3 minute read
Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
The three-year-old maiden gallopers line up for the first on the thirteen-event card where we can get excited to see some first starters who look to have some potential. (5) OLD BLADE produced an eye-catching trial when untouched by Antonio Da Silva, who will take the ride for her first start. She didn't run the fastest time, but she covered the ground with ease and looked to have plenty left in the tank. She showed early speed in her heat so expect her to position on the pace. (3) MAGIC PLAN is another one that wasn't asked for in her trial but seemed to cover the ground well. The Plan filly will be ridden by Park Tae-Jong and it will be interesting to see what she offers when in full flight. (1) ICE PUNCH has race experience and will line up for his second start. He was good on debut when second, less than two lengths behind Dia Key. Punters can rejoice as the amazing Moon Se Young is back in action, he will be aboard the amazing looking grey galloper. (6) CHEONJI ULLIM had one run back in July when finishing second behind Taktuein where the margin was eight lengths. Connections seem to have gone him right again and he can run into the money. Good race with some promising types.
Selections (5) Old Blade (3) Magic Plan (1) Ice Punch (6) Cheonji Ullim
Next Best 8, 7
Fast Start 1, 3, 5, 11
Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Weak maiden here but that means it's very competitive with any number vying to be the least slow around the 1300M. It could well end up being (2) THANK YOU DAECHEON, who has been one-paced in two outings so far but has registered competitive times in decent company. He'll settle just behind the pace and could out-plod them late on. (3) GLOBAL WANGJA ran through the line nicely for 3rd on debut over 1000M in December. The additional trip should suit, and he can be in the frame here. Draw a line through (4) EAST ONE's latest effort which came from the widest barrier. He should be able to get to the lead here and can be a danger. (8) CHEONJI KKOT BARAM is one of only two in the race – the other being East One – who has a runner-up finish to his name and that should put him in the hunt as well. (11) SPEED DANCER looks best of the limited rest.
Selections: (2) Thank You Daecheon (3) Global Wangja (4) East One (8) Cheonji Kkot Baram
Next Best: 11, 5
Fast Start: 1, 4, 5, 10
Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
The third event looks tough for punters with many chances engaged. The dominant form line appears to be the race which Bravo Gwacheon won back on 4th January. (7) WILD WOODS finished third in the race over 1300m when running through the line strong. The Forest Camp three-year-old is likely to work forward in a race that lacks speed and be one of the main players come the business end. (5) GUREUM BADA crossed the line with Wild Woods last start and is another of the main chances. The gelding improved significantly at his second start after being well beaten on debut. He should be able to settle in the first half of the field. (4) HONG SAN ran on fairly last start when lining up in a 2yo event won by Lady Kelly. He should appreciate an easier assignment along with a better draw suggesting Park Byeong-Yun may be able to settle him closer to the speed. (6) THE DREAM lost considerable ground when they jumped last start resulting in the Menifee gelding having to settle well back. The three-year-old managed to run home well when it was all over.
Selections (7) Wild Woods (5) Gureum Bada (4) Hong San (6) The Dream
Next Best 9, 8
Fast Start 3, 7, 8
Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) FUTURE FIRE steps up in class having secured his maiden win at the fourth time of asking on January 5. The manner of that victory was pleasing as he made all to score by a full-five lengths in a time that would win plenty of races at this level too. He's drawn nicely once more and can lead all the way again. Experienced campaigners (6) GWANGYA BULGIDUNG and (11) BARAMUI MISO came home 4th and 5th with a length between them when they raced each other over the distance on January 4. Neither wins out of turn – or in the latter's case at all – but both have enough about them to be competitive here and can aim to place. (2) BLUE DAEJAYEON tackles the distance for the first time and can go well from a good draw. (10) INDY LADY is inconsistent but is another capable of running into some money in this company.
Selections: (3) Future Fire (6) Gwangya Bulgidung (11) Baramui Miso (2) Blue Daejayeon
Next Best: 10, 5
Fast Start: 2, 3, 10
Race 5: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
A field of twelve will go over the two turns in the fifth all looking for their first win. (7) BLUE CHARM is likely to start favourite but we would suggest avoiding short odds. The Song Moon-Gil trained galloper finished third last start behind Wang Taeng I in one of the stronger two-year-old events. Expect improvement from the Colors Flying colt at his third start but keep in mind he was beaten nine lengths last start. (1) ROAD HILL STORM had his first run since October last start when finishing third behind Champ Queen. The Testa Matta four-yea-old sat just off speed and finished off well, recording a fair time. (12) FAMILY HOPE will have her second start over the 1700m when running on fairly last time out. She posted a good time, but it was earlier this year when they were clocking good times on the Seoul track. (2) BAEKDUSAN CHEONJI was fair over the two turns last start and is another that can run into some minor money.
Selections (7) Blue Charm (1) Road Hill Storm (12) Family Hope (2) Baekdusan Cheonji
Next Best 11, 9
Fast Start 7, 9
Race 6: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Strike a line through the latest effort by (4) P.K. HILL when she ran around last as favourite over 1300M just before Christmas. She drops back to 1000M today, a distance at which she won in double-quick time back in October, and with Moon Se Young returning to the ride, she can return to the winner's circle. This is a decent looking race though. (1) LUCKY SANGUN also boasts some fast times at this distance. He just weakened a little last time having led for much of a useful race, ending up in 4th but comes in here off six weeks of rest and will be a contender. (2) PARK BLADE defied lengthy odds to be a close at hand runner-up over class and distance three weeks ago and should be going close again. (9) HALLA BLOSSOM is penalized 4kg for his class and distance score in December but warrants respect while (5) SPEED BIRD went a little wayward in the home straight on what was just his second career start last time and if he fixes his manners, can be better today.
Selections: (4) P.K. Hill (1) Lucky Sangun (2) Park Blade (9) Halla Blossom
Next Best: 5, 10
Fast Start: 1, 5, 7, 10
Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
A field of twelve will go over the six furlongs in the seventh where there is a clear pacemaker who should be winning. (5) GEUMA KITTEN took out a two-year-old event on debut in brilliant fashion over the 1000m. The three-year-old colt then backed it up with a third behind the promising Legend Storm. The Lee Shin-Young trained galloper looks a nice type in the making and should thrive over the six furlongs at this point in time. (4) MENI STAND has been competitive in this grade since winning five starts ago. The Menifee filly comes off a third last start when settling well back over the 1000m. This is the first time she will be stretched out the to the 1200m but based on her most recent efforts she will appreciate the extra furlongs. (1) DAHAENGIDA is still looking for his maiden win but multiple placings in Class 6 company means he lines up in Class 5 company with a reasonable weight to carry. He has been settling behind the leading division before finishing off well. As per many others engaged this will be the first time he goes beyond 1000m. (9) ANYANG JAGUAR is another promoted to Class 5 company without winning a race. She posted a good time for this grade and drops significantly in the weight scale.
Selections (5) Geuma Kitten (4) Meni Stand (1) Daehaengida (9) Anyang Jaguar
Next Best 8, 7
Fast Start 5, 8
Race 8: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies and mares only in this class 5 handicap and it has attracted a lively looking field. We'll go with (1) WORLD BEYOND, who ran 3rd in a similar race to this last start in December. She had previously shown a nice turn of foot to win over 1000M and she looks to have plenty of scope for further development. She'll sit behind an early pace likely to be set by, among others, (2) JEONGSEONG STAR, who is up in class following a near-miss at 1300M. She's yet to win in five and may not win here either but she has solid placing chances. So too does (9) VIRTUS, who beat Jeongseong Star on her way to her maiden win in October. She's run well in two starts since then at this class (3) RAIN K returned from six months off to register a maiden victory on December 14 and while this is a stiffer test, she should be competitive. (4) CAMP TOUCH and (5) PSYCHIC BOSS are others who have solid placing claims in this company.
Selections: (1) World Beyond (9) Virtus (2) Jeongseong Star (3) Rain K
Next Best: 4, 5, 6
Fast Start: 2, 3, 5, 9
Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
A field of eleven imported maiden gallopers go over the six furlongs in the ninth on the card. We get to see a debutant with a potential cult name (3) ROYAL ELVIS. The big fellow weighed in at 514kg for his trial when winning in style. The son of Uncle Mo has a massive stride and quickened in the blink of an eye under Kim Dong-Soo in the trial. It's worthwhile punters having a look at his trial as you will see there was plenty more in the tank. (4) MUNHAK KING looks one of the main chances coming off a last start second behind Munhak Boss. The Tiznow gelding tried to lead throughout last time out before being gobbled up by the favourite. There is a slight query with the extra furlong, but a win does not seem far away. (5) SUNWOO LUCKY has posted some good times over the 1000m when running on from the midfield. He has shown the ability to quicken in the run home which will suit over the longer sprint distance. (11) ANYANG OXEN was fair last start when coming out of a race with reasonable form. He sat behind the speed last time and is likely to cross in the early stages.
Selections (3) Royal Elvis (4) Munhak King (5) Sunwoo Lucky (11) Anyang Oxen
Next Best 9, 2
Fast Start 1, 4
Race 10: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Twelve imports go around here with just two of them having won before. (6) MIGHTY GO was a winner on debut in October but never got going in the Gwacheon Mayor's Cup the following month. He's had some time off since then and looked sharp when 2nd in a pretty hot trial a couple of weeks ago. Alan Munro returns to the ride and he's a strong contender here. The other previous winner is (5) HWANGPYOMA. He too can go well but is first-up following five months off and does have to deal with 57kg. As for the maidens, (1) SOMETHING EXPECT ran 3rd and within a length of the winner on debut on December 14th. He was the longest but one shot on the board that day but led until the final furlong and from the inside gate can be expected to be on pace again. (10) NANEUN STAR steps up in trip after a couple of encouraging spins around 1000M. She ran on pleasingly last time and there are good grounds to believe she will appreciate the additional furlong and a half. As for the rest (11) TWIN JET was well back behind Something Expect last start but has registered a couple of good times at this distance and perhaps has the potential to improve.
Selections: (6) Mighty Go (1) Something Expect (10) Naneun Star (5) Hwangpyoma
Next Best: 11, 2
Fast Start: 1, 5
Race 11: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
A case can be made for many in the eleventh event. (7) COMPLETE KINGDOM has been impressive early on in his racing career. The Colors Flying colt was a last start winner in Class 5 company when running one-minute flat for the 1000m. Prior to last start he lined up in the NACF Chairman's Cup when finishing fifth behind Roller Blade. He's best suited sitting on speed in his races so expect Kim Deok-Hyeon to work forward soon after they jump. (5) RAON PRO SENSE has been a model of consistency throughout his career albeit posting only two victories from twenty-six starts. He ran through the line strong last start when fourth behind Shark Jjang. (6) UDAERYUNG was disappointing last start when taking up the lead and throwing in the towel late. The filly has shown ability in the grade before and can rebound after six weeks away from the track. (2) DELTA BROTHER was a class and distance winner last start when saluting at big odds. The colt goes up four kilograms as a result of his win, but he should be running on late.
Selections (7) Complete Kingdom (5) Raon Pro Sense (6) Udaeryung (2) Delta Brother
Next Best 1, 10
Fast Start 1, 4, 6, 7
Race 12: Class 2 (1900M) Allowance / KRW 90 Million
A small field lines up for what is ostensibly the day's feature, but it still has plenty of intrigue about it. (4) RAYMOND steps up to the trip for the first time and he is the one to beat. His last win came over a mile back in October, but he has subsequently run well for 3rd and 5th in stiffer company than today's He can be settled in mid position and should be too strong late on. (6) SOJUNGHAN MANNAM was beaten by Raymond two starts back but while his win record is rather sparse, he is a consistent type who should run well in this company and looks a good placing chance. So too does (3) JEWANGUI BYEOL, who had a torrid time over 1800M on his first try at this class four weeks ago but is much better than that and can bounce back to form here. (5) HWANGGEUM BISANG and (7) HEUNGBOK DREAM look best of the rest.
Selections: (4) Raymond (6) Sojunghan Mannam (3) Jewangui Byeol (7) Heungbok Dream
Next Best: 5, 2
Fast Start: 2, 7
Race 13: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
There appears to be plenty of chances engaged in the last on the card where a field of twelve will go over the six furlongs. (7) BAREM has performed well at her four starts to date. The Flat Out filly ran into a smart one in Mark Story last time out going down eleven lengths, but this looks a much easier assignment. She's lightly raced and looks to get in well with 54.5kg in this event as she looks for her third win at her fifth start. (8) MUNHAK BOSS comes out of the same race where the three-year-old finished fourth. He settled further back than anticipated last start when a strong pace was set. Last start was his first attempt in this grade, look for improvement in a weaker assignment. (4) GO GO BI was a class and distance winner last time out. The filly was penalized three kilograms for the win, but her consistency should see her be competitive. (2) MY HAWK looks the likely pacemaker and gets a better draw for this assignment. The four-year-old has notched four wins from twelve starts, it looks as if he will be the one to catch in the straight.
Selections (7) Barem (8) Munhak Boss (4) Go Go Bi (2) My Hawk
Next Best 5, 6
Fast Start 2, 6, 11
