The weekend’s thoroughbred racing gets underway at Busan on Saturday with a short 8-race card from 16:30 to 21:00. Seoul takes a weekend off but is open for simulcasting from Busan and from the pony racing on Jeju Island. English racecards are here. Notes on all Busan races are below:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000m) Allowance / KRW 55 Million
| 1. GOP DDA – The only one of these who has raced before. She was 2nd and although the race wasn’t quick, she has to be the pick to prevail here. |
| 2. SHE JUST WIN – Great name even though he’s a colt. 4th in his trial and a bit faster than most here. Top jockey booking and a chance. |
| 3. EXPRESSIVE – Decent trial, from the track’s top stable and will be backed. |
| 4. HAWK KING – Went ok in trials. Others favoured but can be competitive. |
| 5. JAESAENGMYEONGNI – Dam holds the track record at 1300M. Few clues from the trial. |
| 6. NURI ACHIM – Dam was precocious, if fragile. 2nd in trial and could be interesting. |
| 7. CLOVER QUEEN – Dam a stalwart of the early days of Busan Racecourse winning 6 from 55. First foal made little impression. Good stable/jockey combo and will have backers. |
| 8. DYNAMIC RUN – Slowest time in trials. May take watching brief first up. |
Verdict: We have to go with the only one who has already run here and (1) GOP DDA’s 2nd place on debut showed she’s competent enough. It wasn’t quick though so depending on how the market looks, it may be worth considering some of the debut-makers. (2) SHE JUST WIN and (3) EXPRESSIVE look to be the picks while (6) NURI ACHIM looks an interesting longer shot.
| Selections | (1) Gop Dda (2) She Just Win (3) Expressive (6) Nuri Achim |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million
| 1. RICH BOLT – Generally beats plenty and likely to again but others favoured. |
| 2. BARAMUI SIN – Best from six outings so far is a 4th place. Could match that here. |
| 3. HAENGUN STORY – Getting closer. 2nd last start at 1200M and may appreciate extra half furlong today. A chance. |
| 4. VEGA ONE – Offered little in five prior outings. Jockey change today. |
| 5. REMEMBER CAPTAIN – Improved 3rd of 11 at the distance last time. Apprentice jockey takes weight off and should be in the frame. |
| 6. SEUNGSEUNG JANGGUN – 3rd last time on what was just his third career start. A chance again. |
| 7. GEUMBIT HWANHO – Managed a 2nd place at this distance back in January but hasn’t looked like following up since. |
| 8. MALIBU RULER – 7th behind Rich Bolt on latest start at a mile. 3rd at 1300M the time before. Outsider but not impossible. |
| 9. SEDA – 3rd over a mile at the end of June but disappointed when dropped back to a weak contest at 1000M last time. Top jockey booking today. |
| 10. NEW PORT – Returned from six months off to record a career best 5th on June 30th. Still an outsider here. |
| 11. BATTLE READY – Debut maker. Is he battle-ready? Possibly but he didn’t catch the eye in trials. |
| 12. I’M ADELE – Looked on the verge of a win at the turn of the year but seemed to go backwards since. Last on return from four months off in June. |
Verdict: He’s been getting closer and (3) HAENGUN STORY looks ready to win on what is his first try at 1300M today. He should set up camp just behind the early lead and be too strong in the closing stages. (6) SEUNGSEUNG JANGGUN showed significant improvement on what was his third start last time and can build on that today while (1) RICH BOLT and debut-maker (11) BATTLE READY also look interesting.
| Selections | (3) Haengun Story (6) Seungseung Janggun (1) Rich Bolt (11) Battle Ready |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 11 |
Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. DALKOMHAN INSAENG – Up in class having been too close too many times at class 6. |
| 2. MANY DESCENDANT – Yet to win in eleven but managed a 4th place over 1300M in May. Steps back to this trip for the first time since last November. |
| 3. PENTA HEELS – Comes in following a win and a 3rd place both at this class over 1200M and 1300M. Apprentice keeps the weight off an she’ll be close again. |
| 4. NAMYANG TOWER – Steps back to the minimum for the first time in a long time but recent form isn’t encouraging. |
| 5. OHO DAEJANGGUN – 4th of 11 last time at this distance. Both her good runs so far have been on wet tracks. |
| 6. STORMY MAGIC – Up in class following maiden victory last time at this distance. Good chance of following up here. |
| 7. CHARYONG – Disappointed as odds-on favourite at class and distance last time but worth another chance here. |
| 8. OH MY CAPTAIN – Shock 100/1 winner by a nose last time, beating Charyong. Can he repeat? Probably not, but he’ll need a little bit more respect here. |
| 9. EUMSOK JILJU – 3rd in January at 1300M but not beaten many in four starts since. |
| 10. METELITSA – Races for the first time since March. Trialed up ok and from the track’s top stable but others favoured here. |
| 11. BEONGGEULBEONGGEUL – Goes ok at this distance but one or two are likely to be too quick. |
| 12. AREUMDAUN YEOWANG – 2nd at class and distance in March but offered little since.
Verdict: (6) STORMY MAGIC got her maiden win at the sixth time of asking on July 7th and while she will need to find a bit more today, there is little to fear in this field. (7) CHARYONG was sent off as the odds-on favourite to prevail last time out but could only manage 6th in a race won by (8) OH MY CAPTAIN. However, that was an odd race and Charyong can be backed again here. (5) OHO DAEJANGGUN and (1) DALKOMHAN INSAENG are others worth considering along with the in-form (3) PENTA HEELS. |
| Selections | (6) Stormy Magic (7) Charyong (5) Oho Dajanggun (1) Dalkomhan Insaeng |
| Next Best | 3, 11. 8 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 10 |
Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
| 1. MEISTER GO – Inconsistent but did manage an unlikely 2nd place at class and distance in June. |
| 2. BOUND KOREA – Beaten by Stylish and Morning Gangja in July but was a good 3rd three weeks ago over this distance and looks very much in the frame here. |
| 3. THE WORLD – Going ok in the Spring but had to be sent back to trial following his latest. Bit of a wildcard. |
| 4. CITY WINNER – Just beaten a head on his first try at this level last time out on June 23rd. Up to a mile for the first time today and can win. |
| 5. HAPPY TOUR – Up and comer who is indeed up in class following his maiden win on just his third start on July 7th. Up in distance too but plenty of scope for development. |
| 6. ONNURI GANGJA – Not far away in recent efforts but has been twice beaten by Bound Korea among his latest four. |
| 7. STYLISH – 2nd ahead of Morning Gangja and Bound Korea last time and has to be taken seriously again here. |
| 8. EOROK – Two starts into a comeback following five months off. Won’t be favoured. |
| 9. SILLAUI DALBAM – Maiden win came last time on her ninth start. It was at this distance so she must be respected. |
| 10. MORNING GANGJA – 3rd behind Stylish and ahead of Bound Myeongun on July 2nd but struggled on reappearance a couple of weeks later. |
| 11. INDIAN GANGJA – 4th of 11 on first try at class and distance. Comes in after two months off and is in the placing frame here. |
| 12. WIDAEHANGWANGGYONG – 3rd at class and distance in June. Repeat is not impossible.
Verdict: Competitive race and any number of them have solid claims. We’ll go with the first-timer at this distance, (4) CITY WINNER to take the honours though. (2) BOUND KOREA was beaten by (7) STYLISH a month ago before putting in a better performance a couple of weeks ago. Both are in contention today as are (5) HAPPY TOUR and (11) INDIAN GANGJA. |
| Selections | (4) City Winner (2) Bound Korea (7) Stylish (5) Happy Tour |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 9 |
Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 55 Million
| 1. ILLYU SINHWA – Offered little in eleven prior starts. |
| 2. MASTER RUN – Debut-making Aussie colt. Few clues in trials so watching brief first-up. |
| 3. WIRYEOKGIMA – Had a stop start year with more stops than starts. |
| 4. TAMNA JEONGBEOL – Recent form cold. Top jockey on though. |
| 5. DANGDAE ALPHA – Winner of three from five. 2nd over 1000M at this class last time and in the frame here. Likely pace-setter. |
| 6. B.K. BOSS – Second on debut but he’s unbeaten in three since. He’s the one to beat. |
| 7. KWAESOK BARAM – Yet to win in 23 but capable of sneaking minor money in races such as this. |
| 8. IMPASSIONED MARINE – Returned from six months off in June but shown little in two starts since. |
| 9. GWANGYAUI JILJU – Midfield in latest tow, both at 1000M. Could improve. |
| 10. CHARTERED DREAM – Yet to win in 15 but looks nicely in here and should beat plenty. |
| 11. SHARP AMERICAN – Recent form doesn’t inspire. |
| 12. BETTER THAN YOU – Decent type but inconsistent. Could place on his day. |
Verdict: It’s hard to oppose (6) B.K. BOSS here. He’s won his last three by a combined margin of fourteen lengths and should make it four in a row here. (5) DANGDAE ALPHA’s record is almost as impressive although his wins haven’t been as emphatic and he is the main danger here. Those two look far superior to the rest but we could also see good runs from the likes of (9) GWANGYAUI JILJU and (10) CHARTERED DREAM.
| Selections | (6) B.K. Boss (5) Dangdae Alpha (10) Chartered Dream (9) Gwangyaui Jilju |
| Next Best | 12, 7 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 10 |
Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 55 Million
| 1. JAYU DAERO – Well back behind Run Star and The Stars last time. Two months off since and back in trip. Can improve. |
| 2. BAEKDUBONG – 4th behind Baedari Gosu but ahead of Sorichyeo last time. Could at least match today. Front-runner. |
| 3. BAEDARI GOSU – Beat Baekdubong and Sorichyeo in June. Disappointed at 1000M last time but can be better today. |
| 4. THE STARS – 2nd to Run Star on June 2nd but had a hard time on reappearance behind the same horse a month ago. Apprentice jockey takes some weight off today. |
| 5. COURAGIO – Returned from six months off to record his third win in five career starts on June 23rd. Strongly in the frame again. |
| 6. RUN STAR – A win an 2nd and a 3rd from his last three starts, all at a mile. Steps back a furlong today but should go close again. |
| 7. CHOEGANG OFFICER – Beaten by Baekdubong last time but could sneak some money here. |
| 8. FEISTY – 3rd behind Couragio last time and one of the main dangers to that one again. |
| 9. SORICHYEO – Not much inspiration to be found in recent form
Verdict: (5) COURAGIO returned from almost six months off to win at class and distance at the end of June. He carries an extra couple of kilos today but is still the one to beat. (8) FEISTY was 3rd that day, just a length and a half back, and looks to be the main threat here while (3) BAEDARI GOSU and (6) RUN STAR are others who can challenge. |
| Selections | (5) Couragio (8) Feisty (3) Baedari Gosu (6) Run Star |
| Next Best | 7, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2 |
Race 7: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
| 1. B.K.PHIL – Latest form is cold and he’s an outsider here. |
| 2. JANGGUNEUI HUYE – Decent filly returning from almost four months off. Trialed up very competently. |
| 3. COWBOY CAPTAIN – Always comes close and enters following a 2nd and a 3rd at class and distance. Top weight by some margin, he’ll be close but may find one or two too quick again. |
| 4. PERLIN – Two wins from four starts so far. First outing since struggling in March but flew through a trial a couple of weeks ago. Not to be ruled out. |
| 5. POKPUNG SINHWA – Top jockey booking today but recent form makes her hard to back. |
| 6. BESTOWED – Not beaten many in four efforts at this class. |
| 7. FIRST MOVER – Slowly away in latest two but has finished off ok. Could find the places. |
| 8. SAEBYEOK BADA – Up in class following victory over 1000M. More to find here but light weight and could surprise. |
| 9. SMART GENTLEMAN – Had a hard time at class 2 and was accordingly put back down two starts ago. Continued to struggle at this level. |
| 10. BONUSⅡ – Up in class after maiden win at the fifth time of asking at the end of June. Top stable and will have backers. Unusually, all five prior have been at further. |
| 11. DAMYANG HWANHO – Landed a 2nd place ahead of First Move at the beginning of June but could only managed 7th on reappearance at the end of that month. |
Verdict: Interesting race and the up in class (10) BONUS II has as good a chance as any. He’ll certainly be favourite, coming as he does from Kim Young Kwan’s stable and can build on his win last time under a light weight today. (3) COWBOY CAPTAIN doesn’t carry a light weight but should still be competitive while (4) PERLIN and (2) JANGGUNEUI HUYE are in the frame as well.
| Selections | (10) Bonus II (2) Jangguneui Huye (4) Perlin (3) Cowboy Captain |
| Next Best | 11, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 8, 9 |
Race 8: Class 3 (1200m) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
| 1. ANY NINE – Up in class following smart win at the distance on July 9th, coming from midfield and finishing strongly. Repeat is not impossible. |
| 2. KKEUTPAN AERO – Returned to winning ways last month after solitary defeat, beating four of these. More weight today but every chance once more. Will look to make all. |
| 3. PHANTOM BLADE – Proven competitive at this level with back to back 3rd place finishes in latest two and could repeat here. |
| 4. MIRACLE BOLT – 3rd behind Kkeutpan Aero last time. A bit to overturn on that one but should beat plenty of the rest. |
| 5. JUNGANG YEOJE – Not shown a lot in two starts back since lengthy layoff. Good stable though so don’t rule out improvement as showed talent in the past. |
| 6. CHOEGANG ADVENTURE – The worst of the five of these who raced each other on July 9th. Has struggled at this level. |
| 7. WIN GO MAN – Getting closer in recent starts and was 4th behind Kkeutpan Aero and Miracle Bolt on July 9th. Can look for minor money again. |
| 8. GOLD SKY – Back up in class having run 2nd to Fantastic Joy last time over 1000M. Prior evidence would suggest this level won’t be easy. |
| 9. EOREUM GONGJU – 8th behind Kkeutpan Aero on latest start and a lot to find here. Tended to struggle at anything further than the minimum. |
| 10. FANTASTIC JOY – Won her latest two and four from seven in total to be promoted to this level. Has won at 1300M before and is in the frame here. |
| 11. MAJOR WINNER – Not found it easy in three goes at this level, weakening badly last time. |
| 12. THE QUEEN – 4th of 8 at class and distance a couple of weeks ago but has been beaten by a number of these recently. |
Verdict: After an aberration in April, (2) KKEUTPAN AERO returned to winning ways on return from suspension last month and she’ll be very hard to beat here. (10) FANTASTIC JOY comes in having won her latest two. She’s up in class but looks the main danger to the favourite while (3) PHANTOM BLADE and (4) MIRACLE BOLT are others with strong placing chances.
| Selections | (2) Kkeutpan Aero (10) Fantastic Joy (3) Phantom Blade (4) Miracle Bolt |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 9, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 