March kicks off with Listed races for three-year-olds at both Seoul and Busan. In total there are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Maiden fillies. (5) FLYING SMART was last throughout in her first trial on December 18 when beaten 39 ¾ lengths but atoned for that with a victory on January 15 coming from midfield to score by three lengths. On that most recent trial, this daughter of Old Fashioned looks to have a good chance of winning on debut for Kazuya Asano and Tony Castanheira. (11) ECLIPSE ELLY was ahead of five of her rivals when second beaten 11 lengths on debut back on January 24 and can go close again. (2) WALLSTREET was a long last back on debut however improved at attempt two to run third and can be prominent again for Johan Victoire and Moon Byeong-ki. (6) LAVITA was also a long last on debut, beaten 21 lengths, before improving to finish third second time around but in her case, she only improved one length on her debut as she was beaten 20 lengths. (1) BULGEUN YEOJEONSA and (8) CHEONGGANG BOM rate next.
| Selections | (5) Flying Smart (11) Eclipse Elly (2) Wallstreet (6) Lavita |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(10) RAON THE TONY has been the most consistent of these to date with a trial third followed by two third places at his two race starts racing on pace throughout in each of the three performances. In what is not a strong maiden he can go a few places better. (6) WINNER’S BLUE was third on debut when attempting to lead throughout however couldn’t lead last time and subsequently dropped out after failing to handle the kickback so if she can lead she can go close. (3) DANAEUN RUBY was second in her trial but in three races to date she has bombed out. She was ridden forward in the first two of those however was ridden from the rear at attempt three, but those changes of tactics achieved nothing. This isn’t a strong race so she hasn’t got that many more chances. (11) NIGHT CAPTAIN has been around the mark and rates over (8) AESUNI and (9) PARKA SHINE.
| Selections | (10) Raon The Tony, (6) Winner’s Blue (3) Danaeun Ruby (11) Night Captain |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million
(4) TRIBAL WAR won a trial and then ran 2nd on debut over this distance on January 25th, leading for most of the way and beating four of today’s rivals. He won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win this and he will start a short-price favourite. Having run 5th on debut, (7) GYEONGBOK STREGA was an improved 3rd in that January 25th race, coming from off the pace and finishing two-and-a-half lengths behind Tribal War. Third-up he can be nice and fit and continue to make progress. (6) ONE LAST MARGARITA was a trial winner and then ran 4th on debut in the January 25th race. He should have come on for the run and can get closer. Debut-maker (10) SAESIDAE WON won a trial and can be considered. (3) BARAM DAERO was slow away on debut but ran on well for 5th and is a place chance.
| Selections | (4) Tribal War (7) Gyeongbok Strega (6) One Last Margarita (10) Saesidae Won |
| Next Best | 3, 1 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(11) POMADE has made steady progress across five starts so far, with her latest her best when 2nd over this distance on January 24th. She led for most of the way that day, but she has a smart finish on her too so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can go one better. The danger is on her inside. (10) PARAIBA has finished between 3rd and 5th in all her four starts so far, settling midfield and running on each time. The slight step up in trip can suit and Maia gets back on. (1) RISING WIND was a much-improved 3rd at start three on January 25th and is another who can benefit from the increased distance today. (4) EUNHA KALAS and (8) WONDERFUL REASON others in the hunt.
| Selections | (11) Pomade (10) Paraiba (1) Rising Wind (4) Eunha Kalas |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(11) VELOCI QUEEN was 4th on debut and then 2nd at start number two at this distance on January 23rd when she settled midfield and finished well, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. Third-up she can be peaking, and she can win. (3) SUNRISE will probably be the betting favourite. She has a 2nd and a4th in two starts at 1200M and 1300M and from a great draw, she can be on pace and can potentially go all the way. The form falls off significantly after those two. (2) DEEP SPRINT was 3rd on debut behind Veloci Queen on January 23rd and with some natural improvement can be a place chance. (9) SHINING CLUTCH and (1) DOCTOR STING may improve.
| Selections | (11) Veloci Queen (3) Sunrise (2) Deep Sprint (9) Shining Clutch |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) UNJU PRINCE got his maiden win at start number three over 1400M on January 4th when leading all the way. He comes up in class but is down 3kg in weight and from a central draw, he can lead again and be in this a very long way. (3) HAKSAN SWORD was a fast winner over 1300M on December 13th and while he then struggled from a wide draw in his first try at this level, he ran 2nd over 1300M on February 1st, coming from midfield and beating two of today’s rivals. He draws well here and is a big danger. (5) CHEONG WOL was a smart maiden winner over 1200M on January 25th and can measure up. (2) WIDAEHAN HAMSEONG and (1) EUNPA BOOSTER others in the frame.
| Selections | (6) Unju Prince (3) Haksan Sword (5) Cheong Wol (2) Widaehan Hamseong |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) TAMNA BRAVO enters off back-to-back 3rd places from his latest two, at a mile and at this distance, the latter in a slow race on January 23rd when drawn wide. From today’s gate he can get an easy lead and should have too much for this limited set of opponents. (3) DOKKI TIGER was an improved 5th at start three on January 30th and that’s enough to have her one of the main dangers here. (9) CARAT KING has a 3rd on his record and an apprentice claiming 3kg can bring him into the placing frame here. (12) HIGH GOLD BAR and (5) MYEONPUM PLAY are others who could compete for the minors.
| Selections | (2) Tamna Bravo (3) Dokki Tiger (9) Carat King (12) High Gold Bar |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 9, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) MONEY FOUR SEASON was a maiden winner over 1700M two starts back, before finishing 2nd on his first try at this class also at 1700M on January 31st when coming from off the pace. In the absence of an apprentice claim he is up 4kg in the weights, but the additional half furlong can help him to go one better. He needs to overturn the form on (5) CHAM BBAREUN MAL who got his maiden win in that January 30th race. The win had been coming and while he too is up in weight, a repeat isn’t impossible. (6) SUBMISSION ran 3rd in that January 31st race, showing handy throughout. He gets a weight swing on the two who beat him that day and he can be close (3) LIGHT WING and (10) CUPID COMMAND are the other main chances.
| Selections | (7) Money Four Season (5) Cham Bbareun Mal (6) Submission (3) Light Wing |
| Next Best | 10, 1 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) JANGGO MAN was a winner on debut over 1200M at the end of December – beating Friday winner Dubai Seonmul – before running 3rd on his first try at this class over 1300M on January 30th. He comes up to the mile for the first time, but it can suit and he can win here. (2) SOMANGUIGIL is yet to win in nine starts but he has eight top five finishes and has placed at this distance twice. He can settle behind the speed here and run into some money again. (3) GEUMSEONG is also still a maiden but is yet to run outside of the top five. He’ll be on pace here and can be in this a long way on his first try at a mile. (10) CAPTAIN DRAGON and (11) DEIMOS among plenty of others with chances.
| Selections | (7) Janggo Man (2) Somanguigil (3) Geumseong (10) Captain Dragon |
| Next Best | 11, 12 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) HWANG GEUM EO JANG is two for two having scored narrowly on debut in December, coming from off the pace, and then more comfortably leading from gate to wire over 1400M on January 17th. That brings him up in class and in distance to a mile, but neither should be a problem and he can make it three from three. (3) GEOSEN DAERO is up in class too following a win and a 2nd place from his latest two, both at 1300M and both times leading all the way. He too tackles the mile for the first time, but he is down a full 4kg in weight and from a great draw, he can be competitive. (4) SONGDANG HWANGTAEJA got his maiden win at start twelve in November but has held his form at this level with a 5th and a 2nd, the latter his first try over this trip, and he should be close. (7) CHOEGANG SPEED and (1) HAKSAN CAIRO others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (9) Hwang Geum Eo Jang (3) Geosen Daero (4) Songdang Hwangtaeja (7) Choegang Speed |
| Next Best | 1, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) EPHPHATHA ran out an on-pace winner at a big price on debut over 1200M on January 9th. It shouldn’t have been such a surprise as he had looked good in his trial and while he comes up in trip and has the challenge of the widest gate, the Instagrand colt can win again. It’s been a while between drinks for (8) LEMON TREE. He has been getting closer in recent starts with a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two at 1400M and a mile and he should be in the finish here. (4) HEAVY DUTY has placed in each of his last four. His sole win came over this trip, and he’ll be in the finish again. (7) SHANGHAI THUNDER and (10) EUNHASU others in the mix.
| Selections | (10) Ephphatha (8) Lemon Tree (4) Heavy Duty (7) Shanghai Thunder |
| Next Best | 10, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight A / Sports Seoul Trophy (KOR Listed) KRW 200 Million
(9) DI NE has been incredibly impressive in his last three starts with victories by 11 lengths, 10 lengths and eight lengths going up in grade by one level each time. He gets more impressive each time and it was a strong field he tore apart last time and whilst he will be doing well to win in that manner this time, as anything in this race will be, he can go on his merry way. (3) MY EMPIRE has big wraps on him and is another that continues to get better and better. He has won his last two races very easily indeed, in particular last time despite blowing the start, and this is a test of his high credentials. (1) ROSHE is the other big gun who is unbeaten from three and just like Di Ne and My Empire his ability is untapped at this stage. (7) GAMSAUI HIM won over further last time and whilst this may be too quick for him he was brilliant last start. (8) ROOFTOP got a confidence booster last time whilst (5) BEST PITCH could be the forgotten horse.
| Selections | (9) Di Ne (3) My Empire (1) Roshe (7) Gamsaui Him |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight A / Gyeongnam Shinmun Trophy (KOR Listed) / KRW 200 Million
(3) CLEARLY WINNER was one of the star fillies last year before her season was cut short after becoming lame. She resumed with a five length victory on February 8 and it can’t be forgotten that she accounted for Supex Winner, the subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner, when she won on debut. She is very good and can wind up her Triple Tiara preparations in style. (4) CLUTCH WINNER has won his two races well and missed the break and didn’t handle the kickback in his other run. He needs to lead but if he does he can stay there. (2) CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU continues to progress and it will be enthralling to see if he is good enough for some of these. A similar comment can be made for (1) MR. PRIME but you can’t do more than win and he is unbeaten. (7) HEY BROTHER comes into the race on a hat-trick and is the only other possible chance with (8) MUHAN NAREUSHA the best of the three that are making up the numbers
| Selections | (3) Clearly Winner (4) Clutch Winner (2) Cheongchuneunjayu (1) Mr. Prime |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (10) THE SUN BULSAJO is a winner of two from three with her only defeat so far coming when 3rd in Listed juvenile company behind Chief Star and Wonpyeong Sket. This is her first time at 1400M, and she has the challenge of a wide draw, but she can win here. (1) CLUB Q has won three of her last four, most recently at this class and distance on January 17th. She only comes up 2.5kg and that’s balanced by a better draw, and she has every chance again. (3) UBERMENSCH has won her latest two, coming from well off the pace in both, to get rapidly promoted to this class. This is much harder but the step up in trip can suit. (6) TEUKGEUP PARTY and (11) MEGA STEP are other place chances.
| Selections | (10) The Sun Bulsajo (1) Club Q (3) Ubermensch (6) Teukgeup Party |
| Next Best | 11, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(12) FUNNY WILD should have been running in the Listed race earlier, but they swerve that to pick off an easier prize (or to focus on racing at two-turns, delete as applicable). A winner of three from five, including his first try at this distance on February 1st. He is up in class, but he should have too much. (10) STORM FIGHTER has won over this distance, and he comes in having run 2nd at class on January 23rd. He carries his fair share of weight but Franco climbing on is a boost and he can be close. (9) MATONGNYEONG has two wins and three placings from five tries over 1800M and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) GEUMA PRECEDE and (7) SEOGWI FLASH other chances.
| Selections | (12) Funny Wild (10) Storm Fighter (9) Matongnyeong (1) Geuma Precede |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 1 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 110 Million
Competitive race. (5) PEPPER X beat four of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on February 1st. Under today’s allowance conditions, he only comes up 1.5kg in weight, and a repeat is possible. (9) BLACK BELT was sent off as favourite for that race and did lead before eventually ending up in 3rd. He’ll be on pace again and should be close. (10) VICS GO hasn’t won for a long time, but he enters off a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two. The latter splitting Pepper X and Black Belt on February 1st. The weight scale here is in his favour and he is a big danger. (8) ONE PUNCH DRAGON and (11) NUT PLAY others who should be in this.
| Selections | (5) Pepper X (9) Black Belt (10) Vics Go (8) One Punch Dragon |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) WONPYEONG SKET ran 2nd in three big Listed juvenile races last term and has since recorded two wins at this distance most recently at this class on January 10th when leading all the way, as is her preference. She comes up 3kg in weight, but she draws well to lead again, and she may not be run down. (11) DANCING WHIZ has been 3rd in his latest two, both at this class and distance. The wide gate shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be challenging late on. So too can (5) NAEGILUI WINNER, who similarly has been 3rd in both his latest two. He can get a bit far back but is strong at the business end of his races. (3) CRAZY STAR and (10) BLUE PIORA others in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Wonpyeong Sket (11) Dancing Whiz (5) Naegilui Winner (3) Crazy Star |
| Next Best | 10, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 9, 12 |
Horse Racing in Korea 