The 2020 racing season gets underway ay Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Not the strongest of maidens to kick off 2020 with and accordingly it could well be (8) CHOEGANG CLEAR, who managed to drift winless through his juvenile and three-year-old campaigns, who gets off to the best possible start for his four-year-old term. He comes in having recorded his best finish to date when 2^nd to Sanbang Any Day last start and while he is one-paced, that may well be enough here. (11) ECHO MOON and (3) YESSA QUEEN came home 4^th and 5^th respectively on what was for both their debut on December 6^th. Echo Moon was superior by four-lengths that day and is the preferred of the pair, but both can show improvement. (10) DAEGYO has hinted at ability across her eight starts so far and dead-heated for 3^rd last time out. She’s now shown much in the way of speed but may not need to in order to run into some money here. (4) FOREVER RUNNER perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Selections: (8) Choegang Clear (11) Echo Moon (3) Yessa Queen (10) Daegyo

Next Best: 4, 9

Fast Start: 1, 2, 3, 4

 

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A field of twelve maidens will line up over the five furlongs in the second on the card. In a field that appears to lack depth, (10) LINCHPIN looks the one to beat. The Colors Flying Colt has had just one start to date when sixth behind Save The World back in July. He was then sent for a spell and resumes in this event after winning a trial in fair time. He jumped fairly in the trial and recovered quickly to lead and win. He’s a big imposing individual and although his trial was far from amazing, this looks an easy kill. (4) SEUNGRIUI BULGIL has been running in stronger maiden events of late and looks another of the main chances. Whilst never finishing closer than fifth in five career starts the filly has ran much better time on dry tracks and for that reason she appears an each-way hope. (2) NANSAN MUJEOK is a potential improver running in to some minor prize money last time out. The Gyeongbudaero colt has drawn better for his assignment and can settle closer to the speed. (8) WONDERFUL SMARTY wasn’t ready for the 1300m last start and is a potential place chance with the drop back to the 1000m

Selections (10) Linchpin (4) Seungriui Bulgil (2) Nansan Mujeok (8) Wonderful Smarty

Next Best 3, 7

Fast Start 8, 11

 

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens go around here and (1) MINYEOBONG was nice and encouraging on debut, beating three of these on her way to 2^nd place on December 6. She led throughout the early stages of that race and while she ended up a full five-lengths behind a useful looking winner, she showed enough to suggest that she has wins in her. She’ll lead again here and is favoured to go all the way. (3) FLYING KINGS is the most experienced runner in the race with four starts under his belt already. The best of those was his latest when he was 2^nd at this distance in a very similar strength race to this. He’s been slow off the mark in each of his latest two but if he can get away a bit better today, he can go very close. (12) FANTASTIC WINNER has acquitted himself well in two outings to date, narrowly beaten into 2^nd on debut over 1000M in October before following up with 4^th in a good race at this distance on November. He’ll want to be close to the pace, so the draw hasn’t done him many favours here, but he is good enough to overcome it and get close. (2) JEMA TUJI and (11) JEONSEOLUI BOSS didn’t do much on debut but both can make progress here.

Selections: (1) Minyeobong (3) Flying Kings (12) Fantastic Winner (2) Jema Tuji

Next Best: 11, 5

Fast Start: 1, 3, 12

 

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A field of twelve maiden gallopers will line up in the fourth over the 1300m. (6) INDIAN CHUJANG looks ready to break through after placing at his past two starts. The lightly raced five-year-old come out of a stronger Class 6 event when finishing third to Thunder King. He sat on speed last start and with limited speed engaged expect the Hawk Wing gelding to sit in the top three in running and be given every chance by Jung Do-Yun who has been in great form of late. (9) RAINBOW PARK will be stretched out the 1300m for the first time after ten career starts. The Ecton Park colt has been running some nice races finishing in the top four at his past three starts. It appears there is only two or three in this race that can set the pace, as a result Kim Dong-Young is likely to settle forward as his mount has shown early speed in recent runs. (2) TRIPLE TIARA handed in a better performance last time out when going over the 1300m for the first time. The Hansen fill finished fifth in the event, the same race where the top elect Indian Chujang finished third. (7) MYEONGGA DAERO looks one that collect some minor money after finishing in the top five at his past two starts. He was one paced through the line last start, but we know he can run out a reasonable 1300m.

Selections (6) Indian Chujang (9) Rainbow Park (2) Triple Tiara (7) Myeongga Daero

Next Best 3, 4

Fast Start 1, 6, 12

 

Race 5: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Eleven maidens tackle the mile and it’s (9) BORNE MATTA who is the one they’ll need to beat. The Testa Matta gelding returned from almost seven months out to finish 2^nd at 1300M on December 13^th, well behind a good winner, but very promising first-up, nonetheless. He’s previously gone well at this distance and the booking of Seo Seung-un suggests he is ready to score today. (5) CHEONNYEONUIHEUIMA has been knocking at the door for some time. She overcame a poor start to run on very strongly over 1300M three weeks ago and step back up to a mile – combined with hopefully a better break from the gate – can see her go close once more. (7) MULTI POWER is another who ran on strongly last time and the opportunity to run over a bit of distance could be to his benefit today. (1) TIZ LINE and (3) SUPER GALAXY are among others with the potential to improve.

Selections: (9) Borne Matta (5) Cheonnyeonuiheuima (7) Multi Power (3) Super Galaxy

Next Best: 1, 10

Fast Start: 1, 4, 5

 

Race 6: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

The sixth on the card will be watched with interest as we have two very nice progressive horses engaged. It was a flip of the coin between Golden Winner and Blue Power who both come off sensational victories last time out. (9) GOLDEN WINNER ended up the top elect, his last start win was superb when working early to overcome barrier twelve to sit outside the leader. The striking chestnut looks like a seasoned professional with a big stride, he looks one that will appreciate the step up to the mile. He ran a good time in his first race start and one can only assume there will be improvement out of his first look at the track. (11) BLUE POWER annihilated a Class 6 field last time out with a winning margin of fifteen lengths. He has form behind Busan’s best two-year-old Save The World, finishing fourth in the Gold Circle Trophy. Tactics will be crucial to his chances with barrier eleven, Lee Sung-Jae say rides the colt for the first time and is likely to work forward early. (3) KING DOMBO appreciated the step up to the mile last time out when winning. The Tiz Wonderful four-year-old has drawn ideally to kick-up early and sit on speed. 56.5kg may be somewhat problematic giving his main rivals an advantage in the weight scale. (2) WORLD TODAY was well beaten last time out when having to deal with a wide draw. He can rebound and finish in the minor money.

Selections (9) Golden Winner (11) Blue Power (3) King Dombo (2) World Today

Next Best 12, 1

Fast Start 2, 3, 9, 11

 

Race 7: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Filly (and one mare) only race and a nice and competitive one it is too with three last start winners among the ten lining up. This three are all up in class though and the one that they will need to beat is (6) QUEEN OF THE WORLD. An easy all the way winner on debut back in October, she’s raced twice at this level since, both over 1300M, finishing 2^nd and 3^rd, both times in strong company. She steps back in trip today and looks very nicely in to return to winning ways. As for those last start winners, (2) K.B. BOSS looks the best She was a dominant winner over this distance on December 13^th, practically making all from a wide draw in a fast time. She’ll lead and may be hard to pass. (3) HALLA BIHO races for the first time since November 15^th, when she beat K.B. Boss on her way to a maiden victory. Thomas Gillespie’s filly still has scope for improvement and should be in the mix today. So too should (7) FIRST MOCCASIN. She was sent off favourite on debut on December 13^th and duly obliged by just under a length having led all the way. She’ll need to improve in this company but looks to have the ability to do so. As for the rest, (1) USEUNGUI PARANGSAE is the wildcard. She races for the first time in twelve weeks and from the inside gate, should be on pace from the start.

Selections: (6) Queen Of The World (2) K.B. Boss (3) Halla Biho (7) First Moccasin

Next Best: 1, 8

Fast Start: 1, 2, 7

 

Race 8: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

There are several chances engaged in the eighth where a field of twelve will line up over the 1300m. (3) TURBO SPEED should be an each-way price in this event, having seven starts in Class 5 company and yet breaking through. Taking the stats into account, the Eurosilver four-year-old has shown significant improvement at his past few starts running on strong to collect some prize money. He looks a good each-way investment based on a good drawn and the claim on Jeong Woo-Ju in an open event. (10) YEONGSEONG BRAVO looks the likely favourite in the race. He backed up his Class 6 victory with a second in this type of company. Whilst he looks the one to beat his form lines don’t read that strong, combine that with a wide draw he looks a risk at short odds. (7) OASIS GIRL broke through for her first win last time out at her fourth career start. She led throughout for the victory and You Hyun-Myung is likely to employ the same tactics. (4) GUKMIN STAR is second-up after a good preparation in the first part of 2019. expect improvement second-up with a run under his belt.

Selections (3) Turbo Speed (10) Yeongseong Bravo (7) Oasis Girl (4) Gukmin Star

Next Best 8, 9

Fast Start 7, 10, 11

 

Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Wildly competitive handicap with any number of potential winners. We’ll go with the form though and have (8) ACE BOOM continuing his winning streak, which currently stands at three dating back to last April. Her latest was on December 8^th at class and distance when after leading early, she was headed only to rally back strongly and get the best of a tight four-way finish. She does carry an additional 3kg today, but her class can see her through once more. (1) RAON CAESERS was 4^th in that same race – less than half a length in arrears so tight was it – and he should be among the main dangers to the favourite here. From the inside gate he can sit behind the early lead and finish strongly. (2) VEGA THUNDER was last seen running a close 2^nd to Raon Caesers all the way back last July. She looked sharp in a trial just a week ago though and can run well first-up today. The very experienced (3) MIO steps back in trip and into contention. He’ll challenge Ace Boom for the early lead and should be able to run on well. Another experienced type (5) GOLDEN KNIGHT comes in off creditable showings behind good horses and can aim for the money again.

Selections: (8) Ace Boom (1) Raon Caesers (5) Golden Knight (2) Vega Thunder

Next Best: 3, 9

Fast Start: 2, 3, 8, 11

 

Race 10: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The tenth on the card looks to have a short-priced favourite engaged who should just win. (6) YEONGGWANGUI PARTY looks a promising type who comes off a superb Class 4 win last time out. The now three-year-old posted a fast time for the 1600m on a dry rated track last start and looks hard to beat stepping up to the 1800m. Kim Young-Kwan and Seo Seung-Un is a winning combination. (1) MAGIC FLYING has been racing well in similar company of late. The four-year-old ran on well over this distance last time out to finish second behind Samseong Dokki. He carries an additional 1kg in this event and should settle slightly closer from the inside draw. (4) FINE TRUMPET comes out of the same race as Magic Flying when finishing third. He has won just the two from thirteen starts but is always a place chance in this company. (5) BLUE DANCER stepped up to Class 4 company last time out and ran a respectable fourth behind Yeonggwangui Party. Keep the six-year-old safe in your wider selections.

Selections (6) Yeonggwangui Party (1) Magic Flying (4) Fine Trumpet (5) Blue Dancer

Next Best 12, 7

Fast Start 4, 6

 

Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

Four of these raced each other at class and distance on December 13^th. They finished between 5^th and 9^th but such were the tight margins that day, the best of them (2) CHEOLBI, was barely a length behind the winner. A somewhat slow starter, Cheolbi will run on strongly again and is a strong contender here. The one to beat though is that day’s 6^th place-getter, (1) GREAT ROCK. He runs best when on or close to the pace but missed the kick in that race and wasn’t able to mount a significant challenge. That was his first try at this class and he can build on the experience here. (3) THUNDER FLY was 7^th in that same race but has good experience at this level including a close 2^nd to Glitter at this distance two starts back and he too can be taken seriously here. (4) K PLUS WON was the worst performer in that December 13^th race, but he got a little bit lost in the early stages from the inside gate and only ran on when too late. He’s posted fast times in the past though and is worth another chance here. As for those who didn’t go in that race a month ago, (10) CUBAUI YEOLJEONG looks best. She races for the first time since a 4^th place behind Thunder Fly in November and can run into some money again here.

Selections: (1) Great Rock (3) Thunder Fly (4) K Plus Won (10) Cubaui Yeoljeong

Next Best: 2, 5

Fast Start: 1, 4, 10