Grand Prix Stakes weekend kicks off with an 11-race card at Busan on Friday. The first race is at 11:30 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) SAEROUN BARAM was an encouraging 4^th on debut at the end of October and looks to have every chance of coming on more here. He beat (6) EDGE OF WINNER by a length that day and that one too looks to have a chance of improving. Bart Rice’s (9) IHYEN looked competent in trials and is sure to be well backed with a top jockey booking while (1) HURRICANE DREAM debuted well all the way back in January before suffering setbacks and finally returns here. Her trial wasn’t impressive but not was it concerning. (12) DONE IT MY was a decent 2^nd over this distance time and should be close once more.

Selections	(8) Saeroun Baram (9) Ihyen (12) Done It My (1) Hurricane Dream
Next Best	6, 7
Fast Start	2, 5, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

A much improved 2^nd place on what was just his 2^nd start on November 17^th makes (5) CHOEGANG BULLET a likely strong favourite to score this time around. He should be away quickly and can lead from gate to wire. (2) PERFECT BOSS was an encouraging enough 5^th on his first start and can improve today while it’s the same story for (6) JOEUN HAE. Five of the eleven go around for the first time and among those ones, (7) TORNADO KING looks the pick.

Selections	(5) Choegang Bullet (7) Tornado King (2) Perfect Boss (6) Joeun Hae
Next Best	4, 11
Fast Start	5, 6

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Fillies only here and while (3) CHERRY BLOSSOM didn’t find things easy in the Gold Circle Trophy back in September, she returns here after eleven weeks off in much more amenable company and can get her maiden win here. The two “Yeogeols”, (2) HAEDONG YEOGEOL and (4) OKDAN YEOGEOL appear to be the main threats with the latter turning in some decent performances recently and will surely not be at class 6 for much longer. (5) EOMJI CHEOK came home 3^rd in a weak race at 1000M a month ago and looks to be on the up too while (11) SECHAGE also has scope to go better here.

Selections	(3) Cherry Blossom (4) Okdan Yeogeol (2) Haedong Yeogeol (5) Eomji Cheok
Next Best	11, 6
Fast Start	3, 4

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Both (7) DYNAMIC GO and (10) I’M YOUR STAR have shown promise. The former was perhaps unlucky not to win on debut on October and followed up with a strong 4^th place over 1000M a month ago. I’m Your Star meanwhile debuted in a competitive race at 1200M in October, likewise finishing a good 4^th. Both try the distance for the first time but both should be on the early pace and can dispute the finish between them. (9) (more…)