It’s supposed to be the first of two weekends of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Seoul although as of Thursday, the chilly weather has meant those blossoms are not actually out yet. Nevertheless, racing switches to a slightly later schedule with Saturday’s 10 races at Seoul taking place between 13:25 and 20:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (5) FASHION STAR has two 3^rd places and a 5^th from three starts so far, coming from off the pace each time. She can do similar here, and in this company, she has a winning chance. (6) EXCELLENT HANSEN has a 2^nd place to her name over 1300M and enters off a 4^th place in a very similar race to this in February. She’ll be on pace and shapes as the main danger. (11) RAON PARANOMA debuted without distinction on the last day of 2023 and hasn’t been seen since. She looked well in two February trials and could go ok first up in this company. (9) BROWN SUGAR along with first time starter (3) JILJUUI YEOWANG are others to consider.

Selections	(5) Fashion Star (6) Excellent Hansen (11) Raon Paranoma (9) Brown Sugar
Next Best	3, 8
Fast Start	3, 6, 9, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BILLION BOY didn’t do much on debut but has since managed a 2^nd and a 3^rd, both at 1200M and both times racing on pace. He comes up in trip, but he draws well to be on pace again, Moon Se-young climbs on, and today can be the day. (7) MORNING WONDER has made steady progress across three starts, culminating in a close 2^nd over 1300M on March 9^th when racing handy throughout. She has a strong finish on her and the slight step up in trip can be in her favour. (9) TEN KOREA debuted with 4^th place behind Morning Wonder back in February. It’s taken him eight weeks to return but he should have come on for the run and can be in the mix here. (1) ECLIPSE THE QUEEN and (2) SONGDANG HWANGTAEJA others in the placing frame.

Selections	(3) Billion Boy (7) Morning Wonder (9) Ten Korea (1) Eclipse The Queen
Next Best	2, 4
Fast Start	3, 4, 5, 6

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

(1) YEONHUI HERO is yet to win in five but has three runner-up finishes including his latest at this class over 1200M on February 8^th when having to settle back and then run on. He comes into a much better gate today and this time should be on pace with every chance of going all the way. (11) KKUMUI HYANGGI is another maiden, in her case from eleven outings. He’s finished in the top four on no fewer than eight occasions including last time on March 16^th when 2^nd at 1400M. She likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can be close again. (2) REMEMBER AGAIN has won, back at start number two at 1200M in November. He has since raced twice at this class with a 2^nd and a 5^th and from a good gate should be forward early and a threat. (9) ÉCLAIR and (5) GRIFFON are the other place chances.

Selections	(1) Yeonhui Hero (11) Kkumui Hyanggi (2) Remember Again (9) Éclair
Next Best	5, 7
Fast Start	1, 2, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race. (8) LEGEND TANSAENG got his maiden win two starts back before running a solid 4^th place on his first try at this class over 1300M on February 22^nd. He comes up to two turns for the first time as well as coming up 2kg in weight, but neither should be a problem, and he can win again. (6) WITH DIS KURO has steadily progressed across his five starts and he got his maiden win at this distance at the end of December when leading all the way. He is up in class here and he hasn’t raced or trialed since then so his match fitness will have to be taken on trust, but he has plenty of potential to measure up. (4) MEGA STEP has never been worse than 5^th in seven appearances and comes up to this distance for the first time. She has proven capable of coming from off the pace and she can be a danger. (3) CAMP DAVID and (1) THUNDER STORM others in contention for the minors.

Selections	(8) Legend Tansaeng (6) With Dis Kuro (4) Mega Step (3) Camp David
Next Best	1, 11
Fast Start	6, 7, 8, 9

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

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