Expert - Alastair Middleton

Alastair Middleton, a British living in Seoul since 2006. With his passion in horse racing, he started his racing blog in 2007 which immensely popular with fans around the world trying to learn more about Korean racing. Alastair is familiar with Korean racing that providing racing insights for its races on his blog, like racecard, race-preview in English. He is currently appointed by Korea Racing Authority as the English-language racecaller for the races at Seoul and Busan.

S1-1     Korea Sprint

Hong Kong's SUPER JOCKEY won the inaugural running of this race in 2016 while a year ago it was Japan's GRACEFUL LEAP who took the honours. Thirteen runners line-up for the latest edition of the 1,200m test with five overseas horses taking on eight locals. While the locals may have got the better luck in Thursday's barrier draw, the visitors may still run out victorious.

Beginning with those visitors, US-trained horses ran in Seoul for the first time last year and acquitted themselves well. CHUBLICIOUS looks a similar type of horse and leaving aside his latest run his overall recent form is very good. The track surface shouldn't be a concern and he has looked in terrific shape since making the long journey to Seoul.

There will be no concerns about the track either for MOANIN, Japan's sole representative. He won two starts back and while remarkably, it was his first win in two years, his form has been anything but poor as he has been racing against good opposition. MOANIN has never raced at a distance as short as this before but in Kanichiro Fujii, connections have taken the precaution of booking a jockey who formerly rode full-time in Korea. From barrier 9, MOANIN will be one of the favourites.

KING MALPIC has been a prolific winner at lower levels in France and was second in a G3 race last start at this distance at Maisons-Laffitte. This is a step up in terms of competition and there will be question marks about the surface but he's raced on all-weather before and has the best draw of the foreign contingent in barrier 8.

WILD DUDE was well-beaten when he ran in this race two years ago, however, he finished off last season with two very strong runs at the Dubai World Cup Carnival and came within four-lengths of MIND YOUR BISCUITS in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup Day.

Then there is Hong Kong's own FIGHT HERO. His last start win was at Class 2 at Sha Tin but the time was faster than the track-record here at Seoul and he has to be respected. He has to start from barrier 13, which at first glance looks a disadvantage, but in the last two runnings of the Korea Sprint, the runner-up has come out of barrier 14. He'll be able to avoid the worst of the kickback and can surely come close.

As for the locals there is a short-list of two. DORAONPOGYEONGSEON has established himself as the best sprinter in Korea. He was third in this race last year and returned to Seoul in June to successfully defend his KOR G3 SBS Sports Sprint at the same distance. Since then he has won another big Stakes race over a mile in Busan and should have a real chance here. He is going to have to run faster here but he has always shown himself capable of rising to challenges.

TODAY ran third in the KOR G3 SBS Sports Sprint and then went to Singapore and took his chance in the Korea Racing Authority Trophy at Kranji in July also at this distance. He didn't' have the best of the luck in running but ran on nicely for third behind a couple of useful Singapore sprinters. He has drawn well, something he didn't do when he was here in June, and should be a factor.

ACE KOREA is one for the future but has also drawn well and may find the minor money. ZENTENARY and PERDIDO POMEROY are likely to be on speed early but it would be a surprise were they to stick around too long at the business end of the race. MORNING DAERO and GEUMA RAPID have it all to do while WONDER BOLT's best days may be behind him.

It's hard to call but MOANIN may just have the edge for Japan.

SELECTIONS: 9. MOANIN, 7. DORAONPOGYEONGSEON, 12. CHUBLICIOUS, 2. TODAY & 13. FIGHT HERO

Disclaimer:

The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.

HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.