Seo Seung Un has completed his compulsory national service and the jockey – one of Korea’s leading riders before his departure – will return to action at Busan Racecourse this Friday.

Seo burst onto the scene in 2011, riding a pair of winners on his very first day’s racing before proceeding to ride out his allowance in double-quick time. In early 2012, Seo spent time in the United States riding at winner at Charles Town and that summer went on to represent Korea at the 2012 Asia Young Guns Jockey Challenge in Macau, finishing 3^rd.

He rode his first Korea Group race winners in 2013 and the same year played a part in Korean racing history when he travelled to Ohi Racecourse and rode Watts Village to a 30/1 victory in the Japan/Korea Interaction Cup – the first Korea-trained horse to win a race overseas. In 2016, he switched base from Seoul to Busan but would return to the capital to partner Triple Nine to glory in the G1 President’s Cup that November.

Seo’s return means there are now six Korean jockeys currently away on service, including top Seoul rider Jang Chuyoul, who enlisted at the end of January and won’t return until late 2020.

The others currently serving and their anticipated return dates are as follows:

Seoul

Park Hyun Woo – June 2020
Song Jae Chul – August 2019
Lee Hyeon Jong – July 2019

Busan

Lee Yong Ho – April 2019
Chae Sang Hyun – July 2019

It’s always nice to see various alumni of Korean racing around the world doing well and this week began with the news that Kanichiro (Joe) Fujii, who rode full-time at Busan from 2012 to 2014 and has been a frequent return visitor since, has achieved his long-standing ambition of passing the JRA Jockey’s License exams and as a result, can now enter the elite tier of Japanese racing. 

Fujii had attempted the brutally difficult selection process five times previously, however, there was a big sign that it was going to be different on this occasion when it emerged last November that he had been the only candidate to have passed the fiendish written examination – the stage that ended for now the JRA hopes of Joao Moreira. Having successfully completed the rest of the tests, Fujii will be able to start riding full time in the JRA in March.

Fujii was born in Nara, Japan, but went to Australia at the age of 15 to try to become a jockey. He debuted in 2001 and spent the next five years riding mainly in New South Wales, finishing 2nd in the State’s Apprentice Jockey race in 2006.  In 2007, he spent nine months riding in Singapore before embarking on a tour of Europe and the United States, during which he rode work at Chantilly and Belmont Park before returning to Australia.

He made the switch to Korea in 2012 and quickly became successful, winning that year’s Grand Prix Stakes on Gamdonguibada before completing a Derby/Oaks double on filly Speedy First in 2013. With almost 150 Korean winners to his name, he bowed out of Busan in late 2014 riding on the local NAR circuit in Japan as well as back in Australia again.

Fujii has, however, become something of a go-to jockey for Japanese trainers sending horses to Korea for the international races. He returned to Seoul in 2015 to partner Esmeraldina to victory in the Ttukseom Cup and then Chrysolite in the inaugural Korea Cup the following year. While those two were by far and away the best horses in their respective races, Fujii’s local knowledge came into play in 2018 when he produced an aggressive ride to win the Korea Sprint on Moanin. Now a fully-fledged JRA jockey, it would be no surprise were Japanese connections to opt for his services once more on international weekend in Seoul this September.

We’ve had a couple of weeks off but the late nights begin again on Thursday for Korean racing fans as Ace Korea and Buhwarui Banseok run at Meydan for the second time, with both looking to improve having made stuttering starts to their Dubai World Cup Carnival campaigns.

It’s a stiff ask once more for Buhwarui Banseok as he goes up against a slew of Godolphin runners at 2410M. He wasn’t a factor on his Meydan debut over 2000M on January 17th, however, that’s not to say he ran badly. He picked up momentum late on and ran on through the line pleasingly enough on what was his first ever race on turf. That experience, coupled with the additional distance – half a furlong further then the longest races in Korea – may help and sneaking in at the bottom of the handicap, he gets to carry a nice light weight. Richard Mullen will ride.

Mike De Kock’s Astronomer carries top weight. Previously trained by Aiden O’Brien, he was a winner of four consecutive races in Ireland last year before running 2nd in the Old Rowley Cup Handicap at Newmarket but had a hard time on his first try at Meydan a month ago. The seven Godolphin representatives are sure to be dangerous in what is a very tricky contest.

As for Ace Korea, the start will be important. The colt has generally been a very good starter but in his final race in Korea, the Listed Kookje News Cup, he stumbled coming out of the gate. It didn’t matter that day as he was far too good but over 1200M on the dirt in Dubai, giving rivals any kind of head-start is generally terminal, as it proved to be on his Carnival bow on opening night last month. He’s had a month to fix that and and if he gets away well this time, he should be more than competitive – although he will have to overcome the widest gate. Fabrice Veron will be aboard.

Turkish star Good Curry, a winner of 15 of 22 starts at home carries top weight ahead of Steve Asmussen’s Switzerland, who ran 6th on his Carnival debut last month. Victory Wave will likely be dangerous for Godolphin although likely favourite is Lavaspin, who has been very consistent across six starts so far and is unbeaten in two outings at Meydan, both of which were at this distance, albeit in non-Carnival races.

The races are numbers 6 and 7 on Thursday night’s Carnival program and are scheduled to begin at 2.25am and 3am respecitively on Friday morning Korea time. See www.emiratesracing.com for more information.

KRA Stud Farm’s colt Knicks Go will make his three-year-old debut this Saturday (US time) with Road To Kentucky Derby points on the line when he takes on an anticipated nine rivals in the Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Knicks Go was a shock 70/1 winner of the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last October but confirmed his ability a month later when running 2nd to Game Winner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – this time at odds of 40/1 – at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Ben Colebrook has a number of KRA-owned horses in his string and Knicks Go was among those moved to Tampa Bay Downs for the winter and early Spring. He’s been working well, breezing 5-furlongs the fastest of 39 in his main work at the end of January.

The Sam F. Davis is run over approximately 1700M and previous winners include Any Given Saturday, who now stands at Stud in Korea. The winner will receive 10 Kentucky Derby points with 2nd to 4th earning 4, 2 and 1 respectively.

Knicks Go will carry top-weight in the contest, which will be race 11 on the program at Tampa Bay, going to post at 5.25pm local Florida time (7.25am Sunday morning Korean time). It is set to be a stiff test which features two other Graded Stakes winners,  Five Star General and Well Defined also taking their chance. Regular jockey Albin Jiminez will ride Knicks Go.

A colt by Paynter, Knicks Go is part of the “K-Nicks” program which uses a genome analysis developed by the KRA to identify yearlings with the potential to go on to become stallions. He was purchased for $87,000.

Silver Wolf successfully retained her Donga Ilbo Trophy title on Sunday, overcoming a game Cheongsu Yeogeol in a back and forth stretch duel at a soaking wet Seoul Racecourse.

The former Champion Filly/Mare was sent off at a shade worse than even money for the 1800M Listed event that she won a year ago with Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup winner Sky Bay second in the market ahead of the overall 2018 Queens’ Tour winner Cheongsu Yeogeol.

All three of the big players were ridden patiently early on over a fast track that one race previously had seen US import Covergirl Justice set a new track record for 1300M. Patience was necessary as the pair of Tour Rose and New Partner set a furious pace that inevitably caught up with them once the line was in sight.

That left Moon Se Young on Cheongsu Yeogeol making the first move, but Silver Wolf was right there with here. The pair came together, and battle was joined. Yoo Seung-wan’s mount got in front but Cheongsu Yeogeol pegged her back and even led into the final furlong. Ultimately though, the older mare was too strong and jockey Yoo even had time to celebrate as his mount crossed the line just under a length on top.

Silver Wolf was a $40,000 yearling purchase from the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale but has now taken her earnings to in excess of US$1.7Million. Arguably the best Australian horse imported into Korean racing ever – at least with racing in its modern format – she’s confirmed her place atop the filly and mare ranks. Last year she followed up her win here by going to Busan and beating Power Blade in the Busan Ilbo Cup. If she is taken on the sprinting route again, a repeat isn’t impossible.

One of Korea’s all-time great race-mares kicks off her 2019 season on Sunday afternoon and Silver Wolf, never one to be shielded from a challenge, will face stern examination as she seeks to defend her Donga Ilbo Trophy title over 1800M at Seoul Racecourse (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Busan: 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05).

An Australian-bred by Oratorio, Silver Wolf was purchased as for $40,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in 2014. She’s since gone on to amass over US$1.5Million in prize money and in 2017 swept all three legs of the Queens’ Tour to be named Champion Filly/Mare. Competent at any distance, after winning this race last year, she went to Busan and defeated Power Blade over 1200M in the Busan Ilbo Cup.

The rest of 2018 was challenging for Silver Wolf as she plied her trade only in elite company and was 2^nd to Ace Korea in the Kookje News Trophy, again at Busan in November. She’ll be favourite to retain the Donga Ilbo but it won’t be easy given the presence of a number of up and coming fillies looking to usurp her.

Chief among the pretenders is Sky Bay. Lee Shin Young’s American import by Adios Charlie is a winner of five of her nine starts so far and concluded her three-year-old campaign by winning the final leg of the Queens’ Tour, the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup, over 2000M, at Busan in November. That victory gave handler Lee the distinction of becoming the first female trainer to saddle a Group race winner in Korea. Sky Bay will carry 3kg less than the reigning champion could well be getting better.

The overall winner of last year’s Queens’ Tour (which Silver Wolf, being aged six, wasn’t eligible for) was Cheongsu Yeogeol. She ran 4^th in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup on what was her first try at more than a mile and while beating Silver Wolf may be beyond her, she returns here too and can challenge for a place. The same is true for that day’s runner-up Seouri Byeol, who won the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup at this distance at Seoul in September.

Here is the race by race for Seoul with Busan Selections below:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens to kick things off with just five of the twelve having raced before. Two of those have showed some ability, however, with (12) CHEON GOE SEONG and (9) ACE TRIPLE coming home 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other at this distance on January 5. Both showed enough that day to suggest they can be fighting it out for top honours this time. The other three didn’t offer much with (11) SUNSHINE LADY perhaps most likely to improve. As for the first-timers, (6) FLOWER ROAD and (8) FEDERAL CAT looked the most promising – although that’s all relative here, really – in trials and are likely to be backed first up.

Selections	(12) Cheon Goe Seong (9) Ace Triple (8) Federal Cat (6) Flower Road
Next Best	11, 4
Fast Start	4, 9, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) CLEAN UP TRIO was an improved 2^nd in what looked a slightly stiffer test than this three weeks ago. He led until the closing stages that day and should be on pace again from the start with solid claims to go one better this time. (11) SPEED HEUKRYONG has shown improvement across three starts so far and beat a couple of these on his way to 4^th place at 1000M a month ago. He looks ready to step back up in trip today and should be a danger. (7) WHITE VELVET too has shown signs of figuring things out recently and can go close – he’ll likely join Clean Up Trio on the early speed. (6) BLUE MEGA ELLA did nothing wrong on debut while (12) INCHEON LION also looks to have scope to improve.

Selections	(2) Clean Up Trio (11) Speed Heukryeong (7) White Velvet (12) Incheon Lion
Next Best	6, 8
Fast Start	2, 7

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) MAMMA ROMA has shown steady progress across four starts so far and got her reward when scoring over this distance on January 6^th. She’s up in class today but could well continue her development and she’s the pick to win here in this all-filly handicap. Runner-up that day was (3) GREEN SARANG and she too comes up in class. She’s still a maiden but she should be competitive at this level. Greater danger may come from elsewhere, though. (4) HEUNG KKAEBI was a winner on debut last September and comes in having finished off last year with a close at hand 4^th place in a similar race to this. With some improvement, she’ll be right in the mix to win this. (8) STAR LIST was a class and distance winner four weeks ago and while carrying additional weight today, must be similarly respected. (11) BETTINA is up in class following her maiden win last month and while she perhaps has a bit more to find, isn’t out of it either.

Selections	(2) Mamma Roma (4) Heung Kkaebi (8) Star List (3) Green Sarang
Next Best	11, 9
Fast Start	1, 7

Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to look past (8) BI PYEONG here. He’s won just the one time from four starts so far but comes in having run a very good 2^nd place to Gaon Force on his first try at this distance on January 5^th. He looks to be bound for a higher level than this and should win. Plenty of other useful looking types here as well. (4) DONG JAK ran out a six-length winner over 1300M three weeks ago and is up in class and distance today with potential to get better still. (5) GEUMA ZENITH was a rather optimistic entrant in last November’s Nonghyup Trophy and while that went about as well as expected, he proved his ability by winning in December. He too comes up in class and distance and can improve. (3) BARAM KING and (6) NANGMAN STAR both have experience of this level and can be competitive.

Selections	(8) Bi Pyeong (5) Geuma Zenith (4) Dong Jak (3) Baram King
Next Best	6, 9
Fast Start	4, 9

Race 5: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(3) GAON FORCE has won his latest two in good fashion (beating Bi Pyeong from race 4 last time out), the latest a front-running win on his first try at this distance. Up in class today, he’s nicely in here and can win again. It’s a good race though. (11) MONEY POCKET is also rapidly moving up the classes. She’s won two from three so far and while she stretches out in trip today, there look to be more to come. (1) SPEED HWANGNYONG is another who tries this distance for the first time. He’s already proven himself competitive at this level with a 3^rd and a 4^th from two attempts at it so far and he should be close again. The placing claims go deep with (2) HAPPY MAUNTAIN, (9) STRONG CAPTAIN and (12) SPEED YEONGUNG all firmly in the frame.

Selections	(3) Gaon Force (11) Money Pocket (1) Speed Hwangnyong (12) Speed Yeongung
Next Best	2, 9
Fast Start	3, 4, 6, 10

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

(2) DOKDO YA is up in class following his maiden win at this distance on December 15^th. The 3^rd place-getter that day won well last weekend so that form has taken a bit of a (more…)

There is a big 13-race card at Seoul on Saturday with racing from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews: 

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Maidens to begin with and both (2) PRIMA NIKE and (9) IL MARE have made promising starts to their careers, both registering a 3rd and a 4th from their opening two races. Both should be away to fast starts here and can dispute this between them with Prima Nike marginally preferred at this stage. (11) WINNER CROWN put in a creditable 5th on debut four weeks ago and should be looking to improve here. There are six first-time starters and among them, (8) JIOBANA and (12) BAEKSANG look the most promising.

Selections	(2) Prima Nike (9) Il Mare (11) Winner Crown (8) Jiobana
Next Best	12, 4
Fast Start	2, 4, 7, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Maiden fillies here. (7) BANGTANMA has hinted at having plenty of ability and comes in following an admittedly well-beaten 2nd place at the distance just before Christmas. She’s well drawn to get on pace and it could be her day. (9) NEW PARADIGM has already beaten Bangtanma and actually beat three of these on her way to 4th place at this distance on January 6th. That continued her promising start to her career and she should be going close here. The three who she beat last time look to be the best other prospects here. (5) WONDERFUL MARIA, (10) SSOARAUTS and (12) LOVE RACE all have potential to improve.

Selections	(7) Bangtanma (9) New Paradigm (5) Wonderful Maria (10) Ssoarauts
Next Best	12, 3
Fast Start	2, 5, 7

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(3) SLING STONE has a 5th and a pair of 4th place finishes from three outings so far. Moon Se Young takes over in the saddle, he’s drawn well to lead, and he can win here. (12) VICAR BRACING is another who has impressed so far. He beat a couple of these on his way to 3rd place at this distance just prior to Christmas and while the widest gate may not be ideal, he can overcome it. (10) WHITE FLOWER has been knocking at the door for a while now and should be close again. (2) SEUNGRI LIKE and (7) GEOTAP are others who should be in the hunt.

Selections	(3) Sling Stone (12) Vicar Bracing (10) White Flower (2) Seungri Like
Next Best	7, 11
Fast Start	3, 11

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) BROWN ROSE was promoted to this level winless and while that remains the case, she showed she’s competitive at it with a solid 2md place at this distance in December. She won’t need to improve much to go one better here. (8) WINT SEVEN struggled when sent up to 1300M on his first try at this level but was much better when dropped back to this trip last time, finishing 4th in what was possibly a slightly stronger race than this. (3) BLUE FIRE too demonstrated he can be competitive at this level with an in no way disgraced 5th place three weeks ago and he can build on it here. (6) EOMJI YEOWANG shouldn’t be too far away while (9) KAILLUM YEOJE looks best of the rest.

Selections	(1) Brown Rose (8) Wint Seven (3) Blue Fire (6) Eomji Yeowang
Next Best	9, 12
Fast Start	2, 3, 9, 10

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

(3) PRIVATE MAN ran 2nd to the promising Dokdo Ya at this distance back in December. That led him to be sent off as favourite on his reappearance three weeks ago and while he only managed to finish 5th, he’s worth another chance today. If he comes up short once more, (2) CHEONNYEONUI BARAM could be the one to take advantage. He has two 4ths and a 3rd from his latest three and should have more improvement in him. (9) JANGSAN FLY races fro the first time since beaten Private Man on his way to 2nd place at this distance back in November and he warrants respect here. (4) YEOKDAE CHOEGO and (8) CHEONNYEON HAPPY are others who can be considered.

Selections	(3) Private Man (2) Cheonnyeonui Baram (9) Jangsan Fly (4) Yeokdae Choego
Next Best	8, 1
Fast Start	2, 8, 10, 11

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

(4) FLYING JOY drops back in trip having had his recent assignments all at 1700M. He enters with his recent form reading well and the distance change may be what he needs to finally make the breakthrough. (8) ROAD MAN is another who remains a maiden but who has been getting closer, culminating in a 2nd place at this distance last start. He can (more…)

There are 12 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(10) TWO TWO SPINO was a considerably improved 2^nd on his second career start on January 4^th. He led for much of the way around and while drawn quite wide here, he has solid claims to go one better this time. (11) YEONGGWANGUI KISS was an encouraging 5^th on debut in December and van build on that here while (12) LISTEN TO ME ran well for 4^th last start and can continue to improve here. (9) KINGSTON HARBOR did little on debut in December but looked considerably better when trialing up again at the end of the month and will be backed here. Among the four debut-makers, (8) BEYOND trialed nicely and can go well first-up.

Selections	(10) Two Two Spino (11) Yeonggwangui Kiss (9) Kingston Harbor (12) Listen To Me
Next Best	8, 4
Fast Start	5, 8, 9, 10

 Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Maiden fillies here and plenty in the hunt. (10) BEAUTIFUL MARINE has raced twice before, finishing 3^rd on both occasions. She’s shown some decent speed and has as much chance as any here. (1) TWO TWO WAY was an improved 2^nd three weeks ago and is well drawn to get to the lead from the inside. (9) JUNGKKOT was a good 3^rd on debut earlier this month and looks to have ability too. (8) WONDERFUL IJI ran a couple of times last summer without impressing but following a few months off come back in here having looked significantly more competent in a trial. (12) MABEOP CHEOREOM similarly has had almost three months off since debut and is another who can go well.

Selections	(10) Beautiful Marine (1) Two Two Way (9) Jungkkot (12) Mabeop Cheoreom
Next Best	8, 4
Fast Start	1, 4, 8, 12

 Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(10) MISS FACT has a 4^th and two 3^rd place finishes from three outings so far and she’s the marginal top pick in what is a competitive maiden. (4) SECRET LEGACY has improved across three starts and is likely to be on pace early from a good draw. She can go close. (5) CHEONJI KINGS has also shown ability and won’t be far away – he beat three of these on his way to 3^rd place last start and can at least match today. (8) VERYVERYTHANK YOU and (12) WILD CASH are others in at least the placing frame.

Selections	(10) Miss Fact (4) Secret Legacy (5) Cheonji Kings (8) Veryverythank You
Next Best	12, 7
Fast Start	3, 4, 5, 12

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

(9) YEONGGWANGUIFORCE is the one to beat here. He raced once without distinction last summer but returned after five months off at the start of this month and ran a good 2^nd over 1000M. He steps up in trip for the first time and won’t need to improve too much to win. (7) YEONGBONGSAN was a much improved 3^rd last start and can continue his progression today. (He beat (10) GASOK BULKKOT, who also should be looking to go closer this time. (11) FUSION PARK and (12) FINAL FRONT, the latter a distance 2^nd in an odd affair last time out, are others to consider.

Selections	(9) Yeonggwanguiforce (7) Yeongbongsan (10) Gasok Bulkkot (11) Fusion Park
Next Best	12, 5
Fast Start	3, 8, 9

Race 5: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(10) MARU JJANG stepped up to this trip four weeks ago and raced competently enough. He can be ridden patiently here and can make his breakthrough. The main danger is (3) ULSAN JANGGUN. He tried this distance last October and didn’t go well but has seemed to come on since and ran a good 2^nd last start at 1000M and looks ready for another crack. (1) CRYSTAL ROSE enters following back to back 3^rd place finishes and should be in the hunt here while (4) CHOEGANG SEONBONG and (8) SEORABEOL BULKKOT are others who can be considered.

Selections	(10) Maru Jjang (3) Ulsan Janggun (1) Crystal Rose (4) Choegang Seonbong
Next Best	8, 7
Fast Start	2, 3

Race 6: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

It’s time (2) GWONTOJUNGLAE returned to the winner’s circle. He ran a huge race in 6^th in the Breeders’ Cup in December but was a touch disappointing on reappearance at the end of last month. Likely to be ridden a little closer this time, he should have too much. (4) IGGYDA though is still a slightly unknown quantity. He was a five-length (more…)

Mask ran out a dominant winner of the Segye Ilbo Cup, landing Korea’s first Listed race of 2019 by a commanding two-and-a-half lengths under a fine ride by reigning champion jockey Antonio Da Silva at Seoul Raceourse on Sunday afternoon.

Second in last year’s Korean Derby, Mask was dropping back to six-furlongs for the first time since he was a juvenile but having ended last season strongly, the Testa Matta colt was sent off as co-favourite alongside Cheonji Storm, 3^rd in this race a year ago.

It wasn’t to be for Cheonji Storm, who scarcely threatened, and nor was it for third-favourite Gasokbulpae, for whom the wide draw led to him using up too much energy in getting to his favoured forward position; once he finally made it there, his race was done. Instead it was left to Hansen filly Sinui Myeongryeong, well drawn on the inside to set the pace with while Da Silva had the luxury of dropping Mask in just behind.

That set the race up beautifully for Mask and with Da Silva operating at his fluid finest, the Lim Bong-chun trained colt struck the front just inside the furlong pole and he ran clear for a comfortable win. Sinui Myeongryeong had enough in her to stay on for 2^nd place while City Star, runner up last year was a fast finishing 3^rd.

For Mask it was a fifth win in fifteen career starts and his second in Listed company. A Group win still eludes him, but he’ll get a chance to rectify that when most of the top place-getters reconvene in the G3 Owners’ Cup in March over the same distance.

Next weekend at Seoul it’s the turn of the fillies and mares to get in on the Listed action in the shape of the Donga Ilbo Cup over 1800M. Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup winner Sky Bay is expected to be among the runners.

It’s the first Listed race of the year in Korea in the shape of the Segye Ilbo Cup at Seoul. There are 11 Sunday races in the capital from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

 Six of these raced each other over class and distance on December 23^rd. (3) LIVINGSTONE came home the best of them that day in 2^nd place, a length ahead of (8) L CHOICE in 3^rd. Those two could well be fighting it out for top honours this time. On the same day but in a different race, (11) RAISING ANGEL raced greenly but still did enough to win. She’s up in class but should be competitive. As should (7) FIRENZE HILL, who also steps up in level following her maiden win a month ago. (2) BLUE ANNA, 4^th behind Livingstone and L Choice in that race just before Christmas, looks best of the rest although (9) MATCH QUEEN can have a line drawn through her latest effort and can be a factor too.

Selections	(3) Livingstone (11) Raising Angel (8) L Choice (7) Firenze Hill
Next Best	9, 2
Fast Start	5, 9, 10, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Only two of the twelve have raced before and (7) RAON STORM raced rather well, leading for much of the way around on December 2^nd, ultimately finishing 2^nd in a fast-run race. That experience should serve him well here and he is the one to beat. As for the first-timers, (9) PRIME QUEEN was a trial winner and will be well-supported first-up with Moon Se Young aboard, while (6) YULONG FLYING also caught the eye in heats. (2) GEUM ROYAL and (3) SIMJANGUI GODONG are others who could go well first-up.

Selections	(7) Raon Storm (6) Yulong Flying (9) Prime Queen (3) Simjangui Godong
Next Best	2, 4
Fast Start	7, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens here with four of the twelve racing for the first time. (1) SUN OF THUNDER ran 5^th on debut in November and then improved to 2^nd on reappearance just before Christmas, the latter over 1300M. He drops back to the minimum here and should have too much. (8) MUNG CHI put in a decent effort in 5^th on her debut a month ago and can build on that here while (6) TANTAN WINNER was slightly disappointing on his second start but had previously shown promise first-up and can be given another chance here. Among the debut-makers, (4) GEUMA INVINCIBLE’s trial time was slow but the performance was good enough and he will be expected to hold his own. (5) VALLEY QUEEN too is another to keep an eye on.

Selections	(1) Sun Of Thunder (8) Mung Chi (4) Geuma Invincible (6) Tantan Winner
Next Best	11, 12, 5
Fast Start	1, 4, 6, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) HAENGBOK STAR and (8) ARES THUNDER came home 3^rd and 4^th when they raced each other at class and distance on December 23^rd. They both look nicely in here to challenge again with Haengbok Star marginally favoured to prevail. The one they’ll both need to beat is (2) HANEULEUL DALRIDA. He ran well for 5^th in a stiff 1300M contest last month and tackles this distance for the first time today. It may well suit and he’s likely to be ridden forward. (5) TAEPUNG EYES and (7) KAILASH DANCER are others who can come under consideration.

Selections	(3) Haengbok Star (8) Ares Thunder (2) Haneuleul Dalrida (5) Taepung Eyes
Next Best	7, 1
Fast Start	2, 3, 5

Busan Race 1 Selections: 11, 1, 8, 8

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) BURUI GORI comes in following two consecutive wins, both at this distance and the most recent at this class. With an apprentice on board, he’s nicely weighted and the only concern is he comes in after twelve weeks out and may need this run. The big danger is (8) GEUMA KINGDOM. He’s never been worse than 3^rd in five starts to date and enters having finished in that position in a strong contest at 1300M just before Christmas. He’s up to this trip for the first time today and looks to have good potential. (9) EAST KWAENAM too is up in trip for the first time – he beat a couple of these over 1300M last start, and the extra distance may benefit. (10) MAJJABEUN SON is a two-time winner at this trip and must be respected while (11) MR. TURNER, a maiden after twelve attempts, enters with recent form reading well and can go close.

Selections	(8) Geuma Kingdom (2) Burui Gori (11) Mr. Turner (10) Majjabeun Son
Next Best	9, 4
Fast Start	8, 9, 12

 Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(11) SAMBA RHYTHM was a six-length winner over this distance on what was just her second start on December 30^th. She’s up in class today but looks to have more to come and she can win this all-filly event. (8) RAON ARES is also up in class after getting her maiden win three weeks ago. It was at 1000M, but she has previous experience of this distance and has a chance here. (2) HWANSANG DOKJU has had an interrupted career so (more…)