Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with a 10-race card 13:15 to 20:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maiden fillies with all but two racing for the first time. (2) THE SUN BULSAJO was by far the most impressive in trials, winning her September 4^th heat in a quick time having shown on pace throughout. She draws nicely and if she brings that form to the races, she will take some stopping. One of the two with prior racing experience is (5) YEONGWONHAN STAR. After a fair trial, she led on debut for much of the way and while she did weaken, she should have come on for the experience. Returning to the first timers, (9) YONGBIGYO was a fair 3^rd in her heat and can go well. (3) POMADE and (4) CLUTCH LOVE are others who hinted at ability.

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

After several trials, (3) GOLDEN SAVE debuted on August 23^rd and ran a fair 4^th over this distance, settling midfield and running on. He should have come on for that run and is probably the one to beat here. (8) EODIDEUNJI debuted a week earlier over 1000M and overcame the widest gate and ran on well for 5^th. He too should have derived benefit from that experience and the step up in trip can suit. There are three debut makers and among them, (1) RAON BLAIDE looked the best in trials. He went through the same heat as Vincero Cavallo so how many lengths he was behind the winner can be ignored. (9) BLACK PEPE and (10) NINE SPEAR are others who can improve off their debut efforts.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) BULGUKSIDAE enters off her best finish to date when 3^rd in a filly only maiden over this distance on August 17^th when she had the widest gate. Moon Se-young rode her for the first time that day and with him staying on, they will be favoured to win this. (1) CHAMPION SOCKS has improved across his three starts so far, culminating in a 4^th place over 1300M on August 23^rd when on pace for much of the way. From the inside gate he can be on pace and in this a long way again. A brand-new apprentice jockey riding (10) CHEONGRYONG GIUN takes his carried weight down to a level at which he can be competitive again and he has placing chances here. (2) MR.CARA and (9) POWER JILJU others in line for the minors.

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

(1) UEOKSURO was a winner on debut over 1200M in April but was lame after her second start in May. She has been back in training since early August and looked good when winning a trial on September 4^th. From the inside gate and with Moon Se-young on, she can win first up. (6) HANEUL GAMDONG took a couple goes to get used to this class but enters here following two 2^nd places and a 3^rd from his latest three. CC knows him well and he could be ready to win. (10) RAIN STAR was a class and distance winner on July 20^th. She only comes up 1kg in weight and she can be in the mix again. (11) SEOBU SKY and (9) ROYAL SOCKS others in the placing frame.

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

It’s an afternoon and early evening meeting at Seoul on Saturday with 10 races from 13:15 to 20:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener with all but one racing for the first time. (10) POWER BEST was marginally the fastest in trials, showing on pace and crossing the line in 3^rd. The widest gate isn’t ideal but shouldn’t be too problematic, and he has as good chance as any. (2) WHIZ DREAM similarly ran 3^rd in her trial in a decent time. She draws nicely and if she brings that form to the races, she can be close. The one with racing experience is (9) THUNDER RUN and he did improve at the second attempt. He gets a 3kg claim today and may have a fitness edge. (8) RAPTURE and (6) POWERFUL SLEW are others who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) ANYANG GIPPEUM was a class and distance winner on August 17^th, settling midfield and running on well. That win had been coming and only up 1kg in weight here, he has every chance of repeating. (1) SMART TAKE has finished outside the top five on just one occasion. She was 4^th on her first try at this class over a mile on August 16^th, showing close to the pace and dropping back in trip here, she should be in the finish. (3) COMPLETE PARTY has a 5^th and a 4^th in two outings at this class and has been back to trial since her latest effort. She has won at this distance and shouldn’t be dismissed. (8) DAESEUNGMA and (2) CHEONJI SKY are others to consider on a place line.

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) MUNHAK CHUKJE is up in class having run 1^st and 2^nd in his latest two, both at this distance. He comes down a full 5.5kg in weight and in today’s company, he can sit just behind the early speed and can prove too strong. (2) VINCERO KING is also up in class, in his case having won at this distance on July 27^th. While not as dramatically as Munhak Chukje, he too is down in weight, and he can measure up. (1) CANVASEN GO was 4^th on his first try at this class over 1200M on August 24^th having won at that same trip earlier in the month. A previous try at 1400M didn’t go well but he can be ready for another crack. (4) SLAM DRAGON and (3) BLOOD MOUNTAIN are other place chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only. (6) RAON FINALLE was a close 3^rd on debut over 1000M on August 2^nd, coming from well off the pace. She should have come on for that run, the step up in trip can suit, and she is the one to beat here. The main danger is (3) MUNHAK DANCE. It has taken her a little longer to figure things out, but she seems to have done it with a 2^nd and a 4^th from her latest two. From a good draw, she can be ridden closer much earlier today. (7) WONDERFUL TUNE UP has a couple of 4^th places from her latest two and can continue to make progress here. (9) GLORY DAY and (4) DAEHAN COCO’S are others in line to dispute the minor placings.

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) WONDERFUL CATHY has a 3^rd and two 4^th places from her latest three, most recently when favourite on July 26^th. The in-form Ruan Maia stays on and today can be their day over a very modest set of rivals. She will need to overturn the form on (8) SAINT WINNER, who was 2^nd in that July 26^th race. That was his best finish to date, and he has since followed up with a 5^th place from the widest gate at 1300M on August 23^rd. He’ll be on pace, and he can be in this a long way. (2) THUNDER LUCKY is yet to finish in the top two but has eight finishes between 3^rd and 5^th. He should be there or thereabouts again. (4) NAMCHON SERVE and (9) P N S ME other place chances.

The eve of the Korea Cup and Sprint sees an 11-race card at Seoul between 13:15 and 20:00 with no fewer than five international Trophy exchange races on the card, all looking very competitive. There will also be a “drone show” immediately after racing. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with all but three racing for the first time. For once we will side with a newcomer and (4) SEONGSIL WINNER. She led for much of the way around a trail at the end of July, crossing the line a close 3^rd and stopping the clock in a good time. Drawn well, if she leads, she may be hard to get past. (8) BEST CHEONHA was the next best in trials, showing on pace and also running 3^rd. Moon Se-young being booked means she will have plenty of supporters. (9) HORIZON STAR took two goes to qualify but improved second time around and can also make an impact first up. Of the experienced three, (1) BLACK SUN and (7) GHOST have both raced twice and their match sharpness can see them improve.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After finishing 5^th on debut, (9) NAMSAN MINYEO was 2^nd at start two over 1300M on August 17^th, racing handy throughout. An apprentice jockey claims 3kg today, third up she can be peaking, and she can win here. Probable betting favourite is (2) JILPUNGA, who enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes from his latest two, most recently in that August 17^th race behind Namsan Minyeo. He only has a head to make up and he comes into a much better gate. After an inauspicious debut, (5) TRIPLE JENNY has three consecutive top five finishes and she should be aiming to improve again. (1) HERO CHOICE and (4) GRAND PARK are others who can be in the mix.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) FREE TIME was a winner on debut and then took a few goes to figure things out at this class before winning over 1300M on June 29^th when on pace throughout. He comes up 3.5kg in weight today but that’s balanced by a similar draw to last time that should allow him easy passage to the front, and he looks to have the most upside here. (10) WINNER GLORY comes up in class and in distance having got her maiden win in comprehensive fashion at start number five on June 15^th. She has had almost three months off, but she is down 3kg in weight and can measure up. (6) SHINE BOLT enters off a 2^nd at this class over 1300M on August 17^th at a big price and warrants more respect here. (7) HAKSAN PRINCE and (11) YES MADAM others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 4: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight B / SPPL Trophy / KRW 150 Million

The first of five valuable Trophy races and while it is rating capped to the equivalent of class 3, it’s an absolute cracker of a race with no fewer than seven last start winners. (3) SILVER RAIN won a Listed juvenile event on this weekend a year ago but missed the Triple Crown through injury.  He won on his return at class 4 level at the end of June and then beat a couple of these on his way to 2^nd at class 3 level and 1400M on July 27^th. From a good draw, he can lead all the way. (13) CHAN FAMOUS won Seoul’s Classic Trial in February but found things hard in the first two legs of the Triple Crown. He returned to winning ways at a mile at class 3 on August 16^th and while this may be a little short, can be worth a go at an each-way price. (10) BEST RACE is a winner of three of his last four and should be close. (11) HAKSAN SPEED and (7) GOLDEN DRAGON among plenty of other chances.

Seoul Race 5: Class Open (1700M) Special Weight B / Race Coast KZN Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Capped at a rating of 80 so equivalent to class 2, and while it’s a small field, it is competitive. (3) ONE PUNCH DRAGON is a winner of six of his eight starts, including his latest three, most recently at class 2 over a mile on July 19^th. He’ll be on pace and is very much the one to beat. (8) BROWN GOLD might have taken a shy at the Korea Cup stumps, but he goes here instead having won all of his last four up to class 2 and 2000M. Weight is no problem, the draw is no problem, and five in a row is not impossible. (2) GANGNAMBULCHUNGGAK is a half-brother to champion mare Jeulgeounyeojeong and he was a winner of a Trophy race on this day a year ago. He has had his setbacks since but returned from a four-month layoff to run 3^rd at 1200M on August 3^rd. That should serve as the ideal lead-up to this and he can be in the finish having been 2^nd on his only previous spin around 1700M. (1) KING HONOR and (4) DRONE KILLER are other place chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight B / Selangor Turf Club Trophy / KRW 150 Million

It’s an afternoon and evening program at Seoul on Saturday with 10 races from 13:15 to 20:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) BLUE SUN has shown steady progress across four starts to date, culminating in 2^nd place when tried at this distance for the first time on June 28^th. He will be a short price to go one better over this field. (6) THUNDER LUCKY has run 3^rd in both his latest two starts, coing from off the pace. He is yet to finish in the top two but has seven finishies between 3^rd and 5^th and should be in the mix again. (2) SAVANA CHARLIE similarly hasn’t troubled the quinella in twenty-four appearances but has no fewer than fourteen 3^rd to 5^th finishes. He does have a 3^rd to his name at this distance and can be competitive here. (7) BLACK SMILE and (3) ALPHA FEMALE others to consider.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (9) EVERY TIME ran a close 2^nd in his trial, showing on pace throughout and stopping the clock in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he can win. (10) DANAEUN RUBY is the first runner to make the track by 2018 Champion Juvenile King Socks. She too looked good in her trial showing on pace and running 2^nd. Her sire was a nine-length winner on debut and Danaeun Ruby can get him off to a good start here. (5) BEST PITCH went through two trials and in the second of them clocked the fastest time of all of these. He came from off the pace both times and should be a big danger late on.  He may start as the betting favourite. (3) SEVEN KAISER led his heat and can do the same again while we shall assume the sole one with experience, (8) CLUTCH MAN, can improve.

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

Maiden for imported northern hemisphere two-year-olds and southern hemisphere three-year-olds with six of the twelve racing for the first time. (3) SMILE DAY was ordinary on debut but ran a much-improved 2^nd at start two at 1000M on July 13^th, leading for most of the way and beating three of today’s rivals. He draws well to lead again, and this time can go all the way. (4) EAST BEACH went through two July trials winning them second of them when leading all the way. If he brings that form to the races, he can be a chance. (11) CRAZY STAR debuted behind Smile Day on Jul 13^th and while he was well back he has since gone through two trials in fine order and can be a different proposition this time around. (8) NARO MA STAR and newcomer (5) MY MUNNINGS others to look out for.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (1) SMILE NAMSAN ran 2^nd on debut in a very similar race to this on August 3^rd, racing handy for most of it. She should have come on for that run and she will be the one to beat here. (10) JISAN FRIEND seems to be figuring things out with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from her latest two, both in similar races to this. Today’s company is no more taxing and she should be there or thereabouts again. (3) WONDERFUL TUNE UP ran 4^th behind Smile Namsan on August 3^rd coming from off the pace. She comes into a better gate today and can continue to make progress. (9) RAON FINAL has won a trial since her underwhelming debut and can be given another chance. (2) MUNHAK DAESE another who can improve.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) GHOST CHRYSOL is yet to win in seven attempts, but he has three runner-up finishes including his latest on July 13^th at this class and distance when only narrowly beaten having led close to home and ahead of a couple of today’s rivals. CC stays on and he can go one better. (11) FASHION STAR was a class and distance winner on July 27^th, coming from well off the pace. He comes up 3kg in weight, but the wide draw should be no problem and a repeat isn’t impossible. (6) WONDERFUL TECHNO is three starts into a comeback following almost a year out. He stepped up to two turns for the first time on August 3^rd, running 2^nd over 1700M, and he can be in the mix today. (5) MAGIC WITH YOU and (1) GRATITUDE other place chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

There are 10 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile fillies only with all but two racing for the first time. We will favour the experience. (5) STEEPLE ran a solid 4^th on debut over this distance on July 12^th, settling midfield and running on. She should have come on for that run and is the one to beat here. (1) DREAM DIA ran 6^th debuting in that same July 12^th race. Drawing the inside and with Moon Se-young, who rode her in trials but not on debut, will give her plenty of backers. (11) GEOLJAK TIARA looked marginally the best of the newcomers in trials, settling handy and crossing the line a close 2^nd. Maia booked is a plus. (7) CATCH RACE and (10) ILLUSION FORCE are other first-timers who can make an impression.

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

(8) JIJON BULPAE ran a fair 5^th on debut over this distance on July 20^th, settling back and running on. He should have come on for that run and he can win here. (10) SILLAUI FIGHTER has run twice, finishing in 4^th and 5^th at 1300M and at 1200M, racing on pace both times. He has the challenge of a wider draw this time but with a bit of luck at the start, he can find a forward position and third-up this preparation, he can be peaking fitness wise. (5) YONGBI STORM ran 5^th on debut over 1000M on July 27^th. He was doing his best work late so with the step up in trip and some natural improvement from his debut, he can get closer. (1) BEST DREAM and (9) ACE MATCH are others who can improve.

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

(6) THUNDER FIGHTER has a 4^th and a 2^nd from his two starts to date, both at 1200M, most recently on July 12^th when he led for much of the way around. He should lead again and this time he can go all the way. (10) THE EXCELLENT ran 5^th on debut and then 4^th at start number two over 1200M  on July 20^th when coming from well off the pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. The slight step up in trip should suit and he can be a big danger. (11) SAINT WINNER is a bit more experienced and comes in off his best finish to date when 2^nd over 1400M on July 26^th. He may need some early luck from out wide, but he can be in the finish. (8) SMART NOTION and (1) DDATTEUTHAN WIRO others in the frame.

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

(3) SONE SONJABGO comes in with recent form reading very consistently, most recently when 2^nd at this class and distance on July 27^th when ridden a little closer than usual. Expect similar tactics here and he can go one better. (7) KING OF DRAGON was 4^th in a juvenile Listed race last autumn but hasn’t run since finishing down the field in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie at Busan last December coming in and out of work in the intervening time. He trialed up well in July and while his match fitness must be taken on trust, he could make a winning return. (2) WHITE CARLA hasn’t yet kicked on from a debut win but second-up after a couple of months off, she may be sharper today. (6) ROYAL SOCKS and (9) J ONE POWER the other main chances.

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

(3) GANGCHEOL DRAGON returned from a six-month absence to run a strong 3^rd over 1400M on August 2^nd, settling midfield and running on. His sole win to date came at today’s trip and stripping fitter for that run three weeks ago, he can win. (9) RAON NORTHERN DANCE is yet to score in nine attempts, but he has seven top four finishes, including his last start 4^th place at 1400M. He tackles two turns for the first time and under a light weight, it can suit. (2) BEOLGYO D Y got his maiden win three starts back at this class and distance and is much better than his subsequent two runs suggest. Drawn well again, he is worth another chance. (5) THUNDER STORM and (8) NASSAU CHAT among more in line for the minors.