Sunday January 19, 2025
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) NICE WINNER ran 5th on debut in October when slowly away, before improving to 2nd at start number two on December 7th when leading for much of the way around. He will lead again here and will be the warm favourite to go one better. Second favourite will be (1) IMRO. After a fair trial, he ran a solid 4th of eleven over this distance on debut on December 22nd, settling midfield and running on. He should have come on for that run and from a great draw, can get closer this time. (5) MUNHAK CHUKJE came from off the pace on his debut to run 4th. He too can have derived benefit from that experience and can improve here. (9) WONDERFUL CATHAY and (2) JOSE others who have hinted at ability.
| Selections | (7) Nice Winner (1) Imro (5) Munhak Chukje (9) Wonderful Cathay |
| Next Best | 2, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Moon Se-young will be aboard another short price favourite. (11) GRAND KWAEMA has a 3rd and two 4th place finishes from three starts so far, most recently at this distance on December 14th when settling midfield and running on. He has the fastest time among these for the 1300M and won’t need to improve much to win here. (10) YEOMYEONGUI SUNGAN was an encouraging 4th on debut at 1200M on December 7th, settling back and running on. She drew the same wide gate that day and the slight step up in trip can suit. (5) COMMAND BLUE has shown signs of figuring things out in her latest two and she can continue to make progress here. (9) BREEDO KING STAR and (3) CHEONGRYONGUI CAL among others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (11) Grand Kwaema (10) Yeomyeongui Sungan (5) Command Blue (9) Breedo King Star |
| Next Best | 3, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Moon Se-young could really be having a proper day out early on Sunday as he is on another warm favourite here in the shape of (11) DRAGON KILLER. He came from well off the pace to run 2nd on debut over 1200M on December 22nd and while he once more draws wide, the way he finished off suggests that the additional half furling can be in his favour and he can go one better today. (7) RAON NOTHERN DANCE got a long way back on debut but has since run 3rd and 4th, most recently over this distance on December 22nd. He can settle just behind the speed and be a danger here. (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG has finished midfield in both starts so far but is another who may benefit from a slightly increased trip and third-up, he can be peaking fitness wise. (9) MERIT SUNSHINE and (3) CHRYSOL MAJOR others to consider.
| Selections | (11) Dragon Killer (7) Raon Nothern Dance (6) Heunghaeng Dolpung (9) Merit Sunshine |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (8) B.K DANCING GIRL was an eye-catching trial winner, causing her to be sent off as favourite on debut over 1200M on November 29th. She led for most of the way but ultimately got caught and ended up in 3rd place. She’s had seven weeks off since then, she should lead again, and this time she can go all the way. It’s not a strong set of rivals. (7) COME ON GLORY and (5) ROAD TO SPRING came home 5th and 6th when they raced each other on the latter’s debut on December 13th. The former has races once since, struggling over 1400M two weeks ago, but back at this trip both can be in the place hunt. (11) QUEEN TYCHE and (2) WONDER ROAD others who may improve without really inspiring much confidence.
| Selections | (8) B.K Dancing Girl (7) Come On Glory (5) Road To Spring (11) Queen Tyche |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (7) TOHOMARKET is yet to win in eleven attempts but after back-to-back runner-up finishes to get promoted to this level, she has finished no worse than 4th in four class 5 outings. In this company, she can sit just behind the speed and today could be her day. (5) RED DRAGON came from well off the pace to win over 1200M on her debut on December 14th. She comes up in class and marginally in trip, but she is down in the weights, draws well, and Moon climbs on. (10) SINHAN ACE was runner-up on debut but got her maiden win at start number two on December 21st, over 1200M. She too comes up in class and distance but is down in weight and can measure up. (3) TOUCH CHARM and (8) QUEEN ABIGAIL are the other logical placing chances.
| Selections | (7) Tohomarket (5) Red Dragon (10) Sinhan Ace (3) Touch Charm |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) TOHAMSAN TAEYANG was a much-improved 2nd over 1300M on December 22nd, settling midfield and running on. She comes up to 1400M for the first time today and with a bit more improvement, she can go one better. (2) RIGHT CHAMP has been knocking on the door across her five starts to date with the best being a 2nd place at this distance. She was slow away last time but draws better here to be on pace and is a real chance. (9) BLACK EQUUS got a long way back on debut but ran on pleasingly enough for a midfield finish. She should have derived benefit from that experience and can go closer today. (7) WORLD TAEYANG and (5) HANEULPYEONGJEONG are the other place chances.
| Selections | (1) Tohamsan Taeyang (2) Right Champ (9) Black Equus (7) World Taeyang |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) GHOST DRAGON enters off a good 2nd place at this class and distance on December 22nd when handy throughout. That was his second start back following an almost five-month layoff and he can be peaking fitness wise from a good draw. (6) MENI SHARK is yet to win in twenty-four appearances, but he has plenty of near misses. He mixes his form but going on his 3rd place at this class and distance two starts back, he has to be in this. (2) NAEGILUI YEOJEONG comes up in class after a 4th and two 2nd places in his first three starts. He has raced on pace each time and down in weights and drawn well, he can lead again and be in the race a long way (11) SONGAM SKY and (5) YEONGWON GIANT are others to consider.
| Selections | (3) Ghost Dragon (6) Meni Shark (2) Naegilui Yeojeong (11) Songam Sky |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s hard to go far past (2) WORLD HIT here. He was a winner on debut last September and in three starts at this class has been working his way back towards a second, with a runner-up finish over 1400M on December 20th his latest when overcoming a wide gate to sit handy and run on. He draws better today and will take some beating. (8) ROAD TO FIGHTER was 3rd in that same December 20th race, settling right back and running on. Just like World Hit, he comes up to the mile for the first time and it can suit. (9) NEVER GIVE UP has races at this distance a couple of times already and while he didn’t place in those, his last start 4th at this class over 1400M and his fast final furlong times, suggests he is ready for another go. (5) RACE MAN and (4) HWARANG ACE are others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (2) World Hit (8) Road To Fighter (9) Never Give Up (5) Race Man |
| Next Best | 4, 12 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (3) CHRYSOL CROWN got his maiden win at start number three over 1700M on October 26th, coming from well off the pace and running on. That win had been coming and while he is up in class and coming in fresh after twelve weeks off, he can win again. (6) PLAN B is yet to score in twenty-two but has been working back in to good form recently and enters off a smart 2nd place at this class over 1700M on December 21st when beating a couple of today’s rivals. She carries a light weight, and she can be there or thereabouts again. (2) TAENGGEURI was one of those back behind Plan B last time but if we go on his previous two when 2nd in back-to-back races at this class at 1700M and 1800M, then he is well worth another chance. (9) BARAMSAL and (11) NATURAL SOUND others in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Chrysol Crown (6) Plan B (2) Taenggeuri (9) Baramsal |
| Next Best | 11, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) QUEEN OF DRAGON had a poor day at the office on her latest on December 20th and was later found to have been lame. She’s been back in work since January 2nd, so all seems ok now and going on her two outings immediately prior to that when she 2nd over a mile at this class, she has to be back in the mix today at a distance over which she got her solitary win. She does love coming 2nd though so if she finds one too quick, it might be (5) MY DREAM DAY. An also ran in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles in November, he got his maiden win on December 20th at this distance when settling behind the speed and proving too strong. He is up in class but down in weight, and Seo Seung-un, who rode both him and Queen Of Dragon last time, stays on. (10) AMUR was a winner at this class over a mile on December 20th and while she comes up 3kg in the weights, can be close again. Unbeaten but rapidly up in class (1) FANTASTIC BLUE, along with (2) GOLDEN POINT are others to consider.
| Selections | (4) Queen OF Dragon (5) My Dream Day (10) Amur (1) Fantastic Blue |
| Next Best | 2, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Good race with plenty of talented up and comers facing each other. (7) HANGANG PERFECT gets the nod. He ran 4th in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles at Busan last November and followed up with a 4th place at this class over a mile on December 28th. The drop back in trip can suit, Moon Se-young stays on, and he can win. (2) BEST RACE is rapidly up in class having won his latest two, most recently at class 5 level over 1400M on December 8th when on speed throughout. He carries a light weight and draws nicely to be on pace again. (10) PALO ALTO is the only horse to beat Best Race so far, which he did on what was both their debuts. Palo Alto was then beaten by a few of these on November 9th over 1300M before getting his own second win on December 14th, leading all the way over 1200M. He too is up in class but can measure up. (4) MUNHAK BOY won that November 9th race and re-appears for the first time with solid claims while (8) MR. POWER is another who comes in having won his latest two and while up in the weights, can be in the mix again.
| Selections | (7) Hangang Perfect (2) Best Race (10) Palo Alto (4) Munhak Boy |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(2) WINNER CLEAR is one of the most exciting three-year-old prospects and he comes in having had nine-weeks off after he got the better of fellow up and comer Clean One in the Listed Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Trophy, which the pair effectively turned into a match race. He comes up to the mile for the first time but draws well to lead and he should be winning. (10) KING DRAGON is a winner of four from seven and enters having run a close 2nd at this class over 1400M on December 29th. He looks ready for another crack at a mile and while he carries his fair share of weight, he shapes as a danger. (8) VOLCANO GRIT comes in having run a close 2nd at this class over 1800M on December 22nd and under a light weight, can be running on at the business end today. (4) SEUNGNIMAGIC KING and the returning (6) DIABLO QUEEN are among others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Winner Clear (10) King Dragon (8) Volcano Grit (4) Seungnimagic King |
| Next Best | 6, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only. (5) MIGHTY AMI won her opening two races to get rapidly promoted to this class before running 2nd on her first class 4 appearance over this distance on December 15th when handy all the way. She carries the same light weight and will be expected to go one better. That will mean overturning the form on that day’s winner (2) SHINE ON ME, who scored with a front-running effort. She has to contend with a 5kg weight raise which tips the scales in Mighty Ami’s favour, but she warrants respect. (11) GWANAKSAN LEO was a class and distance winner in a similar filly and mares race on December 21st and while up 2kg in weight, can be in the mix again. (4) MOONHAK HOLIDAY and (6) DIANA others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Mighty Ami (2) Shine On Me (11) Gwanaksan Leo (4) Moonhak Holiday |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
Fascinating entry here but we’ll go with (3) CLEAN ONE. After facile wins in his first two starts, he tackled the Listed Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Trophy for juveniles over 1200M on November 17th and lost out in what turned out to be a match race with Winner Clear (who we will have hopefully seen in race 5). He jumps up in trip and in class for what is just his fourth career start but he carries a light weight but he is a Bernardini so there shouldn’t be a problem with the distance, the only question is whether it is too much too soon. If it is then (5) CATALINA MARINE can take advantage. She beat several of these at class and distance on December 8th and while up 3kg in weight, has every chance of scoring again. (6) DOCTOR KINGDOM was 2nd in that race and should be close again. (2) B.J. CHIEF and (8) LOVE KING IJI other place chances.
| Selections | (3) Clean One (5) Catalina Marine (6) Doctor Kingdom (2) B.J. Chief |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) OKCHEON WIN STAR has won her latest two, both at 1400M, to get rapidly promoted to this class, both times racing on pace. She tackles two turns for the first time but there is no reason why it can’t suit and with CC climbing on for the first time, she can complete her hat-trick here. (3) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG was a winner at this distance two starts back before running 2nd on his first try at thus class on December 14th. Lightly weighted and well-drawn, he can be a danger again. (1) TRISTAN WANGJA can have a line drawn through his latest on December 21st but prior to that was going well and he can be given another chance here. (6) GOLDEN SNIPER and (11) ZETTA MASTER others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Okcheon Win Star (3) Seongsil Yeongung (1) Tristan Wangja (6) Golden Sniper |
| Next Best | 11, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(8) SEIRENE got her sole win to date in, of all races, the final leg of the Triple Tiara over 2000M. Since then, she has been in a variety of races, generally well supported but coming up short, most recently when 5th at this class and distance on December 22nd and beaten by a couple of today’s rivals. The temptation is to look elsewhere but Moon Se-young returning to the ride creates a nagging doubt, and she goes on top again. (3) STILL PLAY was one of those who beat Seirene last time when 4th in that December 22nd race. That continued a run of consistent form, and she can be in the mix again. (9) SAENAE POWERFUL was 2nd in the same race coming from off the pace. The wide draw won’t matter, and he should be in this. (10) JEONGWOO FOREVER and (1) G MOTION among others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (8) Seirene (3) Still Play (9) Saenae Powerful (10) Jeongwoo Forever |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
This is a hybrid class 1/class 2 race with horses rated between 66 and 95 eligible. (8) FLYING STAR is the new star of the filly/mare division, rounding out her three-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Queen, both at Busan. She has won at a mile already and while this is surely intended as a tune up to keep ticking over before the Queens’ Tour series begins, she looks very well in to win. (9) NEULGAEUL was similarly a revelation last autumn, winning the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy over 1800M and then running a super 3rd in the Kookje Sinmun Trophy at 1400M, the latter in Busan. He swooped from off the pace both times and can be a danger here. (1) LUCKY WORLD enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on December 22nd and is well drawn to play a part again. (7) GEUMBITMA and (3) HERO FIGHTER others in the frame.
| Selections | (8) Flying Star (9) Neulgaeul (1) Lucky World (7) Geumbitma |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 8, 10 |
