It’s the eve of the Korea Cup and Sprint and arguably this Saturday is the best day of racing of the entire year, with no fewere than seven international Trophy races attracting very competitive fields. Those seven are the first on a 10-race card which runs from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight B / France Galop Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(3) SINGSING MORNING is a colt by Munnings who won his sole trial on July 23 by five-lengths and the second placed horse from that heat subsequently came out and won last week. On that basis, as well as the fact that trainer Bae Hou-jun and owner Jeon Seok-ho have already produced arguably the most impressive juvenile winner of the year so far in the shape of Singsing Nashe, this horse is worth following. (7) HOPE K continues to get better with each run and was a dashing five-length winner of the Rookie Stakes three weeks ago so he could easily score again. Hope K was three-and-a-half lengths behind (6) SOUTH CARNIVAL back at the end of May before vastly turning the tables in the Rookie Stakes. South Carnival is a definitely a chance of bouncing back to winning ways as is (5) KKUMUI YEONSOK who was behind both of those horses in the Rookie Stakes after missing the start and subsequently never getting any closer than second last but this Luigi Riccardi prepared Tale Of Silence colt was incredibly impressive in his debut victory where he scored by seven-lengths. (8) MAHO was behind Kkumui Yeonsok in that race before winning his second start over (2) MIGHTY HUNKY, who is one of two runners for Seo Hong-soo with the other being (4) MIGHTY HIGHT which was a three-length winner of his second race.

Seoul Race 2: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight B / Singapore Pools Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(7) EVERY TIME was second in all three runs as a juvenile last season but has more than made amends for those runner-up finishes with two starts for two wins as a three-year-old. Those two wins this year have both been over this distance by margins of seven and three-lengths and he will prove hard to catch under Ruan Maia. (10) LIVE STAR was the boom three-year-old heading into the Triple Crown but came unstuck in the KRA Cup Mile (Korean 2000 Guineas), following a deplorable beginning, and in The Derby. He bounced back to winning ways in an 1800M Class 3 in June before getting rolled last start. His beginnings have not been as fluent since going down to Busan for the Guineas and it will be very interesting to see how he handles the 1200M. (2) BREEDO AQUA was always on the back foot last start but had been impressive from the front in her previous two wins and has ability. (13) FLUTTER has a horror draw to contend with but should not be discounted whilst (3) RAON THE AFFIRMED and impressive last start winner (12) BEST PITCH are definite chances and (11) JAZZ PURPLE and (4) BEST SECRET should not be discounted either in one of the best races of this year’s international meeting.

Seoul Race 3: Class Open (1700M) Special Weight B / RACE COAST KZN Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(2) SLING STAR has won six races from nine starts and they include each of his last five with the most recent being by six-lengths. This is his toughest test to date but there is every chance he will pass it in flying colours. (9) GLOBAL CHAMP is another smart one who has won five times from eight attempts. He has won three of his last four, two of those wins being by eight and four-lengths respectively, with the other run being a second beaten a head. Seo Seung-un rides for the first time and he will go close. (1) CHRYSOL STONE is a smart filly on her day and whilst she was a beaten odds-on favourite last start, she could bounce back. They are clearly the three key runners with (7) SEGWANG FIGHTER, (6) ECLAIR POWER, (3) JISAN FORCE, (4) YEONHUI HERO and (10) ECLIPSE THE KING best of the rest.

Seoul Race 4: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight B / Selangor Turf Club Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(8) HWANG GEUM EO JANG ran a game second to Funny Wild in the KRA Cup Mile (Korean 2000 Guineas) before turning the tables on him when producing a tough performance to take out The Derby in excellent fashion. He finished third as an evens favourite when resuming at the end of July, but he was only beaten a nose and was not disgraced after copping pressure in front from the eventual winner. That victor was Keidragon who was subsequently second last week to the talented G B Vault whilst Mustang Power, who split Keidragon and Hwang Geum Eo Jang in that three-way photo finish, finished third. The decrease in distance should not pose too many worries and this year’s winner of Korea’s second biggest 1800M race can bounce back to winning ways. However, (2) RAON FLORENCE should more than make his presence felt as he has continued to get better this year. He was only two-thirds of a length behind Hansen Bracing, who competes in this weekend’s Korean Sprint, two runs ago and either side of that effort are multiple victories so he must be respected. (7) REMEMBER AGAIN was a front-running winner in March before working too hard from the front in April. He then raced in June where he came from off the pace to win by five-lengths over two subsequent winners, of which one of those reopposes in this, and is an interesting runner. (6) MORE THAN JOKE, (4) ELDORADO NOLBU and (3) MARU JANGGUN should all be around the mark in another excellent contest.

Seoul Race 5: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight B / Japan Racing Association Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(1) MACHEON MAMA is a filly by Tout with Seo Bum-seok that has trialled once on August 6 for a seven-length win from the front under Ruan Maia and based on that she should be extremely hard to catch. However (8) POWERFUL STANCE did effectively the exact same thing in her one and only trial seven days later and in her case, she won by eight-lengths. Fellow South American Luis Quiroz has the steer, and this daughter of New Legend trained by Ham Wan-sik is equally as good a chance. (2) A.K SUN attempted to lead throughout on debut and was only caught in the closing stages. The horse she was beaten by subsequently ran second beaten a nose against older horses last week and she will start as favourite. (7) GEOLJAK RUBY looks the other main player with Lee Hyeok riding for the first time, who he and trainer Jung Ha-back have a 50% winning strike rate when combining, although may just find a few too good again with (3) MIGHTY MULAN and (4) ARION QUEENS best of the roughies.

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

(3) TEUKGEUP GISANG trialled once on July 23 and was a five-length second behind what looked a decent winner so this filly from the Lee Dong-kook stable by Yeonseung Daero can go close on debut. (5) AMOS JEONSA only beat two home at his first start but prior to that had led throughout to win a trial by four-lengths and if able to stay out of kickback can improve immensely on his debut performance. (1) FLYING CHIEF has trialled three times with the best of those being her most recent which yielded a third behind a subsequent impressive winner. (9) BEST FRIEND and (11) RAON THE KAL did not do much in their trials but come from powerful connections and rate over (6) BLUE ROSE.

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

(5) BIBA CHARM has chased home decent enough winners in the majority of her seven runs to date and comes off her best run yet when a two-length second a fortnight ago when coming from midfield. Expect her to be doing her best work late and going close. (1) WONDERFUL CHIEF also comes off the best run of his career when coming from last to run second a month ago and if running to that performance can go close however the draw may not help his chances. (4) SPICE BAND has not been too far away and jockey Furkan Yüksel and trainer Lee Shin-woo have had some success recently and have an 11% winning strike rate when combining and 30% for the place. (9) HERO DRAGON is another that comes off the best run of her career when second last start and looks the other key runner with (11) NIGHT CAPTAIN and (7) GRAND COURAGE next best.

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

(1) MUNHAK BELL will need to be on his best behaviour at the start from potentially a tricky barrier but was a course, distance, and grade winner three runs ago prior to a third two back and is worth an each-way investment. (2) SAVERS is the most enthralling runner in the race as he came from midfield to win on debut prior to a fourth, when again coming from midfield, in arguably a stronger Class 5 than this. He comes up 400M in distance however so it will be interesting to see how he goes. (5) BLACK MAMA was an easy course and distance winner of her maiden two back before running second when attempting this grade for the first time most recently. (8) BLACK RUSSIAN is a good each-way chance again under Seo Seung-un with (9) RAON KINGSMAN not hopeless and (10) SHARKTEN best of the rest in a race of multiple chances.

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

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

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

(6) SENNA K was out the back in her first trial before a third in her second trial prior to leading throughout to score by two-lengths in her third trial on July 23. This Song Moon-gil trained Giant Run filly will be hard to beat with Seo Seung-un onboard. (7) NAREUSYA VICTOR has trialled once for a second on July 9 and looks the danger for trainer Jung Ho-ik. The Luigi Riccardi prepared (8) UNICORN ACE was very green on his debut but made up a lot of ground for fourth and will have come on for the experience and if doing everything right is a chance. (1) GHOST WIND is a Power Blade filly for Furkan Yüksel and Lee Shin-woo, who are both in good form, and rates over (4) HIGHLIGHT and (5) GEOLJAK YUNSEUL who both should not be totally dismissed.

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

(2) GRAND POKPUNG has been fourth, second, and fifth in three runs and has chased home some smart looking types of her own age group. She is the only two-year-old in the line-up but gets her chance to break through. (7) RAON EXTREME has had two runs with the first of them being a third in November before resuming last month which yielded a second. Seo Seung-un rides and he rates as the danger. (10) JEONGMUN KINGDOM was well turned over on debut but has been third in two runs since and is the other key player with (11) NEUNGRYEOK DORYEONG best of the rest over (8) PNS LEAF and (4) CHRYSOL HEELS.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(8) STEEL MORE was second and third in two runs at the end of last year and trialled up for this last month when second to the horse that will start favourite in the first event on this program. She looks hard to beat as does (10) QUEENS TIGER who at her third and most recent run was ridden for the first time by Seo Seung-un and ran second following a third and a fifth. (5) INDIE MINISTER outran her odds when making her debut and is an each-way chance as is (7) CHEONGGANG BOM who has been consistent enough in five runs with (3) CHALLANHANHAMSEONG, who was second two back, next best over (9) TWOTWO MAGIC.

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

(10) SAEROUN BISUL chased home some good horses last season as a juvenile and has resumed this year with a trial victory in June and a maiden victory in July both by narrow margins and will be hard to beat despite the widest draw. (6) PARKA SHINE looks a decent each-way chance at value especially with Kozzi Asano riding who could win on a rocking horse at the present time. (8) PIEONARI will be well fancied, and it would be no surprise if he were to break his duck at the fifth time of asking despite having his first run at one-win grade. (7) BROWN JACKPOT must be a good chance following a five-length course and distance maiden victory and Kim Hyo-jung retains the ride. (2) B.K. VIVACE and (1) HAKSAN HENNY are each-way chances and the best of the rest.

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

It’s a public holiday on Monday and that means a special 11-race Seoul card from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(2) GWANAKSAN BIGSTEP is a colt by Vics from the Song Moon-gil stable that won by a lazy thirteen-lengths in his one and only trial on July 16 where he led from start to finish in smart time. That will send him off as a long odds-on favourite for his debut. (5) BIG WIND is by Courvoisier with the in-form Lee Shin-woo stable and trialled once for a fourth on July 23 and rates as best of the rest under Andre da Silva. (9) TONNERRE DOS has never been better than midfield in two runs but rates next over (7) DU UM, who a similar comment applies to, with (6) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG and (1) SHARP GUY, a Moon Byeong-ki prepared Concord Point colt, potential place chances.

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

(2) INFLATION has taken a while to get to the races as he had two trials last year for a fifth in July and a front-running victory in December before most recently trialling on July 16, this year, when second beaten a nose behind Geosen Daero, fourth in last year’s Rookie Stakes. If this Medici Glory colt out of a Canadian mare is good to go, he can go close. (8) RAON THE RIPON has trialled once, also on July 16, for a thirteen-length second to Gwanaksan Bigstep. That horse will be the odds-on favourite in Race 1 so supporters of Raon The Ripon will be keeping a big eye on what happens twenty-five minutes before this Musket Man colt with Lee Kang-seo makes his debut. (1) GEUMBIT YEONGUNG has a runner-up and two fourth places from three runs and will go close whilst (11) STUNNING SKET has a second and a third from his pair of starts. (6) WONPYEONG DREAM looks the other key player with (3) SPICY JERRY best of the rest.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(1) MYUNG BRACING resumes since the winter when finishing second in a pair of maiden events in December and January. She was fifth in a trial on July 23 and should go close first up. (7) SILK SPECTER was fourth in a decent race for this grade two back and could be at decent value in this event. (2) GANGHAN GAMMA is a maiden who has struggled in two runs at this grade but had run minor placings just behind some decent winners in three of her maiden runs prior so should not be totally discounted. (6) EXCELLENT HANSEN has been third in each of her last two runs which have been at this level and rates as a solid chance as does recent dual runner-up (3) GEOLJAK TIARA, who will be well fancied, with (5) HAEMAJI best of the three outsiders.

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

(5) MR. DOR and (4) CLUTCH DERBY have both had one trial for one impressive win and one race for one impressive win so this looks set to be an exciting race for the grade. The former came from well back to win his trial by seven-lengths before pulling Kozzi Asano’s arms out when he attempted to ride him with a sit in the early stages on debut before pulling him to the outside a long way from home and eventually recording a sixteen-length score. The latter has been arguably the most impressive looking juvenile we have seen this year to date with front-running victories in his trial by seven-lengths before a winning margin of nine-lengths on debut, yet we do not seem him in the Rookie Stakes twenty-fours earlier but in a Class 5 where he will not get it all his own way against a smart looking rival two years his senior. However, Clutch Derby will start favourite over Mr. Dor in what should be a top match race with the rest all battling out third to ninth with (6) POWER BEST and (7) THUNDER FIRE the best of the bronze chances over (9) HYEWONYONGMA and (8) FINAL JILJU.

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

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 12:55 to 19:55. Here are the previews:

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

(5) WHITE THUNDER was not far away on debut when sent off in the market and this Choi Yong-geon prepared Hansen filly can go close under Kozzi Asano. (7) QUEENS IMPACT was ridden by Asano in each of her two trials and her race debut which yielded a third to a subsequent winner and a subsequent runner-up. Franco da Silva picks up the mount and this Knicks Go filly looks the other key runner. (2) RAON POLIS has trialled once for a fifth beaten twelve-and-a-half-lengths and the Musket Man filly out of a Japanese mare with Lee Kang-seo rates next over (1) LOOM CHUKJE and (9) BLUE HORIZON who are best of the rest over (4) CITY OF DREAM.

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

(3) CLAIR FREEDOM was out the back in each of her first three runs but looks to be knocking on the door with a second, third and fourth in each of her last trio of starts so under the in-form Kim Hyo-jung she can go close. (10) SAMJEONG BLUE is another that has continued to get better with more racing and has been just behind the placegetters of late. He gets a four-kilogram apprentice claim in this so that can help achieve an even better result here. (4) PERFECT GAME was second three back and finished fourth last start and Seo Seung-un rides whilst (5) THE QUEEN ROSE comes from the Luigi Riccardi stable and has been third at her latest two. Recent runner-up (1) ECLAIR WIND rates next over (6) WONDERFUL DARSHAAN.

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

(1) MR. KAI draws to hold a forward role and with Seo Seung-un to ride he will be one of the main fancies. (5) VICAR DELLA dropped out after leading last start but at her prior two career starts had finished in third after being on pace and can be given another chance. (2) BIBA CHARM can go close on his third place three runs ago whilst (7) DANAEUN RUBY was third at her most recent run. (11) SAHARA ROSE and last start runner-up (10) RISING WIND rate next.

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

(11) POINT I has been consistent without winning and despite coming up to one win grade for the first time as a maiden can go close with a light weight. (9) CHEONGGANG YEOREUM comes off back-to-back wins over 100M further and shorter and despite rising seven pounds and two-and-a-half kilograms on last start can complete the hat-trick. (6) POWER MAGIC comes off a course and distance maiden win and rates as one of the chances along with (1) POMADE on his effort three back. (3) TRIPLE S won her maiden over (2) SAENAE RANIA two back whilst the latter has been behind the former as well as Power Magic at her last two but drops two kilograms by coming up in class.

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

(7) CHAOS led throughout to break her maiden when resuming on July 26 following a second to the subsequent impressive debut winner Clutch Derby, who we see on Monday, in a trial on July 2. That form should stack up well as she comes up to Class 5 and she can make it two for two this preparation. (8) SEVEN KAISER is still a maiden and comes off a career worst performance, but he had been consistent prior and rates as an each-way hope. (2) NINE SPEAR was a two-and-a-half length course and distance maiden winner last month and rates as the other main player with (10) TURBO CHARGE, (6) QUEEN ABIGAIL, and (9) MIGHTY AMI best of the rest.