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Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener, with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. For the top choice we'll side with experience and (9) GEOSEN GANGHO who debuted over 1000M on August 4th and raced on pace to finish 2nd, ahead of a couple of the others here, who also made their debuts. He finished off very nicely and can be expected to improve here. Among the debut-makers, the standout is (8) COMPLETE TOUGH. He won his trial in mid-August, racing handy before striking the front in the final furlong and running on pleasingly. If he brings that form to the races, he will have every chance. They will be most people's top two but (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG looked competent enough when qualifying in the second of two trials and could put in a good showing. (4) RAON ECLIPSE and (11) CHALLAHANYEONGUNG both hinted at ability on their respective debuts, the latter behind Geosen Gangho, and can improve.
Selections | (9) Geosen Gangho (8) Complete Tough (6) Heunghaeng Dolpung (4) Raon Eclipse |
Next Best | 11, 10 |
Fast Start | 2, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden and it is very competitive. (8) DAESEUNGMA comes in off back-to-back 4th place finishes, most recently at this distance on August 17th when she led for much of the way around. She should be on pace again and this time can go all the way. The most experienced in the race is (5) KYLIE. That's not necessarily a good thing in a maiden, but going on her 2nd place two starts back, she should be firmly in this. (1) ECO WORLD enters off a spin around in the Rookie Stakes and while she only beat one home, her time was fair, and she had shown enough ability to be given her chance there. This is far more amenable company. (2) ARCH DAY was 3rd on debut and should have come on for the run while (10) DIA ROOK is another coming in off a last start placing and can be considered.
Selections | (8) Daeseungma (5) Kylie (1) Eco World (2) Arch Day |
Next Best | 10, 9 |
Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maiden fillies with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. (6) CRUELLA was slow on debut in June finishing last of eight, but she has since been through two trials on July 20th and August 17th, posting quick times in both and finishing 2nd (albeit well back behind an experienced horse) in the latter. She has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K MAGIC led for most of her trial, ultimately crossing the line in 3rd. She draws nicely to lead again here and can be in this a long way. (9) WORLD TAEYANG was slow away on debut over 1000M on September 6th but did run on pleasingly enough. She should have benefitted from the experience and the additional furlong may suit. (4) DOLPHIN KICK and (8) NAMYANG RUBY other first timers who hinted at ability in their respective trials.
Selections | (6) Cruella (1) B.K Magic (9) World Taeyang (4) Dolphin Kick |
Next Best | 8, 2 |
Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive maiden. (11) SPLENDID was slow away on debut before finishing 6th and was then an improved 4th at start number two at this distance on August 24th, settling midfield and running on. The wide draw shouldn't pose too many problems and third up, he can win here. (10) ELDORADO HEUNGBU is also third-up, having improved significantly when 3rd at this distance on August 31st. Both times he has settled right back before running on and he can be a danger late. (6) SOFT POWER came from off the pace to run 2nd at this trip on August 24th on what was her fifth career start. She has since been back to trial, in which she performed fairly, and can be a danger here. Those three have all come from behind in their races so if you prefer a front-runner, (5) CHRYSOL MAJOR may be the one from a good gate. (4) EAGLE WINGS the best of the rest.
Selections | (11) Splendid (10) Eldorado Heungbu (6) Soft Power (5) Chrysol Major |
Next Best | 4, 8 |
Fast Start | 3, 5, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) PEACE BE WITH YOU has raced three times so far with her best being her latest when 3rd over 1300M on August 16th having settled midfield and run on well. She draws nicely, the step up to the mile should suit, and she shapes as the one to beat. (8) GOLDEN NICE came from well off the pace to run 3rd over 1400M on August 30th. That equaled her best finish in nine starts and while she only managed 5th on her previous try at this distance, she is ready for another shot here. (9) HI LEGEND enters off a 2nd place at 1200M on August 25th. The distance is the question here but Tanaka getting on offers some cause for optimism. (4) DREAMING BOY has a 3rd place and the quickest time among these for a mile and that's enough to put him in the mix. (10) HEUIMANG YEOSIN another in the hunt.
Selections | (3) Peace Be With You (8) Golden Nice (9) Hi Legend (4) Dreaming Boy |
Next Best | 10, 2 |
Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) DAESEONG STAR was a comfortable winner on debut over 1200M on June 30th, making all. That earned him a shot in the Rookie Stakes on August 25th when, from a wide gate he was slowly away and not involved in the finish. He returns to shallower waters today, Moon Se-young stays on, and he can return to winning ways. (7) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK has an identical record, winning on debut and then finishing back in the pack in the Rookie Stakes. He also had the excuse of a wide draw, and he is the main danger here. (5) SONE SONJABGO is a winner at this class and distance and comes in off a fair 4th place last time out on August 17th. She should be there or thereabouts again. The up in class (11) CUPID MIR, along with (2) GANGCHEOL YEOGEOL, are others in the hunt.
Selections | (3) Daeseong Star (7) Seoul Bulchunggak (5) Sone Sonjabgo (11) Cupid Mir |
Next Best | 2, 9 |
Fast Start | 3, 7, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) WHO IS NEXT ran 2nd on debut before comprehensively scoring at start number two on August 23rd, settling handy before proving far too strong. He comes up in class today and faces the challenge of the widest gate, but neither should be a problem, and he can win again. That will mean overturning the form on (2) RUN TO QUEEN who won the race back on July 19th that Who Is Next ran 2nd in. She was beaten favourite when 4th on her first try at this class on August 18th but draws very well here, carries a light weight, and can be a danger. (1) PAN STAR mixes his form but draws nicely here and going on his 3rd place two starts back in a quick time, must be in the mix. (10) ROAD TO PARTY and (6) SANGIM STAR among others to consider.
Selections | (11) Who Is Next (2) Run To Queen (1) Pan Star (10) Road To Party |
Next Best | 6, 5 |
Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (4) JEONGSANG VICE is yet to win in ten attempts but enters in his best form so far with two 3rd places in June and July getting him up to this class and then a 2nd place on his first try at the level on August 17th when stalking the leader all the way around. He comes up 2kg in the weights, but he draws well, and today could be his day. (7) WONPYEONG GWANGYA is a class and distance winner as recently as August 18th. He has raced twice since, with a 4th and a 2nd and while this will be his fifth race in a two-month timespan, he is clearly in form. Expect him to lead. (2) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA rarely runs a bad race and from a good gate can settle back and run on into some money. The up in class (9) YEONGUNG JARYONG, along with (10) NAOL DAEWANG are among plenty of others in the placing frame.
Selections | (4) Jeongsang Vice (7) Wonpyeong Gwangya (2) Tamra Choegangja (9) Yeongung Jaryong |
Next Best | 10, 5 |
Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) FLYING ACE has been working back towards another win with back-to-back runner-up finishes in his latest two, albeit most recently well back behind Magerita in an ultra-fast race over 1200M on August 25th. A previous attempt at this distance didn't go well but he looks ready for another crack and from a good draw, he should be on pace. (1) DAYLIGHT KING struggled in his latest effort over a mile on August 11th but has since looked well in a trial and he loves this trip with a win and a runner-up in two attempts at it. (11) JEONGMUN SPECTER ran 5th behind Flying Ace in that fast race on August 25th. That was his first start back following an eight-month layoff and he should be all the better for it and can provide some interest at a probable each-way price. (6) JEOLDAE BOSS and (9) DOCTOR CAPTAIN others in the hunt.
Selections | (3) Flying Ace (1) Daylight King (11) Jeongmun Specter (6) Jeoldae Boss |
Next Best | 9, 5 |
Fast Start | 1, 3, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) NARAOLA got back-to-back wins at 1700M in May and June, one of them at this class, before running 3rd on his first try at 1800M on August 17th, beating a couple of today's rivals in the process. He carries his fair share of weight here but no more than last time, the wide draw shouldn't be a problem, and he can return to winning ways. (9) THORUI MANGCHI was a winner at this class over a mile on August 4th, racing on pace throughout. He comes up 4.5kg for his troubles but he ran 2nd under the same weight over 1700M at class 5 level and he can be competitive here. (7) QUEEN TOP tackles the distance for the first time but enters with recent form reading very well with plenty of placings at this class and she can be there or thereabouts again. (4) PURPLE WINK and (5) YONGAM MARENGO others to consider.
Selections | (10) Naraola (9) Thorui Mangchi (7) Queen Top (4) Purple Wink |
Next Best | 5, 3 |
Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 9 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) QUEEN OF DRAGON broke through at start number two in July following which she raced twice at class 5 and finished in 2nd place twice at 1300M and 1400M, both times as the beaten favourite. She comes up in class here but is down in weight and the stretch out to a mile can suit. (1) MAX THE CAT is a winner at this class over 1800M and while he was a beaten favourite over this distance on August 23rd, finishing down the field, the margins weren't huge, and he had excuses. He draws much better here and may well start as favourite again. (7) THUNDER GUY beat Queen Of Dragon as the pair came home 1st and 2nd over 1400M on August 25th. He too is up in class and in trip, but he is down in weight, and he can measure up. (8) YEONYEIN is another in the hunt, while the wildcard in (9) FUSAICHI is the wildcard. He comes back off a nine-month layoff and while he didn't offer too many clues in a trial two weeks ago, he has plenty of talent.
Selections | (10) Queen Of Dragon (1) Max The Cat (7) Thunder Guy (8) Yeonyein |
Next Best | 9, 3 |
Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 10 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight B / Ilgan Sports Trophy (Listed) / KRW 200 Million
This race officially has a "Listed" title but is open only to horses rated 80 or less so is essentially a class 2 and it is a pretty good one. (12) BLACK BELT is joint highest rated and enters off a strong 3rd place in the JRA Trophy over this distance three weeks ago, He has the fastest time among these for the distance and is a class 2 winner. He can be the one to beat. (3) EUNPA SARANG won the Korean Derby in May before running 4th over 2000M in the Minister's Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown, and then 3rd at regular class 2 over 1400M on August 3rd. He looks nicely in here and back to the Derby distance, can win. (6) USEUNG CONCORD will probably be the favourite. An up and comer with three wins from six starts, he hasn't won at higher than class 4, but he ran 3rd on his first try at this distance on August 4th. He should have come on for the run and today is clearly the target. (14) HANGANG POWER is a two-time winner at this distance, most recently beating two of today's rivals on August 24th. He made all that day, but he doesn't need to lead, and the wide draw shouldn't be a problem. (4) NEULGAEUL among plenty of others to choose from.
Selections | (12) Black Belt (3) Eunpa Sarang (6) Useung Concord (14) Hangang Power |
Next Best | 4, 11 |
Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Competitive finale and we'll take a chance on (3) DAEAM JANGGUN. After missing almost two years, he came back into action this summer and has steadily improved across three starts with a 3rd place over 1400M on September 8th his most recent. A five-time winner before the layoff, including at this distance, if he does have another win in him, it could be today. (4) LANE KILLER was a beaten favourite when a few of these raced each other over 2000M on August 23rd, touching the front in the straight but ultimately having to settle for 2nd place. He was a winner first up at class and distance in July and under a light weight, he is a big danger. That will mean overturning the form on (1) SO MUCH GO, who won that August 23rd race. The veteran comes up a full 5kg in the weights for his troubles but shouldn't be discounted. (9) STAR MATTA and (2) DOCTOR FAITH, the latter a quick on pace winner over a mile last time, others in the frame.
Selections | (3) Daeam Janggun (4) Lane Killer (1) So Much Go (9) Star Matta |
Next Best | 2, 5 |
Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) STILL PLAY enters off three consecutive runner-up finish at this class, all over 1400M and all in decent times coming from off the pace and running on. He comes up to a mile for the first time and that could be exactly what he needs to return to winning ways. If he does manage to find one too quick again – and he might – it could be (2) BOLLIN. He took a while to figure things out, but he's won two of his latest three to get rapidly promoted to this class, most recently an all the way score over 1400M on September 1st. He too steps up to the mile for the first time, but he draws nicely to lead and under a light weight, he can measure up. (7) DALKONG. Is yet to win but has placed four times in seven starts. She races for the first time since April, but she looked well winning a trial earlier this month and can put in a bold effort first up. (9) SMART CAT and (8) TINA K the other main chances.
Selections | (3) Still Play (2) Bollin (7) Dalkong (9) Smart Cat |
Next Best | 8, 6 |
Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 6 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) SAHARAMOND has won his latest two in fine style at 1200M and most recently over 1300M at this class on August 24th, when settling handy and running on. He comes up a further 2.5kg in the weights but comes into a better gate than in either of those two wins, and he can make it three in a row here. (10) SEOBU TEUKSEONG is up in class having won over this distance on August 25th leading all the way. She remains under a low weight and while she has the challenge of a wide gate, the time she recorded would be more than competitive at this class too. (3) BEST DAERO has run 2nd in both his starts at this level, both at 1300M. He has never finished outside of the top five and while up a couple of kilos in the weights, he draws well here and should be on pace and in this a long way. (11) RAON THE DAESE and (5) MIR POINT the other major dangers.
Selections | (4) Saharamond (10) Seobu Teukseong (3) Best Daero (11) Raon The Daese |
Next Best | 5, 6 |
Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) NICE TAEYANG enters off a 4th place at class and distance on August 18th when handy throughout. That was his worst finish over this distance in five attempts, but he stays under a light weight here and Moon Se-young, who has partnered him for two of his three wins, returns to the ride for the first time since his last success in April. They will be favourites to score here. That will mean overturning the form on (8) WILD SOCKS, who ran 2nd in that August 18th race, coming from well off the pace. He comes up slightly in the weights but can be doing his best work late on again here. (3) GIANT PUNCH has bags of talent, as evidenced in his win at 1200M at this class in July but is also erratic as evidenced by what stewards described as his "lack of tractability" when sending him back to two trials after being difficult on his last start in August. He won both of those trials in compliant fashion, but you never know which side of him is going to show up. (6) BEOLGYO VERITAS and up in class (4) WORLD SHANNONS others in the frame.
Selections | (1) Nice Taeyang (8) Wild Socks (3) Giant Punch (6) Beolgyo Veritas |
Next Best | 4, 5 |
Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(11) CHOEGO BLACK is the one to beat here having scored over a number of these at this class over 1800M on August 18th. He only comes up 1.5kg in the weights, Moon Se-young stays up, and the wide draw shouldn't be a problem. (2) MIGHTY GOOD enters having run 2nd at class and distance at the end of July, settling handy and running on. He has won at this distance before, and he can be a danger here. (1) MIGHTY NEW is consistent and enters having run 4th behind Choego Black in that August 18th race. He has a strong finish on him so Ruan Maia can pick his spot, and they can be challenging late here. (8) SOUL MERIT and (4) NORTHERN TIME others in the frame. Unfortunately, Iron Socks, who was due to go here and would have been a contender, fractured a sesamoid in work on Friday.
Selections | (11) Choego Black (2) Mighty Good (1) Mighty New (8) Soul Merit |
Next Best | 4, 6 |
Fast Start | 2, 4, 9, 11 |