Month: October 2025

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 18)

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

It’s President’s Cup weekend so it’s an excuse to bring out Triple Nine pictures

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. It looks competitive so as a tie-breaker we shall side with the one with experience in the shape of (6) SEONGSIL WINNER. After a couple of trials, she ran a fair 4th on debut over this distance on September 6th, showing on pace and stopping the clock in a decent time. That can give her the edge here. (3) HAKSAN SWORD went through two trials, improving in the second of them (it may not appear in all race cards but he clocked 62 seconds). He should be nice and fit for his debut and draws well. (4) ECHO STAR similarly completed two trials (62.9 seconds in the most recent of them). She will be on pace and can be in this a long way. (1) WORLD VICS and (5) MYUNG BRACING are the others that hinted at ability in their respective heats.

Selections(6) Seongsil Winner (3) Haksan Sword (4) Echo Star (1) World Vics
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

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

A maiden with five of the eleven racing for the first time and one of those debuts is eagerly anticipated. (4) SAMJEONG SPIDER looked great in a February trial but never made it to the races. He came back with another impressive trial performance on September 18th, showing on pace and running 2nd in a quick time and if he brings that form to race day, he will win. The exposed form isn’t great so other first-timers (1) RAON KINGSMAN and (7) POWERFUL KNIGHT, both of whom posted quick times in the second of their respective two trials look to be the main dangers. The former came from off the pace while the latter was on the speed (Powerful Knight’s second trial was voluntary so may not appear in all race cards, but the time was 62.1 seconds) and both can be competitive. Of those who have raced before (3) PASA QUEEN and (2) CHRYSOL STEP are perhaps most likely to improve.

Selections(4) Samjeong Spider (1) Raon Kingsman (7) Powerful Knight (3) Pasa Queen
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 10

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

(7) LIVE STAR has a 2nd and a 3rd from two starts so far, both over 1200M and both times running through the line well. The step up in trip today can suit and he looks to be the one to beat. (4) GEUMBIT POWER came from well off the pace to run 3rd on debut over this distance on September 13th. He should have derived benefit from that run and can build on it here. That will mean overturning the form on (5) SUN GALLANT, who ran 2n din that September 13th race, coming from a long way back. That was his best finish in twenty-three attempts and while he may not be a winning chance, he can be in the finish again. (8) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI and (1) THUNDER RUN other placing chances.

Selections(7) Live Star (4) Geumbit Power (5) Sun Gallant (8) Hwarangsan Jeonggi
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start1, 7, 6, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (6) WHIZ DREAM was a winner on debut over 1000M on September 13th, making all and scoring handsomely. She comes up in class and in trip, but the manner of that win suggests there can be more to come and she can measure up. (3) BISANG BELL got her maiden win over this distance three starts back and has since run 2nd and 3rd in two tries at this level, most recently over this distance on September 7th. She got a bit far back in both those races but if she can be ridden more prominently from a good draw, she will be a danger. (10) RAON SILENCE and (8) SEOMDOLMORU finished 1st and 2nd in that September 7th race, the latter at big odds. They can both be competitive again although Raon Silence must contend with a 3kg weight rise. (4) VOSTOK another in the hunt.

Selections(6) Whiz Dream (3) Bisang Bell (10) Raon Silence (8) Seomdolmoru
Next Best4, 7
Fast Start6, 7, 10, 11

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

(6) BEOLGYO DESTINO has run 4th in both starts back since returning from a six-month layoff, both times settling back and running on well. Third-up he can be peaking fitness-wise and he has every chance of coming out on top here.  (9) HANMADILMALDO is similarly third-up following a lengthy absence. He is yet to win but ran 4th on his first try at this class over 1300M on September 20th and with CC climbing aboard for the first time, he can be a big player here. (4) MUSKET CLEAVER did nothing on debut before running out a 40/1 winner at start number two on September 7th. He is up in class but down in weight and drawn nicely enough to be competitive here. (3) SAENAE KHAN and (8) GRAND PARK are other place chances.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 17)

Racing returns to Korea after the Chuseok break with an 8-race Friday card at Busan between 11:25 and 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan is back (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile filly maidens with all but one racing for the first time. That experienced one is (2) GOLDEN EMPIRE and after winning a trial, she was sent off as favourite on debut in a very similar race to this on September 19th when settling midfield and running on to not miss by much. That experience should stand her in good stead, and she can go one better. Plenty of the first timers hinted at ability in trials. (7) ROAD TO CLEO showed on pace and finished a close 2nd in her heat and if she brings that form to the races, she will be in the mix. (3) WIDAEHAN HEART was similarly on pace before running 3rd in her trial in a good time. (1) SUCCESS QUEEN and (5) PISTOL CUT among others who caught the eye.

Selections(2) Golden Empire (7) Road To Cleo (3) Widaehan Heart (1) Success Queen
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 11

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

Lots of chances here. (8) GEUMSEONG has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, both over 1000M and both times racing handy. Third-up he can be peaking fitness wise and the step up in trip can suit. There is one debut maker. (6) JEONGMUN FAPPIANO was only steadily away in his trial but ran on well to cross the line 3rd in a decent time. Seo Seung-un aboard means that plenty will take note. (2) SHINING ONE beat a couple of these on his way to an improved 2nd at start number two on September 7th when racing on pace. Expect similar tactics here and he can be in the mix again. (4) AIR CITY and (10) VORTEX among others who can improve.

Selections(8) Geumseong (6) Jeongmun Fappiano (2) Shining One (4) Air City
Next Best10, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (1) GREAT STAR took a few goes to figure things out but she has a 3rd and a 2nd from her latest two, most recently on September 7th when beating a couple of today’s rivals over this distance. She won’t need to improve much on that to be very close here. There is one first timer. (7) WORLD DANCER CAT ran 2nd in what was a very quick trial on September 13th, showing on pace throughout. She draws fairly enough here and if she brings that form to the races, she is a chance. (6) I AM HAPPY has a 3rd and a 4th from two starts so far and can be in the mix again. (10) SINCHEON FREEDOM and (2) SWORN QUEEN among others to consider.

Selections(1) Great Star (7) World Dancer Cat (6) I Am Happy (10) Sincheon Freedom
Next Best2, 9
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) DIA X has improved in his latest two, most recently 2nd over 1300M on October 4th when settling midfield and running on. He makes a quick return here, has as good a chance as any. (5) LIKE DRAGON has been knocking on the door in her latest few with a 2nd place and most recently a 4th when beating a couple of today’s rivals at 1300M on August 2nd. She has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance previously and she can be a danger late here. (7) MUHAN NAREUSHA has a 3rd and two 5th places from three starts so far. He has been doing his best work late on each occasion and can finish strongly again. (4) DOCTOR ACE and (10) JEJU STONE are others in the frame.

Selections(8) Dia X (5) Like Dragon (7) Muhan Nareusha (4) Doctor Ace
Next Best10, 3
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 9

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

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Saturday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (October 4)

There is no racing on Sunday as the Chuseok holiday starts so Saturday sees racing at both Seoul and Busan. 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 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with four of the nine racing for the first time. (9) MYEONG DREAM may only have been 7th of eleven on debut over this distance on September 7th but the margins weren’t huge, and she ran fairly enough in a decent time. She should have come on for the run and Ruan Maia getting on means she goes on top. Both (4) GEUMJEOKSAN and (5) WILD MAGIC showed promise in their respective trials, both of them settling midfield and running through the line well and both can go well on debut. (8) B.K. DEVIL was a fair 6th on debut over 1000M on August 23rd and along with (3) HAENGBOKAN JILJU, the latter having raced twice, can be considered for improvement.

Selections(9) Myeong Dream (4) Geumjeoksan (5) Wild Magic (8) B.K. Devil
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

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

(8) MUJEOK HAMDAE has shown progress across his three starts so far, culminating with a 3rd place over 1200M on September 7th. He has come from off the pace each time so the slight step up in trip can suit, and he is the one to beat. (4) ROAD TO STAR was an improved 4th at start number two in that same September 7th race. Third-up he can be fitter, and he can be the main danger. There is one debut-maker. (5) SANGIM YEONGUNG went through two trials, improving to 2nd in his latest one when he came from off the pace to finish well and stopped the clock in a fast time. The 1300M can suit first up and he can go close. (10) GLORY JOY and (9) RAON THE BIG RED are others who can compete for the places.

Selections(8) Mujeok Hamdae (4) Road To Star (5) Sangim Yeongung (10) Glory Joy
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 10

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

(3) BEST DREAM came very close to breaking through over 1200M on August 23rd when she led for most of the way only to be taken down late by a narrow margin. She comes up to 1400M for the first time, but she can lead again, and this time go all the way. (11) JILPUNGA has four top five finishes from his first five starts including two 3rd places over 1300M. The wide gate shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be challenging late here. (6) THUNDER LUCKY is yet to finish in the top two but has no fewer than nine finishes between 3rd and 5th. An apprentice takes 4kg off his back and that can bring him into placing contention. (5) CHRYSOL PEACE and (1) RAON THE BELMONT others in the frame.

Selections(3) Best Dream (11) Jilpunga (6) Thunder Lucky (5) Chrysol Peace
Next Best1, 10
Fast Start3, 5, 9, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but three racing for the first time. (1) DAESEONG GOLD was a front-running trial winner on August 30th posting a good time. He draws the same gate for his debut and can win. The three with prior experience all debuted in the same race over this distance on September 12th. (12) CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU was the best of them, showing on pace and ultimately finishing 3rd. He has the challenge of the widest gate here but can be close. (8) ART TREE went through two trials, improving in the second of them on September 13th when coming from well off the pace. Seo Seung-un being booked means he will have plenty of first-up backers. (6) COWBOY LOOK and (9) SINCHEON JUSTICE are the other two coming out of that September 12th race finishing 4th and 5th respectively and while they have plenty to make up on Cheongchuneunjayu, both should have come on for the experience.

Selections(1) Daeseong Gold (12) Cheongchuneunjayu (8) Art Tree (6) Cowboy Look
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 11, 12

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) TIGER K is yet to win but has had several near misses including runner-up finishes from his latest two, most recently at this class over 1400M on August 30th when he led for most of the way. He is up 2kg, but he can lead again here and this time, he can go one better. (10) WONDERFUL SOCKS wasn’t fancied at all on debut over 1000M on September 6th, but she came from off the pace to snatch the win. She is up in class and in trip today, but she can measure up. (5) HERO CHOICE is up in class following a maiden win at this distance on September 6th when leading all the way. He is down in weight and drawn well to be on the speed again.  (2) TURBO SOCKS and (6) JUNMA FORCE are others in the frame.

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Holiday Friday Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (October 3)

We’re racing at Seoul this holiday Friday with 11 races from 12:50 to 20:00. Here are the previews:

Final evening meeting of the year (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. The experience doesn’t’ catch the eye so (7) MANGEUM DAON is the pick. He settled midfield in what was a strong trial, crossing the line 4th in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he may be hard to beat. (4) SUNGANUI FIGHTER went through two trials, improving significantly in the second (3rd in 63.3 seconds from the widest gate on September 18th. Of the experienced ones, (11) GOOD MORNING COME was 2nd on debut over this distance on August 2nd and while he only managed 6th on his return at 1200M on September 7th, it’s enough to have him in the frame here. (1) SMART HAESEONG ran 5th on her debut on August 30th and can have come on for the run. (10) DAEHAN SIDAE another who hinted at ability in his trial.

Selections(7) Mangeum Daon (4) Sunganui Fighter (11) Good Morning Come (1) Smart Haeseong
Next Best10, 8
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 9

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

Ten imported maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (1) WHIZ WIN led all the way to win a trial on September 18th. He draws nicely and with a good start he can lead again and will take some catching. (2) GEUMA SPLASHY similarly led from gate to wire to win his August trial and while the time wasn’t so quick, he looked nice and competent. (6) WHIZ FIGHTER went through two trials finishing 4th in both but was much quicker in the second of them (62.0 seconds on September 4th. After those two he should be nice and fit and can go close. (10) SOUTHERN BEACH and (5) CHOEGANG BELT are others who hinted at ability and can be in this.

Selections(1) Whiz Win (2) Geuma Splashy (6) Whiz Fighter (10) Southern Beach
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Five first-timers among the eleven here. (7) FLASH RAY has gone through a whole heap of trials dating back a year but is finally ready to race. He was 2nd in a trial on September 18th when handy throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. He won’t need to improve much on that to win. (6) AMOS BULPAE didn’t qualify when trialed in April but looked much better equipped when close in a quick time in September. He too has every chance first-up. Among the experience, (10) YONGBI STORM is the best with a 5th and a 6th in fair times. He should have an edge fitness wise and can be in the finish. (1) SAMJEONG WINNER ran twice at the start of the year including a 4th place. She returns for the first time since February and along with debut-maker (5) ECLIPSE BAY, rates as a minor money chance.

Selections(7) Flash Ray (6) Amos Bulpae (10) Yongbi Storm (1) Samjeong Winner
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (11) POWERFUL PARTNER has raced just three times and with a 3rd and a 5th from her latest two, she seems to be figuring things out. She steps up to 1400M for the first time, but she has a strong finish on her, and it can suit. (10) TRIPLE JENNY has finished between 3rd and 5th four times from her five starts. Her best came at this distance at the end of June and she shapes as the danger here. (6) BLACK SUN ran well for 3rd at 1000M on September 6th and while a previous try at this distance didn’t go especially well, she can be in the mix here. (1) P N S ME and sole debut-maker (2) ECLIPSE MARVEL are others in the frame.

Selections(11) Powerful Partner (10) Triple Jenny (6) Black Sun (1) P N S Me
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start3, 9, 10, 11

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

(8) MANI NODAGI got his maiden win two starts back over this distance before running a close 2nd in a quick time on his first try at this class on September 14th. He is versatile inthat he won from the front but last time came from the middle of the pack, and he can win here. (1) SOMETHING DARK enters off a 3rd place at this class over 1300M on September 14th. His win came at this distance and under a light weight, he can be a danger. (10) YONGAM SARANG got her maiden win two weeks ago when making all at this trip. She took full advantage of the inside draw that day so this isn’t so straightforward, but she is down 3kg in weight and she can be competitive. (2) EXCELLENT HANSEN and (5) SEMYEONG STRONG are others in the frame.

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Busan Thursday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 2)

There is no racing this Sunday (or at all next weekend) as the long Chuseok holiday begins, so all race days have been brought forward by one. That means a rare Thursday meeting at Busan where there are 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

(7) WHITE FLARE ran a solid 3rd on debut over this distance on August 29th, settling back and running on in a good time. He should have come on for the run and looks the one to beat in this opening maiden. (4) FANTASTIC EAGLE was also 3rd on debut, in his case over 1000M on September 5th when finishing off very well. He too should have improved for his first run and the step up in trip can suit. (11) CHOEGANG LOUIS was a much-improved 2nd at start number four last time out on September 5th when he led. He has the challenge of a wide draw this time, but he can be close again. (10) PORT MORE and (6) SAENAE HILL others in the frame.

Selections(7) White Flare (4) Fantastic Eagle (11) Choegang Louis (10) Port More
Next Best6, 12
Fast Start3, 6, 10, 11

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (6) WORLD BLUE PIN CAT has made progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2nd place at 1200M on August 15th when running on and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He steps up to 1400M for the first time and it could be what he needs to make his breakthrough. (7) MISS SNIPER was one of those behind World Blue Pin Cat in that race and she returned on September 7th to lead for much of the way around before running 3rd. She should be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (8) OWNER CHAMP has two 3rd places from her latest three as well as the fastest time among these for the distance. (10) HEUIMANG DANBI and (1) FINAL ATTACK other placing chances.

Selections(6) World Blue Pin Cat (7) Miss Sniper (8) Owner Champ (10) Heuimang Danbi
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start3, 7, 10, 12

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) D’LOVELY KING wan twice last autumn, finishing 2nd both times, and then returned following nine months out at the end of August to run 2nd again at this class over 1200M. He should strip fitter for that run and can finally go one better here. (12) LEGEND HIT got his maiden win at start number two over 1200M on August 29th. He comes up in class and in distance here, but he can measure up. (1) STUKA has been the beaten favourite in both his latest two, most recently when 3rd at this class and distance on August 31st. His win came at the 1400M and from the inside gate he can be given another chance today. (4) NAMHAE MAGIC and (8) ALL ROUND ONE are others to consider.

Selections(2) D’Lovely King (12) Legend Hit (1) Stuka (4) Namhae Magic
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start1, 2, 9, 12

Busan Race 4: Clas 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

It’s been a while since (3) ASTIN MARINE won, but he enters as the form horse here with a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two both at this class and distance. One of his wins came over the 1800M and under a light weight and well-drawn, he is the one to beat. (12) SEKWANG LIGHT came from off the pace to run 3rd over a mile on August 24th and in this company, he may be ready for another crack at 1800M. (9) JILJU YEOLJEONG was 6th behind Astin Marine last month but was 3rd at this class and distance two starts back and that’s enough to have him in the mix here. (10) CHAMP GO and (11) GUKDAE HERO are other place chances in a race with little obvious early speed.

Selections(3) Astin Marine (12) Sekwang Light (9) Jilju Yeoljeong (10) Champ Go
Next Best11, 6
Fast Start3, 9, 10, 11

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

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