Korea: Friday, 31st May 2024

3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

The two-year-old races begin and eight face the starter for the first time, so we head to the trial videos. (2) BIG MUSICAL STAR went through two trials scraping through the first in the slowest allowable time but then much better on May 11th when overcoming a wide gate to settle midfield and run on for a close 4th in a quick time (as a voluntary trial, this may not appear in all race cards, so do take note).  The trainer/jockey combination will ensure he has plenty of backers first up. It took (6) ARION TAEYANG two goes to qualify which he did well on May 4th settling on pace and while a long way back behind a six-time winner the time was good, and he will be a danger here. (3) YONGBI PAEWANG settled right back in his heat before running on. (8) WORLD KNG IJI and (1) WONDERFUL GROOM others who may offer some interest at longer prices.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (11) ONE WAY has shown improvement across her three starts so far and enters off a 4th place at 1200M on May 3rd when racing close to the pace. She may need a touch of luck from the wide draw, but she should be close here. (8) ONES HEYDAY enters off am improved 2nd place over this distance on April 28th when leading for much of the way. She recorded the fastest time of any of these for the 1300M and she can be on pace and in this a long way again. (4) GREEN LEGEND enters on the right trajectory with a 5th and a 4th from her latest two and she can be there or thereabouts again. (7) DREAMMA and the returning (10) ALLURE, the latter looking well in a trial earlier this month, are others in the frame.

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

(10) FLYING ICE has raced just twice but did improve in the second of those when stepped up to this distance on May 3rd. That was four months after his inauspicious debut and he should strip fitter for that run and with Franco climbing on, there is plenty to like. (6) TODAY QUEEN has a 4th and a 5th from her latest with the 4th coming when she led at this distance. There isn't much early speed here so she should get an easy run to the front again and she should be in this a long way. (7) POMPEII has finished 5th in all three starts so far. He comes into slightly softer company here and can be aiming higher. (1) GUKDAE WIFUNG and (11) B.K. MARON other placing chances.

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

(6) BURUI TONGCHI ran 3rd on debut last October but didn't reappear until March when he won first-up over 1200M on the last day of the month, overcoming a wide gate to settle midfield and then run on. He stepped up to this class on April 26th and from the same wide draw, ran a close 2nd place at 1300M. He comes up slightly in the weights, but that's offset by a better gate and the slight step up in trip can suit. The big danger is (3) MR.KEYMAN. He too got his win over 1200M and comes in having run 5th of twelve in a quick race over this distance on May 5th.  He too draws better this time and won't need to go much better than that to go close here. (10) LEMON BULPAE races for the first time since running 2nd at class and distance in January. He looked well in an April trial and can be competitive first-up. (8) SKY SHOT was a class and distance winner on April 21st and while up in weight shouldn't be dismissed. (5) BLACK EAGLE another in the hunt.

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

Tricky one. (2) TAEYANG EUTTEUM is two starts into a comeback from a four-month layoff and improved to 4th at this class and distance on May 17th racing on pace throughout. She draws well to be on the speed again, and third-up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness wise. She will need to overturn the form on (3) FANTASTIC DREAM. He came from off the pace to run 3rd in that May 17th race, arresting an ordinary run of form. He is yet tow in in twelve attempts, but he draws well, carries a light weight, and he has a smart finish on him. (7) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG will need a line drawn through his latest but going on his back-to-back 4th places in decent times at class and distance immediately prior to that, can be competitive in this company. (8) HI CHAMP – who beat Success Yeonggwang when 3rd on May 10th, joins (5) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL as another in the frame.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) NUMBERONEPICK had a hard time in a very competitive Trophy race over 1200M on April 14th, but he comes back into shallower waters today at a class he won at, again at 1200M, in March. He carries 3.5kg more than in that victory and he comes up in trip, but neither should be a problem and he can be in the finish. (9) FIRE MAGIC has six to-three finishes from nine starts and comes in following a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this class and distance. He too carries his fair share of weight, but he likes to drop back and run on and can be doing his best work late. (11) BURUI JEWANG comes up in class and in distance having scored at 1200M on May 3rd. He has to contend with the wide draw, but he carries a light weight and can measure up. (2) FABULOUS BEATER and (4) CHARMING BEST others in the hunt.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) PEGACORN beat plenty of these on his way to a class and distance win on May 5th when racing close to the front throughout. He comes up a full 3.5kg in the weights, but he comes into a better gate, and he could go back-to-back. (10) COOL RUNNING was better supported in that race than Pegacorn and he ran fairly for 3rd place continuing a consistent run of form. If you take the view that Pegacorn peaked in that race, then Cool Running is the logical choice. (7) MASARANGGIL comes in following back-to-back 4th place finishes, most recently in that very same May 5th race. She can get a bit far back in her races, but she should be there or thereabouts again. (3) DOCTOR RICH and (11) BEST CHAMP others in contention for at least the minors.

Busan Race 8: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

We have to wait for the last for the banker favourite of the day. (5) BLACK MAMBA was an also-ran in last year's Korean Derby, but then got injured. He as off for ten-months before blitzing a trial and then winning on his racing return over a mile at this class on April 26th, making all. He comes up a full 6kg in the weights, but he really should be in a different league to his rivals here. Not that it's a weak field for the level. (9) GREAT ONE beat a few of these on his way to 2nd at class and distance on May 3rd. The veteran has been coming back into form and he should be close. (6) FOR THE GOODTIME has been working back towards another win and has a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both at this distance. He actually comes up in class here but is down in weight and should be close. (1) HAPPY JAZZ and (2) BACKTOTHELEGEND are others capable of being in the mix.