Korea Racing Seoul Preview – 8 March

Saturday March 8, 2025

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) NICE WINNER was 2^nd on debut before being beaten into 3^rd place when odds-on favourite at start number two on January 19^th. The pair that beat him that day have both gone on to place at class 5 and from the inside gate and with Moon Se-young staying aboard, he will be a similarly short price to get it right this time. (11) YES ANGEL was an improved 4^th at start number two over this distance on February 9^th having led for much of the way. She has the challenge of the widest gate but can lead again and be in this. (4) DALBIT GEURIMJA did nothing on debut when slowly away in that same February 9^th race, but previously trialed up well and in this company, that’s enough to give him another chance. (6) YONGAM GIPPEUM and (5) JAJONSIM GONGJU perhaps the best of a very limited rest.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) ISEUL CHEOREOM has raced three times with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from her latest two, most recently at this distance on January 25^th when leading for much of the way around, She draws well to lead here too and she has every chance of going all the way. (4) GRIFFON was an improved 2^nd at start number three at this distance on February 9^th, settling midfield and running on. Expect similar tactics here and he can be a danger late. It would be a big surprise if that pair fail to fill out the quinella. (11) SWITCH POWER didn’t impress last time out but if we go on her 3^rd place on January 4^th over the distance, she has to be given a placing chance in this company. (2) TAEGISAN KING and (7) EAGLE WINGS are others potentially better than their respective latest starts indicate.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (2) BYEOKSONG made all to win at start number two on December 28^th and came close to repeating on her first try at this class on February 9^th when ultimately finishing 3^rd but beating three of today’s rivals. She is up marginally in trip but from a better gate can get on or close to the speed again and can go all the way. (11) DESTINO won on debut on January 25^th stalking the pace throughout and proving too strong. She comes up in class and slightly in trip but is down in weight and she can measure up in this company. (1) MISS CONCORD had a poor day at the office last time out but comes into a much better gate today and her form leading up to that was good. (3) HERO JILJU and (9) EXCELLENT MATTA are others in the frame.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) RAON NIZHINSKII got his maiden win three starts back and has since run 3^rd in both tries at this class, both at 1300M. His running style suggests that the extended trip can suit, and he has as much chance as any in this competitive field. (2) DAZZLE RUSH is yet to win in five attempts but has three-runner-up finishes to his name, including at this class and distance on January 5^th when beating a few of today’s rivals. He also finishes ahead of a couple in his latest at 1800M on January 29^th and with an apprentice jockey taking 3kg of his back here, he shapes as a real chance to make his breakthrough. (3) K POWERFUL had a hard time from a wide draw on his first try at this distance on January 12^th but coming in here after eight weeks off and in a better gate, is worth another chance. (11) STUNNING MONEY and (8) BLACK SIDAE among plenty of others with placing chances.

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) ECLIPSE THE KING enters having won three in a row, most recently when making all to score at this class over 1700M on February 8^th with two of today’s rivals behind him He comes up a full 4kg in weight but that shouldn’t be insurmountable, and he will be strongly fancied to make it four here. (3) ELDORADO NOLBU was 2^nd in that February 8^th race, coming from well off the pace. He has never finished any worse than 4^th place and while he has seven-lengths to make up on the favourite, he gets a weight swing and can be closer. (10) SEONGEUN CROWN enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance on February 9^th, coming from well off the pace and he can be there or thereabouts again. (6) BAEKRYONG, 3^rd behind Eclipse The King and Eldorado Nolbu last time, along with (7) PURGE KING, are others who can be in the hunt.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Tricky one. (10) GOLDBERG hinted at a return to form with a solid 4^th place at this class and distance back at the start of December. She comes in fresh following fourteen weeks off and while match fitness may need to be taken on trust, she should have every chance here. (9) SAHARAMOND gets an overdue class drop. He is a two-time winner at this distance and while coming down in class is at the expense of going up in weight, CC gets on for the first time, and in this company, he really should be going close. (11) RAON CITY GRIRL has been working her way back into form most recently with a 4^th place at this class and distance on January 5^th. She has a smart finish on her so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can get closer today. (4) GEUMAK JINJU and (1) GEUMAK STAR among plenty of others to consider for at least the minors.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Another competitive race. (7) WHIZ CAMPAIGN has made progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place at this class and distance on January 18^th. From a fair draw he can be on pace or handy and Moon Se-young engaged for the first time suggests this can be the day. (5) WONDERFUL NORTHERN was an also-ran in last November’s G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie for juveniles but has bounced back from that with a win at this distance at class 5 level and then a runner-up finish on his first try at this class over a mile on February 16^th. Coming back to 1400M can suit, and he shapes as a big danger. This similarly looks a more suitable assignment for (1) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK, who finished ahead of Wonderful Northern in that Breeders’ Cup Rookie but has only raced once since. (10) KING KALLE and (4) WINNING CHAMPION others to consider.

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) RAON TIMOTH is a winner of two of his last three most recently at this class and distance on January 18^th.   He comes up 3kg in weight but draws well, Kozzi gets on for the first time, and he can win again. (6) GEOSEN GANGHO is seeking three wins on the bounce having most recently scored at class 5 level over a mile on January 26^th. He is one for one over this trip as well and while he is rapidly up in class, he can measure up. Also on a hat-trick is (5) HANURI. He’s won three of his last four to rapidly come up three classes and has never been worse than 3^rd at this distance. He carries a light weight, draws well, and CC is one for one on him with every chance of scoring again. (2) HAKSAN MACHO and (11) GOLD SIDAE, both up in class having finished 1^st and 2^nd over this distance on February 8^th, are among plenty of other placing chances.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) TAP TIER has been a bit below par in his latest two but he comes back to a trip at which he has won and placed in two attempts and from the inside gate and still under a light weight, he is well worth another chance here. (8) SECRET SOCKS has a 3^rd and a 2^nd from her latest two, most recently at this class and distance on January 25^th when she led for much of the way.  She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way. The wildcard is (6) POWER VICTORY. He returns from nine months out and while he didn’t give away too many clues in a January trial, can be given a chance at an each-way price first up. (2) DAEHEUNG CLASS and (3) ULTRA THUNDER are others to look out for.

Seoul Race 10: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(11) HIGH GRAND has been knocking on the door in his latest few, having been 2^nd in the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy last September and most recently a 3^rd place at this class and distance on February 9^th. He carries his fair share of weight again but can be the one to beat. He will need to overturn the form on (4) BYEOLNARA JILJU who has beaten High Grand in both of his latest two. It’s fair to say he doesn’t win out of turn, but Byeolnara Jilju’s recent form is not to be dismissed, and he can be a danger again. (9) MUSTANG POWER comes in off a 2^nd place at class and distance on January 25^th and still under a light weight, warrants respect. (5) FIRE POWER and (7) CLUB D others in the hunt.

Author: Melissa