The Cherry Blossom season comes to its conclusion at Seoul Racecourse this weekend. There are 9 races on Saturday form 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations are open and it is now possible to buy non-reserved tickets on the gate. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener. There will be a hot favourite and it is indeed hard to look past (10) TIZ SUCCESS. Having won a trial in a good time, she ran 2^nd on debut, well beaten by Meni Spear, on a sloppy track on March 13^th. It was a good start and with some natural improvement for that run, she should be very hard to beat here. (9) CHAPEL PRINCESS was a bit slower on her debut on March 19^th but ran pleasingly enough for 4^th having settled handy. She too should be better for the experience and can get closer. There are three debut-makers. Of them, (3) MADISON MUSIC and (5) WONDERFUL MUSIC have the same owner but different trainers, and they recorded identical times when both finishing in 2^nd place in their respective trials a week apart. Both have every chance of going well in this modest company. Of the others with experience, (2) RAY BOLT is perhaps the most likely to improve.

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

Tricky maiden here. (1) NAMSAN HORANGI races for the first time since January having finished in 5^th place in all three of his starts so far. He has finished off his races adequately. Comes up slightly in distance and gets a very good draw. Today can be his day. (4) GEONGONILCHEOK enters off a good 3^rd at 1200M on March 20^th when he was ridden midfield early and finished off well. He looks nicely in here and with Antonio climbing aboard can be in the finish again. (3) RESERVED JOHN has put in two fair performances for 3^rd and 4^th, the latter of which was at this trip on March 12^th. At his first start he went right to the back before finishing off very well but was ridden handy on reappearance and from the same gate, that will probably be the tactic again today. (9) THE FAVORITE has four top-four finishes from five starts so far. She steps up to this trip for the first time and it can suit. (8) G STAR has tended to get a bit far back in his races but has a decent turn of foot and may run into some money.

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

A wide-open maiden here. (7) NEOREUL EUNGWONHAE’s only bad run to date did come on her only previous try at the distance but other than that she has been consistent. In this race, where there isn’t much early speed, she should be able to get a prominent position and she has shown she can finish races off well. She has as good a chance as any here. (2) EPIPHANY has steadily improved across his latest few starts, culminating in a career-best 2^nd place at his latest outing on March 19^th. That was at 1700M so he comes back sharply in trip today, but he draws nicely and can go close. (9) NANA LAND showed signs of figuring things out at what was start number four on April 3^rd at 1200M when settled midfield and then ran on for a close 2^nd. That was the first time she didn’t get too far back in a race and while today’s draw is not as good, if she can get away well, she isn’t without a chance. (6) POSA POSA and (1) CINDERELLA are others with money claims.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) SAENAE POWERFUL gained his sole win to date at this distance at class 6 level three starts back and comes in having run 2^nd at this class over 1200M on March 12^th when settling midfield and running on for a narrow defeat. He comes up 2kg in the weights today but that’s balanced by a much better gate, and he has every chance of going one better today. (10) BARAMGWA HAMKKE remains a maiden following ten attempts but at his latest start overcame gate fourteen to run a very good 3^rd over 1400M. He is down in the weights on that run and can settle back and challenge late on here. (9) RAON THE PEARL comes up in class and slightly in trip, having recorded her maiden win at start number three on March 5^th. She can settle midfield here and should measure up at this level. (11) DREAM SPEED and (6) KING CRUSH are both also up in class following last start maiden wins and neither should be too far away.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul where there are 9 races from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations are open but attendance should be pre-booked though the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

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

A small field of maidens line up in the opener with four of the eight racing for the very first time. (3) BLOOD MOON significantly improved on her third start, coming home in 3^rd place at this trip on March 13^th. While the time was good, it was assisted by the wet track, but she won’t need to go much better to win this. Two of the first timers enter having won their respective trials in identical times. (4) KINGS EYE and (6) GOLDEN HONOR both sat back in their heats before working through the line well and this looks a very suitable first assignment for both, (8) PURPLE STORM has gone quite far in his two races so far but has finished off well enough to run 5^th and 6^th. Once again, he draws the widest gate but in this smaller field, it should be less of a concern, and he can improve. (5) HERA BLADE another who has hinted at ability and can aim for some money.

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

(7) TOUCH NINE registered his best finish on debut last November when 3^rd over 1000M. Most recently he ran 4^th in a small field at this distance having led for much of the race. Today he can sit handy and run on and in this modest company has every chance of a maiden win. (8) FAMILY CAPTAIN overcame a wide draw to finish a career-best 2^nd at this distance on a sloppy track on March 13^th. He goes back up a bit in the weights without an apprentice aboard, but that was an encouraging performance, and a similar showing today will have him right in this. (2) ORGALIM has five top-five finishes from seven starts. He draws well to be on pace here and will be in this a long way. (5) BLACK KING and (3) TIZ FIGHTING are among others with the potential to improve and challenge for the places.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Tricky race this. On the grounds that he perhaps has better potential for improvement, we’ll side with (5) APPLE MINT, who will be the likely favourite having run 3^rd over this distance on his latest start on March 13^th when handy throughout and registering a time faster than any of today’s rivals have achieved. He draws a good gate and won’t need to go much better to win. (8) CLOUTER comes back in trip following back-to-back 3^rd place finishes over 1700M. Those were his best finishes from sixteen starts and he was ridden much more forward than he had been in previous outings. Another career-best finish is possible here. (1) DIVINE POWER actually beat Apple Mint when they raced over 1700M three starts back. He has since finished twice behind Clouter but comes back to a distance at which he has posted a good time and from the inside gate can be considered. Another back in trip following a pair of decent efforts at 1700M, including a runner-up finish, is (7) COUNTRY ROAD, and he along with the returning (3) SWEET JUICE BAR, who races for the first time in almost a year, are others who can enter the calculations.

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

Fillies and mares only here. (7) SUNNY BLADE got her maiden win two starts back over 1200 at class 6 level before running 5^th on her first try at this level over 1300M on February 20^th. She was handy throughout and while there was a good winner that day, Sunny Blade was only half a length behind 2^nd. She should be close to the pace here again and, stretching out to 1400M for the first time, has solid claims. It’s been a while since (3) FORT SEUONE’s solitary win but at this level she regularly picks up a cheque. She too comes up to this distance for the first time and she too has every chance. (9) CHEONGDAM WICKED is two starts into a comeback following eight months out. She has previously run well at this trip and third-up today could be coming back to peak fitness. (1) CHEONSA PARK and (12) CUPID WONDER are others who can be in the placing frame.

The weekend’s racing moves on to Seoul on Saturday with a nine-race card from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations are open, however, attendance must be pre-booked using the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens open proceedings. (6) CLAIR BEST is the clear pick. Having run 4^th on debut last September, he didn’t appear again until February 26^th when he settled midfield and ran on strongly for 2^nd place over 1200M. He should have come on for the run, the additional half-furlong should suit, and he can win this. (1) CUPID SAFE has had a similarly interrupted career, racing once last autumn and then not again until February 19^th. She too showed improvement, stepping up to this trip and running 3^rd. Nicely drawn on the inside she can make further progress here. (3) DONGBANGUI HON looks to be figuring things out after four appearances, grinding out a solid 3^rd place at this distance and can build on that here. (4) DISCO BOY and the solitary debut-maker (8) NAMSAN BYTE are others who could potentially trouble the scorers.

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

More three-year-old maidens. (5) COMPLETE WEAPON was sent off as favourite on debut on having won a trial in fast time. While he was up with the pace early, he didn’t quite see the race out, ultimately finishing 7^th of fourteen. He should have come on for that experience though and with not much to beat here, will be favourite again and this time should make no mistake. There are four first-time starters and of them (1) HANGANG DOLPUNG looks to have the best first-up claims. He ran on well enough in his trial in a fair time and the 1200M looks a suitable starting point for him. (7) SAEBYEOK BAND should have come on for a debut where he didn’t do too much wrong when 7^th of eleven over this distance having drawn the widest gate. With some natural improvement he can go close here. (2) SONGAM LEGEND and (3) WHIZ UP are others to enter the minor money calculations.

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

Another set of three-year-old maidens. (4) EAGLE POINT races for the first time since January but did manage to catch the eye in his opening two races, especially when a swift 2^nd on debut last November. In both his starts he has settled back and run on, and he should be too good here in a race with very limited form. Of those with prior experience, (8) NONSTOP ALI is the only one to have shown anything when 5^th at his most recent outing on March 6^th. He does though possess a little bit of early speed and that should be enough to put him right in this. Aside from that, we turn to the first-time starters. (1) ROMA BLADE did at least win her most recent trial although the time was so slow, she was the only one to qualify out of it. (5) KING HONOR improved on his second trial and with natural improvement here can challenge for some minor money. Returning to the experienced ones, (2) CONCORD SPARK has been back to trial since her inauspicious debut and may be ready for another go.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (6) EAST MAGIC has put in some consistent, if unspectacular, performances across eight starts so far and while she has never finished any better than 4^th, that should change here. She has a solid start, can run on well and has posted some acceptable times. That together may be enough to see her home on top here. (2) INVICTUS was a much-improved 2^nd at her latest start over 1300M on March 6^th, only going down narrowly. She draws a much better gate this time, Johan Victoire remains aboard, and a similar performance will see her going very close here. (11) HWANGGEUM DALBIT has two 3^rd places to her name and races for the first time since Christmas Day but did show reasonably well in a trial at the end of February. She likes to be on pace so may need a touch of luck from the wide draw but shouldn’t be dismissed. (8) HWARYEOHAN MISO and (1) DAESEUNG GAON are others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (3) TIZ BAROWS here. He has a win, and two runner-up finishes from three starts so far with the latest of those 2^nd places coming at this class and distance on February 19^th when sitting handy to midfield from gate twelve and running on, beaten only by a long-shot winner. His draw is significantly better today, and he should have too much. (7) SPEAR GUN is the logical second pick, based on his last start runner-up finish at class and distance on March 5^th, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He is likely to settle handy here and can run on strong again. (10) RUFFIAN PARK enters in good form with back-to-back 3^rd place finishes from his latest two appearances, both at this class and distance. He has no fewer than six 3^rd place finishes to his name and could be in line for another here. (1) STORM WARRIOR ran 4^th behind Spear Gun two starts back and then repeated that finish two weeks ago, again at class and distance. Drawn well today, he can go close. (6) CHEONGSAN GANGHO among others in the placing frame.

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul where there are nine races from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations are open, however, attendance must be pre-booked using the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maiden fillies open proceedings with two standouts. We’ll take a chance on (4) COSMO, who raced twice at the tail-end of last year, both at 1000M and finishing a good 5^th and 2^nd in good times. The step up in trip shouldn’t be an issue and while this is her first start in more than three months, if she can carry over that form, she can win. (3) ANOTHER LEVEL wasn’t especially well fancied on debut on March 5^th after an indifferent trial, but took to racing well, running 3^rd at this trip having settled in midfield. She wasn’t far away from the winner and from a good gate and with some natural improvement for the run, she has a big chance here and may start as favourite. (1) MIRACLE DAUGHTER ran well for 4^th on debut before unseating her jockey when leading at her second start in January. She trialed up well two weeks ago and looks worth another chance here. Of the four first-time starters, (10) ARCH SIN looks most likely to make an impact first-up. (8) MUSTANG CHARM has put in two fair performances and can be considered for improvement.

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

Three-year-old maidens here and in a field where the exposed form is very thin, a big chance must be given to the debut-makers. More specifically, (10) DAESARI, who led from start to finish in his trial earlier this month. The time was only fair, but it was a slow running track, and he won’t need to improve much on that to win here. Logical second pick is (2) AL SIMON. She has got way too far back in her races so far but has shown the ability to run on and has posted the fastest time for this distance among those here who have attempted it, by some margin. If she can be put in a position where she has a chance, then she can go very close. (3) NEW CHEONGPA did at least beat a couple of these at his latest start and in weaker company today can improve. One of those was (5) CHANGER, who started poorly and didn’t improve. At his previous outing, he was on pace though and from a better gate, can be so again and be in this for a long way. (4) CUPID BELLE another in the placing frame.

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

More three-year-old maidens and a tricky affair. Again, there are two standouts. We’ll go with (11) SUNGAN TOUCH. He was much improved at start number two on February 19^th when he led for much of the way around at this distance, ultimately finishing 2^nd. The draw isn’t so favourable today, but he can overcome that and has every chance here. So too (1) HATMURI. He too comes in off his best finish to date when 2^nd at 1200M on February 26^th, sitting handy throughout and beating plenty of today’s rivals in the process. He gets a great draw on the inside so Park Tae-jong will have plenty of options and another bold showing can be expected. (3) BEST JEONSA ran 3^rd in that February 26^th race having led until the middle of the home straight. That was his first time ridden on the speed and also his best result, so we can expect similar tactics today. (12) MORNING FIVE and (2) K N SKETCH are others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (4) HWASUBOON is yet to finish any worse than 5^th and got her maiden win at her latest start in a similar all-filly race over 1200M on February 13^th when she led for most of the way around. She does come up a couple of kilograms in the weights as a result but draws nicely and could well have too much again. (5) SMART HIGH has been a model of consistency and comes back slightly in trip after two good runs over 1400M which ended in 2^nd and 4^th, both times having to contend with wide draws. She gets a good gate this time, comes down very slightly in the weights and has a chance. That would mean overturning the form from February 26^th on (9) JUNGCHUBUSA. She started her career in a hurry and while she had seemingly lost her way a bit, she ran strongly for 2^nd in that race ahead of Smart High. She can be in this too. (2) COMPLETE STAR and the up in class (10) HAPPY MIX are others who can be competitive.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) TAEYANGTAGO was a class and distance winner on February 26^th when he settled back in the field and ran on strongly. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and so long as he doesn’t leave himself too much to do here, can win again. (4) NAUI NARA comes up in class having registered his maiden win at start number five at this distance on February 27^th when he sat handy to the lead before running on well for a comfortable score. He comes down slightly in the weights, draws nicely again, and surely measures up at this level. (10) GEUMSEONG MAN finished well back behind Taeyangtago last time out. The before though he was a winner at this distance at class 6 level, when coming from well off the pace, and Moon Se-young climbing aboard will alert plenty. (3) RUN RUN RUN and (2) SMART JEONSA are among others with at least placing chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) JOY BROTHER ran a fair 5^th at this class over 1700M at his latest start on February 27^th. The 1400M is more his go though and he was a class and distance winner two starts and has run consistently good times. He is carrying 3kh more than he did at that win, but he can be expected to be on pace here and to be in this a long way. (4) SINUI ADEUL has also run good times at this distance. He comes back up in trip following a solid 2^nd place at this class over 1200M on February 26^th when he settled right back and ran on, and he will be finishing strongly again here. (1) DOLGYEOK APEURO comes in having somewhat surprisingly beaten three of these on her way to a class and distance win on February 19^th. She went right back that day but ran on very strongly and will warrant more respect here. (2) DUSON MEONGGEUN was 3^rd in that same race. He then unseated his jockey coming out of the gates at a planned start two weeks ago and if he and Park Tae-jong can remain united here, can be given another chance. (10) DAEWANGU among others in the hunt.

Saturday’s racing is from Seoul where there are 9 races from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations are open, however, attendance must be pre-booked through the MyCard app. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maidens open the program. (3) DAEBAK STAR overcame a wide draw to run 2^nd on his latest start back in January. He has had a couple of months off since and from a much better gate will be the one to beat here. It’s the draw that puts him clear favourite over (10) RIVER TAEYANG. The latter has finished 4^th in both starts so far, most recently at this distance on February 20^th when he ran on well. Plenty will take note of the jockey booking and he is sure to be well backed. There are four debut-makers and among them (11) TRIPLE JOY and (8) PERMISSION TO WIN trialed up together on February 18^th coming home 2^nd and 3^rd in the heat with fair times. In this company, both should be competitive first-up. Retuning to those with prior experience, (2) WIDAEHAN HANMA is perhaps the most likely to improve.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Maiden fillies (and one mare) here. (8) FIRST ROAD will be the hot favourite. She’s raced six times so far with a best finish of 2^nd place coming over 1200M last November. At her latest two outings, she has overcome wide draws to run close and stepping up to 1400M for the first time, should have too much for this field. (6) ONE MORE RUSH comes in off a good 4^th place at 1300M on February 19^th when handy and running on. She has the best start among these and should be on pace here and in this a long way. (5) GALSAEK HYANGGI, by contrast, runs best when coming from off the pace. She can drop in here from a good gate and run on strong at the business end. (10) ZEROBAEK FIVE and (1) HAPPY DREAM are others who should be competitive.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(5) BLACK KING was a much-improved 2^nd when stepped up to this distance on February 27^th when he sat midfield and ran on, beating plenty of today’s rivals in the process. He carries the same weight today, draws well and could go one better. The step up in trip seems likely to suit (3) MUSTANG POWER. He has run on well in each of his three starts to date at shorter trips but has left himself too much to do each time. The two-turns should be what he needs, and he has solid claims here. (1) CLOUTER came home in 3^rd place behind Black King in that February 27^th race. That was his best finish in fifteen starts but in this company a repeat or better shouldn’t be ruled out. (11) HANI too comes in off a best finish of 3^rd place. The draw does her no favours but she can be competitive again here. (2) EPIPHANY another in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race but it’s hard to go too far past (12) GOOD NISEN. An all the way winner over 1200M at class 6 level two starts back, he was sent off as favourite for his first try at this class and distance on February 13^th but having settled back in the field, could only run into 3^rd. Despite the wide draw, he is worth another chance today. (9) CHEONGDAM WICKED returned from eight months out to run 6^th of fourteen over this distance on February 27^th. She has shown plenty of ability before the layoff and should have come on for that run so improvement can be expected. (2) POWER K won well on debut over 1000M, before putting in a fair run when 3^rd at this class over 1200M at the end of January. From a great draw, he can get an easy run to the lead and will be in this a long way. (8) LONDON QUEEN has the fastest time among those who have raced at the distance before and along with the up in class (6) SAINT LUCCA is another who can go close.

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

(4) EUNHYE got his maiden win at start number four on February 20^th, making all over 1200M. He comes up in class here but that’s tempered by a better draw and a slightly lower weight and though he will need to find improvement, he can win again. (3) JILJU BORN is the main danger and could stat favourite. He has run consistently good times at this distance, including his own win two starts back, and at his latest on February 19^th when he overcame a wide draw to run 3^rd, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. (7) SKY MANGCHI reutrns to action after six months off, He has shown plenty of promise before his setback and looked very well when winning a trial two weeks ago, leading every step of the way. He’ll obviously need this but can be competitive. (12) HANGANG BOSS, up in class after a maiden win a month ago, and (8) JEONGSANG FIGHTING are others who can enter the calculations.