Korea: Friday, 30th August 2024

3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile imported maidens in the opener with all but one racing for the first time. (6) SAENAE MOON went through two trials, winning both and leading all the way both times (the second of those on July 20th was voluntary so may not be in all race cards). If he brings that form to the races, he can win. That equally applies to (9) GEUMA GUTTY.  He has been through four trials in total – the only mandatory one was on June 8th, which was won by Saenae Moon, but he has since finished 2nd and then won two trials of his own, all of them in quick times. The jockey and trainer were hot last weekend, and he may start as favourite. (1) CLEAN ONE qualified in a fair time on July 6th but then went through another heat (again, voluntary so be aware, it won't be in a lot of race cards) on July 20th, coming from off the pace to win in 61.8 seconds.  From the inside, he can be a danger. (5) ASABIYYA trialed up behind Geuma Gutty and hinted at ability. The sole one with experience, (4) DRAGON REVENGER didn't stand out on debut but may come on for the run.

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

It's hard to go far past (1) CRAZY LEO. After a positive trial, he was sent odd as third favourite on debut over this distance on August 2nd, and duly finished in 3rd place, settling midfield and running on in a time much faster than any of the other experienced ones here have achieved. He won't need to improve much on that to win this.  There are four first time starters, and among them (8) BIG JAWS is the pick. He raced handy in his trial, crossing the line in 2nd place in a decent time and can put in a bold showing first up. (7) SHASHA similarly raced handy on her trial and came home a close 2nd in a good time. If she brings that form to the races, she'll go close. (9) RALLY MAN has been back to trial since his somewhat inauspicious debut, and he can improve. (4) BARAMSOK another trial 2nd-placegetter who can be in the mix. 

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

Competitive maiden. (8) THE WIND has raced just twice improving from 6th on debut to 4th at start number two on August 2nd, settling midfield and running on. The time wasn't quick and he was a long way behind a good winner, but he has a smart finish on him, Munro climbs on, and third-up he may be peaking. (2) GOLDEN NICE is yet to finish in the top two but has five finishes between 3rd and 5th. She has been a bit far back in most of her starts but from a good draw, if she is in touch at the business end, she will be a danger. (7) B.K. MARON has been knocking on the door in his latest few outings and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) BACK TO THE HUNTER and (9) GRATE WORLD, the latter having beaten Golden Nice when a much-improved 4th last start, are others in the hunt.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) JULGEOUN DONGHANG ran 3rd om debut over 1000M before winning at start number two on July 19th, when settling just behind the speed and steadily improving over 1200M, striking the front just over a furlong from home and running on well. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but with Munro up, she can measure up. (2) RAID HIT took a couple of goes to figure things out at this class but enters off a smart 2nd place over 1200M on July 21st. She is up 3kg in the weights, but she draws nicely, and Hye-sun is one for one on her. (4) UNION CHAMP was a winner on debut over 1000M on August 2nd. She is up in class and in distance but can be competitive. (1) HYPER FORCE and (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA others to consider.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Another competitive race. (1) LET THEM ALL COME is rapidly up to this class having won his latest two, both over this distance and both times leading every step of the way. He will need to go quicker here, but he has potential for more progress and down 3kg in the weights, and drawn well, he can make it a hat-trick. Probable favourite is (7) CARDINAL FORCE. An American import by Spun To Run, he started at this level, winning on debut over this distance on June 23rd, before running 4th in a very quick race at 1300M on August 2nd, coming from well off the pace. He remains fairly weighted here and is a big danger. (2) B.K. ZENA was a class and distance winner in a Korea Sprint-esque time at class and distance two starts back before running 3rd on August 10th. She draws nicely to be in the mix again. Up in class (11) MAGIC AGAIN, along with (3) NAYANA, are others in the frame.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) OASIS BLUE was a winner on debut over 1400M in May before running 4th at start number two at this distance on June 30th. This trainer specializes in recognizing when a two-year-old can cope with two-turns and he is usually right and coming in off nine weeks rest, he will be favorite to score. (6) OVER THE TRIPLE shapes as the main danger. He comes in having beat a few of these at class and distance on August 3rd when he led most of the way before ultimately finishing in 4th. He can be on pace again and in this a long way. (7) WONDERFUL IMPACT will need a line drawn though his latest, but he has placed at class and distance and can be a threat here. (8) FUERTE and (3) BABEL DREAMY others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 7: Class3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Millionbut

(3) LADY VADER is a winner of four form nine and two of her last three including on July 19th when scoring over class and distance, coming from off the pace and defeating several of today's rivals. She comes up 2.5kg in the weights but is the firm favourite to score again. The danger is (8) MIRACLE MARINE. He ran 2nd to Lady Vader in that July 19th race having led for most of the way around. A winner of three from seven so far, he comes up 3kg in weight, but is the main danger. (6) MAN OF THE STAR comes up in class following a win over this distance on July 19th when leading all the way around. He remains lightly weighted here and should be in the hunt. (4) DALLILAEYO and (9) SEUNGNIUIYEONGUNG others in the hunt.

Busan Race 8: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Very competitive finale with most entering in good form. Several of these raced one another on July 14th and (6) HAENAM HAMMER ran 2nd. She was 3rd the time before and needs to reverse the form on a couple here, but she looks well in and with Munro on for the first time, today really looks like the day. (4) FANTASTIC WORLD comes in off a very fast 2nd over class and distance on July 12th when coming from midfield. He comes in under a similarly light weight and is a big danger here. (7) NAKDONG JEONSA enters off a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two (beaten by others who go here) but looks nicely in and should be close. (2) HONOR CAL and (5) BORN DIA others to keep safe.