It’s the eve of the Eve and Seoul Racecourse runs its final cards of 2017 on Saturday and Sunday. Djordje Perovic is set to become champion jockey, leading closest rival Kim Yong Geun by six wins heading into the final two days of racing. Seoul runs 12 races on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Going to be champion – Djordje Perovic (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) CAPTAIN POWER got off to a poor start when well-backed over 1000M last start but he’s performed well at this distance already and looks to have every chance of a maiden win here. (7) NAEGA JAL NAGA didn’t appreciate being asked to go round 1700M three weeks ago but has a 2^nd place to his name at this distance and should be involved here. Similarly dropping back in distance and into contention is (9) ONE TWO THREE. (10) JIGONG JEIL had a bad day at the office last start but has shown promise and gets another chance here while (4) SEONGUNG put in a creditable enough debut a full twelve weeks ago and returns as the wildcard here. Worth noting that none of the likely favourites are expected to be on the early speed.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Not much experience here and it looks wide open. Newly crowned “Jockey Of The Year” will have the chance to add to his winners with (9) GUREUM SONJITHAE, 2^nd at the distance o November 11^th having led almost the whole way around. He’ll be on speed again and this time could well hang on for a stable that’s bang in form at the moment. (5) PALDO GANGTA has shown promise in two starts so far with a 3rd place in a stiffer contest than this three weeks ago. He takes on further than the minimum distance for the first time here. Among the other experienced ones, (12) MASYA was a decent 4^th on debut at the end of last month and can be considered for improvement. Turning to the debut-makers, (1) MIR PARK and (10) MIRACLE HANSEN both looked sharp in winning trials and may be backed first-up.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Twelve previously unraced 2-year-olds make a late season debut here and we’re going to be a touch lazy and go on their performances in trials. The only one to win a heat was (4) BOEUNUI KKUM, who did so in decent enough fashion a month ago. She’ll be well-backed here. (10) SEUNGRI NARAE was arguably a little more impressive in finishing 2^nd in his heat earlier this month and looks set to get a fast start here and could go all the way. Those two look to be the standouts but expect support too for (1) ROAD WOMAN and (3) BEST CHAPEL, both of whom get top jockey bookings. French jockey David Breux gets his first taste of Korean racing on (5) DAEHO CHEONHA, however, given the colt’s trial showings, we’ll take a watching brief with that particular one. As ever in these kind of races, keep an eye on the Korean pools.

Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(6) BULSA BULPAE was relatively unfancied but still managed to beat five of these on her way to 3^rd place over the distance on November 25^th. She is perhaps a bit one-paced but has shown she can grind out decent finishes and has as much chance as any of them here. (10) NANGMAN STAR was much better fancied that day and only finished a nose behind Bulsa Bulpae in 4^th so will have plenty of backers to overturn things this time while (11) SPECIAL DREAM was further back that day but could improve here on what (more…)

The Christmas weekend of racing gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Hard to look too far beyond (2) CHANG GONG in the opener. Across his three starts to date, he’s shown far more than any of the others here and should really lead from gate to wire. (4) YEONGCHEON STAR has shown glimpses of ability with a 4^th and a pair of 5^th place finishes and should be looking to improve on those here while (12) EVER GOOD TIME and (9) GIPPEUM SARANG came home 4^th and 5^th at the distance on November 10^th and can be in the placing frame. It’s a fresh start for (3) DANCING VICAR today and she re-qualified in decent fashion at the end of November while in such a race we have to give a chance too to the solitary debut-maker. That’s (8) FIRE POINT, who also trialled up well.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(10) NINA has shown progress across three starts so far culminating in being beaten by just a Head last time at this distance and she should get her maiden win today. (7) HEUGSEOL GONGJU was a couple of lengths back in 3^rd that day and can be in the placing frame again although the primary dangers could turn out to be (3) THUNDER STRUCK, a touch unlucky when running 6^th of 9 last time. (6) FAST AWAY was a much-improved 3^rd last month having previously shown absolutely nothing and is to be watched carefully while first-time starter (4) MAJOR ANGEL trialled up well. Watch the betting market with that one.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Six first time starters take on six who have raced once before and unusually for this kind of race, it is one of the newcomers who will be favourite. (1) LUCKY KOREA is from the track’s top stable and looked good when winning a trial earlier this month. She’ll be expected to lead all the way. Among the other debut-makers, (6) SINBIHAN BYEOL looks the best while of those who have raced before, the logical pick is (12) TANGY BITE. He was a solid 2^nd on debut on December 1^st and should be able to at least repeat that today. (5) YUHWI and (7) ICE LEG are others who can improve on their initial efforts.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(9) GAMUNUI YEONGGWANG has beaten a fair few of these across his latest two starts in which he’s come home 3^rd and 4^th. He’s never been sent off at anything shorter than 12/1 but looks the one to beat in this very modest contest. (4) JANGHAN JILJU beat (5) DAEHO MYEONGGA as the pair raced 3^rd and 6^th over this distance on November 17^th. That was disappointing from the well-supported Daeho Myeongga, who had shown ability (more…)

Grand Prix Stakes weekend kicks off with an 11-race card at Busan on Friday. The first race is at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) SAEROUN BARAM was an encouraging 4^th on debut at the end of October and looks to have every chance of coming on more here. He beat (6) EDGE OF WINNER by a length that day and that one too looks to have a chance of improving. Bart Rice’s (9) IHYEN looked competent in trials and is sure to be well backed with a top jockey booking while (1) HURRICANE DREAM debuted well all the way back in January before suffering setbacks and finally returns here. Her trial wasn’t impressive but not was it concerning. (12) DONE IT MY was a decent 2^nd over this distance time and should be close once more.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

A much improved 2^nd place on what was just his 2^nd start on November 17^th makes (5) CHOEGANG BULLET a likely strong favourite to score this time around. He should be away quickly and can lead from gate to wire. (2) PERFECT BOSS was an encouraging enough 5^th on his first start and can improve today while it’s the same story for (6) JOEUN HAE. Five of the eleven go around for the first time and among those ones, (7) TORNADO KING looks the pick.

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

Fillies only here and while (3) CHERRY BLOSSOM didn’t find things easy in the Gold Circle Trophy back in September, she returns here after eleven weeks off in much more amenable company and can get her maiden win here. The two “Yeogeols”, (2) HAEDONG YEOGEOL and (4) OKDAN YEOGEOL appear to be the main threats with the latter turning in some decent performances recently and will surely not be at class 6 for much longer. (5) EOMJI CHEOK came home 3^rd in a weak race at 1000M a month ago and looks to be on the up too while (11) SECHAGE also has scope to go better here.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Both (7) DYNAMIC GO and (10) I’M YOUR STAR have shown promise. The former was perhaps unlucky not to win on debut on October and followed up with a strong 4^th place over 1000M a month ago. I’m Your Star meanwhile debuted in a competitive race at 1200M in October, likewise finishing a good 4^th. Both try the distance for the first time but both should be on the early pace and can dispute the finish between them. (9) (more…)

It’s December! It’s very very cold. But the sun is shining and the weekend’s racing is about to get underway! There are 11 Friday races at Busan from 11:30 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Small field of just eight juveniles to kick things off but they’re going round for a big prize here. There are three first-timers and of them (1) GIOI BLADE looks a decent prospect. He won a trial in good fashion a month ago and this is a nice race to debut in. However, the favourite will be (7) CHEONYEONUITAEYANG. 2^nd and 3^rd in two starts to date, most recently in a fast time in capable company, he’s hard to oppose. (5) GRAY STORM looks the pick of the rest. She comes in freshened and had shown improvement in her latest start. (2) TANGO AND TANGO and (8) EL DRAGON can improve on underwhelming debuts.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

The second round of juveniles come out here and this looks like a slightly more open contest. Four debut-makers this time and a couple look to have very solid claims first-up. Both (1) JANGSEONGUI JILJU and (5) ARAM NARAE trialled up very nicely and both have top jockeys on board. Watch the market with those two and with the other two first-time starters, (3) ORYONG and (7) GANGHAN JILJU. Among the ones with prior experience, (4) TWO TWO ACE and (8) SONGAM MYEONGJANG both showed signs of not being completely useless and could improve here.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

The third consecutive juvenile race and we’re returning to the An Woo Sung/Jo In Kwen combination here with (7) TANGY BITE, impressive in trials and very nicely in first-up here. (5) MISS TANK has a 3^rd and a 2^nd in two outings to date and has every chance of making the breakthrough here while (6) THUNDER STRUCK had a hard time stepped up to 1200M last start but comes in fresh and dropped back in trip today and should be (more…)

First snow of the year swept across the Korean peninsula this week. It didn’t hang around for long though and it should be relatively mild for the weekend’s racing which gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. All races available on most ADW’s in the USA (Happy Thanksgiving!) and also on the Aussie Tab. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tricky one to start off with but we’ll give the nod to (8) RED CLOUD, who beat a couple of these on his way to 2^nd place in a decent race over this distance on what was just his second start four weeks ago. Not a fast starter but with a strong finish, he could well go one better today. (11) GAMUNUI YEONGGWANG and (12) CHOEGANG STEALTH were 3^rd and 4^th in that race and while they have a bit to find, it’s not impossible that they could get a bit closer today but more potent threats look to be (4) BAENGNYEON SIDAE and (5) YEONGGWANGUIWINNER with the former a good 2^nd at the distance last time and the latter having raced in tough company on his latest two.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million 

Only four of these twelve fillies have raced before and even those just once apiece. Of those four (3) TOP EURO and (7) BAEKDU QUEEN did ok and will be backed but the favourite is going to be one of the debut-makers. That’s (11) RAINHA, a Gold Allure filly who will be sporting the Yoshida colours. Trained by Kim Young Kwan, she easily won a trial all the way back in August and her debuted has been anticipated for some time. Of the other first-timers, (1) DAEDONG WINNER, a half-sister to Tohamsan, winner of eight from eighteen in Korea, also trialled up nicely and looks to have some potential as does (5) DREAM CAT.

 Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

 Juveniles only here and half are first timers and half have raced once before. We’re going to go with the ones who have experience. (3) UJU DAEWANG was favourite on debut three weeks ago following a strong showing in trials and while he could only manage 2^nd, demonstrated enough to be put on top here. Also good on debut was (11) DAMYANG GONGJU, who overcame a bad start to run on nicely for 3^rd and can improve today. (2) GYOHAKSANGJANG only managed 6^th on her debut but it was a tough race over 1200M and today should suit a little better. Among the debut-makers, the ones to make note of are (1) RAON JEONSEOL and (12) YUHWI, both of whom showed a bit of speed in trials.

 Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) CHOEGANG BOLT beat (5) VICAR OF THE SUN on her way to 2^nd place at this distance on October 20^th. However, the latter overturned that form back at 1300M two weeks later. Both should be in the hunt today. (10) ADELE HERO was behind the pair of them in that latest race but does have a 3^rd to his name at this distance while likewise (7) ACE VICTORY has also shown some aptitude at a mile and will be well backed here. Neither (more…)

Temperatures are set to drop below zero for the first time this autumn/winter season this weekend but racing will go on! The action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Let’s get after them!

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) NINA has looked decent enough in two starts so far with a 5^th and a 3^rd at this distance and it seems likely Bart Rice will have her ready to win this. (11) SUPER TRAIN debuted inauspiciously all the way back in January and hadn’t been seen again until looking much more accomplished in a trial a couple of weeks ago and has every chance of going well against this modest lot. We’re scratching around with the others to find any clues. (4) MAKGANG YEOGEOL and (12) SOJUNGHAN GIRL are perhaps the best contenders for improvement.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Seven first-timers take on five with previous, albeit limited, experience. The only one of them who has raced more than once, (3) CHANG GONG, will be favourite. He weakened over 1200M on debut but ran on much better when dropped back to this distance for his re-appearance on October 13^th and can lead from gate to wire. The other ones who have raced before don’t inspire at all so we’ll look to the first-timers to fill out the tickets. (9) ROYAL TREE looks the pick of them, having led a trial and run on well enough while (2) GABO TRIPLE and (7) BIG RED IJI also look to have some potential. As ever with these kinds of races, watch the market.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(6) PINK BLUE was favourite when stepped up to a mile last month following two solid performances at this distance. It didn’t go to plan as he finished in 6^th but finds himself dropped back to 1300M today and surely in with a far better chance. Expect him to be a warm favourite. Another who foundered at a mile last time out was (5) EXPRESSIVE and he too should go better at shorter today while (10) ACE FORCE enters having performed with reasonable credit in two very tough juvenile races in his most recent two and (more…)