It’s Korean Oaks weekend with the big race being held at Busan on Sunday. Before that there is a bumper 15-race Friday program at Busan from 11.30 to 18.00. Once more, despite other sports -and in fact everything else in Korea – now being open, permission has still not been given for racegoers to attend.
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million
Juvenile maidens to kick off Friday’s card with seven of the eleven having raced once before. Four of them debuted in the same race over this distance on July 17th and it was (3) B.K. LOOKS who ran out the best of them, finishing in 2nd place. He had led early before being left behind by a very nice looking winner, Winner’s Man, and showed enough to suggest he has a win in him sooner rather than later. Of the others who went that day, (2) BAEK PUNG in 6th ran reasonably well and has the potential to improve here. (1) NAMED came from off the pace on her debut on June 26th to run on well for 5th place and can build on that today. Among the three first-time starters, (5) MACH TITAN looks the pick. The Hansen colt made all to comfortably win a trial under minimal urging three weeks ago. If he brings that form to the racetrack and then gets a lead again, he will be hard to beat. (6) STEADY WINNER is a half-sister to the very good Mask and warrants a close look on debut here.
| Selections | (5) Mach Titan (3) B.K. Looks (1) Named (2) Baek Pung |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
It looks as if Djordje Perovic can have another good weekend after taking out the Korean Derby last week aboard Save The World in Seoul. The Serbian hoop will ride (9) HUIMANGUI SORY in the second where the horse comes off a good performance, when finishing second behind Doctor Fashion. The times he has clocked over the five furlongs have been brilliant, the extra furlong looks to suit him and at set weights the two-year-old looks one of the better bets on the card. (11) ACEUI GIPPEUM was good on debut when placing in a similar event. The Ecton Park filly produced one of the faster sectionals you will see for a debutant, suggesting she will appreciate the step-up to the 1200m. (1) TOP OF KOREA debuts after some handy trial performances. He needs to be respected as there looked to be more in the tank after producing some handy trials. (8) GEUMA BONNY is another on debut after running some handy trials. The Tiz Wonderful filly is likely to be outpaced early but keep her safe in your wider selections.
| Selections | (9) Huimangui Sory (11) Aceui Gippeum (1) Top Of Korea (8) Geuma Bonny |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 4 |
Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(1) ILNYEOM TONGCHEON debuted well at this trip in an all-filly affair on June 19th, running on for 2nd behind Final Party. She had previously made all in a trial and has every chance of going very close again today. (9) YEONGGWANGUI EAGLE returns to action here for the first time since the shutdown. He was a solid 2nd on his last start in February at this distance behind Goblin and while he only took part in one heat during the hiatus, it was a strong one and he can make an immediate impact first up today. (11) YEONGGWANGUI START looked to be on the verge of figuring things out before the shutdown. She was a touch disappointing when fading for 5th on his first try at this distance on July 10th but having not trialed since April, may have been wanting for fitness a little. She should be better today. The rest are going to need to improve but the Bart Rice-trained pair of (5) INVISIBLE MAN and (10) GENERAL ANN have both hinted at ability and can continue to develop here.
| Selections | (1) Ilnyeom Tongcheon (11) Yeonggwangui Start (9) Yeonggwangui Eagle (10) General Ann |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 11 |
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The Korean-bred maiden gallopers line up in the fourth where they will tackle the 1300m. (9) CHOEGANG HUNTER looks toughest to beat on paper coming off a first-up second placing behind Mr. Fusion. The extra half furlong should be advantageous for the colt after hitting the line in good style. Jo In-kwen stays aboard after having a good time of it last weekend. (2) MINYEO GEOMGAEK placed on resumption as well, with the filly being put over the 1400m first up. She sat on speed last time out, something we haven’t seen from her previously. If Choi Si-dae elects to work forward again he can do so from a good draw. (6) EAGLE STAR is another speedy type who finished second last start. The gelding performed better than most expected when returning to the track last start. Djordje Perovic will be legged aboard, who holds a very good strike rate since his return to Korea. (7) WONDERFUL SMARTY looks next best after finishing fourth behind Top Lucky last time out.
| Selections | (9) Choegang Hunter (2) Minyeo Geomgaek (6) Eagle Star (7) Wonderful Smarty |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 11 |
Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(1) CHEONGDAM DRIVE has shown improvement across three starts to date, culminating in a 3rd place over 1300M last start a month ago. He steps up slightly in trip today and that, along with the presence of Djordje Perovic aboard, may be just what it takes for him to make the breakthrough. Of those who have tackled this distance before, (6) PILSEUNG IJI has recorded the fastest time. She goes around for the fourth time since resumption with two 3rd place finishes and a fourth from her three cracks so far and should be there or thereabouts again. (11) DOCTOR MAX was beaten by Pilseung Iji two starts back but comes in here having run 3rd at this distance on July 17th. She was given a forward ride that day and while today’s draw does her no favours, she should be in the hunt for at least another place. (2) GRAND CAPTIAN and (5) GOLD MAGIC are others with potential for improvement.
| Selections | (1) Cheongdam Drive (6) Pilseung Iji (11) Doctor Max (2) Grand Captain |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 6, 11 |
Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The sixth is a tough event for punters to dissect with numerous winning chances. (4) SUSO TANK is the on top selection after finishing second over this distance last time out behind Blue Signal. The fact we know she can run a strong mile out is a plus, with plenty of these runners being tested over it for the first time today. The Tiz Wonderful filly has had three runs this time in suggesting she will be rock hard fit for her assignment. (7) JEONSEOULUI FIGHT is third-up and comes off multiple placings since resuming. The Colors Flying colt looks as if he will appreciate the mile this time around, as he has been given plenty of time to find
Horse Racing in Korea 