Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (10 races from 10:35 to 17:55) and Busan (7 races from 11.25 to 16:55). Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens and it is hard to go past (1) ECO BOLT. He was sent off as the longest but one shot on the board on debut over 1200M on July 19^th but made a mockery of that with an on-pace 2^nd, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He will be much shorter today. (3) TONGKWAEHANSEUNGJA didn’t do much on debut but was a much-improved 2^nd at start two over 1000M on August 8^th when settling midfield and running on. Third-up he can be nice and match-fit, and the step up in trip can suit. (6) MYEONG POWERFUL also beat a couple of these on his debut at 1000M on July 26^th, ultimately running 4^th. He should have come on for the run and can get closer today. (5) LEGEND MONSTER and (8) GOLD X, the latter a good 4^th behind the excellent looking Clutch Derby on debut, are others in the frame.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It took (1) BEOLGYO SIGNATURE a few trials to make it to the races, but when he finally did, he ran a fair 4^th of eleven over this distance on July 19^th, settling midfield and running on decently enough. He should have come on for that run and has every chance in this company. (10) JEJU PRINCESS picked up significantly when 4^th over 1400M on July 11^th. Luis has ridden her to her best results and he stays aboard today. (5) DYNAMIC FORCE got sent back to trial after his latest and came through it without offering too many clues. He does have a 2^nd place on his resume and that is enough to have him going close here. (11) GOLDEN WARRIOR hasn’t quite managed to kick on since a 3^rd place four starts back but hasn’t been far away and can be given another chance today. (7) CHRYSOL POSH another who is better than her latest couple suggest.

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) GLOBAL PRINCE was an also-ran in the Korean Derby in May and was then a beaten favourite on his return to shallower waters on June 14^th when he got himself a warning for laying out. Before the Derby he was a winner at this class and distance, and he can return to winning ways here. (3) DUDUNG was a smart winner at this class over a mile on July 17^th. He comes up 3.5kg in weight as well as up to two-turns for the first time, but neither should be a problem, and he can be a big danger. The vastly experienced (4) EUNSEONG YEONGUNG comes in off back-to-back 3^rd places at this class and distance, and this is the kind of race where he can be there or thereabouts again. (2) OASIS ADELE is up in class following a maiden score over 1400M on July 26^th. He carries a light weight and has already placed over this trip. (8) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG is the other main place chance.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) LUCKY JOY is probably the one to beat here. His win came over 1700M and he ran 2^nd on his only previous try at this distance, which was also his first go at this level in April. He has been a front running 5^th and 4^th in two starts since then, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process, and he won’t need to find much more to see off this field. (2) CLUB MAN comes up in class following a maiden win over 1700M on August 9^th when handy throughout. That’s the distance his best results have come at so there is no reason why he can’t handle an additional half furlong, and down in weight and nicely draw, he can more than measure up. (1) KARA K is yet to score in fourteen attempts but has found the minor money on plenty of occasions and enters having run 5^th to Lucky Joy’s 4^th on July 26^th. She’ll be close again. (7) CHOEGO BELT and (10) CHRYSOL STEP other place chances.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. One of those newcomers is (2) VICTORY CHAMP, and he will be the favourite. The Old Fashioned colt led for much of the way in his trial, ultimately crossing the line a close 2^nd in a quick time. Drawn well, if he brings that form to the races, he’ll be hard to beat. (8) DAESEONG SKY was also 2^nd in his trial. The time wasn’t as quick, but it was very solid having raced handy throughout, and Seo Seung-un aboard means he will have plenty of first-up supporters. Of the experienced ones, (6) DANALDA was a close 3^rd on debut (close to the 2^nd placegetter, anyway) over 1200M on July 17^th. (3) HIT THE RUNNING and (10) MR. SUNSHINE were 4^th and 5^th in the same race and both also showed enough to suggest they can improve.

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

It’s daytime racing on Sunday with 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (6) LUNA SOCKS was a close 2^nd in her trial, showing close to the pace throughout. She’ll be on pace here and if she brings that trial form to the races, she is the one to beat. (4) RAON CHARIS GIRL ran 2^nd in her trial, sitting behind the pace and running through the line pleasingly enough and she can go well first-up. (8) TAEPYEONG SG went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them (which may not appear in all race cards, but he was 3^rd in 61.8 seconds on July 23^rd) and he should be nice and fit for this. (5) GWANAKSAN JUMP was 3^rd in what was a fast heat and he too can be aiming to be prominent early and be a chance. (1) BLACK TIME is the only one with racing experience and while she finished 8^th of eleven, it wasn’t a bad showing, and she can have derived benefit from it.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time. (2) SINGSING NASHE was a dominant trial winning, leading all the way and crossing the line thirteen-lengths to the good in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, the Nashville colt will take some beating. (4) CLASSIC AUTUMN is one of the two in the race with experience. It took him plenty of trials to get to the races and he led on debut over this distance on July 11^th before finishing 5^th in a fair time. He should have come on for the run and can be in this a bit longer. (1) G B FLASH was a solid trial winner, showing handy throughout and from the inside gate can go well first up. (9) NAREUSYA GOAT and (5) MIGHTY WONDER are other debut-makers who can be a threat.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky opener on Busan and we can take a chance on one of the two debut-makers. (10) LOST KINGDOM took two goes to qualify but was much more accomplished at the second attempt when an on-pace 3^rd in a good time. Franco is on and at a possible each-way price, he could make an immediate impact. (9) RANI did nothing on debut but was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two over 1200M on July 26^th, coming from off the pace and the slight step up in trip can benefit. (3) SMART YULIM has mixed his form across seven outings to date, but he does have a pair of 3^rd places, including on his latest on July 19^th, and that’s enough to have him in the numbers here. (4) WONDERFUL MUD can have a line through his latest when he was found to be lame in the near-fore. He has been back in work since August 1^st and was 3^rd over this distance in June. (8) YEONGGWANGUI HOPE did nothing on debut but has since been back to trial and looked much better, and he can be given another chance.

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

There are two debut-makers here and one is quite interesting. (10) CLUTCH WORLD took two goes to qualify but he did it well in the second of them when settling midfield and running on pleasingly. He was seven-lengths behind Mighty Log, whose own debut is even more hotly anticipated, but if he brings that form in here, he can go close. It helps that the main danger and probable favourite is drawn even wider. (11) DAEDONGYONGMA did nothing in his first four, but he has picked up with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, both over 1300M and he can continue to make progress here. (5) SONGDANG JILJU showed signs of figuring it out when 4^th on her first try at this distance on July 25^th and she can build on that here. (3) DELTA CHOEGANG and (4) SEOBU KING look to be the other main place chances.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It’s hard to go past (2) AEGIS CHEONMA here. In four starts, he is yet to be worse than 4^th, getting his maiden win at start two over 1200M in May and then running 4^th and 3^rd on two tries at this class, the latter on July 24^th. Seo Seung-un stays on and drawing well to pick his spot, the pair can win. They will need to overturn the form on (3) CALM FAST, who was a somewhat unexpected 2^nd in that July 24^th race. That was his best finish in twenty-eight attempts though and he has run once since without doing much. Nevertheless, in this limited company he can aim to place. (9) WIND SWORD enters off a fair 4^th place at 1300M on July 26^th and with an apprentice claim giving him a 3kg weight drop today, he should be firmly in contention. (1) POWER TIGER and the returning (5) BULBIT GANGJA are others in the frame.

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

(7) QUERENCIA has been working back towards another win since getting promoted to this class after his maiden, culminating in 3^rd place over 1400M on July 26^th, well-beaten by a good winner but not far off 2^nd when racing handy throughout. He only comes up 1kg, Luis stays on, and he can win. (3) THE SUN MONSTER has been ultra-consistent without winning, with three 2^nd places and a 3^rd from his latest four, most recently at this class and distance on June 21^st, when coming from a long way back. He draws nicely and today could be his day. (2) WINNER SOCKS was 4^th behind Querencia in that July 26^th race. He has four-lengths to make up but can beat plenty of these. (1) BULGEUN POKPUNG and (4) NAOL AURORA others who can make the placing frame.

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55 and at Busan with 7 races from 11.25 to 16:55. Here are the prviews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported maidens with three of the nine racing for the first time. The only southern hemisphere runner is (2) VICTORY LIFE. He looked good when 2^nd in her trial in a decent time having been handy throughout. A concern is that was at the end of the April, and he has been lame since, but he has been back in work since the end of June and is worth a chance in this company. (5) A.K JUN looks the best of the experience. He raced handy on debut over 1000M on June 28^th, ultimately running on for 4^th place, albeit a long way behind a good winner. He beat two of today’s rivals in the proves and he will probably start as the betting faovurite. (8) ESSENTIAL FORCE is another debut-maker who looked well when an on pace 2^nd in his trial and can go well first up while (4) NAREUSYA LUCKY went through two heats improving in the second and should be nice and fit for this. (1) BULTAOREUNE was a fair 6^th of nine on debut and is the best of the rest.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(9) STAR PLAY was sent off as the longest shot on the board on debut over 1000M on July 4^th but made a mockery of that by coming from well off the pace to run a close 2^nd. The additional furlong can suit and with some natural improvement, he can go one better. After an eye-catching trial, (4) BEAT STAR was sent off as the long odds-on favourite on debut on June 27^th but while he led, he knocked up quickly and finished 4^th. He should have learned a bit from that and can be given another chance here. Sole debut-maker (7) MAGIC TOUCH went through two trials and was much improved in the second of them (be aware that as a “voluntary” trial, it won’t appear in all race cards, but it was on July 9^th) leading all the way and stopping the clock in 62.2 seconds. If he brings that form to the races, he is a big chance first-up. (8) BLITZ CARA was 5^th on debut and then 3^rd behind Star Play on July 4^th. Third-up he can be peaking and he can be close. (2) K SOCKS can improve on an ordinary debut.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the nine racing for the first time, but it’s the experienced ones who most will go for. (6) OASIS HEUIMANG has raced twice before, finishing 3^rd on debut at the end of May and then 2^nd when starting the odds-on favourite over 1200M on July 17^th. He’ll be on pace here and will be an even shorter price to make it third time lucky. (8) HERO HIT came home in 4^th place on debut over 1000M on June 26^th, having shown on the speed. She previously won a trial, and she is the main danger here. (9) MORNING ARIA completes the trio wit prior experience. She too ran well on debut for 3^rd place over 1000M on July 3^rd and with some natural improvement, she can be in the mix again. Of the first timers, (2) ACE LOVE and (7) TWOTWO SPACE showed the most in trials.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BREEDO EPIC didn’t do much on debut on May but was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two over 1300M on June 21^st. She comes up significantly in trip here but third-up she can be nice and fit, and she can make her breakthrough here.  (7) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been ordinary across seven starts so far but she returns to the distance at which she registered her best result to date at when 2^nd – well beaten by a good winner – in May. She can settle midfield and will see out the trip. (10) CLUB MAN has almost identical form with his best also being 2^nd over this distance two outings back. He can overcome the wide draw to be handy and can be competitive. (5) GWANAKSAN WISH ME and (4) SINCHEON HEART both picked up in their respective latest outings and can continue to make progress.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) MAGIC TREE was anonymous on debut all the way back last July and then didn’t reappear until this May wen a fair 6^th of nine over this 1300M. She returned on June 28^th to run 2^nd over this same trip when handy throughout and she’s favoured to go one better today. There is one debut-maker. (9) HEAR WE GO originally trialed last October but didn’t make it to the races. She looked a much better prospect when winning a heat in early July, showing on pace throughout and if she can bring that form to the races, this is a nice even to debut in. (2) SPEED BUMP was 2^nd over 1200M two starts back and would have run better than 4^th in her latest outing on July 5^th were it not for a bad start and then laying in, as is her habit. She has been back to trial since and with better manners today, she can be a danger. (6) MAGIC OF ART and (8) MISS COCO are the other place chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) ROYAL HOPE K was a winner on debut over 1000M on June 27^th, settling handy before taking things up late on and winning comfortably. He comes up in class and in trip today, but neither should be a problem, and he is favoured to repeat. It’s not a strong race for the level so (7) COMPLETE FUTURE can measure up too. After a 3^rd place in March, he got his maiden win in at the end over April over 1300M when on pace throughout. He hasn’t raced since but he has been in consistent work since mid-July and under a light weight, he can measure up. (4) AFLEET RUN is yet to win in nine but has been knocking at the door and looks a strong place chance in this company. (1) P N S NALA and (6) YEONGGWANGUI SKY are others who can trouble the scorers.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

There is no racing next week what with the short summer break, but we go out with a bang with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) headlining a 10-race (10.35 to 17.55) card at Seoul. There are also 7 races at Busan from 11.25 to 16.55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time, but the experience is good. (4) YONGBI SINSEONG was 2^nd on debut, coming from off the pace after a very slow start over this distance on June 20^th. He should have come on for that run and with a better start, he can go one better. (2) LEGEND MONSTER was a solid 3^rd on debut over this distance on June 27^th, settling midfield and running on. He comes into a much better gate, and he too should have derived benefit from that debut experience. As for the first timers, (10) SAMJEONG CHEF went through two trials, finishing 2^nd in both. He should be nice and fit first-up and can have a say. (8) MYEONG POWERFUL and (11) POWER RACER others who hinted at ability in trials.

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

(5) PIEONARI has raced three times and has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, both at this distance. He was the beaten favourite last time out on June 20^th when he just got a bit further back early than in his prior two runs, but if he can be a bit handier today, he can win. (8) CHAOS registered back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at the start of the year, leading both times. She hasn’t raced since March, but she looked well when running 2^nd in a trial earlier this month in a good time, and she can be a danger first-up. (1) JEONGMUN KINGDOM was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two when leading on June 14^th over this distance. He can be on pace again and in this a long way. (10) NURI DOLPUNG and debut-maker (11) ILSAN SNIPER are others in the frame.

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

(8) THUNDER WAVE was an improved 5^th at start number two over 1000M on June 26^th coming from off the pace in a race where everything was blown away by debut-maker Seraph. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and the step up in trip could suit very well. (10) RUBY GONGJU has a 5^th and a 6^th from two starts so far with the second of those coming in the June 26^th race when beaten just a neck by Thunder Wave. Third-up she can be peaking and she can go much closer today. (7) OASIS ROSE debuted fairly enough in midfield on June 19^th over 1000M. He should have come on for that, and he is another who may like the extra furlong. Debut-maker (1) SEOBULINA, along with (2) WILD CHAMP, the latter another out of that June 26^th race, are others to consider.

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

(6) DELTA EAGLE didn’t do much in her first two outings, but she comes in here having run 3^rd at the end of May over 1300M, and then 2^nd on June 28^th at 1400M, both times coming from off the pace. She beat a couple of today’s rivals last time and she can beat them all here. (4) BEST A ONE similarly enters having run 3^rd and 2^nd in her latest two appearances, both at this distance and both times having been ridden much closer to the pace than in her previous outings. Expect similar tactics today from a good draw, and she can be in the finish again. (5) PNS GUNS completes a trio of last start runners-up, in her case over this distance on July 5^th when on pace. Maia stays on and she can be close again. (10) BULGEUN YEOJEONSA and (1) GRAND COURAGE others in the hunt.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) GOLD ROGER has never finished outside of the top six with her best being a 2^nd place over 1400M three starts back when handy throughout. She was a beaten favourite on her latest, which was her first try at a mile on June 19^th when she was awkwardly away and much further back than usual. Seo Seung-un is on and with a better start here this time, she can make her breakthrough. (6) BEOLMAUI GEOIN did absolutely nothing in his first seven starts but patience appears to be paying off as he has a 3^rd, a 2^nd and a 4^th from his latest three with the 2^nd at this distance in that June 19^th race, and he can be close here. (3) SO FAST was 4^th on her first try at this distance on June 26^th and can match or better that here. (10) MORE QUICKLY and (9) HAENGBOK TREE other place chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million