Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maidens in the opener with five of the twelve racing for the first time. The existing form isn’t hugely impressive so we’ll break the general rule of siding with experience in these kinds of races and take a chance on first-timer (5) PHOENIX CLASS. She settled handy in her trial and ran on well for a close 3^rd in a fair time. She draws well enough here and she won’t need to improve too much to put in a bold showing. She won’t be favourite and may offer some value. (2) GIANT RULER ran pleasingly enough for 4^th on debut over this distance on January 14^th, settling midfield. She should have derived benefit from that experience and can go close here. She will dispute favourite status with (7) ARGO MIJEOK. He is the most experience in the race and does have a 3^rd place in his record. An Apprentice takes the weight down and he should be aiming to match or better that 3^rd here. Other first timer starters (11) CRAZY JACKPOT and (8) FYING ZEST may have a say in the minors.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies with three racing for the first time. (8) DANDI is the one to beat. She was well backed on debut on January 7^th when she ran 2^nd in a similar race over this distance. She should have some natural improvement here and Moon Se-young climbs on. The logical danger is (2) FINAL JILJU. After a midfield finish on debut, she improved to 3^rd place having overcome a wide gate over this distance on January 28^th. She draws much better this time and can go even closer here. The exposed form drops off precipitously after those two (the quinella will be an extremely short price) so we might as well look at the newcomers. (7) SOARA TO TO looks the most likely to make an immediate impact having looked all over the place n a string of failed trials at the back end of last year before suddenly coming out in January and running very pleasingly in a heat. If she brings that day’s form to the races, she can aim for 3^rd here. (9) HONOR ROSE won her trial and while that time was slow, that’s enough to give her a chance here. (4) CUPID CHIC a potential improver.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens. (6) HIGH GRAND has been consistent across his five starts to date and was a very good 2^nd over 1200M two starts back when leading until the closing stages. He came up to this trip for his latest appearance on December 17^th when he had to deal with gate ten but got to a handy position and ran on for 4^th. (2) ARA MOA debuted last October in good fashion when an on pace runner-up over 1200M. She hasn’t reappeared since, but she came back to trial last Friday and won her heat. So long as she didn’t leave her race back there – and it wasn’t a particularly quick time so she shouldn’t have done – she can go well here. (5) GOLD MIGHTY is another who has shown promise across his three starts so far with the best being a 2^nd place – well beaten by a good winner – over five furlongs in December. He came from off the pace to run 4^th on his first try at this distance on January 7^th and looks at least a place chance here. (8) GRAND SILVER and (7) WONPYEONG CHUKJE others in the placing frame.

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

Three-year-old imported fillies here. There is one previous winner and (7) MIGHTY LOOK is favoured to strike again. She ran 5^th on debut but then scored in a very similar class and distance race on January 28^th when settling towards the front of midfield and proving too strong with a couple of today’s rivals behind here. She comes up slightly in the weights but should be too good. There are three debut-makers and (10) POWER VICTORY is sure to be of interest. She ran a good 2^nd in a decent time in her trial and the jockey booking will make punters take note. (8) MOONHAK SONG has mixed her form across four starts so far and was disappointing in that January 28^th race.  She has a 3^rd and a 4^th to her name though and can be given another chance here. (4) MEDICI WOLF too will need her latest one forgiven when she was never a factor over 1400M. She ran 3^rd in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy at this distance last October and she too gets another chance. (9) AKDONG ARGO another in the money hunt.

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

This is a really competitive race so it might be best to try to find one at odds. (8) BLACK MOTION was an eye-catching winner on debut over 1000M in December before weakening to last place on his first try at class and distance on January 28^th. Since then he has been back to trial, which he won in a fast time two weeks ago and he looks worth another chance today. (11) EUNHYE just about warrants favourite status. He returned from ten months out to run a very solid 3^rd in that January 28^th race. He should have come on for that run and can go close here. Like Black Motion, (4) YONGBI SEOUL was a smart winner on debut over the minimum trip before struggling on his first try at this class and distance. He bounced back from that to finish 5^th in a fast race on January 14^th and from a nice draw he can be on pace and in this a long way. (2) BEAT RUNNER and (6) JEONGSANG FIGHTING among others in the hunt.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

(10) LEGAL HIGH is the most experienced of these with five starts behind her and she looks to be working towards a win. Her last outing was her best when a close 2^nd over 1300M having been handy throughout. The draw is a touch wide, but she may just prove too good. (4) THUNDER BLUE raced once last summer without distinction, but looked much better when reappearing six months later on January 15^th when he was handy throughout and came home 2^nd over this distance. He should have come on for that run and is firmly in this. (12) MR QUALITY led for much of his debut race on January 14^th, ultimately having to settle for 2^nd place. He is done no favours by the draw here but with a touch of luck at the start should be in it a long way again. (3) ZEROBAEKFOUR improved considerably last time out and along with (9) FLY DAY is another worth thought.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 million

Three-year-old maiden fillies. A few of them come in looking ready to win but (1) DONGHAENG FIRST gets the decision. Having run 4^th on debut over 1000M she stepped up to this distance on January 15^th and ran 3^rd, having sat handy throughout. The time was quicker than any of the others have achieved at this distance and she draws very nicely in the inside gate. (3) NAOL HAENGBOK has a 2^nd and a 4^th from her two appearances, both times having raced on the pace. She draws much better than she did last time and can be a danger here. (11) CUPID CHAMP overcame a similarly wide gate to run 3^rd over 1300M on January 8^th. She’s raced well on all three occasions so far and with any top-three finish meaning she will be in class 5 next time, it’s not impossible that she could bow out of the bottom level with a win. Those three look the clear best but the two debut-makers, (8) GEUMSEONG REVERE and (7) BAEKPYO both hinted at ability when trialling together on January 13^th and bold showings are possible.

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

(2) NAOL GONI registered his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on January 14^th, making all. It was not a surprise, based on her his previous two outings and while he is up in class here, he comes down in the weights, draws very nicely, and has every chance of leading all the way again. Slightly more unexpected was (6) GANGHAN QUEEN getting her maiden victory on January 7^th, she too leading all the way. She is a front-runner and carries a very light weight here and could measure up at a probable each-way price. (8) DOLBAE has plenty of experience at this level and while she can mix her form, she enters off a strong 2^nd place at class and distance a month ago when settling midfield and running on. She is up in the weights but is in the frame. (5) CLAIR BEST and (4) ALL FOR YOUR DREAM are others who may enter the calculations.

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

Fillies and mares only here and for once, (7) THE FAVORITE will be exactly that. And a warm one too having beaten a few of these on her way to 2^nd place in a very similar race over 1300M on January 29^th when settling in midfield and running on strongly. The additional half-furlong can be in her favour and at start fourteen, she can finally make the breakthrough. Should she find one too quick again, it could be (3) QUEEN OF BEST. She does know how to win, having done it on three occasions and enters off a useful class and distance 4^th on January 7^th when she came from off the pace. An apprentice claim takes her weight down and she can be considered. (1) GREEN FEELSTAR was one of those behind The Favorite last month when going right back and running on too late. Coming back up to 1400M may suit. (12) V QUEEN and (8) TROT QUEEN among the minor money hopes.

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) GIPPEUM HWANHO took a very narrow win over 1200M at class 5 level on January 15^th. It was his maiden score but it came after three consecutive runner-up finishes and while he is up in class here, he comes down significantly in the weights he draws well, and he can win again. (11) GANA FASHION is the principal danger. She won at class and distance in December before dropping back to 1200M and finishing 5^th of twelve on January 14^th. She carries 3kg more than when she won but the wide draw shouldn’t be problematic and she has a chance. (12) K N SKETCH has run consistently good times at this distance and also holds a win at it. He comes up 2kg from his latest but is another who won’t be perturbed by the wide gate and can be working home well. (5) WOLF PLAY and (10) BODY STAR among other placing chances.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 12 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens get proceedings under way with five of the twelve racing for the first time. Unusually we’ll take a chance on a first timer and (8) AUSTIN LEADER. He showed well in his trial when handy and running though the line well in a fast time on an admittedly wet track. 1200M can suit first up and if he brings that trial form to the races, he has every chance of a win on debut. Trials don’t always translate to the real thing though as was the case with (1) BULGEUN POKPUNG who barely scraped through qualifying after a strong of slow efforts. That led to him being sent off the longest but one shot on the board on debut on December 17^th, but he defied that to come from off the pace for 3^rd. The step up in trip should suit and a similar effort will see him in the finish. (2) MAGUMA has a 2^nd place at this distance in a good time. Draw a line through his latest at 1300M when drawn widest because he gets a much better gate this time and comes down in weight. Returning to the debut makers and (7) K N GOLDEN KING and (9) YEONGWON FIGHTER look next best.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies. (11) RAON EMPIRE has a 3^rd and a 2^nd from two starts so far most recently over this distance on Christmas Day when handy and running on. She has a strong finish so the wide draw may not be a hindrance and while she has twice been a beaten favourite, it could be third time lucky here. (5) PEERLESS is the main danger. She has finished 3^rd in both starts so far with the latest being at this distance on January 14^th in a tight finish. It was a good time and from a good draw she can sit behind the speed and run on strong. Those two look a cut above the rest with (9) DAERYUN SIDAE the clear next best. That’s based on her latest effort on January 15^th when stepped up to this trip for the first time and settling back and running on for 4^th. (4) HERO GANGJA and (7) SKY TEN others who can potentially improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens and it’s hard to look past (8) DAEWANG SOCKS.  After a midfield finish on debut over 1000M when slowly away and running on he was on pace at start number two over this distance on Christmas Eve, having overcome the widest gate, and ultimately finished a very close 2^nd to the favourite. Although he draws wide again, the smaller field should enable him to get an easier run and he will be difficult to get past. (9) GEUMBIT CHEONHA has shown progress over four starts so far with his best finish being his most recent when 3^rd over 1300M on January 14^th having settled back from a wide draw. He comes down slightly in the weights here and will be running on strongly again. (3) CHOEGANG HYEONMA is another seemingly on the right trajectory having improved on his second outing on January 8^th, settling midfield and running on for 3^rd, ahead of a couple of today’s rivals. He can aim to match or better that here. (7) SECRET WANGJA and (4) TUAREG NINE others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(4) MAGLE DAY was an improved 2^nd at start number three over this distance on January 14^th when handy to the lead and then running on well stopping the clock in a fast time. He draws well to be on or close to the pace again today and won’t need to improve much here in order to win. (8) RAON THE CHARLIE enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at 1200M and 1300M having settled back and run on both times. He has the fastest finish of all of these and will be coming home strong again here. (6) EFFEL TAP should be on pace from a good draw. Moon Se-young rode him on his best finish to date when 3^rd at 1200M last October and he can go well in this company from the front. (5) THUNDER BRAVO is rarely too far away and comes up to this trip for the first time. (7) DONGBANG SAGI another in the frame.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) STRENGTH made all to get his maiden win at start number three over 1200M on January 14^th, winning by as many as he pleased. It was an eye-catching performance and while he is up in class and slightly in trip today, he draws the same inside gate and it would be no surprise were he to repeat. (4) RAON AMERICAN is winless in five outings but got promoted to this class with a pair of runner-up finishes. He measured up well on his first try at this level when 4^th over 1200M on January 15^th and under a light weight again looks firmly in this. Another yet to win, in her case from eleven attempts, is (3) MORNING PEARL. She is very consistent though and has a 2^nd and two 3^rd place finishes among her latest four outings all at this class. She tends to settle back and run on, and it would be a surprise if she didn’t run into a place again here. (10) DESIRE TO WIN is another up in class following a maiden score, which came over 1400M on January 15^th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can be competitive. (9) SUNGAN TOUCH another in at least the placing frame.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul where there are 12 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener with five of the eleven racing for the first time. The favourite is the only one who has raced twice already. (3) RICH GATE was 5^th on debut over 1000M in October before improving to 2^nd when stepped up to 1200M at start number two on December 11^th. From a good draw he can be on pace here and it should third time lucky. The most convincing dangers also have prior experience. (11) S.I. COCO overcame the same widest draw as today to go down a narrow 2^nd on debut over 1000M on Christmas Day. It was a slowly run race, but he was doing his best work late and the step up in trip can suit. (8) SMARTY FIGHTER went through a plethora of trials before running 5^th on debut at this distance, also on Christmas Day, and should benefit from the experience. Of the debut-makers (2) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA and (10) CHEONJI SKY look the most likely to make an immediate impact.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies here with three of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) ANYANG POKKYEOKGI is set to be hot favourite, based on her latest two which both ended in 3^rd place, most recently over this distance on Christmas Day when overcoming the widest gate to lead. From a much better draw, she should get a more comfortable run today and may take some beating. Clear second favourite is (5) LADY TAEPUNG. She sat handy on debut over this distance on January 7^th, finishing 3^rd in a slowly run race and with some natural improvement, she can get closer today. (9) FALL IN LOVE looks the pick of the first timers. She went through two trials, improving significantly in the 2^nd when 3^rd across the line in a fair time having sat midfield and run on. The distance should suit first up, and a bold showing is possible. (2) MUNHAK CENTRAL and (11) BARAMUI HYANGGI others in the frame.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens. (8) SAENAE KHAN comes in with a 2^nd and two 4^th places from three outings to date, most recently as beaten favourite over this distance on January 7^th. He led that day on what was his first stretch out at further than 1000M and he can go all the way this time. That will mean overturning the form on (10) BULUI NALGAE, who has really mixed his performances across four starts so far, two good and two poor. He was 3^rd in the January 7^th race having sat right back and then made ground late on passing tired horses. He shapes as the danger here along with (5) GEOSEN CHAMP who like Saenae Khan, has run 4^th in both his latest two. He posted a good time over 1200M two starts back and can settle back and run on here. The form drops off a bit after those three but (1) LEGEND K and (9) BLACK GUN have hinted at ability and can be place chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A regular but very tricky maiden. There’s no clear favourite so we’ll take a chance on (2) TES MARY who has raced just twice, improving to 2^nd on January 8^th over 1200M when drawn wide and settling right back and running on. She draws much better here and should be running on strong again. (8) TWO ACE is yet to score in sixteen but has been ultra-consistent of late with a 2^nd and two 4^th place finished from his latest three. An apprentice keeps the weight light here and today could be his day. (11) JEONGWOO FOREVER is, like Tes Mary, another who can still have improvement in him. He has raced just three times and has finished no worse than 5^th. He has finished off his races well and the step up in trip can be to his benefit. (1) BARAMSAL and the returning (3) ARCH SIN, who was on pace when requalifying in a trial a month ago, are among others who can place.

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

(3) SUPER FINISH has finished no worse than 5^th in four starts so far but remains a maiden. He is up in class here having got his second runner-up finish over this distance on Christmas Eve. He comes down slightly in the weights, draws very nicely and in a race that isn’t much stronger than he would have faced at class 6, he is the one to beat. It’s a very similar story with (6) GEUMSEONG SIDAE. He’s never finished any worse than 4^th and comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes, both times when on pace and most recently over this distance on January 8^th. He comes down 2kg in the weights and has solid claims here. (9) HIT POWER was a winner on debut over 1000M being finishing down the field in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy. Though he could only mange 8^th on his most recent outing at this distance on Christmas Eve, the time was good, and he beat a couple of today’s rivals. He should be much closer in this company. (4) COWBOY TANGO and (2) BIG SMART, the latter needing to be forgiven his latest effort, the logical other money chances.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with a big 12-race meeting from 10:40 to 18:00. The feature race is the last with Simjangui Godong facing a stern challenge from Chief Indy, among others, at class 1 over 2000M. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies here with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. Three of those with prior experience debuted in the same race over 1000M on Christmas Day and it was (6) SARYEONI TYCHE who came out the best among them, racing just off the speed throughout and finishing in 3^rd place. She has claims to come out on top here. Just a length behind there wasn’t much between (5) GREEN SHIELD and (10) TOP TIER, who came home 6^th and 4^th respectively. Top Tier had led until the furlong pole before being passed and while she draws wide today, should have enough early speed to get a good position. She doesn’t have the apprentice claim but Kim Yong-geun climbing aboard should balance that. The extended trip though may see Green Shield in overturning that form. She was doing her best work late in that race. Among the first timers, (3) WHITE DIA and trial winner (9) HAEJAE YEOGEOL perhaps best.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens all of whom have raced before though none at this distance. (6) ILDONG BAKSU has finished 3^rd in both her prior starts, most recently  over 120M on Christmas Eve when handy throughout and finishing a length behind the odds-on favourite winner Jeomsuni Go. She’ll be exiting class 6 with any top-three finish and it could be a win. After a lot of trials (11) SINUI HAMSEONG ran well on debut on December 10^th finishing 2^nd over this distance to hot favourite J Motion. He was found to have bled after that so was stood down for a month and sent back to trial but he came through that successfully earlier in January and can go well again. (9) MONEY JANGGUN overcame a similarly wide draw to today to run 3^rd over 1200M on November 19^th. He also has a runner-up finish at 1000M to his name and can be a danger here. (5) FINE DAY and (10) HERO QUEEN others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(5) ROCK IMPACT is the only one in the field who has raced at the distance before and it seemed to suit as he produced a much improved performance to run 2^nd in a fair time on December 11^th when settling just behind the speed and then running on. He won’t need to improve too much to go one better here. (7) MISS WIN STAR has steadily improved across his four outings to date, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on December 17^th when he led for a large part of the races. That was his first time on the speed and he may go forward again here. (11) GANGCHEOL YEOGEOL has been finishing off her races well, improving each time and she may benefit from the step up in trip. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and nor should it be for (10) ARCH MEMORY, another who has steadily improved and runs through the line well. The form drops off after that but in a race devoid of much early speed, (6) SINPUNG YEOGEOL may get an easier run to the front today and can be in this a long way at probable big odds. 

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(11) ULTRA GALAXY has improved across his five starts so far with his latest over 1200M on Christmas Day being his best. He is yet to go further than that so this is a big step up but his running style – and today’s company – suggests he can be more than equal to the challenge. (7) HOUYHNHNM looked every much the perennial non-winner but capable of regularly picking up minor money, right up until his last start on January 7^th when he stepped up to two turns for the first time and ran 2^nd. It wasn’t a fast time, but he beat three of today’s rivals and won’t need to improve much to go close again. (4) STAR PRINCESS ran 3^rd in that race, equalling her best finish so far. She went right back and ran on and with Johan climbing on today, may be further forward. (1) EUREKA and (5) SEMYEONG CAPTAIN are others with at least placing chances.

Seoul Race 5: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(5) HANGANGUI GISANG is a perfect four from four with his latest win coming on Christmas Eve when stepping up to class 3 for the first time, he made all to score by six-lengths over 1700M He comes up 3.5kg in the weights from that day but draws nicely enough at the unique mile start and he will be odds-on to strike again. (3) MIGHTY GOOD is on a win streak of his own, having taken his latest two both at class 4 and both over 1700M. He likes to come from off the pace so Antonio should be able to save some ground early while the others battle it out on the short run to the first corner. He is up in class but down significantly in weight and can measure up. Also down in weight is (1) DUSON MEONGGUN who benefits from an apprentice claim. He finished midfield behind Hangangui Gisang last time out but is a winner at this class over 1400M as well has holding a 3^rd place at a mile. Don’t rule out a bold showing. (2) BYEOLUI SUNGAN is better than his latest two outings suggest and should be kept safe, while (9) YAHO GOLDEN CAT is another in the hunt.

There has been plenty of rain across the country over the past day or so and that’s set to continue into the weekend. On the plus side, the temperatures should be very mild compared to last week’s arctic blast. Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 12 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener with just three of them having raced before. (6) ORCHID VALLEY overcame gate ten and a slow start on debut over 1000M on December 17^th to run 2^nd in a good time. He should have come on for the run and the way he worked home suggests that the additional furlong will be to his benefit. (5) PEERLESS also came from off the pace on debut, running 3^rd in an all-filly race over 1000M. She too should have derived benefit from that run and can go close here. Of the newcomers, (3) MIR QUALITY looks the pick. He made all in his trial and while the time was not quick, he was within himself, and a bold showing is possible first-up. (12) FLY DAY is done no favours by the draw but showed well in his heat and can be considered. (4) CUPID CHIC can build on her 7^th place on debut in November.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

More three-year-old maidens although all of these have raced at least once before. (3) NAOL GONI will be favourite having run 4^th on debut and then followed up with 2^nd on his reappearance on December 17^th when he led almost the entire way around. He draws well to be on pace again, the additional half furlong should pose no issues, and he should go one better here. (8) RAON THE CHARLIE has been showing steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3^rd place at his latest on December 10^th when settling right back and running on. That was his first try at 1200M and stretching out further today should help. (5) LEGAL HIGH used up plenty of energy getting to the front from a wide draw last time out and then weakened but should get an easier run here. (10) SEONGEUN CROWN and (12) SAVANA CHARLIE the other logical place chances.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(3) BAEDAERI WANGJA has been consistent across four starts so far and while his 2^nd place on debut over 1000M may be his best finish, he has run on well in his latest two, finishing 4^th both times over 1200M. There isn’t much early speed here so from a good draw he may well be closer to the pace than usual, and this could be his day. (1) BADAUI KKUM has been knocking on the door in his latest few appearances. He can settle handy here and should be running on into some money again. (5) POWERFUL SOCKS stepped up to this distance for the first time on December 12^th and it seemingly suited as he was an on-pace 2^nd on a fast time. He will surely be on the speed here and will be in this a long way. (9) BOSS BABY and (8) STAND BY ME are others in at least the placing hunt.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to go far past (1) STRENGTH here. After a fast 4^th on debut over 1000M, he came up to this trip for his second start on December 17^th and ran a close 3^rd, sitting handy throughout. He draws well to be on the pace, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t lead from gate to wire. The form of the rest is patchy, to say the least. (10) MIGHTY SSEN has hinted at ability in two efforts over 1000M. He has finished off both times well and may appreciate the step up in trip today. (3) SMARTY GLORY managed a 2^nd place two starts back over 1000M, working home strongly. She never got going after a slow start on her first try at this distance on December 18^th but is worth another chance here. (7) FIRST CHOUX returns to action following six months out and trialled fairly enough to suggest he can beat plenty of these. (2) RAON JUMP another with the potential to improve.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) BULGOM MADRE remains a maiden but comes up in class having finished as runner-up on both starts to date, only narrowly going down last time out over this distance. This isn’t the most intimidating class 5 field and while she draws wide, she doesn’t need to lead and has every chance of measuring up. (4) NAOL CHEONJI was a winner on debut and followed up with a 3^rd place on her first try at this level in November. She couldn’t follow up at 1300M on December 10^th but even so, she still finished ahead of a couples of today’s rivals and that’s enough to put her in contention here. (11) COMPLETE FORCE also beat a couple on his first try at the level. That came when on pace over 200M on November 20^th and finishing 5^th. The draw is not ideal as he seems to prefer to be on the seed but with a touch of luck at the start, he can be a danger. (12) GEOMEUN JILJU and (2) RIVER TAEYANG among others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and two mares) only here. (4) EINSPANNER was a coast-to-coast winner on debut over 1000M on December 11^th and while up in both class and distance today, both can be overcome and she can maintain her 100% record, probably from on pace again. This isn’t an easy race though. (3) BURUI KKOT is yet to win in nine starts but has eight top0five finishes including a last start 2^nd at class and distance on December 17^th. She comes up in the weights today but draws well and it’s not impossible that today could be her day. (8) HIDDEN BLADE enters off a desperately close 2^nd place at class and distance on November 5^th. She too comes up in the weights, but a similar run will put her firmly in the mix again. (12) CONCORD QUEEN and (5) HUIMANG GADEUK others in the frame.