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South Korea Analysis - Saturday, 19 October

Today's racing in South Korea
Today's racing in South Korea

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (6 1/2f) Special Weight A / $32,000

Small field of juvenile maidens with (3) GLOBAL TIME as the warm favourite. He comes in having run 3rd and 2nd in his two starts so far, most recently over 6f on September 15th when he led until the closing stages. Third up he can be peaking and from a good draw he can lead again, and this time go one better. (4) MUNHAK BOY debuted in that September 15th race and ran a very solid 3rd, coming from off the pace. He was five-lengths behind Global Time so he has plenty to make up, the slight step up in trip can suit and he should have some natural improvement. (1) GWANAKSAN GLOBAL did nothing on debut make in July but has since been back to trial where he looked a better prospect, and he can improve today. Debut-maker (8) RAON THE AFFIRMED trialed up with Munhak Boy, finishing 3rd to his 2nd and she can go well first up while the other first-timer (2) BEOLGYO BAKGANGGUL also hinted at ability in a trial. 

Selections   (3) Global Time (4) Munhak Boy (1) Gwanaksan Global (8) Raon The Affirmed
Next Best   2, 7
Fast Start   1, 3, 6, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (7f) Special Weight A / $22,000

Standard maiden here with (2) WONDERFUL NORTHERN the standout. He didn't do much on debut but in two subsequent starts, has landed a close 2nd followed by a 3rd, both at 6f. Both times he did his best work late on and stepping up to 7f may be just what he needs to make the breakthrough. (7) CHRYSOL MAJOR came from well off the pace to land a best to date 2nd place over 6 1/2f on September 29th, well behind a good winner, but showing promise and he won't need to improve much to go close here. (5) ORANGE TIME too improved to 2nd place at his latest start on September 15th and is another for who the additional distance may benefit. (8) CRAZE CHANG and (3) GANGCHEOL DRAGON among others in at least the placing frame. 

Selections   (2) Wonderful Northern (7) Chrysol Major (5) Orange Time (8) Craze Chang
Next Best   3, 4
Fast Start   2, 4, 5, 6

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (6f) Special Weight A / $22,000

Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time. Moon Se-young is in town to ride Wonderful Slew in the Gyeongnam Governor's Cup later and he picks up a potential winner here on the shape of (7) FLYING CHAMPION. After an inauspicious debut, he has finished 2nd and 4th in two subsequent outings at 6f and 7f and he won't need to improve much, if at all, to beat this lot. (9) EUNBIT DAERO is the only other experienced one with any form to speak of, having run 4th on debut in a decent time over 5f. With some natural improvement she can get close here. (10) DOCTOR CURLIN did nothing at start number two but if we go on his 5th of eleven form a wide draw on debut, he can shape as a place chance. Other than that it is the debut-makers and (1) DAEGIL HERO and (3) WONDERFUL FORTUNE were the best in trials. 

Selections   (7) Flying Champion (9) Eunbit Daero (10) Doctor Curlin (1) Daegil Hero
Next Best   3, 6
Fast Start   1, 6, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (6 1/2f) Handicap / $32,000

(4) SCALE KING is yet to win in eight attempts but got promoted to this level with a few too many near-misses and then showed he can compete with a 3rd place over 6f on September 14th when handy throughout. He has raced well at this trip already and today can be his day. Probably betting favourite is (6) STING JET. After running 4th on debut, he was a winner at start number two over 6f on September 15th when tracking the leader and pulling away late. He is up in class and slightly in trip but is down in the weights and can measure up. (3) AUSTIN LEADER mixes his form, but this is the kind of company among which he can compete for at least a place. (11) BELOTERO and (7) EAST RISING among others in the frame.

Selections   (4) Scale King (6) Sting Jet (3) Austin Leader (11) Belotero
Next Best   7, 1
Fast Start   5, 6, 7, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (7f) Handicap / $32,000

(11) NINETY PLUS got his maiden in at start number two on August 11th before running 2nd in the valuable Gangseo-gu Mayor's Trophy for juveniles on September 8th, settling midfield and running on. He has by far the quickest final furlong among these, and the wide draw shouldn't be a problem (2) HAPPY CHARMING was a front-running winner on debut over 6f on September 8th. She comes up in class and in distance here and from a good draw, she can get on pace, and she can win again. (7) ROAD TO FIGHTER is up in class following a maiden win over 6f at start number three on September 13th. He doesn't get much of a weight break, but he can measure up here. (8) WE LIKE MONEY and (6) DOCTOR FIGHTER among plenty of other place chances in a competitive race.

Selections   (11) Ninety Plus (2) Happy Charming (7) Road To Fighter (8) We Like Money
Next Best   6, 10
Fast Start   2, 3, 6, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (6f) Handicap / $32,000

Fillies only here. (1) GOOD FIGHTER has won her latest two over 6f but is spared the instant level rise and gets another crack at class 5 here. She comes up a full 4.5kg in the weights but that's balanced somewhat by the inside gate, and she can complete his hat-trick here. (4) DUSON OPEN is yet to win but comes up in class here having run 2nd in both her first two outings at 5f and 6f. She led in both, her times have been quick, and she can measure up here. (3) MAGIC SOUND is also winless but comes up in class having run 2nd in both her latest two, both at this distance. She carries a light weight and from a good gate, she can be competitive. Those three will fill out most Trios with (5) GULJAK SUN and (2) MY THUNDER others who can compete for the minors.

Selections   (1) Good Fighter (4) Duson Open (3) Magic Sound (5) Guljak Sun
Next Best   2, 6
Fast Start   4, 5, 6, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1M) Handicap / $43,000

(9) SKY JILJU was a winner at this class over 7f two starts back before running 4th in a competitive race at the same distance on September 29th He likes to come from off the pace and run on and while he is up to the mile and up 3kg from the weight that win came under, he has every chance. So too does (10) OPEN SKY. He is rapidly up in class having won both starts so far, most recently a facile score over 6f on August 23rd when leading all the way and winning doing the proverbial handsprings. He comes up significantly in trip but that shouldn't be a problem, and he has every chance of maintaining his 100% record. (5) CAPTAIN EVERYTHING enters with recent form reading well, most recently a win at 7f on September 8th. He is up in class here and up to a mile for the first time but can be competitive. (6) MORPHEUS and (4) LEMON BULPAE, the latter like Open Sky, seeking a hat-trick of wins, are others to consider.

Selections   (9) Sky Jilju (10) Open Sky (5) Captain Everything (6) Morpheus
Next Best   4, 2
Fast Start   3, 6, 8, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1 1/16M) Handicap / $32,000

(6) BEST THOR has been working his way back towards another win and has finished between 2nd and 4th in his four starts at this class, coming from off the pace on each occasion. He steps up to two turns for the first time with every indication that it can suit, and he can win here. (8) PASALUBONG comes in off a runner-up finish over 7f at this level on September 14th when close to the pace throughout. He too tackles 1 1/16M for the first time and shapes as the main danger. (7) BARAMSAL was a class and distance winner when sent off as the longest shot on the board on September 15th. She only comes up 1kg in the weights, and while lightning may not strike twice, she warrants more respect here. (11) DAERYUN SIDAE and (5) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA others in the frame.

Selections   (6) Best Thor (8) Pasalubong (7) Baramsal (11) Daeryun Sidae
Next Best   5, 4
Fast Start   2, 4, 8, 10

Busan Race 4: Class Open (1 1/4M) Special Weight A / Gyeongnam Governor's Cup (KOR G3) / $365,000

The second leg of the Queens' Tour Fall and Winter. (13) JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG returned to winning ways with a dominant score in the Jeju Governor's Cup over 7f in Soul on September 7th having had excuses in her previous two, having been badly hampered in the KNN Cup and then against the boys in the KRA Cup Classic. She has the challenge of the widest draw, but she can win here. That will mean beating defending champion (2) WONDERFUL SLEW. She won the KNN Cup over a mile and was 4th in the KRA Cup Classic before chasing Jeulgeounyeojeong home in the Jeju Governor's. 1 1/4M is very much her go and from a great draw, Moon Se-young can pick his spot and she has every chance of a successful defence. (6) FLYING STAR was 4th in this year's Oaks and 2nd in the Gyeonggi Governor's Cup and enters having led all the way to win over 1 1/8M at class 3 level on September 28th and she can be in this a long way. Oaks runner-up (4) GLOBAL TAEYANG was 3rd in the Jeju Govenor's Cup behind the two favourites here and can be involved in the finish too. (11) BLUE LEMON was 3rd in the Gyeonggi Governor's Cup and could make for some each-way appeal.

Selections   (13) Jeulgeounyeojeong (2) Wonderful Slew (6) Flying Star (4) Global Taeyang
Next Best   11, 9
Fast Start   3, 6, 11, 13

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (6f) Handicap / $43,000

Competitive race but we'll side with the probable favourite (8) DOKKI DRAGON, but we are going to need to take him on trust somewhat. That's because he hasn't raced since finishing 2nd at this class back in March over 6 1/2f when leading for most of the way. In his time out, he has been gelded and he looked very well when 3rd in a quick trial on October 4th. He can win first-up. (5) RAON THE FANTA was a somewhat unexpected class and distance winner on September 1st when he got the lead and never looked back. He comes up 3kg in the weights but can be on pace again and play a big part. (9) NEMO PRINCE is top-rated and has plenty of experience at this class. He is rarely far away and has a smart finish on him. (1) YESULIYA and (7) EXCELLENT QUEEN others in the hunt.

Selections   (8) Dokki Dragon (5) Raon The Fanta (9) Nemo Prince (1) Yesuliya
Next Best   7, 5
Fast Start   1, 2, 3, 5

Busan Race 5: Class 3 (6f) Handicap / $54,000

(11) MAGARITA won back-to-back races in fine style in August at class 4 level before running 3rd on her first try at this class and stepped up to the 7f on September 15th. She comes back to the 6f today and while she faces the challenge of the wide gate, her recent running style suggests that shouldn't be a problem and she can return to winning ways. The main danger is one gate inside her. (10) CONTROLLER comes up in class having won over this distance in fine fashion on October 4th, leading all the way and stopping the clock in a quick time. That was his second start since returning from almost nine months off, and third up he can be peaking and can definitely measure up at this level. (4) SOUTHERN JOY beat three of these on her way to 3rd place at this class and distance on September 6th and while she can mix her form, she can go close again. The wildcard is (2) SEUNGNIMAGIC KING. He won three oof six starts as a promising up and comer but hasn't raced since April of 2023. He looked very well trialing up alongside Ssonsal at the end of last month. (8) PERFECT ACTION another to consider.

Selections   (11) Magarita (10) Controller (4) Southern Joy (2) Seungnimagic King
Next Best   8, 5
Fast Start   3, 4, 8, 10

Seoul Race 7: Class Open (6f) Special Weight A / NACF Chairman's Trophy (Listed) / $146,000

Juvenile Series. (10) SEOUL BULCHUNGGAK is a half-brother to Jeulgeounyeojoeng and while he finished well back in the Rookie Stakes, he sandwiched that between two wins, most recently, a very comfortable score at class 5 level over 7f on September 29th. If that Rookie Stakes effort can be overlooked, he has every chance. (12) CAPTAIN P.K. won the Rookies Stakes, coming from well off the pace. He has also won from the front, and he is sure to be a danger. (9) HANGANG PERFECT was 4th in the Rookie before getting his second win over 6 1/2f on September 15th at 6 1/2f, leading all the way and can be involved here. (8) BLUSHING ROSE has the fastest time among these for the distance, recorded when leading every step of the way on September 1st and along with (6) SILVER RAIN is another in the hunt. These juveniles can change so rapidly though, not many can be dismissed.

Selections   (10) Seoul Bulchunggak (12) Captain P.K. (9) Hangang Perfect (8) Blushing Rose
Next Best   6, 2
Fast Start   2, 5, 10, 11, 12

Busan Race 6: Class Open (6f) Special Weight A / Gimhae Mayor's Trophy (Listed) / $146,000

(8) WINNER CLEAR is currently the most exciting juvenile on the peninsula. Having run 3rd on debut, he won his second race in astonishing fashion, finishing almost three-seconds quicker than the 2nd placegetter before being almost as dominant in the Gangseo-gu Mayor's Trophy at this distance on September 8th. Few will bet against him here. Stablemate (6) OASIS BLUE stepped up to 1 1/8M at start number three (as that trainer tends to do with his juveniles) and won at class 5 level on August 30th. He is untried at such a short distance as today but clearly has plenty of ability. (1) GREEN SHARPEY has won his latest two at 5f and 6 1/2f and from the inside gate can be on pace and be a threat. (4) BRIGHT MARINE is two for two and along with (3) WONDERFUL GROOM is another in the placing hunt.

Selections   (8) Winner Clear (6) Oasis Blue (1) Green Sharpey (4) Bright Marine
Next Best   3, 7
Fast Start   2, 3, 4, 5

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $43,000

Not much enters in form here so it is a case of having to pick a few to take on trust. (10) GOLDEN DRAGON ran 2nd two starts back at 6 1/2f before running a fair 5th over 1 1/16M on his first try at this class on October 6th. He comes up a couple of kilos in the weights, but he has as good a chance as any. (8) POWER ETCHED is the other one who enters with passable recent efforts including a last start 3rd at this class and distance on September 15th with a few of today's rivals behind him. He has to contend with an additional 3kg this time but should be firmly in this. (4) GLOBAL LUCKY was 6th in that race but was 3rd at class and distance two starts back and that's enough to have the veteran non-winning mare in the numbers here. (6) GEUMAK STAR and (7) NANO MASIN the other credible placing contenders.

Selections   (10) Golden Dragon (8) Power Etched (4) Global Lucky (6) Geumak Star
Next Best   7, 5
Fast Start   5, 6, 7, 10

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $54,000

(1) JJARTIHAN JAYU enters in excellent form with a win two starts back at this class and distance followed by 3rd place in the valuable Gold Circle Trophy on September 7th. He carries plenty of weight here, but that's balanced somewhat by a good draw, and he can win. (8) SMART CLAIR comes up in class having led all the way around to score at over this distance on July 28th. He comes in fresh after twelve weeks off and while up in class, he is down in weight and can measure up. (6) PANORAMA KING returned from four months off at the end of July to run 2nd over 7f. He has had a further twelve weeks off since then and comes up in trip to two turns for the first time but there is every chance it will suit. (4) GEUM SEDA and (3) ACHIM HAMSEONG are the other minor money chances.

Selections   (1) Jjarithan Jayu (8) Smart Lair (6) Panorama King (4) Geum Seda 
Next Best    3, 7
Fast Start   2, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1 1/8M) Handicap / $54,000

It's hard to go far past (6) GIANT M here. He has eight top three finishes from eleven starts so far and was a winner two outings back over this distance before running a very close 2nd on his first try at this class on September 14th. He comes up 2kg in the weights but is still nicely in and should go one better here. (2) CHEONGSAN YEONGUNG was 4th in that September 14th race having won at class and distance back at the start of August. He carries his fair share of weight again but draws well and can be a danger. (8) EFFEL TAP will need a line drawn through his latest when he was never involved from gate eleven, but he places at this class and distance in June and can be given another chance here. (1) SINUI EREUM and (7) BARAMUI GEOM others in the hunt.

Selections   (6) Giant M (2) Cheongsan Yeongung (8) Effel Tap (1) Sinui Ereum
Next Best   7, 5
Fast Start   1, 3, 5, 6

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1M) Handicap / $80,000

(8) MY CENTER was a winner over this distance two starts back at class 2 level before running a fair 6th in a valuable trophy race over 1 1/8M on international weekend. Back to the mile can suit, he comes down in weight, and he has as good a chance as any in a competitive finale. (2) RAON FOREST was a winner at this class over 1 1/8M at the end of July and then ran 5th of fifteen in the Jeju Governor's Cup behind Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew over 7f. She is lightly weighted, drawn well, and she is a big danger. (9) VICS GO was last seen in the Korea Cup. He has trialed twice since, going well in both and back in more appropriate company and over a distance he has won before, can be considered. (10) NAMSANUI BYEOL and (1) GOOD PILSEUNG, the latter up 5kg following a last start class and distance win, others in the hunt.

Selections   (8) My Center (2) Raon Forest (9) Vics Go (10) Namsanui Byeol
Next Best   1, 3
Fast Start   4, 5, 8, 9

 


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