Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 11-races from 10:35 to 18:00, and at Busan where there are 6 races from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but three racing for the first time. (6) WILD SMARTY went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them when runner-up in a good time having led from the widest gate for most of the way alongside some experienced horses (it won’t be in all racecards, so it was a time of 62.6 on September 11th). Drawn well he can lead here and win. (9) BEST THE ON is the best of the experience, having come from off the pace to run 4th on debut over 1000M on October 25th, albeit well back behind a good winner. He should have come on for that, the step up in trip can suit, and he can get closer with Moon on. Returning to the first timers, (8) GRACE DAY was a very close 2nd in his second trial, leading for much of the way and he can be in the finish first-up as well. (11) SEMYEONG PEAK and (10) CHEONJI TANK are the others who hinted at ability in trials.
| Selections | (6) Wild Smarty (9) Best The On (8) Grace Day (11) Semyeong Peak |
| Next Best | 10, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
One of three debut-makers, (2) AMOS CHEONHA went through two trials, blitzing the second of them on October 16th, leading gate to wire and crossing the line plenty to the good in a quick time. Given his draw, if he brings that form to the races, he will be hard to beat. (9) POWERFUL KNIGHT was an on pace 3rd on debut over this distance on October 18th. He draws a touch wider than ideal but if Diego can find a forward position again, he can be in this a long way. (5) BLACK PEPE was a close 4th at start two over this distance on September 20th. Third up he has an experience edge over these and can be in the finish. (3) BANK LINE and debut maker (8) RAON THE CLARA are others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (2) Amos Cheonha (9) Powerful Knight (5) Black Pepe (3) Bank Line |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRA 30 Million
(4) ISIMNYEON SEWOL ran a much-improved 2nd at start number two on October 4th when coming from off the pace from a wide draw over 1300M. He comes into a better gate today, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he can go one better. (2) GRAY PHANTOM enters off three consecutive 5th places and a 4kg apprentice claim may be what she needs. She can get a bit far back in her races but if she can be in striking distance in the straight, she can be close. Also getting a 4kg claim is (1) ACE MATCH. He has tended to do his best work in trials rather than in races but should be looking to improve in this company. The returning (6) KIA ORA looked good in a trial last week and along with (5) ECLIPSE BAY, can be in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) Isimnyeon Sewol (2) Gray Phantom (1) Ace Match (6) Kia Ora |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 opens proceedings as it is the smallest field on the card. (9) CONTROLLER is a winner of six races including five in a row up until this March when he scored at class 2 level over this distance from the front. He has been out since through injury and appears to have been gelded in the interim as well. He looked very well winning an October trial, and this looks the ideal first assignment back. (7) GANGSEO GIANT comes off a 3rd place two weeks ago at big odds in the G3 Kookje Shimun over 1400M, a race she won a year ago . She was beaten by plenty of these two starts back at this distance but if that Group race effort means she is back in form, then she is a danger. (6) BAEKDUUI KKUM is a stablemate of Controller and races for the first time since August 1st when she won over this distance at class 2 level. She looked very well when leading all the way in a trial two weeks ago and as a six-time winner at 1200M, can be firmly in this. (3) CHOEGOUI KKUM and (5) FANTASTIC KINGDOM are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (9) Controller (7) Gangseo Giant (6) Baekduui Kkum (3) Choegoui Kkum |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Tricky one. (7) BLACK RUSSIAN enters off his best start to date, when at the thirteenth time of asking, he ran 2nd over this distance on October 18th racing handy throughout. The same apprentice takes the same 4kg off his back and he has as good a chance as any of going one better. (1) BODY CHECK raced twice much earlier this year, finishing 3rd in the second of them in March. He hasn’t raced since and hasn’t trialed since July, but he couldn’t hope for a softer race to return in. (3) JIJON BULPAE needs a line drawn through his latest when slow away and never a factor as favourite. Instead, we can go on his 3rd place over 1200M tow starts back and give him another chance. (6) NAEGEROWAJWO and (5) SUN GALLANT others who may place.
| Selections | (7) Black Russian (1) Body Check (3) Jijon Bulpae (6) Naegerowajwo |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maiden fillies with four of the ten racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on one of the newcomers in (3) FLASH TO ME. She showed on pace in her trial, crossing the line a very close 2nd in a fair time. She draws well Seo Seung-un is on, and there seems plenty to like. Four of the ones with experience debuted together in the same race at 1000M on October 17th. From a wide draw (2) BIG STAR came from well off the pace to finish the best of them in 3rd and she can be a danger here. (5) BLUE HUNTER was 4th in that race, just half a length in arrears and having previously been better than Big Star in trials, will be favoured by plenty to overturn that form. (10) SKY WHITE also comes out of that race and can improve for the run. (8) DREAM BLUE is another debut-maker who hinted at ability in her trial.
| Selections | (3) Flash To Me (2) Big Star (5) Blue Hunter (10) Sky White |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) BEST PITCH is two for two having won on debut over 1000M on August 30th and then beating three of today’s rivals on his first try at this class over 1200M on September 28th, coming from well off the pace. He gets another crack at class 5 and while he has to contend with an additional 3.5kg, he can complete his hat-trick here. (10) TIGER K is yet to win in nine starts but he has four runner-up finishes with his latest at this class and distance on October 4th when on pace. His draw is a touch wider than ideal but if he can find a way to the front early, he can be a danger. (7) JUNMA FORCE will round out most opt three selections. Having finished 4th to Tiger K’s 2nd two starts back, she ran a close 2nd of her own at this class and distance on October 25th. She is up 2kg in weight but can be in the finish again. (3) DURAY SHOW and (9) SAENAE CLASSIC others in the minor money hunt.
| Selections | (6) Best Pitch (10) Tiger K (7) Junma Force (3) Duray Show |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) KING’S KING was 2nd on debut over 1000M before running 3rd in August’s Rookie Stakes and then 5th in Listed Juvenile company in September. He comes back into much shallower waters today and he will be a deservedly short price favourite to make his breakthrough, most likely from on the pace. (8) SEOBU GAMBLE has a 3rd place to his name over this distance and enters off back-to-back 4th places over a mile. He can race on pace or settle back and run on and he looks the main danger. (10) SILVER STONE hasn’t shown much in the way of speed, but she has ground out a 3rd and a 4th among her four outings to date, and she may appreciate the step up in trip today. (6) EXCELLENT RUN didn’t do much on debut but can have come on for the run while (12) MAMBO SIDAE may compete for the minors.
| Selections | (5) King’s King (8) Seobu Gamble (10) Silver Stone (6) Excellent Run |
| Next Best | 12, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies only here. (7) CHEONMAHORYEONG had a poor day at the office when favourite at this class and distance on October 19th, leading but quickly knocking up and finishing back in the pack. That was her second start back following a ten-month absence and having finished 4th on her first start back, she can be given another chance today, perhaps stripping fitter. (6) UEOKSURO is also third-up this preparation and enters having beaten three of today’s rivals when 2nd at this class over 1300M on October 3rd, coming from off the pace. She should be in the finish again. (2) BEST RAZI continues the third-up theme, winning on her return in September and while she was well back behind Ueoksuro on October 3rd, she draws well again and gets another chance. (10) I AM GO and (8) WINNER GLORY others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (7) Cheonmahoryeong (6) Ueoksuro (2) Best Razi (10) I Am Go |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) POWER STONE got his maiden win at start three in August and has subsequently run 4th and 3rd in two tries at this level, most recently on October 2nd when coming from off the pace over a mile. He steps up to 1800M for the first time, but his running style suggests that it can suit, and he is the one to beat here. (3) ILNYEOM SINHWA was 4th behind Power Stone on October 2nd, coming from off the pace. That continued a very solid run of form and under a light weight, while perhaps not a winning chance, he can go close again at each-way odds. (10) SWORD WING beat a couple of these on his way to 4th place at this class and distance on September 26th coming from well off the pace after a slow start. He can mix his form but can challenge here. (4) TANTAN DAERO sand (11) DOCTOR MATTERS others in the frame.
| Selections | (8) Power Stone (3) Ilnyeom Sinhwa (10) Sword Wing (4) Tantan Daero |
| Next Best | 11, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 9, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) MY THERN just about gets the nod. He has been gradually figuring things out over four starts to date, culminating in a 3rd place at this class and distance on October 18th when handy throughout. Under today’s handicap he comes down in weight, and it can be his day. (11) TOHOMARKET was a winner at this class over 1400M in August before running 5th over the same distance at the end of September. His best results have come at further than this but in this company and if he can get on pace, he is a chance. (8) JERAQUEEN was a surprise win over this distance on October 3rd, leading all the way. She comes up in class here and can be involved. (9) WHIZ REALITY and (4) PUNGUNJIMA perhaps the best of a limited rest.
| Selections | (7) My Thern (11) Tohomarket (8) Jeraqueen (9) Whiz Reality |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) FLYING CROWN is yet to win after eleven attempts but has a 2nd, a 4th and a 3rd from his latest three, most recently at this class and distance on October 17th. He likes to settle in midfield and run on and Franco climbing on for the first time suggests that today can be the day. (4) RIPPLES MARINE is a locally bred who has won her way rapidly up to this class with two wins from four, most recently and all the way a score over 1200M on October 4th. She is up to this distance for the first time, but she can measure up under a light weight. (8) SO GOOD has been back to trial since he ran 4th over a mile at this class in early September. He was 3rd on his only previous try at this distance and can be in the hunt again. (7) GEUDAEMANUI BLUE and (6) TTANBONG QUEEN are the other main chances.
| Selections | (5) Flying Crown (4) Ripples Marine (8) So Good (7) Geudaemanui Blue |
| Next Best | 6, 12 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 12 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) HAKSAN DARK HORSE has nine top three finishes from twelve starts and having won at this class and distance two starts back came close to repeating the feat when 2nd on October 4th, racing on pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He draws well and can go one better today. (1) DRAGON KINGDOM was 2nd to Haksan Dark Horse in August at this class and distance, his only previous try at a mile, before winning over 1400M on September 28th. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but he shapes as the main danger. (7) CHAN FAMOUS won Seoul’s Classic Trial many months ago and was a class and distance winner in August. 4th last time out behind Haksan Dark Horse, he can be in the mix. (4) DREAM HONOUR and (8) TANSEONGUI BANSEOK are the other main contenders.
| Selections | (3) Haksan Dark Horse (1) Dragon Kingdom (7) Chan Famous (4) Dream Honour |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) RACE MAN has won two of his latest three, most recently over 1200M in a remarkably quick time on October 4th when on pace throughout. He is up in class and up to 1400M for the first time, but he comes down 3kg in weight and going on that latest effort, he can measure up. (9) WOLFS KING MAN is the wildcard. In three starts at the beginning of 2024 – yes, 2024 – he got a win over 1400M at class 4 level. He hasn’t raced since but he looked well in a late September trial and Franco on first-up is a plus although match fitness will have to be taken on trust. (6) COLOMBIA CHAMP and (4) GEUMA EMINENT came home 2nd and 4th respectively when they raced each other at this class and distance on October 4th and both can be in the frame again. Cutting back in trip, (3) SEOGWI OREUM can be a player too.
| Selections | (5) Race Man (9) Wolfs King Man (6) Colombia Champ (4) Geuma Eminent |
| Next Best | 3, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) VINCERO KING has come into his own of late, the veteran winning his latest two, both at this distance and most recently at this class on September 13th in a quick time. He only comes up 1.5kg in weight and this looks eminently winnable again. (7) EXCELLENT QUEEN has been consistently close in her recent efforts, all at this class and mainly at 1400M. She has been doing her best work late and can be ready for another crack at 1400M. (5) CHALLANHAN BULKKOT is another veteran who doesn’t exactly win out of turn, but she enters off a 3rd place over 1700M last time out and having placed five times from eight at this distance, she can be in the finish. The up in class (8) WONDERFUL PASS along with (11) HAKSAN CAIRO are other placing chances.
| Selections | (10) Vincero King (7) Excellent Queen (5) Challanhan Bulkkot (8) Wonderful Pass |
| Next Best | 11, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) CHANGJOUI ACHIM is yet to win in seventeen attempts but will be a warm favourite here. He has five runner-up finishes, including his latest over this class and distance on September 27th when he showed on pace most of the way. The same 4kg claiming apprentice keeps his weight light and he can go one better. Should he find one too quick again, it might be (3) BAZOOKA BOY. He weakened having led at a mile last time out but he was a winner at this class over 1700M two starts back and has won over 1800M too. He draws well and is worth another chance. (8) MIGHTY NIC was 6th behind Changjoui Achim on September 27th having got a long way back. At his prior start he ran on for 3rd at class and distance and under a light weight can be in the mix here. (11) BLACK SIDAE and (10) SOUL BEAT others to consider.
| Selections | (7) Changjoui Achim (3) Bazooka Boy (8) Mighty Nic (11) Black Sidae |
| Next Best | 10, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(6) ZIGGURAT is a better horse than his win record suggests but has won his last two including getting his big race reward when winning the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy over this distance at the end of September. He tackles regular class 1 for the first time but comes down in weight and he can make it three in a row. (8) ONE PUNCH DRAGON enters having won his latest four, most recently a valuable Trophy race on international weekend in early September. He too tackles class 1 for the first time but is similarly down in weight, he is one for one at the distance, and he could make it five. (5) BLACK BELT has plenty of class 1 experience and has back-to-back 3rd places from his latest two, most recently at 2300M two weeks ago. He has plenty of weight to carry here but can be in the finish again. (2) MAGLE DAY and (1) GLOBAL SOCKS the other main chances.
| Selections | (6) Ziggurat (8) One Punch Dragon (5) Black Belt (2) Magle Day |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 