3 minute read
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
We kick off with one of the weakest maidens you're likely to see at Busan. Four of the twelve are racing for the first time and it is to those who we will turn for our top pick. (1) NEW PROSPECT looked quite the prospect indeed when making all to win a trial two weeks ago. If he brings that form to the races, he won't need to go very much quicker to beat this lot. None of the other first-timers looked up to very much just yet in their respective heats so we'll have to go with the experienced ones to find the main dangers. (5) ECHO MOON ran well on debut in December and while she couldn't repeat on her reappearance earlier this month, she evidently has some ability and can be competitive here. (2) CHEONGCHUN DREAM didn't do too much wrong when 6th on debut and can improve today. (4) BAEDARI SUNSHINE and (11) MUJEOK YONGBYEONG, the latter a trial winner who ran greenly on debut, are others in the hunt
Selections (1) New Prospect (5) Echo Moon (11) Mujeok Yongbyeong (2) Cheongchun Dream
Next Best 4, 9
Fast Start 1, 4, 8, 10
Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A tough assignment for analysts to look over with a lack of form to assess in the second on the card. Whilst never finishing closer than fifth in his three starts to date, (9) SPACE POWER looks one capable of running well. The Clear Attempt colt has run comparatively quick times in races that have been considerably stronger than this event. At set weights he looks a good chance and is likely to map closer to the speed in the race. (11) JEONSEOLUI FIGHT has had just the three starts to date where he has also clocked some reasonable times. The son of Colors Flying drops back to the six furlongs which looks suitable after failing over the mile last time out. His first and seconds runs where respectable albeit he was well beaten. (10) ZENITH POWER has been one paced through the line in some stronger events. He will be stretched out to the 1200m for the first time. (8) ROYAL CASTLE has been well beaten at all five starts to date but is capable of running into some minor money.
Selections (9) Space Power (11) Jeonseolui Fight (10) Zenith Power (8) Royal Castle
Next Best 4, 2
Fast Start 1
Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(10) FANTASTIC WINNER has been neither fantastic nor a winner in three starts to date but at least one of those should change today. The Midshipman colt has been consistent since going down narrowly on debut and has since run 4th and 3rd in arguably better races than this one. He'll be aiming to get to the front as soon as possible and can lead all the way. (6) GRAND CAPTAIN has shown signs of figuring things out with promising performances in his latest couple and looks set to be a danger today. Four of these raced each other over 1300M on January 3rd in what was a deeper race strength wise than this. The best among them was (9) PERFECT ANGEL, who ran 5th and can be expected to build on that here. (3) RAINBOW PARK wasn't too far away in 6th place and already has a 2nd and a 3rd to his name. (11) MAGIC STEALTH has been inconsistent across her eleven outings but has hinted at ability and can aim for the places here.
Selections (10) Fantastic Winner (3) Rainbow Park (9) Perfect Angel (6) Grand Captain
Next Best 11, 5
Fast Start 3, 10, 12
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A small batch of three-year-old fillies line up in the fourth where there is no standout given the lack of form. (2) CHEONNYEONUI GIL lines up for her fifth career start and will appreciate an easier assignment. The Tiz Wonderful filly was tried over the mile last time out capitulating in bad fashion down the home straight. She showed promise over the 1300m when she collected a cheque at her first three starts in some handy juvenile races. Lee Hee-Cheon is reunited with her today for whom she has performed well previously. (5) MARK ACE lines up for her second career start after finishing midfield on debut. She was sent out a rank outsider on debut and ran better than expected. She looks an athletic type and improvement may be on the cards with a run under her belt. (3) GOLD CANDY is another lining up for her second career start. The Indie Band filly finished fourth on debut in a two-year-old event. The event she comes out of wasn't overly strong but with improvement and a small field she cannot be discounted. (6) BLUE SIGNAL finished fifth on debut behind Global Hero when lining up against both sexes in a three-year-old event earlier this month. She lost her position in the middle stages before hitting the line fairly. Seo Seung-Un will be legged aboard once again which is a plus.
Selections (2) Cheonnyeonui Gil (5) Mark Ace (3) Gold Candy (6) Blue Signal
Next Best 7, 8
Fast Start 3
Race 5: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(12) ONE PICK has raced twice so far, finishing in 3rd place on both occasions, both over 1300M. He has finished off well both times and stepping up to a mile today looks very much the one to beat. He'll need to overcome the wide draw to get on pace but One Pick is the clear pick here. (2) CHEONNYEONUIGUREUM is another one who may benefit from the step up in trip here. He ran on well for 2nd on his first try at 1300M last start and looks set to be ridden further forward here. He can be strong late on. (3) WONDERFUL CITY has more experience and comes in off a career-best 3rd place last start when beating a couple of these over 1300M on December 28th and just like the others steps up to a mile for the first time today with solid chances to go close. (5) SOL INVICTUS and (6) HALEAKALA are others capable of finding at least the minor money.
Selections (12) One Pick (2) Cheonnyeonuigureum (3) Wonderful City (6) Haleakala
Next Best 5, 7
Fast Start 1, 2, 12
Race 6: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A field of twelve will face the starter in the sixth event where the on top selection looks to be a best bet. (8) WORLD TODAY lines up against a relatively strong field last start when finishing third behind the Golden Winner and King Dombo, who both look to have a future beyond Class 5 company. That was the Ecton Park geldings first attempt over the mile, expect further improvement in this assignment where he may take up the lead in a race lacking speed. Trainer Kim Young-Kwan combines with Busan's leading rider You Hyun-Myung, a recipe for success. The consistency of (6) MS. UP has allowed her connections to pick up some good prize money from her nine starts to date. The filly has been hitting the line fairly at her past few starts suggesting the mile may be suitable at this point in her preparation. (2) ACE JILJU is well past his best but continues to earn for his connections. The seven-year-old hit the line strong last start when fourth behind Burning Star last start. A placed performance her should see him back in Class 4 company. (3) WILD GERANIUM has shown some promise over a middle distance in her recent starts and is capable of a top four finish.
Selections (8) World Today (6) Ms. Up (2) Ace Jilju (3) Wild Geranium
Next Best 9, 5
Fast Start 8
Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive race here. (10) LINCHPIN debuted without distinction last summer and then wasn't seen until the start of this month. He certainly looked the part on his return on January 3rd, running away from the field to win by six-lengths over 1000M. He steps up in both class and in distance today but should have enough about him to be competitive once more. (2) TIME TOGETHER has already proven competitive at both the class and distance with two runner-up finishes from his latest three outings and he beat a couple of these last time. He'll go back at the start but can run on strongly late on. (7) TURBO SPEED comes in with recent form reading well too. He led briefly last time before ultimately finishing in 3rd place and is another who looks more than competitive in this company. (1) VIP KING and (12) HAPPY KOREA, the latter a winner at this class, are others in the placing hunt.
Selections (10) Linchpin (2) Time Together (7) Turbo Speed (12) Happy Korea
Next Best 1, 9
Fast Start 8, 9, 10, 11
Race 8: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
The eighth on the card looks a competitive affair with numerous chances engaged. (7) MINYEOBONG looks ready to break through after two solid performances. The Strike Again filly finished second on debut behind Golden Winner, then followed it up with second behind Global Hero. She gets in with just 51.5kg and will have the services of You Hyun-Myung. There is minimal speed drawn towards the inside of her so she should find the rail in the early part of the race. (1) CAPTAIN STEALTH has been consistent at his five starts to date. The Ecton Park colt finished second two starts back behind Title Code and backed it up with a fifth behind Yeongseong Victory when going down less than three lengths. He had to overcome a wide gate last start but has been gifted the inside draw for this assignment. (6) NAEGA SAEGANGJA has shown that he is competitive in this grade. With a central draw he should be able to park behind the speed and run on in the straight. The four-year-old has finished in the top five on eleven occasions from twelve starts. (8) MAN OF THE WORLD comes off successive placings in Class 6 company. He was good when going over this distance last time out and can figure once again.
Selections (7) Minyeobong (1) Captain Stealth (6) Naega Saegangja (8) Man Of The World
Next Best 2, 3
Fast Start 6, 7, 8
Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) RISING BOY has been sparingly raced but demonstrated he has some ability when running a good 3rd over 1300M on December 12th. The Bodemeister colt let for much of the latter part of the race before ultimately being overcome in the final furlong. He can settle just behind the early speed here and run on well. (12) B.K. VICTOR was a class and distance winner on January 5th with a front-running performance. He carries an additional 4.5kg today and has a much less favourable draw, but nevertheless he warrants respect. Beautifully weighted on the other hand is (11) BIG PICTURE, who made all to win in a good class 5 race at 1000M at the end of December. He is up in class and trip here but should be right in the mix. (5) MORNING BRAVO ran well last time for 5th and while he was a long way behind a very good winner, today's company is a little more amenable and he can go close. (10) KOREA PRINCE, who beat two of these on his way to a runner-up finish last start, looks best of the rest.
Selections (8) Rising Boy (11) Big Picture (12) B.K. Victor (5) Morning Bravo
Next Best 10, 4
Fast Start 4, 5, 11, 12
Race 10: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
The tenth on the card is a Class 4 event where there appears to be a larger percentage of the field struggling in this company. (10) YEONGSEONG VICTORY is a progressive type who had to fight hard for his victory last time out in Class 5 company. He will need to improve once again to win this but he does find himself in a weak Class 4 race. Seo Seung-Un stays with him and given it is only his fourth start, there is a lot to like about him early on in his career. (5) RAON CAESERS comes off a last start victory in this grade. The Hansen colt brought up his second win on that occasion and as a result has shot up 3kg in the weight scale. He has had three runs this preparation and looks to have returned in good form. (12) TWO TWO TURBO has finished close up at his last few starts and can run into the money once again. The Strike Again colt doesn't win out of turn but is consistent. The remainder of the field looks somewhat even, (6) MIO looks a chance to collect some minor money with the light weight on his back.
Selections (10) Yeongseong Victory (5) Raon Caesers (12) Two Two Turbo (6) Mio
Next Best 3, 2
Fast Start 5, 10
Race 11: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Having swept all before him in his first four starts which included Busan's first two-legs of the Juvenile Series, (6) SAVE THE WORLD was sent off as favourite for the Breeders' Cup race, Korea's Champion Juvenile event over 1400M on December 1st. Although he briefly showed at the front, he ultimately weakened and ended up in 6th place. We'll not give up on him just yet though as he drew wide that day and obviously faced a stiff set of opponents. He can get himself back on the Triple Crown trail with a win today. (1) YEONGGWANGUI PARTY has asserted himself on that same Triple Crown trail with two useful wins in his latest two at a mile and 1800M respectively. A front-runner, he'll challenge Save The World from the start and is receiving a handy 4kg from him too. (2) TOUGH GREEN is up 5kg from a good class and distance win four weeks ago but has claims to go well again while (4) CITY WINNER and (7) IGGYDA are others in at least the placing frame.
Selections (6) Save The World (1) Yeonggwangui Party (2) Tough Green (4) City Winner
Next Best 7, 11
Fast Start 1, 2, 6, 11
Race 12: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
The last event on the card should be very good betting race, not too often do we see four gallopers carry 57kg or more in a Class 2 event. In an even race, (7) TOHAM ACE is the on top selection. The four-year-old comes out of the President's Cup last start when well beaten out of his grade. The chestnut lines up in restricted company for this start, where he looks one of the main chances. Two starts back he managed to finish third behind the likes of Final Energy and Dokdo Jigi, which reads well for this race. (1) WORLD POWER lines up for his third run this preparation and has returned in brilliant style. He won when resuming at each-way odds in Class 3 company and backed it up with a second behind Dubai Teukgeup last time out. He has shown a liking for the middle distances this preparation and from barrier one should get all the favours. (11) SMART PRINCE comes out of the same race where the entire finished fourth. The Smart Falcon five-year-old has had his runs well spaced out throughout his career, yielding three wins from fifteen starts. He may be forced to settle rearwards from a wide draw. (12) KINGSTON HARBOR was a neck winner last time out when defeating Brave Kindgom. He will now carry the equal top weight of 57.5kg after his last start win. He has missed a place on just two occasions from eleven career starts.
Selections (7) Toham Ace (1) World Power) (11) Smart Prince (12) Kingston Harbor
Next Best 9, 10
Fast Start 1, 4, 9