June gets underway big week of racing in Korea with two huge Stakes races coming up on Sunday in the shape of the SBS Sports Sprint and the Ttukseom Cup. Before that, things kick off at Busan on Friday with 10 races from 11:30 to 18:00.

There are relatively small fields throughout as the grooms’ strike continues on the South Coast. Accordingly the race times are slightly different to regular Fridays:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance/ KRW 24 Million

(4) IHYEN led for much of her third start on May 4^th, ultimately ending in 2^nd place at this distance but Bart Rice’s filly can have come on for that run and can see off this small set of rivals today. (1) GIPPEUM SARANG ran a career-best 3^rd last time out and looks to be the main danger although (2) BREAKING NEWS drops back in trip today after some up and down performances over 1300M and can get close as well. (6) OS HILL and (7) EUTTEUM CHAMP, who does have a 2^nd to her name, the best of a limited rest.

Selections	(4) Ihyen (1) Gippeum Sarang (2) Breaking News (7) Eutteum Champ
Next Best	6
Fast Start	1, 3, 4

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(6) KING’S POWER has shown progression across four engagements to date culminating in a close 3^rd place last time at this distance on April 20^th. That was his first start since last October and with a bit more progression today, he can win this weak affair. (5) CHEONHAUI KKUM has shown some glimpses of ability across nine outings and can get close while (7) MUCHO hasn’t totally disgraced himself and may play a part too. (3) NICE HUMOR has only run once and can be given another chance. Neither of the two debut-makers showed anything in trials although given the standard of the opposition, they can’t be completely ruled out. (4) HALLA SKY looks the most likely.

Selections	(6) King’s Power (5) Cheonhaui Kkum (7) Mucho (4) Halla Sky
Next Best	3
Fast Start	6, 7

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Thomas Gillespie’s (6) ROYAL BLUE has a 3^rd and a 4^th from three starts so far, the latter of them at this distance three weeks ago. He’ll likely get on the early pace today and should have too much. (5) STAR WOMAN has a couple of 3^rd place finishes to her name and steps up in trip for the first time here. She’s run through the line well enough so far, so it just might suit. (7) TOP HERO weakened late on over a mile last start but may be better back in trip today. He’ll likely challenge Royal Blue for the early lead and can benefit from the services of Fergus Sweeney. (2) MIR KAN was an improved 3^rd on his latest outing and can build on that today. (3) BEOLMA HAMSEONG returns for the first time since January and trialed well.

Selections	(6) Royal Blue (5) Star Woman (7) Top Hero (2) Mir Kan
Next Best	3, 1
Fast Start	6, 7

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) CHEONGDAM BLADE was 4^th of 11 on debut at 1000M just two weeks ago. He was a long way behind the winner, but it was encouraging enough, and the connections will tempt many. He’s up in trip today and could win. The main danger is (4) AGUILENA. She was 4^th on debut at this trip in March before stepping up to a mile for her re-appearance in May. She led for much of that race before being passed in the closing stages and (more…)