Seoul is back from the long holiday and on what is a set to be a cool but fine day in the capital there are 12 races from 10:45 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

We begin with a filly-only contest and a nice competitive one at that. (6) AMENDA wasn’t far off 3^rd place on debut in August, coming home 5^th but then improved to 2^nd on her re-appearance on September 3^rd. She’s not the quickest of starters but is up slightly in trip today and has as good a chance as any here. (3) RUBY BEOLKIN returned from a lengthy absence to record a sound 3^rd place at this distance last month. She looks a much better filly now and can continue to progress here while (2) JEGUKUI HUYE was favourite when stepped up to 1700M a month ago but didn’t see out the trip. She should be much happier back at 1300M where she scored her best finish to date. (5) SAUVIGNON and (8) CHEONGUN ILHO, both at this distance for the first time, are others with scope to go well.

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

Seven of the twelve are racing for the first time but it’s among the five who have each raced once previously where we find out pick. That’s (12) GEUMA THUNDER, who may have been ten lengths behind the winner on debut at this distance on September 9^th but that was no disgrace. He led for much of the race and ran on for a comfortable 2^nd place (more…)

Saturday racing at Seoul: 12 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Not exactly thrilling fare to begin with today but that means it’s very open and we’re looking for something to improve. (7) DIA RUNNER did ok in a couple of starts in Spring and while her latest effort was nothing special, she drops back to 1000M today and looks in the frame. Likewise (1) MORAN DONGBEAK improved on what was just his second start last time out and could develop today. (2) ARGO UNIQUE, (8) DORAON PACHYAI and (10) CHEON NOK are the only ones in the field to have previously recorded 3^rd place finishes with the former of those perhaps most likely to repeat or go better. It’s a great race to debut in and as such (12) SEONGUNG, a very late-starter who looked ok in a trial just last week, has to be given a chance.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Katsumi Yoshida-owned (2) BRANDON showed a bit of promise in three outings in late spring and early summer culminating in a 2^nd place at this distance. He’s been off since then but returns here as favourite. (7) WIND POWER beat (6) HONEY RUSH as the pair ran 3^rd and 4^th over the distance on September 2^nd and Wind Power looks to be the primary danger here. Honey Rush was six-lengths back that day when sent off as favourite following a good effort the time before and could get back into form. (1) NAEGA JAL NAGA was 4^th, his best finish so far, three weeks ago at this distance and can match that here while (5) SUPER COBRA, making just his third start today, steps up in trip for the first time and could benefit.

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

Another race that’s not exactly loaded with talent and therefore, (3) K.N. BLUE, an encouraging 4^th on debut at the end of August in a race that was arguably tougher than this, has to be favourite to score under champion jockey Moon Se Young. (2) GASOK SHINHWA showed a bit of talent when 3^rd of 7 at this distance on September 2^nd on what was just her second outing. She can get on the early speed today from a good draw and can go all the way to get close. Also needing to get on that speed early is (8) BLACK MUSIC, He did that on September 3^rd and recorded a 2^nd place at this distance, his best finish to date. (1) GIDONG DAEJANG and (10) KWAEDO YEOWANG are others in with a shout of improvement.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Restricted to two-year-olds and therefore with enhanced prize money but just nine runners. Five of them go for the very first time and it’s to one of those we turn for the pick. It’s generally wise to treat trial times with caution but the manner in which (7) NIKE STREET won her trial two weeks ago suggests she needs to be taken seriously. It was a performance that would have seen her win many actual races and if she brings that to the track today, she’ll win this gate-to-wire. Of the other debut-makers, (6) TAMNA YEOSIN was the one that caught the eye, winning her trial handily. As for the ones who have raced before, (4) BISUL GONGJU finished off well for 4^th on debut at the beginning of the month and has to be considered. We’ll expect her to be ridden forward earlier today. (1) JIGONG JEIL was also 4^th on her debut a week later although was a bit further back and a little less impressive.

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

(2) MENI TURBO is in danger of contracting a severe case of “second-it is” A pair of runner-up finishes in her first two races saw her up in class and she was then 2^nd once more on her first attempt at this level on September 2^nd. In fairness, all three who have beaten her so far look decent types and she was only a half-length back last time. She has a good draw today to get away well and we shall give her another chance. Should she end up beaten again, (1) DALLYEORA PACHYAI, who is putting together a fine run of near misses himself and is accordingly up in class today, could be one to take advantage. (8) JILPUNG DOKJU has proven capable of winning money at this class already and should be close again as should (5) HWANSANGUI DOYAK who was 4^th behind Meni (more…)

It’s an overcast but dry Saturday morning in Seoul. There are 12 races from 10L45 to 18:00:

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

3^rd on debut on August 12^th, (2) PALDO DAERO returns to action here with a good draw and excellent chance of making the breakthrough. He should be on the early speed with (3) SHARP KAYLAN, a little less impressive but still competent enough on his own debut three weeks ago. Sharp Kaylan finished 6^th that day, one place behind (1) SPECIAL DREAM and that one too looks likely to make progress here under Antonio Da Silva. (5) BEST MAID is a little more experienced and comes in following back to back 4^th place finishes.

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

Twelve unraced two-year-olds go round for the first time here and impressive trial winner (6) CALLIOPE is set to start the favourite. The gelding looked good when making all in his heat and if he brings anything like that to the track, he’ll be hard to beat. The only others that really stood out in trials are (7) MUSA and (11) ALL OF ME, both of whom were quick. Moon Se Young’s presence aboard (9) CHEONGDAM QUEENS is also likely to be of interest to some punters.

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

(10) SISPUMA WINNER has come up short when well backed before but if it’s ever going to be his day, it’s today. His 2^nd place last start when beaten five lengths over 1700M means that any type of placing today will result in him being put up in class and he’s more likely than not, to bow out of the bottom level a winner. The others will need an uptick in form to beat him. (8) JIGONG JILJU was 3^rd in a similarly average contest last time and can repeat while (3) CHAMPION GOLD hasn’t done much in his latest couple but showed good promise in his first two. (5) HAPPY HONEY and (7) BEAUTIFUL ASIA others who could improve.

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

Only four of these have raced at the distance before but handily for us, they all went in the same race on August 26^th. (1) FIRST RUNNER came out the best of them that day, coming 3^rd and there’s no reason why he can’t be the first runner home today, likely from on the early speed. (6) DONGSEO GADEUK was 5^th that day, just under three lengths back and she could well prove to be the main danger here. The other two who went that day, (3) UJU BADA and (12) SOKBO ONGJU didn’t impress so we’ll look to the ones coming up in trip to find more challengers. (5) MORE RICH could help the champion jockey (more…)