The worst of the cold snap which saw Thursday’s trials run in -12C conditions is hopefully over, and Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener, with all but two racing for the first time. Those experienced two will be at the top of most tickets. (9) STUNNING DOLPHIN was 2nd on debut, going down by just over a length having been close to the pace throughout. She should have come on for that and can go one better today. (12) YONGWONHAN SOLEO also ran 2nd on her debut, finding a handy position from the same widest gate she draws today and then running on. She was nine-lengths behind a very nice-looking winner, but her time was good and she is the danger. As for the newcomers, (11) THE SUN STORY probably had the best trial and along with (5) CHEONGGANG BOM and (4) SEMYEONG HEIDI, may be the most likely to make an immediate impact.
| Selections | (9) Stunning Dolphin (12) Yongwonhan Soleo (11) The Sun Story (5) Cheonggang Bom |
| Next Best | 4, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) IKKEULIM did nothing in two starts at the end of summer but after a couple of months out, he returned and won a trial in fine order, leading all the way, on January 8th. Maia is on and if he brings that effort to the races, he can win. (1) BEST CHEONHA was an improved 4th at start three over this distance on December 7th. He has raced on pace in each of his outings so far so from the inside gate he can be expected to be at the front early and in this a long way. (2) BEST A ONE was slowly away last time and didn’t do much but wasn’t miles off it two starts back when 5th at 1300M and that’s enough to have hi as a place chance here. (7) THE SUN MONSTER and (6) CHEONJI JACKAL could potentially improve.
| Selections | (9) Ikkeulim (1) Best Cheonha (2) Best A One (7) The Sun Monster |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) SU BU TAI has three top five finishes from five attempts with his best being his latest when he beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 3rd place over this distance on December 28th, settling midfield and running on. He’ll be favoured to score here. (4) BEAT FRESH was an improved 3rd at start two over this distance on December 27th. Third-up he can be peaking fitness-wise and the step up in trip can suit. (5) POMADE enters off a best to date 4th when tried at this distance for the first time on December 14th. He won’t need to get much better, if any, to place here. Those three will be on top of almost everybody’s ticket in some combination as the form (such that it is) drops off precipitously. (1) GEOSEN PUNCH and (2) ROAD TO SPEAR will probably be next in the market.
| Selections | (9) Su Bu Tai (4) Beat Fresh (5) Pomade (1) Geosen Punch |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) YEONHUI HERO will be a warm favourite. He comes in having won at this class in a very quick race over 1400M on December 13th when handy throughout. Two starts back he placed at this class and distance and with an apprentice claiming 4kg, he can win today. (3) SEOBU CHAMP was an also-ran in a Queens’ Tour race over 2000M last October but has a 4th and a 1st in two starts returning to shallower waters. The win was at this class over 1400M, but she is a two-time winner at this trip and like Yeonhui Hero, her light weight, brings her right into this. (7) GWANAKSAN LEO was 2nd at big odds on December 28th, at this class and distance and warrants some respect here. (8) ULTRA DRAGON and (9) WORLD BLAME others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Yeonhui Hero (3) Seobu Champ (7) Gwanaksan Leo (8) Ultra Dragon |
| Next Best | 9,6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) MR.CARA has run 2nd in both his last two outings both at 1700M. That brings him up in class but there is little to fear here, the two turns seems to suit him, and he can measure up at what should be at least an each-way price. (3) TANGGEURI is yet to win in thirty-two starts but it’s not impossible that could change here. He has no fewer than eighteen top five finishes, including each of his last four, all at this class and distance, and this may be is best chance yet to come out on top. (11) SEUNGNI BAROWS was a touch disappointing last time out but was going well prior to that and can be given another chance on what is his first try at 1800M. (9) STEEPLE and (6) SAVANA CHARLIE are other place chances.
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