Korea: Friday, 13th December 2024

3 minute read

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies in the opener with precisely half of the field racing for the first time. We'll side with experience though and (7) BROWN ROOKIE ran 2nd on debut, settling midfield and running on over this distance at the end of September when well beaten by Huimang Rani, who went on to win at class 5 before coming unstuck last week at class 4. She's had eleven weeks off so comes in fresh and can win. Also 2nd on debut was (9) EMPIRE DAY. That was all the way back in June and it was at 1000M, but it was a quick time, and she looked well enough when midfield in a decent trial in November. Of the first timers, (6) ROCK CANDY looked the best in trials showing on pace and running a close 3rd in a fair time. If she brings that form to the races, she can be close. (10) ROAD TO SPRING also hinted at ability in her trial, while (1) GREAT LUCKY underperformed on debut but previously trialed well and gets another chance.

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

(12) SHACKLE LAUD has made steady progress across four outings so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1200M on November 10th when handy throughout and running on. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he doesn't need to lead (not that there is any early speed in this race), and he has a strong finish on him. He can go one better today. (1) HOLY RUN has finished no worse than 4th across his four starts to date and enters off a 2nd and a 3rd at his latest two over this distance and 1400M. He has the fastest time among these for the 1300M and from a great draw, he has every chance. (8) CARIBBEAN BAY is the least experienced in the race but finished a fair 4th on debut at 1200M on November 8th, having been slowly away and then run on. He should have come on for that run and can get closer here. (2) GWANGSOKMA and (10) CAPTAIN KOREA among others in the frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) RALLY MAN comes in having run 2nd on his first try at this distance on November 22nd when close to the pace throughout and beating three of today's rivals in the process. He also has a 3rd and a 4th on his record and in another race with no early speed to think of, he can get a soft run to the front and can go all the way. (2) USANG RYUNG also has a 2nd place to her name over the mile, recorded back in August. She enters off a 3rd and a 4th from her latest two and from a good draw, can be a danger here. (7) FATE ran a fair 5th on debut over 1300M on November 17th, settling midfield and running on. He steps up in trip but should have come on for that run and with some natural improvement can compete in this company. (1) GOLDMASK and (9) GOLDEN NICE are other placing chances.

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

(9) WATER DRAGON has never finished outside the top five and has a 2nd at this class over a mile. He ran 5th of twelve in a decent time on his only try at this distance last time out coming from well off the pace but in this company, he should be further forward, and he has every chance. (4) MAENGNYONG has run 2nd in both outings to date at 1300M, leading both times. He is up in class but down in weight and from a great draw he can lead again and potentially go all the way. (8) TRIPLE SINHWA has been the beaten favourite in both his starts so far, both times finishing as runner-up over this distance having led. He comes up in class here, but his times have been more than competitive for this level and coming down in the weights, he can lead again, and this time get it right. (3) TAMNA SUPER is up in class after a solid maiden win and can be competitive. Second-up (12) ASTIN MARINE among plenty of others in the hunt.

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

(2) BEOLMA KING ran 3rd on debut before making his breakthrough at start number two over this distance on November 17th, racing handy throughout. He is up in class but draws very nicely to be on pace again and can measure up. (4) FANTASTIC BLUE was a winner on debut over 1200M on November 8th, settling handy before taking things up halfway home and scoring comfortably. He too comes up in class and slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem, and he can be a danger. Continuing the theme, it took (12) GOOGLE CAR three attempts to break through, which he did having run 3rd and 2nd in his first two. He won well at 1200M on November 12th and while he has the challenge of the widest gate here but shouldn't be dismissed. (6) WORLD ANGEL CAT and, yet another one up in class following a maiden win, (9) RACE MAN, are others to consider.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(12) GEUMA DOMINANT comes up in class having been a beaten favourite when 2nd in both starts number two and three over this distance, both times racing close to the speed but being beaten by good winners. Despite the class rise and the wide draw, she should be right in this. (5) DOCTOR HAPPY was a smart winner over 1000M in September but while she was well backed for her first attempt at this level at 1400M on October 25th, she stumbled at the start and never featured. She has been through a stalls test since, and coming in off seven weeks off, can be given another chance. (11) SEOGWI OREUM mixes his form but enters off a smart 3rd place at this class and distance on November 22nd and while up 1.5kg in the weights, still looks well in here. (8) OCEAN ONE TAP and (9) DREAM WAY other contenders.

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

(10) BIG MUSICAL STAR comes up in class having won this distance on November 8th, racing handy throughout and finishing off well. That took him to two from five and down in the weights, he has a chance again. (6) THUNDER FURY has been working her way back into form across his latest few, culminating in 3rd place over a mile last time out. She has won over this trip before, she draws nicely to just sit behind the speed and with Franco up for the first time, she is a danger. (8) NAKDONG MYEONGJAK is two for two having made all on debut over 1000M in October and then raced handy before proving too strong at 1200M on November 15th. That brings her rapidly up in class and up in trip too, but she can fit in. (3) MORNING FLOW mixes his form but will be well backed following a close 2nd place at class and distance last time out when leading. His additional weight is balanced by a better gate, and he isn't to be dismissed. (2) JEOLDAE BOSS another place chance.

Busan Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap /KRW 60 Million

(6) GUKDAE STAR won back-to-back races in September and October at a mile before running a fair 5th of twelve on his first try at two turns over this class and distance on November 17th. He carries his fair share of weight, but he should have benefited from that experience, and he can win here. (5) SANGSANGGEUISANG has been getting closer to a second win and enters off a close 3rd place over a mile on November 22nd when, as is his style, he settled midfield and ran on. It's been fourteen starts since he saluted but he may well be sent off as favourite. That will mean overturning the form on (12) AKARAKA, who won that November 22nd race. He comes up 3.5kg in weight and has drawn the widest gate but he warrants respect. (2) THE BEST EVER and (4) CHEONGMA HWANGHU among others to consider.