3 minute read

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

Three-year-old maidens here. (7) GLOBAL BOBAE will be the favourite having run 2nd on debut on Christmas Day, overcoming a wide draw to sit handy and run on in a good time. He should have come on for the experience and a similar run makes him hard to beat here. After winning a trial, (5) HATMURI ran 3rd on debut at this distance before running 6th at 1200M at start tow. He has had a couple of months off since then, Moon Se-young climbs aboard and he should go close. It's similar with (2) P N S GOLD who has a 2nd and 4th from two starts so far. She draws well here and could be on pace from the start. (4) BE FLOWER and (6) YOUNG BLOOD are others to consider for improvement.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(3) MUSTANG POWER ran a good 2nd on debut over this distance on December 25th. Coming from well off the pace. He was well-beaten by a good winner but showed enough to suggest he has some potential and from a much better gate this time, looks the one to beat. (14) G STAR has improved across three starts so far, including a runner-up finish at his latest on December 5th. He tends to get right back and then run on so the draw isn't too much of a concern and the additional trip today may help. (13) GLOBAL PRIME too improved at his latest appearance on November 28th. He sat handy that day so may need a touch of luck early but is another who should like the increase in trip. (8) MABAWI and (10) AL SIMON others in the frame.

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

Fillies only here and a tricky one here especially as most of the leading contenders have drawn wide. With that in mind, we might as well go with the widest of all, (14) TOP POSITION drew widest of all on debut too over 1000M and stayed at the back before running on strong for 6th in a fast race. The additional trip here can give her more time to find a top position and she can win. So too (12) SOARA DAEBO. She has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before, recorded when 2nd on December 18th. She will settle midfield and should be in the finish again. (10) SMART BLUE beat a couple of these on her way to 2nd place at the distance on Christmas Day. It wasn't a very fast time, but she seems to be heading in the right direction. (3) SWEET CAMP and (11) GEOSEN GISANG others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(10) JANGSAN POISON has worked home well in both starts so far and at his latest was 5th over 1200M coming from the back of the field. He looks like he needs a bit of distance, and he gets it here. So does (12) ASPENROS went right back on debut over 1300M on December 26th but finished off very nicely to beat a couple of today's rivals on his way to 3rd place. He too should appreciate a bit more distance to play with today and could well start as favourite. Solitary debut-maker (3) FLY STAR finished off a trial very well in December and from a good draw has every chance of a bold showing first-up. (14) CHEONJI JIDAE was the big loser from the draw but has been consistent across his four starts so far and shouldn't be far away. (2) HELLO GEUMSEONG mixes her form, but this is the kind of race in which she can challenge for minor money.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) WOW WOW stepped up to 1200M and got his maiden win at start number three on December 11th, sitting behind the leader and then going by in the closing stages. He comes up in class and in trip today but there looks to be more to come, and he can win again. (14) SPEED FALCON has finished no worse than 4th in four starts so far. Her sole win came at 1000M, but she comes in off a good 2nd place over 1300M on Christmas. She has also run 4th at this distance in a fast time. The draw is not ideal, but she has every chance. (6) MAGIC RUSH came from off the pace to breakthrough at start number three over 1200M on Boxing Day. He comes up in class and trip here but can measure up. (2) RAON THE TEUKGEUP and (9) SOUJU among others with at least placing chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(14) ASPEN TAEYANG won his first three races including the Nonghyup Chairman's Cup over 1200M in November before being sent off as favourite for the Breeders Cup Champion Juvenile race at Busan over this distance on December 5th. He dipped at the start that day, losing much momentum but ran on pleasingly for 4th. He should return to winning ways today and will be hot favourite to do so. (2) DONGJIN CHOEGANG race for the first time since going round in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown, at Busan in October. He didn't manage to make an impact that day but has previously run fast times at 1200M and solidly at this distance. He gets a great draw here and can go well. (5) WONPYEONG GASOK was 6th in the Breeders' Cup race. That was the second time he has finished behind Aspen Taeyang and while he may not reverse that form today, he can be competitive. (8) MAGIC GRACE is an improver with two wins from four and comes up in class and trip. (6) SINUI ADEUL another in the money hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

We'll give (4) MY WIN another chance here. The colt put in a dreadful day at the office on Christmas Day when fractious in the gate, then hampered at the start and picking up a couple of speedy cuts on his way to finishing 11th when favourite over 1200M. Instead go on his form prior to that, which was very good, including a win at this distance in a good time at class 6 level. (2) NAOL YEONGUNG made all to win over 1000M on debut a month ago. He comes up in class and in distance but from a good gate can measure up. (3) GLOBAL MAGIC is yet to win in four attempts but has been consistent and can be in the mix again here. (14) HEUNGHAENG DAEBAK run 2nd on debut before winning on his second appearance on December 26th. He led both of those races so may need some luck from the wide draw. (12) RAON THE GOLD another who can have a line drawn through his latest.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Tricky race with plenty of contenders. (11) WONDERFUL DEVIL won at 1700M at class 5 level two starts back and was a solid 3rd at this class and distance on December 25th. She can settle midfield and run on and has as much chance as any here. (5) UNICORN ALPHA has won at this class over 1700M and comes in after a decent 4th place at this distance on December 26th. He likes to go back and run on, and he will surely be in the finish again here. So too (10) BERRING MAN, who has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before. He is yet to win in thirteen starts but has seven to-four finishes and has beaten plenty of today's rivals along the way. (4) TK DAY and (2) DREAM MAX are among others who can compete for places.

Seoul Race 9: Class 2 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 90 Million

We'll go for a return to form for (6) RAON PINK. When she blitzed the Luna Stakes at a mile in October, she looked a lock to sweep the filly triple crown series. It was not to be. She had a lot of bad luck in the Oaks but still ran a big 2nd over today's distance but there were fewer excuses over 2000M in the Gyeonggi Governor's Cup on December 19th although she did come back lame in the following days. She has been back in work since January 15th and it's a fresh start today, she carries a light weight, draws fairly, and can win. (3) BOLT MAN enters seeking a hat-trick of victories. Both his previous two have come at this distance at class 3 level and while up in class today, he is down in the weights and should be competitive again. (7) GEUM ROYAL comes in off a strong 2nd place at class and distance and while he is up in the weights, he draws slightly better and will be dangerous. (13) BAREM is more noted as a one-turn specialist but could be interesting. (5) ECHO BILL has placing chances.