THE EVER CONSISTENT RAON FOREST WAS THE WINNER OF THE DONG-A ILBO TROPHY AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THE UNDERCARD WAS HEADED UP BY THE TWO CLOSING CLASS 3 CONTESTS AND ROOFTOP was an impressive winner of the second of those class 3 races over the 1200M.
Rooftop (Instagrand) completed a double on the program for jockey Kozzi Asano when knuckling down in the last 200 metres to score by one-length. Rooftop beat Geudaemaniddamyeon back on debut and is now starting to show similar form to the start of his career.
The other victory for Asano came in the opening 1300M class 6 on board VINCENT ALEX (Power Blade).
The first of the class 3 events was the second last on the program and it produced a good finish and the 1400M stoush was won by MORNING WONDER (Concord Point) who won by a neck over the late closing Sure Win with long time leader Gold Catcher a nose away third. Seobu Champ was one-length away in fourth whilst the 2.6 favourite Baro Danaeun who was resuming from 11 months away from the races could only manage fifth a further half-length away.
There were a trio of three-year-old colts on the card that produced smart performances and they included MAEUM HANA (Gaon Champ) who led throughout to win race 8 (1200M Class 4) by seven-lengths and looks yet another good classic aged horse for the trio of CC Wong, Choi Yong-geon and Woo Tae-yul.
YOUNG FIGHTER (Hansen) was a smart winner of race 5 (1300M Class 5) leading throughout to win softly by four-lengths whilst VALID YOUNG (Shackleford) was a good winner of race 4 (1700M Class 5) for Johan Victoire and Moon Byeong-ki as a 2.5 favourite. He was the only horse in the finish that was on-pace in the run in a quickly run race which saw the 2.8 second favourite The Classic falter to finish a long last.
Clean One showed that his Grand Prix demolition job was no fluke as, emerging for the first time since leaving onlookers in awe of his nine-length win in the season ending finale, he pulled off a similarly dominant victory to win the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Clean One and Seo Seung-un win the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)
Ridden by Seo Seung-un for the first time, CLEAN ONE was sent off as the 1.6 favourite ahead of Gangpungma and Speed Young, but there were nerves at the start as Clean One reared in the gates just prior to them opening. Ultimately, Clean One broke fairly and made it to the front before the first turn.
Gangpungma, on the other hand, was a little better away this time compared with his poor start in the Grand Prix, which had him on the backfoot from the start that day. He settled back but well within striking distance.
Clean One would continue to lead down the back straight but as they turned for home, Jo In-kwon brought reigning horse of the year Speed Young up to challenge on his shoulder. The challenge didn’t last long as under minimal urging from Seo, Clean One quickened away, winning by four-lengths on the line from defending champion Success Baakpa. Gangpungma and Speed Young were 3rd and 4th.
THE REIGNING GRAND PRIX CHAMPION CLEAN ONE WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT THERE WERE NINE OTHER RACES RUN AND WON ON THE CARD.
K N LIGHT (Testa Matta), as is his racing pattern, came right from the back of the field but unlike recent runs passed all of his rivals under Jeong Woo-ju landing the day at odds of 41.7 and in doing so became the second horse of the weekend at Seoul to win as the rank outsider.
The other class 3 contest on the card was the last and WE GO HIGH (Musket Man) returned from three months out to register his fifth win from eight starts by a comfortable five-lengths under Jang Chu-youl.
MUSKET CLEAVER (Musket Man) was an impressive eight-length winner of race 5 (1600M Class 4) and looks to have scope for more improvement going on the way he very easily accounted for his rivals.
The same can be said about CONCORD BLUE (Concord Point) who landed race 4 (1300M Class 5) by five-lengths under CC Wong for trainer Lee Shin-woo.
WHILST DOWN AT BUSAN ON SUNDAY UNJU GUY (Freedom Child) was an incredibly impressive winner of the concluding 1800M class 2 by an ever-extending nine-lengths.
Unju Guy, who was second to Oasis Blue in last year’s Derby, had run into the likes of Young Skywalker and Oasis Red in recent starts, and was also sent up to Seoul for a crack at the President’s Cup in October, but appreciated not running into horses of that ability with what was visually the most impressive win of the day across the country and the style of his win surely wouldn’t have dented his confidence levels going forward.
IT WAS A LONG WAIT FOR THE FEATURE AT SEOUL RACECOURSE ON SUNDAY A class 1 affair over the 1200M for those who didn’t make the privilege of going to the G3 at Busan to get beaten by Vincero Cavallo, was the last on the card, but it didn’t disappoint as MAGIC POTION (Competitive Edge), the winner of last November’s KRA Sprint at Seoul, beat favourite Best Race by a length and a half in a fast time.
The US-bred five-year-old, who was ridden by Lee Yong-ho, moved on to eight wins from fourteen starts and could be under consideration for a start in the next leg of the Sprint Series on April 12th.
STUNNING MONEY (Gyeongbudaero) completed a riding treble on the program for Panamanian jockey Luiz Quiroz when winning the preceding ninth race (1800M Class 3) by two lengths.
It was a third victory over the Seoul 1800M for Stunning Money who accounted for Dragon Gate and Ultra Dragon whilst the three favourites in Tanseongui Banseok, BS Storm and Pasa Spurt were the next trio home.
The other victories on the program for Quiroz were ONEMO TIME (Peace Rules) who was the most impressive winner of the three maiden contests at the start of the card when justifying 2.3 favoritism by nine-lengths from the front, and in race 7 with a pick-up ride on STAY BIG (Stay Thirsty) who was the rank outsider at 60/1.
SHINING ROAD (Midshipman) was considered the danger to the 1.4 popular pick Pas de Cheval in race 8 (1700M Class 4) and he duly got first run on the favourite and held him off by a half-length. Pas de Cheval, who had won his previous two starts very softly, didn’t respond when first asked for the effort but eventually picked up in the straight; however, the line came up too quickly for his backers.
RAON FLORENCE (Musket Man) continued his consistent run of form when impressively winning by six lengths at even money under apprentice Woo In-cheol in race 6 (1200M Class 4).
GWANAKSAN SKY (Concord Point) followed up his debut victory with a four-length score in race 4 (1400M Class 5) and looks like potentially a nice type going forward.
GRACE DAY (Race Day) followed up her front-running nine-length maiden victory with another front-running win, this time only by a half-length. It is likely it would have been by a bit further however if she wasn’t so green in the home straight as she hung out with 200 metres to travel before then ducking back in towards the running rail in the final 50 metres. Her victory completed a riding double for Jeong Jeong-hee who rode the opening winner FLASH JUDE (Flashback).
VINCERO CAVALLO WAS THE STAR DOWN AT BUSAN but there was plenty on the undercard too.
UNJU CHALLENGE (Revolutionary) came home two and a half lengths clear in the following 1800M Class 4. He dipped coming out of the gates but balanced up, found the lead and proved too good for Lime Tree whilst the 2.4 favourite Amazing One was a further five lengths away only managing third and never looking like getting near his two co-favourites. Son Gyeong-min was the winning rider and that apprentice completed a double after success in race 3 on board NICE GIRL (Afleet Express).
VINCERO CAVALLO pulled off a successful and emotional defense of the first leg of the 2026 Sprint Series, winning the Busan Ilbo (1200M KOR-G3) on Sunday afternoon. The five-year-old was racing for the first time in the colours of Kim Hyun-kang, son of late owner Kim In-gyu, who passed away last month.
Two in a row for Vincero Cavallo (Pic: KRA)
Despite sweeping all three legs of the series a year ago, Vincero Cavallo didn’t get a huge amount of support form the assorted racing media prior to the race. After missing a summer prep race, he ran 6th in September’s Korea Sprint and was down the field in his only subsequent start of 2025. Punters kept faith though, sending off the defending champion a 4.8 second favourite to return to form
Return to form he did and in some style. Settling just behind the early speed, which was set by the fancied trio of Born Dia, Fantastic Kingdom and Yeonggwangui World, Vincero Cavallo was never too far away. In the straight, under Jo Jae-ro, he produced that familiar burst of speed that had been missing in the latter half of last year, to burst through the middle and go on to score by two-lengths.
Pre-race favourite Winner Clear was 2nd with Fantastic Kingdom in 3rd.
“When he won the Sprint Series last year, (Vincero Cavallo) was running once a month, and it was difficult to maintain that. I had really been looking forward to the Korea Sprint, but he wasn’t able to show his ability – he was basically telling us he needed a holiday” winning trainer Seo In-seok told KRBC.
“Today he was back to himself, and I think he has a good chance of matching his achievement (of sweeping the Sprint Series) from last year.”
“Born Dia bolted from the gate. If the race had been at Seoul, I might have hurried up to go with her but the Busan track is a little different and I knew I could be patient and just trust Vincero Cavallo” jockey Jo Jae-ro explained.
“I’ve been a jockey for about ten years now and I always dreamed of riding a horse like Vincero Cavallo. I think I need to work to improve my own ability to be worthy of riding horses like him.”
“Last year I came onto that podium for the first time and (owner) Kim In-gyu was there. This time when I went up there, I felt sad. I am sure that somehow he knows that we won again.”
Vincero Cavallo [Cowboy Cal – City Lass (by City Zip)] was purchased by Kim In-gyu for 30 Million Won at the December Yearling Sale on Jeju in 2022. With his latest victory, he moves on to eleven wins from twenty-four starts and prize money in excess of 1.7 Billion Won.
The Sprint Series moves on to Seoul on Sunday April 12th with the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3). Next weekend, attention shifts to the first leg of the Stayer Series and the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Emphatic Grand Prix winner Clean One makes his first appearance as a four-year-old and is set to face off with Horse of the Year Speed Young.
SPEED YOUNG (Menifee) showed why he was recently crowned Korean Horse of the Year for 2025 when overcoming many obstacles to become the first Busan prepared horse to take out the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), the first black type race of 2026. at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.
On a day where six of the ten races were won by leaders, Speed Young came from the second half of the field to storm down the outside to deny a game YEONGGWANGUI WORLD, who led all bar the last fifty metres.
Speed Young, who had never won over 1200M prior, was outpaced and under pressure in the early stages but, on a front running dominated track, proved to be by far the best under a brilliant first ride on the horse for Jo In-kwon.
ZIGGURAT was a further five-lengths away in 3rd, also coming from well back, ahead of HAKSAN SPEED in 4th.
Korea Sprint 3rd SUPER FINISH and BEST RACE, who drew either side of the stalls, were the next pair home followed by last year’s winner CROWN HAMSEONG.
The major disappointment was the 3.5 favourite MUNHAK BOY who came into the race on a streak of six victories but was effectively beaten from the start, proving unable to get onto the early speed and ultimately, ended eight and three quarters lengths in 10th.
“(Speed Young) hadn’t raced over the distance for a year so there was always that concern,” winning jockey Jo In-kwon told KRBC. “But as soon as I saw Munhak Boy hadn’t managed to get on to the speed, I was more at ease and thought we could win. If Munhak Boy had been in front of me, I would have been anxious, but from then on I just left it to Speed Young.”
Speed Young doesn’t currently hold an entry to the first leg of the Sprint Series next month and trainer Bang Dong-suk was non-committal about where his charge would next run: “The first priority is the health of the horse, but we will consider going back to the Stayer Series. For now, I am happy to start 2026 with a win.”
Earlier, THE CLASSIC (Concord Point) was an impressive eased down twelve-length winner of the opening race. He is a “full” brother to the 2023 KRA Cup Mile (2000 Guineas) winner Betelgeuse and looks to have similar ability based on his debut. Betelgeuse didn’t run again after that Cup Mile win but does stand at Stud and just this month his first foals have been reported to be on the ground.
GENERAL WIND (Yeonseung Daero) justified 2.9 favouritism to impressively lead throughout in race 4 under Kim Yong-geun (1400M Class 5) scoring by four-lengths over 3.3 second pick VALID YOUNG who lost no admirers in second.
The American bred MOVING VOLCANO (Stay Thirsty) was a good one-length winner from the top in race 8 (1200M Class 4). The three-year-old colt was the last of the two winners on the program for both Kim Yong-geun and Hong Dae You in a race which saw fancies MUNHAK DAESE and RAON SPILETTA never land a blow.
CIRCLE A (Higher Power) was yet another front running winner on the program scoring in race 9 (1700M Class 4) by four-lengths and in doing so brought up a riding double for Turkish jockey Furkan Yuksel who earlier scored in race 2 with X-TEN (Mischievously). CC Wong was also among the winners on CHRYSOL STONE (Chrysolite).
SEOUL – February 9, 2026 – Luke Humphreys & Alastair Middleton
The weekend’s feature race saw potentially big Sprint Series implications while a challenger approaches on the Triple Crown trail and a young filly made an impressive return.
The very final race of the weekend was the only Class 1, and it was billed as a showdown between MAGIC POTION and WONPYEONG STORM, both with aspirations of getting a place in the gate for the Busan Ilbo Sprint, the first leg of the Sprint Series next month.
When that 1200M feature finally took place on a bitterly cold Sunday in the capital city the face off never happened as Wonpyeong Storm missed the kick and Magic Potion hovered but ultimately offered little as WOW WOW (Cowboy Cal) led from gate-to-wire to score by a length from SPEED ONE at odds of 9.1 locally. The Song Jae-chul ridden seven-year-old recorded his seventh career win on his thirty-second start. Also in the race, the 2022 Korea Sprint winner EOMA EOMA, like Wow Wow also sporting the Nasca colours, but like Wonpyeong Storm the now nine-year-old was never a factor.
In earlier races, ACE K (Cupid) tackled the 1800M for the first time at class 3 level having gone no further than1400M before, but the extra quarter mile proved no problem as he raced on the pace throughout and won by an extending 13 lengths over 2.6 favourite Tanseongui Banseok. His co-favourite FLYING CRUISER was the big disappointment, finishing a long last.
GOLD CATCHER (Cowboy Cal) bounced back to winning ways when winning race 8 (1400M Class 4) for Johan Victoire and Luigi Riccardi. The four-year-old filly had never missed the top four placings prior to her previous start and proved way too good with a front-running three-length victory. The previously unbeaten SAMJEONG SPIDER started a 1.4 favourite but was a never nearer 5th after not the best of beginnings.
Also on form was PERFECT DANAEUN (Freedom Child) with a six-length score in race 7 (1600M Class 4). He had taken out four in a row before coming up against Di Ne last month but under Ruan Maia, this time he was untroubled by his rivals to take his overall record to five wins from twelve starts.
MAEUM HANA (Gaon Champ) made it two victories in a row with a front-running victory for jockey CC Wong and trainer Choi Yong-geon in race 5. The three-year-old colt recorded a time of 1:20.1 in the class 5 and looks progressive going on his five-length victory.
AMOS CHEONHA (To Honor And Serve) completed a double for that jockey-trainer combination, and was the first of two winners for owner Hong Ae Ran, when coming from well back to score in the following 1800M Class 5. He missed the break for the second consecutive start and whilst it did his chances no good it didn’t make a difference as he pulled victory from out of the fire by an extending length and a half.
RAON THE PLUMA (Indie Band), GRACE DAY (Race Day) and JAZZ PURPLE (Hansen) could be horses to follow going forward on their respective victories in the opening three races on the card which were all Class 6 contests.
THERE WAS A SEVEN-RACE CARD AT BUSAN ON SUNDAY AND CLEARLY WINNER (Hansen) resumed from five months away from the races with a stress fracture to win impressively in race 6 (1400M Class 4).
The Park Jae-i ridden Kim Hye-sun prepared three-year-old filly raced on the pace throughout before roaring away in the straight to record a facile five-length success.
Clean One pulled off one of the most comprehensive demolition jobs in Korean racing history at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. The three-year-old led from gate-to-wire to win the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1) by nine-lengths, the biggest winning margin recorded in the traditional final G1 of the year in thirty years. Gangpungma was the distance 2nd with Speed Young and Japanese visitor Yumeno Honoo a strung-out 3rd and 4th.
Clean One dominated the Grand Prix (Pic: KRA)
Relatively unexposed with a 3rd place in June’s Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) his only previous Group race experience, Clean One entered the race with four wins from eight starts. But, while he hadn’t raced since a strong Class 1 victory over 2000M in August, the market didn’t entirely miss him, and the public sent him out as the sixth favourite among the sixteen runners at approximately 13/1.
The market elect was Yumeno Honoo. Making his second visit to Korea after his 3rd place in April’s YTN Cup, the Kochi star’s adeptness at staying distances persuaded punters to send him off just the right side of even money. With Seo Seung-un and Global Hit tracking his every step, Yumeno Honoo and Yoshihara Hiroto settled midfield and wide and while he got a bit closer around the final turn, he did well to ultimately run into 4th place in a tumultuous race. He lost nothing in defeat.
Gangpungma had been slow away but grew gradually into the race, sitting midfield exiting the back straight and ran on quicker than all but the winner. Speed Young sat in midfield early before steadily improving and finished as well as ever. Behind Yumeno Honoo, the recently out of form Tuhonui Banseok put in a spirited 5th ahead of Wonpyeong Storm and Global Hit. The gap from 1st to 5th was twenty-six-lengths.
Clean One simply ran the legs off them. Jockey Franco Da Silva took Clean One straight to the lead from gate eleven and by the time they were halfway home, they already held a two-length lead. This would be stretched to four with three-furlongs to run and five entering the home straight. Still full of running, he continued to extend, completing the final furlong in a quicker time than any, Gangpungma included.
Not since Ka Shock Do landed the 2nd of her two Grand Prix in 1995 had a horse won the big race by such a margin and only Po Gyeong Seon in 1985 and 1986 have exceeded it (in all three of those races, the Grand Prix was contested at a shorter distance).
“I don’t have many words because I’m speechless” winning jockey Franco Da Silva told KRBC. He promptly found some: “The plan was I always go with the horse’s speed, without worrying about anybody else. I talked to the trainer, and he let me ride very freely so I told him if I go to the front, it shouldn’t be a problem or if the pace is too fast, I can sit 2nd.”
“I was lucky, I got an easy lead and from there I just had to control the pace and make sure nobody can catch me.”
“I’ve always known he was a very talented horse since he was two years old; unfortunately, I didn’t ride him for his first few starts, so I’m lucky he’s shown his potential now.” As for how far Clean One can go: “I think he’s a really special horse, I still think he has plenty in the tank although, of course, we never know for sure.”
Clean One is owned by the Healing Farm Union and trained at Busan by Moon Hyeon-cheol. Moon is third-year trainer who scored his first Group race win just last week with Supex Winner in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie. The juvenile was also ridden by Franco Da Silva, who with Clean One registered his ninth Korean Group race success and second G1. The 46-year-old Brazilian rider is just shy of 540 Korean winners overall over nine seasons in the country.
An American bred, Clean One is by Bernadini and out of No Fault (by Blame). He was a $22,000 purchase out of the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The Graded race schedule for 2025 may be over but racing doesn’t stop. Action returns to Busan next Friday and Sunday and Seoul next Saturday and Sunday.
Geudaemaniddamyeon ground down Wonpyeong Sket to claim victory in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy (1200M Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and in the process establish himself as the capital track’s top imported juvenile and one of its most exciting prospects for next year.
Geudaemaniddamyeon and CC Wong get the better of Wonpyeong SKet and Ruan Maia (Pic: KRA)
After running 2nd on debut, Geudaemaniddamyeon was a comprehensive winner at start number two over 1200M and that led him to be sent off as the favourite for what is the biggest juvenile race at Seoul open to imported youngsters.
Second favourite Wonpyeong Sket, the only Korean bred in the race and one of only two fillies, bounded out of gate six into an early lead under Ruan Maia and seemed poised to go all the way until Geudaemaniddamyeon and CC Wong swept by late to score in the final few strides. My Empire, a Classic Empire colt, was two-lengths back in 3rd.
For Wonpyeong Sket it marked three times in a row in Listed Juvenile races that she has led, only to be overhauled late on, having suffered the same fate at the hands of Mujehan Geup in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy and Chief Star in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy. Connections decisions to swerve next week’s G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, where the Musket Man filly would likely have met both of those two again, were probably vindicated.
It was CC Wong’s third Listed success in Korea, following on from Crown Hamseong and Chan Famous earlier in the year. Geudaemaniddamyeon brought up 70 Korean winners in total for the former Singapore based hoop.
Trainer Choi Yong-geon was winning his first Listed or Graded race in his own name, since becoming licensed in 2020 after a long career as an assistant. He was as ever reserved when talking with KRBC after the race. “My heart is ready to burst; I haven’t felt such a thrilling feeling in a long time” he enthused. “I want to thank my very good friend (owner Woo Tae-yul) for trusting us with him and for giving him such a great name.”
Owner Woo is known for giving his horses wistful and melancholic names and Geudaemanuiddamyeon, a name never likely to be beloved by race callers, roughly translates into English as “If only you were here now”.
CC Wong, owner Woo Tae-yul (in scarf) and trainer Choi Yong-geon (Pic: KRA)
“We try to win every race, and every win is meaningful” Choi continued. “But I was wondering when I would win my first Trophy. (Geudaemaniddamyeon) only came in to us during the summer, he is a tall horse, and he has a big build and hasn’t been straightforward. Because he is growing into (his frame) we have had to monitor him closely. The team has worked hard and been rewarded.”
As for the future: “We’ll do our best to make him a star.”
As the trainer noted, Geudaemaniddamyeon [Tacitus – Annies Law (by Harlan’s Holiday)] was a relatively late arrival to Korea. He was purchased out of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2025 March 2yo in Training Sale earlier this year for $100,000. He is owned by Woo Tae-yul and trained by Choi Yong-geon.
Busan was scheduled to run its own race for imported juveniles but didn’t attract enough entries for it to go ahead. However, a full field of sixteen is expected on the south coast next Sunday for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) which will decide the title of Champion Korean bred Juvenile.
Seoul flies solo on Sunday with a bumper 14-race program from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens will all but one racing for the first time. Favourite, and a short priced one at that, will be (2) DI NE. He was the quickest in trials, running 2nd in his heat behind Wonpyeong Sket, who was a comfortable winner on debut a couple of weeks ago. Well drawn to lead, he can go all the way. (4) MUNHAK DAESE will be second favourite. She went through two trials, setting fair times in both and improving to 2nd place in the second of them. She too can be on pace. Experience can count for plenty in these types of races so while (10) DDATTEUTHAN WIRO only managed 5th on debut (well beaten by Wonpyeong Sket), he can have come on for the run. Returning to the first timers, (6) MIGHTY BEAT and (1) SMART RISE hinted at ability in their trials.
Selections
(2) Di Ne (4) Munhak Daese (10) Ddatteuthan Wiro (6) Mighty Beat
Next Best
1, 9
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 11
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden and we’ll take a chance on the solitary debut-maker. That’s (5) RAON FINAL, who showed on pace in her trial, leading close to the line and ultimately finishing a close 2nd in a decent time. She draws well and if she brings that form to the races, she has every chance first up. (3) WHITE ROMANCE has made progress across her latest couple, most recently when 3rd at 1300M on June 28th. She has been ridden on pace in her latest two so expect similar here and she should be close. (11) CRAZY MARI has a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two and while she has the widest gate to contend with, she shouldn’t be far away. (10) UBERMENSCH and (2) DAEHAN COCO’S others in the mix.
Selections
(5) Raon Final (3) White Romance (11) Crazy Mari (10) Ubermensch
Next Best
2, 8
Fast Start
2, 4, 7, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Small field but a tricky puzzle. (9) SECRET WOLF beat a couple of these on her way to 4th place on her first try at this distance on May 11th. She has a strong finish on her and while she has had a couple of months off, she has as good a chance as any here. (1) BLACK SMILE comes back in trip having run 4th last time out over 1700M. She has a 3rd place to her name over the 1400M and should be well in this. (7) MANGPHA overcame a wide draw to run a fair 5th at 1300M on June 22nd. In the absence of any early speed, she may well be ridden much further forward today and can be a danger. (4) P N S JU and (6) TTOSUNI SEOUL others in the frame.
Selections
(9) Secret Wolf (1) Black Smile (7) Mangpha (4) P N S Ju
Next Best
6, 8
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 9
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Another tricky one. (2) WHITE CARLA was a winner on debut in March and then put in two fair efforts at this class in April and May. He looked very well when wininng a trial last week and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, can win here. (8) VINCERO KING is a winner of just one of thirty starts but his recent form reads well, with his latest being a close 3rd in a tight finish at this class and distance on June 15th. A similar effort will see him right in the finish again. (1) SONGDANG HWANGTAEJA remains a maiden after seven attempts but comes in off back-to-back runner-up finishes, both at this class and distance. He can get a bit far back in his races, but if he is within striking distance in the straight, he has as good a chance as any here. (5) SOLAIRE and (3) GEUMSEONG POWER are the other main chances.
Selections
(2) White Carla (8) Vincero King (1) Songdang Hwangtaeja (5) Solaire
Next Best
3, 5
Fast Start
2, 3, 6, 10
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
The fields may not be big, but they’re not making them easy today. (9) MALSGO got his maiden win at the ninth time of asking on June 28th, making all at this distance. He comes up in class, but is down 3.5kg in weight, and he can win again. (3) NONSTOP YEOLCHA enters off 3rd place at this class and distance on June 15th when he led for much of the way. That marked a change in tactics so expect similar here and he can be in this a long way. (7) LOVE SCARLET is up in class following two 2nd places from her latest two outings. Lightly weighted, she can measure up in this company. (1) GEOSEN POKJU and (6) SEMYEONG DIA are other place chances.
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) MUJEHAN GEUP was a winner on debut over 1200M, coming from midfield to comprehensively score over 1200M. He comes up in class, but is down in weight, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he can maintain his 100% record. (7) SONE SONJABGO managed to win her first two outings and while she may be a cautionary tale for Mujehan Geup as she hasn’t scored in nine since, she has been consistently close. She has two 3rd places and a 4th from her latest three and in this company should be matching or bettering. (4) YEOWANG SOCKS has placed in both her latest two. She is versatile in terms of her racing style but in this company should be on pace from the start. (5) CHAMP HAMSEONG and (8) CHROMITE are the other place chances.
Horse Racing in Korea 