Korea: Sunday, 24th November 2024

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Small field of juvenile maidens with six of the eight racing for the first time. (8) SEMYEONG DIA will be the warm favourite. She's raced twice, improving from 7th on debut to 2nd at start number two over this distance on October 27th when handy throughout and beaten by a good winner. She should have the fitness edge on these and will take some beating. Second favourite will be the pick of the newcomers in (5) CHAMP HAMSEONG. He raced close to the pace in his trial, crossing the line 3rd in a good time and if he brings that form to the races, can be a danger. (6) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG and (2) HANGANG FANTASTIC also hinted at ability in their respective trials and can be considered. The other one with experience, (3) LALA GIRL was sent off as favourite on debut back in August but while that didn't go well, she can be given another chance here after thirteen weeks off.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Ten imported American juvenile maidens chase a big prize with five of them racing for the first time. The experience is favoured, principally (7) TAP TIER who, after winning a trial, was a desperately close 2nd on debut over this distance on October 26th, showing on pace throughout and stopping the clock in a quick time. He should have come on for the run but won't need to improve much, if at all, to win this. (6) BREEDO SIRIS has raced twice with a 5th and a 3rd and shapes as the probable second favourite coming from off the pace. (8) DREAMER WHIZ ran 3rd on debut over 1000M and should have come on for the run. (2) MAJOR CROWN was poor on debut in September but has subsequently trialed up well and should be better this time. As for the first timers, (9) PICTURE is the pick.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

We'll take a chance on (11) DUSTIN MARINE. After a promising trial, he got a bit far back on debut over 1200M on October 25th before running on. The step up to 1400M can suit, and Moon Se-young, in town to ride in the feature races later on, is an intriguing booking. (9) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN beat a couple of these on her way to 3rd place on her first try at this distance on October 27th, coming from off the pace. There isn't much early speed here, so she may be closer to the pace this time and based on that latest effort, will probably start as the betting favourite. (3) TEAM SURPRISE was 4th in that October 27th race behind Boryeonglightqueen. She also has a 2nd place to her name and while she has a tendency to start slowly, she can be in the mix here. (10) CAPTAIN KOREA and (6) WORLD TAEYANG others in the minor money hunt.

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

Small field of maidens and (5) CHEONGSAN JILJU will be favourite. He's finished between 3rd and 5th in all of his four starts so far, with the 5th place coming in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy for juveniles. He has a strong finish on him and the slight step up in trip should mean he proves too strong. (6) RAON NIZHINSKII may be in need of a spell-check, but he improved to 3rd place at start number two on October 19th settling midfield and running on. He finished off well and is another who the additional half furlong can benefit.  (8) SPLENDID rounds out the top three with scope to get better after four fair outings so far. Sole debut-maker (4) GHOST CHRYSOL didn't catch the eye in his trial but went around fairly and has to be given a minor money chance first up in this company. (7) MARUBYEOL too can aim for some minor money.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race with eight of the twelve having finished inside the top three in their respective latest outings. (6) UNJU CHALLENGE is among them, having scored her maiden win at start two at the end of September before finishing 2nd on her first try at this class and distance on October 25th. She has proven able to run well from the lead or from off the pace and she can win here. (3) NINETY PLUS ran 2nd behind the excellent Winner Clear in the Gansgeo-gu Mayor's Trophy over 1200M on September 8th. He then had no luck from a wide draw over 1400M in October, but he evidently has plenty of quality and is worth another chance here. (11) MAKE IT BETTER won over a mile at class 6 level in September before running 2nd on October 25th. He was favourite that day and can be in the mix again. (7) ARION TAEYANG and (5) ALPHA HEART, the latter having won that October 25th race ahead of Make It Better, are others to consider.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) GAMUN PARTY has made steady progress across her five starts so far, culminating in 2nd place in a filly only maiden on November 2nd when settling just behind the speed and running on. She will be on or close to the front again today and has every chance of going one better. (5) CYCLONE STAR raced on pace for the first time over 1200M on October 13th, leading until being passed by a couple of decent ones late on. Expect similar tactics today, and he can be in this a long way. (8) GLOBAL HAMSEONG was 4th behind Cyclone Star in that October 13th race. That followed a pair of 3rd place finishes from his first two outings, and he can be there or thereabouts again. (9) BREEDO TROPHY and (2) EAST SKY are others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) GHOST AMAZON was a quick winner at this class over 1300M two starts back before running 2nd at 1400M on September 6th over 1400M. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and from a good draw and under a light weight over another distance he has won at already, he has as good a chance as any. (1) WORLD FIVE can have a line drawn through her latest over 1400M on October 18th Going on her two prior efforts when winning and then 3rd at this class and distance puts her firmly in this. (6) HIT DAY is up rapidly in class having won her latest two, both at this distance and both times leading all the way. This is undoubtedly tougher, but she should be able to be on pace again and she can measure up. (10) B.K. ZENA and (2) TAEWANG SINGI among others with a chance in a competitive race.

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

Fillies only here. (7) CHEONMAHORYEONG ran out a comfortable winner on debut in a filly only maiden over 1200M on October 26th, leading all the way and with plenty of daylight to the runner-up. She comes up in class and marginally in trip, but she is down in the weights and can win again. (1) GEOSEN YEOJE enters off a 3rd and a 4th place from her latest two, coming from off the pace both times. That has marked an uptick in form for her at this class, and under a light weight and from the inside gate, she can be a danger. So too (2) BELOTERO. She has a win, and two runner-up finishes among her seven attempts at this distance and enters off a close 4th last time out at 1300M. If she brings that form in here, then she is a place chance at the very least. (6) CHANIGO and (9) ASSI JANGGUN others to look out for.

Busan Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Very competitive race. (2) SEUNGNIMAGIC KING returned from eleven months off to run 3rd over 1200M on October 20th, beating a couple of today's rivals in the process. It was a very positive return, he can strip fitter for the run, and he can win here. (4) MAGARITA has been the beaten favourite in two of her latest three most recently when 4th over a mile on November 1st. She stays under a light weight, and she can be given another chance here. (7) FLYING KHAN has only missed the top five on one occasion in ten starts, including a 4th place in the opening leg of the Triple Crown. Most recently he was 2nd at this class over a mile on October 6th and in this company, he can be a real danger. There are plenty of other capable ones here, not least the widest drawn pair of (11) FIRE MAGIC and (12) DOCTOR OSCAR, the latter racing for the first time since March but who looked good in an October trial.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) EAST WEST got his maiden win at this class and distance on October 5th before running 4th under the same conditions on November 3rd. He carries an additional 4.5kg than when he won but he has the best finish among these and in this company, he has every chance. (1) K N TIZWON came from well off the speed to win at this class and distance on October 27th. He comes up a full 3.5kg in the weights and that was his maiden win on his twenty-sixth start, but he did it well and will no doubt go right back again. Lightning may strike twice. (2) BROWN GOLD enters off a 3rd place at this class over 1700M on November 2nd. He draws nicely and third-up this preparation may be peaking fitness-wise. (9) THE GIANT and (8) DAEBAK STAR other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Breeders' Cup Queen (Listed) / KRW 300 Million

The final Queens' Tour stop of the season and the rivalry between (14) WONDERFUL SLEW and (12) JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG is renewed. Despite being the Seoul-based filly, Wonderful Slew seems to have the edge at Busan and won the last time they met, last month in the Gyeongnam Governor's Cup at 2000M and she also came out on top in the KNN Cup over a mile in June when Jeulgeounyeojeong had the excuse of some heavy interference early. Jeulgeounyeojeong is a winner of three from four over 1800M to Wonderful Slew's one from five, so it is hard to split them again. Neither draw well but we'll side with the form being in Wonderful Slew's favour. The second live of favourites don't draw well either. (11) FLYING STAR is an up and comer having run 2nd in the Geyongnam Governor's having led for most of the way around. She may need a bit of luck to get to get to the lead here, but if she does, she can be in it a long way again. (16) GLOBAL TAEYANG comes in off a 3rd and a 4th in the last two rounds of the Queen's Tour. And while she has the hardest task of all from the widest gate, she should be a threat late on again. For one at potentially longer odds, (4) BANG BANG BANG may be the place to turn.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

It's been a while between drinks for (3) BLOOMING STAR but he is favoured to come out on top here. He comes in following two 2nd places and a 3rd at this class, the latter his latest on October 13th when on pace and very close at the end. He draws well and a similar performance could see him home on top in this company. (2) NEMO PRINCE is winless for even longer (fifteen races) but he too enters with recent form reading well. He is the highest rated among these and while that is reflected in the weight he carries he draws nicely for Lee Hyeok to be able to pick his spot behind the speed and he will be finishing strongly. Nemo Prince will need to overturn the form on (9) SINUI YEOJE who beat him and a couple of the others here when she won at this class and distance on October 20th. She comes up 3kg in the weights but warrants respect. (10) GEOLJAK DREAM and (5) RAON THE FANTA are others who can play a role.

Busan Race 6: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight A / Breeders' Cup Rookie (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million

This race will decide the champion locally bred juvenile and a full field of sixteen line up. Favourites have a decent record in the short history of the race, which bodes well for (5) CAPTAIN P.K. who, after winning Seoul's Rookie Stakes and NACF Chairman's Trophy, the capital's two lead ups to this, will have favourite status this year. In both those races he has run on from well back, the step up to 1400M is in his favour – he has won at it already – and he can win again. (2) OASIS RED is one of those Baik Kwang-yeol trained juveniles who got sent up to longer distances very early and has duly already won at a mile and 1800M. From a great draw, he can be on pace, and he can be a big factor at the business end of the race. (6) DRAGON NINJA is two for two, with his second win coming over this distance in fine style and he looks to have lots of potential for more. (3) DANGDAE STAR was a winner over this distance at class 4 level on November 11th and a similar effort will see him in the finish here. The others likely to be prominent in the market are the unbeaten (11) KHAN MAX as well as Gimhae Mayor's Trophy winner (promoted after an Inquiry) (15) WONDERFUL GROOM.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Tricky race. Picking twenty-three start maidens is not generally recommended, but it does happen from time to time and (6) BYEOLNARA BIMA really could win this. His recent form – all his form for that matter – has been up and down, but based on his latest, when a good 2nd (albeit a fair way behind a good winner) over 1200M when running on, he has a big chance. Two of his placings have come over 1400M and today can be his day. Should he find one too quick again, and let's face it, he might, it could be (8) DRAGON GATE. He has only raced once before but he hinted at ability when 5th over 1200M. Under today's handicap conditions he comes down 3kg in the weights, he should have come on for the run, and he can be dangerous. (11) SATANG SONYEO is another who has raced just once, following up a good trial with a 6th of eleven over 1200M. He too should have derived benefit from that and can improve here. Not much else stands out here with (7) WORLD VARIANCE and (3) HAWK PRINCE likely to be the other two in the market for the minors. 

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

Another competitive race. (7) THE SUN FIGHTER has a win and a 2nd place at this distance and has been working back into form recently with his latest being a 5th place over a mile on November 3rd, when coming from well off the pace. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and in this company should be a bit further forward early. He has as good a chance as any under a 4kg claim. (5) CHOEGO GAME is yet to win in eight attempts, but he has his fair share of near misses, most recently when 3rd at a mile on October 19th. He has a pair of 4th places over this distance, and he should be aiming to go better this time. (9) TAEKHAN returned from five months out to run 6th of eleven over 1200M on October 27th. He should strip fitter for that outing and can be closer here. (8) WONPYEONG KILLAR and (6) MISS CUPID other place chances.

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

Following a pair of wins (6) MIGHTY JJANG went cold for his first two goes at this class in the summer but has come back into form in his latest two with a 3rd place at 1400M in September and most recently a 2nd over a mile on October 6th. He can be on pace here, and he can go one better. (5) WORLD SHANNONS enters off a front running 2nd place in a quick race at this class and distance on October 26th. Like Mighty Jjang, he comes up a couple of kilos in the weights but is firmly in this. (11) EAST JUMP returned from five months off to a tough assignment at 1800M but handled it well when 2nd. She remains under a light weight and can be a danger here. (9) NICE CHEETAH and (8) BYEOLNARA JILJU other each-way hopes.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Class 1 but with a ratings cap of 95. (4) HERO FIGHTER has won three of his last four, including his only try at this distance when leading all the way at class 2 level in August. This is his first try at class 1, but he comes down 3.5kg on his latest win at 1800M on October 5th and from a good draw, he can lead all the way again. (8) GANGPUNGMA can be forgiven his latest two which were in the difficult JRA Trophy and then the ultra-difficult President's Cup. He won the Listed Sports Chosun Trophy over this distance in May and back in much more amenable company today and under a light weight, he has every chance. (5) NORTHERN TIME has a good record at this distance including last time out on September 29th when he beat three of these on his way to 2nd place. He should be in the finish again. (9) COMPLETE LEVEL and as a wildcard, the returning (2) SARYEONI FIRST, are others to consider.