There is a big 12-race card at Seoul on Saturday running through from 10:45 to 18:00. Attendance is permitted but must be pre-booked through the My Card app. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The Korean-bred maidens line up in the first over the short course where the main chances appear to have drawn wide. (10) CHEONGDAM WICKED was good on debut when finishing third behind White Queen over this distance. Connections then elected to place the filly in an open class race for the two-year-olds where she found the task far too hard. She looks a very good chance to notch her first win in this easier company today. (12) TOUGH MAN lines up for his first run after trialing up in good style. The Take Charge Indy colt trialed up in good style when clocking 62.2 seconds for the 1000m on a dry surface. (5) CHEONSANGUI YEOIN was disappointing last time out when well beaten but it was the filly’s first attempt over 1200m. She drops back to the 1000m where she has placed on both attempts over the short course. Debutant (4) LEAD VOCAL looks capable of a minor placing based on her trial performance. She will have her first career start and jump from a good draw.

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

Maidens tackle the 1200M here. (7) SUPER CHAMPION looks to be superior. He ran a good 2^nd in a decent time on debut over 1000M and the additional furlong shouldn’t be too problematic. (4) BLACK CAR weakened a little on debut in August but previously posted a fast time in a trial. He could well have come on for having some racing experience and should improve today. (9) GREEN CHOEGANG and (10) FIGHTING GIRL have faced each other twice already with little between them on either occasion. The latter posted a fast time in an October trial and may be the one to improve a bit more here. First-timer (5) SMART PINK looked much better in the second of two October trials she undertook. She is well drawn to get forward early and can go close.

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

The third on the card is a tough race for punters to digest with no standout selections. (7) SINUI ADEUL goes on top based on his effort last start when running home fairly over the 1000m. He was beaten a long way when finishing fourth on that day but this looks an easier assignment. (8) CHEONGSAN GANGHO looks an each-way play after settling well back last time out and hitting the line fairly. Rider Victoire will need to bustle his mount out of the gates to sit closer to the speed if he wants the two-year-old to be a winning chance. (3) JEONGMUN POKJU lines up for his second start after a midfield performance when debuting over this distance. His debut was back in August and it is fair to say you can expect some improvement at his second start. (1) DANANEUN SUCCESS did place at his last start when second over 1300m. The query is the time away from the track as his last start was back in October of last year. He showed us nothing in his recent barrier trial but we will include him on the effort of his last start albeit quite some time ago.

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

A really good looking race for the level with very few of the twelve being easy tosses. (1) CHOTOMA is perhaps the one to beat. A good winner on debut, he ran 3^rd on his first try at this level on August 22^nd, recording the fastest time among these at this distance by some margin. From the inside he can sit handy and could be too strong. (11) P.K. DOLPUNG got his maiden win at this class over 1300M on August 29^th with a front-running performance. He’s drawn a bit wider today but he still has claims. (7) NEVER WALK ALONE ran well for 4^th on his first try at this class and is already a winner at the distance while (9) ROYAL GHOST remains a maiden but already has two 3^rd place finishes at this class and won’t be overawed here. (5) RAON DIA found herself overmatched against the track’s best juveniles last start but showed plenty of speed on debut and can be a factor here. Among those up in class, (2) SUN OF STORM, (4) WIND HILL and (12) BOBBY BLADE were all good winners last time out and none would be a surprise.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Another maiden for punters to dissect but this time the Korean-bred gallopers will go over 1300m. (5) SEONGSIL MONEY looks hardest to beat and will likely start favourite. The Dialed In filly has never finished worse than fourth including a last start second when clocking a quick time on a good track. Expect rider David Breux to settle in the first three and finish the race off strong. (11) GRACE QUEEN is another that has performed good enough to suggest she can run into the money. She has finished in the top four at all three starts. The downside is her wide draw but with the extra half furlong today she will have more time to wind up. (9) HEUNG DREAM looks to be the likely pacemaker and this looks his easiest assignment to date. The Testa Matta two-year-old is expected to cross early and may take some running down. (3) CHEONDUNG GISE comes off a last start placing in July over 1200m. The chestnut finished off strong on that occasion and another forward performance would not surprise.

Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

No fewer than four of these are up in class having recorded their maiden wins on their respective latest starts. (10) UNPARALLELED was always prominent but took things up late and ran on pleasingly on debut over 1200M on August 29^th. The gate is only one wider than last time and he has every chance of maintaining his 100% record. (5) SANTTEUTHANSEUCHIM excelled when finally given a bit of distance to play with and over the same trip today can be a danger again while (6) AMAZING WHIZ also won impressively at this trip las start and if Kim Jeong-jun can get him on or close to the speed again, he will be in the frame. As for those with experience at this level, (1) GOOD WONDER can perhaps be forgiven her latest effort. She is much better drawn today and is capable of good times. (8) CHALLENGE SOCKS another who should be in the hunt.

Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

The seventh will see some progressive types go over the 1300m at Class Four level. (8) RAON FASHION obliterated a Class Five field last time out when winning by a massive margin. He proved on that occasion that he can carry weight when he lumped 57kg to victory. He will have to carry 57.5kg in this event but based on the last start effort that should not be an issue. (6) DREAM PO RE is another progressive type who has won two from three with a minor placing as well. The Shackleford colt has sat on speed at all three starts to date and from barrier six he is likely to find the rail before Raon Fashion. (3) WONDERFUL STORM has won two from three and is proven over this distance. The Menifee colt was a last start winner on a sloppy rated track but also clocked a good time when debuting over 1000m on a dry track. With a good draw he needs to be treated as an each-way prospect. The US bred (10) OKRYONG looks next best after some reasonable performances in this grade in the mid-part of the year.

Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(1) SUN BOOM made all to score his maiden win at class and distance last time out in August. He has a similarly tough impost today but if he can get away well from the inside, he has every chance of repeating. After doing very little on debut, (4) MUNHAK ZENYATTA came out to record a very good 2^nd place on her reappearance. She was a long way behind an excellent winner but still managed to record a very fast time and if she brings that form to the races today, will go very close. The biggest threat, however, could well be the only first-time starter. (5) MEDICI STORY has been through two race trials and has won both of them with ease in competitive times. The Song Moon-gil/Kim Yong-geun combination will tempt many and the More Than Ready colt could well score first up today. (7) LEVEL TAP and (11) MAX RUN, the latter a very good 2^nd on debut, although somewhat unfavorably drawn today, are others who should go close.

Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

An extremely tough race to assess with many live chances in the ninth. (6) MENI CHAMP goes on top coming off a good performance in this grade back in August. The Menifee colt should be able to sit behind the leading division as per previous runs and let down with a solid burst in the straight. He looks for his third win at start number nine. (7) HAEK SOCKS is building a nice record winning two of his three starts to date. This is a step up in grade but he’s a bombproof horse who does everything right. He will give you a good run for your money if you like him. (2) JEONGMUN SUMMIT finished second last start in this grade over the same distance. There is a slight query with the extra 2kg he carries today putting him at the top of the weight scale with 57kg. He has drawn well and should be able to kick up early on and hold a prominent position. (3) YEONGHWA FLYING has won three from five but struggled at his most recent effort back in August when capitulating in the run home. She will appreciate the 4kg claim of Lim Da Bin.

Race 10: Class 5 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Trainer Song Moon-gil and jockey Kim Yong-geun team up once more and they really should be winning here. (6) BLUE K was a good maiden win over 1300M two starts back before running a strong 2^nd over this class and distance behind Jangsan Bada. She’s not been seen since July but the Testa Matta filly looks a cut above her rivals here. (7) GEUMSEONG ACE steps up in class and slightly in distance following a good maiden win at start number four over 1300M. She’ll need to improve significantly if she is not beat the favourite but has claims over all the rest. (8) DONGJJOK GLORY and (10) FEDERAL KING both come in off useful 2^nd place finishes at this distance and can be aiming to hit the board once more. (1) MANSE has been knocking on the door of the places at this level and could sneak some money too.

Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

The eleventh on the card is a brilliant race for Korean racing fans to watch as there are plenty of up and coming types. The ever-impressive (12) LEGEND STORM is first up over 1400m after a dominant victory back in June. He is a versatile type and there is a lot to like about the Officer colt who is likely to work forward early from the outside gate. The three-year-old has won four from six and with just 52kg on his back he a looks a good bet in a market where there should be some value on offer. (10) MIGHTY GO is another building a good record winning four of his five race starts. The US import is another that likes to race on speed and Ham Wan-sik will get the plum steer with no Alan Munro available. He won over this distance last time out back in late August and must be considered a winning chance. (7) MUNHAK ARIARI should be considered in your selections on the basis of his last win albeit back in February. He is a class and distance winner which is in his favour compared to the aforementioned horses who line up in this grade for the first time. (6) WANG BEOTKKOT is another impressive last start winner in this grade who clocked a very good time. The Discreet Cat gelding will have to lump 58kg as a result and there is a slight query with the 1400m.

Race 12: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(2) HAENGBOK WANGJA registered his maiden win at the eighth time of asking on his latest start in August and it had been coming. The Daredevil colt had previously finished runner-up to a couple of very useful types and he looked very good in victory. He steps up to 1800M today but has run well at 1700M before and he is the one to beat. (9) SURISURIMA came from off the pace for a good win 1300M on her latest start. She was previously beaten by Haengbok Wangja over 1700M but the only filly in the race has solid placing chances here. (11) MOONHAK EMPIRE beat a couple of these last start over 1700M and looks nicely in again today. (3) FLASH JET and (1) MALIBU GINGER are others who can at least aim for the placings.

There is a 15-race behind-closed-doors card at Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Racing is now just about the only thing in Korea – if not the only – to not be allowed customers

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

The two-year-old runners will line up over the short course in the first on the card. Only two of the eleven engaged have had a start, they are the on-top selections. (2) ADELE MUSTANG debuted in good style when clocking a good time on a dry track early last month. The Menifee colt settled behind the leader before failing to reel in the pacemaker going down two lengths behind Ultra Sidae. A similar performance should so the Song Moon-gil trained galloper go close. (6) TK BOY finished second on debut when running on well from a midfield position to finish second behind the impressive looking Heungbaragi. The margin was big but the winner looks something special. (11) HAPPY SOCKS looks best of the debutants coming off a solid trial performance. The filly will have to overcome the outside draw but with some early speed, should be able to cross in a race with not a lot of speed. (3) RAON THE SOX looks next best but will need to take improvement off her trial to be a winning chance.

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Maidens here with all but one of them having raced at least once before. Best so far has been (8) MARU CASTLE, who ran a strong 2^nd to Wonderful Light in a fast time on a good track on July 11^th. She steps up in trip here but should be able to cope with that and can win. (9) PARAN WANGJA is one of only two in the race to have previously appeared twice. He ran well with a 3^rd and a 5^th either side of the shutdown and can improve today with Moon Se Young aboard for the first time. We’re scratching around with the rest though. (5) MISO GADEUK and (6) AROMA finished 5^th and 6^th respectively on debut over 1000M on June 21^st. They didn’t go very quick but they won’t need to get much better to go close here. A word too for apprentice jockey Lim Da-bin, who takes his first race ride on (10) TEUNTEUNA. The 4kg allowance may help the colt get a bit closer than he did on debut.

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

The fillies face the starter in the third where they will go over the six furlongs. (10) BAEKDUWA HALLA resumed in good style first up over the 1300m late June. The chestnut reeled off a good final sectional to finish second behind Hwa Ssi Byeok in a similar type race. (2) QUEEN LION is also second up after finishing fifth behind K.N. Power over 1000m mid-July. The filly was somewhat one-paced in the event but the time was fair, suggesting with some improvement she can figure. (7) LADY LUCKY lines up for her fourth career start after running through the line in good style last time out. The chestnut will be stretched beyond the 1000m for the first time. (6) HANSEN PRIMA looks next best coming off some fair trial performances. She will line up for her debut run from a central draw.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

This is not a strong maiden, to put it mildly. (4) GEUMA ROBUST showed some improvement on what was her second career start on June 20^th, running on reasonably well for 4^th over 1200M. The additional half-furlong may suit and she has as much chance as any of making the breakthrough here. (5) HOEBOK has finished in 4^th on three of his four starts to date. He’s shown little in the way of speed but won’t need to do too much more in order to go close today. (7) AFLEET MARINE debuted promisingly in 3^rd place behind Wonderful Storm in June but then struggled on her return three weeks ago. The step up in trip can suit and she’s worth another chance today. (9) JOEUN GWANGYE and (11) WORLD TEUKGEUP are others who can improve.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million 

The Korean-bred maidens line up in the fifth over the 1300m. (3) CLEAN HEART has been knocking on the door at his past couple of starts and gets an ideal assignment here. He has rattled off some good sectionals this time in and is capable of finishing over the top of them here. (8) SPRING COME is second-up after a midfield performance when first up mid-July. The chestnut’s run back in February showed that he has an engine when finishing second behind Siberia over the short course. (2) ETERNAL MEMORY placed over the 1300m first up when clocking a fair time on a firm track last start. Lee Hyeong-jong will be legged aboard the three-year-old for the first time. (4) HWARYEO is best of the rest with the remainder of the field having limited depth.

Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) FIRE HEART was an eye-catching winner on debut, making all for a five-length score over 1000M on a wet track on July 4^th. He is up in class and distance today but he looks to have plenty more in him and can win again. It won’t be easy though as this is a useful (more…)

Saturday is Korean Derby Eve in Seoul and there are 15 races (sadly behind closed doors) running from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Mask, seen here denying Gaon Champ in the Sports Seoul a couple of years ago, returns on Saturday (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

The two-year-old gallopers will kick proceedings off as they line up over the short course. With ten debutants lining up it is always hard to know what they are hiding up their sleeve. Whilst saying that, we are happy to elect (6) BLACK CHARM as the on top selection, who is one of two gallopers who has had a start. The Testa Matta colt flew from the tail on debut when near last on the home turn, to finish third behind Fort Seuone. The danger lies with how far back he gets but if he is in touch, he should go past these. (10) CHIEF INDY will be watched with interest as he lines up for his first start. The colt was not overly asked for in his trial and will have the services of Moon Se-young. (8) LUCKY CLUB finished midfield behind a very handy type in Heungbaragi last time out where they clocked a good time. He looks an each-way chance in the event. (7) ADAMS APPLE looks next best of the debutants coming into the race. The Hansen filly clocked a reasonable time on a dry track, with some improvement out of the trial she can run into the money.

Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

A big prize on offer for imported juveniles (and Happy Birthday to the two southern hemisphere runners who turn three today but remain eligible). (6) AUCKLAND SOCKS went up against another promising newcomer, Legend Day, on debut on July 19^th. He came off second best over 1200M but should have come on for the experience and looks nicely in here. In the same race, (2) GEOMISON ran 7^th in the same race which was somewhat disappointing after he debuted well behind Mighty New, who has since won again, in June. He should be on speed early though and dropping back to 1000M may help. There are some promising first-timers. Moon Se Young rode Auckland Socks two weeks ago but this time gets on (5) SIRIUS A for top trainer Park Dae-heung. The Malibu Moon colt trialed up solidly, if unspectacularly three weeks ago. Most impressive in trials though was (7) BALVENIE, who after qualifying in April went through another in June. The Will Take Charge colt won both and looked especially well in the second of those.

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

The third on the card is a speedy affair where the Korean-bred maidens will up over the six furlongs. Expect (2) SHADOW QUEEN to fire out of the gates hard and take up the running. She looked the winner at the furlong pole last time out before being reeled in by Shiny Fire. She should be better for the run and punters know they will get a good sight with her racing pattern. (6) THUNDER K also felt the pinch late last start but clocked a reasonable time considering the race he is lining up in. He is another one that will end up in the leading division early on. (11) ULTRA ANNIE showed enough last preparation to suggest she will be one of the improvers in the event. The filly will be suited by the drop back to the 1200m after having enough in the latter stages of the 1400m event she lined up in last start. (3) BIANCA showed improvement last time out and looks a place chance at best.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(10) TONGIL JILJU showed significant improvement when running 2^nd over this distance on July 12^th at what for him was start number six. In doing so, he recorded the fastest time that any of these have set over 1200M and it’s not impossible he could come from off the pace to win today. (11) CUPID BISANG has been more consistent across her five outings so far. Her best came on debut at 1000M and the test for her will be if she can get to the lead – where she really needs to be – without using too much energy; a tough ask from the outside gate. Nevertheless, she shouldn’t be far away. (6) CHEON CHONG ran 4^th behind Tongil Jilju three weeks ago and like that one, could finally be figuring things out. (9) ROAD ROSE has at least troubled the scorers on one occasion and looks nicely in here. (8) ANYANG HORANGI has good speed from the gate – at least compared with the rest of this lot – and should get to the lead/ The question is how long she can hold onto it.

Race 5: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The three-year-old colts and fillies will line up in the fifth where there looks a handful of chances engaged. (4) DOKDO SARANG goes on top after finishing second on debut behind Raon Fashion. The Colors Flying filly let down with a nice turn of speed and whilst the time for the 1200m was not all that fast, it should be good enough to figure once again here. (11) A. P. PATEK is another that resumed in good style to finish second behind J.S. Power. The colt is likely to slot over after the start and stalk the leaders, before being asked for by Kim Yong-geun at the top of the straight. (6) HAECHAN has led and capitulated at both of his runs to date. He didn’t go down by a big margin last time out, at his second run back he should show improvement. (8) CHOTOMA debuts after some very handy trials. If he breaks cleanly it will be interesting to see what he can do. Keep him safe on an each-way basis.

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

Just the fillies going here. (9) HAPPY MONTH has gone close on a number of occasions without having made the breakthrough. He ran a decent 4^th at the distance last time and (more…)