Korea: Sunday, 17th November 2024

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener and (4) ECLIPSE BLACK will be a hot favourite. An extremely tough assignment on debut in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy went about as well as could be expected by the was much better when tried in regular company at 1400M on October 6th when he overcame gate ten to run 3rd. The Shackleford colt gets a much better draw this time and he should win. (11) WONDERFUL REASON was a fair 4th on debut over 1200M on October 5th when handy all the way around. He doesn't benefit from an apprentice claim this time but should have come on for the run and can be closer. (3) HAKSAN CAIRO has a 3rd and a 5th from two starts so far, coming from off the pace both times. Nicely drawn, he can sit behind the speed and run into the money. (9) DURAY SHOW and (2) HIGH CROWN are others who can improve from their debuts.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (8) HANGANG FASHIONED has a couple of 4th places and a fifth among four starts so far up to 1200M. The slight step up in trip can suit, and she has as good a chance as any here. She will need to overturn form though on (6) ECO WORLD, who beat her when the pair ran 4th and 5th on October 12th over 1200M. Harry stays up and from a better gate, she is a big danger. (4) HYEWONYONGMA enters off a much-improved runner-up finish when stepped up to this distance for the first time on October 19th when she led for much of the way around. A similar effort will see her very close here. (10) NESSUN DORMA and (3) GANDAGO are the other placing chances.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Small field of juvenile maidens in the opener and (2) YOUNG SKYWALKER is the one to beat. After winning a trial, he was a smart 2nd on debut on October 13th racing on pace and going close in a quick time. He draws well to lead and will be hard to hold out. (5) MAENGNYONG was similarly 2nd on his debut which came over 1300M on October 18th when he led for most of the way, only to get passed in the final furlong. He too will be on pace and can be dangerous. Continuing with the runner-up theme, (1) FLASH RUN came from off the pace to finish 2nd on debut in a filly only maiden over 1000M on October 11th. The step up in trip can suit and she can be a danger too. Debut-maker (6) FLYING RACE ran 2nd in his trial, well beaten by an experienced horse, but hinting at ability and he can go well first-up. (7) BEOLMA KING was 3rd on debut and can build on that here.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. We'll give (5) RISING MO a pass on her latest which came in the Listed NACF Chairman's Trophy for juveniles when he was slow away and always a long way back. Instead, we'll go on her first two outings when he led from gate to wire on debut over 1000M and then was 3rd at 1300M at start number two, both in quick times. If she brings that form, she can win. (10) BRIGHT KAI comes in off a 3rd and a 2nd from her latest two at 1300M and 1400M suggesting she is getting to grips with this level. The cut back in trip is a minor surprise but, in this company, she can be dangerous, settling behind the speed and running on. (3) GULJAK SUN enters off a 2nd place at class and distance in a very similar race on October 20th. She was well beaten by a good winner, but a similar effort will put her in the mix again. (6) MISS FINAL and (2) HWIPARAM are the other placing chances.

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

It's hard to go past (1) MIRAGE here. After a solid trial, she ran 3rd on debut over 1200M in an all-filly maiden on October 18th, racing on pace throughout. She should have come on for that run and she won't need to improve much – if at all – to win this. (10) FLASH DAY races for the first time since June when he ran a solid 4th over this distance. He didn't offer too many clues in a fair trial at the end of October but on the best he has shown, he can be a danger. (6) DIA X has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin, recorded when 7th on debut (admittedly on a week in August when the track was running the fastest it has ever been). He has trialed well since his latest race in early September and that's enough to put him in the mix here. (3) RACE MAN and (9) PINE BLUE others who could improve in this moderate company.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) MAGIC IMPACT has really taken to the 1700M, getting her maiden win on her first try at it at class 6 level in September before following up with a close 2nd on her class 5 debut on October 12th when she led for most of the way and had a couple of today's rivals behind her. She carries an additional 2.5kg this time but that shouldn't be a problem, and she will be favourite to go one better. (9) DANGDAECHOWOL is yet to win in four attempts but comes up in class following back-to-back runner up finishes over 1300M. He tackles 1700M for the first time and given his running style so far, it may well suit. (10) COMPLETE PARTY was a somewhat unexpected winner at this class over 1400M on October 13th when leading all the way. She comes up 3.5kg in the weights and is up to 1700M for the first time, but she can be competitive. (4) PURPLE SHINHWA and (7) NATURAL SOUND are the other place chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

He is thirteen without a win but that really should change here for (1) HI CHAMP. He enters having run 2nd at this class and distance on October 18th, leading almost the entire way around before being taken down late but with three of today's rivals behind him. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights but draws the same gate to lead again, and this time, he should go all the way. (4) DREAMING BOY finished midfield in that October 18th race, when handy early but ultimately weakening on what was his first try at both this class and this distance. He should have come on for the experience and can be closer today. So too (2) POMPEII who was 7th, but at the start before beat Hi Champ, among others, on his way to 2nd place on September 6th and on that form, he can be considered. (3) WILD DIXIE and (12) GREAT BOY others to consider.

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

Two standouts here. (3) WONDERFUL LORD comes in having run 3rd at this distance on his first try at class 4 on September 28th, when handy throughout. He continues under a light weight, he draws well, and he has every chance of winning here. The danger is in the adjoining gate. (4) DUSON OPEN ran 2nd in her first two appearances before getting her maiden win at start three over this distance on October 20th, leading all the way around. That brings her rapidly up in class, but she looks to have plenty of potential, and she can more than measure up in this company. The experienced (2) YESULIYA enters with recent form reading well and from a good draw, this is the kind of race, he can pick up a prize in. (8) QUERER and (7) CHEONHAENGCHAT among other placing contenders.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Competitive race. (1) BACCHUS has shown signs of returning to his early form recently, especially with his last start 4th at this class and distance on October 27th. He carries his fair share of weight here, but that's balanced somewhat by a good draw, and he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (6) QUEEN'S ROAD, who finished 3rd in that October 27th race having briefly led at the top of the straight. She will be expected to be on pace again here and can be in this a long way. (8) GUKDAE STAR has won his latest two, most recently at this class over a mile on October 13th. He comes up to two turns for the first time and is up 3kg in the weights but should be competitive again. (10) UNJU GUY and the up in class last start distance winner (4) BLACK FALCON are others to consider.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) KONGNAMUL got his maiden win at start number three over 1200M on October 27th, racing handy throughout. He gets another crack at class 4 here and while he does come up a full 4.5kg in the weights, Maia climbs on, and he can win again. (3) SOCKS KING is yet to win in four but enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class and distance, most recently beating three of today's rivals on October 6th. He too comes up in weight, but it's balanced somewhat by a great draw, and he could go one better (1) CHANGJOUI ACHIM was 3rd behind Kongnamul in that October 27th race, equally his best finish to date, and he can be in the mix again here. (7) SPINNING KANT and (6) HERO SOCKS other potentials for the minors.

Busan Race 5: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

It's been more than a while between drinks, but it is about time that (1) DOCTOR CAESAR returned to the winner's circle. He almost did it last time out over 1800M on September 29th when leading before being taken down late by the in-form So Much Go, but back to 1400M and from the inside gate, today can be his day. Stablemate (12) DOCTOR BROWN may just be the main danger. He beat three of these on his way to 2nd place over 1200M on October 13th and is a two-time winner at this distance. He is up slightly in weight, and has the challenge of the widest gate, but he can go close. (3) DAEAM JANGGUN has been knocking at the door since returning from a very lengthy absence this summer (almost two years), including a couple of 3rd places and from a good draw he can be there or thereabouts again. (10) CHOEGANG SSONSAL and (11) SKY MORE others in the frame.

Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Gwacheon Mayor's Trophy (Listed Juvenile) / KRW 200 Million

The most valuable juvenile race at Seoul of the year open to imports as well as locals. (5) MIGHTY NEO ran 3rd on debut before comprehensively winning at start number two over 1400M on October 12th, leading all the way. It was visually impressive, and the clock backed it up and while he comes back to 1200M today, if he pulls out that kind of performance, he will be hard to beat. (6) FINAL K was just as impressive on his sole start to date, romping to a thirteen-length win over this distance on September 28th.He hasn't raced since but he won a voluntary trial in fine style in late October and is set to be a major player here. (11) WONPYEONG STORM comes in unbeaten having won both starts so far at 1000M and 1400M. He too has taken part in a trial since his last race, running an easy 2nd in a quick time two weeks ago. His style shown so far suggests the wide draw won't be a problem. These juveniles can change so quickly with (10) PEPPER X – who beat Mighty Neo on their respective debuts – and (3) GWANAKSAN STORM perhaps two of the most likely to improve.

Busan Race 6: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Trophy (Listed Juvenile) / KRW 200 Million

Busan's equivalent of the Gwacheon Mayor's Trophy for juveniles and open to foreign bred as well as locals. (4) CLEAN ONE has looked every inch the star in winning his first two outings at 1000M and 1400M by a combined sixteen-lengths without having been asked for a full gallop. If he is good as is suspected, he will be far too good here. We were saying that about (5) WINNER CLEAR though prior to the Listed Gimhae Mayor's Trophy on October 20th for which he was sent off as a heavy favourite. He led briefly but weakened late ultimately crossing the line 3rd (promoted to 2nd after his stablemate who "won" was disqualified). Based on his first two though, which he won as dismissively easily as Clean One won his, he has to be given another chance. (8) DRAGON REVENGER beat most of these (except the two favourites and one other when winning at this distance on October 6th, leading all the way and accordingly he is a place chance here. (2) SMART BOSS and (1) GEUMA GUTTY the other ones who will backed before the form falls off rapidly.

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(9) WORLD BLAME got his sole win two starts back over this distance at class 4 level before running a very solid 3rd at this class on October 12th. He is capable of running well from on pace or from behind and still under a light weight, he can win here. (7) MAKING STORY took eight goes to get his maiden win, but he evidently enjoyed it as he came straight back out and won again at 1800M on September 15th. He comes up in class but is down in weights and after nine weeks out, can put in a bold showing here. (4) SHACKLE POINT is similarly up in class having won over 1700M on October 19th, racing handy throughout. She too comes in under a light weight and she can measure up in this company. (5) EFFEL TAP and (1) WHIZ RUNNER among others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Competitive race. (4) TIZ MORNING is a winner of three from nine and has never been outside of the top five. She has plenty of experience at this level and comes in having run 4th at class and distance on October 12th, coming from off the pace. Moon Se-young climbs on for the first time and that may be enough to make her the favourite here. (5) MYEONGSEONG CHUKJE was a winner at this distance two starts back and then finished a close 2nd on his first try at this class when stepped up to a mile on October 12th. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights here but shapes as a real danger. (1) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA is still class 5 qualified, but they opt to get a big weight drop and have a shy at the stumps here instead. He is rarely far away from the money and may offer some interest at each-way price. (3) STRENGTH and (7) LEGAL HIGH others to consider.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(6) BEST MAYA did nothing on debut in April but after being put away for four months, returned in August and has proceeded to win three on the spin most recently a super-fast effort over this distance on October 5th when lading from gate to wire. He comes up in class, but the manner of that victory makes him hard to oppose again. (1) NICE TAEYANG fairly bolted up to an eleven-length win at this class and distance on September 29th, leading all the way. He comes up a full 6kg in the weights, but the way he did that means he needs to be given plenty of respect here. (4) APEX has done her recent work at 1200M but is experienced at this level and recent form reads well. She joins (8) DRONE KILLER and (3) USEUNG CONCORD, whose latest can be dismissed as it was in the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy at 1800M, as other place chances.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Tricky finale (9) VICS GO is a hard horse to get a handle on. Sometimes he is a sprinter, but sometimes he goes around two turns in a Korea Cup. He is a two-time winner at this distance and comes in having run a close 2nd at this class over a mile on October 20th. He gets a tiny bit of weight relief today and his class could see him through. (7) SAENAE QUEEN is more known for her exploits at 1200M including a terrific win in August. Once she gets on pace, she is very difficult to dislodge but the distance is a question. Continuing the thee of square pegs in round holes, (3) MIGHTY GOOD was a gutsy all the way winner at this class on September 29th. Over 2000M. He has placed three times, although never won, over this distance but again, his quality can see him close. (1) GLOBAL BOBAE has won three times at this distance and along with (4) BOLT MAN are others to consider.