Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. We shall side with experience though because (7) RAON SPIKE caught the eye on debut on August 14^th, settling midfield and running on for a close 3^rd in a fast time over this distance. He should have derived benefit from the run and any kind of improvement should see him home on top. There is a debut-maker to keep an eye on though. (11) MAGIC HOUR made all to win his trial in a decent time earlier this month. While he may not have drawn the best, if he can bring that form to the races, he can go close first up and will probably be second favourite. (10) CAT’S EYE put in a bold showing on his debut on September 3^rd, leading before weakening late. He should have come on for the run and be in it a bit longer today. Neither (6) BAEKDU BOY nor (9) SUPER FINISH disgraced themselves on their respective debuts and both can be entitled to some improvement here.

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

Tricky maiden with some very shaky form. Only four have tackled the distance before and (5) LAST CALL was the fastest among them, athough that’s very much a relative thing, in this company. He has been consistent; an apprentice rider keeps the weight low and today could be this day. The only one of the nine who has troubled the scorers so far is (6) DANAEUN ROSE, who ran an on-pace 3^rd on debut over 1200M in July. She couldn’t get to the front from a wide gate on her re-appearance in August but draws better today and has claims to be favourite. (8) GENTLE RULES is similar to Last Call, in terms of having been consistent if unspectacular. He got a 4th place over this distance two starts back and while the time was slow, he won’t need to go much better to improve on that here. (1) WONDERFUL MUSIC and (4) HUIMANG OREUM are others who could potentially improve.

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

Another maiden and it’s hard to look past (1) ANYANG SAJA. Having run 6^th from a wide gate on debut, he was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two when settling behind the early speed and then running on. He draws nicely here and while this is his first start for three months, he should have too much for this field and will start as a short-priced favourite. Clear second favourite is (3) NAMSAN KKOT. She has finished between 3^rd and 5^th in all four of her starts so far, generally settling back or in midfield and running on. She too comes back off a bit of a layoff – in her case she last ran in May – but she looked well enough when winning a trial last Friday and should go close here. In the same colours, (10) NAMSAN MUJEOK also returns for the first time since May. He registered a 3^rd and a 4^th in his last two starts before his layoff and came through a trial three weeks ago well enough to suggest he can pick up from where he left off here. (4) GOLDEN LUCKY has been back to trial since his inauspicious debut in August and can be given another chance. (9) SONGAM NURI does have a 3^rd place on his record and that’s enough to give him a chance of the minors here. 

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

Fillies only here with another short-priced favourite and just as in race 3, Antonio is riding it from gate one. (1) CONCORD QUEEN scored her maiden win in March, making all over 1300M and she has been working her way back towards another victory, almost grabbing it on her latest start on August 27^th when leading nearly the entire way around only to be denied by the favourite on the line. She comes up in the weights by 2kg here but that’s balanced by a better draw, and she should take some beating. (3) CUPID JUMBO races for the first time since May. She had shown ability and looked well when trialling in July and may provide some interest at a probable each-way price as she has run well first-up before. (11) MORNING PEARL comes n off a good 2^nd at class and distance on September 4^th. She came from off the pace that day so the wide draw shouldn’t be a hindrance and she can be a danger here. (4) INNER PEACE and (10) THE FAVORITE – who assuredly won’t have that status – are others in the placing frame.

October gets underway with a 10-race card at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maiden juvenile fillies with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. Two of the experienced ones will be at the top of the market though. Despite his wide draw, (11) CUPID CHAMP gets the nod based on her runner-up finish on debut on September 3^rd when she settled handy, dropped back to midfield, and then motored home in a super final furlong time. A similar performance here and she will win. (3) MENI POCKET was sent off as favourite on debut having won a trial. She was on pace throughout, ultimately finishing 3^rd, and she is the main danger to the favourite. Among the first timers, (4) RED TAEPUNG and (7) GLORY K look the most likely to make an impact first-up. Both finished 2^nd in their respective trials in good times and if they bring that form to the races are at least placing chances. (12) RAON CITY GIRL the next best.

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

It’s fair to say that (8) TANGJA has mixed his form across his four outings to date, but he wasn’t that far off the pace when 7^th of twelve last time out. Prior to that race he had registered a 2^nd and a 3^rd and has posted the fastest time among these for the distance. There isn’t much early speed here so he can get forward and he can win. (2) P N S SING too wasn’t as far away as her 5^th place last time out on September 3^rd suggests. She also has a runner-up finish on her record already and from a good draw should be challenging Tangja for the lead and can be in this a long way. (5) NOW NURI beat P N S Sing when 2^nd in that September 3^rd race over this distance. That continued a steady trajectory of progress and while she is yet to run a quick time, with more improvement here she can be a danger again. (9) BURUI SINHWA and (4) NAOL SESANG, the latter racing for the first time since March and who looked much better than before in a trial last month, are others in the frame.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (7) MORNING FIVE here, who comes out top on just about every indicator. He has the fastest time for the distance, one of the fastest opening furlong average times and the fastest final furlong average time. He was 4^th at this distance in July on his return from four months out and then ran 2^nd over 1200M in August. Third-up this preparation he can be peaking and can win here. (8) CLAIR POWER will be second choice on most tickets. He has been consistent if unspectacular across five starts so far and his usual racing pattern of sitting handy and then running on, should see him into a place here. (1) NEW CHEONGPA didn’t show much in four starts prior to six months out. He returns here but ran very well in a late July trial, stopping the clock in a fast time. He can be a different prospect this time around. (6) BADAUI KKUM and (9) BEST PLAN among others with minor money claims.

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

The only juvenile in the field with most who have shown promise tackling tomorrow’s Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, (12) RAON THE HIGHMAN has finished 2^nd in both starts to date, both at 1000M. He comes up in class and in distance here but is nicely weighted and while he may need a touch of luck at the start, he can overcome the widest draw to get the breakthrough here. (3) AMAZON KING shapes as the main danger. He too got promoted to this class because of two runner-up finishes but he claimed his maiden win at his latest start over class and distance on September 4^th, when settling midfield and running on well. He comes up 4kg in the weights but that’s balanced a little by a much better draw and he can be competitive here. Well weighted is the up in class (8) GOLD POWER, repeating the pattern of those promoted but winless. He has been an on-pace runner-up in his latest two and is another who can measure up in this company. (2) GLOBAL CASTLE, another up in class, and (9) HWIPARAM, experienced at this level, are also in the hunt.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

One of the more open races on the card. We’ll take a chance on (4) BYEORAK, who has shown ability at this distance before and come back up in trip following recent work over shorter. He draws well here to get his favoured on-pace position, and he has as good a chance as any. (12) BODY STAR was a class and distance winner two starts back and while he couldn’t follow up when 6^th of twelve on his reappearance on August 27^th, he can be given another chance here. His running style means the wide gate shouldn’t be an issue and he can be running on strongly. (2) GEUMSEONG HWANHUI ran 2^nd in that August 27^th race having been on pace throughout. He only comes up 1kg for it and draws very nicely to get forward again. (6) ONE PUTT was a somewhat unexpected class and distance winner on August 14^th. He comes up 2kg but seems to have eliminated his habit of blowing the start and will warrant more respect this time. (10) REAL PACK another in the placing frame.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Jockey Moon Se-young is suspended this weekend but there is a return to action for Jo Jae-ro, who has completed his national service. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. As so often though, experience gets the nod and (9) CRAZY LOVE is the top pick and warm favourite. She’s the only one here to have raced twice and she improved to 2^nd in her latest start over this trip on August 13^th when on pace throughout. Her times have been good, and a similar run will win this. (1) YONGAMREX ran pleasingly enough for 5^th of eleven on debut on August 21^st. He should have come on for that run and with some natural improvement can get closer this time. The pick of the first timers is probably (8) CHROMITE. He stopped the clock in a fair time in a tight finish in his trial and bringing that form to the races will see him in the placing hunt. (11) GEUMSEONG TALHWAN won a trial, albeit not a fast one, and that entitles him to some interest here. (2) BLOOMING STAR another who hinted at ability in his heat.

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

More juvenile maidens, this time with eight of the twelve stepping out for the first time. This time we break the rule and side with a newcomer in the shape of (4) LUCKY SUN. He sat handy in his heat before running on well to cross the line in front in a fast time. A similar performance will be enough to win on debut here. (2) TAKE MUSIC led for much of his debut, ultimately weakening to 7^th in the closing stages but in a fair time. He should be better for that run, is drawn well here and can be in this a long way again. (1) CHEONJON CHAT has raced twice, running 4^th of twelve in the second of them on August 27^th. The times haven’t been fast but if he shows similar improvement again, he can be in the mix. Returning to the first-time starters and (6) BEST SUN and (12) JANGHEUNG CLASS, the latter whose trial wasn’t as bad as the slow time suggests, could make an impact first-up.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) WONPYEONG TOWN will be hot favourite. He has shown steady improvement across three starts so far, all of them over 1000M and culminating in a runner-up finish in a fast time on August 21^st. The additional furlong should be no problem and the inside gate means he can be on pace again and this time lead all the way. (6) GUKDAE CLASS comes in off an improved 3^rd place over this distance on August 20^th when ridden on pace for the first time having been painfully slow away in his opening two efforts. Expect similar tactics here and potentially a similar or better result. (8) SARANG DAMOA has been much improved since returning from six months off in July, registering a 4^th and a 2^nd. Third-up today she could be peaking. (7) POWERFUL HWASEONG and (10) LUXSEN among others in at least the placing frame.

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

Fillies only here. (10) SAENAE QUEEN made all to win in fine style on debut over 1000M on August 20^th. She comes up in class and distance, and isn’t favoured by the draw, but she has firm claims to measure up in this company. (3) RAON GIANT was a good winner on debut over 1000M in July before running 4^th on her first try at this class and distance on August 20^th when settling handy to midfield and then running on. The Musket Man filly draws well here and may start as the betting favourite. The other main player looks set to be (7) AL SIMON. A winner at this distance at class 6 level two starts back, she ran a more than creditable 5^th on her first try at this class on August 20^th. She can settle handy or midfield and can play a big role here. (4) HWANGGEUM DALBIT can be forgiven her latest couple and given another chance here and along with (1) WILD RUNNER, who also had a disappointing day at the office last time, is a place chance.

Racing returns to Seoul today (Saturday) with a 10-race program from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

A juvenile maiden kicks off Seoul’s autumn season and seven of the twelve are racing for the first time. (3) GLOBAL POWER has raced twice before, improving to 3rd at the second attempt on August 13th when settling midfield and running on. It was a good time and from a good draw, he can get closer today. There is not much to choose between him and (1) DREAM SKY, who enters with very similar form. She has a 5th and a 3rd from her two appearances to date and will be expected to be on the pace from the inside gate here. She has every chance of going all the way. Moon Se-young aboard a first-time starter is always going to attract plenty of attention and (10) DAEWANG SOCKS finished off his trial very well having been slowly away and then sat at the back throughout. He looks the pick of the debutants. (5) CUPID SWING and (2) BIG SMART others to keep safe.

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

The second division of the juvenile maiden and this time eight of the twelve are first-timers. Once more we’ll side with experience and (5) POWERFUL SOCKS, who has raced twice before, settling right back both times and then running on. He should have come on for those experiences and with a bit more improvement here, he can win. A couple of debut0makers caught the eye in trials. (7) G MOTION held his own on pace in company with some experienced runners, stopping the clock in a fair time and with an apprentice claiming 2kg, can be a danger first up here. (3) MOONHAK EDEN won her trial and from a good draw is set to be on the speed here and can make a bold showing. Returning to the experience, (11) EIFFEL TAP and (6) GEOMEUN JILJU are others who can improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens this time and it’s hard to look too far past (7) BEST FALCON. She has steadily improved across her latest three culminating in a runner-up finish over this distance in an all-filly affair on August 13^th. She has the fastest time among these at the distance, she likes to be on pace and once she hits the front here, she may prove hard to catch. (8) DEVIL K has also shown promise in her latest couple including a close 3^rd place last time out over this distance in a good time. Her only bad run so far was on debut when she was slowly away and got too far back but she should be running on strong here. (2) MAGIC JUDE has a couple of places to her name already. She returned from eight months out on August 27^th to run an on-pace 3^rd at this distance and from a good draw, can challenge Best Falcon for the lead. (3) MY GONGJU will go back and run on and has already proven he can place while of the three first-time starters, (10) LEEWOLMA, runner-up in a late July trial, looks to have the best chance of making an immediate impression.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

While we usually side with experience, we are going to take a chance on one of the two debut-makers here. (8) HANGANGUI GISANG was so bad in his first trial that he failed to qualify but he looked a totally different animal when reappearing on August 26^th to lead his heat from gate to wire and cross the line in a fast time. If he brings that kind of form to the races, he has every chance. On the experienced side, (5) DONGTEUJA WAY is the pick. He comes in off an on-pace 3^rd place over this distance in a quick time on August 14^th and a similar run will put him in the finish again. (6) BICHUICA was also on the speed as he recorded his best finish to date in 2^nd place over this distance on July 9^th. He comes in fresh after two months and can be a danger again. (1) PURGE DAY ran twice last year with a 2^nd over 1000M in the second of thm. He reappears here for the first time since last November but looked very well in an August trial and is worth keeping safe first-up. The consistent (7) ALL FOR YOUR DREAM is another with minor money claims.