Sunday’s racing is at Seoul, with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55, and at Busan with 7 races from 11.25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) TIGER BULPAE has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, most recently when racing handy over 1200M on December 7th. In this field she’ll be on pace and she will be favoured to go one better today. The solitary debut-maker (10) SUNGLASS may prove to be the biggest danger. It took her three trials to qualify but she ultimately did it in fine style, leading all the way in an early December heat. She has the challenge of a wide draw, but if she brings that form to the races, she has a real chance. (11) BINNALEEDS was a trial winner before running fairly for a midfield finish on debut and she can improve here. (3) GEOSEN MUJEOK and (5) GOLDEN WARRIOR are others who can get better.
| Selections | (6) Tiger Bulpae (10) Sunglass (11) Binnaleeds (3) Geosen Mujeok |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 6, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) UNJU PRINCE was an underwhelming 8th on debut but was much improved when 2nd at start number two at 1300M on November 30th. The slight step up in trip again can suit and he won’t need to improve much to win this. (4) BEST FREEDOM was well beaten by Unju Prince at the end of November but has since run again for a decent midfield finish. He draws well to lead and can be in this a long way. (1) KIA ORA returned form five months out and was a significantly improved 3rd over this distance on November 9th. She can have come on for that run and be in the finish again. (7) DALBIT SONATA and (6) WONDERFUL DARSHAAN are other place chances.
| Selections | (8) Unju Prince (4) Best Freedom (1) Kia Ora (7) Dalbit Sonata |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 7 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) BORYEONG ULTRA MAN was 3rd on debut over 1000M at the end of October before beating plenty of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at 1200M on December 7th when handy all the way. He comes into a great gate, Tanaka stays on, and he should win. (3) SOMETHING ELSE debuted in 4th place all the way back in June. He didn’t reappear until December 5th, but it was a solid return in 3rd place over 1300M, albeit a long way behind a good winner. He can strip fitter here and be close. (1) DOCTOR CHAMP could only manage 6th behind Boryeong Ultra Man last time out but draws much better here and if he can get to the lead, he has a chance. (10) DIA X and first time starter (4) CHOEGANG CHEETAH are others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (2) Boryeong Ultra Man (3) Something Else (1) Doctor Champ (10) Dia X |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
After winning on debut In August, (2) JD GANGJA ran 4th and 5th in Listed Juvenile races before finishing well back in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie. He returns to shallower waters today and with an apprentice claiming 4kg, he can return to winning ways. (9) G FLEX was an all the way winner over 1200M on debut on November 29th. He is up in class and in distance but is down in weight and he can measure up. (11) SAINT WINNER and (4) HAKSAN PRINCE are both long time maidens but enter in consistent form and can aim to repeat their 2nd and 3rd places when they raced one another at 1300M on December 7th. (7) MASTER KWAIGON another in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) JD Gangja (9) G Flex (11) Saint Winner (4) Haksan Prince |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
This looks a bit more open. (6) VICTORY STORY is yet to score in ten but has six top four finishes. His best was 2nd three outings back at the star or November but Seo Seung-un climbing up for the first time catches the eye and is enough to put him on top. (3) CAPTAIN WARRIOR has raced twice for 6th and 4th at 1000M and 1200M. He has been doing his best work late so the step up in trip can suit and he can be a danger. (8) LIKE DRAGON enters off three consecutive 4th places (and a trial in which he finished, of course, 4th). He gets a 2kg apprentice claim and can be on pace here with chances of going better than 4th. (1) DELEKOOMDA and (12) DOCTOR CARA are others in the frame.
| Selections | (6) Victory Story (3) Captain Warrior (8) Like Dragon (1) Delekoomda |
| Next Best | 12, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s fair to say that (1) MUSKET CLEAVER has mixed his form across four starts so far but he was a very good winner at 1200M in September and then a close 2nd at this class and distance on November 15th. In this company he can be on pace and a similar effort to last time can see him win. (9) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win but has placed on six occasions, including his latest at this class and distance on December 6th when coming from well off the pace. This is the kind of race he can place in again. (4) MIGHTY SHINE enters off her first win at start four in a filly over this distance on November 30th. She is up in class but down in weight and she can be competitive. (11) RAIN STAR and (10) HAEMAJI other place chances.
| Selections | (1) Musket Cleaver (9) Geuma Foremost (4) Mighty Shine (11) Rain Star |
| Next Best | 10, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 5 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) CRYSTAL MULGYEOL got her maiden win two starts back before running 5th from the widest gate on her first try at this class on December 5th, settling back and running on. The step up to 1400M for the first time can suit, Seo Seung-un, get son, and she can win. (8) BREEDO KELLY is yet to win but returned from five months out to run 5th and then 2nd, the latter on December 7th over 1300M when she came from well off the pace to beat a couple of today’s rivals. Like Crystal Mulgyeol, the increase in trip can suit, and she can be a big danger. (12) WORLD BLUE PIN CAT was 4th in that December 7th race behind Breedo Kelly. She has won at this distance and can be in the mix. (10) BEOLGYOUI HIM and (4) BLUEORCHID others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Crystal Mulgyeol (8) Breedo Kelly (12) World Blue Pin Cat (10) Beolgyoui Him |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) MUNHAK FIGHTER got her sole win back at start number three, but she has been ultra consistent at this level most recently with back-to-back 3rd place finishes in quick races at this distance and at 1300M. From the inside gate, Lim Da-bin can pick his spot just behind the speed and today can be her day. (8) BEST DREAM is yet to win in eight attempts, but she has three runner-up finishes, most recently at this class over 1300M on December 14th when showing on pace. She will be on pace here too and can be in it a long way. (4) WINNER GLORY enters off a solid 2nd place at this class and distance on November 9th. She comes in fresh following eight weeks out and should be close. Last start maiden winner (9) RAON SNIPER, along with (5) EXCELLENT HANSEN are the others who will be in the market.
| Selections | (1) Munhak Fighter (8) Best Dream (4) Winner Glory (9) Raon Sniper |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) LEGEND HIT won back-to-back races at starts two and three over 1200M and 1400M before taking his chance in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles at the end of November. He came from a long way back to finish a very creditable 5th and that form should prove too strong here. (1) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG is yet to win but enters off three consecutive runner-up finishes. All at this distance and most recently at this class. He is in the one-paced side but that should be enough to run into some money again. Another maiden is (5) SHACKLE SUN. He stepped up to this trip for the first time on November 30th to run a close 2nd and with an apprentice jockey taking 4kg off his back, he is a strong place contender again. (3) TRIPLE J and (8) SOMANGUIGIL among plenty of others who will have backers on a place line.
| Selections | (11) Legend Hit (1) Neverstop Heemang (5) Shackle Sun (3) Triple J |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) MUJEHAN GEUP won at Listed juvenile level last September and was then sent off as the favourite for the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie at Busan at the end of November. Like many in that race of sixteen inexperienced runners, he met trouble in running and was never a factor, but he arrives back in Seoul well rested and should be kicking off his three-year-old campaign with a win. The danger is (6) PINE PINK. In eight starts she has never finished any worse than 4th and has finished 3rd in both of her tries at this distance. If the favourite doesn’t see out the trip on his first try around two-turns, she can take advantage. (11) WORLD JOY needs a line through his latest but at 1800M but has placed in all three tries at this distance and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) NAMSAN MUJEOK and (10) CAMP DAVID others in the frame.
| Selections | (8) Mujehan Geup (6) Pine Pink (11) World Joy (1) Namsan Mujeok |
| Next Best | 10, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) GEUMA PRECEDE was a winner at this class over a mile making all at the end of October before finishing 5th in filly only company over the same trip on November 23rd. She comes down 2kg in weight and up to 1800M for the first time, she has every chance of returning to winning ways. (6) TOHAMSAN TAEYANG has won just once in eighteen starts but has no fewer than eleven finishes between 2nd and 4th. He has placed three times over 1800M and fairly weighted and drawn well, he can be a danger. (7) THE WIND come sin having won at this class and distance on December 12th, settling behind the speed early and taking things up turning for him. That arrested a run of ordinary form and while he comes up 2.5kg in weight, a repeat isn’t impossible. (9) FAT BOY and (2) POWER TIME are the other primary chances.
| Selections | (8) Geuma Precede (6) Tohamsan Taeyang (7) The Wind (9) Fat Boy |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) NO PROBLEM has never been outside of the top four and he has won his latest two at 1200M and 1400M, the latter at this class on November 29th. He makes a big jump up in trip and also has an additional 4kg to contend with, but he can complete his hat-trick here. (2) FLYING DAY had a poor day at the office last time out but she was a winner at this class and distance on November 23rd when on pace throughout. From a good gate she can be on pace and is worth another chance. (8) RISING MO returned to winning ways for the first time in a while over a mile on November 22nd. She comes up in class and in trip today and while she may not be a winning chance, she may make for some each-way appeal. (6) REMEMBER AGAIN and (1) GEOSEN GANGHO others to consider for a place.
| Selections | (3) No Problem (2) Flying Day (8) Rising Mo (6) Remember Again |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 6 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) ROAD TO SPRING has won her latest two, at 1200M and 1400M, both from the front and both by narrow margins. She is up 3kg in weight from her latest but that’s what she won under at class 5 level and in this company, she can get on the speed again and she can win again. (10) FLEX ENGINE beat three of today’s rivals when coming from off the pace to score at this class and distance on December 5th. The win had been coming and while he is up 2kg in weight, he can be close again. (5) DOCTOR CITY was 2nd in that December 5th race, also coming from the back. He gets a 1kg weight swing on Flex Engine and has just half a length to overturn. (4) SPEED TOP and (3) BEOLMA BROWN others in the frame.
| Selections | (7) Road To Spring (10) Flex Engine (5) Doctor City (4) Speed Top |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 1 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 but for those within a rating band of 75 to 100. (6) ONE PUNCH DRAGON is an exciting four-year-old with eight wins from ten starts including all of his last five up to class 1 level and 1800M, most recently on November 9th. He is three for three at a mile and under today’s conditions, his light weight and central draw make him hard to oppose. (7) MAGIC POTION is the danger. He is a winner of six from eleven and blitzed a valuable Sprint over 1200M on Grand Prix day. He is untried at a mile but given he has won over 2000M, it shouldn’t be a problem and while he had a very stop-start second half of last year, he is good. (1) VICS GO just sneaks into the race with a rating of 100. An apprentice jockey is engaged to keep his carried weight manageable and that should bring him into this. (2) YONGAM SESANG, back in more amenable company than recent starts, along with (9) SEUNGBUSA, are place chances.
| Selections | (6) One Punch Dragon (7) Magic Potion (1) Vics Go (2) Yongam Sesang |
| Next Best | 9, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
Competitive South Coast finale. (1) VANGIE has ten top two finishes from eleven starts and most recently scored over 1200M on November 14th. He is up in class today and it needs to be noted that his only previous try at 1400M ended in 2nd place, but he is under a light weight, drawn well enough on the inside, and he can win. The danger is (2) BREEDO PRINCE. He has won at this distance and is in good form with a 4th place in a valuable 1200M Sprint last time out. As the top rated, he has his fair share of weight, but he has every chance of overcoming it. (7) BATTLE CRY is a four-time winner at this distance most recently at this class on November 21st. That means he too must contend with a hefty impost, but he can be close. (10) CARDINAL FORCE and (4) RACE MAN the other main chances.
| Selections | (1) Vangie (2) Breedo Prince (7) Battle Cry (10) Cardinal Force |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) MANI NODAGI has two wins and three places at this trip but was a beaten favourite on December 7th at this class and distance when drawn wide and getting a long way back before running on. He comes into a better gate today and is worth another chance. (4) JERAQUEEN defied odds of 40/1 to run 2nd in that December 7th race having been on pace throughout. She stays low in the weights, she draws well, and she can be a danger. (7) WONDERFUL A ONE was a winner at this class two starts back over 1300M and with an apprentice claiming 4kg, he can be right in the hunt. (10) MY MUNNINGS and (6) MY THERN are others who warrant consideration.
| Selections | (3) Mani Nodago (4) Jeraqueen (7) Wonderful A One (10) My Munnings |
| Next Best | 6, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(8) ROSHE has been eye-catching in both starts so far, following up a routine debut with a ten-length score at start two on December 7th when crossing from gate ten to sit handy and then pulling away. He is up in class and in trip this time, but the manner of that win suggests there is plenty more to come. (6) HERO SOCKS doesn’t win out of turn, and he probably won’t here either, given the opposition, but he has very solid recent form at this class and has strong place claims. (2) DIANA has only been ordinary in her latest two but has placed five times at this distance and she can do so again here. (7) ACE K and (9) NANO MASIN others in line for the minors.
| Selections | (8) Roshe (6) Hero Socks (2) Diana (7) Ace K |
| Next Best | 9, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 