Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (10 races from 10.35 to 17.55) and at Busan (7 races from 11.25 to 16.55). There are no Listed or Graded races or even class 1 events, but there is still plenty to get stuck into. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) MORNING CHIEF was the best of the newcomers in trials, racing handy for a close 3rd in a decent time. From a central gate she should be prominent early and she can win. Of the experienced ones, (7) WONDER GRACE was the most convincing on debut when he came from gate ten to sit midfield and run-on for a not too distance 6th. He can strip fitter for that run and have an edge on plenty here. (8) SEVEN FORCE took a few goes to qualify but looked well enough when he did and can be given a chance. (11) UNICORN ACE and (10) CITY OF DREAM others who hinted at ability in trials.
| Selections | (4) Morning Chief (7) Wonder Grace (8) Seven Force (11) Unicorn Ace |
| Next Best | 10, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Seven fillies and one gelding in this maiden. (1) STORM CRUSH was 2nd at start two over this distance in April before putting in an ordinary effort on June 7th over 1300M. We’ll draw a line through that and back at 1200M, he can break through. The sole gelding is (6) RAON EXTREME, He debuted all the way back last November, running 3rd over 1200M after which he had surgery for a chip fracture. During his time out he was gelded and he finally returned to work in May. He led in his June trial before finishing midfield and can be competitive. (4) NINE SPEAR recorded back-to-back 4th places at 1300M in May and early June before parting company with her jockey coming out of the gates on June 20th and galloping around herself. So long as she came out of that ok, she should match or better those 4th places. (5) WINNER NAMCHON and (7) LOVING PURPLE others in the frame.
| Selections | (1) Storm Crush (6) Raon Extreme (4) Nine Spear (5) Winner Namchon |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) SWEET MAN has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place at this distance on June 5th when ridden much handier than in previous runs. Expect similar tactics here and he has every chance of going one better. (7) LOOKS GOOD enters off a best to date 3rd place at 1300M on June 28th when close to the pace throughout. She makes a quick return here and should be challenging for the lead from the start. (3) SHINING CLUTCH has got a bit far back in his races but gets a 2kg claim today and going on his 4th place at 1200M two outings back, has to be given a chance to improve in this company. (9) RESPECTING GIRL and (5) BORYEONG THE QUEEN other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Sweet Man (7) Looks Good (3) Shining Clutch (9) Respecting Girl |
| Next Best | 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
One debut-maker here and (5) MR. DOR certainly caught the eye in his trial, settling back before pulling away to cross the line seven-lengths to the good. The way he finished off suggests that 1400M can suit first up and he can win. (1) CLAIR FREEDOM looks to be figuring things out with a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, showing on pace both teams and beating a couple of these in the process. In the absence of much early pace in this race, she can get an easy run to the lead and can be in the finish. (2) CLUB MAN was a much-improved 2nd at start six over 1700M on June 21st. He has raced handy in each of his last two and back in trip should do the same with every chance of another place. (9) WONDERFUL DARSHAAN and (7) ROAD TO SPEAR others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Mr. Dor (1) Clair Freedom (2) Club Man (9) Wonderful Darshaan |
| Next Best | 7, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 8 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) WILD JUMP led for more than half the way around on debut back in February but knocked up very quickly and only beat one home. She hasn’t raced since but looked very well when an on-pace 2nd in a trial at the end of May. If she brings that trial form to the races – and if she has learned to see out the final furlong – than she should win this. (2) PERFECT RISE came from off the pace to run 4th at this distance on June 12th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. Expect similar today and he looks the main danger among an ordinary looking field. (5) DONGNAM GIRL hinted at an uptick in form with a 5th place at start three to Perfect Rise’s 4th on June 12th and she can maintain her momentum here. (9) CHAMPAGNE WINNER and (7) TAESAN SHINHWA are probably the best of a limited rest.
| Selections | (4) Wild Jump (2) Perfect Rise (5) Dongnam Girl (9) Champagne Winner |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 5 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (3) ECLIPSE SUNNY returned from a couple of months off and from a trial to win well at start number three on June 14th when tracking the speed throughout and pulling away in the straight. She is up in class and slightly in trip, but she is drawn well here and she can measure up. (7) LUCKY DAY returned from nine months out on June 14th and didn’t really get into things from a wide gate. She had previously trialed well, and she is a class and distance winner so stripping fitter for that outing a month ago, she can get much closer today. (2) LEGAL HIGH has been working back into form with a 4th and a 3rd from her latest and while she is up in weight this time without an apprentice claim, Andre climbs on and she could be interesting. (6) BLACK SUN and (9) ONNURI BIT others who could have a say.
| Selections | (3) Eclipse Sunny (7) Lucky Day (2) Legal High (6) Black Sun |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only. (4) P.D SPECIAL broke through at start number seven with an all the way score over 1300M on June 21st, and it was a win that had been coming. She is up in class here but down slightly in weight, she draws well, and she can win again. (5) BORYEONG ONE ROAD enters off three consecutive 2nd place finishes at this class, over 1200M. She is up 3kg in weight, and tackles 1400M for the first time, but she has been finishing off her races well and it may well suit. (11) SWORN QUEEN has run 2nd in both her latest two, most recently at this class and distance on June 16th. She is up 3kg in weight, but her win came at 1400M and with Seo Seung-un aboard for the first time, she will have plenty of backers. (9) NORTHERN QUEEN and (6) NEW LEADER among plenty of others with at least place chances.
| Selections | (4) P.D Special (5) Boryeong One Road (11) Sworn Queen (9) Northern Queen |
| Next Best | 6, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) THE SUN STORY took a couple of goes to figure things out, but she has won her latest two leading all the way around at 1400M, most recently at this class on May 30th. She is up 3kg in weight, as well as tackling two turns for the first time, but she can complete her hat-trick here. (1) NAOL AURORA got her maiden win at start three when leading all the way over 1400M in April and has since run 3rd and 5th in two tries at this class at that same distance. She too comes up to 1700M for the first time, but she can get an easier run to the lead here and can be a big danger. (4) TAEGEUK WANGJA is up in class and distance following a maiden win over 1400M on June 6th. She is down in weight and given her racing style, she may well apprentice the trip. (10) YEOMYEONGUI SUNGAN and (11) TOUR KING others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (3) The Sun Story (1) Naol Aurora (4) Taegeuk Wangja (10) Yeomyeongui Sungan |
| Next Best | 11, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 7 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) CORE TIGER ran 3rd on debut over 1200M in May and followed up with a maiden win on June 5th at 1400M when starting steadily but being quickly ridden up to the front. He is up in class and in trip but down significantly in weight and he looks to have potential for plenty more. (6) PORT MORE was an all the way winner at this class and distance on June 12th, a win that had been coming. He is up 3.5kg in weight but will have plenty of backers for a repeat. (11) SKYNEX is up in class following a comfortable win at 1400M on June 12th. He is down in weight and while a previous try at a mile yielded only a 5th place, he could well be ready for another crack. Also up in class, (2) WORLD TREE and (4) WIN NOW are others who can be in the finish.
| Selections | (5) Core Tiger (6) Port More (11) Skynex (2) World Tree |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) BREEDO AQUA was 2nd on debut over 1200M in February but got her maiden win in March and then followed up with another on May 2nd with both successes coming over 1200M and both times making all. That brings her rapidly up to this class, but she is drawn well to lead again, and she can complete her hat-trick. (10) GOOD MORNING COME scored at this class and distance on May 24th, settling midfield and running on well. He has his fair share of weight today, but he is a model of consistency and won’t be far away. (5) COMPLETE DIVA a winner of two from three with those outings coming over the turn of the year. She hasn’t raced since January when she made all at class 5 level over 1200M, but she looked well when leading before running 2nd in a trial in May and she can go well first up. (2) GOOD CABO and (6) FOREVER GIL overs in the hunt.
| Selections | (4) Breedo Aqua (10) Good Morning Come (5) Complete Diva (2) Good Cabo |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) GOLDEN EMPIRE ran in the first leg of the Triple Tiara where she finished 10th of sixteen but since then has run 3rd in two subsequent outings at this level at 1400M and 1200M, racing handy both times. The shorter trip seems to suit and while she is up 2kg in weight, in this modest company, she will be a short-price favourite. (9) OASIS WINNER is yet to score in twenty-one outings but has plenty of near-misses including eight placings. He may find one too quick again here, but he won’t be far away. (11) ENCORE was 7th behind Golden Empire two starts back before finishing 5th of nine at this class and distance on May 31st. He’s placed every time Seo Seung-un has ridden him and the pair can maintain that record today. (3) PRIME ROCK and (7) ONE WAY ROAD other minor money chances.
| Selections | (1) Golden Empire (9) Oasis Winner (11) Encore (3) Prime Rock |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 10 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) MOVING VOLCANO won back-to-back races at class 4 level in February and March and has since registered 4th and 2nd place finishes in two tries at this class, both at this distance and most recently on May 23rd when he led for much of the way. He can lead again here, and this time can go one better. (6) VICTORY SOCKS returned from almost four months out to win over this distance on June 6th, settling midfield and running on. He is up in class but down 3.5kg in weight and he can strip even fitter for that run. (8) ENDING FIRE was the winner of that May 23rd race, beating Moving Volcano. There is a weight swing in the latter’s favour today, as well as a step up in trip, but Ending Fire still warrants respect. (1) DREAM ISLE and (2) TOHO SKY others with solid chances.
| Selections | (3) Moving Volcano (6) Victory Socks (8) Ending Fire (1) Dream Isle |
| Next Best | 2, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(6) UNJU CHALLENGE may well be ready to win again. She has a pair of 2nd places among four tries at this class, including last time out on June 21st when she led only to be taken down late by Honored Khan, who has finished ahead of her in each of their last three meetings. There is no Honored Khan today and an apprentice claim could be enough to put her on top of this field. (3) YOUNGYOUNG BRAVO has won four of his last five, most recently at 1400M on May 29th. He hasn’t been further than a mile, a distance over which he was 2nd to Saesidae Won, and he is up in class, but he is down in weight, and he has every chance here. (5) LIME TREE struggled in the KNN Cup last time and was well beaten by plenty of these two outings back. However, she was 2nd to Unju Challenge in March and then won at this distance at class 4 level in April so a return to form is not to be discounted. (9) TAMNA SUPER and (10) COW LINE others to consider.
| Selections | (6) Unju Challenge (3) Youngyoung Bravo (5) Lime Tree (9) Tamna Super |
| Next Best | 10, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 6 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(6) HANMADIMALDO has only won one of fifteen starts so far but looks to be on the brink of another with a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, the latter at this class and distance on May 31st when coming from midfield and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He is up 2.5kg but will be favoured to go one better. (1) BAEKRYONG was an all the way winner at this class and distance on April 5th. He had a bit of a lameness setback in May and missed five weeks but has been back in regular work since June 27th and with a good start, he can be in the finish again. (9) LOVE O MINE was a decent 4th over 1700M last time out and under a light weight may offer some each-way appeal here. (2) GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA and (4) GLOBAL PHAROAH are the other main place chances.
| Selections | (6) Hanmadimaldo (1) Baekryong (9) Love O Mine (2) Geuphaeng Yeolcha |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(8) KNICKS GO WON has won four from six most recently over 1200M at class 3 level on May 24th when settling handy and proving too strong. She is up to class 2 for the first time, as well as up to a mile, but she has won at 1400M, and she looks to be quite a talent. This is a tough test though. (11) YONGBI PAEWANG returned to winning ways at this class over 1200M on June 7th, coming from well off the pace and beating four of today’s rivals. He is up 3.5kg in weight, but the wide draw should be no problem, and he is a two-time winner at this distance already. (7) RACE MAN was the beaten favourite in that June 7th race, ultimately running 3rd. That maintained a consistent run of form, and he should be close again. (10) WIND WINNER and (4) GEUMA DISNTINCTION other place chances.
| Selections | (8) Knicks Go Won (11) Yongbi Paewang (7) Race Man (10) Wind Winner |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(6) MUSKET CLEAVER comes off the Triple Crown trail where he finishes a solid 6th in the Derby before being further back in the Minister’s Cup. He was a winner at the class over a mile in March and while he carries 5kg more than that today, he is the one to beat. (8) WIN CATCHER is yet to catch a win in thirteen attempts but in three starts back following a nine-month absence he has a 4th, a 3rd, and a 2nd place the latter over this class and distance on June 13th when on pace throughout. He stays under a light weight and it’s not impossible he could go one better. (5) CUPID COMMAND was a smart winner from the front on June 27th over 1700M and while up in class, he is down 2kg in weight and can be competitive. (2) HEEMANGBAND and (1) BYEOLKONG the others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (6) Musket Cleaver (8) Win Catcher (5) Cupid Command (2) Heemangband |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) LUCKY FRANK has a 2nd and two 3rd place finishes in three starts back following a three-month absence, all at this class and all over a mile. He drops back to a trip over which he has won and he can win here. The market favourite will be (1) CHEONGRYONGUI CAL. He was a winner at this class and distance on May 2nd when racing handy to the speed before being the beaten favourite when leading on June 6th before being swept up late and finishing 5th behind Maru Janggun, who has gone on to win again. He is worth another chance here. Stepping up to 1800M st just start number five may have been a bit much too soon for (8) WHIZ FIGHTER but he is one for one over this distance and under a light weight, should be a chance here (3) HERO SOCKS and (4) GEOMIBULU others who can contest the minors.
| Selections | (5) Lucky Frank (1) Cheongryongui Cal (8) Whiz Fighter (3) Hero Socks |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 