Playtime is over. The Seoul jockey room has had its fun over the past couple of months but the big boys are back in town on Saturday with both Moon Se Young (jaw and ribs) and Kim Yong Geun (ankle) back in the saddle after breaking bones earlier in the year. There are 11 Saturday races in the capital from 10:45 to 18:00.

Back – Moon Se Young

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

Top jockeys Moon Se Young and Kim Yong Geun return after lengthy injury absences and its Kim who should get back in the winner’s circle first as he rides (10) SIMON FRUIT, set to be favourite here. He was 2^nd on debut at this distance before coming up short when favourite on his reappearance two weeks ago but dropped back to 1000M today, should have too much. (1) DAECHEON HERO was an improved 2^nd on what was his third outing a month ago and he looks clear second best here. As for the rest, they are going to need to improve. (7) INDIAN ECO and (8) GANGSANUI ACHIM have offered glimpse of talent across their starts so far and could go close while (11) SOKBO ONGJU hasn’t been too far away in her latest two and could play a role.

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

Three-year-old maidens only here. (3) RAON ZEUS was 2^nd in a close and quick race at the distance on what was his second start on March 11^th. He returns after ten weeks and should be on pace from the start and should win this. (4) HANIL DREAM just missed out by a neck on what for him too was a second career outing four weeks ago and he’ll likely be the main danger. Those are the only two who have raced more than once. (8) GWACHEON JANGSA and (9) MACH CHEONHA didn’t disgrace themselves on their respective debuts and can improve today while among the four first-time starters, (11) GREEN PARK looks most promising based on trials.

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

(5) HANSEN BAROWS drops back in trip following a couple of useful efforts around 1700M. He’s drawn in the middle today so is likely to look to get on speed right from the start and today could be his day. (6) CUPID GANGJA and (11) BAEKDUI TAEYANG both come in with recent form reading positively, the latter looking very much like he’s figuring things out and while he was twelve-lengths behind a good winner in 3^rd last time, he looks the biggest threat. (2) HUIMANG STAR was 2^nd at the distance last time and while that race was slightly weaker, could repeat here. (1) POX RANGER is best of the rest.

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

(2) OK DEURIM beat Raon Zeus, who we saw in race 2, on her way to her maiden win in March. She was favourite on her first try at this level on April 8^th but could only manage 2^nd place over this distance having led for much of the race She’s well worth another chance today. It’s a competitive race though.  (3) VICAR SCOOP finally makes her class 5 debut after having to be scratched a couple of weeks ago – she was a very good winner at the distance in February. (6) GLOBAL NEWS beat (5) J.S. STORM as the pair ran 3^rd and 5^th respectively at class and distance and both should be a factor here. (4) MALAKAS and (7) FLYING JOY ran together last time and both those also have the ability to go well. (1) BEST VICTORY is up in class following a maiden score last time but perhaps has a bit more to find.

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

Wide open race for fillies and mares only which combines some experienced winners with a couple of imports making just their first and second starts. (3) GEOSEON MAPUNG certainly caught the eye with a five-length win at the end of March. She made all and has claims to repeat. (11) JEONGSANG MUJEOK was a three-length winner at class and distance last time and will be in the frame also likely from the front. (1) DALLYEORA LEO (more…)

There are 11 races at Seoul on Saturday with race 1 at 10:45 and race 11 at 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Seven three-year-olds to kick things off with three racing for the very first time and it’s from them that we find our pick. The wisdom of naming a horse (3) UNDEFEATED may be questionable but Luigi Riccardi’s colt could well get through his first assignment living up to his name. He won a trial in good order in April, making all and looking comfortable and we’ll make him the pick. Another of the debutants, (4) MONEY DAERYUK also looked competent. It’s taken her a long time to get to the track having first sought to qualify last summer and she should be ready for a solid first race. Of those who have raced before, (7) ADELEUI KKUM managed a useful 3^rd at 1300M in January and wasn’t too far away in 5^th last time. (5) TAMNA YEOSIN and (6) ROAD WOMAN also have potential to improve.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(3) SIMON FRUIT wasn’t fancied at all on debut on April 7^th but managed a strong 2^nd place, running on nicely over the minimum distance. He’s up to 1300M today but it could well suit and he’s the one to beat. (9) HWANGGEUM JUMEONI and (4) BAEKDU POWER came home 3^rd and 4^th when the raced each other at this distance, also on April 7^th. The former came from well off the pace that day and will likely try to repeat today. Both have claims. (1) I AM WINNER is yet to be a winner in anything except a barrier trial, and while that may not change here, he could better the back to back 4ths he’s achieved in his latest two starts and should be on pace early. Likewise (5) GOLDEN WEDDING comes in off consecutive 3^rd places – beating I Am Winner in the latest of them – and should be in the placing hunt again.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Another small field and (8) DUBUREO SOOP, who came from off the pace to run 2^nd at the distance last start returns from twelve weeks off and should be hard to beat here. While his slow start may not be ideal at 1000M, unless he blows the start completely, there isn’t anything that should be of too much concern. (5) MAY PRINCE has gone well with a 2^nd place at this distance in an even weaker contest than this a month ago but is inconsistent while (6) RAON SITIEOSEU. (1) NAMJJOK NARA and (3) CHOWON YEOJEONSA are underwhelming others who could improve.

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

A big field to get stuck into and we’ll go for (12) ILGAKSU to break his streak of runner-up finishes and get it right this time. In his defence, he hasn’t been favourite for any of the three consecutive races he’s finished 2^nd in but he will be today and he can overcome the wide draw to win. This is not a strong race so (1) SIMPLE RULES should improve on the 5ths he’s registered in his latest two and can compete for the win while the up in class (11) NEW FAMILY, whose win last start came in similarly modest company, also has little to be intimidated by. (4) HI EUREKA was a useful 3^rd last start and can be considered while (10) DOUBLE A, who actually beat Ilgaksu when landing his solitary (more…)

While it’s expected to rain on Sunday, Saturday should be bright and sunny and there is an eleven-race card to get stuck into at Seoul Racecourse from 10:45 to 18:00:

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

Maiden for three-year-olds only to begin with and it involves three debut-makers along with nine with some experience. Among the experienced ones, both (3) MAY PRINCE and (4) GEOBOOGI MANSE improved to 2^nd in their latest starts and while neither were in particularly impressive races, they should both be looking to at least repeat here. May Prince is a better starter and cold possibly start favourite. (5) CHEONGANG SEONG managed 3^rd place on debut all the way back last July. He finally made his second start a month ago and while he weakened late on, he could go better here. (6) DAECHEON HERO too has shown some glimpses of ability. The main danger looks to be one of the first-timers though. (1) VICAR BRACING looked competent running on well in a trial two weeks ago and should be involved.

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

Regular maiden here and quite a competitive one. (3) BEST VICTORY and (2) BLUE ANNA came home in 3^rd and 4^th place respectively when they raced each other over this distance on March 17^th. For Best Victory that was a big improvement but for Blue Anna, it was her first start in eight months and she looked good. She has the fastest time of any of these over the distance and could well get home on top today. An unfashionable jockey on may provide some value too. (10) CUPID GANGJA drops all the way back in trip to the minimum after 2^nd place in a weak race at 1700M last month and should be in the frame here. (4) SPEED YEOWANG and (5) ARGO GALLOPER both come in off the back of positive performances and can be involved again. (8) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG has also shown some ability and could get in the placing frame.

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

(7) GANGTOMA was first across the line on what was his third start on March 11^th but ended up being disqualified for shifting outwards on the turn, an action that saw a rider of another horse unseated (Moon Se Young, who is still side-lined with the resulting injury). Aside from that he ran impressively as he has in his two results so far that do stand, and he should be first back again today. (1) THE JIJON has a 5^th and a 4^th in two starts at this level so far, both at 1000M but he has proven himself capable at this distance in the past and he can be a threat. He will likely be on the early speed along with (3) FLYING JOY, who is up in class after going close too many times at class 6. The competition here isn’t significantly stronger and he has the services once more of the in-form David Breux. (6) HAPPY MAUNTAIN and (10) MALAKAS others who should be in the hunt.

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

(7) HURACAN ran so badly in January that he was suspended for two months and forced to take two trials before being allowed to race again. He completed that process and returned in good fashion at this distance on March 17^th, showing at the front and running on for a good 2^nd place and he should be firmly in the frame here. That was a decent race with less than three lengths separating 1^st and 6^th. (1) GOLD SEVEN came home in 3^rd that day with (8) GLOBAL NEWS, who was favourite, 6^th and both of those can be considered dangers here. (4) YAHO STRONG CAT ran a good 2^nd at the distance on March 4^th and can look for at least the places again while (3) BACK TO BACK hasn’t been too far away in three outings at this class to date and should go close once more.

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

Fillies & mares only here and (3) DANCING BLADE steps up in class having secured her maiden win at this distance on her second start on March 18^th. It wasn’t a strong race, even for class 6, but she won well enough and could repeat. She’s not a fast starter so she (more…)

There are 11 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Small field of three-year-old maidens but several have chances. (1) HALLA DAERO has shown progress in two starts so far. He led until the just over a furlong out last time before weakening and could well get a very soft lead once more today. (5) L CAR will be expected to do much better today than on his debut five weeks ago. That day he began badly and raced ungenerously to the extent he was ordered back to trial. He performed very well in that subsequent trial, putting in a fast time. (9) SO ARA DAEWANG wan a creditable enough 6^th of 12 on debut a month ago and can build on it here. (4) GANGHO GAECHEOK similarly showed enough on his first try to suggest he has some ability.

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

Maiden fillies only and it’s fair to say none of the eight will be expected in the Korean Oaks later this year. We’ll go with (7) HYEONGMA PUBU on the simple grounds that having run just the once, she’s done the least amount wrong. She actually ran reasonably well in a respectable time over the distance on March 11^th and if she has come on at all, should beat most of these (3) YONGUI JUDO steps back in trip following some reasonable efforts at 1300M and should get close. (8) CHEONGDAM QUEENS was an encouraging 5^th on debut all the way back last September and while she hasn’t come close to matching it in just three starts since, she does have the advantage of being quick out of the gates and should get the lead here. She’ll be challenged early by (5) SEOUL STAR who looks best of the rest along with (6) CHUKJE MAKIT.

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

The second division of the maiden fillies and it’s not much stronger than the first. It does involve one or two who have experience of finishing in the money though. Top choice is (1) SOKBO ONGJU, 3^rd over 1300M on March 18^th having led for part of race. Back in distance today, she’ll look to lead early again and won’t need to hold on for so long this time. (3) STAR SOCKS also has a 3^rd to her name, achieved on debut on Christmas Eve. She followed it up with a 4^th and while she was pretty poor last time, well back behind (8) CHAPEL QUEEN, she’s worth another chance today. Chapel Queen has actually raced once since then, just two weeks ago, but it was at 1200M and she never got involved. She too can get another chance back in trip here. (5) MJ JILJU improved slightly on her second career start last month and she can continue her upward trajectory today, likely looking to challenge Sokbo Ongju and Star Socks on the early speed.  (7) KAILLUM YEOJE is the sole debut-maker. She did nothing wrong in a March trial and has a top jockey on so watch the market with her.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The maidens keep coming thick and fast (although speed is perhaps something not in plentiful supply). (2) CHOIN DAEBO will be favourite and should win having run a good 3^rd on debut despite not starting especially well. He’ll be close to the early pace here and the extra furlong should suit. The main dangers look like being a pair of first-time starters. Both (4) PALPAL VICTORY and (8) BURUI GORI trialled up nicely in March, (more…)

It’s KRA Cup Mile Day! However, there is also the matter of an eleven-race card at Seoul to get stuck into. The first race is at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Cup Mile Preview will be in a separate post above:

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

(8) DORAON ACHIM HAE was 2^nd to a good winner last start on March 11^th and should have too much for this field of three-year-old maidens. He should get to the lead early and will be hard to beat. (5) ROYAL PRINCE was 4^th in that same race and probably has the best chance of getting close to the favourite along with two others who come in off the back of 4^th place finishes last time, (6) DAE UNHA and (7) FINE HEART, both of whom were racing for just the second time. (1) JUMBO CAPTAIN also ran in that March 11^th race and didn’t go well but he has shown ability before, landing a 2^nd place finish at the distance in February and could improve today.

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

(8) MIR PARK has shown improvement across three starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place at the distance on March 3^rd. She came from well back that day and if given a slightly better chance this time, she can win this all-filly maiden. Also improving is (11) VALLEY MOON. She is still yet to win after fifteen starts but has been getting closer and comes in following a career-best 2^nd at the distance on March 10^th, beating a couple of these in the process and she can get close again. (1) GOLDEN WEDDING and (3) ARGO UNIQUE also enter in reasonably promising form although the latter was some way back behind Mir Park last time, while (4) SPECIAL GOLD steps up in trip for the first time following a good 4^th at 1000M last time.

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

(7) KING EXPLOIT may still be a maiden, but he was only narrowly beaten in a fast race at class and distance on March 10^th and with a similar performance could take some beating this time. He’ll sit close to the early lead and should be too strong late on. Plenty of others in the hunt though. (6) CALLING KING and (3) SEUNGRI NARAE came home 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other at class and distance last month and both can get close again. (2) BULSA BULPAE interestingly steps back in trip following some good efforts at 1700M, including her maiden win, and she shouldn’t be far away. (4) ARES THUNDER is up in class as a result of an all the way win at this trip last time. He’ll likely try to lead again and should be a factor.

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

(2) OK DEURIM was a surprise winner at this distance last time and is accordingly up in class today. There really isn’t much to fear here, however, and she has every chance of making it two in a row. (6) JEJUI BARAM hasn’t found things easy in two starts at this level since her maiden win in January but could be worth another chance today with the services of David Breux for the first time. It’s slim pickings among the rest so we really are looking for something to improve. (1) LUCKY MISS hasn’t gone well in two starts at this level but comes in off two months off and could be capable of reproducing the form she showed on debut last October. (3) NEW WORLD STAR and (5) DAESEONG RUBY are other possibles.

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

(1) SUPER SOCKS made all to win at the distance on debut in January before trying to repeat the trick when stepped up to 1300M for his first reappearance a month ago. He (more…)

Cup Mile Eve sees 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00.  And the start of the Seoul Racecourse Cherry Blossom Festival! Here are the previews:

It’s cherry blossom season in Seoul…

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

We’ll go with experience here and (4) BODEURAM has the most of it. A much-improved 2^nd on what was her fourth start on March 10^th was good enough to suggest that she has a win in her sooner or later and it could well come here. (8) CHILJONG CHILGEUM similarly improved last time, also coming home 2^nd at this distance and he looks to be the main threat although (3) ROMAN BLADE can improve on a decent enough 6^th on debut when she just weakened a little late on. (7) CHEONGDAM JEPAE has also shown glimpses of ability across two efforts so far while (5) ARGO ROCKET looks pick of the debut-makers.

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

Another set of three-year-old maidens although this is the weaker of the two divisions. (2) NAMYEOGUI HANEUL may only have finished 7^th of 12 on debut a month ago but showed a decent turn of foot and can have come on for it. We’ll make her the marginal pick here. (7) ULTRA MISSILE showed improvement on his second start at the end of February and can continue to make progress today. Of the others who have race before, (1) GWACHEON HERO and (5) UDDUGI perhaps have the best chance of improving while among the two first-timers, (8) SOL PARANG is the pick.

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

Another maiden but this time it’s age open. (9) BEST BULLET was a decent enough 3^rd in a slightly stronger contest than this four weeks ago at the distance and is favoured to make the breakthrough here. He’ll be on the early speed along with (6) SEUNGNI PLUS, who hasn’t been too far away in his latest appearances and can be involved in the business end of the race. (3) BAEKDU POWER beat a couple of these home when finishing 2^nd in an admittedly weak contest over 1700M last month and should beat plenty again. (more…)