Korea: Friday, 17th January 2025

3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) GLOBAL HIGH ran 3rd on debut in November and followed it up with a 2nd place on December 22nd when slow out and wide early before running on well. He comes into a better gate today and in likely peak fitness at start three, he can go one better. (1) BURUI PYEONGHWA has shown signs of figuring things out in his latest two, racing on pace both times before finishing 4th and 6th but beating a couple of today's rivals in the latter of those. From the inside gate he can get a sift run to the lead here and can be in the finish. (7) CHOEGANG TRIPLE ran 4th on debut and was sent off as favourite in that December 22nd race with Global High. He had a poor day at the office, running 7th, but based on that opening effort can be given another chance here. (2) CRUELLA and (11) SIX HERO others to consider for improvement.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) MATONGNYEONG came from off the pace to run 2nd on debut over 1300M on December 27th. In keeping with most races at Busan at the moment, the time wasn't quick, but he showed enough to suggest he has potential and with some natural improvement, as well as stepping up to 1400M, he can win. (2) CANCAN STEP has a 2nd and a 3rd in her latest two, with the former coming in her only previous try at 1400M. She draws nicely here to be ridden forward in a race devoid of much early speed, and she can be a danger. (7) SEUNGCHUNHANEUNHAE has raced twice, finishing 4th on both occasions. The increase in trip can suit and he can get closer today. (3) SUCCESS COW and (9) SEUNGNI CHANSA are others in at least the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) SHANGHAI THUNDER didn't do much on debut but was much improved at start number two over 1200M on December 15th, when settling midfield and running on. From the inside gate and in this company, he can be further forward much earlier here, and he can make it third time lucky. (11) COWBOY MAN has a 2nd and a 3rd to his name at 1400M and a mile. He was sent off as favourite for his latest start December 20th but got hampered early and then caught in kickback, which he did not seem to enjoy, and ultimately finished 6th of twelve. He has the challenge of a wide draw here but if he can find a forward position, he has every chance. (12) DONGNAM DOLPUNG improved to 4th at start number two at 1200M on December 12th. He drew similarly wide last time and can be a danger late on. (7) B.K DREAM and (4) GOLDEN SPOT other minor money hopes.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (6) SWEET BEOMHAN returned from over seven months off to run a fair 5th of twelve in a similar race to this over 1200M on December 8th. She should have derived benefit from that run, she got her win at this distance, and she can return to winning ways here. (8) ALICE MARINE is yet to win in twenty but has no fewer than fifteen top five finishes. They include a 2nd and a 4th among her latest three starts and this is the kind of race she can find the money in, most probably coming from off the pace. (11) CATCH THE DREAM was a well beaten favourite last time out on December 20th when she got bumped about early and then put in an effort her jockey described as "timid". We'll go on her opening two efforts when winning at 1200M and then running 4th over 1400M and give her another chance here. (9) FLYING BABY and (3) SMART SMILE other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) ROAD TO THUNDER will be the favourite here. True, he has only won the once and that was a full fifteen starts back but he has two runner-up finishes from his latest three, most recently on December 20th when racing handy. Drawn well, he can go one better. That will mean overturning the form on (9) LEMON TREE, who won that December 20th race, showing on pace throughout. He comes up a full 4kg in the weights but shouldn't be dismissed. (6) BREEDO COMET obliged in fine style at start number three on December 27th, settling handy and then gamboling away to score by a cool nine-lengths over 1300M. He comes up in class here, but the manner of that victory suggests he's not done yet. (12) GLORY GANGSEO and the returning (5) DRAGON PUNCH are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race. (7) DUSTIN MARINE got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on December 22nd, leading from gate to wire. He comes up in class here but has been getting better with each race and he can be on pace here again and can win again. (6) BEST PRIME is yet to win in fourteen attempts, but his recent form reads very well with two 4th places and a 3rd from his latest three. He can leave himself a bit too much to do, but he will pass plenty late on. (1) SEOUL DRAGON came from off the pace to score at the second time of asking over 1300M on December 15th. He comes up in class and slightly in trip here, but neither should be a problem, and he can measure up. (5) RAINBOW ROAD and (12) WONDERFUL JONES others to consider.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Another tricky puzzle. (5) CONCORD PARK enters in very consistent form, most recently scoring a 3rd place over 1400M on December 27th when settling right back and running on well. Both his wins came over the 1800M and he looks ready to strike again here. (11) GREAT BOY was a winner at this distance on December 15th, settling midfield and running on. He comes up in class today but is down 2kg in the weights, the wide draw shouldn't matter, and he can be competitive in this company. (4) RUNNING WARRIOR enters off a smart class and distance 2nd when racing on pace on December 20th. He stays under a light weight and from a good gate, will be on pace and in this a long way. (8) DAESUNGNIJA and (10) POMPEII others in the frame.

Busan Race 8: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

A couple of these come out of the Breeders' Cup Rookie, the nations' top juvenile race on November 24th. Neither (12) WONDERFUL GROOM nor (4) DANGDAE STAR ran particularly well that day, but the former was a Listed winner at the start before (albeit promoted in the stewards' room). This is Wonderful Groom's first time at a mile, and he does have the widest gate, but he is worth taking a chance on here. So too Dangdae Star. He has won up to 1400M and is also a good prospect. (11) STORM FIGHTER is rapidly up in class having won his latest two, both at 1400M. He carries a light weight here and he can be competitive. (9) HUIMANG CANDY and (7) WONDERFUL BIDDER are others who should be in the mix.

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

(2) GEUMA EMINENT was 2nd on debut and then won at start two over 1200M on November 29th, leading all the way around. He comes up in class but is down 2.5kg in the weights, he draws nicely, and he can win again. (6) SKY ROJO returned to action on December 20th following seven months and ran a very creditable 4th at this class and distance. He should have come on for that run and over a distance at which he has won twice, he can be a big danger. (12) TAEWANG SINGI ran 2nd in that December 20th race, following up a class 4 victory at this distance the start before. He has the challenge of the widest gate this time but can be in the mix again. (8) DESPITE WIN is first up after a lengthy absence but has looked good in trials and along with (11) FANTASTIC WORLD, is another to look out for.