There are 12 races at Seoul on Grand Prix-eve, Saturday with the 1st at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Six first-timers, five who have each run once and one who’s run twice. That one who’s raced twice already could well be favourite as (6) CITY ANGEL was a decent 2^nd on November 12^th, beating (9) ACE CANT and (1) BEST BULLET in the process. He should be on pace early and can go all the way. Ace Cant can improve too and will be backed as will (3) BOLD SHINING who did nothing wrong on his own debut on October 22^nd. (10) HANIL GANGJA and (11) THUNDER MARINE also acquitted themselves well and may be considered. As for the debut-makers, it’s probably a case of “watch the market” to see if anything stands out – (7) SEOUL SOL, could be the one.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Two standouts here, both of whom come in having finished in 3^rd place in their respective latest outings. Both were at this distance and both in similar times against similar opposition so there isn’t much to choose between (3) DUAL CHOEGANG and (7) YEONGLAK TAEWANG. They’re both three-year-olds by Duality and are both still maidens. Perhaps the one difference between them is Yeonglak Taewang is more likely to be on the early speed. This is not a strong race so we’re looking for something to step up. Jockey bookings point to (4) MAJJABEUN SON but (9) BLUE ROCK has shown some glimpses of ability and his last start, back following six months out, can go better. (10) YONGUI JUDO improved on her second start last month and could also be in the frame.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Much better race here with plenty of potentially decent juveniles bidding for a maiden win. (6) BACK TO BACK looked good on debut and while he only managed 3^rd as favourite following a swift trial, he showed enough to suggest he has wins in him. (1) EMERALD KING has back to back 3^rd places both at this distance and while he’s not shown much in the way of speed so far, also looks capable of going better. (9) JEJUI HEUKSEON debuted over 1300M and while she was ten-lengths behind a good winner, was still a solid 2^nd ad can be considered while (7) DOUBLE GOLD couple benefit from the additional furlong today. He’s been 4^th and 3^rd in two outings at 1000M, running on nicely both times. (2) MONEY ZIF and (11) BISUL GONGJU are others to consider.

Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(3) ROAD WINNER was a good three-length winner at this class over 1300M on November 5^th and while he carries a couple of extra kilos today, can win once more, probably looking to set the pace in this small field. (4) MYEONGGA JEWANG was an all the way winner, but over 1000M on November 11^th and looks to have scope for development. (5) POSEIDON MARINE debuted soundly in 3^rd at this distance and also looks to have a solid (more…)

Winter has  arrived in force this past week in Seoul but racing is on! 12 Saturday races in Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

We’ve got some really competitive contests today and we start off with one such event. Granted that’s because nothing in this maiden has shown an awful lot in the way of ability so far but something has to win. (3) CUPID GANGJA gets dropped back in trip today and if he can get away to a fast start, he could well find the breakthrough here. (6) UN SEO and (10) MAX THUNDER have both shown glimpses of potential and have claims here too while (11) HURACAN was ok if nothing special on debut and gets a chance to improve. (5) DAE CAIN actually ran in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at the end of October. He didn’t run very well but this is a big step back in quality.

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

(6) DAECHEONUI SARANG was 2^nd on debut a month ago, admittedly a full seven-lengths behind a good winner and she is favoured to take home this big juvenile prize. (4) SHARK DAEJANGGEUN put in a similar effort on what was his second; well beaten by a good winner but good enough to beat the rest. That was all the way back in August but this looks a nice race to return in. Also racing for the first time since August is (8) CYBER. He was, frankly, bad on debut and got sent back to trial. He put in a really strong looking performance in said trial on November 17^th, winning it in what would have been a competitive time in an actual race and he can go right into consideration for at least the minor money here. (3) GANADORA and (12) ALI BAEKJAK are others to consider for improvement.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million 

A few with potential in this juvenile contest. (11) THE JIJON may appreciate the slight step up in distance today. Moon Se Young takes over in the saddle and the colt can be expected to defy a wide draw to get on the early speed. (8) SPEED IS KHAN looks to be on the improve and will come from off the pace – he went well on his first try at this distance last time. Similarly showing improvement on their second starts were (1) (more…)

12 Saturday races at Seoul with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

There were three months between (10) J.S STORM’s first and second starts but he showed enough in 5^th on his October return to suggest that he has solid claims here. He led that day before weakening but he may be ridden bit more patiently from a wider gate today and could have too much. (2) I B S MAN demonstrated some progress last time and can keep that going today while (4) WHITE ERICA managed an unexpected 3^rd place on what was her fourth start three weeks ago and can build on that today. (5) SARYEONI THUNDER and (8) ROYAL ACE are others in the frame.

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

Only four of these gave raced before and while none of them caught the eye, both (5) GONGJU SARANG and (7) PANGPANG GARI will be expected to improve here. The former showed close to the front on debut before weakening a little but showed some sign of talent. Among the debut-makers, (9) MERRY WHITE trialled up nicely and looks worth a chance first-up as do (8) THE PRIMA and (10) JEONGSANG MUJEOK.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Five of the twelve have raced before and we’ll go with (7) DORAON ACHIM HAE to score ahead of a distinctly moderate looking bunch. He started slowly but finished off well for 4^th on debut and should appreciate the further trip today. None of the others who’ve raced before showed much although (5) CHOM NIA is another who looked to need further, so we’ll turn to the newcomers to find dangers. (12) COMPLETE SWEEP was fast in his trial and could go well from the outside. (8) RAON SIRIUS and (10) CHAPEL ACE are others who trialled well and can be given a chance here.

Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million 

(2) CLEAN UP SECRET has shown enough in three outings to date to suggest he has wins in him and while he was a beaten favourite last time, he’s going to be strongly favoured to score this time, possibly leading gate to wire on his first try around two turns. (1) NANGMAN STAR took to the distance well last time out and can go well again as did (3) ONE TWO THREE and they should both get close. The main danger though could well be another who tries the distance for the first time. That’s (4) BULSA BULPAE, who has (more…)

A couple of big Juvenile races highlight the Sunday programs at both Seoul and Busan. Six unbeaten ones headline the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul while at Busan, Bart Rice, Peter Wolsley and Thomas Gillespie all saddle fancied ones in the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo. Seoul has 11 Sunday races from 10:45 to 18:00 while Busan has 6 from 12:40 to 17:05.

I’m Your Father (right) won the Do-Min Ilbo in 2016 and went on to beat Triple Nine in the Mayor’s Cup this year (Pic: KRA) 

Only Seoul is available on overseas simulcast so previews on Seoul races are below. For Busan selections, scroll to the bottom:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) AMAZING PEACE beat (9) BROWN BOMBER when the pair ran 3^rd and 4^th in a similar race over the same distance on October 21^st. There was only a nose between them, however, and both look firmly in the frame here. Neither have been the fastest of starters so far and nor has the other main fancy, Midshipman gelding (6) HESEDEU, second when favourite last start, but they will all be looking to get away quickly here and whichever one manages it best, may well win. The others all need to find improvement with (4) SKY DOLPUNG and (10) CREMOA POWER perhaps most likely while (3) POWER KOREA has demonstrated already that he can start well and could be an interesting outsider.

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

Juveniles only here and it sees seven fillies up against two colts. (5) MYEONGPUM BOBAE was an encouraging 2^nd on debut on October 14^th, running on nicely in a quick contest and could well make the breakthrough here. She’ll be on pace early alongside the other two top picks, (7) GEUMA THUNDER and (3) HANSEN GLORY. The pair finished 3^rd and 4^th when they raced each other in a different race the same day, beaten only by a couple of useful looking types. (1) PRIMO also debuted well a week later, briefly leading close to home before having to settle for 2^nd. There are three debut-makers and among them, (8) LAST CONCERT looked the most capable in trials.

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

More juveniles here and a slightly weaker looking contest with a slightly stronger favourite. (3) GEOSEN MAPUNG was 3^rd on debut on October 22^nd, having been prominent throughout and a similar performance today should see her home on top. (1) IRYEO HAYEO and (5) SEUNGRI PLUS also showed some promise on their respective debuts and can be considered as did, to a lesser extent, (2) DUSON WANGJA. However, the main danger may come from one of the four first-time starters. That’s (8) LET’S YEONGCHEON who trialled up nicely for an in-form stable and has the champion jockey on board.

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and two mares) only here and a tricky puzzle it is too with roughly half the field looking to have claims. We’re going to go with the two who come in having won their latest starts, beginning with (2) CHEONGUN ILHO. She’s up in class after a comfortable maiden victory last time over this distance five weeks ago. That win had been coming and she should cope with the step up in competition. The other is (4) BAEKSAN YEOWANG. She was also winning for the first time but in her case, it was at this class and with another of today’s contenders, (3) PYEWOL SUHWA back in 3^rd. Baeksan Yeowang (more…)

We’re expecting sub-zero temperatures across the peninsula on Saturday but racing goes on! There are 12 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

He didn’t do much in his first couple of outings but (2) CAPTAIN POWER has come on nicely in two since, landing back to back 3^rd place finishes, first at this distance and then at 1300M and he looks ready to get his first win today. (10) BIG AURORA was a much improved 2^nd a month ago and looks to be a danger while (5) DUSON EYE’s latest two also give cause for optimism. (3) HWANGGEUM JUMEONI did nothing on debut but Kim Yong Geun staying on will lend him some supporters. (7) STORMY PASSION is the most experienced in the race – not necessarily a good thing at class 6 – and should be beating plenty.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(1) ROYAL BOKSUNI and (7) KYU JEU ran 2^nd and 3^rd behind a very good winner at this distance on October 22^nd. Three of the others who go here were well back behind them that day and while both are favoured here in this all-filly contest, it is Royal Boksuni who will be strong favourite to get her maiden win. Along with Kyu Jeu, (10) BAEKDU MIR looks most likely to challenge the favourite following a solid 2^nd place last time out. (4) MINDEULRE CHUKJE and (5) DONGSEO GADEUK others in the placing hunt. 

 Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(3) LUCKY BONGHWA was beaten a good ten-lengths into 2^nd by the promising Mask a month ago but has shown enough to suggest he should have too much for this field here. He’s got one place better in each of his four starts today and can complete the final step into the winner’s circle here. (4) KHENDUM POWER has also been getting closer to a win, leading until close to home last time before having to settle for 2^nd and can do similar today. (6) FIRST RUNNER and (7) UPDATE likewise haven’t been too far away in recent efforts and can get close. (10) MORE RICH was beaten by First Runner on his latest start two months ago but isn’t totally without a chance of overturning that form here.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles only here with two first-timers joining seven who have raced before. (9) GRAY GALAXY beat (6) GEUMSUN YOU on what was the latter’s debut on October 21^st. Both are in the frame here as is (4) WOOSEORA ICHEON, who race for the first time since beating Gray Galaxy when running 2^nd on debut on September 2^nd. (2) ORANGE SOCKS and (5) (more…)