The monsoon has arrived in Korea this week and while most of the weekend is forecast to be dry, a significant amount of rain has already fallen across the peninsula so look out for wet track conditions. Racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 15 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Racing continues to be behind closed doors. Here are the previews:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A pretty hot maiden to kick things off with plenty of these having shown promise in trials. (1) SMART VALUE went through two heats, most recently in March, when he led all the way to come home first in a fast time on a dry track. Drawn in the inside gate he can work forward under Jo In-kwen and can go very close. The only other trial “winner” is (11) GREAT GOOD. Thomas Gillespie’s filly came from just behind the early speed in a May heat to cross the line 1st, pulling away and needs to be taken seriously today. (9) MAEUM DAERO improved across two heats and he trainer and jockey combination will ensure she gets plenty of support. (6) ROYALIST and (7) ACHIM BIT are others who showed ability in their trials and have every chance of performing well first up.
| Selections | (11) Great Good (1) Smart Value (6) Royalist (7) Achim Bit |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
The second on the card will see the Korean-bred two-year-olds line up over the 1600m, all of which are on debut. There was a lot to like about the trial of (1) DOCTOR FASHION last month. The Old Fashioned colt bounced out in good style and led the field well into the straight. The older gallopers eventually gobbled up the chestnut but he was never fully asked for by his rider, he finished a couple of lengths behind handy three-year-old Save The World. Expect You Hyun-Myung to work forward from the inside draw and prove hard to catch. Archarcharch filly (9) NAMED showed a nice turn of foot in her trial. Francois Herholdt, who was aboard for the trial and will ride on Friday let her find her feet before improving just before the turn. She hit the line well and finished just behind the on top elect Doctor Fashion. (2) HEAT YEGAM clocked a fair time in his trial in wet conditions. The Take Charge Indy colt was given a couple of backhanders to keep him running through the line strong, which he did and a forward showing would not surprise. (5) HUIMANGUI SORY is next best after a fair trial performance where he lost touch early before running on well in the straight.
| Selections | (1) Doctor Fashion (9) Named (2) Heat Yegam (5) Huimangui Sory |
| Next Best | 11, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1 |
Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Twelve maidens go around here with precisely half the field lining up in a race for the very first time. Of the experienced ones, only (12) TOP LUCKY has managed to hit the board so far, doing so on her second start back in January when she ran 3rd over 1000M. Her subsequent trial was competent enough and stepping up in trip today, she may be considered. (1) TAMNA HWANGHU showed very little in two starts at the start of the year but looked significantly more competent when trialing three weeks ago and the addition of Jo In-kwen aboard can only be a plus. (9) PILSEUNG IJI meanwhile has experience of racing at this distance and also looks set to improve. As for the first-timers, (8) WIND PARK won a trial at the end of May and accordingly brings herself straight into contention against modest opposition here, while (6) CRONOS offered few clues in his heat but the stable means he is sure to have supporters.
| Selections | (12) Top Lucky (1) Tamna Hwanghu (8) Wind Park (9) Pilseung Iji |
| Next Best | 6, 10, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8 |
Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The Korean-bred maidens line up again over the 1400m in the fourth where they’ve all previously raced. (9) PAI BLADE is the on top selection here on the basis of his recent good trial. The lightly raced four-year-old had his first run mid last year and has not been seen on race day since. He trialed late April and did everything right, finishing third and clocking a good time under hands and heels from Franco Da Silva. (4) JEONSEOLUI FIGHT has had four previous starts where his best performance came at his most recent start finishing fourth over 1200m. He clocked a fast trial for this grade in May and looks one that is ready to fire early. (3) CHOEGANG CLEAR is the most experienced galloper engaged with fourteen starts under his belt. He only beat one home in his trial but he ran into some handy ones in his heat. This is not a strong race and he is capable of picking up a minor cheque. (8) A. ONCE looks a place chance based on her trial. She was under the stick for the last furlong and clocked a fair time.
| Selections | (9) Pai Blade (4) Jeonseolui Fight (3) Choegang Clear (8) A. Once |
| Next Best | 12, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 12 |
Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(10) TRIPLE MAGIC ran through the line strongly for 2nd on what was his second appearance on the racecourse in February. He looked well when trialing in April and the step up in trip today should suit. He looks the one to beat. (11) BLUE SIGNAL ran competently enough in two January outings and while she didn’t show much in the way of speed, she ran on gamely enough to suggest that she can tough out 1400M as well. She’ll most likely be steadily away and pass a few late on. (7) BEAUTIFUL GALLOP managed a 3rd place behind Great Boss on her final start before the shutdown. She too hasn’t been quick but looked lively in a trial and is another who may appreciate the extra distance. (8) MARK STAR defied lengthy odds to run 2nd over 1200M back in January and is another who ran a touch quicker than expected in a trial. He can come from off the pace and cause problems late on. There is one solitary debut-maker. (4) PORRIMA was no better than average in her heats but average may well be good enough to hit the board in this limited company.
| Selections | (10) Triple Magic (11) Blue Signal (8) Mark Star (4) Porrima |
| Next Best | 7, 12 |
| Fast Start | 1, 12 |
Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The maiden gallopers go over the mile in the sixth where their 1000m trial efforts aren’t all that helpful in gauging their condition. (3) BLUE EMBER lines up for her sixth start after showing some improvement at the start of the year. The chestnut trialed well after settling near last before going through her gears in the home straight, working through the line well. Franco Da Silva has a good draw to work with, she should be able to settle (more…)
Horse Racing in Korea 