Vazirabad skips Goodwood rematch with Stradivarius as Gold Cup effort takes toll

Saturdays from now until the first weekend of September will be afternoon and evening meetings so Saturday racing at Seoul sees 11 races from 14:00 to 21:00. There’s little better than a few early evening refreshments under the Seoul Racecourse lights!

Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Small field to begin and it’s a weak one at that. However, that means plenty are in the hunt. (2) SPHAERA and (6) SKY STORM look most likely to show some improvement. Both have offered glimpses of some ability across their small amount of starts so far and have a great chance to make their breakthroughs here. Sphaera is likely to get the better start and is slightly favoured. (5) EVERYTHING WIN has looked everything but a winner in her seven outings but managed 5^th of 11 in a better race than this in May and can challenge here. (1) BEST BOBAE and (3) DALLYEORA SOKBO others who could improve.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(4) SURFING POINT has been knocking at the door for a while now and though she was beaten four-lengths into 2^nd when favourite a month ago, she looks the one to beat in this all-filly contest. (6) CLEAN FLOWER is the main danger having beaten two of these on her way to 2^nd at the distance last start and she is likely to be on pace here. The two beaten that day were (9) HALLA DAERO and (2) NEUL SAE ACHIM and both those could improve this time. (7) GOLD SEUTAK races for the nineteenth time today and while she is yet to finish in the top three, she comes in following back to back 4^th places and can aim to match here.

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

For two-year-olds only hence the enhanced prize money. One of the eight has raced before, (2) HANEULEUL DALRIDA, who was well-backed on debut three weeks ago on the strength of a good trial performance. He only managed to finish 8^th but should have come on for the run and will be expected to improve here. With that in mind, it is perhaps advisable to take trial performances with a pinch of the proverbial but (1) CLEAN UP TRIO impressed when winning his and will be backed first-up. (6) GOLD PARTY came through a slow heat but looked competent enough while both (7) KING N I and (8) WONDERFUL EVIL also both showed enough to suggest that they can be considered too.

Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) MONEY DAERYUK was a four-length winner at the distance on what was just her second start, beating Surfing Point, who we saw in race 2. She’s up in class here but should be on pace from the start and can go close. (2) YAHO STRONG CAT has raced well in each of his latest three, all of them at class and distance. He was only 5^th last time but is better drawn to get on pace here and will be a threat. (1) PRIMO was well-beaten by Yaho Strong Cat in April but ran a very solid 2^nd at the beginning of June and can go well again. (3) SARYEONI THUNDER and (5) DOUBLE A are others who can be considered for improvement.

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

(3) MIR PARK could only manage 3^rd when favourite at class and distance on June 2^nd, leading for much of the race but weakening late on. She looks to have more wins in her though and can go to the front again here, this time staying on. (8) STRONG MAN seemingly lost his way a little in the spring but showed signs of a return to form when an Read more of this post