Korea Racing Seoul Preview – 5 August

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but two racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (9) ZIGGURAT who came from off the pace to run 2^nd on debut on June 24^th over this distance in a decent time. He should have come on for the run and with some natural improvement will take some beating. (6) RAON THE FANTA is the only newcomer who enters having won her trial. She did that on June 9^th, beating a couple of these in the process when settling handy from gate ten. If she can bring that form to the races, she won’t be far away. (10) HERE I AM was slowly away in his heat but finished off pleasingly and while he draws wide, with a better start he can get close on debut. Aside from the favourite, the other one with racing experience is (3) SONGAM SKY. He only beat a couple home in a slow race on July 15^th but had previously gone quicker in a trial and should strip fitter today. (1) GEUMAK EAGLE took two goes to qualify but improved significantly the second time around and if she can maintain that trajectory if development, can be considered.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imports with northern hemisphere juveniles and southern hemisphere three-year-olds. Seven of the eight have already raced, four of them facing each other in a very similar race to this on June 10^th. (7) ECLIPSE TOWN came out the best of them that day settling midfield and running on for 3^rd in a good time. Like the rest, he should have derived benefit from that experience and looks the one to beat here. The solitary debut-maker has claims. (8) PANORAMA KING. The Tapwrit colt comfortably won his trial settling handy early before dominating in the closing stages and stopping the clock in a fair time. (1) HERO FIGHTER was a big-priced 4^th on his debut on July 8^th with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. He draws the same inside gate and will be much shorter this time around. (2) KLIMT WORLD was 6^th in that same race having shown close to the pace and along with (5) VICTORY HIT, the only one in the race to have appeared twice before, most recently behind Eclipse Town, are others to consider.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Back to juvenile maidens here with all but two having raced before although none at this distance. (5) PERFECT TIARA has raced twice, finishing 3^rd and 4^th at 1000M. She can race on pace here and it can be third time lucky. (11) TRAUM KING was a June trial winner before running an on-pace 4^th on debut on July 8^th. He may need a touch of luck from the wide draw ut he too can be on pace and can be in this a long way. (6) VINCENT CAVALLO was slowly away from the widest gat on debut on June 24^th. He draws better this time, the additional trip can suit, and Kim Yong-geun climbs aboard. (4) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG and (8) SMART CLAIR among others with the potential for improvement.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) LUCKY HONEY had a dodgy first couple of outings but has put together four top-four finishes on the spin including a 2^nd and a 3^rd in her latest two, both over this trip when racing just behind the speed. Any top -three finish here will see her into class 5 next time and today could be her day to come out on top. The penny seems to have dropped too for (9) NAOL SKY with two 3^rd places and a 4^th from her latest two. She has posted fair times and the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem. (7) RAON AIR FORCE was a much-improved 3^rd on June 16^th when for the first time he led. Expect similar tactics today and he can be in this a long way. (3) GRATITUDE and (10) WONPYEONG SKY are others in the minor money frame.

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(4) SEVEN BLADE will be hot favourite here. After running 5^th on debut in May, he was a close 2^nd when sent up to this distance on June 25^th, settling just behind the leaders and running on. In this company and from a good gate, he can be expected to be on the speed, and he will take some beating. (11) MENI SHARK has shown steady improvement across six starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over this distance on July 9^th. She has the fastest time among any of these for the distance and she should be a factor here. (7) KARIZMA picked up significantly in his latest outing, overcoming gate ten to run 2^nd. He was ridden much further forward than he had been previously, and similar tactics can be expected here. (5) GOLDEN PEARL and (3) WONDERFUL RULES the other placing chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Another race with a strong favourite, in this case (7) MADE STAR. After taking a few goes to figure things out, she has a4th and a 2^nd from her latest two, at 1200M and 1300M, both times coming from off the pace. She has a strong finish on her and so long as she isn’t left with too much to do or too much traffic to get through, she should be making the breakthrough here. (11) WONDERFUL FOX is the logical danger. She has been a model of consistency with five top-three finishes from six starts so far and while she is yet to break the top-two, that should change today. Another one with a strong finish, the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and she can be a danger in the closing stages. (2) SMART SOCKS comes in off a best so far 3^rd on July 15^th. She comes into a better gate today and a repeat isn’t impossible. (4) SAEBYEOK ANGAE and (8) ARCH RUNNER others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Another race, another short-priced favourite. (5) NEULGAEUL has two runner-up finishes and a 5^th from his latest three outings, all at class and distance and all three times settling in midfield or worse and running on. He has the fastest time among these for the distance to the tune off a full half-second and he can once more settle back, and this time prove too strong for all of them. (10) CHALLANHAN BULKKOT got her maiden win two starts back over 1300M before running 2^nd on her first try at this level over 1200M on July 1^st when settling back and finishing well. She comes up to 1400M for the first time and it may suit. (8) SMART BLUE has plenty of experience at class and distance including a solid 3^rd two starts back. She is another who likes to settle behind the leaders and then run on and she can run into money here. (6) MUJANG should be on the early pace and along with (9) SAENAE HWANGJE is another with placing chances.

Seoul Race 8: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) SILVER PURGE remains a maiden but comes in having finished 2^nd three times in a row, most recently on her first try at this class and distance on July 8^th when she only went down narrowly having been on pace throughout. She comes up slightly in the weights here but looks to still have scope for more development and she can go one better today. Should she find one too quick again then it might be (1) CHADOL RUN. She has the fastest time among these for the distance, posted when getting her maiden win in April and has since run 2^nd and 5^th in two starts at this class. From the inside gate Lee Hyeok can pick his spot and she has a strong finish. (5) FLY DAY is like Silver Purge, still a maiden, but has placed four times including his latest start when 3^rd at class and distance on July 2^nd. The engagement of an apprentice jockey keeps his weight right down and he can go close again. (9) DAEJIUI YEOGEOL and (2) RIVER TAEYANG others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 9: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) LOVE COWGIRL was a winner on debut over this distance on May 13^th, making all, before running 4^th on her first try at this class, again having led over 1200M on July 1^st. She comes in under the same weight and should have benefited from that competitive race, and she looks to still have more improvement in her. (7) CHANCELLOR took a long while to get to grips with this level but seemingly has it figured out at last with a pair of runner-up finishes from his latest two, both over this distance. He also has the fastest time among these for the 1200M and can go close again. (10) WONDERFUL WOMAN beat Love Cowgirl when 3^rd in that July 1^st race and shouldn’t be dismissed here. (1) RAON CITY GIRL and the up in class last start winner (3) DAEJANGBYEOL are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Tricky race. We’ll go with (9) KING HONOR, a winner at class 4 over a mile two starts back before running 4^th from the widest gate at this class and distance on July 2^nd Under today’s handicap conditions he comes down to a very light weight and it could be enough to see him home on top. He’ll be on pace. (1) HATMURI will almost certainly not be on pace but that doesn’t matter as he has a super finish on him. He has won at this distance, his recent form reads well, and he should be a big player here. (4) CHEONGSAN YEONGUNG doesn’t win out of turn but is rarely far away with fifteen top-five finishes. He is up in class here but comes down a full 6kg in the weights and he can measure up. (8) WHITE CHARM and shock last start winner (6) LUXURY CAPTAIN among plenty of others with at least placing chances.

Seoul Race 11: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Another competitive race. We’ll take a chance on (1) THUNDER PRINCE who comes up in class having secured his maiden win at big odds over 1700M on June 24^th when ridden further forward than previously. From the inside gate, Johan should be able to drop him in wherever he chooses, and a repeat is possible at what should be at least an each-way price again. (10) GEUMSEONG SIDAE remains a maiden but has seven top-four finishes on his record. That includes a 3^rd place last time having led for most of the way around over 1700M and while he has to contend with the outside gate, with a but of luck at the start, he can find a position and can be close. (2) SECRET WANGJA is another maiden with recent near misses having run 3^rd on his first go at this class over 1700M a month ago. He looks nicely in here and isn’t to be dismissed. The up in class (6) EXPECT is expected to be on the speed and along with (4) FUN CRAZY is another with placing chances.

Seoul Race 12: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) GO GO STAR was a winner at class and distance in a quick time at odds of nearly 40/1 on July 1^st when she made all. She scarcely comes up in the weights, she draws nicely to be on pace again, and while it is often questionable to back a long-priced winner repeating, she seems to be eminently capable in this company. Lightly raced (7) URUS QUEEN should be happier stepped back in trip today. Both her wins have come at this distance and under a very light weight, she should be a threat. (10) ACHIM GISANG is the highest rated horse in the race. She has been on pace in her latest couple only to beaten late on and while she draws a touch wide for comfort, she can be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (8) GLOBAL POWER and (5) NEMO PRINCE are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 13:  Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) S.I. COCO won three in a row between February and April including at this class over 1400M. He was a beaten favourite over 1400M on June 18^th when on pace throughout and ultimately finishing 3^rd but while he carries his fair share of weight again, he warrants another chance here. (5) NAOL CHEONJI comes up in class following an all the way win over this distance on July 8^th. She carries a light weight, she should be on pace, and she can measure up in this company. (4) CLAIR BEST has been ultra-consistent since debut and enters off a front-running 2^nd at this class over 1200M on June 25^th. He has won at this distance at class 5 level, and he will be there or thereabouts again today. (3) HIDDEN BLADE and (10) DREAM YEOWANG are among others to consider.

Seoul Race 14: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(11) J MOTION returned from five months out to get his second win from three starts over 1300M on June 18^th. He comes up in class and slightly in distance here, but he can strip fitter for that run and down significantly in weight, he can defy the wide draw and win again. (9) THE FAVORITE was a beaten favourite last time out on June 24^th when she came home in 3^rd place at this class and distance. Both her wins have come at this trip, and she will be well-supported again. (7) WONDERFUL PURGE comes up rapidly in class having won both starts since returning from nine months out in May. He steps up to this distance for the first time but has every chance of measuring up and the completion of a hat-trick wouldn’t be a surprise. (4) HYPER CAR and (10) MENI WONDERFUL among plenty of others in at least the placing hunt.

Seoul Race 15: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(11) GLOBAL BOBAE beat three of these on his way to a close 2^nd place at class and distance on June 17^th. He comes up 2kg in the weights here, but his running style means that the wide draw should be no problem and he looks set to be the one to beat. (6) BALVENIE ran 3^rd in that race and has since run 2^nd over a mile on July 16^th. He carries his fair share of weight here but draws well and can be a danger. So too (5) LEEWOLMA, who was 4^th in the June 17^th race. That was his first try at class 2 having run out a good winner over 1400M at the start before and with a light weight on his back, he can improve today. (1) EAST BAN was a solid 5^th on his first try at this class over 1200M on July 2^nd. He will surely be on pace again here and can be in this a long way. (7) COMPLETE TIME among plenty of others with claims.

Author: Melissa