Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and at Busan (6 races from 12:05 to 16:30). After 38 years as a jockey, Park Tae-jong rides his final race in race 6 at Seoul. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on a first timer and (3) RAPID THUNDER. He came from midfield to narrowly win his trial in a fair time, the 1200M can suit first up, and he can win. (1) FORVER GIL was a solid 3rd on debut over 1200M, racing handy throughout. He should have come on for the run, and the experience could prove crucial. (7) CHEONJI TANK came from well back to finish 4th in debut over this distance on November 9th. He too should have come on and can get closer. (4) LEGEND MATCH and newcomer (8) METAL INVADER are others who should get some market support.
| Selections | (3) Rapid Thunder (1) Forever Gil (7) Cheonji Tank (4) Legend Match |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million
Juvenile imported maidens with all but two racing for the first time. The experience has impressed though and (2) JEONGSANG HERO will be a hot favourite. He debuted on November 22nd and ran a strong 2nd over this distance, racing handy throughout and he can go one better today. It may not be straightforward though because (3) JJARITHAN HAENGBOK debuted in the very same race and was less than a length behind in 3rd, having also been on pace. He won’t be favoured to overturn that, but he should have the beating of the newcomers. Those newcomers are headed by (10) DREAM REMAIN who led all the way to “win” his heat by as many lengths as he pleased. If he can find the speed, he can be in this a long way. (7) K N BIGBANG and (8) TAEKWON V, the latter improving in a second trial (which may not be in all racecards) are others who can go well first-up.
| Selections | (2) Jeongsang Hero (3) Jjarithan Haengbok (10) Dream Remain (7) K N Bigbang |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens although all but three have prior racing experience. (5) MYUNG BRACING was an improved 2nd at start number two over 1200M on November 15th racing on pace. He draws well to lead here, and this time can go all the way. (7) CHEONGSAN MUSA was a solid 2nd on debut over 1000M in October and while he weakened at start number two having been ridden hard from a wide draw, CC returns to the mount today and he can be given another chance. (10) X TEN was a well beaten 4th on November 22nd on what was his second start but showed enough to suggest he has more to offer. (4) FANTASTIC BRO and debut-maker (6) DANAEUN STAR are others who can be in the finish.
| Selections | (5) Myung Bracing (7) Cheongsan Musa (10) X Ten (4) Fantastic Bro |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) OASIS ADELE has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3rd place at a mile on November 21st when coming from off the pace. He also has a 4th at this distance and Seo Seung-un being booked suggests that today is the day. (9) SWORN QUEEN needs a line drawn through her latest but prior to that she was 2nd over 1300M, showing on pace. Franco climbs on for the first time, and she can be given another chance here. (7) GRAND CRU showed some promise across three starts at the end of last year. It is fifty-three weeks since he last raced but he looked well enough in a trial last month and this is a nice race to return in. (6) FLARE UP and (10) MOTHER WONDERFUL are others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (5) Oasis Adele (9) Sworn Queen (7) Grand Cru (6) Flare Up |
| Next Best | 10, 4 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) MR.CARA led for much of the way around over this distance on November 30th, ultimately finishing in 2nd place, his best result to date. That was the first time he had been ridden to lead so expect similar here and he can go one better. (1) CERAD has raced fairly in two outings to date at shorter but the step up in trip today, coupled with a bit of Maia-style can be the making of him. (10) MONEY FOUR SEASON certainly appreciated being stretched out to 1700M last time out on November 15th, coming from midfield to finish 2nd. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be challenging late again. (5) GOLDEN MAKER and (8) MAX MAN other place chances.
| Selections | (6) Mr.Cara (1) Cerad (10) Money Four Season (5) Golden Maker |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 6 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only here. (10) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2nd place in a similar filly maiden to this on November 21st when running on from a handy position and beating a couple of today’s rivals. She will be a short price to go one better this time. (3) ARE YOU READY was 3rd on debut in that November 21st race, coming from off the pace. She should have come in for that run and from a better gate, she can be close again. (8) HUIMANG SARANG has a pair of 4th places from her latest two and likewise seems to be figuring things out. (4) WORLD TRIPLE CAT and (6) RESONANCE MARINE others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (10) Lampyojeonggeenie (3) Are You Ready (8) Huimang Sarang (4) World Triple Cat |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) GENERAL WIND won a trial and then won on debut over 1000M on October 25th, leading all the way around over 1000M. He comes up in class and in trip, but neither should be a problem, and he can make all again to maintain his 100% record. (3) STORM TROOPER got his maiden win at 1400M in September and has since run 2nd and 5th in two tries at this class. He will be challenging for the early lead and can be in things a long way. (5) BUNDANG TSUNAMI beat Storm Trooper on his way to 2nd place at any old odds on November 23rd. He may not shape as a winning chance here but can be in the hunt for the minors again. (7) TIGER K and (8) BYEOKSONG others in the frame.
| Selections | (6) General Wind (3) Storm Trooper (5) Bundang Tsunami (7) Tiger K |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) BEOLMAUI LAND was 5th on debut in October and then a close 2nd over 1200M on November 14th when close to the pace throughout and only narrowly missing out. He’ll be on pace here and he is the one to beat. (11) WORLD FIGHTER MAN has a 3rd and a 4th from two starts so far, most recently as the beaten favourite. He has the challenge of a wide draw but with a bit of luck at the start, he can find a forward position and is a danger. (7) WOLF STEP took advantage of an apprentice claim to run and on pace 2nd at start number two on November 30th and the same claim today puts him in the mix. (10) SMART YULIM and (3) VICTORY STORY other chances.
| Selections | (9) Beolmaui Land (11) World Fighter Man (7) Wolf Step (10) Smart Yulim |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Park Tae-jong debuted at Ttukseom Racecourse in 1987 and he bows out on the favourite (1) MIRACLE SOCKS. The filly is yet to win but comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes including her latest which was her first try at this class and distance on November 29th and she should be winning this filly only affair and will be at a price that reflects that. No room for sentiment in this game though and Luis Quiroz certainly won’t have any. He’ll be doing his best to help (11) APATEU repeat her win in a quick time over this distance on November 23rd. She is up in class but can measure up. (10) SSAK DANAEUN was a class and distance winner on November 16th, showing handy throughout. A 4kg apprentice claim keeps her weight down and keeps her competitive here. (6) COMPLETE DIVA and (2) SEOMDOLMORU others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Miracle Socks (11) Apateu (10) Ssak Danaeun (6) Complete Diva |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) FORCE BE WITH YOU got his sole win to date back on debut, but he has been knocking on the door of another with a 2nd and three 3rd places from his latest four, most recently on November 21st at this class and distance on November 21st. He comes up slightly in weight but Seo Seung-un returns and today can be his day. He’ll need to overturn the form on (12) WINNERS ROOKIE, who was 2nd in that November 21st race ahead of Force Be With You, and a fair few others who return here. That was an uptick on his recent form but also his first try at 1800M and it clearly suited. (11) ALICE MARINE was class and distance winner three starts back and was 4th in the November 21st race. She’ll be a factor again. (4) SEOBU GAMBLE and (8) DOCTOR SOLAR other place chances.
| Selections | (7) Force Be With You (12) Winners Rookie (11) Alice Marine (4) Seobu Gamble |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) GIANT BOSS won three in a row at the start of the year and returned from a four-month layoff to run 2nd at this class and distance on November 23rd. He should strip fitter for that run, and he can return to winning ways here. He will though have to overturn the form on (7) GLORY YEONGGWANG, who had been working towards a maiden win, and it duly arrived in that November 23rd race when handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in weight, but a repeat shouldn’t be ruled out. (1) GLOBAL SERVE needs a line drawn through his latest when he used up a lot of energy finding a forward position from a wide draw. He is a winner at this class and should get an easier run to the front today. (10) CIRCLE A and (5) MIGHTY CODE others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Giant Boss (7) Glory Yeonggwang (1) Global Serve (10) Circle A |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) KNICKS GO WON took several trials to make it to the races, but it was worth the wait as she registered a facile win on debut over 1200M on November 7th, settling midfield and working home strongly. She comes up 3kg in weight, as well as up to 1400M but she is favoured to win again. (12) TWIN RAINBOW is a winner of two from four, most recently at 1200M on November 28th when making all. She is up in class and in distance here, as well as having the challenge of the widest gate, but she can be competitive. (8) MIRAGE also comes up in class following a win, but it was at this distance, and she may make for some interest at an each-way or better price. (5) BROWN ROOKIE and (7) THE NOMINATE others in the frame.
| Selections | (1) Knicks Go Won (12) Twin Rainbow (8) Mirage (5) Brown Rookie |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 8, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(6) CHOEGANG SPEED has been a model of consistency lately and comes up in class following a win over 1300M on November 22nd when coming from well off the pace. He tackles two turns for the first time but given his racing style it may well suit and he can win again. (5) AWESOME QUEEN shapes as the probable betting favourite. She needs a line through her latest over a mile when unusually slow away but prior to that, she placed five times in a row at this class. She was 2nd on her only previous try at 1700M and can be on pace and in this. (2) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA doesn’t win out of turn but comes in off back-to-back 3rd places and can be there or thereabouts again. (9) BRIGHT WINNER and (4) WONDERFUL SOCKS others in the frame.
| Selections | (6) Choegang Speed (5) Awesome Queen (2) Tamra Choegangja (9) Bright Winner |
| Next Best | 4, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 10 |
Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(2) PRIME SECRET won three consecutive races between July and September to get rapidly promoted to this class. He then ran 2nd on his first try at the level on November 16th, leading for part of the way over this trip. He draws well again and in this company, he can go one better. (4) FANTASTIC VALUE won the first two legs of the Triple Tiara before running 2nd in the final one, just coming up short of a clean sweep. She returned to action for the first time in five months finishing down the field in the Listed Breeders’ Cup Queen but should strip fitter for what looks like a more suitable assignment today. (7) FLYING KHAN comes in off a very narrow 2nd place at this class over 1400M on November 21st with three of today’s rivals behind him and he can be in the mix again. (12) CARDINAL FORCE and (5) WORLD WINNERS MAN are the other main chances.
| Selections | (2) Prime Secret (4) Fantastic Value (7) Flying Khan (12) Cardinal Force |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) CHOEGANG GOLD is a winner of three from four over this trip with his only 1800M defeat coming when 3rd on his first try at this class on November 23rd when he led for most of the way around, ultimately going down to Jisan Force but still beating a couple of today’s rivals. He will lead again and this time, he can go all the way. (10) ECLIPSE BLACK is up in class following back-to-back wins at this distance, leading all the way both times. He has the challenge of a wide gate but is down in weight and can be competitive. (2) NURI CHEONWANG similarly is up in class having won two of his last three. He doesn’t get much of a weight break, but he draws well and can be in this. (4) GEUMBIT CHEONHA and (9) TAENG TAENG BALL others to consider.
| Selections | (5) Choegang Gold (10) Eclipse Black (2) Nuri Cheonwang (4) Geumbit Cheonha |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) GEUDAEMANIDDAMYEON is never going to be a racecaller’s friend, but he looks a big talent. After running 2nd on debut, has was an emphatic winner at start two before running down Wonpyeong Sket to claim the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy in November. He comes up to 1400M for the first time, and it should suit. (3) DREAMER WHIZ returned from a couple of months off to beat several of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance on November 23rd and with just a small weight rise, he should be close again. (1) MIGHTY EVER was 3rd in that race having led for much of the way and with an apprentice claiming 4kg, he is down in weight today and nicely drawn to lead again. (5) ELDORADO NOLBU and (8) LUCKY FRANK other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Geudaemaniddamyeon (3) Dreamer Whiz (1) Mighty Ever (5) Eldorado Nolbu |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(1) HAKSAN SPEED was an on-pace winner at this class and distance on November 8th, scoring at this trip for the fourth time. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but that’s balanced a little by the inside gate which should allow him to get on pace again, and he can win. It’s been a while between drinks for (9) BEOLGYO VERITAS, but he has been close in recent starts with the 2nd places and a 3rd from his latest three, each time beating some of today’s rivals. The wide draw shouldn’t matter, and he should be coming on strong late. (2) FAIR SKIES comes back in trip after recent solid work at 1400M including a 4th to the 3rd of Beolgyo Veritas on November 22nd, and he should be in the mix again. (6) BEST MAYA and (8) DAEMUL others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Haksan Speed (9) Beolgyo Veritas (2) Fair Skies (6) Best Maya |
| Next Best | 8, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 