Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener and (10) SEOMDOLMORU will be the hot favourite. After an inauspicious debut, she was a much better 2^nd over this distance on December 14^th, racing handy and nearly getting up. She won’t need to improve a lot on that to win here. (8) MISS FAMOUS beat a couple of these on her way to 4^th place on debut in a similar race to this on December 21^st and looks to be the main danger. That pair were (5) GOOD FRIEND and (2) NAMSAN SONYEO who came home 6^th and 7^th respectively although both showed enough then and in their prior trials, to suggest they can get better. There are two debut-makers and (7) LA FESTA perhaps has the best chance of making an immediate impact.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) BEAUTIFUL HWASEONG has been getting closer in his latest few, culminating in a 2^nd place on what was his first try at this distance on December 21^st, when he raced on pace and beat a couple of today’s rivals. The same apprentice keeps his weight nice and light and he is the one to beat here. (8) TRES VITE was 3^rd in that race, his best finish in twenty-six outings. He too has been getting progressively closer in recent starts and can go one better today in what is, frankly, one of the weaker maidens you will find at Seoul. (1) CHOCO BEAUTY has a 2^nd place on her record as recently as October and can be running on late. (6) BLACK RUSSIAN and (2) YONGBI KING, the latter 4^th in that December 21^st race, are other placing chances.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Another short-priced favourite in the shape of (6) EAST GANGJEOK. After finishing 5^th on debut, he has since registered back-to-back 3^rd places at 1200M and last time this trip on December 14^th. He’ll be on pace, Ruan Maia climbs on, and today should be the day. (9) CHANGJOUI GIDONG returned from six months out on December 21^st to run a fair 6^th of eleven over 1400M. Before the layoff he managed a 2^nd and a 3^rd and stripping fitter today, he can be a threat. (11) CHOWOLMA has hinted at ability in two outings to date, most recently 5^th behind East Gangjeok in that December 14^th race. The wide draw shouldn’t prove a problem, and he can continue to improve. The form drops off considerably after those three, with (1) LADY BLUE and (5) BLACK SMILE perhaps best of the rest.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Since getting his maiden win at start three over 1200M in October, (10) MORE THAN JOKE has been a beaten favourite in two attempts at this class, running 2^nd and then 3^rd at this distance, most recently on December 21^st. In this company he should be on pace, and he can make it third time lucky here. (4) UGWANGMYEONG was a winner on debut on December 22^nd having drawn the widest gate and then gone right back before swooping home. He comes up in class and marginally in trip here, but he can measure up. (3) PHANTOM DRAGON races for the first time since his maiden win last July. He looked well on a December trial and from a good draw, can be in the mix first up. (2) ASSI JANGGUN and (5) ECLIPSE EDGE others to consider.

Its been a very cold week in Seoul although it should warm up a little before the weekend program gets underway. There are 11 races on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maidens with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. The experience is by and large good though and (8) AFLEET RUN will be the favourite. He raced handy on debut over 1200M on December 8^th ultimately running home in 3^rd place. He should have derived benefit from that experience and won’t need to improve too much to win this. Nor though will (12) TAPDINE. After winning a November trial, he led for much of the way on his debut on December 1^st, ultimately finishing 3^rd. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he should be equal to it. (10) BEOLGYO LAVA has raced twice, finishing 4^th on both occasions. Her times haven’t been quick, but she should have a fitness edge on the newcomers and can be close. Of those first-time starters (1) BAEKDU ILSEONG and (9) JECHUK LOG IN looked the best in trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Three-year-old imported maidens here and (2) PALATINO will be the hot favourite. After running 2^nd on debut in November, he beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 3^rd place over 1300M on December 14^th. He’ll be on pace here and while he was the beaten favourite that day, it would be a big surprise if he falls short again. Naming your horse (5) WINNING CHAMPION is a bold move but he did offer a hint of promise on debut when 5^th over 1200M in a quick race back at the end of October. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and can get closer today. There are a couple of first-time starters and (6) SAINT RUNNER came from off the pace to run on well in his trial and 1200M first up can suit. (8) ACE K and (1) BAKCHARA may improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) GWANGGYOUI GISANG debuted with a 3^rd place in November and followed up with a 2^nd on December 14^th when he led for most of the way around over 1300M. In this company he will be on pace, and he won’t need to be much better to go one better here. After an ordinary debut, (9) HIGH CROWN has since registered a 2^nd and a 4^th from two subsequent appearances, both over this distance. He can settle behind the speed here and can challenge late. (11) DIXIE MAN ran 3^rd on debut at this distance and while he weakened having shown close to the front on his second start on December 15^th, Moon Se-young stays up and he can be given another chance. (5) WONDERFUL ALONG and (4) MYEONG POWER the other main placing chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive maiden. (8) DRAGON K enters off his best to date on December 14^th when he beat a couple of these with a front running effort on his way to 2^nd place. He will be on pace here and has as much chance as any of going one better. (4) I AM GO has finished no worse than 5^th in four attempts so far with her best being a runner-up finish over 1000M back in July. She had four months off after that and has a 5^th and a 4^th in her two starts back. Third-up she can be peaking fitness wise and Moon Se-young staying on will tempt plenty. (7) SPARTAN has two 3^rd places from his latest three and seems to be figuring things out at last. He likes to lead, and he can be in this a long way. (11) MG FIRST and (3) CHUPUNGNYEONG, the latter finishing off very strongly last time out having gone right back and who can be peaking at start three, are others to keep safe.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (1) GOLD QUEENS came from off the pace on debut to score over 1200M on November 16^th. It wasn’t a quick race, but she did what was asked of her in fine fashion and while she is up in class, she carries a light weight, and she can measure up. (5) GEUNYANG GARA beat Gold Queens in a trial last October and got her maiden win over 1200M in November. She had a poor day at the office on her latest when weakening late over 1300M just before Christmas, but she can be given another chance here. (3) ONEULDO SMILE won on debut over 1000M in August. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well enough when going through a Boxing Day trial and from a good draw can be in the hunt. (8) ANDAMIRO and (4) ROYAL PLUS others to consider. 

The capital track’s 2025 season kicks off on Saturday with an 11-race card from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old filly maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. (8) SAMJEONG LADY ran 3^rd on debut in a similar filly only maiden to this at the end of October, settling midfield and running on. She’s had ten weeks off since then, but that experience can be key in seeing her home on top here. (9) CLAIR BIG BANG is the pick of the debut-makers. She led every step of the way in her trial, winning it by plenty and in a quick time. If she brings that form to the races, she is a big chance first-up. (5) TTOSUNI SEOUL was a fair 5^th of eleven on debut over this distance on November 23^rd and she can have come on for the run. Returning to the first timers, (11) HERO CHOICE and (6) SALVADOR hinted at ability in trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After a couple of goes to figure things out, (10) LEMON K has a 3^rd and a 2^nd from her latest two, most recently beating three of these over this distance on December 8^th when handy throughout. Expect similar tactics here and she can go one better. (7) GLOBAL SERVE was 3^rd in that December race having led for much of the way around. He also has a 2^nd place to his name and from a fair draw, can be on pace and in this a long way again. (9) RAON SPILETTA did nothing on debut in September but was much improved at start number two on November 30^th when an on-pace 4^th. An apprentice claim means he carries 2kg less this time and can continue to make progress. (11) CHEONJI LADY and (1) WONPYEONG NURI other placing chances.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) JISAN FORCE was ordinary on debut in October but came up to this trip for start number two on December 1^st and having drawn the widest gate, came from off the pace to run a strong 2^nd with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. Drawing much better and without much speed in this race, he may well be on pace from the start this time and will be favoured to win.  (6) YEOLJEONGMA was slow away on debut over 1200M on December 8^th but ran on well to finish in midfield. He should have derived benefit from the experience, the additional trip can suit, and he should be closer this time. That will mean overturning the form on (9) TURBO CHARGE, who ran 4^th in that December 8^th race. That matched her previous finish, and she is another who may enjoy the step up in distance. (10) ECO FORE and (4) THUNDER LUCKY others to consider.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden. (8) DONGBANG FORCE enters off 2^nd and a 3^rd from her latest two, both at 1200M and both times racing on pace. She should be the quickest to the front here and she has every chance. (6) DIA ROOK was very narrowly beaten into 2^nd three starts back when she led and was 3^rd on her latest coming from off the pace. She’ll be challenging for the lead here and Moon Se-young being booked for the first time means she will probably start as the favourite.  (3) GRACE ROUTE improved to 3^rd at start two on December 14^th and from a much better draw can be in the finish again. (9) LADY FOX and (2) SWITCH POWER among other place chances.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 12 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juveniles with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll side with a first timer and (8) SAHARA KHAN who showed on pace in his trial, crossing the line 2^nd in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he has every chance first up. (11) SSOARA STAR ran a close 2^nd on his debut over 1200M on December 12^th, settling behind the speed and running on. He should have come on for that run and the slight step up in trip can suit.  (12) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG was 3^rd on his debut on November 24^th, running through the line pleasingly enough and he can be in the frame again here. So too can (2) GWANAKSAN CHECK IN who debuted back in September with a fair 5^th but trialed up again in November and can improve. Returning to the first timers, (7) BS STORM looks next best based on trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juvenile maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. (2) DREAMER WHIZ has a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his two starts so far at 1000M and 1200M. He was well beaten by the very promising Tap Tier last time out but in this company and well-drawn, he can be on pace, and he can go one better. (7) BLUE PIORA has a 3^rd and a 4^th from her two first appearances at 1200M and 1300M, settling back and running on both times. She has shown good late speed and shapes as the main danger here. (3) DANCING GRAYTIZ ran 3^rd on debut behind Dreamer Whiz on November 24^th, coming from well off the pace. He has three-lengths to make up but should have come on for that run. Among the first timers, (5) MIGHTY SWEET and (10) HANAM ELDORADO perhaps have the best chance of an immediate impact.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (2) BYEOKSONG debuted over 1200M on November 23^rd and raced handy before running 3^rd.  The time wasn’t quick, and she was a long way behind the winner, but she should have come on for the run, and she has every chance. (5) GWANAKSAN JOY was 4^th in that race on November 23^rd having led through the early stages. She also has a 2^nd place on her record and well-drawn, she can lead again and be in this a long way. (9) YONGAM SARANG did nothing in her first two starts in September and October, but she looked much better when sent back to trial earlier this month and can be given another chance. (3) STUNNING WORLD and (11) NAEGILUI CHAMP are other potential improvers.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) SPLENDID has been knocking on the door across his six starts so far and comes in following the best of them when 3^rd over 1300M on November 24^th when leading in the home straight. He draws very nicely to lead again, and this time can go all the way. (9) ECLIPSE BLACK did nothing on debut in a very tough Listed race in September but has since put in a 3^rd and a 4^th in two subsequent outings, racing handy both times. He has the challenge of a wide draw, but he can be a danger here. (6) CRAZE CHANG is yet to finish in the top two in eleven outings, but he has finished between 3^rd and 5^th in no fewer than six occasions, and this is the kind of race he can pick up another cheque in. (3) CUPID K and (4) RAON THE BELMONT are others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) GEOSEN GANGHO ran 2^nd in both his first two starts to get promoted to this level and then ran 3^rd on his class 5 bow over 1300M on November 16^th when settling midfield and running on. He continues under a light weight here and while he draws a touch wider than ideal, he’ll be the favourite to make his breakthrough. (3) THEME TANSAENG finally made his breakthrough two starts back at this class and distance. He carries his fair share or weight here but draws nicely and can be a threat. (11) YUSUBUJAENGSEON has a 3^rd and a 4^th in two tries at this class since a maiden win in October. He comes up to 1400M for the first time and has proven tactically versatile so the wide gate shouldn’t be a problem. Up in class (4) WONDERFUL FAPPY along with (8) DREAM CARD are others in the hunt.