Big fields in the capital this weekend. There are 12 Saturday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Weak contest to begin with and (2) SKY MARINE has probably shown the most ability among these so far. She has a 2^nd and a 4^th among four prior outings and from a decent draw can get forward early. (3) ENJOY MY SHOW improved last time and should be similarly prominent while (4) RUN AWAY may benefit from dropping back to this trip which is where she recorded her previous best finish of 3^rd. (1) ACE TROPHY could make the most of the inside gate to get on speed early and if he does, he should be looking for a career-best finish while (12) CHOWON GUNJU didn’t do anything especially wrong on debut three weeks ago and may improve.

Selections	(2) Sky Marine (3) Enjoy My Show (4) Run Away (1) Ace Trophy
Next Best	12, 9
Fast Start	1, 2, 3, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-olds only and eight of the twelve are first-time starters with one of them set to be favourite. That’s (2) JANGSAN WILD won a December trial and then went through another in good order last week and is expected to win first-up here. Other debut-makers who caught the eye in their heats include (1) DALLYEORA GWANGSAN and (8) DANGYEON HAJI, whose slow qualifying times can be excused by the track condition on those days as well as (9) DANCING BLADE, who was well back behind an exciting type (Musa) but seemed to know what she was doing. Of the four who raced before, only (6) DAE UNHA looks an attractive proposition. He debuted solidly enough in a better race than this in December and can build on it today.

Selections	(2) Jangsan Wild (6) Dae Unha (9) Dancing Blade (1) Dallyeora Gwangsan
Next Best	8, 10
Fast Start	1, 2

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

(9) CLEAN UP SECRET beat three of these on his way to 3^rd place over this distance on January 6^th. True, it was the third time in a row he’s come up slightly short when sent off as favourite but he’s going to be favourite again and this time can get it right. (4) DOUBLE GOLD and (6) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG came home in 4^th and 6^th in that race wand will be among those with the best chance of getting close this time. Speaking of favourites coming up short, (2) CHONGAL GACHI did exactly that on January 7^th at the distance, finishing 2^nd having led briefly close to the finish and he too gets another chance today.

Selections	(9) Clean Up Secret (4) Double Gold (6) Baekduui Jeongsang (2) Chongal Gachi
Next Best	8, 1
Fast Start	2, 6, 9

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(6) RAISE ME UP improved with a close 2^nd place in a similar all-filly race to this on January 6^th with two of her rivals here behind her and with Moon Se Young on board for the first time, she can make the breakthrough here. (9) ARGO UNIQUE returned from three months off to show a big improvement at this distance in December, coming home 2^nd and should be on the early pace here. Hansen filly (1) CLAY WIND also improved on what was just her 2^nd start on Christmas Eve, again coming home in 2^nd having run on nicely. She steps up in distance for the first time as does (4) DAECHEONUI SARANG and must be considered. More experienced is (3) MIGHTY COOL and she should be capable of repeating the 4^th place she achieved in a very similar strength race to this four weeks ago.

Selections	(6) Raise Me Up (9) Argo Unique (1) Clay Wind (4) Daecheonui Sarang
Next Best	3, 2
Fast Start	1, 4, 9

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

You’d not put your mortgage on many of these but (7) GONSEOL and (5) WOOSEORA ICHEON ran well enough when coming home 3^rd and 4^th respectively at class and distance in a better race than this on January 7^th and this time have every chance of contesting top honours. There were three lengths between them that day but Wooseora Icheon has a better draw today and could well make it to the front early. (3) POWER (more…)

There are 11 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. The day’s feature is at Busan in the shape of a “Road To G1” event over 1400M which features the likes of Haeya, Perdido Pomeroy, Drop The Beat, Diferent Dimension and the returning Macheon Bolt. Only Seoul is on overseas simulcast so here are the capital’s previews:

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

(4) NEUL SACHAN is a rare runner by one of the most popular Korean racehorses of the early 2000s, Baekgwang and she looks a decent prospect too. 3^rd on debut over 1000M a month ago running on nicely, she can benefit from the additional trip today and can win. Main danger is (3) RAON MIRACLE, who already has a 4^th and consecutive 3^rd place finishes at this distance. She’s not been quick but looks like she has a win in her at some point. (9) CHEON BYEOL and (11) FLYING HERA came home 6^th and 6^th respectively when they raced each other over the distance on December 16^th. For both it was their second career start and for both it showed improvement and they can go close today. (8) SINUITAB is more experienced and while limited, she could match the 4^th she managed behind Neul Sachan last time.

Selections	(4) Neul Sachan (3) Raon Miracle (9) Cheon Byeol (11) Flying Hera
Next Best	8, 7
Fast Start	8, 11

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

Small field here but it’s nicely competitive. (8) EAST KINGDOM led for much of the way over this distance on what was his second career start on December 16^th only to ultimately have to settle for 2^nd place and he has every chance of going one better today. (3) DUSON WANGJA has been getting closer across three starts so far, culminating in 3^rd at 1200M last time and should take to the additional half furlong well. Both outings so far for (4) RAON SIRIUS have been at this distance and his 3^rd place last time was promising while (2) DREAM INDY steps up in trip following 3^rd on debut over 1000M and maybe has a little more to find. (6) CHEON MONG, also up in trip after coming 2^nd over 1000M when favourite last month, is another in the frame.

Selections	(8) East Kingdom (3) Duson Wangja (4) Raon Sirius (6) Cheon Mong
Next Best	1, 2
Fast Start	2, 4, 6

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

A class 6 winner at the distance on November and then a close 2^nd on his first try at this class on Christmas Eve, (9) GEUMSUN YOU is the one to beat here. He was favourite last time but it was sloppy conditions and this time he should make no mistake. (11) SHARP KAYLAN has performed creditably in two goes at this level so far and steps back up the distance at which he registered his solitary victory to date and can push the favourite. (1) SISPUMA WINNER and (4) BROWN BOMBER enter having run 3^rd and 4^th over class and distance on December 17^th and should be in the placing frame again with (6) MALAKAS, up in trip following an decent 2^nd place over 1000M last month also in with a shot.

Selections	(9) Geumsun You (1) Sispuma Winner (11) Sharp Kaylan (4) Brown Bomber
Next Best	6, 8
Fast Start	8, 9, 11, 12

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

(6) THE QUEEN GRACE was an easy winner on debut back in September but her only start since then was in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at the end of October. She didn’t go well, fading without trace in the closing stages, but returns here following twelve weeks off and provided she gets a good start – and she’s ideally drawn to do so – she can return to winning ways here. Not an easy race though and (4) GOLD LEG could thwart her. She almost led the whole way around in a similar contest over 1300M on Christmas Eve and dropping back to the minimum today, should be a threat. (1) MENI PARK showed some early talent but had a troubled 2017. She trialled up very nicely in December though and jockey booking catches the eye. (7) ROYAL ACE struggled last time but is worth another go in this company today while it’s a similar story for (8) NAMWON QUEEN.

Selections	(6) The Queen Grace (4) Gold Leg (1) Meni Park (7) Royal Ace
Next Best	8, 9
Fast Start	3, 4, 6, 8

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

Not exactly one to get the pulses racing this but at the same time, tricky enough to make it interesting betting-wise. None of these are very good but three of them did come home 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th over the distance on December 23^rd. (5) NANGMAN STAR was the best of them that day, ahead of (3) WIDAEHAN BALJAGUK and (4) BAEKDU POWER but there was only a length separating them and all three should have a good chance of going close here. (2) SAMDA BULKKOT also comes in having been 3^rd at the distance last start. He is a slow starter but has shown he’s capable of staying on and passing plenty late on and he could figure in the closing stages. However, the early pace should be set by (7) ONNURI ALBA. He was slowly away but ultimately ended up leading on his first try over this distance on December 9^th. He finished 4^th but showed the distance suits and given a more forward ride today, he could just be the one to win.

Selections	(7) Onnuri Alba (2) Samda Bulkkot (3) Widaehan Baljaguk (5) Nangman Star
Next Best	4
Fast Start	6, 7

Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) GEUMA FORTE was a bit lacklustre last time but he’s a two-time winner at this distance, if not at this class and he does look the best in here. He’s run once a month since debut so may be in need of a spell, but he’s hardly alone in that and has every chance of winning this. Moon Se Young will give him a patient ride and look to swoop late. Trainer An Byung Ki had a great 2017 and while his 2018 has begun in ordinary fashion, his (6) ARGO AWESOME looks in the frame here. He returned from almost six months off to run 3^rd over 1200M a month ago and looks ready to take on two turns for the first time, most likely leading from the gate. (4) SHUMA and (7) HAPPIEST are both up in class having run 1^st and 3^rd at the distance on December 16^th. Shuma looks to have potential for more. Also up in class is (8) MAMBO KHAN. In his case he’s up in distance too but he’s won two from four so far and can be considered. On the other hand, (9) NALSSAEN GANGHO has only won one of his twenty-three previous starts but he looks to be coming into some form with 2^nd place in a very similar class and distance race last time.

Selections	(10) Geuma Forte (9) Nalssaen Gangho (6) Argo Awesome (4) Shuma
Next Best	8, 11, 1
Fast Start	3, 6, 8

Race 7: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Dare we put (4) REAL GULCH on top? She’s raced eighteen times prior to today and remains a maiden yet has finished 2^nd on no fewer than six occasions – all of them within her last eight outings. They include last time at class and distance on December 16^th when she beat 3^rd place (5) HANBIT NARA (another win-dodger) by two lengths. We’ve said this a couple of times before but really, she’ll not get a better chance of a win. (10) PHOENIX HEART is up in class following his maiden win on what was his first try at the distance on Christmas Eve. He had to battle for it and should be competitive here. (3) LONG WAY returned from a three-month spell to run 5^th at the distance last time and can improve today. (6) CHICAGO ART struggled in stiffer company than this last time but scored a good 2^nd at the distance the time before. (8) JANGBI CHEONBOK is up in class following the narrowest of victories at this distance and while he probably has a bit to find, there’s not too much to fear here.

Selections	(4) Real Gulch (10) Phoenix Heart (3) Long Way (6) Chicago Art
Next Best	8, 5, 2
Fast Start	1, 6, 9

Race 8: Class 4 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

With a 3^rd and two 2^nd places from his three outings so far and beaten by decent types on each occasion, it’s time for (5) RICHARDOFNEWSTEAD to make his own breakthrough today. He should be leading from gate to wire. It’s hard to imagine him being beaten but (6) JANGSAN BEARS put in a creditable showing in 4^th on debut and could improve. (7) USEUNG TEUKKI too didn’t do anything wrong on his first start. (8) MORFHIS has been a touch disappointing in two efforts so far despite relatively high expectations. It’s early days though and he should be looking for a to-date best finish here. There are a couple of debut-makers with (3) CHOEGANG GOSU looking the better of them in trials.

Selections	(5) Richardofnewstead (8) Mofphis (6) Jangsan Bears (7) Useung Teukki
Next Best	3, 1
Fast Start	5, 7

Race 9: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

After a 4^th place on debut in September, (7) ROAD WINNER has won two in a row by a combined nine-lengths. He’s up in class today and slightly in distance too but neither should be too much of an issue. He doesn’t lead early in his races, but he has a strong finish and he can complete a hat-trick of victories here. This is by no means a bad race though and it’s his stiffest test so far. (1) SAMJUNG TAPIT enters off back to back 3^rd places at class and distance in similar strength contests and will surely play a role again. Likewise, (3) CHEONJAEILU’s recent form reads well. (4) MIGHTY SSING is up in class and distance and while he won’t be among the favourites, he should be on the early pace and could spring a surprise. Competing with him for the early lead is likely to be (10) YEOKJEONUI USEUNG, who is similarly up in class and distance following a smart victory over 1200M last month.

Selections	(7) Road Winner (1) Samjung Tapit (3) Cheonjaeilu (10) Yeokjeonui Useung
Next Best	4, 11, 12
Fast Start	1, 4, 10, 11

Race 10: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(1) DONGCHONUI ACHIM has had a bit of a stop/start career but he is a solid sprinter and while the 2^nd place he achieved over 1200M in December was in one of the weakest class 1 races in recent times at Seoul, this one isn’t especially stiff either and he could well go one better. (5) TAEYANGWANG came back into form on his latest at this distance last month, beating (8) GANGSEONG DAEGUK in the proves. Both should be in the frame. (6) JANGSAN COWBOY steps back in trip and may benefit. (7) JEONMUHUMU won his last start at this distance in October and if he can get on the early lead, should be a threat. (9) BRIGHT CAT is up in class following a four-length win at the distance seven weeks ago. He’s very nicely weighted and he shouldn’t be out of his depth.

Selections	(1) Dongchonui Achim (8) Gangseong Daeguk (5) Taeyangwang (6) Jangsan Cowboy
Next Best	9, 2
Fast Start	1, 7, 11

Race 11: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Competitive race to finish up with. (12) BEST TEN and (3) SCARLET WITCH came home 3^rd and 4^th when they raced each other at class and distance on November 18^th. Neither have run since but both come in here looking to be leading contenders with Scarlet Witch marginally favoured to get on the early pace and go all the way. (1) SENTA POBA steps back in trip after enduring a chastening time at 1700M last month and should be much more comfortable today. (8) GWACHEONUI HAMSEON races for the first time since a strong 3^rd in a better race than this n November and must be considered. The up in class (5) SIN DOLGYEOK is another in the frame.

Selections	(3) Scarlet Witch (12) Best Ten (8) Gwancheonui Hamseon (1) Senta Poba
Next Best	5, 9
Fast Start	3, 5, 7, 11

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

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

Not a strong race to begin with so we’re going to be looking for improvers. (9) POP STREET only finished 6^th of 12 on debut at the end of November but it was a decent time in a reasonable race and came off the back of a good trial too. With Moon Se Young taking over in the saddle today, he’ll probably be favourite and for good reason. (5) SARYEONI THUNDER only beat one home in a poor showing last start but has had eight weeks off since and previously ran a decent enough 4^th so can be considered for improvement. (7) POWER KOREA is more experienced and steps back in trip after a creditable effort over 1700M. He’s one-paced but if he gets a good start, could feature. Of the rest, (6) BARAM KING and (10) HUNTER HAWK look most likely.

Selections	(9) Pop Street (5) Saryeoni Thunder (10) Hunter Hawk (7) Power Korea
Next Best	6, 4
Fast Start	1, 5, 7, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Seven of the twelve are first-timer starters and we’ve some potentially good ones among them. All three of (1) RAON PRIMER, (7) BAEKSAN FORCE and (10) GULCHARMNAMSUP won their trials and look to be the leading contenders. The latter was the most visually impressive, so we’ll go with her but the other two have every chance as well. If we prefer ones who have already raced, (12) BEST CHAPEL and (8) BOEUNUI KKUM debuted together at the distance on December 23^rd. In slow conditions, they came home 2^nd and 4^th respectively and both should be in the frame again. (11) STAR SOCKS was a full twelve lengths behind a good winner on her debut on Christmas Eve but nevertheless managed a good 3^rd place and can can’t be completely ruled out.

Selections	(10) Gulcharmnamsup (1) Raon Primer (12) Best Chapel (7) Baeksan Force
Next Best	11, 8
Fast Start	1, 10, 12

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

(7) WONDEFUL CHAMPION has gone well across four starts so far and while his best was on his debut, his 4^th place last time out at class and distance stands him in good stead to make the breakthrough here despite the fact he’s coming in following ten weeks off. That race was a bit stronger than the one in which (9) SPECIAL STONE scored a really good 2^nd place on debut the week before Christmas and she should be the main danger. (1) HUIMANGUI NALGAE and (8) RAON GANGHO came home 3^rd and 4^th in what was a (more…)

12 races at Seoul on Saturday with the first at 10:45am and the last at 6pm. Wrap up warm! Here are the previews:

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

Only three of these have raced before and in all honesty, none of them have impressed. That said, expect both (2) O.K. DAY, on the strength of the jockey/trainer combination and (3) ROAD MAN, having not done terribly on debut, to get some backing. It is, however, to the debut-makers that we turn to for top picks. Both (1) RAON ZEUS and (7) YAHO SMART CAT have won trials, the latter in a more eye-catching fashion. (4) GANGTOMA too looked competent enough and may be considered. As always with these kind of races, keep an eye on the market.

Selections	(7) Yaho Smart Cat (1) Raon Zeus (4) Gangtoma (2) O.K. Day
Next Best	3, 8
Fast Start	2, 5, 7

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

2^nd in a decent contest a month ago having been 3^rd in debut in November, (4) THUNDER MARINE has every chance of going one better today. He took a while to get going from a wide draw and also hung inwards throughout last time but is pretty much in pole position here and can lead all the way. (2) NONGBON DAERO came even closer to a maiden win last time, just being beaten a nose over the distance and he is the main threat. (7) CAMP TOUCH debuted in that race behind Thunder Marine last month and although she finished 7th of 12, that was by no means a disgrace and she can come on for it here. There are a couple of first-time starts and (5) CHOWON GUNJU looks the one most likely to go well first-up.

Selections	(4) Thunder Marine (2) Nongbon Daero (7) Camp Touch (5) Chowon Gunju
Next Best	9, 6
Fast Start	1, 4, 6

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Competitive all-filly race this. (4) GEOSEN MAPUNG was sent off as odds-on favourite last start on December 19^th and very nearly led all the way before ultimately ending up in 2^nd. She should get on the early speed once more and can be given another chance to get it right here. (11) FOREVER WINNER came home 2^nd in a similar race to this at the end of November and can overcome a wide draw to challenge once again here. (3) CITY ANGEL had a bad day when well backed last start but has shown speed and can be considered while (2) JEONGSANG MUJEOK and (10) THE PRIMA came home 3^rd and 4^th in a similar race in what was for both their debut on November 26^th and both can look to match those today.

Selections	(4) Geoseon Mapung (11) Forever Winner (2) Jeongsang Mujeok (3) City Angel
Next Best	10, 8
Fast Start	3, 4, 10, 11

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

(8) BACK TO BACK was a good winner over 1200M on December 9^th and while he is up in class today, he looks to have every chance of securing back to back victories. He’ll settle just behind the early pace and can finish strongly. Joining him up in class and firmly in the hunt are (1) BOLD SHINING and (9) LEONNING STROM. Both were decent winners last start although the latter’s came at this distance and he’s favoured at this stage to make a more immediate impact at this level. (7) JAELONGI is yet to win but comes in off a quick, if unexpected 2^nd place over class and distance last month and can be considered. At the other end of the experience spectrum is (2) YEONGAM ARIRANG. He was a class and distance last September and while he’s been underwhelming in two outings since, this looks the kind of race he can pick up some minor money in.

Selections	(8) Back To Back (9) Leonning Strom (1) Bold Shining (7) Jaelongi
Next Best	2, 11
Fast Start	5, 6, 7, 10

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

Really open contest this which could go one of any number of ways. (10) DAEGI SOKDO was a 20/1 class and distance winner on December 16^th, beating three of his rivals here in the process. Can it happen again? Possibly but others will be favoured. Principal among those others is (11) RAON KINGDOM. A good winner of slightly stiffer looking contest than this one over 1200M at the beginning of December, he steps back in trip (more…)