3 minute read

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens to kick things off with three of the twelve racing for the very first time. One of those debut makers is set to be favourite. (10) QUICKLY RUN trialed up very nicely when leading and ultimately running a close 2nd behind an experienced racehorse and ahead of one who has gone on to run 2nd three times. It was all the way back in September, but she will be expected to win first-up here. Much of that is to do with the exposed form of the rest. (1) SKY PANGPANG looks the best of those with experience, having overcome a slow start to run on well for 4th on debut on December 2nd. He gets a netter draw today and with a better start can get closer. (11) BEAT UP didn't have much luck on debut but looks to have scope to improve. (8) EUNHYE DREAM made steady progress from start one to start two and can maintain that momentum today. Returning to the first-timers, (9) USEUNG BARAM trialed adequately and may be considered first up.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(7) WARRIOR THUNDER is a warm favourite here. Two starts back he ran 2nd over 1300M and last time out was on pace at this distance, finishing in 4th place and recording a time faster than anything else in this race has achieved. He'll be on pace again and a similar run in this company can see him win. (3) HAPPY DREAM was stepped up to this distance at start number five on December 12th having previously been so slow she was sent back to trial after all but one previous attempt. She ran better, finishing 3rd in an admittedly pedestrian race, but with some natural improvement, a good draw and Munro remaining aboard, there are reasons to be optimistic here. (9) DREAM SPEED has been consistent if unspectacular across four outings to date. She ran a decent 5th at this distance last time and consistent if unspectacular should be enough to se her to a place here. (5) M J STORM and first-time starter (2) TIZ RUNNER others who can aim for minor money.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

We'll take a chance on (1) JILJU BORN here. He races for the first time since last July but is a front-runner who recorded a fast time over 1000M. He trialed up very well in December leading almost the entire way around before crossing the line in 2nd place and from a great inside draw, he may get a soft lead and potentially go all the way. Otherwise, all roads lead to (8) GEUMGUKHWA. She has the fastest time among these at this distance as well as being the only one with a top-two finish to her name. She was difficult to load last time and returned with speedy cuts after being a well beaten odds-on favourite. In this company though she is absolutely worth another chance. Solitary debut-maker (10) DREAM YEOWANG made all to win a Christmas Eve trial and should be in the frame first-up. (4) NEW HOPE and (11) RAON THE WILD are others who can place.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(4) KING CRUSH may not have finished any better than 4th across his five starts to date but he has some very good performances at this distance including a 4th and a 5th from his latest two in good times. He draws nicely today and should be on or close to the place and has solid claims to make his breakthrough here. (6) SOJUNGHAN DANGSIN comes down in trip and, with an apprentice on board, down in the weights too from her 3rd place in a slow race over 1400M on December 11th. That was her best finish to date and nicely in here, she can match or better it. (3) JILJU JEONSA improved into 3rd at his latest start on December 18th when settling in midfield and running on over 1200M. He comes up to this trip or the first time today and it may well suit. (7) GEOSEN GISANG and (11) DANCE MACHINE among others to take into consideration.

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

A big field here but we're likely to have a strong favourite in the shape of (12) POWER BOX. He was a strong winner over 1000M last September before using up a lot of energy to get to the front from a wide draw on his first try at this class and distance in October, ultimately weakening. Drawn wide again at his latest start on November 28th, he was ridden more patiently and ran on well for 2nd. Kim Yong-geun knows the horse well and he can make the breakthrough today. (7) GRAY CAT overcame a wide draw to run 3rd in a fast time over 1300M on December 18th. He now has four top-three finishes form ten starts and while he may find one or two too quick again, he can maintain that record here. (11) TAP QUALITY and (14) DUSON FANTASTIC both had poor days at the office on their respective latest starts but are better than that and can be involved here. (4) FOREVER KHAN too struggled on his first try at this class but can be given another chance today.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Tricky race this. (7) P N S LUCKY comes out of the Breeders' Cup champion juvenile race on December 5th where she ran 8th of 12 but in a creditable time. She had previously run a blistering 59.7 over the five furlongs at the end of October. Back in more limited company today, she has every chance of returning to the winner's circle. (3) HOLIDAY CHARM was a class and distance winner two starts back when running on strongly from midfield in a good time. He is up 3kg on that and did struggle on his return on December 19th, but he draws a much better gate this time and can be given another chance. (10) HYPER CAR returned from more than six months out to run a good 4th at class and distance on December 11th. He is yet to win but has six top-three finishes from twelve starts and can be in the mix here. The up in class but significantly down in weight (2) BARAMGWA HAMKKE might warrant an each-way chance alongside (4) ILBO DEUNGCHEON.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Small field but a hot favourite here. (5) CHOEGANG GAME comes in having run 4th in the Korean Derby and then 3rd in the Minister's Cup, the final two legs of the 2021 Triple Crown. He had a win record of three from four before those races and the time he had to run in the Derby at this distance was almost three seconds faster than anything else in this race has achieved. He gives weight away, but he looks very hard to beat. (4) SERVE ACE comes out of the filly Triple Crown where she ran a big 3rd in the Oaks having missed the break before not quite seeing out the 2000M of the Gyeonggi Governor's Cup. It's hard to see her beating the favourite here but she should beat plenty of the rest. (1) GEUMA SUPREME and (2) QUIET ADELE are generally knocking on the door at class and distance and along with (9) SISEONJIPJUNG, can compete for the minor places.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) MYEONGJIN DAY returned from eight months out to run a good 3rd place at class and distance on December 19th in a good time. He has never been worse than 4th and should come on for that run looking very much the one to beat here. (6) ROCK LINE comes in off a good win at this class over 1200M on December 12th when he sat behind the speed and then ran on strong. At the start before he was a close 3rd at this distance. He does come up 3.5kg in the weights today but should be in the hunt again. Those two are by some margin the standouts. (7) BLACK PUNCH was a much-improved 4th at his latest start and can maintain that progress today. (3) SUN FO RE mixes his form but has a number of minor money finishes and can be competitive here. Debut-maker (2) MUNHAK DIAL may beat a few.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(14) MIGHTY BOOM beat several of these on her way to a close 2nd place finish at class and distance on December 12th when sitting just behind the speed and running on. She comes up 2kg in the weights today and draws even further out than last time (she had gate 12) but she can overcome both and go one better here. The draw though does hand the initiative over to (4) MONSTER K, who ran 3rd in that race. He has won at the distance at class 4 level and will be a big danger today, most likely leading from the start. (7) SOUL MERIT come sup in class following a smart victory over 1200M back in November. He has run good times at this distance too and comes down in the weights here. (13) ROYAL ELVIS and (6) GLOBAL THUNDER are others who should be close.