The delayed racing season along with Christmas falling on a weekend means we get a rare Christmas Day card at Seoul, a day ahead of Boxing Day’s Grand Prix Stakes. There are 10 races from 10:45 to 18:00. And should you wish to spend the day on the punt, all betting locations will be open although attendance must be pre-booked through the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The Christmas Day card kicks off with a field of twelve previously unraced two-year-olds so it’s to the trial videos that we head. The only one to win her heat was (6) MENI SPEAR and that’s enough for us to find in her favour here. She made all in the trial crossing the line two-lengths ahead of anything else and won’t need to improve too much to go very close here. The other logical pick is (5) NAOL YEONGUNG. He finished in 3^rd place in his heat having been on pace throughout, but his time was the fastest that any of these recorded and from a good gate he has every chance. (12) GLOBAL BOBAE came home 2^nd in Meni Spear’s time, running on well from midfield and despite the wide draw should be competitive here. (3) FNAL CHARM and (8) CONCORDE SPIRIT others who caught the eye in their heats.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens but this time only three make their racecourse debuts although none have tackled 1200M before. (7) P N S GOLD won a trial and then ran 2^nd on debut on November 20^th when he sat handy to the lead and then ran on well. The extra furlong can suit, and he won’t need to improve much to be winning this. (6) GEONGONILCHEOK and (5) CUPID VOW debuted together over 1000M on November 27^th when both were close to the pace and ended up coming home in 4^th and 5^th place respectively. The should both be prominent here and can be competing to get even closer today. (4) JANGSAN POISON was close at hand 4^th place on debut 1000M doing his best work late on and may like the step up in trip here. Among the first timers, (14) MUSTANG POWER crossed the line 1^st in his trial and warrants consideration first up.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Filly maidens here. (2) MAGIC FLOWER has run well in both starts so far, improving to 3^rd place at her latest. Both were over 1000M, but the additional furlong should be fine, and she has claims here. (3) SWEET CAMP was a slightly disappointing 6^th at her latest start when well backed but she has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to her name at this distance already and should go close again. (8) RAON THE DASH is another trying the distance for the first time after three solid efforts over 1000M and can be competitive.  A litany of excuses were offered for (4) PUREUN YOJEONG’s dismal effort at 1300M two weeks ago, from the kickback to possibly not liking the gear she was wearing. She threw her head up at the start and then got bumped which set the tone for the race. We’ll draw a line through it and give her another chance as she has shown ability. (12) LUCKY INDY may need a touch of luck early to get a forward position, but she has shown some speed and should be in the mix.

It’s Grand Prix weekend at last with the big season-ending race taking place at Seoul on Sunday. Before that though Busan kicks things off on Friday with a 7-race Christmas Eve card from 12:40 to 18:00. All betting locations remain open although the off-track centres are restricted to 80% capacity. Attendance at all racecourses and off-track locations must be pre-booked through the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with eleven of the twelve racing for the first time. We therefore head to the trial videos and find that (1) SANGSEUNG BOY led all the way in his heat to cross the line in front by a wide margin n a decent time. He draws beautifully on the inside and if h gets off to a good start again, he will take some beating. The one horse with prior race experience is (12) EUNSEONG WINNER. She ran well on debut, overcoming gate ten to sit just off the pace and then ran on well enough for 3^rd place. She should have come on for the experience and while the gate may not help again, she should go close. Back to the first timers and (7) BINGO MAN won his heat leading all the way, crossing the line thirteen lengths in front of anything else. The time was pedestrian but there looks to be potential. (9) MAIN BRIDGE and (10) PHANTOM ACE are others who performed well in their trials and should be close first-up.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Maiden fillies and plenty of potential winners. We’ll take a chance with (4) CHEONGMA POWER, who has mixed her form but is better than her latest effort suggests when slowly away and never a factor. She does have two placings at this distance to her name in fair times and from a good draw and a better getaway, has as much chance as any. (13) FUNNY LIFE gets a bad draw, but she is yet to finish worse than 4^th in three starts and seems to be working towards a win. She comes in having run 2^nd over 1000M at her latest start when on pace throughout. She comes up in trip for the first time but has every chance. (10) RAON THE FLASH led on her first try at this distance at start number three, weakening in the closing stages to run 6^th. The experience should benefit, and she can go closer this time. There are a couple of debut-makers. (1) ALPHA V was on pace in her trial a couple of weeks ago and from the inside gate can make an impact here. (5) DROMOS among a number of others with at least placing claims.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Decent race for the level but we’re likely to have a standout favourite. (10) GEUMA STARLET returned from six months out to run a strong 2^nd over 1200M on December 5^th, coming from well off the pace. He should strip fitter for that run and the additional distance can suit. He looks hard to beat. (8) BLUE CAPTAIN showed improvement at his latest start to run 3^rd over 1200M. He can get on pace here and so long as he sees out the trip can be competitive. (7) DOCTOR CANDY does have experience at this distance, having run 2^nd at it, her best performance to date, in an admittedly slow race on December 3^rd. She sat just off the pace that day and battled on and from a slightly better draw should be in the finish again. (4) NEW CROWN ran 4^th in that 1200M race behind Geuma Starlet at his latest outing when he too came from a long way back. He has run fairly at this distance before and along with (13) RUN AND GUN is another with claims on a money finish.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

There is a race of reference here at class and distance on November 26^th. (2) FANTASTIC LEADER could only manage 6^th that day, beaten by a couple of todays rivals, but the margins were tight. Two starts back he ran a very strong 2^nd, again at this distance, and while he is yet to win, today could be his day. (5) INDIAN PARTY started slowly in that race but rallied well to come home in 4^th place. That continued a consistent run of form for him and from a much better gate today, he too can have winning claims. (11) K CHUKJE came home the best of those who ran in that November race, finishing in 3^rd place at lengthy odds. He’ll warrant more respect here although the other two draw better this time. If you don’t like the form from that race, then (6) LIGHT STORY can be the one to go for. She was very impressive when winning on debut and while she faltered on her next appearance at this distance, she ran better third-up over 1200M on November 28^th. She will be on or close to the pace here and can be in the finish. (12) JEONSEOLUI PUNCH another in the frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) DOCTOR CAESAR won his first two races in good order before running 3^rd in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup, a race which he led for much of the way around. He followed it up with a runner-up finish at this class and distance on November 26^th. He draws well here to get to the lead again and he should have too much. (2) BUSANHANG GALMAEGI has won three from five in total including his latest at the end of October wen he led all the way over this distance. He is up in class here but comes down slightly in the weights and draws well. He surely measures up in this company. It’s a similar story with (1) GLORY KING who was also an all the way winner over 1200M at class 5 level on his latest outing. He too comes up in class and marginally down in the weights and he will be making it a testing time at the front in the early stages here. (4) JESSIEUI KKUM raced just the once all the way back in the summer of 2020. He looked well when trialing earlier this month and could make a bid for the places at each-way odds. (8) WINNER’S TIME another in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Tricky race with three standouts. (1) ECOPIA is probably the justifiable favourite having won two of her last three with the defeat being in the Luna Stakes at a mile when drawn very wide. She’ll get an easier time of it here from the inside and she looks the one to beat. (5) SEUNGNI TOUT was a winner at this class over 1800M on December 10^th. He has run fast times over a mile too and rarely runs a bad race with twelve top-five finishes from fourteen starts to date. He is up in the weights as a result of that win but should be in the finish. It took (9) DOCTOR FAITH ten attempts to get his maiden score, but he enters looking for a hat-trick of wins. His latest was at class and distance on November 28^th when he sat handy from the same gate he draws today. He too is up in weight but is firmly in the frame. (7) CHEONGDAM FIRE and (10) PURE KING have placing chances.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(7) MAN OF TOP has been a model of consistency but has only recently started to win. He beat several of these on his way to victory at class and distance on November 26^th when despite drawing wide, he was able to find a position and then ran on to win well. He comes in the weights but gets a better gate and will be favourite to win again. (6) CHANGE BACK won at this distance at class 4 level and has two runner-up finished from three attempts at this class. He usually settles midfield or further back and runs on and he should be coming on strong at the end again today. (9) YEONGGWANGUI FIGHT ran 2^nd to Man Of Top in that November 26^th race. He gets a bog weight advantage again today and can go close. (8) SEONGSAN POWER and (2) QUATTRO MAX are others who can enter the calculations.

It’s the penultimate weekend of the season and the weekend’s focus will be on the filly and mare division with both the final leg of the filly Triple Crown and also the Jeju Governor’s Cup for older fillies and mares taking place at Seoul on Sunday. The weekend’s racing kicks off in Busan on Friday with 7 races from 12:40 to 18:00. Despite new restrictions having been imposed, currently all betting locations are set to be open (this is subject to change if the government decides so) but advance reservation through the MyCard app is required. Here are Friday’s previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

They’ve managed to find twelve previously unraced juvenile fillies to kick us off, which is quite a feat for the penultimate week of the season. Unsurprisingly none set the world alight in trials, but a couple put in decent showings. (7) DAEJI PERFECT was fastest, leading for much of her heat and ultimately crossing the line in 2^nd place without being asked for too much effort. It was her second trial and she showed great improvement from the first and if she continues that trajectory can win here. She will vie for favourite status with (1) GASOK DAY. She also showed prominently in her trial finishing 2^nd in a slower time than Daeji Perfect but on a drier and slower running track. The jockey booking will ensure she is well-backed. (12) BEAUTY BROWN led her trial and while she needs to overcome the widest draw, she may be considered here. (8) RED COLOR and (2) SPECIAL FACT are others who hinted at ability in their heats and may go well first up.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Having made progress across four starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place last time out over 1200M on November 14^th, (1) ADELE CHUKBAE is the one to beat here. He was only beaten last time by Wonderful Fager, who came out and won again two weeks later and from the inside gate, should be on pace and be hard to run down. (11) USEUNG HUNTER looks the clear second choice. He too has shown improvement over four outings and was 2^nd last time overcoming an indifferent start to run on well. He too steps up to this distance for the first time and while the wide draw is not ideal, he has claims. Draw a line through the latest effort by (5) GIANT CAL when drawn very wide over 1400M. He has a 2^nd place to his name at today’s trip and should be competitive here. (9) CHEONMA BRAVO and (4) BAEDARI ICON are others with placing claims.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A small field tackle the mile, but plenty have chances. We’ll take a chance on (8) CHEONGHO LEADER, who is one of the few who steps up to this trip for the first time. He has been consistent at 1400M, running on well in his races and the additional furlong may well suit. (5) DAMYANG DOLPUNG has plenty of experience at the distance and comes in with his latest couple of outings being positive. His times haven’t been special, but they won’t need to be in order to be in the mix here. (2) YEONGCHEON SOLEMIO is an interesting one as his three starts so far have all been at 1000M. He has been well backed in all three of those but hasn’t managed to finish better than 4^th. It may be that the extra distance today is what he needs. (1) GEUMUI MAN steps up in trip after a decent 3^rd place at 1200M last start and is another with placing claims while (3) URI JOEUNNAL is another who can be there or thereabouts.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) ILBEONJI fully justified her odds-on status with a facile gate to wire win on debut over 1000M on October 24^th. She comes up in class and in trip here but can lead again and can have too much again. Also up in class is (11) H. DAY, who got her maiden win at start number two on October 10^th, settling handy and then running on strong in a fast time. She too should be able to handle the additional distance and can measure up in this company. (1) SUNSET MELODY was a winner on debut back in September and has proven competitive in two subsequent efforts at this class and distance, finishing in 3^rd place on her latest outing two weeks ago. She draws nicely here and should be in the hunt. (13) GOLDEN POWER comes up in class after a win at this distance on November 26^th. She may need some luck in the run from the wide gate but warrants respect here. (8) HALLA NURI another in the placing frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) CHEONNYEONUI QUEEN beat three of these on her way to 2^nd place at class and distance on November 21^st, continuing a run of good form and she has every chance in this competitive handicap where she can sit midfield and run on from off the pace. (2) FLASHY CHARM comes up in class and in distance after a good win over 1200M on November 28^th. His running style has been to sit behind the pace and run on, suggesting the increased trip should be no problem and he has the potential to ultimately go higher than this class. (4) CHEONNYEONUIYAKSO mixes his form but has the fastest time among any of these at this distance. He draws much better than in his latest two outings and should be in the mix here. (14) CRONUS and (9) MUJEOK CHARLIE among others with placing hopes.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

A good race and it is stablemates who were both also-rans in the Korean Derby on November 7^th who top the contenders. (4) WORLD CHANGE is set to be favourite. He runs for the first time since the Derby when he was well back, but his prior form was good including a super win over a mile. He also beat (7) KING GOLIATH when they met at a mile in September. King Goliath himself has raced since the Derby, finishing 2^nd at class and distance just a couple of weeks ago when he ran on well but couldn’t quite get to a good winner. He should be going very close again. (1) YEONGWON POWER beat King Goliath when the pair ran 1^st and 2^nd over this distance at class 5 level back in October. He comes in after a good class and distance 2^nd at the end of November and under a light weight and from a good gate should be very competitive again. (10) COOL GUY and (8) WHITE GALLOPER among other chances in a competitive race.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

It didn’t happen for (6) SUCCESS MACHO in the Owners’ Cup on November 21^st, a race in which the previously unbeaten three-year-old was sent of as favourite but turned out to be a bit much too soon. Plenty of others had off-days in that race too and given the level of performance he had put in over five winning starts before that, he has to be given another chance here. Like Success Machi, (9) ONNURI JILJU found the elite level a bit hard at this stage of his career, finishing down the field in the Cup Mile and Derby in his latest two starts. Returning to shallower waters today, he should be a much more dangerous prospect. Continuing the pattern of drawing lines through latest starts, (3) ALPHA STAR was on pace early but weakened over 1800M at his latest three weeks ago and should appreciate the drop ack to a mile today. (2) SMART MOD and (11) TOP FIRE among others in the hunt.

The final leg of the delayed 2021 Korean Triple Crown finally takes place at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. Just eight runners will compete but they include Heat Yegam and Winner’s Man, the winners of the first two legs of the Series. Before that, racing gets underway on Friday with a seven-race card from 12:40 to 18:00. All betting locations will be open but attendance must be pre-booked using the MyCard app and proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(3) WIND HIGH stepped up to this distance at start number three on October 8^th and recorded a good 3^rd place having sat handy throughout. She draws nicely here, carries the same light weight, and has solid claims to make the breakthrough. (1) ANNIKA GIRL has been knocking on the door for a while and took a step forward with a good 2^nd place over this trip on November 7^th, having settled well back. The inside gate gives options to her rider and she should be close at hand again here. (9) BARAM GONGJU was caught wide and then well back at her latest start over 1300M before flying home in the closing stages for 3^rd place. She went well at this trip three starts back and should be doing her best work late on again. (8) PICTURE JASPER is another who comes in off a last start 3^rd. (4) SEONGSIL SONYEO the logical next best.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The exposed form here isn’t great. (4) UNBRIDLED QUEEN tackles this distance for the first time and is the only one in the field who has a 2^nd place finish to her name. She has the ability to run on and with Seo Seung-un returning to the mount has as good a chance as any of making her breakthrough here. (3) WORLD FLOWER comes in off two consistent performances at this distance, last time overcoming a wide draw to run on well for 4^th with a couple of today’s rivals behind her. She gets a much better gate today and should be going close. (8) OMEGA GIRL comes back in trip after recent outings over a mile. She has posted a decent time at this distance and in this company should be competitive. (5) GOLDEN BROOM hasn’t done much in three starts so far but likewise hasn’t done much wrong either. His best finish is a 4^th over 1000M but he stuck to his task over 1200M last time and can be in the mix here. (6) NEW FRESH has slowly shown signs of improvement and is another with minor money hopes.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

He may have only finished in midfield in his latest two but (8) WILD BLUE has the fastest time among these over the distance and today finds himself in more amenable company. Expect him to sit on pace or handy here and he can win. (1) CHEONHA NUMBER ONE comes up in class having scored his maiden win at start number eight over 1200M on November 5^th. He came from a handy position that day, finishing off well and while he comes up to this trip for the first time, he draws nicely and carries a light weight. (9) ADELE SMART is the only one of these to have already won at the distance and that alone makes him a contender again here while (5) HAVE A GOOD TIME didn’t go well on his previous try at 1400M but draws much better today and if he can get on pace, then he has claims. (3) GOOD STAR another with minor money hopes.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) OREUDA showed good speed on debut on October 15^th to quickly get to the front and run on to win over 1000M. This is further and slightly harder given that it’s up in class but with some natural improvement he looks very much in this. (7) TTEUGEOUN MANNAM is the big danger. Since resuming following nine months out, she has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to her name, both at this distance and the latter at this class three weeks ago when she sat just behind the speed throughout and was beaten only by a couple of decent ones. She has a real chance here. (12) KING ALLIE was a winner on debut back in April and followed it up with consecutive 3^rd place finishes. He hasn’t raced since July but looked very well when winning a November trial in a fast time and while the wide draw doesn’t do him any favours, he should be competitive first-up. (6) CATCH THE VICTORY and (3) TWO TWO LIME are others in at least the placing frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(11) LANE KILLER got his maiden win over a mile two starts back before running 2^nd at this distance on his first attempt at class 5, beating three of today’s rivals in the process on November 19^th. He does come up slightly in the weights and drawing wide is never easy at 1800M in Busan but he is very much the one to beat here. (3) CENTUM THOR ran 4^th in that race. He is yet to win in eleven attempts but has consistently gone close and has strong claims on another money finish here. (6) OLD CHEONHA is up in class and distance following a maiden win at start number five over a mile on November 19^th. His racing style suggests that he should cope with the additional furlong and he can’t be ruled out. Nor can (8) ACE FOUR TEN, who has good experience at this level and is rarely far away. (7) DOCTOR PRO another who could place.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(7) DOCTOR TAKE came from midfield to comprehensively score over this distance on November 12^th. He comes up in class here but there isn’t too much to fear and he has every chance of winning again. (2) SEUNGNI TOUT looks to be the main rival. He’s been a model of consistency at this class and comes in after a good 3^rd over a mile at his latest start in November. He comes up 3kg in the weights but draws nicely and must be considered. (6) GREAT DANCE was a solid class and distance 4^th on November 19^th and should be in the mix again while (5) DONGBANUI SIJAK comes up in trip following a decent 2^nd place at 1400M. The latter comes down in the weights and looks very nicely in here. (1) YEONGBONGSAN, a class and distance winner at odds two starts back is another one in the frame in a competitive race.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

It’s about time (10) ROCKY SKY returned to the winner’s circle. He has won just the once from fourteen starts but has finished as runner-up on no fewer than seven occasions, most recently at his last start when racing against several of today’s rivals at this class over 1400M on November 14^th. The wide draw may not be ideal but he should be the one to beat here. (5) BABEL HIT was the winner that day, coming from well back to score. He comes up 3kg in the weights as a result but warrants respect. (9) AMOR FATI is up in class after an all the way win over 1200M on November 5^th. He carries a really light weight here and should measure up in today’s company. (4) GEUMA PSYCHIC ran 6^th in that November 14^th race, positing a fast time, and should be aiming to get closer today. (6) RAON THE POWER was an also-ran in the November 14^th race but has plenty of speed about him and can be given another chance.