There is a bumper 13-race program at Seoul on Saturday which runs from 10:45 to 18:00. It’s set to be a beautiful autumn day – here are the previews:

US import Spring Back has been exceptional in two starts to date. He runs again in race 12 on Staurday (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Pretty moderate maiden to begin with. (11) USEUNG MACHA comes in having shown the best recent form with a 3^rd place last time out although that was arguably in even weaker company than this. She looks to be improving though and has as much chance as any. (9) SEOKGWA BULSIK raced very greenly on what was just his second start in September. He still finished off nicely enough and looked good when sent back to trial a couple of weeks ago. Look for plenty of improvement today. (8) LUCKY MURYA overcame a stumble at the start on her latest outing but finished off nicely and she’s another who can get closer here. (3) UDDUGI and (7) ROAD WOMAN other possibles to get better.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens only with five of the twelve racing for the very first time. A couple of the experienced ones have shown some ability though and we’ll side with them. (8) CHOEGANG STAR has a 5^th and a 3^rd from two efforts to date and while the Midshipman colt was the beaten favourite on his latest, he’s certainly worth another chance here. He should be on pace straight away and can lead all the way. (12) STORM FORCE showed positively on debut at the beginning of September running 4^th at this distance. She’ll have to overcome the widest gate but looks the biggest danger. (3) CHAMP K had a hard time running in a straight line on his first start but will hopefully have come on for the run and can improve. Among the first-timers, (10) NEW PARADIGM and (11) THANK YOU MOTHER were the best looking in trials with (1) GEUMA UPTOWN GIRL also doing nothing wrong and capable of going well first up.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens although this time seven of the twelve making their racecourse debuts. Once more we’ll side with experience though and both (10) BAKCHAOREUM and (11) GYORYONG UNU come in with 2^nd places to their name. That doesn’t tell the whole story with Gyoryong Unu. Having looked very good in a trial, he was sent off hot favourite on debut in August but having looked in command at the top of the stretch, he lost all momentum and ended up 2^nd. Then in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at the end of September, he was on the receiving end of some bumping at the start and unseated his rider. Surely, his luck changes today. If it doesn’t, then Bakchaoreum could take advantage. Her 2^nd place was a little more straightforward and showed plenty of promise. (7) NAREUDUSI was 4^th in the same race and can improve too. Among the debut-makers, (4) CHODONG BOBAE and (9) MEDICI POWER look to have the best chance of making an immediate impact.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) HANEUL ACE beat three of these on her way to 2^nd place in a similar all-filly race at this distance on September 9^th. That came off the back of a 3^rd place the time before and she can come home on top today. (6) SUN QUEEN was slowly away last time but ran on well, something she has done twice now. She steps up in trip for the first time and the extra distance could well suit. Nine months separated (3) TONGHAP SIDAE’s first and second starts but she ran well in both of them and can be a danger here. (4) CHEONNYEON HAPPY had some bad luck in running last start a month ago but still came home a not too far away 5^th, beating a couple of these. (5) GYEONGGUKJIMA ran a very good 3^rd on debut back in June but struggled on reappearance a month later. She comes in fresh after thirteen weeks off and is worth another chance here.

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) BEST MAID was just beaten half a length into 2^nd place over class and distance on September 15^th, beating a couple of these along the way. It continued a run of near-misses for her and she is very much he one to beat today. (8) STRONG LIGHT was one of those behind Best Maid that day and it was actually reversal of form as Strong Light has twice recently finished ahead of her. She can get close again although stronger challenges may come from (2) DAESEONG RUBY and (4) BIG AURORA. The latter drops back in trip for the first time since January and while he remains a maiden, he led in his last two outings and surely goes close here. (5) SURFING POINT is up in class having got her maiden win at the seventh time of asking last start and while she probably has a bit to find, she’s well drawn to get on the lead and could go well again.

Race 6: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Another set of juvenile maidens. (9) BEST LINE ran 2^nd on debut on September 8^th and while he was soundly beaten by a good winner, showed enough to suggest he has a bit of talent. He started very slowly and only really started to race in the last couple of furlongs. The wider draw may help him today and he’s clear favourite. (11) GLOBAL (more…)

There is a big Sunday of racing at both Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05). Here are the Seoul Previews:

JRA Trophy victor Road Winner is the one to beat in Sunday’s Seoul feature (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(7) EIFFEL was 3^rd on debut four weeks ago and showed enough to suggest that with a little improvement he’ll be winning sooner rather than later. He’s well drawn to be on the early pace here and today can be his day. (3) SOKBO ONGJU was a slightly below par 6^th in the same race but has a recent 2^nd place to her name and can get closer today. (9) GOD OF SOCKS steps back to the minimum distance for the first time since running 2^nd on debut in July and should be a danger, also from the front. (8) ANGELA was an improved 2^nd last time albeit in weaker company than this while (2) CHEONGDAM QUEENS returns from six months out and trialed up positively at the end of September.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

It’s maiden juvenile fillies here with four of the ten runners racing for the first time. The only one in the field to have raced twice is set to be favourite though. (8) BLACK ZAPPER was an improved 2^nd when stepped up to this distance for the first time on September 1^st and should have too much for this lot today. (6) HEUNG BUJA had excuses for her 9^th place on debut last month but she previously won a trial and the distance today should be a better fit so improvement is expected. (1) DADDY GLORY too raced quite greenly on her debut back in August but seemed to be going in the right direction in a subsequent trial. (7) YAHO M J CAT is another of the experienced ones who can be a danger. OF the first-time starters, (3) WONDERFUL MARIA looks the pick.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

This isn’t a particularly strong maiden but plenty come in with recent form reading well. (2) SUNSHIN MARINE hasn’t done much wrong in three efforts to date and was a useful 4^th in a better race than this – albeit nine-lengths behind the winner – last time. She looks to have solid claims today. (3) DAEMYEONG SOLAR raced rather ungenerously in the home straight last start nut still managed to finish 3^rd at the distance in a similar strength race to this and must be taken seriously while (9) CHEONGDAM JEPAE returned from five months off to run 2^nd on September 16^th. She’s the likely pace-setter here and can go one better. (5) STRIDE UP ran well enough for 4^th on debut at 1000M and with some improvement in terms of manners, can get closer. (7) MIRACLE GOLD was a much improved 2^nd last time out and can build on it today.

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) TRI THUNDER ran out a five-length winner on debut at the distance on September 8^th. The Stay Thirsty gelding is up in class here but is well drawn to lead again and could make all once more. The main danger is (4) HANIL DALBIT. While his solitary win came at 1200M and he hasn’t raced at the minimum since his debut back in January, his recent form has been very solid and he’s a very interesting entry here. He could even start as favourite. (8) DIA PUNCH is up in class after scoring at the third time of asking last month. (9) POP STREET is too although he hasn’t raced since January. He did, however, trial up in good fashion last month. Of the pair, Dia Punch is more favoured at this time. (2) BLUE ANNA and (7) MONKEY SOCKS are others in at least the placing hunt.

Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(5) BURUI GORI has come close but over five starts to date has somehow managed to (more…)

There are 12 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:4 to 18:00 and one of the stars of this year’s Triple Crown trail, Mask, 2nd in the Korean Derby, returns to action in the afternoon’s feature. Here are the previews:

Mask beat Gaon Champ in the Sports Seoul Cup back in April before running 2nd in the Derby (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maiden to begin with and precisely half of the twelve-strong field have raced before. (1) GEUMA KINGDOM is just a place-finish away from being promoted to class 5 with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from two outings so far, most recently at this distance. The Animal Kingdom colt is can settle just off the early lead here and should be too strong. Among the others who have raced before, (12) WONDERFUL DIXIE was a useful 3^rd on debut in September while (5) RULES ICHEON and (9) WONDERFUL HENNESSY can both improve. Of the first-timers (2) GEOM HONG looks the clear pick having run away with a September trial. She’s half-sister to a couple of reasonable animals (Young Storm and Red Young Myeongun) and could have a few wins in her.

Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) I.B.S QUEEN ran out a four-length winner over 1000M in a fast time on September 2^nd on what was her second career start. She’s up in both class and distance here but is well-drawn to get to the front early again and potentially lead all the way. The main danger is (5) SPEED HWANGNYONG, a class and distance winner on September 15^th when he came from off the pace to record his second consecutive victory. He carries more weight today but will be a big threat. (4) GRAND DOLPUNG is up in class after a good win at this distance a month ago and must be taken seriously. (9) GLORY VERN ran a creditable 5^th in a stiff race on his first try at this class last time out and can build on it today, while (6) DUSON WANGJA is another who could improve here

 Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) FANTASTIC QUEEN enters with the most convincing recent form with a win and a 4^th place, both at this distance and this class in her latest two. She wasn’t far away last time in a similar strength race and from a similar draw and she could win here. (9) JI SEONI drops back in trip today to the distance at which she landed her solitary win. It coincides with her having shown some signs of getting back into some kind of form last start and while she’s not always the best of starters, she has claims here. (4) THE PRIMA was last seen winning at this distance back in January. She’s had setbacks since and while she wasn’t hugely convincing in trials, she certainly has ability and could go well first-up. (2) BERNARDI SHOW and (6) DOUBLE A are others in the hunt.

 Race 4: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) ALL THAT CHASE got his maiden win last time out at the tenth time of asking. It had been coming as well and he beat a couple of the others who return here. He’s not the quickest of starters but he can sit behind the early lead here and he could well repeat. (10) MANHATTAN MUSIC remains a maiden after eleven attempts but the Gio Ponti filly drops back in rip after a good effort at 1700M a month ago and looks firmly in contention here. (4) NASCAUI BYEOL came home 3^rd at class and distance last time out and while this is a slightly better race, he can aim for a repeat. (8) MEGALIOS and (9) EOUL DEOUL are others who look nicely in to compete for at least a place.

 Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

This race is for juveniles only (and two southern-hemisphere three-year-olds). Five of the ten have raced before and one of them, (1) GAON QUEEN was an impressive winner. She scored by three-lengths having made all at this distance on September 9^th and it’s very hard to find a reason to oppose here. (9) GOLD HAMMER was 3^rd in that race and did (more…)

It’s been a filthy Friday and it’s set to be a soaking Saturday as rain clouds have stalled over the Korean peninsula. Racing is set to on though with 12 races in the capital from 10:45 to 18:00.

Sadly the weather isn’t going to look like this on Saturday (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(3) EUNICE enters having run 2^nd in a similarly weak maiden over the distance on September 1^st. She was just beaten half a length that day and given the strength (or lack thereof) of today’s opposition, she can win this. In fact, it’s so weak that twenty-one race maiden (8) GOLD SEUTAK has her best chance to date of registering a win of her own. She has two 3^rd places from her latest three and should really improve on that this time. (1) SONGAM BARBIE has trialled again since debuting six weeks ago and may improve. (6) GANGSANUI ACHIM and (9) JEONGSANG GOLD are others who may trouble the place judges.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

This race is restricted to juvenile maidens and five of the twelve have raced before. Among those, (2) RAON SERENA, with two 3^rd place finishes, both at this distance, has been the standout and she should be at least matching those finishes today and has every chance of going even better. Of the others who have raced before, (12) MISTER HERO did nothing wrong and can build on his 7^th of 11 he achieved on debut. However, the favourite is likely to be first-time starter (6) WONDERFUL TRUTH. He blitzed a trial three weeks ago and if he brings that form to the races, should have far too much. Among the others appearing for the first time, (8) DOKDO YA and (10) MAMA ROMA also won their trials and may be considered first-up.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens here although this time we’ll side with the ones with previous experience. There are six of those in total and while (11) CHEON GI has the best finish position among them, running in 3^rd on debut in mid-August, both (5) GAON FORCE and (6) WINNER BROWN ran faster times on their respective racecourse bows. Winner Brown previously made all in a trial and is well drawn today to get to the front and potentially lead all the way. Gaon Force was slowly away and with a better start, can get much closer. Among the six first-timers, (1) WHITE COMET was the most eye-catching in trials – he finished ten lengths behind Wonderful Truth from race 2 but nevertheless, looked competent. (7) GEUMSEONGHWANGJE too put in a promising trial effort and could go well. As ever with the first-time starters, watch the market for additional clues.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Across three starts so far, (4) TOHAMSAN POWER has finished no worse than 5^th and while he only managed 4^th of 8 on his latest effort at this distance the margins weren’t big, and he overcame some bumping at the start to still run well. He’s very much the one they need to beat here. His two main rivals here, (1) HARD PRINCESS and (2) HWANSANGUI BIT both endured difficult starts in their respective latest outings too, but both ran well to record what was for both a first runner-up finish. They seem to have a bit more to find than Tohamsan Power, but both should be aiming to at least place. (3) MAX THUNDER steps back up in trip after some encouraging showings at 1000M while (7) SAMAE STAR looks to be on the improve too and shouldn’t be too far away.

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) ROMAN BLADE has already come up short when favourite a couple of times but ran well enough when 3^rd behind a couple of useful horses at class and distance on September 1^st. He was drawn in the widest gate that day and breaking from a more favourable position this time can get on pace early and potentially lead all the way. (10) SHANGHAI JORDAN was a winner on debut and has held his own in two starts since. He lost ground at the start in his latest effort on September 8^th but rallied well for 5^th and looks to be the main danger here. (7) INDIAN ECO too put in a decent performance in 3^rd at class and distance last time and can build on that here. (5) SUJEBI is up in class having (more…)