For the first time in more than two months Stakes race action returns to Korea as the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy over 1200M takes place at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) ROAD TO A SPUR has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3rd place over this distance on December 22nd. CC stays on, he draws well to lead and today can be the day. (11) SPARTAN has mixed his form across seven appearances so far with his best being a pair of 3rd places over this distance. He has the fastest time among these for the 1200M and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, he can be a danger. (8) BS STORM was a fair 5th on debut over 1300M on December 28th, starting well before getting shuffled right back but then running on. He should have come on for the run and be closer here. (9) STUNNING WORLD and (6) NONSTOP SERVE others who can be considered.
| Selections | (2) Road To A Spur (11) Spartan (8) BS Storm (9) Stunning World |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden and plenty look ready to win. (6) TURBO CHARGE ran 4th a couple of times before an improved 2nd over 1400M on January 4th when she led for much of the way around. She comes back slightly in trip, she draws well to lead again, and she can win. (2) MUNHAK BELL was 6th on debut before running 2nd at start number two over 1200M on January 5th, settling in the front end of midfield and running on. Third up she can be peaking fitness wise and has every chance. (5) RAON THE AFFIRMED ran 3rd in that January 5th race having also shown on the speed. She has two-and-a-half lengths to make up on Munhak Bell but looks good for at least another place finish. (7) GRAY PHANTOM and (4) GWANAKSAN WONDERFUL are among plenty of others who have shown potential.
| Selections | (6) Turbo Charge (2) Munhak Bell (5) Raon The Affirmed (7) Gray Phantom |
| Next Best | 4, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) LADY BLUE beat three of these on her way to an improved 2nd place on January 18th, racing on pace throughout over 1300M. Like most of these, she comes up to1400M for the first time, she draws well to lead again, and she can go one better. (4) BLACK SMILE ran 5th in that January 18th race having gone well back and run on. That continued signs of her having started to figure things out and Maia climbing on means she can continue to make progress here. (5) YONGAM GIPPEUM also looks to be on the right trajectory and comes in off a 4th place at this distance last time out. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be a danger late here. (8) HEEMANGBAND and (10) EAGLE WINGS are others who may improve.
| Selections | (3) Lady Blue (4) Black Smile (5) Yongam Gippeum (8) Heemangband |
| Next Best | 10, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (9) KYUNGNAM DRAGON ran twice last summer for a 4th and a 2nd at 1000M and 1200M. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well when 3rd in a January trial and Seo Seung-un partnering with Bart Rice means she should be sent off as favourite. (8) RIGHT CHAMP has been getting closer in recent starts, most recently when 3rd at 1400M on January 19th. In this company, she can be on pace and has a chance (4) THE NOMINATE was 7th on debut last May and then didn’t reappear until January 19th when she was a solid 3rd place at this distance. She should strip fitter for that run and can press again here. (12) QUEEN TYCHE was 2nd in that January 19th race, her best so far and she can be in the mix again. (10) ILLUSION another place contender.
| Selections | (9) Kyungnam Dragon (8) Right Champ (4) The Nominate (12) Queen Tyche |
| Next Best | 10, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 8, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s hard to go far past (1) ECLIPSE EDGE here. He got his maiden win at start three over this distance last November and then following a dodgy day at the office on his first try at this level, ran 3rd on January 18th, again over this trip. He likes to race on pace or handy and won’t need to improve much to win this. Plenty of others enter in form though. (5) BAEKDU ILSEONG is one for one having scored on debut over 1200M on November 11th. The way he ran on suggests the increase in trip can only suit and the class rise shouldn’t be a problem. (2) HAKSAN CAIRO was 5th behind Eclipse Edge on January 18th on his first try at this class. He comes into a much better gate today and can get closer. (6) ORANGE TIME and (3) EAST GANGJEOK are the other main chances.
| Selections | (1) Eclipse Edge (5) Baekdu Ilseong (2) Haksan Cairo (6) Orange Time |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) INDY GHOST has finished 3rd in both outings so far most recently in a slow (even by current standards) race at this distance on January 12th when midfield and running on. Third up she can be peaking, Munro is on, and she can win. (10) GOD NIKE has picked up in her latest two, with back-to-back 3rd places. She likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can get even closer today. (11) DOCTOR CASTLE has mixed his form across his four appearances so far. Three of those have been over a mile but he does have the fastest time at this distance (in as much as times are relevant presently with the slow track) and can be a danger here. (5) BARBELL TROFEO, who needs a line through his latest, and (1) RAON FLATTER are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (8) Indy Ghost (10) God Nike (11) Doctor Castle (5) Barbell Trofeo |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) ECLIPSE HONOR returned from six months out to run 2nd in a quick race over 1300M on January 5th, settling handy and running on. He should have derived benefit from that run and while he does come up in the weights, the step up to 1700M can suit, and he can win. (5) LUCKY SUNNY ran on well to win at big odds at 1300M on January 11th. That brings him up in class, but he is another that the extended trip can favour and down in weight he may make some appeal at an each-way or better price. (6) HANGANG FANTASTIC got promoted to this class with two runner-up finishes from his first two starts. While he weakened badly on his first try at this level, Moon being booked will attract plenty and he looks nicely in here. (7) MK LEE and (11) LUCKY FAMOUS among other placing chances.
| Selections | (4) Eclipse Honor (5) Lucky Sunny (6) Hangang Fantastic (7) MK Lee |
| Next Best | 11, 1 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (1) DREAM WAY remains a maiden after fourteen attempts but has been getting closer in his latest outings, most recently a 3rd place at this class over 1300M on January 10th when coming from off the pace. Seo Seung-un stays up, he carries a light weight and may well be ready for another crack at a mile. (10) NEVER GIVE UP and (8) ROAD TO FIGHTER come in having run 1st and 2nd respectively when they raced once another at this class and distance on January 19th. Road To fighter has a length and a half to make up on Never Give Up but does get a swing in the weights to his advantage and both can be firmly in the hunt again. (4) BABEL DREAMY enters off three consecutive runner-up finishes, all coming from off the pace at this class and distance and she should be there or thereabouts again. (2) GOLDEN NICE another to consider for the minors.
| Selections | (1) Dream Way (10) Never Give Up (8) Road To Fighter (4) Babel Dreamy |
| Next Best | 2, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 12 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) REAL DEAL was an also-ran in Listed juvenile company last November but got his second win over 1200M in November before rounding out his two-year-old campaign with a 2nd place at this class on December 28th having led for most of the way and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He draws well to lead again and will be favourite to go all the way. (2) RAON ECLIPSE is rapidly up in class having won two of his first four starts, both at this distance and most recently with an on-pace effort on December 28th. He is down in weight, he draws well, and he can measure up. Up to this class in even fewer outings is (9) ONEULDO SMILE. There were five months between his debut last Ausgust and his second appearance on January 11th, but he won both of them in fine style, most recently making all, and he too can ben considered. (10) LEGEND K and (4) EXCELLENT QUEEN other placing chances.
| Selections | (3) Real Deal (2) Raon Eclipse (9) Oneuldo Smile (10) Legend K |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) HONOR LORD returned from more than a year out on January 3rd over 1400M and used up plenty of energy to get to a forward position from a wide draw and ultimately weakened. He had plenty of talent before the layoff and back in trip, better drawn and having come on for that run, we’ll make him our long shot of the day. (9) EUNBIT DAERO had a poor day at the office when well supported at class and distance on January 3rd. He previously won two in a row and warrants another chance here. (1) TWOTWO FLYING won that January 3rd race ahead of Eunbit Daero and then ran again on January 26th, beating a couple of today’s rivals on her way to 4th place. An apprentice keeps her weight nice and light, and she can be in the mix again. (3) BRIGHT MARINE is another who needs a lone drawn through her latest and can improve. (11) GUKDAE STAR another in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Honor Lord (9) Eunbit Daero (1) Twotwo Flying (3) Bright Marine |
| Next Best | 11, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) YONGBI HERO beat three of these on his way to 3rd place at this class over 1400M on November 18th. That was an improvement, and he comes up slightly in weight but draws well, and he can win here. (9) WORLD PEOPLE was well supported at class and distance last time out but missed the jump and was always chasing after that. Instead, we’ll go on his two prior efforts in which he was 2nd both times at this distance and that puts him in with a chance here. (2) BREEDO SIRIS has finished between 3rd and 5th four times from five starts, including his latest when 4th behind Yongbi Hero. He comes into a better gate and can get closer. (11) ACE K and (8) SPINNING KANT are other potential improvers.
| Selections | (4) Yongbi Hero (9) World People (2) Breedo Siris (11) Ace K |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
After a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, (2) OASIS POWER broke through at start number three over 1300M on December 27th. He comes up in class and significantly in trip but his running style so far suggests that two turns can suit and he has every chance of going back-to-back. (5) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST certainly likes the 1800M. He registered two consecutive wins over it at class 4 level in November and December before beating a few of these on his way to 2nd place on his first try at this level on January 26th. Nicely weight, he likes to settle back and run on and he will be a danger late. (1) AKARAKA was 6th behind Yeonggwanguifirst three weeks ago but is a winner at this distance and can be competitive under a light weight. (11) BACKTOTHELEGEND and (3) FANTASTIC WOMAN others firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Oasis Power (5) Yeonggwanguifirst (1) Akaraka (11) BacktotheLegend |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Segye Ilbo Trophy (KOR-Listed) / KRW 300 Million
The first Listed or Graded race of the year. (4) VINCERO CAVALLO 5an 5th in the Korea Sprint last September and enters in top form having won his latest two, both at class 1 over 1200M in December and most recently on January 12th when he missed the break but recovered to score in style. He draws well and can get his big race reward here. (12) SPEED YOUNG was 4th in the Korea Sprint and has since demonstrated his versatility by running 3rd in the G1 pair of the President’s Cup at 2000M and Grand Prix at 2300M. In the Korea Sprint he came from well off the pace so the wide draw won’t matter and as the class horse of the race, he has every chance. (8) YEONGGWANGUI WORLD is the up and comer having won seven of eleven starts, including his latest three. This is his first time at level weights against the big guns but he seems to be getting better and better and if he gets to the lead may be interesting. (5) NAOL SNIPER ran 2nd in the President’s Cup and then mid-field in the Grand Prix. He has no sprinting record to speak of so is a fascinating entry in here but as with Speed Young, his quality puts him in the mix. (2) CROWN HAMSEONG another in the mix.
| Selections | (4) Vincero Cavallo (12) Speed Young (8) Yeonggwangui World (5) Naol Sniper |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 8, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(10) GLOBAL TAEYANG doesn’t win out of turn but the filly races in tough company. She scored two runner-up finishes in Triple Tiara races in the first half of last year before then going close in Queens’ Tour races in the latter half. Most recently she was 2nd at this class at a mile on January 5th at back down to a trip at which she has won and under a light weight, today can be her day. (9) BACCHUS has won two of his latest three, most recently at 1800M on January 10th. He comes up in class but is one for one at this distance and similarly lightly weighted, can be a big danger. (8) BIWOL beat three of today’s rivals on his way to a close 2nd place at class and distance on December 22nd and a similar effort will see him in the mix again here. (7) POWER SOUND and (11) GREAT WINNER are others to consider.
| Selections | (10) Global Taeyang (9) Bacchus (8) Biwol (7) Power Sound |
| Next Best | 11, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) OKCHEON WIN STAR won back-to-back races over 1400M in November and December, making all both times, to get rapidly promoted to this class. She then ran a close 2nd on her first try at this level at 1700M on January 19th. She tackles the mile for the first time from a great draw to get on speed and under a light weight, she is the one to beat. (10) CHOEGANG TIME comes in off a smart 2nd place at this class and distance on January 18th. He comes up 2kg in weight and has the widest gate but third-up this preparation, he can be peaking. (6) SLAM DRAGON ran a fair 4th at class and distance on January 26th returning from four months out at big odds. He can strip fitter for that run and may make for some each-way interest. (2) WONDERFUL NORTHERN and (3) TAEPYEONG LEGEND are other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Okcheon Win Star (10) Choegang Time (6) Slam Dragon (2) Wonderful Northern |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Competitive race. (5) CAPTAIN TIME was a winner at this distance at class 4 level two starts back before running 2nd in a quick race on his first try at this class on January 4th when close to the lead throughout. CC stays up, he carries pretty much the same weight, and he can go one better (2) WONDEFUL JET was an all the winner at this distance on January 4th. Yet to finish outside of the top five in seven starts, he is up in class but is down a full 4.5kg in the weights and he can measure up. So too (1) RAON THE DAESE, who ran a very close 3rd to Wonderful Jet at a big price in that January 4th race. She too is up in class but down significantly in weight and she draws the same gate she did last time. (3) DRONE KILLER and (7) GWANGCHIGI are others to be kept safe.
| Selections | (5) Captain Time (2) Wonderful Jet (1) Raon The Daese (3) Drone Killer |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 10 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
We’ll take a chance on (3) DRAGON SQUARE. An all the way winner at 1700M at class 4 level two goes back he has taken a couple of races to get to grips with class 3, most recently finishing midfield at a mile on January 26th. He comes into a better gate today, he carries a light weight, Johan knows him well, and he has as much chance as any. It’s been a long time between drinks for (10) K N LIGHT but on the strength of his last stat 3rd place at class and distance on December 29th he has to be taken seriously. He’s third up this preparation following six months out and improvement is possible. (4) THORUI MANGCHI will need a line drawn through his latest at a mile, but this may be more suitable and he can go close. (2) G MOTION and (5) HOLIDAY CHARM are other place chances.
| Selections | (3) Dragon Square (10) K N Light (4) Thorui Mangchi (2) G Motion |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 