Seoul Saturday: race-by-race preview (October 25)

Saturday’s race is in Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 AM to 6:00 PM. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A/KRW 45 million

Youth girls, all but two of whom are racing for the first time. (1) FOREVER HIT took two attempts to qualify, but did so well the second time he asked, with a run of 3^rd behind two experienced horses who have proven handy throughout. He has to be fit for this and can win. (12) GENERAL WIND won his test at the end of September and showed himself to be on pace. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but if he brings that form to the races, he will reach the finish line. (11) WALLSTREET was also on pace in her heat and crossed the line in 4^e in quite some time and she too can be the first to put on a daring show. (5) FANTASTIC BRO and (7) SONGDANG SKY tried their hand at Forever Hit and hinted at what they could do.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A/KRW 75 Million

Imported young girls (and one three year old in the Southern Hemisphere) with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. (3) GEUMA SPLASHY won a stage and then led most of the way on his debut over 1200M on October 3^rdbefore being passed by Roshe. He is well-signed to take the lead again, the trip cutback should be in his favor and he will be a strong favourite. (7) MIGHTY CODE took three tries to get to the races, but debuted well in 2^i.e at 1200M, coming from well off the pace on August 30th^e. He should have come for it and will finish strong. Of the first timers (1), GAMSAUI HIM won his test in quite some time and that is enough to put him in the numbers here. (6) ONE SLIDE that is significantly improved in a second trial can also be considered first. Coming back to the experience: (11) SOUTHERN BEACH was a fair 4^e on debut and can build on that today.

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

(9) POWERFUL SLEW finished in midfield over 1000m on his debut in September, but was an improved 3^rd at start two when he embarked on this voyage on October 4^ecoming from far beyond the tempo. In third place he can deliver a top performance in terms of fitness and he seems to be the player to beat. (6) DDATTEUTHAN WIRO has made steady progress through three starts so far, with his last being his best as he achieved a close 2^i.e more than 1300M, continues. CC climbs up for the first time, the step up in the trip could be appropriate, and he could be a danger. (4) CHRYSOL DONGHAE was 2^i.e on its debut all the way back in January, but came out of the race crippled and did not race again until July, when it was ruined. It was a good result and finished 3rd^rd at 1200 million and although he suffered further setbacks after that, he returned to work in the second week of this month, and he is already a proven performer first. (5) PARADISO and (1) SEVEN KAISER are the other placement opportunities.

Seoul Race 4: Handicap Class 5 (1400M) / KRW 45 million

Only mares and we take a chance on (11) CLUB Q. After a 3^rd and a 2^i.eshe achieved her first victory at the end of June at start three over this distance, from the pace of an equally wide gate. She’s in the classroom and after seventeen weeks of competitive fitness you have to rely on confidence, but she seems worth a try for a single prize. (2) I AM GO was a bit cold for a few races, but got back into shape with a 3^rd place in this class over 1300M if you are on pace. She can aspire to lead here and be well on her way. (10) WONDERFUL ALONG mixes her shape but on her 2^i.e place in class and distance two trips back, she should be given a chance in this company. (4) GIDAEHARA and (6) GOOD FRIEND others during hunting.

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

(10) CHOEGANG SPEED has been working towards another win, most recently when he beat half a length in 2^i.e in this class over 1300M on September 27^e. He has placed at this distance three times, Moon Se-young knows him well, and today could be his day. The extra half-furlong could help him overturn the form of (2) JURING SKY, who won on September 27^e race, leading from gate to wire. She weighs only 1.5 kg, she pulls very well to lead again and she does not allow herself to be pushed away. (11) RAON FINAL was the winner at the end of August at start two in a filly over 1200M. She is better today in class and distance, but she can measure up. (8) GROUPER and (4) TAYANGUI JEONSA others to consider.

Seoul Race 6: Handicap Class 5 (1800M) / KRW 45 million

(8) BLUE SUN achieved its first victory at 1700M on August 30^estalking the leader before he shows up too late and runs on. He’s higher in class, but lighter, Maia stays on and he has every chance to go back-to-back. (7) NAMSAN MINYEO similarly moves up in class after her own maiden 1700M win on September 27^e when she led the way all the way. She has lost 3 kg and can measure up. (3) PNS NALA was class and distance winner in June and with an apprentice jockey taking 4kg off his back today he should be in the calculations. (2) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG and (1) GANGCHEOL POWER, the latter being in class 2^i.e against Namsan Minyeo last time, others are in the small money frame.

Seoul Race 7: Handicap Class 4 (1600M) / KRW 60 million

(7) IMRO floundered at the start, but otherwise didn’t have too many excuses for a very ordinary effort when he was sent off as favorite in this class and distance on September 21^st. However, the rest of his form, including class and distance wins two games ago, means he has enough credit in the bank to get another chance here. (9) MYUNGJINBULLPAI comes in with a very close 2^i.e place in this class over 1700M on September 21^stcoming from far beyond the tempo. She has not placed in a mile in three attempts, but in this company she can finish strongly. This also applies to (10) CHANG CHANG SOCKS. He comes in with run 3^rd in his last two at 1400 meters, both the pace and return time to a mile can suit a student claiming 2 kg. (5) SUPER ECTON and (4) GEUMAK MYEONGJANG others to consider.

Seoul Race 8: Handicap Class 4 (1400M) / KRW 60 million

(6) AIRFORCEONE is a two-from-four winner and although the two-year-old struggled in the Rookie Stakes, he returned to winning ways when he first attempted this distance on September 21.^stconvenient racing. He is coming to the front of the class and more can come from him. (5) WONDERFUL SWEET is lightly played for a six year old, but with his recent form he has been consistently coming in well with three 2^i.e places and two 4^e places since his promotion to this class. In this company he should be on pace, there or there again. (3) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK returns to action for the first time since winning this class and distance in March. He didn’t give too many clues during his trial, but he has undeniable ability. (9) GLOBAL SERVE and (3) TAPDINE among many other contenders in a competitive race.

Seoul Race 9: Handicap Class 3 (1800M) / KRW 75 million

(4) BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN run 4^e in the KRA Cup Mile in April before also competing in the final two legs of the Triple Crown. Since returning to shallower water, he has scored one win and two second-place finishes in three starts, most recently two^i.e in this class and distance on September 20^e. He’s at a reasonable weight today, but is a firm favorite to go one step further. (9) MUSKET DAY has won its last two, most recently in this class over a mile on September 14^e to take him to a record of five wins from nine starts. Even at this distance he is already a winner and poses the greatest danger. (6) DRAGON SQUARE And (2) REMEMBER coming home AGAIN 2^i.e and 4^e respectively when they played each other in this class and distance on August 31^st and both could be back in the placement mix. (5) STILL PLAY someone else to pay attention to.

Seoul Race 10: Handicap Class 3 (1800M) / KRW 75 million

Competitive race and we take a chance on (11) BEOLGYOUI STAR. His last two weren’t great, but before that he was a class and distance winner and he looked very good in a trial earlier this month. Maia rode him in the trial and is competing in a race for the first time and although he has the challenge of the widest fence, he can get him back into shape for a single price. (3) FLYING DAY has seven top three finishes from eight starts and comes in at a close 2^i.e in this class over 1400M on September 20^e. She remains lightweight and although she is climbing the 1800M for the first time, she has proven to be versatile and can be done. (1) BLUE NELLO was class and distance winner on September 20^ecoming from the tempo. It weighs 4 kg, but it is somewhat compensated by a much better fence. Harry stays on and he is another chance. (4) SPLENDID is in the form of his career so far with three wins from his last four. He is in his class here, but weighs less and with two victories and a third place at this distance he can compete. (2) SEGWANG HUNTER, another on the hunt.

Seoul Race 11: Handicap Class 2 (1400M) / KRW 90 million

After an impressive junior campaign (7), CAPTAIN PK didn’t quite have the Triple Crown campaign you might have expected: he finished on the field in the Cup Mile and didn’t take part in the rest. Reversing his journey he appears to have found his feet and has won his last two races at this distance, most recently a valuable trophy race in early September. If not properly weighed and drawn, he could complete his hat-trick here. (5) USEUNG CONCORD missed a run in tomorrow’s Kookje Shinmun Cup over the same distance in Busan. He was class and distance winner in June and although he is coming off a disappointing performance in the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy over 1800M, this should be much more suitable. (3) SHADOWHUNTER was 3^rd behind Captain PK in that September Trophy race and can be in the mix as a five-time winner at this distance. (11) BEST RACE and (6) GWANAKSAN O TWO others in the frame in a good final.