It’s the final weekend of racing before the short Chuseok break and the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter kicks off with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) the main event. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 6 at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million
Juvenile maidens with three of the eleven racing for the first time and a couple of them look interesting. (6) THE ROAD led in his second trial, crossing the line alongside top sprinter Super Finish in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he wins. (3) ULTRA CROWN went through two trials, winning both of them, most recently last week when settling back and running on strong in a quick time. The 1200M should suit and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, he can win first-up. (8) BULTAOREUNE was 6th on debut and then an improved 3rd at start number two over 1000M on August 9th when he beat three of today’s rivals. Third-up he should have a fitness edge here, and the way he has finished off these races, suggests the step up in trip is in his favour too. (5) FLASH BOLT and (2) NAREUSYA GOAT finished 4th and 5th respectively on debut behind Singsing Nashe and both can improve here
| Selections | (6) The Road (3) Ultra Crown (8) Bultaoreune (5) Flash Bolt |
| Next Best | 2, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens, although all of them have raced at least once before. After running 4t on debut, (9) UNICORN ACE was a close 2nd at start number two on August 22nd in a quick time over 1000M. He is up significantly in trip, but he has been doing his best work late, and he has every chance here. (8) GOLD X stepped up to this distance at start number two on August 30th and came from off the pace to run a solid 3rd place. Luis climbs on for the first time, and he can be dangerous here. (4) ECLIPSE GOLDEN has run 3rd in both starts so far at 1200M. He as been back to trial since his lates, which he came trough well, and he can at least place again. (11) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG and (6) CHEONSANGGEOMNYONG among plenty of others who can step up.
| Selections | (9) Unicorn Ace (8) Gold X (4) Eclipse Golden (11) Cheonmaui Hanseong |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 25 Million
A “second chance” race for those yet to win any prize money from at least five starts. And none of them started their respective last race at odds shorter than 26/1, so it’s a case of good luck solving this one. (3) SEMYEONG HEIDI has done the least wrong in that she has only raced five times and does at least have a 6th place. She also hasn’t raced since May and crucially went through a trial in August that she won in a quick time, making all. If she brings that trial form to the races, she will win this. (1) PNS RUNNER does usually show on the early speed and if from the onside gate he gets off to a good start, most of these rivals might not be good enough to get past him. (6) VICTORY SECRET is another who can be on pace and in this a long way. Without any level of confidence, (7) DUKE SOCKS and (4) HAEMARU CHAT are others who could run into some money.
| Selections | (3) Semyeong Heidi (1) PNS Runner (6) Victory Secret (7) Duke Socks |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been knocking on the door in recent starts wit a 2nd place tree back and then a 3rd on his latest on August 9th. Both those were at this distance coming from off the pace and against this modest opposition, he won’t need to improve by much to win this. (10) SONGDANG JILJU has picked up in her latest two, both at 1400M, passing plenty late for back-to-back 4th places. Previous tries at 1700M were not successful, but she may be ready for another crack. (1) NURI EUTTEUM has never been better than 4th but managed to finish in that position last time out on September 6th and making a quick return here and drawn in a much better gate, she can match or better it. (8) GANGHAN PRINCESS and (7) GRAND COURAGE other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Powerful Arctic (10) Songdang Jilju (1) Nuri Eutteum (8) Ganghan Princess |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 8 |
Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) WIND MIREU is a winner of three from four and enters having run a close 2nd on his first try at this class over this distance on August 16th when coming from off the pace. He has his fair share of weight to carry again, but he can go one better. (9) SEOBU DANCING returns to racing for the first time since winning at class 5 level under an apprentice claim over a mile in May. He is up in class and bereft of a claim today, but he has Franco on and he looked well when winning a trial two weeks ago. (11) KEUTPAN YEOGEOL enters having finished in 3rd place over this class and distance on July 24th. She races best on pace so she has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can be competitive. (6) STRAWBERRY QUEEN and (7) SHACKLE LAUD among others in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Wind Mireu (9) Seobu Dancing (11) Kkeutpan Yeogeol (6) Strawberry Queen |
| Next Best | 7, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) ANYANG LASER was a winner back at start number three and while he took a couple of goes to figure out this level, he stepped up to 1800M for the first time on September 6th and led for much of the way around before finishing in 2nd. He can lead again here and in this company, he can go one better. (10) WINNER SOCKS has a 4th and a 5th in two tries at this level since getting his maiden win over 1400M in May. He carries a light weight and given his racing style, the step up in trip may well suit. (1) NARO MA STAR is yet to finish in the tp two but got a class drop a couple of starts back and may well be figuring things out, having run 3rd over 1700M on August 15th. Franco stays on and he should be aiming to place again. Veteran (6) CHROMITE is the best of the rest, after which there is a big drop off in form. (8) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI could possibly compete for the minors.
| Selections | (9) Anyang Laser (10) Winner Socks (1) Naro Ma Star (6) Chromite |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 9 |
Yeongcheon Race 2: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A few enter in good form. (3) OASIS HWANHUI enters off a smart win at this class over 1800M on September 4th when he led all the way. He drops back to a mile, at which he is one for one over, and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, he remains at a weight that should be competitive enough to win. (2) GYEONGBOK PORTOS has won his latest two at 1400M and a mile to get rapidly promoted to this class. He is down 2kg in weight and he draws well. (4) FLYING MENACE has similarly won her latest two, in her case both at this class over 1400M and a mile. She gets to stay at class 4 level and under the same weight, she warrants respect. (10) NINETY PLUS and (6) POCKET MILLION are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (3) Oasis Hwanhui (2) Gyeongbok Portos (4) Flying Menace (10) Ninety Plus |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
After winning a trial, (11) GWANAKSAN BIGSTEP was an on-pace winner on debut over 1000M on August 17th in a quick time, scoring by five-lengths. He is up in class and in trip today, but the manner of that victory suggests that there can be more to come, and he is the one to beat here. (5) TAEPYEONG SG had to work a bit harder for his own debut victory on August 23rd when he was handy throughout and ground out the win. He too is up in class and trip but can measure up. (1) GEUMBIT YEONGUNG is yet to win in four attempts but has been no worse than 4th and is up in class following back-to-back 2nd places at this distance. He is down in weight and if he gets a good start from the inside gate, he can be in this a long way. (7) DAEWONYONGMA and (3) YES ANGEL other place chances.
| Selections | (11) Gwanaksan Bigstep (5) Taepyeong SG (1) Geumbit Yeongung (7) Daewonyongma |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 7 |
Yeongcheon Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) DRAGON DEVIL beat four of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance at Busan on August 23rd when coming from off the pace. The same apprentice means there is no weight swing against him today and this time he can go one better. (5) HANEUL POKPUNG is up in class having won over 1300M on August 28th, showing on pace throughout. He comes down a full 4.5kg in weight and that should make him nice and competitive here. (11) DEMETER as 3rd in that August 23rd race behind Dragon Devil. That continued a very consistent run of form, and he should be there of thereabouts again, (6) ARCHER HEART is the wildcard, racing for the first time since April but having won an August trial. (2) QUEEN WIND another firmly in the frame in a competitive race.
| Selections | (8) Dragon Devil (5) Haneul Pokpung (11) Demeter (6) Archer Heart |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) CHEONJI TANK was a maiden winner over 1400M in March and has since finished 2nd in both tries at this class, both at this distance and most recently on August 17th when close to the pace throughout. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and he has as good a chance as any here. (5) PARKA SHINE got his maiden win five starts back and then took a couple of goes to adjust to this level. He has figured it out in his latest two though with back-to-back 3rd places most recently over this distance on August 22nd. Kozzi stays on and they should be in the mix again. (2) CLOVER ONE enters off a 2nd place at this class and distance on August 16th and from a good draw should be on pace and in this a long way. (10) THUNDER FIRE and (1) QUERENCIA others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Cheonji Tank (5) Parka Shine (2) Clover One (10) Thunder Fire |
| Next Best | 1, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 10 |
Yeongcheon Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) SAENAE HUNTER won three in a row between April and July but saw that run come to an end with a poor day at the office on August 21st when he was in a good position but didn’t run on. The way he was going before that means he warrants another chance, and Yeongcheon may well suit. It’s not a strong set of opponents. (11) FANTASTIC BLUE has been ordinary in his latest two but he got back-to-back placings at this distance earlier this year and can be involved today. (1) SEOBU VISION has a 2nd and a 4rh from his latest two and while he cuts back in trip today and carries his fair share of weight, he can challenge. (6) BARBELL MOMO and (3) GUKDAE STAR other place chances.
| Selections | (9) Saenae Hunter (11) Fantastic Blue (1) Seobu Vision (6) Barbell Momo |
| Next Best | 3, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight A / Jeju Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million
(6) GLADIUS has been working back into form this term with a 2nd place in the KNN Cup followed by an emphatic ten-length win over the class 1 boys at 1800M on August 16th, settling midfield and running on. If she brings that form today, she may be hard to beat. (12) CLEARLY WINNER won the Luna Stakes and was 2nd in the Korean Oaks before a mix-up saw her miss the final leg of the Tiara. A stable change followed and she was very goof class 3 winner over this distance on August 28th. She makes a quick return here and with a record of five from seven, tactically versatile, and plenty of potential; she is a big chance. (10) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN is the defending champion having come from well back to pick off Jeulgeounyeojeong and Gladius. This term she was 2nd in both the Donga and Ttukseom and then 4th in the KNN. She likes to get right back and then run on but often leaves herself too much to do. If she can get within striking distance, a repeat is possible. (8) FANTASTIC VALUE and (4) RAON FOREST others very much in the frame.
| Selections | (6) Gladius (12) Clearly Winner (10) Boryeonglightqueen (8) Fantastic Value |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 9, 11, 13 |
Yeongcheon Race 5: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(8) ENCORE has won his latest two, both at this distance and both times leading all the way. He comes up in class today but is down 3.5kg in weight and he can make it three in a row here. (1) HUIMANG RANI has a 2nd and 4th from her latest two, beating plenty of today’s rivals in the process. She likes to settle back and run on, so she can leave herself too much to do but she has three wins and two placings from seven tries over the 1200M and she should be very much in the mix again. She will need to overturn the form on (6) GEUMA EMINENT, who was 2nd to Huimang Rani’s 4th when they raced on August 21st. He was a big price that day but warrants more respect this time. (2) DRAGON REVENGER, returns to action for the first time since May and looked good in a trial two weeks ago. (7) NAKDONG MYEONGJAK is the other main contender.
| Selections | (8) Encore (1) Huimang Rani (6) Geuma Eminent (2) Dragon Revenger |
| Next Best | 7, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 9 |
Yeongcheon Race 6: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(10) CLUTCH WINNER is a winner of four from six so far with his latest coming at this class and distance on August 9th when handy throughout and proving too strong. He is up 2kg in weight but looks to have loads of potential and he should be too good again. (6) PACHAMAMA was 2nd in that race, giving away 1.5kg. She was a class and distance winner two starts back and she shapes as the testing material again today. (2) TWIN RAINBOW stepped up to this class on August 30th and ran 4th over 1400M. She drops back to a trip tat she has won over twice and from a good draw, she can be a danger. Veteran (7) WIND WINER won that August 30th race and can be considered again on a place line. (4) WORLD LIST CAT another in the hunt.
| Selections | (10) Clutch Winner (6) Pachamama (2) Twin Rainbow (7) Wind Winner |
| Next Best | 4, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) MAEUM HANA is proving to be quite the smart performer with five wins from seven including last time out on August 22nd when coming from midfield to win at this class over 1200M. He has won up to a mile so while this is his first try at 1800M, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be withing his wheelhouse, and while up 3kg in weight, he is the one to beat. (1) AIRFORCEONE was an impressive winner at class 4 level in March but was an also-ran in the Korean Derby and then again at this class and distance at the end of May. That has led him to receive the “ultimate gear change” and if it has refocused him then he could provide some each-way appeal here. (2) JD GANGJA comes up in class and in distance after back-to-back 2nd places over a mile and 1700M and under a very light weight, he can be competitive. (8) YONGBIGYO and (3) DAEHAN POWER others in the mix in a competitive race.
| Selections | (4) Maeum Hana (1) Airforceone (2) JD Gangja (8) Yongbigyo |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(8) STORM BREAKER hasn’t won for a long time, but he enters in good form and stepped up to this distance for the first time on August 17th when he was handy throughout and ran 2nd. He stays under a manageable weight, and a similar effort could see him go one better here. (6) MUSTANG POWER similarly hasn’t seen the winner’s circle for a while, but his recent form reads well having placed in all of his latest five outings. E has his fair share of weight to carry again but he won’t be far away. (5) SUPER BLUEMOON takes a go at this class following a 2nd place over 1800M on August 23rd and the according light weight can put him in contention. (7) TRAUM KING and (1) NASSAU CHAT others who can compete for the minors.
| Selections | (8) Storm Breaker (6) Mustang Power (5) Super Bluemoon (7) Traum King |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive finale. (5) MIGHTY SAVER registered a 4th and a 3rd from his first two starts and then went around in the Rookie Stakes where he finished a fair 5th of eight, not too far away, in a race which has so far stood up robustly form wise. He carries a light weight here, he draws well, and it could be his day. (3) PHANTOM PRINCE has similarly raced three times. He has run 2nd on two occasions, including his latest over 1200M on August 29th when he was slow away but ran on strongly. He rates as a big chance. (10) IKKEULIM won back-to-back races in June and July, before finishing 4th on his first try at this class on August 16th. He draws a touch wider than ideal but should be on pace and in this a long way. (7) MUCHO MACHO RAPIDO and (2) DREAM REMAIN are others who can be firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (5) Mighty Saver (3) Phantom Prince (10) Ikkeulim (7) Mucho Macho Rapido |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 9, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 