There is no racing next week what with the short summer break, but we go out with a bang with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) headlining a 10-race (10.35 to 17.55) card at Seoul. There are also 7 races at Busan from 11.25 to 16.55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time, but the experience is good. (4) YONGBI SINSEONG was 2nd on debut, coming from off the pace after a very slow start over this distance on June 20th. He should have come on for that run and with a better start, he can go one better. (2) LEGEND MONSTER was a solid 3rd on debut over this distance on June 27th, settling midfield and running on. He comes into a much better gate, and he too should have derived benefit from that debut experience. As for the first timers, (10) SAMJEONG CHEF went through two trials, finishing 2nd in both. He should be nice and fit first-up and can have a say. (8) MYEONG POWERFUL and (11) POWER RACER others who hinted at ability in trials.
| Selections | (4) Yongbi Sinseong (2) Legend Monster (10) Samjeong Chef (8) Myeong Powerful |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) PIEONARI has raced three times and has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this distance. He was the beaten favourite last time out on June 20th when he just got a bit further back early than in his prior two runs, but if he can be a bit handier today, he can win. (8) CHAOS registered back-to-back 3rd place finishes at the start of the year, leading both times. She hasn’t raced since March, but she looked well when running 2nd in a trial earlier this month in a good time, and she can be a danger first-up. (1) JEONGMUN KINGDOM was a much-improved 3rd at start number two when leading on June 14th over this distance. He can be on pace again and in this a long way. (10) NURI DOLPUNG and debut-maker (11) ILSAN SNIPER are others in the frame.
| Selections | (5) Pieonari (8) Chaos (1) Jeongmun Kingdom (10) Nuri Dolpung |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) THUNDER WAVE was an improved 5th at start number two over 1000M on June 26th coming from off the pace in a race where everything was blown away by debut-maker Seraph. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and the step up in trip could suit very well. (10) RUBY GONGJU has a 5th and a 6th from two starts so far with the second of those coming in the June 26th race when beaten just a neck by Thunder Wave. Third-up she can be peaking and she can go much closer today. (7) OASIS ROSE debuted fairly enough in midfield on June 19th over 1000M. He should have come on for that, and he is another who may like the extra furlong. Debut-maker (1) SEOBULINA, along with (2) WILD CHAMP, the latter another out of that June 26th race, are others to consider.
| Selections | (8) Thunder Wave (10) Ruby Gongju (7) Oasis Rose (1) Seobulina |
| Next Best | 2, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight / KRW 30 Million
(6) DELTA EAGLE didn’t do much in her first two outings, but she comes in here having run 3rd at the end of May over 1300M, and then 2nd on June 28th at 1400M, both times coming from off the pace. She beat a couple of today’s rivals last time and she can beat them all here. (4) BEST A ONE similarly enters having run 3rd and 2nd in her latest two appearances, both at this distance and both times having been ridden much closer to the pace than in her previous outings. Expect similar tactics today from a good draw, and she can be in the finish again. (5) PNS GUNS completes a trio of last start runners-up, in her case over this distance on July 5th when on pace. Maia stays on and she can be close again. (10) BULGEUN YEOJEONSA and (1) GRAND COURAGE others in the hunt.
| Selections | (6) Delta Eagle (4) Best A One (5) PNS Guns (10) Bulgeun Yeojeonsa |
| Next Best | 1, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) GOLD ROGER has never finished outside of the top six with her best being a 2nd place over 1400M three starts back when handy throughout. She was a beaten favourite on her latest, which was her first try at a mile on June 19th when she was awkwardly away and much further back than usual. Seo Seung-un is on and with a better start here this time, she can make her breakthrough. (6) BEOLMAUI GEOIN did absolutely nothing in his first seven starts but patience appears to be paying off as he has a 3rd, a 2nd and a 4th from his latest three with the 2nd at this distance in that June 19th race, and he can be close here. (3) SO FAST was 4th on her first try at this distance on June 26th and can match or better that here. (10) MORE QUICKLY and (9) HAENGBOK TREE other place chances.
| Selections | (2) Gold Roger (6) Beolmaui Geoin (3) So Fast (10) More Quickly |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) MUNHAK BELL has thrived since being sent up to this distance with two 3rd places as well as his maiden win from three tries at it. Hat victory was two starts back under Luis, who returns today, and under a similar weight he can win again. (4) GEUMBIT POWER has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two at 1700M and 1800M, coming from off the pace both times. He has only missed the top three on one occasion and despite a big weight, he can be in the finish again. (8) LUCKY JOY was a maiden winner over this distance three starts back and has since run 2nd and 5th in two tries at this level. He likes to race on pace and continuing under a light weight, he can be in this a long way. (3) JISAN LABEL and (5) CHEONG WOL among plenty of others with chances.
| Selections | (6) Munhak Bell (4) Geumbit Power (8) Lucky Joy (3) Jisan Label |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) POWERFUL THUNDER won back-to-back races over 1300M and 1400M in April and May, leading all the way both times, before coming up short when trying to complete his hat-trick on June 14th, ending up in 3rd place. Regardless, that saw his rating tick up again so he is up in class today but that brings him down a full 4.5kg in weight, and he can return to winning ways from the front. The danger is (4) FLEX ENGINE. He was a winner at this class over 1200M in March and after a couple of shaky efforts, returned to form with a close 2nd place in decent race at this distance on June 26th, showing on pace throughout. He too will be on the speed here and it would be no surprise if he went one better. (3) RICH TREE needs a line through his latest but going on his 2nd place two starts back at this class and distance, he has to have a chance here. (1) GUKDAE HERO and (2) TAKE INDIE other place chances.
| Selections | (7) Powerful Thunder (4) Flex Engine (3) Rich Tree (1) Gukdae Hero |
| Next Best | 2, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) ISIMNYEON SEWOL was a winner at this class and distance in April and has since registered a 6th, and most recently a 5th, that coming at this class and distance on June 28th when settling midfield. A good apprentice takes just the 1kg off but in this weaker company, it can be enough to see him home. (2) STORM LIGHT got his maiden win at this distance in April and has followed up with a 3rd and a 6th in two tries at this class, the latter behind Isimnyeon Sewol in that June 28th race. He draws well to be on or close to the pace, and he shapes as the main danger. (1) QUERENCIA was a not away 5th last time out on June 27th when ridden far closer than in recent efforts and with similar tactics today can get closer. (6) RAON KINGSMAN and up in class (4) GEOLJAK CROWN others who could challenge for the minors.
| Selections | (10) Isimnyeon Sewol (2) Storm Light (1) Querencia (6) Raon Kingsman |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) STEALTH KINGMAN was 2nd on debut before winning at start number two over this distance at the end of May, from the front. He was then a similarly front-running 2nd on his first try at this class on June 28th over 1200M while beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He’ll be on pace and he is the one to beat. (3) DOCTOR HUNTER is a winner of two from four, most recently at this class over 1200M on May 15th when handy throughout. He is up 2.5kg in weight, as well as up in trip, but he draws well and a repeat isn’t impossible. (9) NOBLE WIND obliged as favourite to register his maiden win over this distance on July 3rd. He is up in class but down 3.5kg in weight, and he can measure up. (7) DORAN SAMSON and (4) HANEUL POKPONG are the other main chances.
| Selections | (6) Stealth Kingman (3) Doctor Hunter (9) Noble Wind (7) Doraon Samson |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (10) GWANAKSAN WONDERFUL has been a model of consistency with eight top four finishes from ten starts and it is at 1400M where she has excelled with both her wins coming at the trip along with a 2nd place. She draws a touch wider than ideal but if se can find a good position, she can win here. Her danger is the only one drawn wider. (11) GEUMJEOKSAN is up in class having scored in an all-filly race over 1300M on June 28th when settling handy and running on strong. She has finished 2nd in both her two tries at this trip and down 3kg in weight, she can be very competitive. (2) SAMJEONG LADY is up in class following a convincing win over 1300M on June 21st and the manner of that, along with the 2.5kg weight drop and good draw, suggests that she can be in the finish again. (7) WONDERFUL ALONG and (8) PINE PINK are the other main chances.
| Selections | (10) Gwanaksan Wonderful (11) Geumjeoksan (2) Samjeong Lady (7) Wonderful Along |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (4) FLEX KHAN is yet to win in four attempts but has a 4th, a 3rd and two runner-up finishes, the latter two at this distance, which brings him up in class ere. He is down in weight, the opposition isn’t intimidatin g, and from a good draw, he could break through. (10) BEOLGYOUI HIM is a winner of just one from fifteen but after a little cold spell, enters in good form with a 3rd, a 2nd, and a 4th from his last three, all at this class over 1300M. Seo Seung-un on for the first time may mean he starts as favourite. (11) KING BLACK got his maiden win over a mile two starts back and while he was a bit underwhelming on his first try at this class on June 26th but is worth another chance at each-way here. (8) WORLD TREE and (1) OASIS ADELE others firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Flex Khan (10) Beolgyoui Him (11) King Black (8) World Tree |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 8, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s hard to go past (1) JD GANGJA. He hasn’t raced since March but as a juvenile he was competing with the best and he was a winner in January over 1400M at class 5. He was an eye-catching winner of a trial at the end of June and if he brings that form to the races, he can win. (2) CHOCOLATE is a bit of an enigma, having flown home from well off the pace for 3rd in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown, but didn’t do much in the latter two legs. We don’t really know how good he is, but in these shallow waters, he must go in the numbers. (10) MUNHAK CHUKJE was a class and distance winner on June 28th and while he comes up a full 4.5kg in weight, he can be competitive again. (6) GLOBAL TIME and (9) JEONGSANG HERO others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (1) JD Gangja (2) Chocolate (10) Munhak Chukje (6) Global Time |
| Next Best | 9, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) FANTASTIC EAGLE should be too good here. He comes in having won well at tis class and distance on June 28th and while he is up 3kg today, he looks superior to his rivals here. (3) ANN BUNNY was a winner at this class in an all-filly affair over a mile on June 14th, coming from off the pace. She has only places once in six tries at this distance but under a light weight and in this company, she may be ready for another crack. (2) TANTAN DAERO was a winner over this distance at class 5 level in March and comes in off a smart 2nd place at this class on May 17th. He comes in fresh after ten weeks out and with the same apprentice keeping his weight down, he can be close. (5) SANGIM BOLT and (6) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) Fantastic Eagle (3) Ann Bunny (2) Tantan Daero (5) Sangim Bolt |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (2000M) Weight for Age / KRA Cup Classic (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million
(1) GLOBAL HIT won this race two years ago and while he did suffer injury and a downturn in form, he looks to be back. After a close 2nd to Yeonggwanguifirst in February, he was 2nd to Success Baekpa in the YTN Cup, beaten just three-quarters of a length, then six-lengths 2nd to Clean One in the Busan Mayor’s Cup. He has a winning chance here. (3) SUCCESS BAEKPA is the defending champion and the winner of the YTN Cup in April when on pace throughout. He was 2nd in the Herald Business, four-lengths behind Clean One, and 4th in the Busan Mayor’s. At his best he has every chance of winning again, but he can be inconsistent. (5) SPEED YOUNG ran an uncharacteristically ordinary 6th in the Busan Mayor’s having followed up his February Listed Sprint win with 4th and 3rd in the first two legs of the Stayer Series. 3rd in this race last year, this incredibly versatile competitor can be in the finish again. (8) GANGPUNGMA will run on and can be a danger late, while (11) PEPPER X is the each-way wildcard.
| Selections | (1) Global Hit (3) Success Baekpa (5) Speed Young (8) Gangpungma |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 |
Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) GEUMA ADEPT is a winner of three form eight and after struggling when favourite on his first try at this class over 1200M two starts back, he ran a very close 2nd a t1400M on June 12th when leading for almost entire way around before being grabbed on the line. (He comes up 3.5kg in weight but Seo Seung-un, who has ridden him in all of his wins to date, returns to the mount, and he can return to winning ways. (4) CHAMP SONNY has been consistent of late and while he takes a shy at the class 3 stumps here, that comes with a big weight drop and he can be competitive. (5) FANTASTIC BLUE was a winer over this distance in February and has since run 3rd in two tries at this class. He comes in fresh racing for the first time in fourteen weeks and can be in the finish. (2) HANEUL BOSS and (6) UNION CHAMP others in the hunt.
| Selections | (3) Geuma Adept (4) Champ Sonny (5) Fantastic Blue (2) Haneul Boss |
| Next Best | 6, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) GWANAKSAN SKY was unbeaten from three runs prior to having a crack at the Derby where he was under pressure a fair way from home but boxed on for a decent enough midfield finish. He led throughout in his run prior to the Derby over course, distance, and grade and despite the three kilogram and eight-pound rise on that effort he looks the obvious leader with no pressure elsewhere on paper and he should win. (7) BEOLGYO NAKSEONG is racing consistently and should be given a good place chance whilst (4) PARISUI BULKKOT has ability but in three starts since his debut victory has been awkwardly away from the gates and therefore has been beaten each time. He comes up in trip by 400M and if gets away cleanly he can be prominent for a long way. (5) SHINING ROAD is another that is racing well and will go close whilst (9) PASA SPARK has jumped out of the ground winning her last two and only comes up one-and-a-half kilograms and six pounds for her last start win at this grade from well back. The consistent (1) FIVE STAR faces the toughest task of his career so might be struggling to complete five consecutive second places but should not be beaten far.
| Selections | (2) Gwanaksan Sky (7) Beolgyo Nakseong (4) Parisui Bulkkot (5) Shining Road |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(2) HERO CHEETAH has been impressive in his two victories which have come over this trip and may have a good future. He is first-up for three months but if good to go can take the step up to Class 3 in his stride. The best form of (3) FREE THE ONE would win this but he has lost a leg at his latest two runs. He did place behind Roshe at Listed level in March before getting well out of his ground over this distance prior to finishing last and second last in two subsequent runs. If he runs to his best, he can win but whether he will remains to be seen. (7) KOREAN DREAM won his maiden at the seventh time of asking in May and can go well with (5) ENDING FIRE, a course, distance, and grade winner two back, (8) SEOBU TEUKSONG and (4) BONGHWA STAY next best.
| Selections | (2) Hero Cheetah (3) Free The One (7) Korean Dream (5) Ending Fire |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 8 |
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