Korea Racing Seoul Preview – 28 July

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the very first time. (5) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK is a half to multiple Group winning filly Jeulgeounyeojeong. It took her two goes to qualify but she looked accomplished at the second attempt, crowing the line in 3^rd place in a quick time and the 1200M can suit first-up. The one with prior experience is (1) ECO WORLD, who came from well off the pace to run 3^rd on debut over 1000M in June 22^nd. Experience often counts for a lot in races like this and from a good draw, she can be dangerous. Returning to the first timers, (3) ECLIPSE THE KING overcame gate eleven to run 2^nd in a trial on July 4^th. The time wasn’t quick, but Moon Se-young being booked will tempt plenty. (9) CHOWON DOLPUNG and (2) NAMCHON TOWN were others who hinted at ability in their heats.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (2) KHAN NUT was sent off as favourite on debut on July 6^th after running 2^nd in a good time in a trial. Ultimately, he could only manage 5^th place, but he took a bump at the start and ran fairly. He should have derived benefit from the experience and can be better today. (6) ANDAMIRO Similarly ran 5^th on debut, which in her case was over 1000M in an all-filly juvenile maiden on June 22^nd. She ran on pleasingly enough and the step up in trip can suit. (10) SILVER MOON could only manage 6^th when well supported at start number two at this distance on June 22^nd but going on her 3^rd place on debut in May, can be competitive in this company. (5) JERAQUEEN and (11) OPUS PURPLE among other placing chances.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky maiden. (2) BLUE RACER appears for the first time since running an improved 3^rd over 1200M back in March. He looked well when leading for much of the way in a trial on July 11^th and from a good draw, he can lead here too, and they may not get past him. (3) CLAIR GOLD has been showing progress across her latest couple culminating in a runner-up finish last time out on June 22^nd when coming from off the place. She looks nicely in here and a similar run could see her go one better. (9) FLYING LUCKY also comes in off a 2^nd place at her last start. In her case it was at 1400M, and the time wasn’t quick, but she can be competitive again in this company. (4) NONSTOP YEOLCHA will need a line drawn through his latest but was a close 2^nd two starts back at this distance and can place. (10) JEONGSANG HIT another in the hunt.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) WONDERFUL TECHNO ran 3^rd on debut over 1300M on June 9^th before running 5^th at start number two on July 7^th when he was slow away before starting to run on late. He was later found to be slightly lame in both forelegs but was quickly back in work and coming up to two turns, has as much chance as any. (10) HANGANG CAPTAIN comes out of the same July 7^th race when he had an even worse time than Wonderful Techno, bumping at the start and then racing keen laying inwards in the closing stages. We’ll draw a line through that and instead go on his runner-up finish two starts back on June 16^th which warrants him another chance. (9)  NATURAL SOUND and (3) TROLL came home 3^rd and 4^th respectively when they raced each other at this distance on June 29^th and both can be in the mix to match or better here. (1) MARUBYEOL another in the hunt.

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

(3) SMILE GOLD ran 2^nd at start number five on June 9^th at 1400M before breaking through on June 29^th when tackling this distance for the first time, racing on pace throughout. She comes up in class here and while she doesn’t get much of a weight drop, she draws well, and can go back-to-back. The man danger is (8) STUNNING FLATTER. After getting his maiden win at the third time of asking at 1400M in March he didn’t reappear until June 22^nd when he ran a solid 3^rd on his first try at this class and distance. His time was quicker than any of the others have achieved for the 1700M, and he can strip fitter second-up here. (7) SMART BYEOL has plenty of experience and based on her recent efforts when doing her best work late, the step up to two turns should suit. (9) GEUMSEONG REVERE and (6) TAENGGEURI are others to consider.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Twelve imported maidens with all but two racing for the first time, but it is one of those experienced ones who will start the warm favourite. (6) ULTRA THUNDER debuted on July 7^th and came from well off the pace to run a close 2^nd in a quick time over 1300M. Under today’s conditions, he comes up 3kg in the weights, but Moon Se-young stays up and he won’t need much natural improvement to win this. A couple of the debut-makers looked promising in trials. (2) LUCKY FRANK went through two heats, improving in the second of them when leading for most of the way round. He draws nicely to lead here and can be in it a long way. (11) GWANAKSAN STORM won his trial of July 4^th, settling midfield and running on and while he has the challenge of a wide gate here, that’s enough to put him in contention. (4) NAVY CAPTAIN and (10) DRAGON GATE are others who caught the eye.

Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) WONDERFUL JET raced once last summer and then wasn’t seen again until this May. He has been very good since his return, registering a 2^nd place on his comeback on May 19^th, followed by his maiden win over this distance on June 23^rd when on pace all the way. He comes up in class but draws well, Moon Se-young stays on, and third up there can be plenty more to come. (3) ULTRA MANGCHI got his maiden win at start three over this distance on June 8^th, making all, and then almost repeated the trick on his first try at this level on July 6^th when in front for much of the way before ultimately finishing 4^th. He will be again challenging for the lead right from the start and shapes as the main danger. (1) RUN WILD is another up in class after a maiden win on his third start and drawn well and down in the weights, he can measure up. (6) CHEONEUNCHONG and (9) AUSTIN LEADER among the placing chances.

Seoul Race 8: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Tricky race. (6) CHEONJI SKY enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at this class, both over 1300M. In this company he can be on or close to the speed and the slight step up in trip can be in his favour. (2) YONGBISU got her maiden win two starts back at 1300M before running 2^nd in a quick time over the same distance on her first try at this level on June 8^th when handy throughout. She has a 2^nd place to her name over 1400M and from a good draw will probably start as the market leader here. (1) DAEMUL SOCKS is yet to win but has been working into form over his last few starts, culminating in a 3^rd place at this class and distance on June 30^th. He has the fastest time among these for the 1400M and can be there or thereabouts again. (3) HAENGUN BARAM and (7) GANGHAN NURI are others in the minor money hunt.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) RAON TIMOTH hasn’t quite yet lived up to the promise he showed when winning his first two in fine style, but recent signs have been good with back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at this class over 1200M and most recently this distance on June 23^rd. From the inside gate, he can be expected to be on or close to the speed and he can return to winning ways. (5) DRONE KILLER similarly began his career in a hurry but has stalled slightly at this level. He enters off a solid 4^th at a mile last time out and he returns today to a distance at which he has won with solid claims to go close. (9) SEOCHEON LION got back-to-back wins over 1300M to get promoted to this class before running a good 2^nd on his first try at it on June 16^th. He carries his fair share of weight here but can be in the mix (11) GEUMAK DIA and (2) SMART SOCKS are among others to consider in a competitive race.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) GEUMSE has only finished outside the top four on one occasion and enters off three consecutive 3^rd place finishes at this class and distance. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and while he is up slightly in the weights, today’s company looks amenable, and he should be on pace or handy and prove too strong. (3) PURPLE WINK is up in class following a smart win over this distance on July 6^th. He is down in the weights, daws well, and he can measure up in this company. (5) GOLDBERG too is up in class following an emphatic score over this distance on June 23^rd in a fast time. Under only 51kg, she can be competitive among this lot. (1) MUNHAK EAGLE and (8) ARGO TAP are others in the frame.

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

(11) THUNDER DREAM is yet to finish any worse than 5^th in five starts with his win coning over 1300M at class 4 level last November. He didn’t return until April but has registered a 3^rd, 2^nd and a 4^th in three starts back at 1200M, registering fast times in all. He likes to come form off the pace so the wide draw should be no problem and the additional furlong can be what he needs to return to the winner’s circle. (8) KWAEHYANG was a winner at class and distance on May 19^th, settling midfield and running on. He has the fastest time among these for the 1400M and while he is up in the weights, he comes in fresh and can be a danger. (9) BEST TORCH is a winner already at this class and enters off a close 4^th place at this distance on June 16^th. In this company she can be close to the pace and in the mix again. (3) MIGHTY SHONE and (5) MIGHTY JJANG others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 12: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) SMART CLAIR comes in having run 9^th of fifteen in the final leg of the Triple Crown over 2000M in June. Going into that, he won at 1700M at class 5 level before finishing as runner-up at this class and distance in May. Returning to more amenable company, he may take some beating here. Veteran (3) DIRT SURFER enters with his recent form reading consistently well with a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two, both at this class and distance. He may not shape as a winning chance here, but he should be in the mix at the business end. (4) EAST WEST is at the other end of his career and has taken to two turns well with a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two at 1700M. He comes up slightly further to 1800M and under a very light weight can be aiming for a career best finish. The form falls off a bit after those three with (1) GLOBAL LUCKY and (5) HAKSAN MACHO perhaps the best of the rest.

Seoul Race 13: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) SEIRENE comes in having registered her maiden win at the tenth time of asking last time out. Remarkably that maiden cam e at Group level in the final leg of the Triple Tiara over 2000M. She has taken to two turns very well, she carries a light weight and with Moon Se-young on board, she can win again. (6) HANGANG POWER beat a couple of these on his way to a win at class and distance on June 23^rd when handy early and pulling away late. That was is third win in his last four starts and while he comes up 3kg in the weights today, he shapes as the main danger and could well start as the betting favourite. (8) LUCKY PARTY has also won his last two, most recently over this distance on June 22^nd. He is up in class but has never finished any worse than 4^th, he comes down significantly in the weights, and with CC up, can measure up. (10) WINNER YOUNG and (4) SEGWANG FIGHTER others to consider in a good race.

Seoul Race 14: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Decent finale which although class 1, is restricted to horses with a rating of 95 or less. (5) DOKKI BULPAE will probably be favourite having won his latest two, both at a mile and most recently at this class on June 23^rd. He comes up a full 3kg in the weights, but he has won at this distance before and from a good draw he can win again. (6) COMPLETE LEVEL is a winner of five from eight in total including all of his last three and he tackles class 1 for the first time following a success at this distance on June 8^th. He carries a light weight, can settle on pace or handy, and he looks to have the potential for class 1 wins. (8) ARGO SMILE was a winner at class and distance two starts back before running 3^rd over 2000M last time out in May. He returns from twelve weeks out and while he carries 6kg more than when he won, he can be dangerous in this company. (9) MIGHTY GOOD and (3) RAON FOREST others in the hunt.

Author: Melissa