The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. The meeting is open to the public but reservations must be made one day in advance via the “MyCard” app. Here are the previews:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Maidens kick things off with five of the eleven racing for the very first time. Among those with experience, (4) ALPHA AGAIN looks the best. He’s led in all three of his races so far only to be passed on each occasion with a best finish of 3rd. The drop back in trip may be to his benefit and he could make the breakthrough here. It won’t be easy though as there are a few first-timers with potential. (1) COOL GUY was the best in trials, putting in a competent front-running performance and registering a good time. If he gets to the front, he may be hard to beat. (3) YEONGGWANGUI POWER and (11) HAEUNDAE BADA likewise impressed in their heats and should go well first up. Returning to the experienced ones, (9) SIMON LADY has been inconsistent but has proven capable of finding some money in similar company to this.
| Selections | (1) Cool Guy (3) Yeonggwangui Power (4) Alpha Again (11) Haeundae Bada |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 9 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
A small field of nine will face the starter in the second where the Class 6 gallopers will go over the six furlongs. (1) YEONGSEONGTEUKGEUP effectively gets a second chance in this grade after winning a Class 6 event when there were no penalties for winning, as result of covid relief racing organized by the KRA. The Old Fashioned colt clocked a good time for this grade, he lines up with the same weight over the same distance and we predict the result will be the same as well. (6) DAMYANG DOLPUNG lines up for his second start after finishing third on debut back in July. The Purge colt finished off strong on debut and should appreciate the extra furlong. (4) CAPTAIN GIRL is on debut from the Kim Young-kwan stable. The Menifee filly clocked a fair time but there appeared to be more in the tank. (3) SMART YEONGUNG has had a handful of starts and whilst is yet to place, based on previous runs he looks capable of collecting some minor money.
| Selections | (1) Yeongseongteukgeup (6) Damyang Dolpung (4) Captain Girl (3) Smart Yeongung |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4 |
Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Another horse who can take advantage of the temporary relaxation in the class 6 rules is (7) GREY ANGEL. She came from well off the pace to score on debut a month ago, winning very handily indeed. Carrying the same weight again today and at the same distance, it’s hard to see her being beaten. (3) WONDER RUNNER was a useful 3rd on debut on October 16th having briefly led late on. She should be prominent again and should be at least placing once more. (2) TWO TWO CHALLENGER has improved over three starts so far. The apprentice jockey knows the filly very well and she shouldn’t be too far away here. There are two first-time starters, both of them with eye-catching jockey bookings. Of the pair, (4) GWANGDAESEUNGCHEON showed the most in trials and should be in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (7) Grey Angel (4) Gwangdaeseungcheon (3) Wonder Runner (2) Two Two Challenger |
| Next Best | 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4 |
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
The maiden gallopers go over 1300m in the fourth where there looks to be limited early speed engaged. (4) PEACE BAEK looks ready to win coming off successive placings including one just four weeks back. The filly lacked early speed last time out before reeling off a good sectional. Kim Myoung-sin gets a good opportunity to break a run of outs. (11) DAESAN GAPBU looks an each way chance in the event albeit still a maiden after thirteen starts. The filly finished fourth late October behind Gold Magic when hitting the line in fair style. You Hyun-myung will be legged aboard for the first time. (8) GEUMA GOOD POINT lines up for his fifth start with Lee Hyo-sik staying aboard. The Peace Rules gelding finished fourth last time out when running on well. (9) DIVINE QUEEN was somewhat disappointing last time out when well beaten over the 1200m. She has finished third on two occasions from the six starts and should take improvement out of the recent run.
| Selections | (4) Peace Baek (11) Daesan Gapbu (8) Geuma Good Point (9) Divine Queen |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 8, 11 |
Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
(3) SUN ALPHA is another one who benefits from being allowed another crack in class 6 despite already having broken his maiden last month. That win had been coming too, following on from a runner-up finish in August and there is no reason why he can’t repeat today. He does like to come from off the pace though so there is always a danger of him being left with a little too much to do. If this happens then (7) ALPHA STAR is perhaps the one to take advantage. He too would normally be up at class 5 by now with two solid runner-up finishes to his name. He should be on pace from the start and can go close. (8) KING OF JOY passed plenty late on last time and should be in the placing frame again here while (4) CHEONMA HASEO and (5) PILSEUNG IJI are others in the hunt.
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Horse Racing in Korea 