There is a big 12-race card at Seoul on Saturday running from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Two heats of juvenile maidens to kick things off. The first has eight runners with just three having raced before. Two of those, (7) RAON LIGHT MAN and (5) HALLA BLOSSOM came home 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other at this distance on September 21^st. It was a second start for both, and both showed improvement. There were two lengths between them and accordingly, Raon Light Man will be favourite to strike here. Of the first-timers (4) CHEONGSAN GASE and (6) STRONG RED were the most impressive in trials, both registering good times and should go well first-up. (2) BIG RIVER possibly the most promising of the rest.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The second group of juvenile maidens again has just three with previous experience. Of those, (2) MONEY LINE, with the returning Johan Victoire aboard, probably has the best chance with his two starts so far having been in better company than this. (5) THROUGH THE SKY and (6) DIECO are the others who have raced before and while neither did too much, they both should be beating some of the newcomers. As for those newcomers, (1) CLEAN UP HAPPY is a likely favourite. The Paynter colt looked accomplished in trials and if he brings that form to the races, can make a winning start. The trainer and jockey combination for (8) J.S. CAPTAIN catches the eye, even if the trial run didn’t.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(6) WONDER PLACE comes in having run 4^th and 5^th in his latest two in similar company to this. From gate 6 he looks likely to be on the early speed this time and can make his breakthrough here. (4) DAEGUN OK beat two of these on his way to 3^rd place last start at this distance. That was her best finish to date, and she can build on it here. (7) BIANCA ran an improved 5^th in that same race and she too has cope for improvement while (5) POWER PRIDE and (8) MACH THUNDER are others in the placing hunt.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) DIAVOLA comes in off back to back 3^rd place finishes and up against limited opposition today has every chance of going two-better. She’ll be on pace from the start and can go all the way. (4) KOOKA CAT is the biggest danger. She’s been runner-up already at this distance and will also be looking for a good start which, if she gets, puts her right in it. (7) BEST GOLD is the only other one to have a 2^nd place to her name and while she had a poor day at the office last start, can be given another chance here. (1) CAMPING MANIA should improve on her second start following a seven-month layoff while (6) JEONGSEONG HOLIDAY has had a stop/start career so far but doesn’t look completely devoid of ability.

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) CHODONG ROSE ran out a good winner on debut at this distance all the way back on July 20^th. She’s been off since then and she is up in class today, but there seems to be no reason why she can’t win again. The potential problem though is the presence of (1) RAON HANNIBAL. Having secured her maiden win at this distance in August, she then ran 3^rd on her first try at this class on September 21^st. From gate 1, she can sit just off the (more…)

Saturday racing is at Seoul with 12 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Antonio Da Silva won the KRA Cup Classic on Dolkong last week and looks to have a decent book of rides at Seoul on Saturday

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Weak juvenile maiden, but something has got to win. That should be (6) P.K. HILL, who with a 2^nd and two 5ths to her name so far has better form than anything else here and she has run faster times too. She should be on pace early and will take some beating. (10) BODY STAR ran 5^th of 11 on debut back in June and while he struggled on his return in August, it was over 1300M and he weakened late on. Back at the minimum distance today, he can be close. (1) ROCK LINE didn’t go great on debut but should have come on for it, similarly (5) CHEON CHONG.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles here with four of them racing for the first time. Of those, (5) NEW MOON WARRIOR won his trial in a fast time and while he was assisted by a muddy track, if he brings that form to the races, he has every chance of going very well first-up today. The other contenders all have experience. (4) POWER TOWER ran 4^th on debut on September 1^st and should have come on for it while (2) DAHAENGIDA was a little slow to get going on his first start at the end of August but ran on well for 6^th and can improve today. (7) BLUE K and (10) BLUE KING are others to take into account.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens and (2) BEST TAP ran a good 3^rd on debut on September 8^th, coming from well off the pace over 1000M. The step up in trip today should give him more to work with and he’s the one to beat here. (11) WILD KINGDOM was a disappointing 9^th behind Best Tap in that race but previously ran 3^rd over 1200M and should also go better back up in trip today. (8) DYNAMIC PUNCH was a little one-paced when 6^th on debut but should come on today while (7) MACH NEDAN and first-time starter (12) LUXURY CAPTAIN are others who should be in the hunt.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Weak maiden here and the step up in trip could well be what (11) GOLD FIELD needs in order to make the breakthrough. She has some reasonable showings to her name at 1000M and in this company ought to be able to make it to the lead early. (1) KINGLY has also hinted at ability across ten starts so far and should go close here while (12) HYEONGMA PUBU has similarly managed to continually get beaten despite at times looking to have potential. Those three are likely to be the favourites with (2) NEOSEONG BYOKRYOK and (10) BEF K others with potential to improve.

Race 5: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(11) ANY SEON beat four of these on her way to a close 2^nd place finish on a wet track at this distance on September 8^th. It was her first try at 1700M and she seemed to thrive at it and she’ll be the one to beat today. (3) MACH SEUNGCHEON improved when tried at this distance for the first time last start and can build on that today. (5) SUPER VICTOR struggled in her latest two, both at 1300M, but has gone well at this trip in the past and should be in the placing frame here. (9) DAE YONGWANG steps up to two-turns for the first time and looks to be best of the rest.

Race 6: Class 4 (1000M0 Allowance / KRW 75 Million

A maiden for imported juveniles with six of the ten racing for the very first time. And one of those first-timers is set to be hot favourite. (4) CUPID MISSION made all in is trial, (more…)

There are 12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. The feature is the very last race on the card and Dia Socks, runner-up to Blue Chipper in the Korea Sprint last month, is set to be favourite. Here are the previews:

Dia Socks got a great 2nd in the Korea Sprint (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Twelve previously unraced juveniles go around here. The only trial winner among them is (4) CHEROKEE MARINE and that fact alone puts him firmly in contention. However, his heat wasn’t especially fast and (1) MINE HUNTER and (10) DAESEUNG QUEEN are more favoured. They both finished 2^nd in their respective trials, both of them in decent times and with both looking competent. The pair of them are likely to join Cherokee Marine on pace early and it is Mine Hunter who is the slight pick. (8) GONGJAK WANG and (12) GRAND MASTER are two others who looked good in their trials and can go well first up.

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one having raced before. That solitary debut-maker has a chance though. (12) SUNWOO ENTHEUS has been through a few trials, winning one and coming second in another, that latter 2^nd in an especially fast time. If she can bring that form to the races, she’ll be right in the mix. The one she needs to beat though is (7) HWANGGEUM HAE. Also a trial winner, he ran 2^nd on debut on August 31^st and while he was beaten seven-lengths by good winner Raon Best Man, he showed enough to suggest a win of his own shouldn’t be too far away and it could well be here. (1) LUCKY SANGUN did nothing wrong when 4^th on his August debut. (3) GEOMPO and (9) RISING VICTORY are others who ran well first-up and can build on those promising debuts today.

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

Maiden for fillies and (10) CHOEGANG CAMP comes in having run 2^nd over 1000M on her third career start on September 7^th. She ran through the line well and the additional furlong and half today could see her home on top. (7) BLUE BAND was beaten by Choegang Camp on her most recent start in August. She’s had eight weeks off since then and should be better. (8) BEST GOLD was a much improved 2^nd at this distance a month ago and can build on that today. (4) ALL MY QUEEN and (5) HWARYEO are others to consider.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) MASEONG JILJU looked a much better prospect on his return from four months out – and with a handful of additional trials under his belt – when 2^nd over 1000M on September 1^st. That wasn’t a strong race and he is up in trip today but looks the one to beat. (8) SEOUL MAGIC was 5^th behind Maseong Jilju last time and he can get closer today, but the main danger will be (4) BE ZENITH. He’s run 5^th in both outings so far and coming from off the pace, he should be in the mix today. (3) WONDERFUL DANCER and (12) ARASHI are others capable of at least a place.

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(11) BLADE STORM is up in class having been a five-length winner (ahead of Choegang Camp from race 3) over this distance on September 7^th. That was his first race back after almost six months off and while he has another wide draw to overcome here, he is the one to beat. (1) HANEUL GONGWON is also up in class after her maiden win. It was back in July, so she’s had ten weeks off, but she’s drawn nicely on the inside and looks a big danger here. (2) SENTOSA remains a maiden but has been knocking on the door in recent starts and looks good for a place again. (6) GYEONGGUKJIMA is another up in class who can be competitive while (9) DALLINEUN ACE looks best of the rest.

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

Competitive race. (6) HANSEN BAROWS is the slight pick following strong showings in his latest two efforts. He goes well for Alan Munro and today could be their day. (5) WINNER BLUE steps up in both class and distance following a tight win over 1000M last month. He’s drawn well to get on the early speed, and he will be a danger. So too will (7) (more…)

There are 12 Saturday races in Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) ACE WIN has proven herself capable of running times which are unspectacular, but consistently better than anything she faces here. She ran 2^nd last time and while beaten five-lengths, a similar performance may be enough to see her home on top today. (9) CAPTAIN BEST and (4) SPECTOR QUEEN finished 2^nd and 4^th when they raced each other at this distance on August 24^th and the pair of them look to be the main challengers here. The latter of those will be expected to be on pace early along with (2) JOLLY ROGER, who showed improvement last time and can continue to make progress here. (12) GEUM NORAE drops back in trip and may also challenge for a place.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(11) SONGAM CANDY debuted back in mid-July, missing the break by a full four-lengths but rallying well to run 2^nd. He’s had eleven weeks off since then but if he jumps out a bit better today, he looks right in the mix. That mix includes (5) FAMILY PARK, who has a good record in races at least as tough as this one, including a solid 4^th place last start. She’s well drawn to lead from the start. (4) WONDERFUL PANGPANG returned from three months off to run a good 3^rd on September 1^st and can at least match here. (8) WONDERFUL ORANGE similarly can build on a debut 5^th in August. (12) COLORS WING didn’t do much in her opening two races but showed demonstrable improvement last time.

Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) K TOP KING, the first foal out of the most expensive racehorse ever imported into Korea, lived up to his billing on debut with a six-length all the way win on August 31^st. Naturally, he’s up in class here and he will need to go faster to win this. He should be capable of that though and he is the pick. (2) MENI CHAMP is also up in class following his maiden win, which came at the second time of asking, on August 17^th. He’ll be on pace too and also has potential for improvement. Joining what could be a pretty hot contest in the early stages is (3) YULONG FLYING. A five-length winner over the distance last start, he too is up in class. As for those with experience at this level, (4) SAMAE JILJU and (10) MIRACLE HOPE look to be the best.

Race 4: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) WINNER CROWN dead-heated to secure his second career victory on August 10^th. He led right until the line that day and while up in class today, has every chance of doing the same in what is not an especially strong race for the level. Trainer Park Jong Kon’s stable has been in very good form this month and he sends out (4) BLACK PUNCH for his second start here. The Palace Malice gelding ran a solid 5^th on debut and should have more in the tank here. (5) EOMAMUSI led on his own debut at the end of August, weakening late on for 6^th. He should have come on for that and can improve today. (1) GLOBAL BOSS has been on the shelf since his first start almost a year ago but trialled up competently in the summer and could go well first up. (3) VICTORY MAP looks the more likely of the two first-time starters to make an immediate impact.

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) SLEEP WELL looked wide awake when winning by six-lengths on debut on August 17^th. This is a slightly tougher race, but the Maclean’s Music colt has plenty of potential for more development and is the one to beat here. (1) MUNHAK BOSS was just beaten a neck into 2^nd having led almost the entire way around on what was his second career start on August 24^th. He’ll challenge Sleep Well for the early lead and has claims. (6) BEST GUNHAM ran 5^th in that same race and can get closer today while (8) CUPID GUY is already a class and distance winner and is worthy of respect in this company. (10) EAST BAN finished 4^th behind Sleep Well on debut and while he does have ten-lengths to make up on the favourite, can improve here.

Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies only here. (11) TK DAY was a winner on debut before running 3^rd in a valuable (more…)

Racing is back in Seoul and just as it was two weekends ago, a typhoon is on it’s way! This one is expected to bring heavy rain at some stage. There are 13 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(4) DAEJI YEOGEOL race four times around the turn of the year with a best finish of 2^nd. She’s not been seen since February but looked nice and handy when winning an August trial and she could well return with a win here. (1) NONGBUI SUCHEAHWA has a 4^th and a 5^th in two starts so far, coming from off the pace both times and should go close here. Those two are the clear stand outs with (5) SEOUL MAGIC, (6) MILKY SHERRY and (8) GOLD FIELD others who could make the places.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(7) WHITE COMET comes in off a 3^rd and 2^nd from his latest two. He led in both of those races and can do the same here, this time staying on for the win. (10) KAIZEN SILVER was slow away last start but rallied to finish 4^th behind White Comet and he will be one of the main dangers today. (4) FEDERAL KING drops back in trip after a decent 5^th place over 1300M a month ago and should be in the hunt as well. (12) EAGLE EYE was poor last time out and was accordingly sent back to trial. She was much better in re-qualifying and can be taken seriously here. (9) PENUMBRA stumbled at the start on her latest appearance but still ran well for 4^th and can aim for a place today.

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

Juvenile maidens here with only two of the twelve having raced before. And one of that pair, (8) STRONG QUEEN, is going to be hot favourite. She’s actually raced twice, running 5^th on debut in July before following up with 2^nd, just beaten a neck, on her return on August 11^th. She should be on pace from the start here and should have far too much. Of the first-timers, (10) HERITAGE looks the pick, having beaten a couple of these when trialling well last month. (7) SINDAERO and (12) WORLD BEYOND also looked useful in their respective heats.

Race 4: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens although this time nine of the twelve have prior racing experience. (11) MASEONG TUHON has raced twice, improving to 2^nd in the latest of those. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can win this. (7) GEUMA FLAWLESS ran 4^th behind Maseong Tuhon on his debut on August 10^th. He can build on that here and looks the likely pacesetter. (3) RAON LIGHT MAN was a solid 3^rd on debut on August 17^th and can aim to match that here while (9) RAON FIRST looked similarly competent when debuting himself the same weekend.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

The solitary juvenile here is (11) DETERMINATION and he looks the one to beat having run a good 3^rd on debut four weeks ago. He came from well off the pace that day and will perhaps be ridden a touch closer here. (7) SMART GUNHWANG has finished no worse than 4^th in three starts so far, a record he should be maintaining today, while (10) HYEONGMA PUBU, who has had an interrupted career, comes in off his best finish to date, running 2^nd over this distance on August 10^th with a couple of his rivals here back down the track behind him. (2) SAENAE FLASH and (9) KINGLY are others with at least placing chances.

Race 6: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) MENI STAND is up in class having registered her maiden win at the fourth time of asking over this distance on August 11^th. She’ll be on pace in this all-filly affair and she can win again. (4) BISANGDEUNG and (6) SOMANGUI TAP are also both up in class following their respective maiden wins with the former of the two looking the more immediately capable of making an impression at this level. (2) RAON HANNIBAL too was a last start winner and should be competitive in this company. Of those with prior experience at this level, (12) GABO PULL QUEEN, a class and distance 3^rd last start, looks the best.

Race 7: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

A full field of twelve previously unraced juvenile imports. Plenty caught the eye in trials with no fewer than six of them winning their heats. (5) J.S. GUNJU was the most eye- (more…)

It’s the Eve of the 2019 Keeneland Korea Cup & Korea Sprint and ten overseas-trained horses are at Seoul for Sunday’s big races. Saturday’s warm-up program sees 13 races scheduled from 10:45 to 18:00 including valuable trophy exchange races. There is of course the specter of Typhoon Lingling that is set to skirt the South Korean coastline not far from Seoul during the afternoon. In hope, rather than expectation, here are the previews:

Scenes like this on Saturday would be considered a lucky outcome…

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(12) BLADE STORM ran five times around the turn of the year registering a couple of 3^rd place finishes in the process. He’s not been seen since March but trialled well in August and looks set to go well first up here. (9) JANGSU NABOM was an improved runner-up on what was just his second career start in July and can continue to make progress here while (11) CHOEGANG CAMP also showed some improvement when retuning five months after his debut in August. (5) J.S. POWER should be on pace early and can hold on for some money while (7) HAE SAEM CHAN looks best of the rest.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with just three of the twelve having raced before. One of those three, (2) WINNER BLUE, did rather well on debut running a good 3^rd over this distance on August 10^th. He’ll be expected to be on speed here and can win. The dangers are the first-timers, principally (7) GEOSEON JILJU. He was just beaten a head in a good trial a month ago with a couple of these well back down the track behind him. Top jockey on ang big chance. (6) DANAEUN SUCCESS also went well his trial, as did (11) COMPLETE CAPTAIN and (12) BAEKDUSAN CHEONJI. As ever, watch the market.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) OUR SIMON raced a couple of times without distinction last December and this March before finally returning to trial in August. She looked much better on her return, trialling well and will be expected to run well first-up today. (7) ARASHI and (8) GEUM NORAE were both significantly improved runners-up in their respective latest outings and both can go close here. The former ran on well after a poor start last start while Geum Norae’s improvement was attributed by his stable to his manners improving. (9) RAPIDO BOLT did nothing too wrong when 4^th on debut in July and can build on it here while (10) CHEONNYEONUI GODO looks best of the rest.

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) BISAYEON is up in class having been an eye-catching eight-length winner, making all over 1200M at the end of June. He’s had a couple of months off since and drops back in distance here but is firmly in the hunt. (1) UTGE HAEJULGE didn’t have the best of trips when running 5^th last start, his first at this class, and he can be given another chance today. (11) GEUM ROYAL comes in after a useful runner-up finish at class and distance and won’t need much improvement to be in the mix here. (12) AN MOK HANG was a solid maiden winner a month ago and while up in class today, is another who should be competitive.

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Eight previously unraced imported juveniles go around here. Favourite will be (3) BRAVE QUEEN, a Khozan filly who won her trial by a full ten-lengths a month ago. She’ll be expected to be on pace from the start and lead all the way. (5) CHARLIE STYLE also won his trial, albeit in slightly less emphatic fashion, beating a couple of these in the process and he looks to be the main danger. (6) SUN FO RE was 2^nd on that trial, four-lengths back but looked competent enough. (4) MUNHAK KING and (7) GLOBAL ACE others who caught the eye in trials.

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

(2) CHOIN GANGJA will be hot favourite for this. After winning on debut, he was beaten into 2^nd when favourite for his first try at this class at the end of July. While he probably wouldn’t have beaten the winner anyway, he made a bad start but ran on well and today should make no mistake. (1) TAEPUNG EYES has proven consistent at this level and should be aiming for a place while (4) MISSILE CANDY was just beaten a neck at class and distance last start and should be close again. (9) COILRO was never involved after getting crowded at the start on his latest appearance but should improve here. (11) P.K. (more…)