Korea: Friday, 20th December 2024

3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies with six of the eleven racing for the first time. We'll take a chance on a newcomer as (6) QUEENS DRAGON went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them just last week (it was a voluntary trial so may not appear in all racecards) when starting slowly but running on strongly for 2nd in a quick time, albeit thirteen-lengths behind two-time winner Mother Road. So long as she didn't leave her race there, she has an excellent chance. (1) FLYING MENACE ran 2nd on debut over 1200M on November 29th settling midfield and running on. The time wasn't quick, but she should have come on for that and is a danger. (5) QUEEN RACE has raced twice already, registering a 5th and a 4th. She can have the edge on these fitness-wise and can improve again. (7) PURE MARINE did nothing on debut but should have learned from the experience and draws much better this time. Returning to the debut-makers, (3) WORLD LIST CAT hinted at ability in her trial.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

More juvenile maiden fillies although with only one newcomer this time. (12) SUCCESS GOLD has finished 4th, a 2nd and a 3rd in three starts so far, most recently coming from off the pace and running on over this distance. She has the challenge of the widest gate here but won't need to improve much to win this. (4) FANTASTIC HIT raced twice in the summer for a 5th and a 4th, both over 1000M. She's had five months off and didn't offer too many clues in a trial at the end of November but drawn well in this company, she can be considered. (1) B.K MAGIC will need a lone drawn through her latest two weeks ago when knocking up quickly over 1300M. Going on her 2nd place on November 10th when she led, she warrants another chance here. (2) CRUELLA and (8) ILLUSION other placing chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) COWBOY MAN has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two at this distance and most recently at a mile on November 22nd when he led for much of the way around. Munro returns to the ride, and he can lead again, and this time go all the way. (4) WONDERFUL JONES comes in off a smart 2nd place over this distance on November 24th when breaking fairly and settling handy. That was his best finish so far and from a good draw, expect similar tactics today. (6) DAEGIL HERO has run 3rd in both his two starts so far, both over 1200M. He has posted fast final furlong times and the step up in trip can suit. (3) OASIS GREEN hinted at improvement when 5th at start number three last time out and along with (10) PINOT POWER, shapes as the other logical chance.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) CATCH THE DREAM was a winner on debut in an all-filly maiden over 1200M on October 18th, leading all the way, before running 4th on her first try at this class and distance on November 22nd when she showed on pace again and beat a couple of today's rivals. She draws a touch wider than ideal but with all the early speed drawn wide, she should have enough about her to find a forward position again, and she can win. (1) GRAND DREAM enters off a 4th place at class and distance on November 9th when leading for most of the race. He draws well to get forward again and he should be in this a long way. Continuing the "dream" theme, (8) MY DREAM DAY went around in the G2 Breeders' Cup Rookie for juveniles four weeks ago and gets a pass for finishing last. Previously he ran 4th in the Listed Gimhae Mayor's Trophy and back in more amenable company is worth another chance. (11) WORLD HIT and (6) SKY SEUNG others in the frame.

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

(6) DONGNAM GANGTAJA will be a warm favourite here. A facile maiden winner two starts back over this distance, he then ran 3rd over 1400M on November 22nd, settling handy and running on, He can sit behind the speed here and may take some beating. After a maiden win at start number two, (5) BLUE THUNDER stepped up to this class on November 1st and ran a good 3rd, a long way behind winner Beolmaui Angel but comfortably beating a couple of today's rivals. He draws well, Tanaka gets on, and he should be on pace and in this a very long way. (10) POWER WAGON got a long way back last time but has won at this trip and with a better start can be a factor here. (4) BEST PRIME and (2) ROAD TO THUNDER are others in contention.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) QUEEN OF DRAGON loves finishing 2nd, something she has done on five consecutive occasions since winning on debut, with her lates two being at this class and distance. She comes into a much better gate today, Seo Seung-un gets on for the first time, and it could be her day. Should she manage to once more find one too quick (and let's face it, she might), it could be (4) DOCTOR FIGHTER. It took him a few goes to figure things out, but he has won two of his last four and enters having run 2nd on his first try at this class and distance on November 22nd when leading for much of the way. He'll be on pace again and has every chance of going all the way. (1) COW LINE has been beaten by Queen Of Dragon and by Doctor Fighter in his latest two but he is a winner over this distance and will be running on strong late. (6) AMUR and (12) VALHALLA others in the placing hunt.

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

(10) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST ended a string of near misses with victory at this class and distance on November 12th when he ran on late to score narrowly at this class and distance. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but is not to be dismissed. (9) DANGDAE STAR was an also-ran in the G2 Breeders' Cup for juveniles last time out, although in his defence, he had a luckless trip from start to finish. Prior to that he won at this class over 1400M and while he comes up to 1800M for the first time, he looks a solid prospect. (8) POMPEII comes up in class following a runner-up finish at 1800M on November 17th. He is down a full 5kg in the weights, and that should allow him to be competitive here. (6) CORNER ONE is second-up and can improve on his effort two weeks ago – he is the highest rated and has the fastest time among these over this distance. (12) FUSAICHI another placing chance.

Busan Race 8: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(8) CONTROLLER was a winner at this class and distance on November 29th, racing on pace throughout and scoring comfortably. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but he should be on pace again and he can repeat over a distance at which all his wins have come. (9) SEUNGNIMAGIC KING will be vying for favourite status. He returned from an eleven-month absence in October to run 3rd at this class and distance on October 20th, beating a few of these, before finishing 2nd at 1400M on November 24th. He is versatile so the wide draw shouldn't be a problem, and he can be in this (12) FANTASTIC WORLD ran 2nd to Controller on November 29th an uptick in form. He comes up slightly in weight and gets the worst of the draw, but Seo Seung-un is on and he can be a danger late on. The up in class last start winner (3) TAEWANG SINGI along with (2) ROAD STAR are among plenty of others in the minor money hunt.