Sunday racing is at Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:05). Seoul previews and Busan selections below:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
Not the most inspiring of maidens to kick things off with but (6) GEUMA MAJESTY has shown enough over two outings so far to warrant favourite status. Although he was only 6th last time out, the margins weren’t huge, and the jockey booking will see him to the top of the market. (8) ANY FORCE ONE showed improvement on his second start at the end of January and can continue to make progress here. (5) GOLD PARTY showed promise on debut all the way back last July before running in to lacklustre performances in the autumn. She returns here after three months off and should be better. (2) THE CASTING and (11) BACK SPIN are others with some potential.
| Selections | (6) Geuma Majesty (8) Any Force One (11) Back Spin (5) Gold Party |
| Next Best | 2, 10 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 9, 12 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(8) JANGSAN FLY has taken to this distance well, finishing 2nd and 3rd in two attempts at it and beating a few these along the way. He led until close to home last time out and this time can lead all the way. (3) FEDERAL CAT ran 2nd on debut over 1000M four weeks ago, running on very nicely. The additional trip should suit, and he looks to be the biggest threat. (4) CLEAN UP TRIO ran very well for 3rd place at the distance a month ago and should be in at least the placing frame again. (2) RED BLADE and (11) PRVATE MAN are others to keep an eye on.
| Selections | (8) Jangsan Fly (3) Federal Cat (4) Clean Up Trio (11) Private Man |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 8 |
Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(12) GEUMBIT JANGIN is set to be hot favourite here. He was a winner on debut in October before running 5th on his return in a tight finish in what was a really good race over 1200M in November. He comes in here fresh and should have far too much. If instead of fresh, he proves to be a bit rusty, (5) BLUE FIRE is the most likely one to take advantage. He’s still a maiden but ran a close class and distance 2nd last time and should be winning sooner or later. Both of those two are set to try to find the early pace as is (9) SABA KINGDOM, who races for the first time since November. He showed promise as a juvenile last November and trialled competently enough in February. (7) KKEULEOJUNEUN SON and (11) SA SA are others with placing claims.
| Selections | (12) Geumbit Jangin (5) Blue Fire (9) Saba Kingdom (7) Kkeuleojuneun Son |
| Next Best | 11, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 12 |
Race 4: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) HWA GI was a narrow class and distance winner on January 5th and returns here off eight weeks out with solid claims to repeat. She’ll ne on pace early and can go all the way. (2) CRAZY WIKI and (5) HEUNGBOK DREAM came home 1st and 2nd when they raced each other at the distance on January 19th. Both carry a bit more weight today but should be close. (8) PHOENIX WOLF remains a maiden but has been no worse than 3rd in her last four starts and she can maintain that run today. (4) JILPUNG GANGJA is the only locally-bred horse in the race. She’s rapidly up in class following back to back wins at domestic levels 5 and 6 but should be competitive here.
| Selections | (9) Hwa Gi (2) Crazy Wiki (4) Jilpung Gangja (8) Phoenix Wolf |
| Next Best | 5, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Race 5: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maidens here with five of the field starting for the very first time. Starting with the experienced ones, (5) TIMING GOOD ran 3rd on debut on January 12th beaten just over a length having previously won a trial and he will probably start as favourite. (11) WINNER CROWN is the only one n the field who has raced twice and he improved significantly on the second of those, only beaten a nose at this distance. He’ll need to be faster here but has a chance. Of the first-timers, (6) LUCKY BONGSEONG is the pick following a commanding trial performance two weeks ago. She made all that day and will try to do similar today. (1) JOY OF KING and (8) AN MOK HANG are others who could go well first-up.
| Selections | (6) Lucky Bongseong (5) Timing Good (8) An Mok Hang (11) Winner Crown |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 8 |
Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies only. (10) SMARTY ADELE won on debut last summer and having taken part in a succession of tough races since, looks ready to strike again here. She ran a solid 2ndplace on her first try at this distance at the end of January and could well have too much today. (5) LUCKY SOCHEON is up in class and starting for the first time since a good win at this distance in December and she should be a factor. (4) M.J. TOWN was 2nd in that December race and also comes up in class here after following-up with a 3rd place in… Read more of this post
