Korea: Sunday, 15th December 2024

3 minute read

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the twelve racing for the first time. Experience is preferred though and (11) NURI CHEONWANG came from off the pace to run 2nd on debut over this distance on November 10th, well beaten by a good winner, but showing more than enough to suggest he has potential. She should have come on for that run and can prove too strong late here. (8) DIXIE MAN ran 3rd on his debut at this distance on November 2nd, settling midfield and running on. The time was slower than that of Nuri Choegang but with Moon Se-young climbing on, he will be vying for favourite status. (2) BEOLGYO LAVA ran 4th on his first outing on November 2nd, overcoming a wide draw. He comes into a better gate today and like the other two, should have come on for the run. Among the first timers, (12) MUSKET DAY and (3) RYAN HEART looked the best in trials.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (6) I AM GO will be the warm favourite. She registered a 4th and a 2nd in two tries at 1000M which led her to be sent off as favourite on her first try at this distance on November 9th when she was on pace early only to ultimately run 5th. She should have learned from that and can win here from the front. That will mean overturning the form on (9) B.K LOVE, who ran a significantly improved 2nd in that November 9th race, leading for much of the way around. She can be on pace again and in this a long way. (1) CHOCO BEAUTY is another with a best of 2nd place, in her case recorded two starts back at this distance when also recording the fastest time among those here who have already tackled the 1300M. From the inside gate, she can sit behind the early speed and run on. (2) UPPERHAND and (8) P N S PA are other placing chances.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the seven racing for the first time. (9) WIND FREE ran 2n don debut over 1200M on November 22nd, settling towards the rear of midfield before steadily improving. She should have derived benefit from the experience, the additional half furlong can suit, and she is favoured to go one better. Of the newcomers, (1) SEOBU GAMBLE looks the best. He ran 3rd in a fair time in his trial and with franco on and from the inside gate, he can put in a bold showing first up. (4) GRAND CRU has raced twice, improving to 2nd in the second of them behind Wind Free on November 22nd. He looks to be on the right trajectory and can continue to make progress here. (2) SEOUL DRAGON and (7) DAEJI DAEBONG the other probably place hopes.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) PROCEED is yet to finish in the top two in eight attempts but has no fewer than six finishes between 3rd and 5th. He comes back in trip following a 4th place over 1700M on November 9th, and from a central draw he can be on pace and should be aiming for a career to date best finish here. (5) GANDAGO came from off the pace to run 2nd in an all-filly race over 1300M on November 17th, her best so far. She has a strong finish on her, the slight additional distance can suit, and she can be a big danger late here. (8) CRAZE CHANG was well back over this distance on his return from four months out in October. He should strip fitter here and can be in the placing mix. Without a huge amount of confidence, (3) AMENO and (1) COMMANDING LEAD are possibly the best of a limited rest.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) MIRAGE ran 3rd on debut on October 18th before improving to 2nd at start number two on November 17th, both over this distance and both times racing handy to the speed. She comes in under the same weight, the wide draw shouldn't be a problem, and she will be a warm favourite to make it third time lucky. (4) FAST MELODY improved to 3rd at start number two at 1300M on November 10th. It wasn't a quick race, but she showed good early speed, and she can be challenging right from the start here. The form falls off precipitously after those two. (3) BABEL COME ON was 5th on debut over 1000M and at least managed to show on the early speed before fading second-up. Munro climbs on and that combined with a good draw is enough to make her an each-way chance. (2) GOD NIKE and (10) HANNAM QUEEN others who may – may – improve.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) STUNNING PEARL ran 3rd on debut before getting her maiden win at start number two in an all0filly maiden on November 9th over 1200M when she settled handy before romping away to score by as many as she pleased. She comes up in class and slightly in distance, but neither should be an issue, and she can win again. (7) ANYANG GIPPEUM was a winner two starts back over 1200M before running a solid 4th in a similarly competitive race at this class and distance on November 16th when she led for much of the way around having got across from gate eleven. She draws slightly better this time and can be in this again. (1) BLUE RACER returns to action for the first time since his maiden win in July. He won a trial in August and while he will have to be taken on trust match fitness-wise, he was first=up for that August race and can go well again. (10) GLOBAL TIME and (4) SHINE BOLT other placing chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) STEALTH MODE does mix his form, but he comes in here off a solid 3rd place over a mile on November 24th when close to the pace throughout. He carries his fair share of weight, and a previous attempt at this trip wasn't great, but in this company, he can be ready for another chance. He goes best when getting a good start and showing on the speed. (7) GREAT BOY has seven top five finishes from eleven starts to date, most recently when overcoming gate twelve to run 4th at this distance on November 17th. Among this field he is one of the better starters so can challenge Stealth Mode for the lead and be in this a long way. (5) NEOM CITY was 5th behind Great Boy in that race. She is yet to win in thirteen starts but has placed three times at this distance and should be in the mix. (12) MORO and (9) MAKE IT BETTER among other place chances.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) CHOEGANG HYEONMA is yet to win in ten attempts, but he has been getting closer recently culminating in 2nd place at this class and distance in his latest effort. That was back in early September so he comes in following fourteen weeks out, but Moon Se-young stays on and he can make the breakthrough. If match-fitness is a concern, then fellow maiden (9) RAON HIT MAN may be a better option. He beat a couple of today's rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance on November 10th, settling midfield and running on, and while he comes up 2.5kg in the weights, he can be considered to go one better. (5) MK LEE was 3rd behind Raon Hit Man in that race, his second consecutive time finishing in that position and he can be there or thereabouts again. (4) HERO JEONSA and (1) AUSTIN LEADER others in the placing hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Fillies only. (6) TROPHY WARE was a class 5 winner at this distance two starts back and then ran 3rd on her first try at this class on November 15th when going right back from the widest gate before running on strong late. She draws better today, Munro gets on, and if she can be a little closer earlier, she has solid claims. That will mean overturning the form on (1) BUSAN TODAY, who was 2nd in that race having led for much of the way around. She is already a class and distance winner and from a great draw, she can lead and potentially score again. (7) BRIGHT MARINE will need a line drawn through her latest couple, the first of which was a Listed race and the second a disappointing effort in that November 15th race. She previously won her first two in fine style and while it may be that she needs a break. Franco being booked suggests there is a performance in her. (5) DOCTOR KANE and (11) META QUEEN other place contenders.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

After finishing 2nd in both her opening two starts, (3) DUSON OPEN won her next two in fine fashion, both at 1200M and most recently at this class on November 17th when for the first time she didn't lead from the start but settled handy. She comes up 3kg in the weights but draws well and she can complete her hat trick here. Also seeking a hat trick is (7) MIGHTY AMI. She won on debut over 1000M in September before repeating on November 3rd at this distance, making all. That brings her up rapidly in class, but she will be on pace and can be a danger. (1) HANGANG GLORY comes up in class following a 2nd place over this distance on November 9th to Golden Jackpot when settling back and running on. He comes down a full 4.5kg in weight, CC climbs on, and he can measure up in this company. (6) SHINE ON ME and (8) SPECIALTIME other minor money chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

After a fallow few runs, (4) BACCHUS returned to winning ways with an all the way score over this distance on November 17th. He comes up in class but is down a full 4kg in weight, and he can win again. That will mean taking down the probable favourite (3) LOVE KING IJI. He comes in off 2nd place to Beolmaui Monster at this class and distance on November 15th when slow away before rallying and finishing off very tidily, beating three of today's rivals in the process. He is up to 58kg, but he draws nicely and with a better start will give himself every chance to go one better. (5) VEREUDA was 3rd behind Love King Iji in that November 15th race, also coming back from a slow start. She gets a 2kg weight swing and can be there or thereabouts again. (2) HAPPY BLUE and (6) MAN OF THE STAR are the other place contenders.

Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (7) EAST JUMP returned from five months out to run 2nd at this class over 1800M in October before dropping back to 1400M on November 24th and winning, settling just behind the early speed and running on. She comes up 3.5 kg in the weights and also tackles a mile for the first time, but neither should be an issue, and she can win again. (8) UNICORN HIT won at this distance at class 4 level and enters off a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, most recently at this class and distance on October 13th when she led until the final furlong. She has the fastest time among this field over a mile and can be a danger. (1) CONCORD QUEEN may not win out of turn, but she is an ultra-consistent type and enters off a front-running 3rd at this class over 1400M at the end of October. She will be in the mix again. (5) TAEPYEONG FIGHTER and (10) HAENGBOKAN SEUNGJA others to consider.

Busan Race 6: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

This is class 1 but with a rating cap of 100. (5) BLACK MAMBA has been up and down across his interrupted career of eleven starts. The G1 President's Cup at 2000M at Seoul in October wasn't to his liking, but the Listed Kookje Shinmun Sprint at 1400M on November 10th, back at Busan was, as he finished a very good 2nd at big odds. He comes into regular class 1 under a light weight and is the one to beat. No fewer than eight of these raced one another at this class over 1400M on October 17th and it was (1) DAEJI CHOICE who came from off the pace to win. That was his first start since July, he is a three-time winner at this distance, and he can be up there again. (12) FANTASTIC KINGDOM had a hard time in the Kookje Shinmun but he was a winner at this class and distance in a super quick time two starts back and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, can be a danger. (6) DOCTOR CAESAR and (7) YEONGGWANGUI TANK others in the frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1800M0 Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) GOLDEN DRAGON will be a warm favourite here. He was a winner at this class and distance two starts back in what admittedly was a slowly run race, before dropping back to 1400M and running a fair 4th on November 30th. He makes a quick return here and while he carries a couple kilos more than what he won under, he can win. The danger is (8) MAGIC IMPACT. She comes rapidly up in class following a win and then back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1700M, racing on-pace on each occasion. She is down a full 4kg in weight and can more than measure up in this company. (3) SINUI BANJEOK was 2nd at this class over 1700M on October 19th racing on pace and under the same light weight and well-drawn, she can be a threat again. (7) AMAZING ROCK and (4) KING GO TAEYANG others in the hunt.

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

(7) PEPPER X ran 2nd in both his first two outings before finishing 7th of eleven in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor's Trophy for juveniles on November 17th. He returns to shallower waters today and in this company should be on or close to the pace, and he can make his breakthrough. The most credible danger is (4) JEONGSANG ZEUS. He has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish at this distance on November 9th when racing midfield before running on and not missing by much. He won't need to improve much to go close here. (3) WHIZ IMPOSSIBLE improved to a very close 3rd at start number two over 1200M in November 10th, settling right back and running on. His racing style suggests that the step up in trop can suit and third-up he may be peaking fitness wise. (10) JEONGSEONG FACTOR and (5) THE FAVORITE other place chances.

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

(1) SPALTA loves finishing 2nd, something he has done on seven out of twelve occasions. Including each of his latest four. He does have two wins to his name as well and came desperately close last time at this class over 1200M on November 16th. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time and from a good draw should be on pace. Should he find one too quick, and let's face it, he might, it could be (2) GEUMA FIERY, who returned from almost five months out on November 9th to run 3rd over a mile. He should have derived benefit from that run, and he has won at this distance in the past. (9) STUNNING SKY enters having won at this class and distance on October 26th when leading from gate to wire. He must contend with an additional 4.5kg today but shouldn't be ruled out. (8) J MOTION and (6) VILLARRICA among other contenders.

Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(3) GEUMJEONSA ran a close 2nd over a mile when stepped up to this class for the first time on November 9th, briefly striking the front late on. From three starts at this distance he has two wins and a 2nd and with only 8 outings behind him still has plenty of scope for development. (10) LADY HANABI is on a run of four consecutive wins, with two either side of a five-month layoff. She comes up in class having scored in a close finish over this distance on October 19th when, as is her preference, she led all the way. She comes down 4kg in weight and while she is drawn a touch wider than ideal, she has won from gate ten before and five in a row isn't impossible. (9) SHADOW HUNTER was 2nd behind Geumjeonsa at class 4 level on September 15th before running 4th at this class on October 26th. He is a three-time winner at this distance and under a light weight can be dangerous. (8) RAON TAP PLAY and (2) VIKING HEART are other possibles in a competitive finale.