Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Eleven unraced two-year-olds so it’s to the trial videos we head. (8) OKCHEON SNIPER won his heat on May 26^th bounding into the lead straight from the gate and did it very nicely without his jockey needing to ask for very much. If he brings that form to the races, he has an excellent chance of winning first-up here. (3) ZIGGURAT ran handily in his trial, crossing the line in 2^nd place in a fair time. He was just a neck behind Gana Power, who won on his own debut last weekend. (4) RAON THE SPRINTER is half-brother to Cheongu and Segi Gangja, both of whom won plenty. He looked lively enough in his trial, running through the line well, to suggest he can go well on debut. (5) BREEDO KING STAR and (10) LADY CODI others who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(3) WORLD FASHION has two 4^th places and a 2^nd from his latest three, with a very positive trial in the middle of them. At his latest on May 27^th, he came from well off the pace over this distance and didn’t come up short by much. Today can be his day. (7) GEOMUI JEONSEOL has picked up in his latest two, registering a 3^rd and a 4^th, the latter over this distance in a time quicker than any of the others here have achieved. In this company he can be ridden on pace or handy and he shapes as the main danger. (2) DAONDI enters off a good 2^nd in a decent time over 1200M (albeit on a wet and fast track). He comes up to 1300M for the first time and given the way he has finished off his races, it may well suit. (9) HAPPY PLAY and (8) COLITAS among others in the placing hunt.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(1) CHOEGO POINT enters off a good 2^nd place over 1400M on May 27^th when ridden handier than he had been in previous outings. He steps up to 1700M for the first time, he draws well to be close to the front again, and he can win. (6) SAVANA CHARLIE is the logical second pick. He has run 4^th on each of his last three appearances (and five in seven in total) including last time out behind Choego Point on May 27^th. He too comes up to two turns for the first time and it could be exactly what he needs to get a bit closer. (7) HANGANG TSAR is another who may like the extended trip. He came from well off the pace for his best finish of 3^rd over 1300M last time out and can be considered here. (3) TRES VITE, who has tackled the distance before, and (2) GEUMSEONG REVERE are others to consider.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (5) HONOR ROSE comes up in class having scored her maiden win at just the second time of asking on April 24^th when she made all over 1200M. She ran 3^rd over this trip on her March debut and while she has had a couple of months off, she looks the one to beat here, most likely racing on pace again. There are plenty of others in the frame though. (11) APEX comes up in class following a maiden win at start number six on May 20^th when she staled the leader before going clear. It’s fair to say she had mixed her form prior to that but the manner of the win – to the tune of ten-lengths – means she can’t be dismissed here. (1) GANGHAN QUEEN has a 3^rd and a 5^th in her latest two, both at 1200M and both at this class. From a good draw, she should be on pace here and in this a long way. (4) WHITE WITCH and (2) LEGAL HIGH among others to keep safe.

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

(1) FINAL CHUKJE made his breakthrough at start number seven on May 27^th, making all at this distance. That win had been coming and while he comes up in class here, he draws very nicely to lead once more, and he should be in this a long way. (2) TIZ INDY got her breakthrough back in January and while it took her a couple of goes to find her feet at this level, she has looked good in her latest two with a 3^rd and a 2^nd, both over the 1300M. This will be her first time at the slightly extended trip, but there is no reason why it can’t suit, and she can go close. (9) EUNBIT DOLPUNG is still a maiden after four attempts, but she has produced some positive performances. She comes up in class here but is down in the weights and should be able to hold her own in this company. (7) GEUMBIT CHEONHA and (4) STAR RUSH among others in the hunt.

Saturday’s action moves to Seoul where there are 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Racegoers may also want to check out the Asian Junior Showjumping event that is taking place at the equestrian arena inside the racecourse complex throughout the afternoon as well. Here are the (racing) previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Eleven unraced two-year-olds so we head for the trial videos. (6) GANA POWER, from the first crop of Korean Triple Crown winner Power Blade, gets the nod. He drew wide in his heat but quickly made his way to the front and then proceeded to lead all the way.  If he brings that form to the races, he is the one to beat. (1) HWASANGWIHWAN took a couple of goes to qualify but he looked well when winning a heat on May 12^th. He stopped the clock in the same time as Gana Power and he too will have plenty of backers first-up. (11) DAEMUL SOCKS also won a trial and while he has the challenge of the outside gate, he settled back and ran on in his heat so it may not be too much of an issue for him. (7) SMART CAT and (8) P N S JU are others who caught the eye in their trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to go too far past (5) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA. He has shown steady progress across his four starts and enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at this distance, both times settling midfield and running on. He has the fastest time of any of these for the distance by more than half a second and he should be winning this modest maiden. (9) WONPYEONG SKY has mixed his form so far, but he does have a 2^nd place to his name, two starts back when he finished off well. A repeat of that run would put him in the mix here. (7) DAMJAENGI ARGO has hinted at ability. She has finished 4^th or 5^th on four of her five starts so far and should be aiming to improve here. Solitary debut-maker (10) SPECIALTIME trialed fairly alongside some experienced horses and can be given a chance first-up in this company. (3) SEONGSIL TAEYANG another with potential for improvement.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Plenty come in with recent form suggesting they are ready for a win but (1) HANGANG POWER will be favourite. In his latest two, he has a 4^th and a 3^rd in good times over 1200M and 1400M and from a great draw he can be on pace today and may take some catching. (4) ARCH RUNNER looks to be the main danger. She enters off a strong 2^nd place at this distance on May 21^st when handy throughout and while she carries an additional 2kg this time, she should be close. (5) SECRET WANGJA and (3) WONDERFUL RULES come in having run 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other over 1200M on May 20^th. Both came from well off the pace and should be challenging late again here. (6) SHARP SUNSHINE is another to keep safe.

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

(1) PEERLESS is yet to win but has only finished outside the top four once in six starts. She has a 3^rd and a 4^th from her latest two both at this class and distance and from a good gate and under a light weight, she can make the breakthrough here. It took (2) SILVER BOOSTER a few goes to figure things out, but he has significantly picked up of late. He comes in following a maiden win over 1200M on April 16^th when he made all and while he comes up in class here, he draws well and can be a danger. (10) HAENGBOKAN MUNMAK has been consistently beating her odds in recent starts and has been getting closer, including a good 2^nd to Raon Empire over 1200M last time out. In this company she can get on pace, and she can maintain her good run of form. (3) TAKE MONEY and (9) WONPYEONG KILLAR are others who can enter the calculations.

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

(4) MILLION PARTY debuted last November, running well for 4^th, but then wasn’t seen again until May. She made a very impressive return, leading all the way over this distance to score by as many lengths as she pleased. She comes up in class here, but the manner of that victory suggests there is more to come, and she is the one to beat. The logical danger is (3) NONSTOP THUNDER. A maiden winner two starts back she comes in off a close 2^nd on her first try at this class on April 23^rd when she settled back and ran on strongly over this distance only going down narrowly. She will drop back again and should be strong late on. (8) BEST FALCON remains a maiden but has no fewer than nine to-four finishes. She is up in weight compared to recent starts, but this is the kind of field she is competitive in. The up in class (6) ZIRCON along with (7) DORIPO are also in the frame.

Saturday is Korean Derby Eve and there are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

A race for new imports open to two-year-olds from the northern hemisphere and three-year-olds from the south.  Seven of the eight race for the first time. The probable favourite is (4) SPURT BIT. The Tiznow colt was an $80,000 purchase from last September’s Keeneland Yearling sale and enters as the only trial winner. He looked assured enough when settling behind the speed and running on in his heat, crossing the line in a fair time and if he brings that form to the races, he can win. (5) ECLIPSE TOWN settled back in his trial but worked through the line well in a decent time. He looks to be the main danger to the favourite here. (8) ACE GUNJU similarly settled midfield and ran on well in his heat and can put in a bold first-up showing. (6) UWARYUNG and the only one with prior racing experience, (2) VICTORY HIT, are others to consider.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

A maiden for juvenile fillies with seven of the nine racing for the first time. And it is one of those two with a race in the books already who will be hot favourite. That’s (4) GEOLJAK ONE who after winning an April trial, ran well for 4^th on debut over this journey on May 28^th racing handy throughout in a very quick race on a very wet track. She should have come on for that run and with some natural improvement, she may take some beating here. Of the newcomers, (6) APPLE QUEEN was a trial winner, leading every step of the way. She should be on pace here and has every chance of being in front for a long time again. (7) FLYING STAR came from off the pace in her trial and worked home nicely. Look for her challenging at the business end here. (1) TAEPYEONG FIGHTER and the other experienced one, (5) CHEONHAENGCHAT are others who could go close.  

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens here with two of the eleven racing for the first time. A few look ready to win and we’ll side with (4) GHANA DREAM. After an inauspicious debut when she started slowly and got a long way back, she has recorded a 2^nd and a 3^rd, both over this distance and in fair times, settling midfield and running on. She has a strong finish on her and Moon Se-young climbing on could suggest that today is the day. The main danger is (6) MINT PLAY. She has two 3^rd place finishes among her three starts so far including last time out on May 14^th when she was ridden closer to the pace than previously. Expect her to be on pace again and she can go close. Among the two first-timers, (3) ALLBEST is the best. She was on pace in her trial, crossing the line 3^rd in a decent time and from a good draw she can put in a bold first-up showing. Returning to experience, (1) WONDERFUL FOX and (7) SWITCH SONG are others who can improve.

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

(3) CATS EYE will be a warm favourite here. He enters having led at class and distance on May 13^th, ultimately finishing in 3^rd place in a decent time. He draws nicely to be on pace again and in this company, he should be going all the way this time. (5) GWANGCHIGI comes up in class having won over 1300M on May 13^th when handy throughout. He is nicely weight, draws well and can be a danger here. (2) LUCKY BOUNCE was a narrow winner at this distance at class 6 level two starts back before going quick early and then weakening on his first try at this level on April 2^nd. He has had a couple of months off since so comes in fresh and Moon Se-young, who rode him to his win, returns to the ride. (1) AGAPANTHUS was 5^th behind Cats Eye on May 13^th. He won when he drew this gate and got on speed at class 6 level, and he can be given another chance here. (11) MEOTJIN GANGHO has the challenge of the widest gate but shouldn’t be overlooked.

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

(8) MONEY JANGGUN has five to-three finishes from six outings to date without managing to get into the winner’s circle. That could change today though at a distance at which he has the quickest time of any of these and among a field where he has the fastest finish. He likes to settle back and run on and there is a danger he can leave himself too much to do, but if he can be positioned withing striking distance entering the home straight, he can make the breakthrough here. If he does find one too quick yet again, it might be (1) DAEHEUNG CLASS. Another non-winner, he comes up in class here after three good runs over this distance that yielded two 2nds and a 3^rd. He comes down in weight, draws well, and can measure up at this level. (5) ACHIM DONGJA does have a win on the board and has run fairly in two subsequent outings at this class. He comes up to this distance for the first time and it can suit. Up in class (2) PEARL POINT along with (9) SEONGUN CROWN are others in at least the placing frame.