Seoul Saturday: race-by-race preview (January 24)

The worst of the cold snap, which saw Thursday’s tests held at -12 degrees Celsius, will hopefully be over and Saturday’s race will take place in Seoul with 11 races from 10.35am to 6pm. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old first fillies in the opener, with all but two racing for the first time. Those experienced two are at the top of most tickets. (9) BEAUTIFUL DOLPHIN was 2^i.e on debut, down by just over a length, as I was close to the pace the entire time. She should have come in for that and can go one step better today. (12) YONGWONHAN SOLEO also ran 2^i.e on her debut, finding a convenient position from the same widest fence she draws today and then running on. She was nine lengths behind a very nice looking winner, but her time was good and she is the danger. As for the newcomers, (11) THE SUN STORY has probably had the best test and, along with (5) CHONGGANG BOM and (4) SEMYEONG HEIDI, are probably the most likely to have an immediate impact.

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

(9) IKKEULIM did nothing in two starts at the end of the summer, but after a few months’ absence he returned and won a test in good order on January 8, leading all the way.^e. Maia is there and if he brings that effort to the races, he can win. (1) BEST CHEONHA was an improved 4^e at start three over this distance on December 7^e. He has raced at pace on each of his rides so far, so from the inside gate he can be expected to be at the front early and like this. (2) BEST A ONE was off slowly last time and didn’t do much but wasn’t there for miles from two starts back then 5^e at 1300M and that is enough to have a chance of a place here. (7) THE SUN MONSTER and (6) CHEONJI JACKAL could potentially improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A/KRW 30 million

(9) SU BU TAI has three top five finishes from five attempts, with his best being his last as he defeated a few of today’s rivals en route to 3^rd place over this distance on December 28^eestablish midfield and run further. He is favored to score here. (4) BEAT FRESH was an improved 3^rd at start two over this distance on December 27^e. Third, he can deliver a top performance in terms of fitness and the step up in the trip can fit in with that. (5) POMADE has a best yet 4^e when I was first attempted at this distance on December 14th^e. He doesn’t need to improve much, if at all, to be placed here. These three will be at the top of almost everyone’s card in some combination, as the form (such as it is) suddenly falls away. (1) GEOSEN PUNCH and (2) ROAD TO SPEAR will likely be next on the market.

Seoul Race 4: Handicap Class 3 (1800M) / KRW 75 million

(5) YEONHUI HERO will be a hot favorite. He comes in after winning a very fast race over 1400M in this class on December 13^e when convenient anywhere. Two starts ago he placed in this class and distance and with a student claiming 4kg he can win today. (3) SEOBU CHAMP also competed in a Queens’ Tour race over 2000M last October, but has a 4^e and a 1^st in two it will begin to return to shallower water. The win was in this class over 1400M, but she is a two-time winner on this trip and like Yeonhui Hero, her light weight puts her directly in this. (7) GWANAKSAN LEO was 2^i.e with great expectations on December 28^eat this class and distance and deserves some respect here. (8) ULTRA DRAGON and (9) WORLD DEBTS others during the hunt.

Seoul Race 5: Handicap Class 5 (1800M) / KRW 45 million

(2) MR.CARA has run 2^i.e in both of his last two outings, both at 1700M. That moves him up in the class, but there’s little to fear here, the two turns seem to suit him, and he can compete at what should be at least a price each way. (3) TANGGEURI has yet to win in thirty-two starts, but it is not impossible that this could change. He has recorded no fewer than eighteen top five finishes, including each of his last four, all in this class and distance, and this may be his best chance yet to come out on top. (11) SEUNGNI BAROWS was a bit disappointing last time, but things went well before that and he can get another shot at his first attempt at 1800M. (9) STEEPLE and (6) SAVANA CHARLIE are other place chances.

Seoul Race 6: Handicap Class 5 (1400M) / KRW 45 million

(3) DANAEUN STAR came off the pace to score over 1300M in decent time on his debut, justifying favorite status after a good test. He’s in class today and tripping a little, but neither should be a problem; he loses weight and can make it two of two. (9) POWERFUL KNIGHT tops his class after his first win, in his case over 1400 million on December 28^e if you are on pace everywhere. Previously he was also a G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie competitor and with the in-form CC Wong staying on, he could be a threat. (2) FOREVER GIL won on December 21 at start number two over 1200M^Sr. Up in class and down in weight he pulls well to get back up to speed and be able to compete. (6) BLISS STAR and (7) TIGER ROAR are others in the hunt in a decent race for the level.

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

(2) COMPLETE DIVA won over 1200 million on its debut in November and led all the way before finishing in third place^rd during her first attempt in this class at 1300M on December 21^st if you are not ahead, but on pace. She is competing against (some of) the boys for the first time, but that means a low weight and from a good draw she can lead and possibly go to the limit. (10) G FLEX similarly scored on his debut in November with an all-way score before falling to 5^e after leading over 1400 million in his first attempt in this class on January 4^e. He has the challenge of a wide gate here, but with a bit of luck at the start he can be up to speed and be a big danger. (11) NAEGILUI ACE comes in with a 2^i.e place in this class and distance on December 27^e and although he was well beaten by a good winner, he shouldn’t be too far away from here. (8) CUPID CHIC and (3) TIGER K among a few other place chances.

Seoul Race 8: Handicap Class 4 (1700M) / KRW 60 million

(10) DANGDAECHOWOL took thirteen tries to get his first win, but he clearly enjoyed it as he promptly followed it up with another win. Both were over 1700M at class 5 level and he showed that he belongs in this class with a very close 2^i.e airs on December 28 on 1800M^e. He gains 2.5 kg on top of that, but he won in class 5 and he can win here. (5) GAMSAUI HIM has yet to win but was a very close 2^i.e more than 1000 million on debut before making an honest effort in a publicly traded youth company. Most recently he has been working well to run 3^rd in a fast race over 1200 meters and although he makes a significant leap forward during the trip, this may be what he needs. (6) COMPLETE BRO takes two turns for the first time in the same way. He was a solid 2^i.e in this class more than 1400M last time and can sit in this. (11) HERO JJANG and above in the class last start winner (4) HEEMANGBAND other sin in the frame.

Seoul Race 9: Handicap Class 4 (1400M) / KRW 60 million

(4) FREE THE ONE was a winner on its debut and has worked its way back to another, most recently when a close 2^i.e in this class and distance on December 21^st. He has the fixed value of 58 kg here, but he can prevail. (8) JEONGSANG HERO ran 2^i.e on his debut in November, before winning at start number two over 1200M on December 21^st if you lead all the way. He’s getting another crack in this class and there’s no reason why the 1400M shouldn’t be suitable. (11) SAENAE FIGHTER is rising quickly in his class after winning his last two, but they were both over this distance and he can be competitive. (9) NAOL PASS and (7) MIGHTY DASH to consider among others.

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

(3) BEST PITCH won its first three between August and November before seeing its run end when 3^rd over 1400 million in its first attempt in this class on December 20^e. He likes to get behind the speed and run, and he could return to winning ways today. (1) HANSEN STAR enters back to back 2^i.e places in this class and distance, most recently on November 23^rd when he led most of the way, beating three of the current rivals. He will be back on pace and again he should go a long way in this. (7) MIGHTY LOVE was behind Hansen Star in November and has since entered a class and distance 2^i.e her own on December 27^e. She continues under a light weight and can stand in the finish again. (6) WONDERFUL PASS and (10) SEMYEONG DIA others who can be included in at least one place line.

Seoul Race 11: Handicap Class 2 (1600M) / KRW 90 million

The 2024 Korean Oaks winner (7) ECLIPSE BERRY returned from more than a year’s absence last November and was comfortably beaten over the 1200 million mark, but she looked more like her old self when she was almost 2^i.e at 2 p.m. on December 13^eleading most of the way. She gets to a mile, a distance where she is one by one, and by the third of this preparation she can peak and make a late return to winning ways. (9) MUSKET DAY is the danger. Winner of three of his last four, he sits at the top of his class after winning the 1800M on December 6^e in controlling midfield and running through. He is also one for one on the mile and 3.5 kg lighter, must be taken seriously. (2) CHAN FAMOUS is also in the class after a last start victory. That was his second over a mile and although he needs a strong pace to target as he likes to come from behind, he has lost 4kg and can be attractive either way. (5) JS ROAD and (10) USEUNG CONCORD others in the frame.