Seoul is back! There is a bumper 13-race card in the capital on Saturday with the 1st at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

A maiden to begin with that is perhaps best described as “weak”, even for this this level. Jockey Bang Choon-sik has had something of a renaissance recently and he can pick up from where he left off before the break by winning here on (6) BLESSING ROAD. The filly has seemingly started to figure things out in her latest two and has as much chance as any of making the breakthrough here. She’ll be off to a fast start along with (7) LEADER’S CAMP who weakened last start at 1300M but should be better back at the minimum today. (1) BEST LEVEL ha put in some encouraging performances over 1200M and is another who should have a say in things. (10) GREEN TEA and (11) LUCKY RACE others who can be considered.

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

Another modest affair and (4) BEST HUNTER, 4^th last time out at the distance and with a 3^rd place to his name as well, may just about have enough to come home on top here. The five-year-old has only raced four times is never going to a star but is well drawn to lead here and can win. (12) SAEROUN CAPTAIN has raced creditably in two outings since returning from eight months off and while he must overcome the widest gate, looks a threat. (1) YONGUI JUDO and (6) GWANGPOK JUHAENG have hinted at ability and both should be in at least the placing frame while (3) BLACK GINGA is another with potential to improve.

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

A third maiden but it looks slightly stronger than the previous two. (1) TAEWANG SINHWA enters with a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two starts, both at this distance and he’ll be among favourites to get the win here. From the inside gate he can sit just off the early lead and finish strongly. (2) RAON GANGHO actually beat Taewang Sinhwa when the two of them finished 3^rd and 4^th at the distance back in June. He’s followed that up with three solid if unspectacular efforts since and is one of the primary dangers. (10) WONDERFUL EVIL beaten five-lengths by a good winner at 1000M three weeks ago. He races at further than the minimum trip for the first time and can be a factor. (7) WHITE FLOWER and (8) RAON STELLA are others who should be in the hunt.

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

Fillies only here. (5) LOVELY NUTE has a 3^rd and a 2^nd in two tries at this class since landing her maiden win in July. Last time out was her first try at this distance and while she was a beaten favourite, she can go one better today. (4) HEUNG OREUM was a good winner at this distance on August 19^th on what was her third career start. She’s up in class today but can be a threat. She made all that day and will look to do the same here. (10) FLYING HERA was 2^nd in that race, three-lengths back and comes up in class too While she obviously has a bit to find on the one that beat her, she should be competitive. (9) CLEAN FLOWER steps back up in trip after good recent work at 1000M including her maiden win in early July. (1) GREEN DARC was a surprisingly comfortable winner on debut on August 25^th and while she’s up in both class and trip today, can be respected.

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

(5) MIREU STORM got his maiden win on his second start on August 19^th, leading all the way at this distance. He’s up in class today but is nicely drawn to get on pace early again and can repeat. (1) ROYAL PRINCE was scarcely involved over 1300M on his latest outing at the end of August but dropped back in trip today should be much more dangerous. Simon Foster’s tiny filly (4) SKY JUMP has held her own in two efforts at this class so far and with a good start today has claims too. (3) NAEGA KKEUTPANWANG and (10) LUCKY (more…)

There are 12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00:

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

(1) RAON JAMES has improved across three starts so far and ran a strong 2^nd over this distance on August 19^th. From gate 1, he can get off to a quick start and should have too much for this field. (8) MERRY WHITE comes in having recorded her first 2^nd place finish four weeks ago and can aim to at least match that today. (4) GEUP HAENG MA was 6^th behind Raon James on debut in that August 19^th race and can build on it here. (6) SEOKGWA BULSIK struggled on debut over 1200M last month but the minimum distance today could suit more. The wildcard is (11) TONGHAP SIDAE. She hasn’t been seen since her debut last Christmas Eve when she beat Merry White on her way to 3^rd place at this distance. She trialed encouragingly last month.

Race 2: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies only here (along with one mare) and (7) RAON WILLIAMS ran out a six-length winner over this distance on August 12^th to get promoted to this level. She made all that day and while the competition is undoubtedly stiffer today, she can get on pace again and win again. She’s joined up in class by (2) LUCAS and (11) BARAMUI SORI, both of whom got their maiden victories last start, the latter on debut and both can be competitive even if they have a little more to find than Raon Williams at this stage. (10) FANTASTIC QUEEN was a shock class and distance winner on August 18^th, beating (6) STRONG LIGHT by a head. A repeat isn’t impossible although Strong Light will be favoured to overturn that form.

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

There are twelve juvenile fillies here, all of whom are racing for the very first time. Two of them come in having won their trials with (3) NAREUDUSI having been slightly more impressive than (11) HEUNG BUJA. The presence of Manoel Nunes aboard the former is probably enough to ensure she begins as favourite. (1) HEUNG KKAEBI also went well in her trial. She’s a half-sister to the very good Sotong Sidae (as well as a few average ones) and should join Naareudusi on the early speed. (5) BAKCHAOREOM and (12) YAHO M J CAT are others who caught the eye in their respective heats and can go well first-up. As ever in races such as this, do watch the market for any clues.

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

(1) DAE UNHA has been close in recent starts and emerging from the inside gate today, the Hansen colt has a good chance of getting away well and potentially getting his maiden win. (2) ISCRA, who starts beside him, looks to be the main danger. He ran a good 2^nd over 1200M on August 18^th, with four of his rivals here back down the track. He too will be on pace and can go close. (6) K ZONE comes in with recent form reading well and should be in the placing hunt while (10) MEGA CITY and (11) MIDAS CHIEF have both proven competitive and can also aim for career-best finishes today.

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

Wide open race with most having at least some claim. (4) UNDEFEATED won on debut and hasn’t been too far away from adding to his tally in each of his four subsequent tries. He’s come up short but not by much and looks worthy of another chance here. (6) RAON SIRIUS returned from almost five months off to run 3^rd over 1000M three weeks ago. His solitary win came at this distance and he looks a big danger. (5) MONEY ZIF was unexpectedly beaten by (8) J BAEK last time as the pair came home 2^nd and 3^rd over 1200M. He should at least overturn the form on that one today and can be in the hunt. (1) SPEED HWANGNYONG steps up in class following a maiden win and while he will need to improve, he’s not without a chance. (3) SKY MARINE and (12) EAST KINGDOM both come on having placed in their latest outings and may also be considered.

Race 6: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) WINNER SPIRIT was an eye-catching eight-length winner over 1300M on August 19^th. He’s up in class today but the manner of his win – his second in four starts so far – suggests there is plenty more to come. (1) CHEON MONG too is up in class having got his own second career win by a similarly wide margin a month ago. He too will challenge for the early speed and has claims. (5) WINNING WIN is already a proven winner at this class having prevailed over 1200M in July. He comes in having run 3^rd in a very competitive contest four weeks ago and is another to be strongly considered. (8) PALDO DAEJANG has won two of her last three to be rapidly promoted to this level and is (more…)

The first day of September brings with it the last of the afternoon/evening cards of the year as from next week we move to purely daytime racing. There are 12 races at Seoul from 14:00 to 21:00.

It’s Saturday. It’s Seoul!

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

Small field of fillies to begin with and (7) RUBY FALLS can build on the 2nd and 3rd she’s achieved in her latest two outings and make the breakthrough here. She’ll look to get on speed from the gate and should be the one to beat. (5) WHITE FLOWER has shown promise across two starts so far and was close to making the placings at this distance last start. She’s had eight weeks off since and can continue her improvement today. (4) NAMJJOK NARA enters off the back of her best finish so far, a 3rd place at 1000M three weeks ago. She tries further than the minimum distance for the first time and it may suit. (1) SOKBO WANGWI and (3) STEEL RUN are others who can challenge for the places.

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

This is a weak contest and accordingly, (10) BLESSING ROAD may have enough to land a maiden win at what will be the eight time of asking. She’ll have to overcome the widest gate to get on speed but if she can do that, she can win. (1) EUNICE was just half a length behind Blessing Road as the pair came home 3rd and 4th over this distance on July 29th. It was her first finish of any note and she can build on it here. (5) FOR J.K. and (6) SUJEBI both have placing finishes to their names already and both can play a role here. The latter will likely challenge Blessing Road for the early speed. (8) ADELE JEONGSANG has done nothing wrong across four efforts so far and is another who could get better.

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

(4) CHEONSANG GIUN has gone close across each of his three latest outings, culminating in 2nd place at the distance three weeks ago. He was on pace throughout, ultimately going down by two lengths to the favourite, and he can go one better today. (6) VICTORIA SAMBA came home in 4th place in that same race and while she has five lengths to find, looks to be one of the principal dangers here. (2) GOLD STREET is consistently close although Cheonsang Giun has beaten her before and can do so again. (3) OFFICER WOMAN and (5) SEUNGRI PLUS are others who will need to find a little more but can be in the hunt for the placings.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

A juvenile maiden with a big prize here and all eight entrants have raced at least once before although none of them have raced at this distance. (8) GEUMA KINGDOM came desperately close on debut, just being bested a head on the line over 1200M. It was an encouraging performance and the Animal Kingdom colt has a chance of going one better today. He’ll settle just behind the early lead so won’t be concerned about the wide draw. (7) TOHAMSAN POWER turned the tables on (2) GOD OF SOCKS, who had beaten him on both their debuts. The pair finished 2nd and 4th at 1200M on July 28th and both will be dangers here with Tohamsan Power the more favoured. (4) HANEULEUL DALRIDA was much improved on his second start and resumes following eight weeks off which a chance to build on it. (6) JEONGMUN SARANG was a useful 4th on debut and is another who can’t be ruled out.

Race 5: Class 3 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(1) WONDERFUL JACKPOT has taken well to racing around two turns with a 2nd place followed by back to back victories since trying this distance for the first time in April. He’s up in class here and this is undoubtedly a stiff test but he could well secure his hat-trick here under what is likely to be a patient ride by Antonio Da Silva. (2) YONGCHONG beat two of these on his way to 3rd place at the distance on August 11th and he’ll be one of the main dangers here and will probably be setting the early pace with (4) MAGIC TEN, a filly who hasn’t quite delivered on her early potential yet and races for the first (more…)

Well the typhoon completely missed Seoul but temperatures have eased off from the heatwave that has consumed the peninsula for the past month. We’re into the penultimate weekend of afternoon/evening racing now and there are 12 races at Seoul on Saturday from 14:25 to 21:00.

Saturday means Seoul!

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

A competitive opener with lots in the hunt and (5) MAX THUNDER, who beat three of these on her way to 3^rd place at the distance on July 21^st has as much chance as any. She’s well-drawn to get off to a fast start here and at the tenth time of asking, this could be her day. (3) CUPID GANGJA steps back in trip after some reasonable efforts at 1300M. He’s the only one of the twelve to have as much as a 2^nd place to his name (over 1700M) and he should be a danger. (6) MONEY SHARP has shown progression over three outings to date culminating in 3^rd place last time and can continue his development here. (1) KAILLUM YEOJE and the debut-maker (7) TOUR BROTHER are others who could make an impression.

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

There are twelve juvenile fillies all racing for the very first time here. The most impressive in trials was (12) CHEONNYEON VIKING, who finished well clear of a couple of others who debut here in what was a fast time. She’s a half-sister to New Partner, who won four of his first six starts, and she can overcome the widest gate to go well first-up here. (1) GREEN DARC was the only one to actually win her trial, making all and looking easy on the eye in the process and she’ll have backers while (2) DADDY GLORY and (5) INDY LADY both performed creditably in their respective heats as well. For a longer shot, (8) MISS GELLA finished behind Daddy Glory in her trial but did lead for the first half of the heat and could improve on race day.

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

(8) TAEWANG SINHWA is set to be a relatively warm favourite here. Although he was beaten by, among others, (10) MAIN EVENT when the latter ran 2^nd over this distance at the end of June, he recovered to turn the tables on that one on his way to 3^rd place again at this distance on July 28^th. He just needs one more top three finish to find himself up in class 5 and he can settle behind the early speed and finish strongly. (5) MEGA CITY has been inconsistent across his four starts so far but registered a 3^rd place at this distance at the end of April and while he disappointed in his only start since, can go better today. (2) SPECIAL DREAM too has run 3^rd at the distance and while he was well back behind Taewang Sinhwa on his last start can also improve. (7) HWANSANGUI BIT steps back up in trip today and can go better than she did last time she tried this distance.

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

(3) SAGWARANG ran a close 3^rd on what was her first try at this class on July 21^st. She was sent off favourite that day having broken her maiden with a nine-length all the way score a month earlier. She looks set for an easy lead here and once in front, she’ll be difficult to overhaul. (1) JUNGJEON MAMA is two starts into a comeback following nine months out and she looks to be getting back into the swing of things with a 3^rd place at the distance last start. She’ll be a danger here. (8) LAST CONCERT drops back in trip following a good 3^rd over 1300M on July 21^st and she too should be in at least the placing hunt as will (4) CHUKBOGUI YEOLMAE and (7) VICAR SCOOP.

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

(5) DAEGIL SANGJON returned from ten months off to record his maiden win over the distance on July 22^nd and while up in class again, has solid claims to score again. He will settle just behind the early lead and could be too strong late on. It’s a competitive race though with both (9) ULTRA CHAMPION and (10) POX RANGER also up in class for the first time and while they both have a little more to find, can also be competitive. There are plenty with experience at this level to contend with too. (1) GANGHWA CHONGGAK comes in off a decent 4^th over the distance last start in a similar strength race to this with (8) GONG SAN finishing just half a length further back. Both can go well here while (6) WITH FRIENDSHIP ran 3^rd over 1300M at the end of June and returns slightly back in trip following eight weeks off and is another who should be in at least the placing frame.

Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The very experienced (1) WHITE CUPID ran 2^nd at class and distance on July 1^st before dropping back to 1300M at the end of the month and finishing a decent 4^th of 8. Back up in trip today, he’s a little one-paced but he can put himself in the middle of the field early and could well out-stay them all. (8) BARAM KING was 4^th behind White Cupid in that 1300M race at the end of last month. That was his first go at the level following a maiden (more…)

The heatwave has finally broken! Temperatures have dropped to the summer normal with highs of “only” 32C expected in Seoul on Saturday. There is a 12-race card in the capital from 14L25 to 21:00. With lots of Seoul jockeys down at Busan for Sunday’s KNN Cup, there is a big chance for some of Seoul’s overseas jockeys to have a very good day. Here are the previews:

It should be a cool(ish) evening at Seoul on Saturday

Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(1) HANIL DALBIT will be hard to beat here. He came very close to getting his maiden win back in April and last time out finished 3^rd, well clear of four of his rivals here over 1200M. He’ll be on pace from the gate and should have too much. (9) ISCRA has finished 4^th and 3^rd in his two starts to date and while he has been extremely well beaten in both of them, looks to have more about him than most here. (7) WANY K’s three consecutive 6^th place finishes have been in stiffer company than this and she should improve today. (6) BEST LEVEL is, along with Hanil Dalbit, one of just two to have a 2^nd place finish to his name and while he was well back behind the favourite last time, can get closer today. Debut-maker (2) SEOKGWA BULSIK trialed competently enough and may be considered for some minor money first-up.

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

Another weak maiden and (5) SOKBO WANGWI could be the one to make the breakthrough. She drops back to the distance at which she secured her solitary 2^nd place to date at back in May and comes in off a useful 4^th at 1200M a month ago. A similar performance to either of those runs could see her home on top. (8) LUCAS ran encouragingly on debut in June and is probably worth another chance despite flopping on re-appearance four weeks ago while (7) GWANGPOK JUHAENG has shown a couple of glimpses of ability and can improve today. (6) ULTRA MISSILE will likely set the early pace and can hang on for a place while (3) FAPP CAT showed a slight sign of improvement on his latest.

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

(7) LOVELY NUTE is up in class following an eye-catching seven-length win on her return from seven months off three weeks ago. She drops back kin trip as well but can get on pace early here and win again. (9) YEOWOORI remains a maiden after nine attempts but was only beaten a half-length at this class over 1200M last time and looks a big danger here. (6) KKEULEOJUNEUN SON also came close to getting her maiden win last time, just running out of track as she closed to within half a length of the winner on July 21^st. She beat three of these in the process and it’s not impossible she could get that elusive first win. (1) BEST MAID and (4) DAMON ANGEL, the latter up in class, are others in the hunt.

Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(2) UNDEFEATED, who is now anything but, looks ready to win again. He disappointed in 5^th place when favourite at 1300M on July 22^nd, finishing 5^th but steps back in trip today and can win. Manoel Nunes rode Undefeated in the colt’s latest two outings but he gets on (6) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG today. He’s got a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two starts at this level so far and will join Undefeated on the early pace with a solid chance of going all the way. (7) JUMBO CAPTAIN was 4^th in that race behind Baekduui Jeongsang and can look to match or better today. (5) BACK TO BACK has been a little underwhelming in his recent efforts but could improve here and along with (4) HANIL MAGIC, looks to be best of the rest. (9) GEUMA GLORY steps up in class following a win on debut at 1000M but will need to improve.

Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) MIRACLE HANSEN enters off back to back 2^nd place finishes, both at class and distance and really should be going one better today. He led until close to home last time and with Lee Chan Ho in the saddle today, can hold on this time. (8) WINNING WIN came from well off the pace to score a class and distance victory on July 21^st. He doesn’t carry too much extra weight here and can go very close again for a stable that has come into form. (4) MYEONGPUM BOBAE, a stablemate of Miracle Hansen, was also a class and (more…)