice, finishing 4^th on both occasions. Her times haven’t been quick, but she should have a fitness edge on the newcomers and can be close. Of those first-time starters (1) BAEKDU ILSEONG and (9) JECHUK LOG IN looked the best in trials.

Selections	(8) Afleet Run (12) Tapdine (10) Beolgyo Lava (1) Baekdu Ilseong
Next Best	9, 4
Fast Start	5, 8, 10, 12

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

Three-year-old imported maidens here and (2) PALATINO will be the hot favourite. After running 2^nd on debut in November, he beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 3^rd place over 1300M on December 14^th. He’ll be on pace here and while he was the beaten favourite that day, it would be a big surprise if he falls short again. Naming your horse (5) WINNING CHAMPION is a bold move but he did offer a hint of promise on debut when 5^th over 1200M in a quick race back at the end of October. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and can get closer today. There are a couple of first-time starters and (6) SAINT RUNNER came from off the pace to run on well in his trial and 1200M first up can suit. (8) ACE K and (1) BAKCHARA may improve.

Selections	(2) Palatino (5) Winning Champion (6) Saint Runner (8) Ace K
Next Best	1, 7
Fast Start	1, 2, 3, 5

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

(6) GWANGGYOUI GISANG debuted with a 3^rd place in November and followed up with a 2^nd on December 14^th when he led for most of the way around over 1300M. In this company he will be on pace, and he won’t need to be much better to go one better here. After an ordinary debut, (9) HIGH CROWN has since registered a 2^nd and a 4^th from two subsequent appearances, both over this distance. He can settle behind the speed here and can challenge late. (11) DIXIE MAN ran 3^rd on debut at this distance and while he weakened having shown close to the front on his second start on December 15^th, Moon Se-young stays up and he can be given another chance. (5) WONDERFUL ALONG and (4) MYEONG POWER the other main placing chances.

Selections	(6) Gwanggyoui Gisang (9) High Crown (11) Dixie Man (5) Wonderful Along
Next Best	4, 7
Fast Start	2, 6, 8, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive maiden. (8) DRAGON K enters off his best to date on December 14^th when he beat a couple of these with a front running effort on his way to 2^nd place. He will be on pace here and has as much chance as any of going one better. (4) I AM GO has finished no worse than 5^th in four attempts so far with her best being a runner-up finish over 1000M back in July. She had four months off after that and has a 5^th and a 4^th in her two starts back. Third-up she can be peaking fitness wise and Moon Se-young staying on will tempt plenty. (7) SPARTAN has two 3^rd places from his latest three and seems to be figuring things out at last. He likes to lead, and he can be in this a long way. (11) MG FIRST and (3) CHUPUNGNYEONG, the latter finishing off very strongly last time out having gone right back and who can be peaking at start three, are others to keep safe.

Selections	(8) Dragon K (4) I Am Go (7) Spartan (11) MG First
Next Best	3, 10
Fast Start	4, 7, 8, 10

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

Fillies and mares only here. (1) GOLD QUEENS came from off the pace on debut to score over 1200M on November 16^th. It wasn’t a quick race, but she did what was asked of her in fine fashion and while she is up in class, she carries a light weight, and she can measure up. (5) GEUNYANG GARA beat Gold Queens in a trial last October and got her maiden win over 1200M in November. She had a poor day at the office on her latest when weakening late over 1300M just before Christmas, but she can be given another chance here. (3) ONEULDO SMILE won on debut over 1000M in August. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well enough when going through a Boxing Day trial and from a good draw can be in the hunt. (8) ANDAMIRO and (4) ROYAL PLUS others to consider. 

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