3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener. The favourite will be (4) CHEERFUL LIFE, who having run 5th on debut over 1000M, stepped up to this trip at start number two on January 15th and ran 2nd having led for most of the way around. He draws nicely to be on pace again and this time will be expected to go all the way. (7) SKY MOUNTAIN is the most credible danger. She's bee on pace in both he starts so far finishing 4th and 5th at 1000M and 1300M, recoding good times on both occasions. She'll be up with the speed and in this a long way again. (1) LEMON BULPAE was green and slow on debut in December but has since been back to trial where he delivered a much more assured (and quicker) performance. If he brings that form to the races, he can be in the finish here. (8) MORO and (3) SEONGSIL STAR others in the money hunt.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies here. The one to beat is (2) HERE THE QUEEN who was a solid 2nd when stepped up to this distance on what was her second appearance on January 15th when slowly away before running on well. She draws a much better gate this time and the same apprentice jockey keeps her carried weight low. She should go one better. (4) B.K. NUMA hinted that she may be figuring things out when an improved 5th in a decent time at this trip on January 15th. She beat a couple of these in the process and can maintain her upward trajectory here. (5) MASARANGGIL settled back in the field on debut at this distance on January 27th before running on well for 2nd. The time wasn't fast, but she should have derived benefit from the run and can be in the mix again here. (12) NEXT MARINE and (11) AMAZING MOVE are done no favours by the draw, but both look to have potential to improve.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Tricky one but given the paucity of form of the opposition, it is tempting to go with the solitary debut-maker (9) ACE A MOCA. She was close to the pace in her trial and stopped the clock in a fair time. Seo Seung-un is aboard and there looks to be plenty to like about the four-year-old. (5) VELOCIRAPTOR has shown steady progress across five starts so far with a close 5th over 1300M on January 13th her best so far when she was ridden much closer than usual. She draws well to be handy again and should be aiming for another best finish to date. (2) ECTON POWER struggled over a mile last time out but went into that race following a 3rd and a 5th. He carries a light weight with an apprentice claim and may not be far away. (1) BINGO MAN has been back to trial since his latest – when he was first-up after seven months out – and should be better today. (12) WONDERFUL SMARTY another who in this company can aim for minor money.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(10) SUCCESS MOCCA got his maiden win at start number two over this distance on January 8th, overcoming the widest gate to get to the front and lead every step of the way, scoring by as many lengths as he pleased. He is up in class here and draws a touch wider than ideal again, but both can be overcome, and he is the one to beat. (2) HANEUL SEUNGNI was slowly away from a wide draw on his first try at this class on January 13th. He had been on pace in all his previous starts and from a much better draw, he can get an easier run here and looks the main danger. (11) EVER STAR beat both Success Mocca and Haneul Seungni when winning at class 6 level over 1000M back on November 4th. This is her first start since and while she is done no favours by the draw, she can measure up in this company under a feather weight. (6) WORLD FLOWER is yet to win in twenty-four but has twelve top-five finishes including a last start 2nd and can be in the hunt. (7) TAEYANG EUTTEUM among other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) RELEASE EDITION has been working towards a second win and comes in off a runner-up finish on January 13th over this distance in what was a phenomenally quick time, albeit on a very wet and fast track. Despite the draw, in this company he should be on or close to the pace and if he runs to his best may take some beating. (1) HAMPYEONG IS BACK made all over this distance to get his maiden win at the third time of asking on January 1300M. He come sup in class here but is well-weighted and nicely drawn and he looks to be the testing material. The form drops off precipitously after those two. (2) CHEONGMA YEONGUNG has got too far back in his three most recent outings. He does though have a runner-up finish to his name at this class when ridden closer to the pace and from a good draw and in modest company, may get an easier early run this time. (7) KING BOSS and (5) THUNDER CROWN others who may trouble the scorers at their best.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race. (12) YEOSU FIGHTER overcame a similarly wide draw and then a slow start to run 2nd, admittedly well beaten by a good winner, at class and distance on January 29th. He will need a touch of luck at the start but if he breaks cleanly and finds a good position, he has winning claims here. (8) YEONGGWANGUI ACE is the main danger and possible favourite. He made all to get his maiden win at class 6 level over 1200M two starts back before running 5th on his first try at this level when settling midfield and running on. He comes up to this distance for the first time but can be on pace here and should be in this a long way. (10) BACKTOTHELEGEND ran 5th behind Yeosu Fighter on that January 29th race. That was his first go at this distance having won at his previous start over 1200M and he should go close again. (5) GOLDEN POINT and (1) QUALITY QUEEN are others to keep safe.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) SEUNGNIMAGIC KING won his first two races before suffering his first setback on his first try at this class and distance on January 27th when settling midfield and the being shuffled further back before running on strongly for 2nd. That experience could have benefitted him, and he is strongly favoured to return to winning ways today. (3) SEOBU BIGSTEP has mixed his form a little in five starts so far. He led over a mile last time out on what was his first try at this class but should be better today back at a distance he has won at and with a good draw and a light weight. (5) CAPTAIN GOLD is yet to finish any worse than 4th in seven appearances. He likes to race on pace and while he may once again find one or two too quick, he should be maintaining that consistent record here. (7) MENIFEE SONG beat Captain Gold when winning at class and distance on January 6th when settling midfield and running on. He comes up 3kg in the weights but warrants respect here. Up in class but down in weight (6) RUN AND GUN is one of plenty of others with at least placing chances.

Busan Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million

(5) KING GRACE doesn't exactly win out of turn but it's rare for him to be very far away. He enters off a close 2nd at class and distance on January 13th when settling right at the back of the field before steadily improving and almost getting there and while he comes up 1kg in the weights, he is the one to beat today. (8) MACH WONDER won back-to-back races in November and December to be rapidly promoted to this class. He then ran 5th on his first try at this level and at this distance on January 29th, beating a couple of today's rivals in the process. He is nicely weighted here and can be competitive. (9) GEUMA INFINITE comes in off a runner-up finish over a mile at this level just two weeks ago. He is up in the weights today but still looks nicely in. (6) DEMON SPY and the up in class (10) NEW CROWN are others to keep safe.

Busan Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(7) GEUMA PASSIONATE saw his unbeaten record come to an end when 3rd behind Again Touch at class and distance on January 13th. He did though beat several of today's rivals and while he comes up slightly in weight, he will be favoured to return to winning ways here. (6) SANGSEUNG BOY was one of those beaten in that January 13th race. He is a winner at this class over 1400M and in this company can be close to the pace and in this a long way. (1) YEONGGWANGUI STAR was 4th in that January 13th race. Two starts back he made all to win over this distance on his reappearance after eleven months out and under a light weight and from a great draw, he must be considered. (3) WINNING DANCER and (8) SPICE ECTON among others in the placing frame.