Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (10 races from 10:35 to 17:55) and Busan (7 races from 11:25 to 16:55). Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) YUKWAEHAN SEUNGJA has raced three times for three 4th place finishes at 1000M and 1200M, settling back and running on each time. She draws nicely here, Kozzi gets on for the first time, and in this company, she can be winning. (6) NOBLE MATCH was a fair 6th on debut over this distance on December 12th having shown on pace throughout. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this for longer. (11) EODIGADO was an improved 4th at start number three over this distance on December 13th when coming from well off the pace. Maia stays on and they can get even closer today. (1) NIGHT CAPTAIN and sole debut-maker (7) CHRYSOL HEELS are others to look out for on a place line.
| Selections | (3) Yukwaehan Seungja (6) Noble Match (11) Eodigado (1) Night Captain |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) LOVE IN SEOUL was ordinary on debut but was a much-improved 4th at start number two over this distance on December 6th when she showed on pace throughout. Third up she can be peaking fitness-wise, and she looks to be the one to beat. (4) RAON FLARE raced on pace for the first time on December 6th over this distance and she stayed on well to run 2nd. The time wasn’t quick but expect similar tactics today and she can be in this a long way. (9) MR.CREDIT enters off a 3rd place at 1200M when settling midfield and running on and Maia climbing up today can be a plus. (6) CHEONGSAN MUSA and (2) FANTASTIC BRO others in the hunt.
| Selections | (3) Love In Seoul (4) Raon Flare (9) Mr.Credit (6) Cheongsan Musa |
| Next Best | 2, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) BORYEONG ULTRA MAN put in a disappointing effort when favourite over 1300M on January 4th when jumping inward and then getting caught in kickback which he seemed to resent. Prior to that, he had a 3rd and a 2nd and from a good draw and with Seo Seung-un booked, today can be the day. (5) QUEEN THE GOLD hasn’t finished in the top two in sixteen starts but she comes in following a 3rd and a 4th in her latest two and in this company should be aiming for career best finish. (1) STRONG WINNER trialed well and while he only managed 7th of ten on debut, he beat two of today’s rivals and comes into a much better gate this time. (2) CHOEGANG HAPPY and (10) SEOGWI CHOWON are the others in the hunt.
| Selections | (3) Boryeong Ultra Man (5) Queen The Gold (1) Strong Winner (2) Choegang Happy |
| Next Best | 10, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) POWER BEST has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in a 2nd place at this distance on December 28th when racing much further forward than in previous efforts. Expect similar tactics today, and he can go one better. (8) BLACK PEPE has a 3rd and two 4th places from his latest three. He too should be on pace and can be in this a long way. (2) PNS WORK and (7) WADALBI both improved to 3rd place on their respective latest outings and both can be there or thereabouts again. (4) JEJU PRINCESS came from off the pace to run 7th on debut over 1200M. She comes into a better gate today, and she should have come on for the run.
| Selections | (5) Power Best (8) Black Pepe (2) PNS Work (7) Wadalbi |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 8 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) OASIS ADELE will be a short price favourite here. Across his four starts to date he has been working towards a win with a 3rd place and a 2nd place from his latest two at a mile and at 1400M and both times beating some of today’s rivals. In this company, he should be on or close to the pace and he won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win. (2) VORTEX stepped up to the mile for the first time on December 12th and recorded his best finish to date with 2nd place, coming from midfield. He can build on that here and be in the finish again. (11) MOTHER WONDERFUL was 6th behind Oasis Adele last time out but prior to that was 2nd over 1400M and while she has the widest gate, she also gets a 4kg apprentice claim here. (6) TOP OF THE RANK and (7) YURIM SPECIAL are the other place chances.
| Selections | (8) Oasis Adele (2) Vortex (11) Mother Wonderful (6) Top Of The Rank |
| Next Best | 7, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) STUNNING PEARL returns to action for the first time since running 3rd at this class over 1200M in August, prior to which she was a very narrow 2nd. She trialed up nicely just before Christmas, and with Maia aboard, if she brings that form to the races, she can go very well first up. (10) GEOLJAK TIARA got her maiden win at start number four over 1300M on December 6th when on pace throughout. She comes up in class and slightly up in trip here but can be equal to both and under a light weight, she has every chance. (11) CHRYSOL STEP is yet to win but is up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1200M, beaten by the favourite on both occasions. He comes down 3kg in weight and can measure up in this company. (6) ECLIPSE TANGO and (8) GRAND KWAEMA are the other main chances.
| Selections | (1) Stunning Pearl (10) Geoljak Tiara (11) Chrysol Step (6) Eclipse Tango |
| Next Best | 8, 7 |
| Fast Start | 6, 8, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) B K. SPIRIT got her maiden win at start three in November at 1200M before running 2nd having led over 1400M on her first try at this class on December 19th. She comes back slightly in trip, she can lead again, and she can return to winning ways. (1) HEY BRO was 2nd on debut over 10000M in October before winning at start number two over 1200M on December 7th. He is up in class and slightly in trip, but he is down in weight and from a good draw, he can be close. (9) MUJEOKYI is yet to score in six attempts, but he has three runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance on December 19th when close to the speed throughout. He is up 2kg but is very much in this. (8) SEOBU DANCING and (2) GAON BOSS, the latter 3rd to Mujeokyi last time out, are others to consider.
| Selections | (5) B K. Spirit (1) Hey Bro (9) Mujeokyi (8) Seobu Dancing |
| Next Best | 2, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (5) WHIZ DREAM was an all the way winner over 1000M on debut in September but was well beaten when favourite on her return in October when not managing to get to the lead over 1300M. She comes in fresh after thirteen weeks and if she can get to the speed from a good draw, she has as good a chance as any. (3) COMPLETE TOUCH returned from nine months out to register her maiden win over 1200M on December 13th. She is up in class but down in weight and should strip fitter for that run a month ago. (8) GLOBAL HAMSEONG has a 3rd and a 4th from his two latest and can be there or thereabouts again. (1) RAPTURE and (11) DURAY SHOW are others firmly in the mix.
| Selections | (5) Whiz Dream (3) Complete Touch (8) Global Hamseong (1) Rapture |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) WORLD DANCER CAT was a winner on debut over 1300M in October before running a very close 2nd on her first try at this class over the same distance on November 28th in filly only company. She draws very nicely, here, the slight step up in trip can suit, and she can win. (7) STAY COOL is up in class having scored her maiden win on December 14th. Racing on pace throughout. It came over this distance and down 3kg in weight, she can more than measure up. (10) TOHAMSAN DRAGON needs a line drawn through his latest, but he is a winner at this class and with Seo Seung-un returning, can be a threat. (8) HOLY NIKE and (5) VICTORY STORY among others in the frame.
| Selections | (4) World Dancer Cat (7) Stay Cool (10) Tohamsan Dragon (8) Holy Nike |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(11) DRAGON KILLER is yet to finish outside of the top three from eight starts and comes in after a good win in a fast time at this class over 1400M on December 14th. He is up to 1700M for the first time and has the challenge of the widest gate as well as the steadier of an additional 4.5kg, but he looks to have plenty of potential for more and he can win again. (10) AMAZING ROCK enters with patchy recent form, but he is one for one over 1700M and may be worth some interest at an each-way price. (9) MYUNGJINBULLPAI placed at this class and distance last September and October and can be in the hunt here. (6) BRIGHT WINNER and (1) SAHARAMOND are perhaps the best of an out of form rest.
| Selections | (11) Dragon Killer (10) Amazing Rock (9) Myungjinbullpai (6) Bright Winner |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (11) TWIN RAINBOW was a strong winner over 1200M two starts back before running 4th at this class and distance in a very similar filly and mare only race on December 21st. She draws similarly wide today but she looks to have a bit more scope for improvement than the two who return here that beat her that day, and she gets another chance. (8) BROWN ROOKIE and (4) THE NOMINATE came home in 2nd and 3rd respectively in that December 21st race and they should both be there or thereabouts again. (7) WIND ROSE enters off three consecutive 2nd place finishes. That brings her up in class here, but she is down in weight and can be competitive. (2) GRAND CHASER another place chance.
| Selections | (11) Twin Rainbow (8) Brown Rookie (4) The Nominate (7) Wind Rose |
| Next Best | 2, 6 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(2) CLAIR BIG BANG is a winner of five from seven so far, including both her latest at this distance. That gives her a 100% record for 1800M and while she is up in class here without a weight break, she draws very nicely, and she can win again. (11) DRAGON FANTASY won three in a row between June and October and while she was a beaten favourite when 4th at this class and distance on December 6th, she continues under a light weight and can be given another chance here. (7) LEGEND WOW has won two of his latest three to be promoted to this class. He ran 4th behind Clair Big Bang two starts back and he can be competitive on a place line. (3) BS STORM, up in class having won his latest three, along with (6) SPLENDID are others with at least a place chance.
| Selections | (2) Clair Big Bang (11) Dragon Fantasy (7) Legend Wow (3) BS Storm |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) PACHAMAMA was a close 4th at this class and distance on December 19th when showing on pace throughout. She is a three-time winner over the distance and under a light weight and from the inside gate, she can return to winning ways here. (5) GOLDEN AIR won that December 19th race before finishing 5th of ten at this class and distance on January 2nd. He continues to come up in the weights which means he now has 4.5kg more than what he won under a month ago, but he can be competitive here. (9) LEMON PIE races for the first time since May. He won two of his last three prior to the layoff and looked well enough when 3rd in a good trial just before Christmas to suggest he can go well first up. The form falls off after those three with (10) SINCHEON FIRST and (2) OPEN SKY perhaps the next bests.
| Selections | (1) Pachamama (5) Golden Air (9) Lemon Pie (10) Sincheon First |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) MY EMPIRE has won three of his last four with the only defeat in that time coming when 3rd in Listed Juvenile company behind Geudaemaniddamyeon and Wonpyeong Sket. His latest win was over 1400M on December 13th and while he comes up 3.5kg in weight and up to a mile for his first start as a three-year-old, he gets to stay at class 3 and draws well to continue on his merry way. (2) MIGHTY EVER has a 3rd and a 5th from his latest two and can be on pace as he steps up to a mile for the first time with a 4kg apprentice claim. He can be in this a long way. (4) YEONGWON BIG MAN is one for one at this mile and comes back to it following a 3rd and a 4th over 1800M at this class and looks a solid place chance here. (7) MIRACLE HANAM and (9) SUPER BLUEMOON other contenders for the minor money.
| Selections | (5) My Empire (2) Mighty Ever (4) Yeongwon Big Man (7) Miracle Hanam |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 7 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
Very competitive race. (6) OASIS RED has won three of his last four with a 5th place in the G1 President’s Cup in the middle. He scored at this class and distance on December 14th, showing on pace throughout, and while he must contend with 58kg today, he can win again. (1) YOUNG SKYWALKER was 6th on the President’s Cup and was 2nd to Oasis Red at class 3 level over 1800M on September. He comes up in class after a good win at the end of November and coming down 4kg in weight, it would be no real surprise if he overturned the form on his rival here. (7) UNJU GUY was further back in the President’s Cup and was then 3rd to Oasis Red on December 14th. He gets a weight swing in his favour today and the Korean Derby runner-up won’t be far away. (12) GREAT BOY and (4) POSTMAN other place chances in a fascinating finale.
| Selections | (6) Oasis Red (1) Young Skywalker (7) Unju Guy (12) Great Boy |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
After an eye-catching win on debut, (9) ROOFTOP was well back in Listed juvenile company in November before bouncing back to run 4th at this class and distance on December 13th in a quick race. He has his fair share of weight again here but can be on pace and has every chance. (1) UNIVERSAL also came unstuck in elite juvenile company last autumn but enters off a fast 2nd at this class and distance on December 20th and while up 2.5kg, he shapes as the main danger. (11) RAON FLORENCE has finished in the top three in all five starts so far and comes up in class after his maiden victory over this distance on December 6th with every chance of being competitive. (6) DREAM REMAIN and (7) SAINT RUNNER other chances.
| Selections | (9) Rooftop (1) Universal (11) Raon Florence (6) Dream Remain |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 but with a rating cap of 100. (10) ZIGGURAT won the Listed Ilgan Sports over 1800M last September and looks nicely in here at a distance over which he has won two of four starts so far. He doesn’t need to lead so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he has solid chances. (1) SPEED ONE beat several of today’s rivals when 2nd at this class over 1200M on December 14th. He comes up a full 4kg in weight but should beat plenty again and will probably start as the market leader. (7) MIGHTY NEO mixes his form, but he was a good win at this class two starts back and has two wins and a place at 1400M which make him worth a chance at a probable each-way price. (4) WOW WOW and (8) GLOBAL BOBAE among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (10) Ziggurat (1) Speed One (7) Mighty Neo (4) Wow Wow |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 7 |
Horse Racing in Korea 