There was a setback in preparation for September’s Keeneland Korea Cup this week with the terribly sad news from Newmarket that Franklin D suffered a fatal accident while working on Wednesday. The up and coming colt was expected to be one of the major contenders in the big race at Seoul next month. Racing goes on though and another busy week of action starts at Busan on Friday.
With summer vacations for all three tracks complete, things are back to a more regular schedule and there will be 11 races at Busan on Friday from 14:30 to 21:00. Peter Wolsley looks like the trainer to follow with four potential favourites among the first eight races. English racecards are here, Notes on races 1-8 below:
Race 1: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 14:30 (KST)
The first of a couple of valuable maiden races for two-year-olds and (3) ADELEUI BOM, who beat a couple of these when running 3rd on debut a month ago is the one to beat here, He should lead gate to wire. The other ones with previous racing experience are likely to be the main competitors. (6) SEGI GANGJA was 5th behind Adeleui Bom on debut and should have come on for it while (4) PARK MAN has run twice showing signs of improvement when 5th in a quick race at this distance last month. Among the debut makers, (2) DONGNAM DAEBAK and (8) YEONGGWANGUIHUNTER looked best in trials.
| Selections | (3) Adeleui Bom (4) Park Man (2) Dongnam Daebak (6) Segi Gangja |
| Next Best | 8, 7, 1, 5 |
| Fast Starters | 3, 5, 6 |
Race 2: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 14:55 (KST)
The second of the valuable maiden races but this time we’ll go with a pair of debut-makers as top choices. (4) DINAH, from Peter Wolsley’s stable, looked very competent in a trial at the end of last month and should be vying for favourite status with Kim Young Kwan’s first-time (2) SINUIPUMGYEOK. He’s the second foal out of a Korean Derby winning filly and won his trial last month. (1) YEONGGWANGUICOUNTRY and (3) NEW PORT both put in underwhelming debuts but can be given another chance here while (7) HAENGUN STORY, who has taken a while to get to the races since qualifying, is the wildcard choice.
| Selections | (4) Dinah (2) Sinuipumgyeok (1) Yeonggwanguicountry (3) New Port |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Outsiders | 5, 6, 9 |
| Fast Starters | 1, 2 |
Race 3: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 15:20 (KST)
Weak race this and it’s hard to see (7) HUIMANG CHANGA failing to prevail here. She should have won at this distance two weeks ago but just weakened late on to be overtaken. There’s nothing of the calibre of horse who beat her that day here though. (3) PYEONGDAEMYEONGMUN is the only other in the field who has shown any glimpse of talent so far so she is second choice with (2) GEUMTE and (4) CHARTERED DREAM a distant next best.
| Selections | (7) Huimang Changa (3) Pyeongdaemyeongmun (2) Geumte (4) Chartered Dream |
| Next Best | 6, 1, 8, 5 |
| Fast Starters | 2, 4 |
Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 16:10 (KST)
The final maiden race of the day and we’ll go with (8) CHEONGCHUN CHAMP, a much improved 2nd last time to benefit from the slight step up in trip and get the job done here. (5) HWAJEONG was beaten twelve-lengths into 2nd last start, her best in five so far while (9) LADY LUCK also secured her best finish to date with a 3rd place in a slightly better race on July 22nd. They look to be the main dangers. (6) HUIMANG PARADE and (1) DARK HOSTA can improve on less than impressive starts to their careers.
| Selections | (8) Cheongchun Champ (9) Lady Luck (5) Hwajeong (1) Dark Hosta |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Outsiders | 3, 4, 7 |
| Fast Starters | 2, 6 |
Race 5: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 17:00 (KST)
(6) GABO STAR was beaten into 2nd when odds-on favourite over class and distance two weeks ago. That was his second time in a row of being beaten when maker leader but we’ll hope for third time lucky today in a race that even more than those previous two, he really should be winning. He should lead early and this time should not be caught. If he is caught, (1) BIGBANG BID, a winner at class and distance last time may be the one to do it. That win was his maiden on his 18th career start though and lightning may not strike again so quickly. (3) SKY WINNER is up in class following back to back 3rd place finishes at class 6 and should be competitive at this level. (9) MINIME is proven to be competitive – at least for the placings – at this level and should be so again.
| Selections | (6) Gabo Star (1) Bigbang Bid (3) Sky Winner (9) Minime |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Outsiders | 2, 5, 7 |
| Fast Starters | 2, 6, 8 |
Race 6: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 17:50 (KST)
Competitive race but another Peter Wolsley one is the firm top choice here. (7) LIMITLESS WIN was a three-length winner at this class over 1200M on July 15th, coming from well off the pace and the extra half furlong today should suit nicely. (6) CHOEGANG ADVENTURE was 3rd in that race, maintaining his very consistent run having never finished worse. He should keep that performance going today. (2) SHARP WIN and (3) MAJOR SLAM are both competent at this level and may be considered (9) SUPER SWEET has struggled in two starts at this level since winning on debut in April but can be given one more chance today. (8) CONCEP DREAM is up in class following an unlikely win last month and has plenty to find.
| Selections | (7) Limitless Win (6) Choegang Adventure (3) Major Slam (9) Super Sweet |
| Next Best | 2, 10, 4, 8 |
| Outsiders | 1, 5, |
| Fast Starters | 1, 6, 9 |
Race 7: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 17:30 (KST)
After three consecutive 2nd place finishes, most recently at class and distance on July 24th, it’s time (2) THE WORLD entered the winner’s circle at what will be the 8th time of asking. She’s got good closing speed and should come from just behind the early leaders. Should she decide to find one too quick again then (1) POWER CHAMP, also 2nd at class and distance last start but a winner in the past, could be one to opt for while (3) LUCKY HANMA has been getting progressively closer at this class and steps up to a mile for the first time. He is a front-runner and staying on will be key. (8) GERMAN JEONCHA is up in class and distance following success in a weak contest a month ago while (5) GANGHO IRON is still yet to win in 21 outings but is certainly capable of finding the money in this company.
| Selections | (2) The World (1) Power Champ (3) Lucky Hanma (5) Gangho Iron |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Outsiders | 4, 6, 7 |
| Fast Starters | 3, 8 |
Race 8: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 19:10 (KST)
Yet another of Peter Wolsley’s is top choice here. (2) WISH ME LUCK is up in class and distance having won his last two, both at a mile. He is a front-runner and there is no reason why he can’t cope with the extra furlong here and make it three in a row. It’s not going to be easy though. (6) SISEON POCHAK was an also-ran in two legs of the Triple Crown but is a proven winner at this distance and will be dangerous. Meanwhile, (1) BOHEMIAN has a lot of solid experience at this level and beat two of these when racing 2nd at class and distance on July 24th. Then there is (8) CAP IN ALL who got his first win in more than two years at this distance in July and needs to be respected.
| Selections | (2) Wish Me Luck (6) Siseon Pochak (1) Bohemian (8) Cap In All |
| Next Best | 4, 3, 5 |
| Outsiders | 7 |
| Fast Starters | 1, 2 |
Horse Racing in Korea 