Racing will take a one week break, with the action not resuming until February 7. We head into the holiday with Sunday cards at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:05 to 16:30). Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive maiden to open with. (1) SMART A ONE was a front-running 3rd on debut over this distance back on October 26th. She had a setback after that (ligament strain) but has been back in work since early this month and from a good draw, she can be on pace and has every chance here. (3) GINSHARI BOY led on debut at this distance on December 22nd HE ultimately fell away and finished back in the pack, but he should have come on for that experience and can be in this for longer. (2) INDIAN TAPIT ran a fair 5th on debut at the end of last month and she too can have derived benefit from the experience. (10) TROLL and (6) NAEGILUI ACE others who could be in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (1) Smart A One (3) Ginshari Boy (2) Indian Tapit (10) Troll |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(10) ECLIPSE BLACK will be the warm favourite. After a shaky debut, he has put together a run of 3rd, 4th and most recently 2nd when stepped up to this distance for the first time on December 28th. He will want to be on pace, so he has the challenge of a wide draw, but CC stays on and he is very much the one to beat. (8) UMA DACHI was slow away at start two in that same race on December 28th but ran on very nicely to finish in midfield. With a better start, he can get much closer this time. (3) KING WARRIOR enters off an improved 3rd place at 1300M on December 22nd when on pace throughout. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time and from a good draw, it can suit. Debut maker (1) CHRYSOL DONGHAE along with (9) CYCLONE STAR are others to consider.
| Selections | (10) Eclipse Black (8) Uma Dachi (3) King Warrior (1) Chrysol Donghae |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (6) FLYING DAY ran out a winner on debut over 1200M in a filly maiden on December 29th when racing handy throughout. She comes up in class and in distance here, but neither should be an issue, and she can maintain her 100% record. (10) STUNNING PEARL got her maiden win at start number two in November and then ran 2nd on her first try at this class on December 15th over 1300M. She comes up slightly in the weights, but the draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can maintain her record of never being outside of the top three. (7) GAMUN PARTY enters off a maiden win on December 29th. It was at this class, so she comes up a full 3.5kg in the weights, but she warrants respect. (5) SEMYEONG DIA and (2) GROW other placing chances.
| Selections | (6) Flying Day (10) Stunning Pearl (7) Gamun Party (5) Semyeong Dia |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies and mares only in the opening maiden on the south coast. (1) GLOBAL HEROINE ran 5th on debut before improving to 3rd at start number two over 1300M on December 27th, with a couple of today’s rivals behind her. She led for much of the way that day and from the inside gate can so the same here and this time go all the way. (10) GWANGPUNG STAR has been 4th on both her outings so far, most recently behind Global Heroine in that December 27th race. She can settle back and run on and can be getting closer this time. (9) KKEUTPAN YEOGEOL improved to 4th at start two on November 29th. There isn’t much early speed in this race so she is one of the contenders to join Global Heroine on pace and she can be in this a long way. (8) WONDER MOCCASIN and (6) DOLPHIN KICK others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Global Heroine (10) Gwangpung Star (9) Kkeutpan Yeogeol (8) Wonder Moccasin |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (6) SEOUL BINGO got her maiden win at start three over this distance on December 21st when ridden on pace for the first time. She comes up in class here but is down in the weights, Moon Se-young climbs on, and with similar tactics, she can win again. (8) SCALE KING got his maiden win at the eleventh time of asking at this class and distance on December 22nd, settling midfield and proving too strong. He comes up 3kg in the weights but can be competitive again and a danger late on. (7) BAEDARI KWAEGEOM saw her form go a little cold across last summer, but she finished off 2024 well with a 3rd and a 2nd. She comes in fresh off a nine-week lay off and can be in the mix again. (3) NAOL INDY and (5) WONPYEONG GWANGYA other minor money chances.
| Selections | (6) Seoul Bingo (8) Scale King (7) Baedari Kwaegeom (3) Naol Indy |
| Next Best | 5, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) YOUNG SKYWALKER was a beaten favourite three times before finally breaking through at the fourth time of asking on December 29th when racing handy and running on. That was at this class and distance so he does come up 3.5kg in weight, but in this company, he should be on or close to the pace and the force can be with him once more. It only took (10) TOHAMSAN TIGER two attempts to get his maiden win, which he did at this distance on January 5th. He makes a quick return here up in class but down in weight and he can measure up. (5) SWORD MASTER was an also-ran in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles in November but bounced back to run 2nd at this class over a mile just before Christmas, albeit a long way behind a very good-looking winner. He comes back to the trip at which he got his win and Munro knows him well. (4) YONGBI PAEWANG finished 3rd in two Listed events as a juvenile last term and back down in trip can be given a chance. (9) WORLD WINNERS MAN another to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (7) Young Skywalker (10) Tohamsan Tiger (5) Sword Master (4) Yongbi Paewang |
| Next Best | 9, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) DREAM CARD returned from six months out in December and has run 3rd twice, both at this class and both over 1400M. He steps up to 1700M for the first time, but his style suggests it can suit and third up he can be peaking fitness wise. (6) SPEED CARA enters having beaten a few of these when an on-pace 3rd at this class over 1800M on December 28th. He is one for one at this distance and shapes as the main danger. (11) ELDORADO HEUNGBU was 4th in that race behind Speed Cara. He is yet to win in six attempts but should have derived benefit from his first go around two turns and can be there or thereabouts today. (1) LOVE O MINE and the up in class (3) LUCKY FAMOUS are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (8) Dream Card (6) Speed Cara (11) Eldorado Heungbu (1) Love O Mine |
| Next Best | 3, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) RICH TREE looks the one to beat here. After running 2nd at a mile two starts back, he stepped up to two turns for the first time on December 27th and after a slow start from a wide gate, ran on for 5th. He should have benefitted from that experience and from a slightly better gate and with a better start, he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (12) THE WIND, who ran 4th in that race, coming from well off the pace. The wide draw is no problem, Munro stays on, and he can be there or thereabouts again. (10) BLUE POINT is yet to win in twelve attempts but has been getting closer and comes in off a smart class and distance 2nd just two weeks ago. He is another who likes to settle back and run on, and he can be danger late. (3) FAT BOY and (1) HI CHAMP others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (7) Rich Tree (12) The Wind (10) Blue Point (3) Fat Boy |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) CAPTAIN P.K. won the Rookie Stakes last August and then took out the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy in October, both at 1200M. He led the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles at Busan in November before ultimately finishing 5th, but after nine weeks off, he kicks off his three-year-old campaign un much more amenable company. Tactically versatile, the two turns can suit, and he is the one to beat. (4) M G BEST is an American import who began at this class. He has made progress across three starts so far and very nearly led from gate to wire over 1800M on December 29th. CC stays up and he can be on pace and in this a long way. (10) TAEKHAN was a winner at this level over 1400M in November and then ran 2nd at a mile on December 22nd. He carries his fair share of weight here and tackles two turns for the first time but is not to be dismissed. (1) BELOTERO and (8) POWERFUL SOCKS among other chances.
| Selections | (2) Captain P.K. (4) M G Best (10) Taekhan (1) Belotero |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) TROPHY WARE is a winner of three from eight so far most recently scoring in an all filly affair at this class and distance on December 15th when settling midfield and running on. She only comes up 1.5kg in the weights, she draws nicely, and Munro knows her well. (7) DOCTOR KANE returned to action for the first time in almost a year in November and ran a fair 6th of twelve at this class and distance, showing on pace before weakening late. She had an excellent record before the layoff and should strip fitter for the run with every chance of improving here. (6) MOTHER ROAD returns today for the first time in fifty-three weeks. A two-time winner, she looked very well when winning a December trial making all and if she brings that form to the races, she will be close first-up. (3) RAON VIBE MAN and (9) BUSAN TODAY others in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Trophy Ware (7) Doctor Kane (6) Mother Road (3) Raon Vibe Man |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race. (3) WONDERFUL LORD got his win at this distance and has three further placings at it, two of them at this class. He needs a line drawn through his latest effort three weeks ago, but he looks nicely in here from a good gate and with CC climbing on for the first time. (4) NAEGILUI WINNER won back-to-back races at this distance in September and October, the latter at this class. He has since recorded a 2nd and a 3rd, most recently at 1400M on January 4th, and while he carries 6kg more than the mark at which he last won, he is well drawn and can be a danger. (2) SINUI YEOJE is 4kg higher than when winning at this class and distance in October, making all. She led at her latest on November 24th before ultimately running 3rd and will be expected to lead again and to be in this a long way. (9) ANYANG GIPPEUM and (11) JECHUK IHO others in placing contention.
| Selections | (3) Wonderful Lord (4) Naegilui Winner (2) Sinui Yeoje (9) Anyang Gippeum |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Very tricky race with lots of chances. (6) SMART BOSS ran 3rd in the Listed Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Trophy for juveniles at start number two in November before rounding out his two-year-old campaign with a facile victory at 1200M at class 4 level in December, coming from off the pace. He comes up in class and significantly in trip but there is no reason why he can’t step up. (12) BEOLMAUI ACE also comes up in class and in trip, in his case following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1400M. He comes down a full 7kg in weight and his running style suggests the longer trip can suit. (8) YOUR TURN was a beaten favourite when 4th at class and distance just before Christmas but she has won at this level and is worth another chance. (10) DALBITSANYANGKKUN and (5) AKARAKA are among plenty of others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (6) Smart Boss (12) Beolmaui Ace (8) Your Turn (10) Dalbitsanyangkkun |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK rounded out his juvenile campaign with 5th of twelve in the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy at 1200M and 6th of sixteen in the G2 Breeders’ Cup at 1400M. He comes back into more amenable company today in a class at which he has won and while he tackles the mile for the first time, the half to champion filly/mare Jeulgeounyeojeong can return to winning ways. (7) BEOLGYOUI STAR comes up rapidly in class having won his latest two, both over 1200M and both times on pace. He is down in weight and there is no reason why the mile can’t suit. (1) GEOSEN GANGHO has finished no worse than 3rd in four starts and is up in class following a maiden win at 1400M on December 28th. He gets the inside gate so can get an easy run to the front and be in this a long way. (6) ARGO TAP and (5) HOMYEONG QUEEN, the latter the only one to have won over a mile, others to consider.
| Selections | (9) Seoul Bulchunggak (7) Beolgyoui Star (1) Geosen Gangho (6) Argo Tap |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 but with a rating cap of 100. (3) SUCCESS BAEKPA won two legs of last year’s Triple Crown and rounded out his year in among the big boys finishing 4th in the President’s Cup at 2000M and 3rd in the Grand Prix at 2300M. He finds himself well handicapped in for his class 1 handicap debut and while this won’t be the target, he can kick off what can be a big four-year-old campaign with victory. (7) MIRACLE MARINE stepped up to class 1 on December 1st and led all the way over this distance to claim his fifth win, beating plenty of these in the process. He only comes up 2kg in weight and can put in a big run again. (10) CAPTAIN YANKEE finished off 2024 as a class and distance winner on December 29th. He carries his fair share of weight and has to contend with the widest gate, but he can be a player again. (4) SKY MORE and (5) FANTASTIC MAN are the others who will be backed on a place line.
| Selections | (3) Success Baekpa (7) Miracle Marine (10) Captain Yankee (4) Sky More |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
We’ve said this a few times now, but it really is time that (3) UMAPOY returned to the winner’s circle. He was 2nd at this class over 1800M two starts back before being beaten favourite last time out on December 22nd at that same trip when he led but weakened late. He comes back in distance to the mile for the first time, he draws very well to lead, and this time he can go all the way. The most credible danger is (2) VET CAPTAIN. After winning over 1400M in August, he took a couple of goes to get accustomed to this level but came back into form with a 3rd place on December 21st, and although a previous crack at a mile wasn’t successful, he should be ready for another go. (5) KING DIA and (9) PINK WIND came home 3rd and 4th respectively when they raced together at this class and distance on December 28th with the former having led. Both can be in the mix again. (4) COWBOY TANGO another place chance.
| Selections | (3) Umapoy (2) Vet Captain (5) King Dia (9) Pink Wind |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Competitive race. It took him a while to get off the mark, but (2) NEW DOLKONG has now won two of his latest three, both over this distance and in contrasting styles, first from off the pace and then from the front. He comes up in class here but is down in the weights, draws well, and can win again. (3) WORLD BLAME has beaten New Dolkong in the past at the lower grade and has a 3rd, a 2nd and a 4th in three tries at this level. He is another who is versatile and with CC climbing up for the first time he will be a big danger. (11) EAST WEST beat World Blame as the pair ran 2nd and 4th at class and distance on December 29th and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, he can be involved again. (9) ELDORADO GANGNAM and (4) SINUI EREUM are last start winners, the former up in class and distance, and both can be involved.
| Selections | (2) New Dolkong (3) World Blame (11) East West (9) Eldorado Gangnam |
| Next Best | 4, 10 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(1) TIZ BAROWS returned to winning ways at this class and distance on December 29th, beating plenty of these in the process with a front-running effort. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights but could well have too much again. (10) NORTHERN TIME was a class and distance two starts back and was sent off as favorite in the Tiz Barows race, which he led before weakening. He is worth another chance today. (11) NUT PLAY is a Listed winner but was handed an incredibly tough assignment for his first race back following a six-month lay off in December’s G1 Grand Prix over 2300M. He ran fairly enough without becoming seriously involved and today should be much more suitable. (8) TAURUS QUEEN may provide some each-way interest, while (9) GLOBAL SOCKS is another to consider for a money finish.
| Selections | (1) Tiz Barows (10) Northern Time (11) Nut Play (8) Taurus Queen |
| Next Best | 9, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8, 10 |
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