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Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (6 1/2f) Special Weight A / $22,000
(7) TAENGGEURI has five top-five finishes and comes back in trip after a couple of spins at 1 1/16M and one at 7f, not without some success. He has a 3rd place over this distance and has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K. BELLE is the main danger. She has mixed her form across five starts so far but her running style suggests that the slight step up in trip can suit and she should be running on late. There isn't much early speed in the race though. (8) HAYAN TAEYANG returns to action for the first time since last November. She has trialled up well on two occasions and should be in the mix first up here. The form falls off a bit after those three so it may be worth taking note of the debut making pair of (11) WONDERFUL LORD and (2) MAGIC PRINCE, both of whom hinted at ability in trials.
Selections (7) Taenggeuri (1) B.K. Belle (8) Hayan Taeyang (11) Wonderful Lord
Next Best 2, 6
Fast Start 1, 3, 5, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (7f) Special Weight A / $22,000
A small field of maiden fillies. (2) MAGIC IMPACT won a February trial and then finished midfield on debut over 6f later that month. She should have derived benefit from that experience, she draws much better today, and she has every chance here. (4) BAEDARI HYANGGI has been getting closer in recent outings, culminating in a 3rd place over this distance on March 2nd. In this company, she should be on pace, and she can get even closer today. (7) GENERAL POWER may sound like an energy company and she has mixed her output across her four starts, but going on her 3rd place at 6f in a good time two starts back, she is a chance here. (1) FLYING LION and (8) NEXTLEVEL are other placing chances.
Selections (2) Magic Impact (4) Baedari Hyanggi (7) General Power (1) Flying Lion
Next Best 8, 6
Fast Start 2, 4, 6, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (6f) Special Weight A / $22,000
(4) BLACK JILJU led for much of the way around over this distance on March 1st and was only narrowly beaten into 2nd place. She is yet to finish any worse than 5th and she looks very much the one to beat here. (1) NAEPYEON ran an improved 4th at start number two over this distance on February 23rd. From the inside gate he should be on pace and with Seo Seung-un booked to ride, more improvement seems probable. (10) SEOGWI STAR has been solid if unspectacular across her four appearances to date. She generally finishes off well and can run into some money again here. (8) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE and (6) DANCING BOY are others in the frame.
Selections (4) Black Jilju (1) Naepyeon (10) Seogwi Star (8) Yeonggwangui Rose
Next Best 6, 7
Fast Start 1, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (6f) Special Weight A / $22,000
(6) STUNNING CHAMP enters off a close 2nd place over 6 1/2f on February 24th when settling midfield and running on well. She has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin, and she can win here. (1) SPALTA is clear second pick. He was an improved 2nd at start number four over this distance on March 3rd when racing handy throughout. From a good draw, he should get a relatively easy run to the lead and is the one the favourite will have to get past. There are a couple of debut-makers. Both (9) SPARKLING and (8) MAX PARTY went through plenty of trials, and both are capable of a bold first-up showing. (4) PERFECT TIARA the best of the rest.
Selections (6) Stunning Champ (1) Spalta (9) Sparkling (8) Max Party
Next Best 4, 10
Fast Start 1, 4, 5, 8
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (6 1/2f) Handicap / $34,000
Fillies and mares only here. (1) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA is yet to win in six attempts but is also yet to finish outside of the top four. She comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes, the most recent of which was ahead of a couple of today's rivals at this class and distance on March 3rd. She comes up a couple of kilograms in the weights but today should really be her day. If she manages to find one too quick again, it could be (2) FLYING DANU, who was sent off as favourite on debut over 6f on March 8th and duly obliged, racing on pace throughout. She is up in class here but carries a light weight, draws well, and can measure up. (7) SKY GRIT is up in class after a maiden win in a good time at 6f on March 3rd. She'll be on pace here and can be in this a long way. (6) GRAY QUEEN and (8) DONGNAM WINNER other placing chances.
Selections (1) Daejiuiyeojeonsa (2) Flying Danu (7) Sky Grit (6) Gray Queen
Next Best 8, 5
Fast Start 2, 4, 7, 12
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (6f) Handicap / $34,000
(6) DRAGON KINGDOM went through several trials, and it was worth the wait as he led every step of the way to win on debut over 7f on February 3rd. He has had nine weeks off since then and while up in class, he comes down in the weights and can maintain his 100% record. (2) RAON THE SIDAE got her win at this distance at the end of last year and has since run twice at this class, most recently finishing 4th at this distance on February 25th. The draw is good, her carried weight is light, and she should be on pace and in this a long way. (4) GEUMAK JINJU was a class and distance winner in February and while she carries a couple of extra kilograms here, she can be competitive. (11) AROMA and (1) SUPER GUNHWANG others in the frame.
Selections (6) Dragon Kingdom (2) Raon The Sidae (4) Geumak Jinju (11) Aroma
Next Best 1, 9
Fast Start 2, 4, 6, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (7f) Handicap / $34,000
Competitive race. (4) AMAZING BOSS got her maiden win at start number three over 6f on March 1st, when she overcame the widest gate to settle midfield and run on for a narrow score. Neither the class nor the distance rise should be a problem and under a light weight, she can win again. (3) ROAD TO WARRIOR is similarly up in class following a last start maiden win. In his case, it was at start number two and was over this distance on February 18th when he led every step of the way. From a good draw, he can be on or close to the pace again and should go close. (6) SEOGWI OREUM got his maiden win at this distance on March 8th with a dominant victory at this distance. Seo Seung-un stays on and he can lead again here. As for those with experience of this level, (2) HERO J and (11) HOTFLEX have solid claims.
Selections (4) Amazing Boss (3) Road To Warrior (6) Seogwi Oreum (2) Hero J
Next Best 11, 7
Fast Start 4, 6, 7, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $46,000
It's hard to go past (1) ULTRA DRAGON. Several of these faced each other on March 2nd at class and distance and he came out the best of them in 2nd place behind the very good Umapoy, having raced on pace the whole way. He comes in at a similarly light weight, draws well to pick his spot again, and should go one better. (6) CHEON GUN and (2) DIRT SURFER came home in 3rd and 4th respectively in that March 2nd race. The former has since raced again two weeks ago when 4th, also at class and distance, and the pair shape as the most credible threats to the favourite. (7) GOMANARU mixes his form but was 2nd at class and distance two starts back and shouldn't be dismissed. (5) SIMPLE STYLE another possible for the minors.
Selections (1) Ultra Dragon (6) Cheon Gun (2) Dirt Surfer (7) Gomanaru
Next Best 5, 3
Fast Start 1, 3, 7, 8
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (7f) Handicap / $46,000
After running 2nd on debut, (12) WILD SERVE won back-to-back races in February and March over 7f and 6 1/2f to get rapidly promoted to this level. In addition to the class rise, she also faces the challenge of the widest gate, but she looks to have plenty of scope for more development, and she can produce another ace here. (2) RISE THE THRONE was given a run in Busan's Classic Trial last month but had very much an off day. At the start before, however, he was a close 2nd at this class and distance and returning to shallower waters, should go much better. (9) FINAL SEVEN had a go at class 3 last time out and it went well as he came home in 3rd. Coming back to this level means he goes up in the weights, but he can be competitive. (1) GLORY CROWN and (3) WORLD POINT are other placing chances.
Selections (12) Wild Serve (2) Rise The Throne (9) Final Seven (1) Glory Crown
Next Best 3, 7
Fast Start 2, 4, 5, 9
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (6 1/2f) Handicap / $46,000
(7) MIGHTY SSEN has been working back towards another win and was a solid 3rd at this class and distance on March 3rd when on pace throughout. CC Wong remains aboard and today can be his day. (6) RAON EMPIRE has been a bit ordinary in her two latest appearances, but she is a class and distance winner and in this company, she looks worth another chance. (9) ARA MOA returned from four months out to finish 4th behind Mighty Ssen on March 3rd. She should strip fitter for that run and can be there or thereabouts again. (5) DUSON CLASSIC enters off a class and distance 3rd place a month ago She draws a better gate this time and can aim to match that here. (8) WORLD SHANNONS another to consider for the minors.
Selections (7) Mighty Ssen (6) Raon Empire (9) Ara Moa (5) Duson Classic
Next Best 8, 4
Fast Start 5, 7, 8, 9
Busan Race 5: Class Open (1M) Special Weight A / KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) / $518,000
The first leg of the 2024 Triple Crown. (1) HANGANG CLASS was last year's champion juvenile with super wins in the Gimhae Mayor's Trophy and the Breeders' Cup in very fast times. He began the year with a late reverse in Busan's Classic Trial, but he can be peaking today, and he will be the favourite. The horse responsible for that reverse was (2) WONDERFUL LEAR, who finished down the field in the Gimhae Mayor's but was 2nd in the Breeders' Cup. While a previous try at a mile at class 3 level was challenging, he shapes as a big threat here. Seoul's best juvenile last year was (3) NICE TIME. A winner of five from six his only defeat was at Busan in the Breeders' Cup, and he has begun 2024 with a pair of wins, including in the capital's Classic Trial. Don't rule out a Moon Se-young Triple Tiara and Triple Crown opener double. There is a lot of potential among the rest of the field too with (9) BACCHUS and (4) LALA K ones who may step up.
Selections (1) Hangang Class (2) Wonderful Lear (3) Nice Time (9) Bacchus
Next Best 4, 5
Fast Start 1, 2, 7, 10
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (7f) Handicap / $46,000
(8) WONPYEONG TOWN returned from a couple of months out and returned to form with a runner-up finish at this class and distance on March 10th when handy throughout. One of only two here who have already won at this distance, he can add another here. The big danger is (3) KLIMT WORLD. He is still a maiden, but he has hinted at ability across his six starts so far and posted decent times at 6f. Stepping up to 7f for the first time, he draws well and could make the breakthrough here. (4) HEALING HAVEN is another maiden but has shown an uptick in form in recent starts and under a light weight and from a good gate can go close. (11) BLOOMING STAR and (1) WHIZ RUNNER others in the hunt.
Selections (8) Wonpyeong Town (3) Klimt World (4) Healing Haven (11) Blooming Star
Next Best 1, 5
Fast Start 3, 5, 8, 11
Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $70,000
(11) WORLD LEGEND came up to this class on February 25th and ran a fair – if slightly below expectations – 6th of twelve at this distance when leading, but not being able to see things out. He'll need to overturn form on three of these who finished ahead of him, but he will be favoured to do so. (2) LUCAS SUN won back-to-back races at this distance at class 3 level around the turn of the year and has beaten World Legend in their last two meetings, including in that February 25th race and has since run 4th at 1 1/4M. He likes to settle back and come from well off the pace and will be challenging late on. (3) DUNCAN hinted at a return to form when 4th over a mile last time out and under a light weight can match or better that here. (1) I WILL BE FREE and (10) WIND WINNER others to keep safe.
Selections (11) World Legend (2) Lucas Sun (3) Duncan (1) I Will Be Free
Next Best 10, 8
Fast Start 7, 10, 11,12
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (7f) Handicap / $57,000
(3) GEUMA FIERY enters with recent form, bar a struggle at 1 1/16M, reading very nicely and was a close 3rd last time out over 6 1/2f. He generally settles midfield and runs on, and this time should prove too good. (7) THE SPIKER and (1) MAGIC HOUR came home 4th and 5th respectively when they raced one another at this class and distance on March 10th. Both were outsiders but both ran well and shape as the main threats to the favourite here. (9) RAON THE QUALITY doesn't exactly enter with recent form leaping off the page, but she carries a very light weight here and is among softer company than on most of her latest outings. (11) SPRING KKUM another placing chance.
Selections (3) Geuma Fiery (7) The Spiker (1) Magic Hour (9) Raon The Quality
Next Best 11, 6
Fast Start 3, 5, 8, 9
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (6f) Handicap / $57,000
It could be time for (1) JEDI to win again. It's been fourteen starts since her last win, but the six-year-old has looked in good shape recently with back-to-back 4th places at this class and distance. She is lightly weighted, draws well, and the force can be with her today. (6) DANDI was a winner at this distance two starts back before running 4th on her first try at this class on March 9th. She can get a bit far back in her races but should be a danger late here. (7) M J BEST has run some quick times at this distance and looks nicely in here under a 4kg apprentice claim and is another who should be doing his best work late on. (2) HAENGBOKAN MUNMAK and (8) SAENAE POWERFUL the other place chances.
Selections (1) Jedi (6) Dandi (7) M J Best (2) Haengbokan Munmak
Next Best 8, 10
Fast Start 3, 4, 5, 9
Seoul Race 10: Class 2 (7f) Handicap / $70,000
The second division of yesterday's last race hence the small field and it's not a strong race for the level. Without a huge amount of confidence, we'll side with (4) MUNHAK BOSS. Two of his three wins have come over this distance and he enters with a last start 3rd in a similar race. (6) MORNING HILL was a solid 3rd at this level over a mile in January and while this distance hasn't been his forte, in this company, he should be able to get to the lead and hold out plenty. (1) SPRING KING won at this class last November. He can get a bit far back in his races but shouldn't be too far away here. The veteran mares (5) SEOUL TANK and (3) SINGSING MARY are also capable of picking up cheques in this kind of race.
Selections (4) Munhak Boss (6) Morning Hill (1) Spring King (5) Seoul Tank
Next Best 3, 2
Fast Start 3, 4, 6, 8
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $85,000
Competitive, if not very strong, class 1 to finish with. (11) ARGO SMILE comes up in class having run a close 2nd to Wolf Play over this distance on March 9th. He has ten top-two finishes from thirteen starts and coming down 6.5kg in the weights should make him more than competitive in this field. (8) JANGSAN MONSTER comes in off a strong 2nd place at class and distance just two weeks ago when he led for much of the way. He carries an even lighter weight today and he has every chance of going one better. (9) NAMSANUI BYEOL beat a couple of these on his way to 4th place over a mile on March 10th. Also lightly weighted, he should be in the mix at the business end here. (7) BALVENIE and (1) GOOD PILSEUNG others in the placing frame.
Selections (11) Argo Smile (8) Jangsan Monster (9) Namsanui Byeol (7) Balvenie
Next Best 1, 5
Fast Start 2, 6, 7, 8
