The capital’s 2024 program gets underway on Saturday with 11 races 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 in the opener with seven racing for the first time. (10) CHOEGANG TIME is the only one who has raced twice, finishing 4^th on debut in September and then 5^th at this distance in October. He has been back to trial since putting in an on-pace 2^nd in his heat in a quick time, and he has solid claims here. The pick of the first timers is (6) MK LEE. It took him a couple of trials to get to the races, but he improved significantly in the second of them when an on-pace 4^th in a decent time. Moon Se-young’s presence aboard ensures he won’t be missed in the betting market. (9) SEOBU TEUKSONG ran midfield on debut on December 3^rd. She should have come on for that run and can get closer today. (1) HANGANG CAPTAIN was slow on debut to the extent that he was ordered back to trial. He got three months off after that and then won his December heat. That requalification run could have been clocked with a sundial, but he did it easy and should be a better proposition today. (7) LADY FOX another experienced one who can improve.

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

Maiden fillies here. (3) GOLDBERG raced three times as a juvenile, registering two 3^rd place finishes and a 4^th. The latest was at this distance on December 2^nd when overcoming a wide draw to sit handy and run on well. She comes into a better gate today and can finally jackhammer the field. (8) BELOTERO was an improved 3^rd when well backed on start number two on December 9^th when racing handy throughout. She has the challenge of a wider draw here, but she should be in the mix. (6) QUEEN ABIGAIL has been getting closer across three starts so far, most recently a close 4^th place at this distance. The time was slow, but she seems to be on the right trajectory and in this limited company can place. (11) WONDERFUL SPIRIT and (5) SAMAEBEONJJEOK others in the minor money frame.

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

Not a strong maiden. (4) BEST KINGDOM has got a bit far back in each of his races so far, but he has run on pleasingly enough most recently for 5^th over 1200M on December 2^nd. He draws well, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he has as much chance as any. (3) SOLAIRE ran 6^th on debut over 1200M before improving to 3^rd when stepped up to this trip at start number two on December 12^th. He has shown to have a fast finish on him and will be running on late again here. (8) GEUMAK JINJU showed good speed in her first two starts to run 3^rd and 2^nd over 1000M. She has since put in fair performances at 1200M will probably start as betting favourite. (10) HEY MAMA is yet to finish in the top-two but she has finished between 3^rd and 5^th on no fewer than six occasions in her thirteen starts to date and this is the kind of company among which she can pick up a cheque.  (2) CHEONGHAE JEIL may improve on an inauspicious debut.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) GEUMBIT GANGHO got his maiden win in October over 1300M and has subsequently run 2^nd in both his tries at this class, both at 1300M and both times leading. He comes up slightly in trip and while he was a beaten favourite last time out, he is worth another chance here. (5) RAON THE DAESE found herself overmatched in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy for juvenile fillies a month ago, but she has shown promise in her two runs leading up to it and in much more amenable company today, she is a danger. It would be a surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but (3) MY KHAN got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on December 10^th when settling handy and running on strong in a quick time on a dry track. He comes up in class and in distance, but a repeat isn’t impossible. (11) ONE SPEAR has performed well since being belatedly promoted to this level and this is the kind of race in which he can pick up some prize money. (7) CLAIR POWER another in the minor hunt.

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

Half of this small field are up in class, and it is wide open. (7) BEOLGYO VERITAS was a winner on debut over 1200M on December 3^rd, stalking the leader for most of the way before running on. Despite having previously won a trial, he was sent off at big odds that day. Though up in class and slightly in trip, he won’t here. (4) GIPPEUM HAMSEONG scored his maiden win at start number three on December 3^rd, making all over 1300M. He comes up in class but is nicely drawn to be in pace and in this a long way. If you prefer experience at this class, then (5) GLOBAL JINGYEOK is the one for you. He has two 2^nd places and a 4^th from his latest three, all at this level, and he has the fastest time over the trip.  (6) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA and (8) GOLDEN DRAGON the next bests.

The penultimate day of the 2023 season is at Seoul 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 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. The experience is preferred though. It’s a curious name for a racehorse but (6) ENTROPY went through a couple of decent trials before running 3^rd on debut over this distance on December 2^nd when slow away and coming from well off the pace. That experience can stand him in good stead, and he should be favourite. (2) SPECIAL HILL ran on pleasingly enough for 5^th of eleven over 1000M on debut. That was back in October so he comes in fresh here and from a good draw, he can go better. (12) NESSUN DORMA trialled well before running 4^th over this distance on debut on November 5^th. She has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can challenge. The first timers don’t really stand out with (1) SUPER BLUEMOON and (3) BEAT YEONGUNG being the best looking in trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies and (2) RUBY PORT will be the hot favourite. After finishing 5^th on debut, she came home 3^rd at start number two over this distance on November 25^th, settling handy before dropping back to midfield and then running on well with a few of today’s rivals behind her. She draws nicely and won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win this. (10) FLYING COMMAND was an improved 3^rd at start number three on November 26^th having led for much of the way around. She has the challenge of the widest gate here but can build on that momentum. (6) PINK WIND was slowly away on debut before running on well for a midfield finish. She then ran 4^th behind Ruby Port in that November 255^th race, being handy throughout and can be a danger here. The exposed form falls off significantly after those three, with (5) RAON THE SIDAE and (1) CHOGANGBULPAE perhaps the most likely among the rest to challenge for the minors.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to go past (9) GREAT STORM. After three consecutive 4^th places to start his career, he was then 2^nd when stepped up to this trip for the first time on December 3^rd, settling handy and finishing off well. He has the nest time of any of these for the distance and he should be winning this. After a shaky debut, (1) JERAQUEEN has run fairly for 3^rd and 4^th in two subsequent starts at 1200M, showing on pace both times. She comes into a very good gate today and can be on pace again. (11) MYUNGJINBULLPAI has shown improvement across three starts so far with her latest being a good 3^rd over 1200M on December 3^rd. She has finished off her races well so the widest gate shouldn’t be a concern (5) VICTOR NAREUMA and (8) DAEMUL SOCKS other show have hinted at ability.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Another maiden with a probably short price favourite. (6) LOVE MUNMAK has been ultra-consistent across her five starts so far and came up to this distance on December 10^th and ran a solid, if not exactly quick, 4^th. She has a sharp finish on her and should prove too strong in the closing stages. (9) PLAN B and (10) YEJIMONG both have runner-up finishes to their names, both over 1200M. The are both capable of coming from off the pace so should be able to deal with their wide draws, and they shape as the two main dangers here. (11) SARYEONI FOR HONOR debuted fairly over 1200M at the start of the month. He should stirp fitter for the run and can improve here. (3) CHANGJOUI GIDUNG another in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) BRIGHT WINNER comes up in class having got her maiden win at start number seven over 1300M on November 26^th when racing handy throughout. She doesn’t get a cut in the weight sunder today’s handicap conditions, but she does draw nicely, and she can repeat. It’s fair to say that (4) LUXURY KING doesn’t exactly win out of turn – once in forty starts – but his recent form is reading well. He comes in off a 5^th place at this class and distance in a time faster than any of the rest of these have achieved for the 1400M and it’s not impossible that today could be his day. (5) NURIDAY comes up in class following a win over this distance on December 2^nd when he made all. The same as Bright Winner, there is no weight drop – and the win was unexpected – but he shouldn’t be dismissed. (6) ECHO ZONE and (8) AL SIMON are others in the placing frame.

What with there being racing on Christmas Day, there is only a short 7-race card at Seoul on Saturday running from 13:10 to 18:00 (there will also be simulcasting from the pony racing on Jeju Island). Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Tricky maiden to begin with but (5) MOMO K just about gets the nod. He’s finished 3^rd in both starts so far, both at 1200M and while his times haven’t been especially quick, he’s shown enough to suggest that there can be more improvement in the tank. From a good gate he should be on pace and in this a long way. (9) DRAGON SQUARE won a November trial and then finished a fair 3^rd on debut over 1400M on December 10^th, settling back and running on. He finished off well in the trial too so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can match or better that 3^rd today. (11) JANGGUN GARAM races for the first time since being given his chance in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy in early October. He finished down the field but the 2^nd and the 3^rd prior that led him to that opportunity suggest he should be very much in this. (1) SMART CLAIR and (6) SEONGSIN CHEONHA others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) SEONGSIL DAERO will be favourite here. After a plain debut, she ran a strong 2^nd over this distance on November and followed up with a 4^th place, again at the distance, on December 3^rd. She likes to race on pace and draws well to get forward and she will take some beating. (3) STEALTH PARK’s recent races have been slow, but he too has a 2^nd and a 4^th to his name over today’s trip. He also goes best when on pace and should be a contender here. (11) JEONGSEONG VICE enters off a much-improved runner-up finish over tis distance on November 11^th. He faces the challenge of the widest gate here but in this company, shouldn’t be dismissed. (4) ON THE ROCKS and solitary debut-maker (8) EAST KING STONE are others in the hunt for the minors.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to go past (1) RAON THE FANTA. He got his maiden win at start number two over 1000M in September and has since run 2^nd on both his tries at this class and distance, racing handy both times and stopping the clock in good times. He does come up a couple of kilograms in the weights, but he gets a great draw, and it would be a big surprise were he not to win this. (9) TAEPYEONG VISION is up in class following her maiden win over this distance on November 26^th when she sat midfield and ran on. That marked a big improvement from her previous three efforts, but she won with enough in hand to suggest she can measure up at this level. (6) LADY CODI has put in two fair runs at this class since getting her maiden win in September. She was 4^th behind Raon The Fanta two starts back and while she may not overturn that form here, she can be close. (3) SPEAR GOLD and (2) DONGHAENG FIRST are others to keep safe.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) CITY KING got his maiden win at start number two on November 18^th, making all over 1200M. He comes up in class and in distance here, but he has every chance of a repeat and will start a warm favourite. (5) CUPID CHAMP will be the clear second favourite. She is yet to win in ten attempts but has no fewer than five top-three finished including his latest at this class and distance on November 19^th when 3^rd having raced midfield and finished off well. She remains lightly weighted and should be there or thereabouts again. (4) MISS HIGH FLY ran 2^nd at class and distance two starts back before running a fair 5^th in marginally better company than this last time out and that’s enough to see her in the mix here. The returning (2) JJARTIHAN JAYU, along with (8) STORM BREAKER, are others who can enter the calculations.

The weather is about to take a turn for the cold in Korea. Steady rain but mild temperatures throughout Thursday and Friday is set to be replaced with a plummet down to sub-zero so it could make for challenging conditions for Sunday’s Grand Prix Stakes. On Saturday there are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies in the opener with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. The experienced few are favoured though. (5) SUMMER PARTY ran well for 3^rd place on debut on November 18^th in a good time over this distance. She is half-sister to the great Triple Nine, among plenty of other winners, and she can get off the mark here. (8) SHACKLE POINT sat midfield on debut over this distance on November 5^th before running into 3^rd place in a fair time. Like Summer Party, she should have come on for that run and Moon Se-young’s presence aboard may mean she starts as favourite. (9) MISS CONCORD ran 4^th on her debut over 1000M. She finished off well and can match or better that today. Among the fist-timers, (11) ALL EYES ON ME and (7) TAP DIA trialled together, coming home 1^st and 2^nd and they look the pair most likely to make an immediate impact.

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

Imported juveniles here and while four race for the first time, there is a winner already among the others. That’s (11) MORNING DAOL who led every step of the way on debut over this distance on November 18^th, stopping the clock in a quick time with three of today’s rivals back down the track. He comes in under the same weight and while he draws a touch wider than ideal, he should repeat. (4) YEONGUNG BUHWAL was actually sent off favourite for that race having blitzed a September trial. He finished well back, but it the time was fine and what with there having been two months between trial and race, he should strip fitter here.  (10) MAKING STORY came from off the pace to run 3^rd in his debut on October 9^th. He too should have derived benefit from that and can match or better it here. Among the first timers, (2) FLYING CRUISER won his trial and draws nicely first-up. (8) GLOBAL CLASS also hinted at ability.

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

More imported juveniles, this time with five making their racing debuts. Once more there is a previous winner, and she will be a prohibitive favourite. That’s (5) ÉCLAIRFURY who, having won an October trial, debuted over this distance on November 18^th and stalked the leader before taking things up in the straight and running away to win well. She won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win again. She’s hard to oppose but a couple of the newcomers might provide some interest. (12) NICE CHEETAH won her trial leading all the way around and crossing the line comfortably to the good. She has the challenge of the widest gate here but the Bolt D’oro filly looks to have potential So too (10) ROCKY KINGDOM. He came from midfield to run on for 2^nd in is trial and 1200M may suit first-up. Returning to the experience, (3) DALKONG and (4) MGHTY SHONE both improved in their respective second starts and can continue to make progress here.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(4) BEOLGYOWISU drew gate twelve on debut over 1200M on November 18^th and settled back before racing home well for 4^th place. She should have come on for that run, she draws much better here, and she will be strongly savoured to score. (9) STUNNING CHAMP looks the clear second pick. After running 5^th over 1000M on debut in October, she improved to 2^nd over this distance on November 11^th, settling right back and running on. Seo Seung-un, in town to ride Winner’s Min in Sunday’s Grand Prix, climbs on, and can be a danger here. (8) BEAUTIFUL HWASEONG has been slow away in both starts so far but ran on pleasingly enough for 4^th last time out and can be considered for improvement again. (6) SUNGANUI CHANCE and (7) WONDERFUL PASS, who debuted together on November 5^th, are others to consider.