Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 11:25 to 16:05). It’s the last racing in Korea until February 16th because of the Lunar New Year holiday next week. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (8) PINK GOLD is the pick and probable favourite. She showed on pace on debut over this distance on January 6^th, ultimately coming home in 5^th place. She should have come on for that run and this time can go all the way. (5) ROYAL PLUS has raced twice already, improving to 4^th at the second time of asking. Her times have been slow but that seems to be a trend at the moment, and she shapes as the main danger. The exposed form drops off significantly after those two so it really is taking your pick as to who might improve. (7) HERO NARA wasn’t horrible on debut and along with (3) TAP DIA and (2) SEMYOUNG GHOST, the latter 6^th on debut in a fair time, seem the most likely.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) YEONGGWANGUI WORLD will be one of the shorter priced favourites of the day. After running 6^th on debut in November, he overcame gate eleven to race handy and finish 3^rd in a good time over 1200M on New Year’s Eve. He comes into a better gate today, the additional half furlong can suit, and he should have too much. (8) EUNPA JOY has shown progress in his latest couple with a 5^th and 4^th, both at 1200M. He has the fastest final furlong among the field, and he can be a danger late on here. (10) FLYING COMMAND has a 3^rd place to her name and while it was recorded two starts back in restricted filly-only company, it is enough to put her in the placing frame here. (11) LONDON BISANG and (5) LONDON GOLD are others to consider for the minors.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) SPRIT FIGHTER has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, most recently over this distance on January 12^th when racing handy and running on. He can sit just behind the speed here and has as good a chance as any. (11) MIRACLE MARINE won a December trial before finishing 3^rd over 1200M on debut on January 5^th. He should have come on for that run and with some natural improvement he will be in the mix. (8) AWESOME SUNRISE has three top-five finishes from five starts so far, including his latest over this distance on January 7^th. That was a monumentally slow race, but she had previously gone quicker over this distance and that’s enough to put her in the frame here. (10) HEUIMANG FLYING and (7) HI LEGEND others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) BAEDARI HYANGGI comes in off a 5^th and a 4^th from her latest two, over 1200M and 1300M, both times coming from well off the pace. She draws nicely here and as such, she may be ridden a little further forward than in those races, and stepped up to 1400M for the first time, she can win. (4) WONDERFUL SPIRIT has raced just three times and enters off her best so far when 3^rd at 1200M. She has been doing her best work late on each time and she should relish the additional furlong that she has to play with today. (8) JECHUK ILHO is a bit more experienced. He was 3^rd on his latest start, which came over this distance on January 7^th when settling midfield and a similar performance should put him in the mix again. (10) STUNNING SERVE and (3) DAEMUL SOCKS other placing chances.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (3) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating with a runner-up finish over this distance on January 5^th when handy throughout. She draws very nicely here and today could be her day. She’ll be disputing favourite status with (7) NONSTOP DUTY. She too has improved, in her case over the course of five starts, and her times have been superior. Most recently, she ran 3^rd over 1200M on December 29^th when she was on pace throughout, and she is sure to be a danger here. (4) UNJU TOP has a 3^rd place over this distance to her nae and then ran 5^th from a wide gate over 1200M last time out on New Year’s Eve. From a better draw, she can go close. (1) CHEONHA GEONGANG and (9) BROWN FALCON among others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) PURGE KING has five top-five finishes from seven starts so far, with his win coming at 1300M at class 6 level. He enters off a 4^th place at class and distance in a fair time on January 13^th when he settled midfield and ran on and in this company, he looks to be the one to beat. (5) GANGHAN NURI comes up in class after two runner-up finishes. The most recent of those was in one of the slowest 1300M races in history, but on a quicker track he had shown speed on debut. He is down in the weights and there is no reason he can’t measure up in this company. (12) MYEONGSEONG CHUKJE was a winner on debut and has since registered a 6^th and a 5^th at this class, both at 1300M in fair times. He has better early speed than most of these so despite the wide draw, he may well be on pace and in this a long way. (8) HEART K was a winner at this distance on January 7^th and comes up in class and he, along with (7) SEMYEONG LADY, who has won at this class and distance, are others in the hunt.

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and at Busan (6 races from 11:25 to 16:05). Both tracks host class 1 features. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens open proceedings with four of the eleven racing for the first time. The favourite though will be (1) MAX GOLD. He has a 2^nd and a 5^th place from two starts racing handy on both occasions. His times haven’t been fast, but they have been faster than any of the others here and from the inside gate, he should be on pace early and can lead all the way. The rest of the exposed form isn’t great so we will give a chance to one of the newcomers as second pick. (8) TAENG TAENG BALL ran a fair 3^rd in his trial, a long way behind the experienced Wow Wow but he didn’t do too much wrong, and this is a great race to debut in.  (9) MAX WEEK improved to 6^th at start number two and looks the most likely of the experienced ones to make further progress. (3) BEOLGYOSAMJOKO and (6) CALIPH other potential improvers.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) ROYAL BEST has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a 3^rd place over 1200M on Christmas Eve when he raced close to the pace throughout. From a great draw he can get a soft run to the front again and this time he can go one better. (7) CHEONGUCHAT has similarly shown improvement across his three appearances, most recently registering a 2^nd place over 1300M on December 31^st when settling midfield and running on. The slight step up in trip can suit and he will be a danger here. After an inauspicious debut, (3) JERAQUEEN has been there or thereabouts in three subsequent starts most recently racing on pace over this distance on December 30^th and finishing 4^th in a decent time. A similar run will see her int the finish again. (5) NAVY CHROME and (6) WINNER ZONE among others in the frame.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maiden fillies in the south coast opener with five of the eleven racing for the first time. The hot favourite though will be the only one who has raced more than once before, (6) DRAGON PUNCH. After running 3^rd on debut in November, she overcame gate ten to run a close 2^nd on December 29^th, again over this distance. She should have too much and go one better here. (9) PASSION ran 3^rd on debut over this distance in a faster time than – albeit on a much wetter and faster track surface – than Dragon Punch has recorded so far. She should have come on for the experience and can be the main danger here. Of the debut-makers, (3) RUBY STONE is the standout. She went through two trials and was very quick in the second of them when she led from gate to wire. She draws nicely here and can put in a bold showing first up. (8) SEOGWI STAR and (11) SUNCHEON YEOWANG are potential improvers.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) BAEKRYONG comes in off a best to date runner-up finish over 1300M on Christmas Day when settling just behind the speed from gate ten and running on well. That continued a positive pattern of improvement and with an extra half furlong to play with here, as well as a better gate, today can be his day. Disputing favourite status will be (8) SHOUT KURO. He is yet to finish in the top two in seven attempts but enters off two 4^th place finishes and a 3^rd from his latest three, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals over 1300M. He likes to come off the pace so the slight step up in trip can suit and he should be close. (10) CLOVER PARTY was 4^th behind Baekryong last time out but two starts back got a runner-up finish of his own over 1200M and while he draws a touch wider than ideal, he can be a danger. (4) DRAGON FANTASY and (7) SINUI UNMYEONG are among others to keep safe.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) GRAND CHASER ran a good 2^nd on debut to Great Queen, settling midfield and running on and stopping the clock in a good time. She should have come on for the run and she will be expected to go one better here. (2) DREAM WAY got a 3^rd place on debut all the way back in June before running down the field in two subsequent appearances. He hasn’t raced since August, but he looked a much better proposition when finishing 2^nd in a quick trial earlier this month and from a good draw, he goes straight into contention here. (11) DRAGON FIRE ran 4^th on debut over 1200M on December 29^th overcoming a wide gate and a slow start. He should have derived benefit from that and can be running on here. (10) BIG WILD and (3) RIVERSTONE among others who can be considered on a place line.

Sunday sees 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:35 to 16:05. Top three-year-old filly prospects Baekduui Kkum and Eclipse Berry will make their season debuts on the south coast and in the capital respectively. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It’s hard to go past (3) SLAM DRAGON here. He has finished no worse than 4^th in three starts so far and comes in having beaten a couple of these on his way to 3^rd place at 1300M on Christmas Day. He has a runner-up finish to his name at this distance already and he should have too much here. (7) RAIN STAR has shown improvement across three starts so far. He was 5^th behind Slam Dragon on Christmas Day and the slight step up in trip may suit. (8) BLOOD MOUNTAIN beat a couple of these on his way to 5^th place at 1300M on December 17^th. He has been doing his best work late in each run so far and is another who ay like the extended trip. (9) SAEBYEOK BULBIT and (2) ARNOLD QUEEN others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After an indifferent debut, (5) PASALUBONG has scored a 2^nd and a 4^th over 1200M and 1300M, most recently racing on pace. He draws nicely to get to the lead again and this time he can go all the way. Also vying for favourite status will be (9) HANGANG GLORY. He’s shown steady improvement across six starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on Christmas Eve when he settled midfield and ran on. The additional half-furlong can suit, and he can be a danger. It would be a surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but (2) SEONGSIL YEOGEOL came from well back to finish a much-improved 6^th of eleven over 1200M on December 24^th and with similar improvement today, he can compete. (4) SEONGSIN CHEONHA and (6) BULGEUN POKPUNG are others to consider on a place line.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) GREAT MAN has shown steady improvement across three starts so far with his latest, a 2^nd place over this distance on December 22^nd, being his best when he led from the gate until close to home. He draws a touch wider than ideal but should have enough about him to get to the front again, and this time he can go all the way. The main danger is (6) SEUNGNI PARTY. After a plain debut, he raced on pace at start number two on Christmas Eve, ultimately coming home a close 3^rd over this distance. He’ll be on pace again and has every chance of going even closer this time. The exposed form drops off the proverbial cliff after that. As a result, we will make first timer starter (1) ONEULISUNGAN the nest best. He posted fair times in two trials and if he brings that form to the races, he can be in with a place chance. (5) TROPHY WARE and (10) SINGAPORE PARTY, the latter having been back to trial since a dreadful debut, others who could improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Small field here and (7) LONDON VICTORY will be a short-price favourite. After a solid 5^th on debut over 1000M, he was 3^rd when stepped up to this trip on November 12^th, racing on pace throughout. Third-up here he should be ready to win. The only other one in the field to have recorded a top-three finish already is (4) MONEY TOUCH. That came at her latest appearance over this distance December 23^rd when she settled midfield and then finished off well for 3^rd place. That was a big improvement on her previous efforts, and she won’t need to go much better to get closer here. (6) BEAUTYWONDERFUL has a 4^th and a 6^th among three outings so far and that’s enough to see her in with a shout of the placings here. (1) THUNDER A ONE and (5) CHANIGO others in the frame for the minors.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BREEDO WIZARD is the pick here. After a strong trial, he’s finished 4^th in both starts so far, both at 1200M and both times settling back and running on well. Franco climbs on, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he can win. (2) GRAY BOSS enters off two 4^th places and a 5^th from his latest three between 1200M and a mile, each time going right back and running on well. He has super average time for the final furlong and draws a much better gate this time. He can be a danger late. (9) BARADEON BADA was a fair 4^th on debut over 1200M after overcoming gate twelve. She should have come on for that run and can match or better it here. (4) GWANGYAEUIHAMSUNG and (7) DORAON ZETTA among others in the placing frame.

There are the usual 17 races across the two tracks on Sunday although unusually, it is Busan that kicks things off. Busan hosts 8 races from 10:35 to 17:00 while Seoul has 9 races from 11:00 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Unusually for a Sunday, we begin on the south coast and a maiden with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (5) SAENAE HIT is the only one to have raced three times already, and she will be favourite. Her best was her latest on December 29^th when she was handy throughout and ran on for 2^nd. She was well beaten by a good winner that day but won’t need to improve much to win here. The best of the first timers looks like (2) TOP LINE. She only went through the one trial, but she led for most of it, ultimately crossing the line 2^nd in a fair time. She draws nicely to lead again and can be in this a long way. (10) MONSTER DRAGON also trialled fairly enough and in this kind of race can be given a chance first-up. Among the others with experience, (3) HARVEST MOON and (9) GWANGSOKMA look the most likely to improve.

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) DRAGON SQUARE has finished in 3^rd place in both his two starts so far at 1400M and most recently at this distance, coming from off the pace both times. Third-up today, he can be peaking and Tony Castanheira’s charge is the one to beat. (8) HAMPYEONG JANGMI has shown steady improvement across six appearances to date, culminating in a 2^nd place over this distance on December 2^nd when on pace throughout. Expect her to be on the speed again here and she can go close. (11) TONNERRE comes into slightly softer company than he has faced in his two prior outings and that, combined with the slight step up in trip, can see him more competitive today. (3) JEONGSANG HIT and (9) GANGHAN NURI are other possibles.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky one. (10) LOLLY comes in having run a solid 3^rd over 1400M on Christmas Eve, beating a couple of these in the process. She has proven herself a good finisher and the step up to a mile for the first time could very well suit. Four of these raced each other over this distance in a different race on Christmas Eve. (3) HERE THE QUEEN was the favourite that day but while showing handy, ultimately finished in 5^th. Seo Seung-un climbs aboard today and third up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness-wise, and she will have plenty of supporters again here. The best of those in the mile race on December 24^th was (2) YEONGGWANGUICLASS, who came from off the pace to run 3^rd. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and he can be in the mix again. (1) MIRACULUM was 4^th in that race and along with (6) LEMON DOKKI, is another to consider for the minors.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only for this maiden and (9) SHACKLE POINT will be a hot favourite. After running 3^rd on debut over 1200M, she then ran 4^th on a snowy day on December 16^th, again at this distance. Given the running style she has displayed so far, the wide draw won’t be a problem, and she can win here. The most credible danger is (3) ASSI JANGGUN. She was the longest shot on the board for her third career start on December 16^th but made a mockery of that to come from off the pace for a fast-finishing 2^nd. Her time was significantly quicker than that Shackle Point recorded over the same distance on the same day (although in a very differently run race) and she can be taken seriously here. (7) LADY HANABI and (8) TIZ MORNING both hinted at ability in their respective first outings and can improve here. (1) BEATRIZ debuted almost a year ago and wasn’t seen again but did win a trial last week and is the wildcard.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

A small but competitive field. (7) SUCCESS BAEKPA got his maiden win at start number four on December 10^th when he led for most of the way around the 1300M and ultimately won by ten-lengths. He comes up in class and slightly in distance today, but the manner of that last start win suggests there is more to come, and he goes on top again. (2) SEUNGNI TAKEN is similarly up in class following a last start maiden win. In his case, it was over this distance on December 17^th when he made all and from a good draw and slightly down in the weights, he can be in this a long way again. (6) HUIMANG CANDY got her maiden win two starts back before running 2^nd on her first try at this class and distance on December 8^th. She is another who likes to be on pace and who can be a threat. The rest will all need a line drawn through their respective latest outings with (5) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL and (1) QUEEN’S ROAD perhaps best placed to return to form.