The internationals have started to arrive for next week’s Korea Cup & Korea Sprint – check out the imposing Lone Sailor stepping out onto the Seoul sand for the first time on Friday afternoon below. He’ll be in his stable while Saturday racing goes on with 12 races from 14:00 to 21:00. It’s the final Saturday of afternoon and evening racing for this summer. Here are the previews:

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

A filly-only maiden kicks things off. (2) WINNER TEMPLAR was a much-improved 2^nd on her second start at this trip on July 27^th, beating a couple of these in the process. She came from behind the pace with a strong finish and can do the same today. (9) HWANGGEUM STAR was 3^rd that day and can be competitive once more although stronger challenges are expected from (6) VIRTUS, who returned from six months off with a solid 3^rd place in June and comes in fresh again here. (1) CHEONEUN JJANG steps up in trip following back to back 3^rd place finishes while (5) SUPER VICTOR steps back after a decent showing around 1700M last start and should be in the mix as well.

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

Weak maiden here. (2) BAEKSAEK GWANGCHAE only managed 5^th when sent off at short odds over this distance on July 7^th. He’s one of only two in the field to have a runner-up finish to his name though and is probably worth another chance here. The other one is (9) ALL MY QUEEN, who ran 2^nd in what was, for a wet track a low time on July 14^th. She’ll need to improve. That said, so will everything else. (8) BE ZENITH did nothing much wrong on debut at the end of June and the jockey booking will attract plenty. (3) BACK SPIN and (5) CITY SONGAM others with claims to improve.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with just three of the twelve having raced before. None of them have performed with much distinction though so it’s the newcomers that we’ll focus on. (5) BLUE KING didn’t catch the eye in his first trial but was much quicker in a second in early July and if he brings that form to the races, has solid claims first up. (1) K TOP KING is out of a mare who, when she arrived in Korea, was the nation’s most expensive ever imported racehorse. She ran well too, and K Top King looked good when winning a July trial. (10) DAEHAENGIDA also won his heat and may be considered while (8) NOLBU CHEONHA also performed well in the morning trials and should be in the hunt.

Race 4: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens, this time with only two having run before. However, this time, one of those has actually shown ability. After winning a trial in June, (10) RAON BEST MAN ran a very solid 3^rd on debut on July 7^th and that should be enough to make him a warm favourite here, likely leading all the way. The main danger is (4) HWANGGEUM HAE, who won a trial in a fast time on a sloppy track at the end of last month and looks to have ability. Others who hinted at some talent in the mornings include (1) PUNCH POWER, who won his trial, while (3) GEOMPO and (8) ARARIYO also looked useful.

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

(7) HWARYONG ran 3^rd in a decent class and distance race on August 10^th, running on well. That was his second try at this level and looked promising. He’ll probably start favourite here. That doesn’t mean he’ll win though. (1) P.K. GUNJU drops back in trip after a good 3^rd over 1300M a month ago and should be dangerous from the inside gate while (6) ROAD WOMAN should also be much better for dropping back in distance today. Both (5) KING OF SUNDAY and (8) HOMECOMING return to action after lengthy spells on the sidelines. Both had previously displayed ability and both trialled up adequately enough leading up to this.

Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) REIGN was an also ran in the Korean Oaks before finishing 4^th in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup in June. She only managed 3^rd when sent off the odds-on favourite on her return to shallower waters a month ago but really should be returning to the winner’s circle today. (12) WINNER MOUNTAIN is up in class having registered his maiden victory n his first try at this distance on July 28^th. He made all that day and while this is stiffer, he should be very competitive. (4) CHANGSEONG GANGJA demonstrated a sharp uptick in form when beating Reign, among others, at class and distance last time. The form will probably be reversed today but he’ll start much shorter than the 80/1 he…    Read more of this post